Bay Area Updates
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...
SF’s Beloved Pho Spot Turtle Tower Reopens
Bay Area Updates, Eat & Drink, Reopening, San Francisco After closing its doors in 2023, the popular Vietnamese restaurant Turtle Tower has officially reopened in a new location at 220 California Street in the Financial District. Known for its Northern-style pho, particularly the chicken broth-based pho ga, Turtle Tower has been a staple in San Francisco’s food scene since more...
March 13 Marks Final Day for Cars on SF’s Great Highway
Bay Area Updates, New Parks, Outdoorsy, San Francisco Thursday marks the final day for vehicles on San Francisco’s Upper Great Highway as the city moves forward with its plan to convert the roadway into a park. Approved by voters through Proposition K in the November election, the decision reflects a shift toward prioritizing public recreational spaces over car more...
Castro Theatre Reopening Delayed Until Fall 2025
Bay Area Updates, San Francisco, What's Closed / What's Open Thanks to SFist for sharing the news the reopening of the Castro Theatre has been delayed due to an ongoing issue with PG&E power access. Initially planned for summer 2025, with hopes of being open for Pride Month, the theater is now expected to open at the earliest in fall more...
SF May End Free Street Parking in Golden Gate Park
Bay Area Updates, San Francisco, Transportation Thanks to SF Chronicle for sharing the news that San Francisco officials are considering new parking fees for Golden Gate Park, potentially ending free street parking along Martin Luther King Drive and other park roads. The proposal, which is part of a broader effort to address a growing budget deficit, more...
Ocean Beach Bonfires are Back for 2025
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, Reopening, San Francisco For the first time in four months, it’s finally legal again to have a bonfire at Ocean Beach. During the “No Burn” Season (which runs from November 1 to the end of February), bonfires are not allowed, but starting March 1, 2025 bonfires are back through the end of October more...
The Castro Could Become SF’s Largest Open-Air “Party” Zone
Bars, Bay Area Updates, Block Party, City Insight, Eat & Drink, San Francisco The Castro could become SF’s largest entertainment zone. San Francisco’s nightlife scene might be getting a big boost, as a new proposal could turn The Castro into the city’s largest “entertainment zone.” If approved, this designation would allow bars in the area to serve to-go cocktails during permitted street events, creating more...
