Bay Area Updates
SF’s Magnificent “Peak” Magnolia Bloom is Here (2026)
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco Thanks to San Francisco Botanical Garden for sharing the news that the first of their beautiful magnolias are at peak bloom. One of San Francisco’s most breathtaking natural marvels, the annual bloom of more than 200 rare and historic magnolias with trees reaching 80 feet, is typically at its peak from January through March at the more...
SF’s Gorgeous Magnolias are Blooming in Golden Gate Park
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco Thanks to San Francisco Botanical Garden for sharing the news that the first of their beautiful magnolias are blooming. One of San Francisco’s most breathtaking natural marvels, the annual bloom of more than 200 rare and historic magnolias with trees reaching 80 feet, is typically at its peak from January through March at the SF Botanical more...
SF’s Biggest Mall Is Officially Closing
Bay Area Updates, Downtown San Francisco, Goodbye The writing was on the wall. San Francisco Centre, once the city’s largest shopping mall and a downtown retail anchor, will permanently close on January 26, 2026, according to an employee at its last remaining tenant. Formerly known as Westfield San Francisco Centre, the mall’s decline accelerated after 2020 as more...
200+ California State Parks Are Now Free for MLK Day 2026
Bay Area Updates, Brand New, San Francisco Governor Newsom announces free entry to California State Parks on MLK Day (Monday, January 19, 2026) as Trump swaps the “free day” for his birthday and whitewashes civil rights history from National Parks. Ahead of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday, January 16, 2026 more...
SFMOMA Ends Free First Thursdays (For Now)
Bay Area Updates, Museums / Cultural Institutions Sadly, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has confirmed that its Free First Thursday program is temporarily paused beginning February 2026. The museum says the program will be re-envisioned and relaunched at a future date, with updates to be shared once plans are finalized. As of January 15, no additional more...
Beloved SF Drag Club ‘Oasis’ Saved After Surprise Donation
Bay Area Updates, Good News, LGBTQ+, San Francisco A surprise last-minute donation has saved beloved SoMa drag club Oasis, which had planned to close after its New Year’s Eve party. The venue announced that Bay Area philanthropists Mark and Mary Stephens made a significant financial contribution to Oasis Arts, the club’s nonprofit arm, allowing the space to remain more...
One of the Bay’s Best Views Returns After 15-Year Makeover
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy After a 15-year makeover, one of the Bay Area’s most scenic viewpoints has just reopened in the Marin Headlands. Hawk Hill now features upgraded trails, lookouts, and signage that make it easy to take in sweeping 360-degree views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific coast, and the Headlands as more...
San Francisco Giants Buy SF’s Historic 103-Year-Old Curran Theatre
Artsy Fartsy, Bay Area Updates, San Francisco Downtown San Francisco is getting a new cultural twist thanks to the Giants. The team has officially purchased the historic Curran Theatre, a 1,600-seat venue just two blocks from Union Square. While BroadwaySF will keep running shows and ATG remains in charge of operations, the move signals the Giants are more...
SF’s “Bay Lights” to Finally Return in March 2026 w/ Twice the Glow
Bay Area Favorites, Bay Area Updates, Good News, Holiday Lights, Only in San Francisco, San Francisco San Francisco’s iconic Bay Bridge-spanning nighttime light show is once again preparing for a comeback with more lights than ever. Although there hasn’t been a formal announcement yet, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Bay Lights are hoping to return in March 2026 with a new installation called Bay Lights more...
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...
