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Downtown San Francisco

SF’s Long-Awaited Mexican Museum May Lose Prime Downtown SiteSF’s Long-Awaited Mexican Museum May Lose Prime Downtown Site
By - posted 6/26/2025
Artsy Fartsy, Downtown San Francisco, Getting Help

The Mexican Museum’s long-delayed move into a 60,000-square-foot home near Yerba Buena Gardens is once again in jeopardy. Originally envisioned as a permanent space to showcase a 16,500-piece collection and anchor San Francisco’s Latino and Mexican-American artistic legacy, the museum missed a key fundraising deadline tied to city grant funds. more...

45-ft Statue of Giant Naked Woman Now Coming to SF's Embarcadero45-ft Statue of Giant Naked Woman Now Coming to SF’s Embarcadero
By - posted 5/25/2025
Artsy Fartsy, Brand New, Downtown San Francisco, San Francisco

Thanks to San Francisco Examiner for sharing the details that San Francisco’s Embarcadero Plaza will soon be home to “R-Evolution,” a 45-foot-tall sculpture by Marco Cochrane that was originally planned for Union Square. City officials relocated the installation after concerns that its weight could damage Union Square’s granite tiles. A Monument more...

Downtown SF's Big Free Summer Concerts Are BackDowntown SF’s Big Free Summer Concerts Are Back
By - posted 5/5/2025
Downtown San Francisco, Fairs & Festivals, Festival Updates

Get ready for another round of free outdoor concerts in the heart of San Francisco. Starting June 14, 2025 the city’s free concert series is back for its second year, bringing live music to downtown plazas all summer long. The first show kicks off with Back 2 Baysics, a daytime event more...

SF's Downtown Hoedown: New Country-Themed Monthly Block Party (May 1)SF’s Downtown Hoedown: New Country-Themed Monthly Block Party (May 1)
By - posted 4/28/2025
Block Party, Brand New, Downtown San Francisco, Fairs & Festivals

Dust off your boots — a brand-new monthly street party is launching in downtown San Francisco. Starting May 1, 2025, Downtown Hoedown will take over Front Street on the first Thursday of each month through October. It’s part of the expanding Downtown First Thursdays (DFT) series, and it’s free and open more...

New Pop-Ups Opening in SF’s Empty Union Square StorefrontsNew Pop-Ups Opening in SF’s Empty Union Square Storefronts
By - posted 4/23/2025
Brand New, Downtown San Francisco, Support the Bay

More pop-ups and permanent shops coming to Union Square thanks to “Vacant to Vibrant” program. Downtown SF’s major storefront revival program, Vacant to Vibrant, is picking up steam with a fresh batch of pop-ups and permanent small businesses landing in Union Square and beyond. The program, launched in 2023 by the more...

SF's Legendary $5 Strip Club Buffet is BackSF’s Legendary $5 Strip Club Buffet is Back
By - posted 4/15/2025
Bars, Downtown San Francisco, Eat & Drink, San Francisco

Thanks to SF Gate for sharing that one of the city’s most unexpected—and weirdly legendary—lunch deals is officially back: the $5 all-you-can-eat lunch buffet at the Gold Club in SoMa. Yes, that Gold Club. The gentleman’s club at 650 Howard Street is reviving its ultra-affordable lunchtime tradition after a five-year hiatus, more...

SF Debuts its First Bold New "Modular" ParkletSF Debuts its First Bold New “Modular” Parklet
By - posted 4/15/2025
Brand New, Downtown San Francisco, Only in San Francisco, Outdoor Dining

SF New Deal, the nonprofit behind some of the city’s most creative small business support programs, just launched a brand new kind of parklet—and you can be the first to check it out. Their brand new “Building Blocks” modular parklet model has officially landed at Excelsior Coffee (4495 Mission St), and more...

SF’s 175th Birthday Laser Space Cannon Light Show (TONIGHT!)SF’s 175th Birthday Laser Space Cannon Light Show (TONIGHT!)
By - posted 4/15/2025
Artsy Fartsy, Brand New, Community, Downtown San Francisco, Fairs & Festivals, Only in San Francisco, Outdoorsy

Illuminate Declares San Francisco the “City of Awe” which will Shoot Lasers onto City Hall Tonight to Celebrate the City’s 175th Birthday On San Francisco’s 175th birthday – which coincides with the local phenomenon of 415 Day – Illuminate, the nonprofit arts organization devoted to awe-inspiring public art, will unveil its latest more...

Zara's New 4-Story Flagship Store Coming to Union SquareZara’s New 4-Story Flagship Store Coming to Union Square
By - posted 4/11/2025
Brand New, Downtown San Francisco, San Francisco

In a welcome boost for downtown San Francisco, fashion retailer Zara is opening a new flagship store in Union Square — a rare and encouraging sign of investment in the area as it works to recover. Set to open at 400 Post Street, the upcoming location will span four stories and more...

Robotaxis Will Soon Cruise Down SF's Market StreetRobotaxis Will Soon Cruise Down SF’s Market Street
By - posted 4/11/2025
Brand New, Downtown San Francisco, Transportation

Heads up, San Francisco: Waymo’s self-driving cars are about to join the chaos that is Market Street. Mayor Lurie just gave the official thumbs-up, and the company will start mapping the area soon, with full passenger rides launching this summer (yes, as soon as this summer). If you’re thinking, “Wait… wasn’t more...

SF’s Downtown Monthly Street Party Just Got BiggerSF’s Downtown Monthly Street Party Just Got Bigger
By - posted 4/9/2025
Bay Area Favorites, Block Party, Downtown San Francisco, Festival Updates, San Francisco

Downtown San Francisco’s comeback journey after the pandemic has been anything but linear, but one event series has emerged as a consistent bright spot: Downtown First Thursdays (DFT). Launched in May 2024, this monthly street celebration on Second Street between Market and Howard Streets has quickly become one of the more...

"California Henge": SF’s Natural Light Show (April 8-10, 2025)“California Henge”: SF’s Natural Light Show (April 8-10, 2025)
By - posted 4/8/2025
Artsy Fartsy, Downtown San Francisco, Only in San Francisco, San Francisco, Wow

Big thank you to Stu Berman for sharing with us details about California Henge: San Francisco’s twice-yearly solar spectacle. Twice a year, San Francisco puts on a dazzling celestial show known as California Henge—a phenomenon where the rising or setting sun aligns perfectly with the city’s street grid, casting a golden more...

SF's Free Muni Weekend: Lunar New Year 2025 + NBA All-Star Game (Feb. 15-16)SF’s Free Muni Weekend: Lunar New Year 2025 + NBA All-Star Game (Feb. 15-16)
By - posted 2/14/2025
Downtown San Francisco, Only in San Francisco, San Francisco, Transportation, Travel

To celebrate Lunar New Year 2025 and the NBA All-Star Weekend, Muni is offering FREE rides all weekend long—making it easier to join the fun! 🎉🐉🏀 🚍 Free Muni Details When? 48 Hours this weekend Saturday, February 15, 2025 – 12:01 AM to Sunday, February 16, 2025 – 11:59 PM Where? Free rides on ALL Muni buses, more...

NBA All-Star Weekend Takes Over San FranciscoNBA All-Star Weekend Takes Over San Francisco
By - posted 2/14/2025
Celebrations, Downtown San Francisco, Fun & Games

NBA All-Star Weekend Takes Over San Francisco: What to Expect San Francisco is buzzing with excitement as the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend comes to town from February 13–16, 2025. Union Square and Powell Street are transforming into “NBA All-Star Alley,” a vibrant hub of basketball-themed pop-ups, installations, and activities that will more...

SF Union Square’s Makeover: Ping Pong, Pop-A-Shot & JugglingSF Union Square’s Makeover: Ping Pong, Pop-A-Shot & Juggling
By - posted 1/29/2025
Bay Area Updates, Brand New, Downtown San Francisco, Fun & Games, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco

Union Square is getting a much-needed glow-up. Recently, Union Square has more pigeons than people, but now the iconic San Francisco destination is set to buzz with energy thanks to a packed lineup of free events and activities. From live music and chess tournaments to dance workouts and juggling lessons, more...