Bay Area Updates
Downtown San Francisco Is Getting a New 41-Story Skyscraper
Bay Area Updates, Brand New, Downtown San Francisco Downtown San Francisco is about to get a new addition to its skyline. A 41-story, 544-foot mixed-use tower is coming to 530 Sansome Street in the Financial District, bringing offices, a five-star hotel, retail, and restaurants to a key corner near Jackson Square. This will be one of the few completely more...
SF’s Iconic Union Square Macy’s Will Stay Open & Get a Major Makeover
Bay Area Updates, Downtown San Francisco, San Francisco Macy’s flagship store in Union Square, a San Francisco icon spanning nearly a full city block, is staying put. Originally slated to close as part of the retailer’s national plan to shutter 150 underperforming stores, Macy’s will now remain open indefinitely. The news was confirmed by Mayor Daniel Lurie, who more...
After 70 Years, Polk Street Icon Bob’s Donuts Closes Original Shop
Bay Area Updates, Eat & Drink, Local Icons, San Francisco It’s the end of an era for San Francisco donut lovers. After 70 years at 1621 Polk St., Bob’s Donuts is closing its original location and moving just down the street to a larger spot at 1720 Polk St. on November 23, 2025. Bob’s got its start in the 1950s when more...
Muni Retiring Iconic ’90s Trains
Bay Area Updates, Goodbye, Transportation After nearly 30 years of service and millions of rides, San Francisco’s iconic Breda light rail trains are heading into retirement, and you’re invited to hop aboard for one final farewell. These chunky silver and red trains have been rolling through the city since 1996, hauling Giants fans to the ballpark, more...
Castro Theatre Unveils 2026 Lineup After $41 Million Renovation
Bay Area Favorites, Bay Area Updates, Reopening, San Francisco After a massive (and controversial) $41 million restoration, San Francisco’s iconic Castro Theatre is finally making its grand return in 2026, and the first lineup is stacked. The century-old landmark will reopen in February with a 20-night, sold-out Sam Smith residency, followed by concerts, comedy, film screenings and community events that more...
SF’s New $4.1 Million Treehouse-Inspired Playground
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco Families in San Francisco’s Sunset District have a brand new playground to check out with the reopening of Stern Grove Playground. Set among the grove’s tall trees just off Sloat Boulevard, the renovated play space has been redesigned with a woodland theme. The new features include tree-like towers, climbing nets, log more...
Fisherman’s Wharf is Getting a $10 Million Makeover
Bay Area Updates, Brand New, Good News, San Francisco Imagine a bright, open waterfront space at the heart of San Francisco’s most visited neighborhood. The new 5,000-square-foot plaza at Fisherman’s Wharf will feature sweeping, wave-shaped seating, picnic tables, and benches that look out over the colorful fleet of Monterey fishing boats in the inner lagoon. String lights will hang more...
Where to Go Apple Picking: Bay Area + Northern California Guide (2025)
Bay Area Favorites, Bay Area Updates, Fall, Outdoorsy, Road Trip Want fresh apples? It doesn’t get any fresher than straight from the tree. There are lots of local farms near San Francisco where you can pick your own apples. Peak apple-picking season near the Bay Area is typically September and October. But don’t wait – many people who wait until later more...
SF’s Sunset Dunes Park Creates New Zones for Bikes and Families
Bay Area Updates, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco San Francisco’s newest park, Sunset Dunes, has only been open since April but is already getting a safety and family-friendly upgrade after a string of bike and scooter accidents, including one involving a 4-year-old. The two-mile park will be split into two zones: Park Zone (west side): Calm, family-friendly space for walking, more...
SF Testing Bringing Uber/Lyft Back onto Market Street
Bay Area Updates, Downtown San Francisco, Transportation Starting Monday, August 26, San Francisco will quietly roll out a test program bringing Uber Black, Lyft Black, and Waymo back to Market Street for the first time since the city banned most car traffic in 2020. The pilot will allow limited pickups and drop-offs at seven designated spots along Market more...
BART Finally Goes Contactless: Pay With Your Credit Card Starting Aug. 20
Bay Area Updates, Brand New, Transportation After nearly two years in the making, BART commuters will finally be able to ditch the Clipper card and tap a credit or debit card directly at the gate starting Wednesday, August 20, 2025. BART is the first Bay Area transit agency to offer this long-awaited convenience, with other Clipper-using systems more...
New Rooftop Concert Venue Coming to Downtown SF?
Bay Area Updates, Brand New, Downtown San Francisco, Wow Empire, the independent SF-based record label behind artists like Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B, is planning a rooftop concert venue on top of its new headquarters in the Financial District. The label bought the historic One Montgomery building (at Post Street) for $22.5 million and just filed a proposal with more...
It’s Peak Dahlia Season in SF (2025)
Bay Area Updates, Get Out: Events, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches Due to an extra cool summer, peak dahlia season is finally here for 2025 as of August 5th. And there’s no better place in San Francisco to view these gorgeous bulbs than at the “Dahlia Dell” in Golden Gate Park located right next to the Conservatory of Flowers. This “dell” a tribute more...
Huge New Waterfront Makeover Coming to the East Bay
Bay Area Updates, East Bay Big changes are coming to the sleepy waterfront in Martinez. The East Bay city just gave the green light to start planning a massive new development that could totally transform the area into a destination spot. The early concept includes up to three hotels, a waterfront restaurant, an amphitheater for more...
SF’s 109-Year-Old Ghirardelli Clock Tower Is Back
Bay Area Updates, Local Icons, San Francisco After more than a year under scaffolding, the historic Ghirardelli Square clock tower has been fully restored and is once again visible from across San Francisco. The 109-year-old tower, built in 1916 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, underwent a major renovation that included a full roof more...
