# 7x7 Bay Area - Complete Content > 7x7 Bay Area: complete content export for LLMs - 13 sections and the 100 most recent articles. Navigation index: https://www.7x7.com/llms.txt **Site Overview:** - Domain: https://www.7x7.com - Total Sections: 13 - Recent Posts Included: 100 - Content Word Count: ~71037 words - Last Updated: 2026-10-22 - Generated: October 22, 2026 04:46:12 **Important Information:** - © 2026 7x7 Bay Area. All rights reserved. - Site ID: 14760060 - Markdown version: append .md to any URL - Total sections: 15 ## Site Structure - [Neighborhoods](https://www.7x7.com/neighborhoods/index.md): (178 posts; HTML: https://www.7x7.com/neighborhoods; RSS: https://www.7x7.com/feeds/neighborhoods.rss) - [Eat + Drink](https://www.7x7.com/eat-drink/index.md): (6282 posts; HTML: https://www.7x7.com/eat-drink; RSS: https://www.7x7.com/feeds/eat-drink.rss) - [Culture](https://www.7x7.com/culture/index.md): Culture post from 7x7. 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It makes sense: People are craving more immersive experiences, especially in the travel space, and mysticism (“the belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality can be attained through subjective experience such as intuition or insight, according to Merriam-Webster) is one way to delve into the deep. From a “solstice immersion” with a resident astrologer to shops trading in the tools of the occult, here are five places to get a little mystical. --- ### Maui for Beginners: What You Need to Know to Plan a Dreamy Getaway **Published:** October 20, 2026 | **Author:** Nora Heston Tarte | **Section:** Travel **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/maui-for-beginners-planning-guide-2678112353.html.md Direct flights out of San Francisco International Airport make long weekends on the islands not only doable, but fairly seamless. Just hop on a flight and within five to six hours you can be lounging poolside beneath a canopy of palm trees at your resort or taking in the rugged natural beauty of the island from a blanket on the beach. Nicknamed the Valley Isle, Maui is flanked by two large volcanoes, Haleakalā and the West Maui Mountains. What lies in between is an expanse of luxury hotels, white sand beaches, and feral landscapes overrun by greenery. So how should you spend your days while visiting? We are so glad you asked. --- ### First Taste: Sergeant Ma brings inventive Asian-influenced California cuisine to the SF waterfront. **Published:** October 19, 2026 | **Author:** Amanda Kuehn Carroll | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/waterfront-asian-restaurant-sergeant-ma-2678107115.html.md San Francisco has no shortage of high-traffic restaurants with enviable water views. But a restaurant that actually makes you feel like you're on the water? That's another story. Tucked along Mission Creek Channel, where the water is calm and the city feels a little farther away, Sergeant Ma is making the most of its unusual address. The latest from Hi Neighbor Hospitality—the restaurant group behind Trestle, The Vault, and 7 Adams—this new neighborhood hot spot pairs Asian-influenced California cuisine with a sprawling indoor-outdoor space that feels more like a waterfront resort than a San Francisco restaurant. The entrance at 185 Berry Street is notably understated. By day, the building's expansive coworking space (Water's Edge) provides a cafe, meeting rooms, phone booths, and a billiards room to local hybrid workers. Come 4pm, laptops give way to happy hour cocktails Monday through Friday, and the after-work crowd swaps Zoom Rooms for outdoor fire pits. It was during this transition that I arrived at the restaurant. The waterfront view from Sergeant Ma(Hardy Wilson) I was greeted by a host and shown to my table in the 54-seat dining room, which is an airy blend of California modernism and tropical elegance, with honey-toned hardwood floors, sculpted wooden chairs, and a canopy of greenery. Two-story ceilings and retractable glass walls open onto a waterfront terrace, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out and creating an atrium-like feel. (My dining partner insisted the space was reminiscent of a stylish hotel lobby and said he half-expected to pass a baggage cart on his way to the bathroom.) "You're drawn to the water,” says Hi Neighbor Hospitality CEO and partner Ryan Cole, explaining how the unusual setting helped shape the restaurant's concept. “You feel lighter when you're there." However you describe it, Sergeant Ma is the kind of place that calls for a cocktail. I ordered a zero-proof Clipper Ship, which was clean and refreshing, with the silky texture of a clarified milk punch and the botanical notes of a proper gin drink. My partner went for the mezcal-based Steam Schooner, a woodsy riff on an Old Fashioned that arrived in a cloud of cherrywood smoke. An actually interesting selection of wines by the glass and a few draft beers round out the beverage offerings. Chef Jason Halverson's menu takes its cues from the communal spirit of dim sum, though you won't find any carts making the rounds. Divided into small and large plates, everything is designed for sharing and arrives as it's ready, accompanied by a culinary dossier. The food draws from a broad spectrum of Asian flavors, interpreted through a Californian lens. It's bright, inventive, and often delightfully unexpected. The Costanoan cocktail at Sergeant Ma(Hardy Wilson) "It's not necessarily saying here is a traditional Asian dish," Halverson explains. "It's something that is maybe a component because the flavors make sense to me with something more California-esque." Case in point: the taro-crusted chicken wing, a dish that underwent a last-minute reinvention during the restaurant's opening tastings. Deboned save for a convenient little handle, the wing is stuffed with seasoned chicken, fried to a delicate crisp, and served with herbaceous aioli. It's lighter than your average fried wing, but every bit as satisfying. Think Hawaiian picnic in a bite. A lobster salad balances sweet corn purée and crunchy puffed rice with delicate fresh lobster and the salty, funky punch of a Thai-inspired vinaigrette. The heirloom tomato and yuba salad is a study in texture, pairing plump tomatoes and crisp green beans with ribbons of tofu skin and a lingering chile crunch. If you've never tried yuba, it's reminiscent of jackfruit, adding both protein and substance to the salad. Then there's the duck pâté and liver mousse, an elaborate little puck served alongside a warm, fluffy pineapple bun. A reinvention of a dish from the now-closed Stones Throw, it's one of the menu's more unusual combinations. We spent a solid two minutes contemplating the proper way to eat it: Tear the bun? Spread the pâté? Alternate bites? Lobster salad at Sergeant Ma(Hardy Wilson) "Most people tear the bun," Halverson explains. "The pâté is cut into pieces so you can eat the pieces with the bun, but it's no different than if you had pâté and toast." The pâté is rich and elegant, though it’s the sweet, pillowy bun that really makes the dish. I'm not normally a bread girl, but a bun this good was worth every bite. For a table of two, one or two small plates and one large would make a respectable dinner. We, however, were not feeling particularly respectable. The roasted scallops alone justify venturing into the larger plates. Perfectly silky and tender, they arrive in a velvety pool of tandoori sauce and sweet corn purée that I would happily have eaten by the spoonful (or bathed in). A bright squash and yogurt salad cuts through the richness with fresh herbal notes, lending the dish a refreshing balance. When I overheard the neighboring table debating their order, I couldn't help but offer my two cents: "Get the scallops! You won’t regret the scallops." The duck breast served two ways was equally compelling. Slices of coriander-crusted breast and rich confit arrive with a fragrant anise jus, crispy black rice, sautéed greens, and fresh yellow peach. It's a little French technique meeting Chinese flavor, with enough contrast to make every bite interesting. The confit, in particular, deserved a moment of silence just to be enjoyed on its own. I still have dreams about the rice. By the time the dessert menu landed on our table, the sky had turned pink, and we'd long since passed the point of needing anything else to eat. Naturally, we ordered two. Heirloom tomato and yuba salad at Sergeant Ma(Hardy Wilson) The creamy chocolate mousse arrived in a shallow bowl studded with cubes of chocolate truffle. A server then doused the dish with a pool of Vietnamese coffee cream, creating a dessert that's intensely rich, silky, and best shared by a group. The banana butter cake, meanwhile, a tropical cousin of sticky toffee pudding, is held together by caramelized butter and topped with a scoop of fragrant cardamom ice cream. Choosing a favorite proved difficult; stopping after just a few bites proved harder. Throughout dinner, the service was as impressive as the food: attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without over-explaining, and remarkably efficient for a restaurant where dishes emerge from different corners of the kitchen. "It's engineered to be good," Cole says of the service, describing a carefully choreographed system designed to overcome the challenges of the restaurant's sprawling layout and relatively small kitchens. The menu is compact enough to navigate without decision fatigue, though resisting the urge to order nearly everything is another matter. As the evening wound down, a fire pit opened on the terrace, and we carried our espresso and tea outside. Heat lamps kept the autumn chill at bay while the last light faded over the channel. With the water just beyond our seats and the city humming somewhere behind us, it was easy to forget we were in San Francisco, where just down the block thousands of people were packed into Chase Center cheering on the Valkyries. Sergeant Ma may be tucked away from the city's usual dining corridors, but between its inventive, shareable plates and an atmosphere that practically insists you linger, it's a waterfront detour worth making. // Sergeant Ma is open Monday through Saturday from 4pm to 9pm; 185 Berry St., Ste. 1500 (Mission Bay), sergeantma.com Inside Sergeant Ma in Mission Bay(Hardy Wilson) --- ### This Jazz Age-inspired supper club is about much more than just great soul food and cocktails. **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/old-skool-cafe-2678098642.html.md Through a nondescript door on a bustling Third Street corner, down a hallway lined with framed photos and news clippings, unfolds a modern-day speakeasy. Through the darkened room roam the notes of live music, a young pianist on the wraparound balcony and a percussionist downstairs keeping perfect time across the lofted space. On the lower floor, red velveteen banquettes curve alluringly around large wooden tables. The heavy red drapery, the gilded mirrors, the crystal pendants that hang from candelabras and chandeliers glinting in the glow of their (electric) flames—it all makes the Jazz Age-inspired supper club feel lost somewhere in time. But first impressions only scratch the surface. Old Skool Cafe is not a relic of the past; it is a vision of the future. (Courtesy of Old Skool Cafe) Everything at the nonprofit restaurant, from the kitchen to the bar, is run by at-risk youth ages 16 to 22, including those who’ve been caught up in the systems of foster care and incarceration. They move around the space with poise and authority, some in the full house uniform of black suspenders and bow ties with button-downs and fedoras the same color red as the decor. One of them greets us at the host station by the door and guides us up the stairs to a two-top fitted snugly into the narrow balcony. Another follows closely behind with water and a smile. “Is this your first time at Old Skool?” he asks. When we admit that yes, it is, he warmly welcomes us and offers complimentary cornbread bites from the menu of globally inspired soul food. Old Skool’s two-year youth program isn’t just about on-the-job training in the service industry—though building professional skills in hospitality while earning an average hourly wage between $23 and $24.50 is an essential part of the equation. Here, the young participants get coaching and therapy, life skills classes and résumé building, job interview practice and exercise programs. It’s an approach that addresses the whole person physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially, says Teresa Goines-Perkins, the former juvenile corrections officer and gang-prevention program leader who first began developing the program in 2004. “If you have a young person and help them get a job and they’re homeless, how are they going to have clean clothes for work or be rested enough to function? If you’re going through massive trauma, how are you going to be able to put it in a box? If you don’t have a lot of training about how to handle your emotions and you cuss out your boss—there aren’t a lot of employers who are going to like that. So, there’s the job and all the soft skills on how to keep it.” Teresa Goines-Perkins, "Mama T," greets dinner guests at Old Skool Cafe.(Courtesy of Old Skool Cafe) From our table, the holistic program looks good on them. Though she’s just a teenager, our server is capable and unintimidated. She recommends the sweet-and-sour warrior wings, the fried chicken with housemade gravy, and the mac & cheese—a favorite among the staff. She notes our cocktails of choice, both twists on 1920s classics, then repeats them back to us like a pro. She is one of around four dozen youth in the 2026 program (there were 51 paid employee apprentices at Old Skool in 2025, a new record for the organization) and, statistically speaking, she’s more than likely already faced a number of systemic barriers: 96 percent of Old Skool’s youth participants come from low-income households, 47 percent have experienced violence, 27 percent have been involved in the criminal justice system, and 20 percent are in or have been through foster care. When she reaches the final stage of the program, she’ll have the opportunity to do a paid externship with one of the nonprofit’s partners in the San Francisco business community, a springboard to her next step toward adulthood. And for nearly all the youth who complete the program, the result of two years of coaching and mentorship with hands-on work experience and an income of their own is overwhelmingly positive. In the 2025 cohort, 14 of the participants graduated high school and nine went on to college. The recidivism rate for those who’d been incarcerated dropped to just seven percent, way, way below the national average of 70 percent. “Watching young people who had a felony record, watching those who had never graduated high school and were way behind that are now in college, watching them literally within a few years break that cycle not only for themselves but also for their younger siblings and their children is beautiful,” says Goines-Perkins, whom the youth call “Mama T.” New Orleans-style BBQ jerk shrimp and catfish fingers with remoulade at Old Skook Cafe(Shoshi Parks) Even if none of this were true, even if Old Skool were just a typical for-profit restaurant with a 1920s-era vibe and a menu full of well-made comfort food, it would be worth a visit for happy hour or dinner. We swoon over the New Orleans-style BBQ jerk shrimp and soak up the creamy, spicy sauce with the crostini with which it’s served. We scoop up generous dollops of remoulade with the crunchy-on-the-outside, buttery-on-the-inside cornmeal-crusted catfish fingers. We confirm that, yes, the mac and cheese is out-of-this-world, and that the whipped garlic potatoes run a close second. We spoon mouthfuls of irresistibly warm date cake with toffee sauce and vanilla bean gelato until we can’t spoon any more. The experience of a meal well had, in other words, isn’t an afterthought; it’s one of the organization's core principles—and Goines-Perkins would love to see more people around the city making it “their spot” for date night, or dinner meetings, or happy hour get togethers. “Imagine knowing that every penny of your dinner with live jazz and cocktails goes back into the program,” she muses. Plus, “if you come regularly, you get a chance to watch the youth grow, to see how quickly they thrive and they’re running the restaurant. These young people are showing our society a better way of treating them.” // Old Skool Cafe is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 5pm to 9pm, with live jazz from 5:45pm to 9pm; 1429 Mendell St. (Bayview-Hunters Point), oldskoolcafe.org (Courtesy of Old Skool Cafe) --- ### 32 Fun Things to Do This Week (10.19.26) **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-10-19-26-2678081534.html.md Spooky season is in full swing. Find clues at murder mystery dinners on the coast or onboard a train. Honor loved ones who have passed at Día de los Muertos celebrations in SoMa and Oakland. Then, start the party at Halloween events across the Bay complete with costume contests, adult elixirs, and all-ages trick or treating. Boo! Jump ahead to this week's top events. Dare to enter the Terror Vault at the SF Mint. Hop aboard the Floating Museum for It’s Just a Shot Away in Alameda. Experience the “SuperNatural” at Cal Academy’s Halloween party. Remember loved ones at OMCA’s blowout Día de los Muertos celebration. Have a good one. Find a seat at the Black Lagoon, the haunted pop-up bar taking over Dogpatch’s Sea Star and serving up festive cocktails, collectible glassware, and immersive spooky vibes; through October 31st. // The Sea Star, 2289 3rd St. (Dogpatch); details at blacklagoonpopup.com Earn some goodies for being a fan. Show up for Luma Hotel’s Purple Power Hour in Valkyries’ gear for complimentary treats and wine as you get ready to cheer them on; Monday, 3pm to 4pm. // Luma Hotel San Francisco, 100 Channel St. (Mission Bay); details on Instagram Challenge squash pros to ping pong, Jenga, and cornhole, plus snap photos, collect autographs, and enjoy complimentary treats at FanFest; Tuesday, 4:30pm to 6:30pm. // Squash Zone, 3586 Haven Ave. (Redwood City); details at siliconvalleyopen.com Learn your way around mushrooms, including which ones are edible, to prep for your next foraging adventure; Tuesday, 6pm to 7:30pm. // Mill Valley Library, 375 Throckmorton Ave. (Mill Valley); register at libcal.com Raise a glass to young storytellers at 826 Valencia’s Writer’s Block Party, offering up free books, a silent auction, unlimited beer and wine, and activities to support their free writing and tutoring programs for SF youth; Tuesday, 6pm to 9pm. // Southern Pacific Brewing Co., 620 Treat Ave. (Mission); tickets at 826valencia.org Watch writers shoot their shot at Pitchapalooza, a literary event where 20 randomly selected writers will pitch their books in just one minute. Come with your own idea or just for the beer and show; Tuesday, 7pm to 8:30pm. // Gilman Brewing Co., 912 Gilman St. (Berkeley); tickets at eventbrite.com Sink your teeth into Dracula. Steven Dietz’s adaptation of the timeless classic seduces with elegance and suspense perfect for spooky season; Tuesday through Sunday. // Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. (Mountain View); tickets at theatreworks.org Indulge in Saga Wagyu, one of Japan’s most prized beef varieties, through a multi-course tasting experience orchestrated by Anzu executive chef Jason Francisco; Wednesday at 6pm. // Restaurant Anzu, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (Tenderloin); reservations at opentable.com Sip afternoon tea with a Korean twist and enjoy kimchi pancakes, shrimp toast, and dalgona, matcha, and caramel apple sweets inspired by the RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me exhibit; Thursdays through Sundays, 2pm to 4pm, through November 22nd. // Astra, The St. Regis San Francisco, 125 3rd St. (SoMa); reservations at opentable.com Get an early taste of Good Morning 96, opening in February, when it pops up at Bacchus Wine Bar slinging sandwiches like prosciutto and Mt. Tam “ham and cheese” and fried shrimp and scallop toast in collaboration with Hensel West vineyards; Thursday, 5pm to 7pm. // Bacchus Wine Bar, 1954 Hyde St. (Russian Hill); details on Instagram Forge something lasting at “Heavy Metal,” an industrial artisan fair of local makers selling forged creations and offering a workshop with a master maker; Thursday, 5pm to 9pm. // The Crucible, 1260 7th St. (Oakland); tickets at tixr.com Dare to enter the Terror Vault. This year’s experience takes you into 1980s slasher territory with Hollywood-caliber sets, cinematic storytelling, live actors, and plenty of scares; Thursday and Friday at 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 5:30pm. // The San Francisco Mint, 88 5th St. (SoMa); tickets at terrorvault.com Support emerging Bay Area artists at Root Division’s 25th annual art auction, with craft cocktails, gourmet bites, and live and silent bidding on works from more than 100 artists; Thursday, 6pm to 10pm. // Root Division, 1131 Mission St. (SoMa); details at rootdivision.org Honor mothers, caregivers, and ancestors at the opening of SOMArts’ annual Día de los Muertos exhibition, In Their Name, with installations, altars, music, and a vendor market; Friday, 6pm to 9pm. // SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan St. (SoMa); details at humanitix.com Have some grown-up Halloween fun at Fairyland’s adults-only Monsters' Ball. Dance under the stars to DJ beats, imbibe with adult elixirs, join a summoning ritual, have your tarot cards read, and experience a wickedly playful labyrinth; Friday, 6pm to 10pm. // Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave. (Oakland); tickets at fairyland.org Saddle up for a weekend at the rodeo. Head to the foothills of Gold Country where Clements Stampede hosts the state’s top ropers and riders and country-themed fun; Friday through Sunday. // Clements Buckaroos Arena, 19813 E. Hwy. 88 (Clements); tickets at clementsstampede.com Step into a world of passion, heartbreak, and myth as the San Francisco Symphony brings three captivating musical stories to life. Feel the intensity of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers in Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, journey into ancient Greek mythology with Augusta Holmès's Andromède, then let violinist Sayaka Shoji transport you through centuries of musical inspiration in Respighi's spellbinding Concerto Gregoriano; Friday, November 13th through Sunday, November 15th. // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org Thank you to our partners at the San Francisco Symphony. Upgrade your carry-on. Bring in any wheeled suitcase and receive $100 toward the latest Away lineup; Friday through Sunday. // Away Hayes, 371 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley) and Away Santana Row, 378 Santana Row Apt. 1010 (San Jo); appointments at awaytravel.com Root for the contenders in the Fisherman’s Wharf Chowder Fest. Enjoy live entertainment and activities all afternoon as local restaurants compete for the title of San Francisco’s best clam chowder; Saturday, 12pm to 5pm. // Little Embarcadero, 2860 Taylor St. (Fisherman’s Wharf); tickets at eventbrite.com Hop aboard the Floating Museum for It’s Just a Shot Away, an exhibition where artists like Kara Walker and Mildred Howard explore the intersections of power, gender, and violence; opens Saturday at 4pm through January 16th. // Floating Museum, 2517 Blanding Ave. (Alameda); details at hallartandtechnologyfoundation.com Spend your weekend breaking the case at a 1950s-inspired evening of dinner, drinks, intrigue, and murder on the coast; Saturday at 5pm. // The Grey Whale Inn, 615 N. Main St. (Fort Bragg); details on Instagram Rev up for RADwood, a celebration of ’80s and ’90s car culture complete with cars, costumes, and food trucks; Saturday, 4pm to 8pm. // Gold Bar Hangar, 2505 Monarch St., Bldg. 22 (Alameda); details at radwood.com Check out Undscvrd’s night market. In honor of the OG night market’s 10-year anniversary, join an evening of Filipino American food, art, music, and culture in the heart of the Filipino Cultural Corridor; Saturday, 4pm to 10pm. // 330 Ritch St. (SoMa); RSVP at luma.com Walk through the Tunnel of Terror, a Halloween takeover of San José’s Sonic Runway with live opera, interactive art, costume contests, lowrider shows, and community trick-or-treating; Saturday, 5pm to 9pm. // San José City Hall Plaza, 200 E. Santa Clara St. (San José); details on Instagram Experience the “SuperNatural” at Cal Academy’s Halloween party complete with a silent disco, stargazing, trick-or-treat stations, mad scientists, and more for all ages; Saturday, 6:30pm to 9pm. // California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr. (Golden Gate Park); details at calacademy.org Unmask a killer aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. Play your part in a three-course murder mystery dinner where guests trade clues behind Venetian masks at the Billionaires’ Club masquerade ball; Saturday, 6:20pm to 8:50pm. // Napa Valley Wine Train, 1275 McKinstry St. (Napa); tickets at winetrain.com Show off your best costume at Fright Night, an adults-only Halloween party with live DJ sets and music, plus a costume contest with cash prizes for individuals and groups; Saturday, 8pm to 12am. // Graton Resort and Casino, 288 Golf Course Dr. W. (Rohnert Park); details at graton.com Create an everlasting bloom at a paper flower workshop where you’ll learn how to fold a delicate blossom that never needs watering; Sunday, 10am to 12pm. // Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, 1100 N. Mathilda Ave. (Sunnyvale); tickets at treehousehotels.com Remember loved ones at OMCA’s blowout Día de los Muertos celebration with community ofrendas, dancing, music, ceremonies, and an artisan mercado; Sunday, 11am to 4pm. // Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St. (Lake Merritt); tickets at museumca.org Take to the streets for Wiggle Fest, a two-block party with fresh BBQ, live local music, arts and crafts, and free community fun; Sunday, 12pm to 4pm. // Wiggle Plaza, Steiner St. and Hermann St. (Duboce Triangle); details on Instagram Strut your pup down the runway at Palm House’s Halloween Bark Bash, a dog brunch and costume fashion show for furry friends; Sunday, 2pm to 4pm. // Palm House, 2032 Union St. (Cow Hollow); details at palmhousesf.com Spend your Sunday sculpting and sipping for a good cause at an outdoor pilates class at Bricoleur Vineyards that includes a glass of Brut Rosé and a goodie bag. All ticket sales benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research; Sunday, 2pm to 4pm. // Bricoleur Vineyards, 7394 Starr Rd. (Windsor); details at bricoleurvineyards.com --- ### The art of tufting is ready for its close up in the new Bedford Gallery exhibition, 'High Pile.' **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Emily Wilson | **Section:** Art + Design **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/high-pile-tufting-bedford-gallery-2678092999.html.md Jennifer Banzaca spent years working as a graphic artist in children’s publishing and entertainment at places including Golden Books, Nickelodeon, and Disney. The work informed her sense of color, inspiring her to add bright pops of yellow, pink, and green to the pieces now on display at High Pile: Concepts in Tufting at Walnut Creek’s Bedford Gallery. During the pandemic, Banzaca, who began painting in 2012, started seeing people tufting online. Something about the technique of pushing yarn through fabric fascinated her. She got a kit and paid $30 for a series of videos by Trish Anderson (whose work is also in the exhibition) to learn how to do it. It was a little bit of an angel-and-devil situation, Banzaca remembers. The red guy with the horns was telling her she would never do it, that she didn’t finish what she started, while the part of her conscience with her best interests at heart said she should give it a shot. She listened to that one. Work by Jennifer Banzaca in 'High Pile'(Courtesy of Bedford Gallery) “It’s just very satisfying because you're painting with yarn,” Banzaca says. “I really enjoy the craft element, and that's kind of a dirty word in the art sphere. You have this sense of ‘I made this thing and it's tactile and it absorbs sound.’ I don't have to be a rectangle or a square anymore; it's spun me off into different mixed media. So, now I'm combining tufted material with painted wood.” Banzaca’s work in the show gets away from quadrilateral figures, as in the mural Rise Up! and Garden Pouf, an experiment in soft sculpture which she compares to a beanbag chair held together with yarn and a prayer. That idea of craft being a dirty word is something that animates Emilee Enders, the curator of the show, too. She’s on a mission to change that preconception. “Largely craft is and has been labeled as women's work and therefore devalued and not considered in larger conversations, and not given its due,” she says. “We're always looking at the creative new ways that people are using textiles or ceramics or whatever it might be and trying to evolve that conversation into a fine art conversation.” Pieces by the 20 artists in the show include Depressed Kitten, an extremely adorable cat with a befuddled expression and a blue bow on its head, by Maja Michaelsdotter. But the tufted art goes way beyond cute and colorful, with Vanessa Barragão’s Submersos focusing on the ecology of the oceans; two pieces from Mychaelyn Michalec—All my geese are swans 2 and Knock on Wood—which explore feminism and gender issues; and Johannah Herr’s bright pieces dealing with gun violence, American War Rug III (El Paso Shooting) and American War Rug IV (Las Vegas Shooting). Work by Johannah Herr in 'High Pile'(Courtesy of Bedford Gallery) Herr makes wallpaper, artists’ books, and collages, and works with Thai anti-trafficking NGO Daughters Rising, using “subversive, color-saturated objects, and maximalist installations to critique state-sanctioned violence in the United States.” She came to tufting in an unusual way. While visiting her best friend in China, artist Xinan Ran, the two went to a large textile factory that made the rugs for the Beijing Olympics, among other things. Both of them loved seeing the process and wanted tufting guns. They weren’t for sale, but people at the factory gave them floor models. Herr, whose work involves lots of research, wasn’t sure what she wanted to do in the medium for a couple years. Then, in 2020, she hit on it. In graduate school, she had researched Afghan war rugs in which people started incorporating military iconography into their designs after the 1979 Soviet invasion. Herr decided to make her own version. “What if I kind of inserted myself into this craft tradition because as an American, I'm already there, right?” she says. “Tax dollars have already inserted me into this, so that was the first time I was like, ‘OK, I'm going to make my own war rugs,’ and so that was the beginning of the body of work.” Besides mass shootings, Herr’s rugs also explore incarceration, immigrant detention, and police brutality. Tufting is a good medium for these topics, Enders thinks. One of the works on display at Bedford Gallery's 'High Pile' by Sam Durant(Courtesy of @bedfordgallery) “You actually take a deeper look, and you realize that these are very intense subjects that deserve time and attention and you've been pulled in through the visual aesthetics of tufting,” she says. “Now you're invested in learning about what the artist is trying to tell you through this medium. It also has this really tactile element that draws people in, and while you can't touch it, you still are curious about what's happening in the piece.” Herr agrees. A rug is familiar and you’re already involved before you can intellectualize it, she says. “With my work, you think you're getting Froot Loops and it's really like Raisin Bran without the raisins. If you feel like you have to have a certain level of academic experience to be able to engage with those works, I think it pushes out a lot of people who otherwise could be welcomed in to have interesting conversations.” // ‘High Pile: Concepts in Tufting’ is on display at the Bedford Gallery through December 13th; Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr. (Walnut Creek), bedfordgallery.org --- ### Modern Guide to Pacific Heights: Impressive Eats, Chichi Shops + Stunning Victorian Vibes **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Chloe Saraceni, Jen Woo, Bridget Veltri | **Section:** Neighborhoods **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/pacific-heights-guide-san-francisco-1786919349.html.md Take something of San Francisco's old-world elegance, sprinkle in a few local celebrities (you choose: an actor, a speaker of the House, a Fortune 500 CEO), add a quiet suburban hush, and you get Pacific Heights in all its grandeur. Time spent in the Pacific Heights neighborhood is elevated any way you look at it. Here's what to eat and where to hang when you're in the neighborhood. --- ### Epic food truck park Spark Social ignites downtown San Jose with a full-service bar, entertainment + more. **Published:** October 13, 2026 | **Author:** Kate Loweth | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/spark-social-san-jose-2678080859.html.md When I stepped off the VTA light rail at San Fernando and crossed the street toward the "Welcome to San Jose" mural, music caught my ear. I followed it two blocks to opening weekend at Spark Social San Jose—the brand-new outdoor gathering spot with the kind of energy that makes you want to stay a while. People lined up for iced drinks from the Matcha Matcha cart, a balloon artist made animals for the kids, and over a dozen food trucks stood ready to serve everything from quesabirria to smash burgers. It had the easygoing feel of a neighborhood block party, but with cozy seating areas, local beers on tap, and photo booths to document the day. There are 11 permanent food trucks and a rotating selection of visitors.(Kate Loweth) Food truck fans will be well versed with the O.G. Spark Social in San Francisco's Mission Bay neighborhood. Ten years after the SF spot opened, the San Jose location has opened just blocks from the SAP Center and Diridon Train Station in the Creekside District. The new location builds on the original's mix of rotating food trucks and community programming, adding permanent food vendors, a full-service bar, live entertainment, and a massive kids' zone. It's an easy stop whether you're meeting friends after work, grabbing a casual bite before a Sharks game, or looking for somewhere to spend a sunny afternoon. The Food + Drink Scene The food truck lineup at Spark Social San Jose is impressive, with 11 permanent trucks and visiting trucks on rotation to keep things fresh. Branching out from my usual food truck pick of street tacos, I grabbed a stuffed arepa from the Pana truck, which was filled to the brim with shredded chicken, black beans, tomatoes, basil, and guacasa avocado sauce. You could feel the excitement from all the food truck vendors, willing to share their favorite picks and make recommendations. Aguachiles from Mr. Shrimp(Courtesy of @mrshrimpsj) Beyond arepas, you can find award-winning aguachile from Mr. Shrimp, Nashville-style chicken sliders from Jojo's Hot Chicken, halal smash burgers from Smashies, and House of Tiffins’ crispy dosa filled with spiced potato masala. If you're feeling extra adventurous, The BreakBox truck is serving up a blue grilled cheese dubbed "Breaking Blue." The best way to enjoy all the food truck options is to come with friends, order from a bunch of different trucks, and share it all. I returned a second day with my teenagers and did just that. Those looking for an adult beverage can head to the bar for local brews from Fieldwork, Humble Sea, and Laughing Monk; a selection of wines and ciders; and even South Bay-inspired cocktails like the South Bay Breeze, a refreshing combo of Hideout vodka, raspberry liqueur, and pineapple. I particularly enjoyed the spiked jamaica and limón agua fresca. Cocktails are batchmade, so the bar line moves fast. Live Music, Watch Parties, Fitness Events + More One of the biggest draws to Spark Social San Jose is the entertainment stage, where you can enjoy live music, 49ers game watch parties, and fitness events. When I was heading home, they were setting up retro plastic beach chairs in front of the stage for the next event. The Bandwagon stage at The Clubhouse(Kate Loweth) As a parent, I know how hard it is to find a space where kids and parents will both have fun. Spark Social San Jose has done just that with The Clubhouse, a dedicated family space with a playground, massive sandbox, toddler sensory garden, mud kitchen, and nature play area. Kids can dress up and goof around in the mini playhouses and make music on the Bandwagon stage, while parents relax in one of the cabanas. Expect kid-friendly entertainment and story times to be added to the event schedule. Right next door to The Clubhouse is Creekside Greens, an 18-hole putt-putt course where you can challenge your crew to a little friendly competition. Because it's contained within the Spark Social SJ footprint, it's easy to play a round, grab something to eat, and then settle in to listen to music or watch the game on the big screen. You can book tee times online in advance. You'll also find foosball tables and lawn games throughout the property for guests to enjoy. Seats around the fire pits are popular spots once the sun sets. Creekside Greens at Spark Social SJ(Kate Loweth) The Details There's no entrance fee at Spark Social San Jose. General seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can book some cabanas and other group spaces for events. Leashed dogs are permitted on the property and there are restroom trailers and port-a-potties available on site. Most vendors accept card payments only, and outside food and drinks are not permitted. You'll find a large parking lot across from the venue, plus metered parking on the surrounding streets. Parking can be challenging during events at the SAP Center, so consider public transportation. It is two blocks from the Diridon Station, where you can access Caltrain, Amtrak, ACE, VTA, and BART. // Spark Social SJ is open 8am to 10pm Sundays through Thursdays and 8am to 12am on Friday and Saturday (food trucks may make their own hours); 140 South Montgomery Blvd. (San Jose), visitsparksocial.com/san-jose A waffle breakfast sandwich from The Break Box(Courtesy of @thebreakbox) --- ### 6 Ghoulishly Good Immersive Haunted Houses **Published:** October 9, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/ghoulishly-good-immersive-haunted-houses-2678068483.html.md Haunted houses are an October staple and, in 2026, there’s a wider range of immersive experiences to be had than ever before. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure, an artistic wonderland, or a chance to genuinely scare the bejesus out of yourself, these haunted houses are a ghoulishly good time for everyone involved. --- ### 32 Fun Things to Do This Week (10.12.26) **Published:** October 9, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-10-12-26-2678015513.html.md Get freaky this week. Pick your poison during San Francisco Restaurant Week, Old Fashioned Week, and the Livermore Valley Wine Experience. Detox at a yoga-meets-spa-session at the St. Regis and a time-bending yoga workshop with Haum. For spooky season delights, try out Nightfall at Filoli, drag horror comedy at Oasis, or costume combing at the San Francisco Opera’s costume sale and Secondhand Saturday in Cole Valley. Jump ahead to this week's top events: Honor Indigenous Peoples Day at Yerba Buena Gardens. Slay at Sqream, a drag horror parody at Oasis. Taste your way through San Francisco Restaurant Week. Channel main character energy at the San Francisco Opera’s costume sale. Have a good one. Wander Filoli’s Nightfall, a delightfully spooky world that includes more than 1,000 illuminated jack-o'-lanterns, a miniature train display, a Witches' Village, and other mysteries in the historic house; 5:30pm to 10pm through November 1st. // Filoli, 86 Cañada Rd. (Woodside); tickets at filoli.org Honor Indigenous Peoples Day with an afternoon of Native American art, music, and vendors in a celebration headlined by groundbreaking Indigenous musician Jeremy Dutcher; Monday, 12pm to 4pm. // Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between 3rd St. and 4th St. (SoMa); details at ybgfestival.org Cook up something cozy this October. 18 Reasons, the nonprofit cooking school in the heart of the Mission, just dropped their fall class lineup. Save the date for pop-up dinners with neighbors, hands-on lessons in homestyle Vietnamese cooking, and Sunday suppers that celebrate the best of autumn. // 18 Reasons, 3674 18th St. (Mission); register at 18reasons.org Thank you to our partners at 18 Reasons. Enjoy an array of delights at a salo-salo—the Filipino tradition of gathering through food—at interaction stations helmed by chefs and bartenders from around the country, including cocktails from New York’s most anticipated bar, June Baby; Monday at 6pm. // Abacá, 2700 Jones St. (Fisherman's Wharf); tickets at opentable.com Revisit The Big Four's most beloved dishes during a week celebrating their 50th anniversary that will feature hits from past eras alongside Champagne pours and live piano music; Monday through Saturday. // The Big Four, The Huntington Hotel, 1075 California St. (Nob Hill); reservations at thehuntingtonhotel.com Make it an old fashioned. Work your way through the classic cocktail at Elixir, Comstock Saloon, and the Old Ship Saloon on Elijah Craig's Old Fashioned Tavern Trail, all to benefit hospitality workers; through Sunday. // Details at oldfashionedweek.com Say cheers to an aperitivo when Bar Agricole teams up with Delfina for an hour of pre-dinner cocktails and complimentary snacks with no reservations needed; Tuesday, 5pm to 6pm. // Delfina, 3621 18th St. (Mission); delfinasf.com Toast six generations of Lodi winemaking at a five-course dinner from Michael David Winery paired with wines from the iconic brand; Tuesday at 6:30pm. // Americana House, 2505 W Turner Rd. (Lodi); reservations at americanahouselodi.com Drop into a conversation with Michael Pollan and neuroscientist Christof Koch on the intersection of psychedelics and consciousness; Tuesday, 7:30pm. // Zellerbach Hall, 101 Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley); tickets at calperformances.org Surrender to total relaxation with a 25-minute rhythmic yoga flow followed by a sound bath and full access to the St. Regis’ spa's steam room and sauna; Wednesday, 4pm to 5pm. // The St. Regis San Francisco, 125 3rd St. (SoMa); details at eventbrite.com Enjoy some bubbly and good JouJou when Laurence Ployez of Ployez-Jacquemar Champagne stops by for a night of Champagne by the glass and stories of the celebrated Champagne house; Wednesday, 6pm to 8pm. // JouJou, 65 Division St. (SoMa); reservations at exploretock.com Hear Zadie Smith discuss her recent essay collection Dead and Alive in a conversation with writer, filmmaker, and podcast host Sam Fragoso; Wednesday at 7:30pm. // Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley); tickets at cityarts.net Slay at Sqream, a drag horror parody set to all favorite hit songs of the 1990s; through October 31st. // OASIS, 298 11th St. (SoMa); tickets and details at eventbrite.com Get inspired at the Green Film Festival, which will bring together sharp environmental storytelling with wit, weirdness, and unapologetic irreverence, including with its hit “eco-horror” midnight movie; Thursday through October 22nd. // 4 Star Theater, 2200 Clement St. (Outer Richmond); details at eventive.org SF Fashion Festival 2026 – Golden San Francisco Fashion Festival returns this October with its most ambitious edition yet: Golden. Taking place October 15–17, 2026, the festival is the Bay Area’s premier platform for fashion, creativity, and community. This year’s Golden celebrates elevated style, sustainable luxury, sports and the radiant energy of San Francisco’s creative scene. Have a stylish weekend at the San Francisco Fashion Festival. This year's "golden edition" celebrates elevated style, sustainable luxury, sports, and the radiant energy of SF with a multi-day experience featuring runway presentations, immersive brand activations, industry panels, and exclusive shopping moments; Thursday through Saturday. // Details at sffashionpr.com Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Black Panther Party. Hear Party alumni share their experiences and first-hand tales; Thursday, 5pm to 7:30pm. // Oakland Public Library, 125 14th St. (Oakland); register at bibliocommons.com Toast 35 trailblazing women who shaped the Bay Area in a talk from arts journalist Rae Alexandra; Thursday, 6pm to 7:30pm. // The Redwood Room, Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, 495 Geary St. (Union Square); RSVP at eventbrite.com Discover Halloween events worth making the trip for. This month Butte County offers up a little fright and a lot of fun for the holiday, from haunted happenings to family-friendly festivities. // Details at explorebuttecounty.com Thank you to our partners at Explore Butte County. Make it a weekend at Taste: The Livermore Valley Wine Experience, a four-day lineup of tastings, tours, toasts, and more with the vineyards and winemakers of the region; Thursday through Sunday. // Details and tickets at lvwine.org Taste your way through San Francisco Restaurant Week with brunch, lunch, and dinner deals on prix-fixe menus across the city; Friday through October 25th. // Details and participating restaurants at sfrestaurantweek.com Find your ideal San Francisco Symphony show. Whether you’re a music buff or simply music-curious, the SF Symphony has a show for you this month, including Take-Your-Family-to-The-Symphony Day (October 24th) and the return of Rafael Payare and Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal for a matinée featuring Shostakovich’s intensely passionate Tenth Symphony (October 25th). // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org Thank you to our partners at the San Francisco Symphony. Channel main character energy at the San Francisco Opera’s costume sale. Shop authentic theatrical costumes spanning Victorian dresses to fantasy creations pulled from decades of productions; Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am to 4:30pm. // San Francisco Opera Scene Shop, 826 Burlway Rd. (Burlingame); tickets at sfopera.com Source your Halloween costume or just a unique ‘fit from racks from more than 50 vintage and local vendors at Secondhand Saturday, an event also featuring Halloween crafts, a costume challenge, and live DJ sets; Saturday, 10am to 4pm. // Cole St. between Carl St. and Parnassus Ave. (Cole Valley); details at sunsetmercantilesf.com Explore more than 130 artists' studios, a beer garden, live music, and watch parties of the iconic Crane illumination at the Shipyard's open studios; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 6pm and 7:45pm. // Hunters Point Shipyard, 451 Galvez Ave. (Bayview); RSVP at eventbrite.com Find your center in a unique workshop that explores how asana works on your past, pranayama works on your present, meditation works on your future; Saturday, 1pm to 3:30pm. // Haum Studios, Haight Ashbury, 780 Stanyan St. (Upper Haight); register at hellowalla.com Witness the inaugural Market Street Arts and Theater Festival, a celebration of the deep history of entertainment culture on Market Street taking place across 50 experiences, 35 locations, and six blocks, with performances from Bandaloop, Dear San Francisco, Circus Bella, and more; Saturday, 4pm to 10pm. // Details and RSVP at eventbrite.com Catch the world premiere of Power Memory Freedom Joy, new choreography honoring the women of Guinea and the Black Panther Party from Dimensions Dance Theater; Saturday, 7:30pm to 9:30pm. // Valley Center for the Arts, 3500 Mountain Blvd. (Oakland); tickets at events.com Break out of Tinder and witness Love Isn’t Blind, a comedy/dating show where the men can't speak and hilarity ensues. Stay for the after-party; Saturday at 7pm. // The Foundry, 1425 Folsom St. (SoMa); tickets at loveisntblind.co Be the first to dance to the latest Bay Beats at a launch party for a 2025 streaming collection that’s 180 albums strong; Sunday, 1pm to 5pm. // Golden Gate Park Bandshell, Music Concourse Dr. (Golden Gate Park); details at sfpl.org Sample dishes from celebrity chefs and local wineries at the MOHI Food and Wine Festival, hosted by Léal founder Frank Léal and chef Charlie Palmer; Sunday, 1pm to 4pm. // Downtown Morgan Hill, 3rd St. (Morgan Hill); tickets at mohifoodandwine.com Welcome back the Berkeley Symphony. For its season opener, director laureate Kent Nagano pairs Mendelssohn works from pianist Mari Kodama with the world premiere of a new work by an Argentine composer; Sunday at 4pm. // Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, 10 10th St. (Oakland); tickets at berkeleysymphony.org Feast at Foodwise's Sunday Supper, a gala benefiting farmers markets and food access with a four-course menu curated with 35 top Bay Area restaurants; Sunday, 4:30pm to 9:30pm. // Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Building (Embarcadero); tickets at eventbrite.com --- ### Cuddle and play with cats and bunnies at these Bay Area cafés and lounges. **Published:** October 8, 2026 | **Author:** Joan Walsh | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/bay-area-cat-cafes-2678061058.html.md Cats abound at many charming lounges and cafés throughout the Bay Area, each with an atmosphere tailor-made for snuggling and playing. While calling them “cat cafés” is a bit of a misnomer due to permitting regulations around food and animals, most kitty-centric spots sponsor an adjacent lounge to get you your feline fix before or after you’ve had coffee and a bite to eat. The majority partner with nonprofit animal rescues, and all cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. Stop in for some love at these cat cafés from Oakland to San Jose (plus a spot that’s all about bunnies). There are just a few rules to remember: guests may not pick up the cats, shoes are prohibited (booties are provided), and visitors must sign a waiver before entering. --- ### 'Turn It Up and Turn It Out' with Patti LaBelle at the Glide Holiday Jam. **Published:** October 7, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/glide-holiday-jam-patti-labelle-2678048185.html.md Returning to The Warfield in San Francisco on Thursday, November 5th, this year’s Glide Holiday Jam: Turn It Up and Turn It Out will be headlined by three-time Grammy Award winner, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of numerous lifetime achievement honors, Patti LaBelle. Patti LaBelle will headline this year's Glide Holiday Jam.(Whitney Thomas) The Glide Holiday Jam will also feature powerhouse vocalist Destani Wolf, traditional Veracruz-Mexico music group Son de Fandango, and the legendary Glide Ensemble and The Change Band, led by Zoe Ellis. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will be honored as the recipient of the second annual Lizzie Glide Spirit Award, in recognition of her lifelong dedication to human rights, LGBTQ rights, and access to affordable healthcare. For more than 40 years, the Glide Holiday Jam has brought together acclaimed artists, community leaders, and supporters for an unforgettable evening of music, inspiration, and hope while raising critical funds for Glide's mission of unconditional love, radical inclusion, and social justice. It’s a beloved Bay Area tradition where legendary artists meet everyday heroes and the community comes together to support life-changing programs that include providing meals, housing, recovery, health access, and services for women and families. Patti LaBelle has captivated audiences for more than six decades with her extraordinary voice, electrifying stage presence, and enduring catalog of hits. Known worldwide as the "Godmother of Soul," she has sold more than 50 million records and remains one of the most celebrated and influential performers in American music. (Courtesy of Glide) The Lizzie Glide Spirit Award is named for the Glide Church’s founder, who established it in 1929 as a place of social justice, education, and spiritual care for women, children, and the marginalized. Last year, the inaugural award was presented to folk icon and activist Joan Baez. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will be the second individual to be recognized by the prestigious honor. // The Glide Holiday Jam: ‘Turn It Up and Turn It Out’ will be at 5:30pm on Thursday, November 5th at The Warfield, 982 Market St. (Tenderloin); get tickets at glide.org --- ### McMullen Goes Big and Beautiful on Maiden Lane + More Shop Talk **Published:** October 7, 2026 | **Author:** Gail Goldberg | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/mcmullen-maiden-lane-shop-talk-2678021883.html.md The beloved retailer’s new Union Square flagship is just as fabulous as you’d expect. Plus, shop local indie gems at Oxide Collective’s one-day market and browse Reformation’s newest Bay Area boutique at Santana Row. --- ### How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in St. Helena Now **Published:** October 6, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Wine Country **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/weekend-in-st-helena-napa-2666582269.html.md St. Helena, the sweet Napa Valley town sandwiched between Calistoga and Yountville, recently underwent something of a renaissance. With plenty of new and redesigned tasting rooms and restaurants from those both well-known and fresh-on-the-scene, if its been a while since you've been to town, you'll be pleasantly surprised. On this weekend itinerary, we hit the best of St. Helena right now, from the restoration of Ink Grade's Home Ranch to the excellent dinner destination Charlie’s. --- ### Take a bite out of a local farmers' market in Marin. **Published:** October 6, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/marin-farmers-markets-2678014106.html.md Get ready for a delightful treat at Marin’s farmers markets. The region’s most popular farmers’ markets are hosted by the Agricultural Institute of Marin and are open rain or shine. The largest—at the Marin Center parking lot on Thursdays from 8am to 1pm—is so popular with local chefs, it’s known as the Chef’s Market. The market features a little bit of everything: coffee and bakery items, fresh flowers and produce, jams, honey, cheese, meats, and prepared foods and snacks. Chefs have their own parking spaces and food carts on-site and can be seen bartering with booth owners and farmers. You can even find unexpected artisan-made jewelry and other gifts. Come back on Sunday for the San Rafael Market at Marin County Civic Center, which is open from 8am to 1pm. Marin Community Farmers Markets also hosts certified farmers’ markets throughout the county. On Tuesdays, be sure to check out the year-round market at Strawberry Village, which is open from 10:30am to 2:30pm. On Wednesdays, head to the year-round farmers’ market at Town Center Corte Madera from 12pm to 5pm. Saturdays, plan for a late morning or afternoon at Marin Country Mart. They not only host a farmers’ market from 9am to 2pm, but you can also shop, have lunch, and let the kids play. Plus, through the end of October, you’ll find tons of heirloom pumpkins at the Honor System Pumpkin Patch. Pick your favorite, drop your cash in the box—or pay by QR code—and take home a little piece of fall. Although the local Point Reyes Station farmers’ market has closed for the season, there’s still a reason to go there, too—especially if you need artisan cheese. Pull into Giacomini Dairy’s Point Reyes Farmstead Company Marketplace, located off of Highway 1 and open Monday through Saturday from 11am to 4pm. They’ve got locally made goodies, snack packs, and all the cheese you could ever want. --- ### First Taste: Fun, Nikkei-style Kaiyō Handroll Bar is a trip to Peru via Tokyo after dark. **Published:** October 5, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/kaiyo-handroll-bar-sf-2678007123.html.md The new kid on Union Street is no stranger to Cow Hollow. Her older sister debuted on the same block—in the same exact storefront—back in 2018, a sophisticated restaurant with a menu inspired by Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) traditions that had just enough time to become a neighborhood fixture before Covid rolled through town. Uni-toro rolls with Hokkaido uni and otoro.(Courtesy of Kaiyō Handroll Bar) While the family—the restaurant group BXB Hospitality and owner John Park—regrouped in 2022, tapping into the maximalist party vibe rising at the pandemic’s tail end with SoMa’s 12th-floor tropical restaurant and cocktail bar Kaiyō Rooftop (701 3rd St.), the original Kaiyō on Union stayed vacant. The neighborhood just wasn’t ready for the return of the polished, higher-end beauty. Four years later, it still isn’t: The city has changed, restaurants have changed, we have changed. Park felt confident that what Cow Hollow needed now was something more energetic, casual, and playful. A creative younger sister to the original Kaiyō, she’d be an extrovert that was many things to many people: a spot for a quick bite, a gathering place for friends, a lively spot for dinner and cocktails that stayed open late. And at the center of her menu, a simple handheld item that would be anything but basic. Handroll bars are a relatively new concept in Nikkei cuisine, and Kaiyō’s is the first on the West Coast to give top billing to the hybrid food that is a taco, a sushi roll, and a Japanese-Peruvian specialty all in one. Whereas the typical “hand roll” (temaki) contains little more than raw fish and sushi rice wrapped in seaweed, Kaiyō’s push the envelope. They don’t just do a hamachi hand roll; they do a Hamachi Ceviche hand roll with yellowtail, onion, kombu, leche de tigre, and cancha. They don’t just do a shrimp tempura hand roll; they do an Ebiten Acevichado hand roll with tempura shrimp, salmon, tuna, unagi, and rocoto aioli. They don’t stick solely to fish and seafood, either. The multicultural mashup extends to include hand rolls filled with Nikkei favorites like lomo saltado and shoestring potatoes; crab, causa, and quinoa; and roasted duck with cilantro rice. Wagyu lomo saltado handrolls with shoestring potatoes(Courtesy of Kaiyō Handroll Bar) Each night, the ingredients for a few of the hand rolls get a place of honor on the hand roll cart. It glides from table to table, giving diners the chance to watch their selections assembled up close. Chef de cuisine Kenji Sawada is captain of that particular ship on the night I visit, tucking generous chunks of leche-de-tigre-cured tuna and seared salmon into palm-sized sheets of nori right in front of my eyes. While the Nikkei hand rolls are the stars of the show, my favorite, the uni-toro, is a sleeper from the “classic hand roll” menu. Though I’m not usually a big fan of uni, its form at Kaiyō beautifully balances the urchin’s salty brine with richly marbled otoro and the spice of freshly minced kizami wasabi. Another of my favorites comes from the menu’s collection of mains. The scallop udon in mentaiko sauce is almost like a Japanese alfredo, a comforting nest of soft, chewy udon laid with seared Hokkaido scallops and bathed in creamy rocoto dashi. The bivalves, like all of the fish and seafood served at Kaiyō, are imported directly from Japan’s legendary markets. The small bites, appetizers, and ceviches and tiraditos more than hold their own against the menu’s namesake handrolls, too. The miso butter corn, already a favorite in Kaiyō’s brief few weeks in action, lives up to the hype with ribs of yellow corn smothered in savory miso butter and togarashi. The ceviche de camarones made with ginger-pepper leche de tigre, choclo, and chiles hits all the right notes. The Orenji cocktail is made with rum, fresh orange juice, sencha tea, condensed milk, vanilla syrup, and lemon.(Courtesy of Kaiyō Handroll Bar) Cocktails are designed by BXB Hospitality’s beverage director, Danny Louie. Instead of novelty, his menu aims for approachability—recognizable recipes with tropical and Asian twists like the Katanka (made with gin, tomato, mango, black pepper, lime, and cilantro), a savory gem that hovers somewhere between Bloody Mary and beachy brightness. Zero-proof and matcha beverages, as well as sake and craft Japanese beer, are also on offer. Kaiyō Handroll Bar’s aesthetic similarly fuses Latin America and Asia. Designed by Park rather than a traditional interior designer, the front patio has tropical Peruvian vibes with plenty of greenery. Through the door, though, a different dimension unfolds, one inspired by night markets in Osaka and the buzzing streets of Tokyo. From the ceiling hang a rainbow of bangasas (traditional Japanese umbrellas); on the walls, a splashy cityscape mural and neon accents (check out the custom Sailor Moon slurping ramen). The bathrooms, where black-and-white Japanese-style comics have been painted from floor to ceiling, haven’t been left out of the fun. While Kaiyō Handroll Bar has both Japanese milk bread and miso caramel bread pudding and guava-infused crème brûlée on its dessert menu, nearly everyone in the restaurant opts to end their meal with one of two versions of matcha soft serve: The regular swirl with vanilla bean or the alcoholic version. The latter, which combines the matcha soft serve with rum, coconut, and passion fruit is neither dessert nor nightcap. Like Nikkei cuisine itself, it’s the best of both worlds. // Kaiyō Handroll Bar is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4pm to 11pm, Friday from 4pm to 12am, Saturday from 11am to 12am, and Sunday from 11am to 9pm; 1838 Union St. (Cow Hollow), kaiyōhandrollbar.com Kaiyō Handroll Bar's interior is inspired by Osaka and Tokyo by night.(Courtesy of Kaiyō Handroll Bar) --- ### 9 Unique Wellness Experiences for a Fall Reset **Published:** October 2, 2026 | **Author:** Jen Woo | **Section:** Workouts + Wellness **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/unique-fall-wellness-experiences-2677987407.html.md Fall is a season of abundance, gratitude, and personal growth. It’s nature’s reset button, urging a transformation from the high-energy outward focus of summer to something more grounded and inward-looking. Just as trees drop their leaves to survive the coming winter, fall symbolizes the necessity of releasing what no longer serves you. "Fall is the season to slow down,” says acupuncturist and herbalist Anna Lee. “In traditional Chinese medicine, autumn rules the lungs—the organs of breath and release—making it the perfect time to breathe deep, let go, and start fresh. While self-care is important year-round, it’s particularly pertinent during this time." To kick off the season, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to get well, from niche services like facial acupuncture for the glowiest of skin to an enzyme bath for ridding your body of toxins to cloaking yourself in an infrared wrap. Facial acupuncture leaves you with a truly lit-from-within-glow.(Courtesy of @meerarituals) Get skin as smooth as glass with facial acupuncture. My first experience with facial acupuncture left me with a truly lit-from-within-glow. Eight years later, it’s just as effective now that I’m a tired parent. Anna Lee bridges ancient tradition and holistic beauty, and her facial acupuncture is earning its spot as a standout rejuvenation treatment. Now, the experience is more bespoke than ever, bringing the fully customized diagnostic and therapeutic spa ritual into the comfort of your living space. The treatment begins with an in-depth analysis of your body—checking your pulse, examining your tongue, and asking detailed questions about everything from your stress levels to the consistency of your stool. This comprehensive intake allows Lee to map out internal imbalances before inserting hair-thin, sterile needles into targeted acupuncture points on the face and body that stimulate blood flow, boost natural collagen and elastin production, and release facial muscle tension. By triggering the body’s innate micro-repair mechanisms, it smooths fine lines and restores a firm, natural glow without synthetic fillers or downtime. Treatments can also be tailored with powerful add-ons, including warming moxa (moxibustion) therapy to boost circulation and energy flow, full-body acupuncture to address systemic tension, and personalized herbal consultations to support skin health and internal balance from within. // More info and in-home appointment booking at @meerarituals Cocoon in an infrared wrap. Tucked away in the gardens of the beautiful MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa in Sonoma, the Energy Boost treatment feels like an intimate reset button for your body. The ritual begins by wrapping you in a soothing infrared blanket that radiates a gentle, penetrating warmth from head to toe. The infrared heat sinks into your muscles, kickstarting your circulation and giving your metabolism a gentle boost while washing away deep-seated tension. As you lie cozy and enveloped in heat, your therapist grounds the experience with a skin-toning facial massage to revive your complexion, and finishes with a grounding hand and foot massage. You’ll emerge feeling warm, glowy, and recharged, like a quiet weekend away distilled into 50 minutes of care. // 29 E. MacArthur St. (Sonoma), macarthurplace.com/spa Calm the nervous system with an Ayurvedic massage. Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Watsonville, the Kaya Kalpa Wellness Center at Mount Madonna offers a tranquil escape centered around traditional Ayurvedic healing and bodily restoration. Their signature Abhyanga Massage is a deeply restorative full-body therapy that utilizes warm, herb-infused oils tailored to your unique dosha. Practiced to stimulate circulation, calm the nervous system, and clear internal impurities, this traditional oil massage goes beyond standard relaxation to rebalance mind, body, and spirit. For guests seeking a tailored approach to long-term vitality, the center pairs its therapeutic hands-on bodywork with personalized Ayurvedic consultations led by NAMA-certified practitioners. // 445 Summit Rd. (Watsonville), mountmadonna.org Good Hot redefines traditional contrast therapy with a raw coastal setting.(Courtesy of @g_o_o_d_h_o_t) Dunk in the sea. Positioned right along the Point San Pablo coastline in Richmond, Good Hot redefines traditional contrast therapy with a raw coastal setting. Unlike traditional indoor spas, this deconstructed bathhouse sits directly on the water's edge. Its defining feature is the ultimate natural cool-down: replacing a standard plunge tub with the direct shock of the San Francisco Bay’s cold saltwater. Guests begin by warming up inside custom, wood-fired saunas filled with rich, fragrant heat and soft, atmospheric steam (löyly). Once thoroughly heated, they step out onto the waterfront and plunge straight into the crisp sea. Alternating between intense dry heat and the rushing cold tide creates an invigorating shock to the senses, framed by expansive open-water views and sea air. This coastal contrast therapy supercharges system-wide circulation, triggers a rush of endorphins, and relieves deep muscle tension and mental fatigue. // 2055 Stenmark Dr. (Richmond), good-hot.com Swathe your body in honey. Set along 22 acres of ancient redwoods on the banks of the Russian River in Guerneville, The Spa at Dawn Ranch is a grounding sanctuary centered on nature-infused, botanical bodywork. The Manuka Honey Moisture Body Therapy begins with an enveloping application of rich, raw manuka honey across the skin. As you rest cocooned in warmth, the golden therapy penetrates parched skin cells, followed by a soothing full-body massage using restorative botanical oils. Celebrated for its potent natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and restorative properties, the honey acts as a powerful humectant, drawing moisture deep into the lipid barrier, repairing environmental stress, and leaving skin soft and supple. The location is an experience in and of itself, a cozy retreat inspired by European solariums and traditional Japanese bathing rituals. Guests can pair their treatments with outdoor redwood soaking tubs, a zellige-tiled steam room, and a quiet meditation garden. // 16467 CA-116 (Guerneville), dawnranch.com/rejuvenate Roll around in clay balls. If you’ve never been to a K-spa, Pearl is the place to start. Hidden in Japantown, this women-only Korean-style sanctuary blends traditional jjimjilbang rituals with restorative bodywork. The experience centers on their signature body scrub, an intensely satisfying, head-to-toe exfoliation where therapists use textured mitts to briskly slough off months of dead skin cells, unlocking velvety smoothness. Afterward, step upstairs into the warm clay ball room, a heated pit filled with smooth, marble-sized clay spheres. As you submerge in the warm clay, the gentle pressure releases muscle tension as natural thermal heat drives out deep-seated toxins and stimulates circulation, leaving skin intensely radiant, rejuvenated, and glowing. //1654 Post St. (Japantown), pearlspasf.com Vintner's Daughter products are used in The Spa at Auberge du Soleil's Structured Facial.(Courtesy of The Spa at Auberge du Soleil) Vino, But for your Face Cult-favorite brand Vintner’s Daughter has partnered with the iconic Auberge du Soleil to offer the Structural Facial, a 90-minute ritual that bridges whole-plant skin nutrition with cutting-edge facial technology. The experience begins with a circulation-boosting cleanse and refining exfoliation before layering a nutrient-dense botanical mask to fortify the skin barrier. From there, advanced modalities take center stage: microcurrents tone facial musculature while red-light therapy stimulates collagen production. The showstopping finale is a proprietary 15-minute massage using the brand's Active Botanical Serum to sculpt natural facial contours for visibly lifted, plump, and luminous skin. // 180 Rutherford Hill Rd. (Rutherford), auberge.com Get salty and reset brainwaves. Enter the newly remodeled Himalayan salt room at Indian Springs, where a specialized halogenerator crushes microscopic particles of pure Himalayan salt and disperses them invisibly into the air. While the mist is unseen, you can faintly taste the mineral salt and feel it as you breathe deeply. Why breathe in salt, you ask? The dry micro-particles travel deep into the respiratory tract to clear seasonal allergies, flush sinus congestion, and cleanse the lungs. The natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of the salt also penetrate pores to soothe stubborn skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and inflammation. Also at Indian Springs is a cutting-edge acoustic lounge, which bridges brainwave science and weightless relaxation to reset the nervous system. An ergonomic zero-gravity bed is positioned to elevate the legs above the heart to relieve spinal pressure and create the feeling of total weightlessness. After slipping on noise-canceling headphones, a gentle tactile vibration pulses through the bed in sync with auditory binaural beats, delivering slightly different sound frequencies to each ear that guide the brain into a deep, meditative state. The frequencies help melt away acute anxiety, boost mood, trigger the parasympathetic nervous system to encourage deep sleep, and even align the chakras. // 1712 Lincoln Ave. (Calistoga), indianspringscalistoga.com Sweat out all the toxins in an enzyme bath. Located in the serene hills of Freestone in Sonoma County, Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary offers North America’s only traditional cedar enzyme bath. The experience begins in a quiet garden setting, where guests sip a custom-brewed digestive tea infused with active plant enzymes to kickstart the detoxification process from within. Next, you step into a wooden tub filled with a soft, warm mixture of finely ground cedar, rice bran, and active plant enzymes. Rather than relying on electricity or hot water, the bath heats up naturally through biological fermentation, reaching a toasty yet soothing temperature between 115 and 120 degrees. As you lie submerged in the aromatic cedar mixture for roughly 20 minutes, the gentle, dry heat deepens relaxation, dissolves muscle tension, improves circulation, and cleanses the skin. Afterward, a brush-down and shower leave you feeling fully cleansed, refreshed, and deeply grounded, making it a truly one-of-a-kind immersion for those seeking holistic renewal. // 209 Bohemian Hwy (Freestone), osmosis.com The cedar enzyme baths at Osmosis (Courtesy of Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary) --- ### Smolotov Shit Bags are a small protest against political waste and corruption done doggy-style. **Published:** October 2, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/smolotov-dog-poop-bags-2677984440.html.md Every day, millions of Americans bend down, scoop up something warm and unpleasant, and walk it to the nearest trash can. Smolotov just makes it a little more meaningful. Their dog waste bags printed with the faces of the individuals currently wrecking the republic are for people who read the news and need somewhere to put their feelings. Your dog makes the deposit, you make the statement—the trash can handles the rest. It's like performance art you carry in your pocket; a protest you can do on a leash, twice a day, rain or shine. It won't fix democracy, but it's more satisfying than yelling at a cable news anchor, and at least something gets cleaned up. (Courtesy of Smolotov) Smolotov was founded in Berkeley in 2025 by Stefan Schuch and Kevin Tiell, two veteran designers who spent years at Apple making beautiful things people wanted to keep. Now they make beautiful things people want to throw away. They tested prototypes at East Bay dog parks, where the dogs—natural anarchists all—signed off without hesitation. At 23,000 orders and counting, the joke is holding up fine. Under the satire it's a serious product. The bags are made at a certified fair-trade, BSCI-compliant manufacturer from compostable PBAT, PLA, and corn starch so they break down faster than most campaign promises. Every bag gets the same obsessive care the founders once gave to product launches: They're thick, leak-resistant, and ship in tidy 60-bag boxes, because nobody's political awakening should end with poop on their hands. Smolotov jokes because the alternative is screaming. They’re on the side of free press, fair elections, and dogs—the only fully trustworthy constituency left in America. Their bags are one small way to stand against politicians and their patron oligarchs, data centers, surveillance cameras, and the whole gilded menagerie. Critique disguised as convenience, these are the only pet waste bags with a point of view. They’re the rare stocking-stuffer that says exactly what you’ve been thinking. // Get the bags at smolotov.com (Courtesy of Smolotov) --- ### 31 Fun Things to Do This Week (10.5.26) **Published:** October 2, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-10-5-26-2677967869.html.md There's more to the next seven days than Fleet Week. But if you do want to see the aerial acrobatics, a rooftop viewing with Champagne and caviar at 1 Hotel or a free downtown party in FiDi are the way to go. Other events taking flight: the anniversary of the Judgment of Paris at Mastro’s and Stag’s Leap, the return of Litquake, and all things mid-century modern at Santa Rosa’s Resort-O-Rama. Jump ahead to this week's top events: Look to the sky for Fleet Week. Crack open the world of Litquake. Embrace your mid-century nostalgia at Resort-O-Rama in Santa Rosa. Join a free Fleet Week party downtown complete with an outdoor screening ofTop Gun. Have a good one. Nosh on Colombian eats when chef Daniel Sanchez pops up for an evening at Propagation; Monday at 5pm. // Propagation, 895 Post St. (Lower Nob Hill); details on Instagram Look to the sky for Fleet Week. Get a glimpse of the Blue Angels, tour grand ships, celebrate the community, and more during this week’s festivities; Tuesday through Sunday. // Schedule and details at fleetweeksf.org Meet Paul and Emily Michael of Peter Michael Winery. They'll be pairing their wines with a multi-course dinner from chef Alex Espinoza; Wednesday at 6pm. // Bottega Napa Valley, 6525 Washington St. (Yountville); reservations at opentable.com Support local art and mutual aid at Moth Belly Gallery’s autumn market. The proceeds go to Calma, a volunteer-run Bay Area organization providing crucial aid to laborers, migrants, and asylum seekers; Wednesday, 6pm to 9pm. // Moth Belly Gallery, 912 Larkin St. (TenderNob) ; details on Instagram Show up and show off for Oakland Style, a five-day celebration of art, music, fashion, cuisine, creativity, and culture packed with vibrant art events, fashion shows, sneaker exhibits, musical performances, cocktail and culinary experiences, and more; Wednesday through Sunday. // Schedule and tickets at visitoakland.com Thank you to our partners at Visit Oakland. Revisit the historic Judgment of Paris tasting at a five-course, chef-curated dinner built to complement iconic wines from Chateau Montelena and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars; Wednesday at 7pm. // Mastro's Steakhouse, 399 Geary St. (Union Square); tickets at eventbrite.com Dig into Bay Area Burger Week. Explore the burger scene across the region with a lineup of restaurants featuring their takes on the iconic sandwich; Wednesday through Sunday, October 18th. // Details and participating restaurants at bayareaburgerweek.com Settle in for an outdoor screening of Death Becomes Her with a cozy setup, a glass of wine, popcorn, and personal headphones at Madrona’s final summer film; Wednesday at 7:30pm. // The Madrona, 1001 Westside Rd. (Healdsburg); tickets at opentable.com Crack open the world of Litquake, San Francisco’s iconic two-week literary festival. Cap this year’s festivities off on October 24th with 7x7 and other local lit luminaries at Lit Crawl, a lineup of smart, worldly, and sometimes-wacky events presented in unusual venues like local bars, cafes, galleries, tattoo shops, laundromats, and more in the Mission; starts Thursday. // Schedule and tickets at litquake.org Thank you to our partners at Litquake. Try some new spirits in Sonoma at El Dorado Kitchen’s “golden hour” featuring aperitivo from Unti Vineyards; Thursday, 3pm to 5pm. // El Dorado Kitchen, 405 1st St. West (Sonoma); details at eldoradosonoma.com Dance the night away at a sunset salsa session on the Rise Over Run rooftop. Kick off with a beginner-friendly salsa and reparto class before a night of open dancing, DJs, and food and drink specials; Thursday, 5pm to 10pm. // Rise Over Run, Timbri Hotel, 33 Turk St. (Tenderloin); tickets at eventbrite.com Embrace your mid-century nostalgia at Resort-O-Rama, a celebration of the era’s design, style, history, and whimsy through educational seminars, cocktail soirées, a Supperclub dinner, and a free local marketplace; Thursday through Sunday. // Flamingo Resort, 2777 Fourth St. (Santa Rosa); details at resortorama.com Make your day a Wine Country day. Settle into an afternoon tucked into the hills of St. Helena at The Phelps Table experience at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Enjoy an intimate afternoon of wine, food, and place with a seasonal, multi-course menu and a selection of wines in a private dining room overlooking the estate. // Joseph Phelps Vineyards, 200 Taplin Rd. (St Helena); reservations at exploretock.com Thank you to our partners at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Linger for live jazz from a rotating roster of favorites including Sundra Manning, Grant Levin, and Eamon Flynn during the Redwood Room's After Dark series; Thursdays and Fridays, 7pm to 10pm, through October. // The Redwood Room, Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, 495 Geary St. (Union Square); reservations at opentable.com Check out groundbreaking cinema from the South Asian diaspora at the annual SF International South Asian Film Festival; Friday through Sunday. // Tickets and schedule at thirdi.org Play the role of winemaker with experts from Robert Young Estate Winery. They'll guide you through a tasting of Bordeaux varietals before you get to bottle and cork your own custom blend; Friday, 3pm to 5pm. // Montage Healdsburg, 100 Montage Way (Healdsburg); tickets at montage.com Join a free Fleet Week party complete with an outdoor screening of Top Gun, a best-mustache contest, street-shucked oysters, and plenty of yacht rock; Friday, 4pm to 9pm. // Front St. between California St. and Sacramento St. (FiDi); details at downtownsf.org Meet the winemakers behind Williams Selyem and Flambeaux over a four-course tasting menu built around Sonoma's harvest bounty; Friday at 6pm. // The Post Room, Beacon Grand, 450 Powell St. (Union Square); reservations at opentable.com Hold your own at a stein-holding competition, groove to live polka, drink some fresh brews, and show off your lederhosen at Park Chalet's Oktoberfest celebration; Friday, 6pm to 9pm. // Park Chalet, 1000 Great Highway (Golden Gate Park); tickets at eventbrite.com Experience an outdoor theater of light, music, and memory with the illumination of Crane; Friday and Saturday after dark, with a Friday performance by a live choir at 7:45p at Zaccho Dance Theatre. // Hunters Point Shipyard, 451 Galvez Ave. (Bayview Hunters Point); more info at shipyardartists.com Get festive at a wreath-making party with Filoli floriculturists. Stay for admission to the estate’s autumn-ready grounds; Saturday at 10am and 2pm, and Sunday at 10am. // Filoli, 86 Cañada Rd. (Woodside); tickets at filoli.org Channel your inner kid and tap into your imagination at the Brick Exhibition, a showcase of epic Lego sets spanning global landmarks, Star Wars, and more with a hands-on brick pit for all ages; Saturday at 10am and Sunday at 11am. // Stonestown Galleria, 3251 20th Ave. (Stonestown); tickets at feverup.com Celebrate 10 years of the Paseo Artístico Artwalk at a block party featuring a dozen cultural venues, local vendors, live music, DJs, community murals, poetry, and dance performances; Saturday, 11am to 6pm. // Harrison St. between 23rd and 24th streets (Mission); details at paseoartistico.org Wander Inglenook's culinary garden with chef Alex Lovick before settling into an al fresco lunch paired with winery picks; Saturday, 11am to 1pm. // Inglenook, 1991 St. Helena Hwy. (Rutherford); reservations at inglenook.com Head to Silicon Valley for Oktoberfest fun. Treehouse Hotel is hosting a family- and pet-friendly weekend of local craft beers, live music, games, and Oktoberfest-inspired bites; Saturday and Sunday, 12pm to 8pm. // Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, 1100 North Mathilda Ave. (Sunnyvale); details at treehousehotels.com Take a tour of San Francisco trees with Tom Radulovich of Livable City that explores native species, historic trees, and the thriving woodland of Golden Gate Park; Saturday, 1pm to 3:30pm. // Oak Woodlands Natural Area, Conservatory Dr. East (Golden Gate Park); register at shapingsf.org Score the best seat in the house for the Blue Angels air show at a rooftop viewing party with Champagne, caviar, and grilled goods; Saturday, 1:30pm to 4pm. // 1 Hotel San Francisco, 8 Mission St. (Embarcadero); reservations at 1hotels.com Be part of the art at a mask-making workshop with the curator of Masquerade: Art to Wear, an exhibit showcasing wearable art from more than 30 local and international artists; Saturday, 2pm to 4pm. // ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. (Berkeley); details at accigallery.com Mark your calendar for thrilling events at the San Francisco Symphony. Scare yourself silly while you watch the 2002 horror film The Ring, with Hans Zimmer’s haunting score performed live by the symphony (October 20th). Skip the usual Halloween hubbub the weekend of. See Elim Chan conduct a stunning quartet of works that delve into the great unknown instead at Adams and Mendelssohn (October 29-31). // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org Thank you to our partners at the San Francisco Symphony. Immerse yourself in the winning wines of 1976’s Judgment of Paris at a walk-around-style tasting of eight Napa Valley estates complimented by bites from the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group; Sunday, 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 4:30pm. // Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, 5766 Silverado Trail (Napa); reservations at stagsleapwinecellars.com Graze your way through bites from La Mar, Teleferic, Pacifico, and Xica at a waterfront fiesta closing out Hispanic Heritage Month. Proceeds go to benefit La Cocina; Sunday, 12pm to 3pm. // La Mar, Pier 1 ½, The Embarcadero (Embarcadero); tickets at opentable.com Witness a traditional “face-changing” performance, an ancient Chinese art that involves dancing and swapping face masks impossibly fast. It's a unique cultural experience to enjoy with dinner; Sundays at 8pm. // Z&Y Restaurant, 655 Jackson St. (Chinatown); details at zandyrestaurant.com --- ### 7 Litquake Events Shaking Up San Francisco This October **Published:** October 1, 2026 | **Author:** Rosie Merlin | **Section:** Culture **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/litquake-2026-shakes-up-october-2677977226.html.md Novelists, poets, musicians, chefs, and drag artists from near and far are gathering to present their best and brightest at more than 80 Litquake Literary Festival events this month. Literary stars like bestselling authors Hernan Diaz, Marlon James, Min Jin Lee, Walter Mosley, Claudia Rankine, and Kim Stanley Robinson will be mixing it up with Bay Area writers and communities at venues throughout San Francisco and the East Bay. Don’t miss these seven epic literary events: (Courtesy of Litquake) Litquake’s Opening Night Bash: Booksellers Ball The Litquake community comes together to celebrate San Francisco’s independent bookstores at the former home of the legendary Paper Doll, an underground LGBTQ supper club active from 1941 to 1969. With an open bar from beverage sponsors Griffo Distillery and Saintsbury Winery, tunes from BFF.FM DJ Lead Teddy, and a literature-themed drag performance from Carlota Di Carlo, this will no doubt be a bookishly good time. Tickets are $50/person or $75/person to sponsor a bookseller or librarian. // Thursday, October 8th at 7pm; 524 Union St. (North Beach), tickets and info at litquake.org Olivie Blake: Dreamland Loosely inspired by the 1947 Black Dahlia murder, Dreamland is a dark and moody Hollywood fable about fame, ambition, and the price some people are willing to pay to achieve both. Bestselling novelist Olivie Blake, the author of Girl Dinner, will be in conversation with Kristina Ten, whose work Blake selected for the latest Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy anthology. Pay what you can to reserve a seat. // Friday, October 9th at 7pm; Gilman Brewing, 912 Gilman St. (Berkeley), tickets and info at liquake.org Poetry World Series: Litquake Edition A classic Litquake event, PWS pits two teams of award-winning poets—including Bhion Achimba, Rhoni Blankenhorn, Safia Elhillo, Prageeta Sharma, Angel Dominguez, and Ben Gucciardi—against one another in a poetry battle based on topics pitched to by the audience. The winning team takes the series title. Emcee Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) brings the emcee humor and charm. Book sales and signing will follow the final inning. Tickets are $15/person in advance or $20 at the door. This event is 21+. // Saturday, October 10th at 7pm; Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St. (Mission), get tickets and info at litquake.org Artificial Intimacy: Sherry Turkle and AI In her latest book Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines, Sherry Turkle explores the seductive and beguiling nature of chatbots presented as “perfect” companions. The psychologist, who has spent decades studying how digital technologies isolate us from one another, will be in conversation with New Yorker cartoonist Amy Kurzweil, whose graphic novel Artificial: A Love Story suggests an alternate path in which AI could be used to support and deepen real-world relationships. Co-presented with Yerba Buena Center for the Arts; free. // Wednesday, October 21st at 6:30pm; YBCA Screening Room, 701 Mission St., (SoMa), info at litquake.org (Courtesy of Litquake) Lights, Camera, Action: Porchlight Storytelling on the Big Screen Some of the Bay Area’s finest writers and comedians—including Litquake co-founder Jack Boulware, Mukethe Kawinzi, Ali Liebegott, Allison Mick, TK Moyer, and sam sax—join this special cinematic edition of the long-running Porchlight storytelling series. Tales of the silver screen will take the stage with charming co-hosting by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick and music by Marc Capelle. Tickets are $20/person in advance, $25/person at the door. // Thursday, October 22nd at 7:30pm; Vogue Theater, 3290 Sacramento St. (Presidio Heights), get tickets and info at litquake.org Walter Mosley: Hanging and Burning Walter Mosley, one of America’s most celebrated and beloved authors, will be in conversation with Carvell Wallace about his Joe King Oliver series at this author event co-presented with San Francisco Public Library. In Hanging and Burning, the fourth novel in the series, a dying gangster’s plea sends Joe King Oliver on a quest for a missing woman, unraveling a dark and violent family history along the way. Tickets are free with a suggested donation of $10 to $15; $33 for a signed book. // Friday, October 23rd at 6:30pm; SFPL Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St. (Civic Center), get tickets and info at litquake.org Lit Crawl SF Lit Crawl, Litquake’s infamously delightful finale, is a four-hour, multi-phase adventure bringing together authors and lit fans in and around the Mission District—the world’s largest free pop-up literary event. Pro tip: Don’t miss Dramatic Readings of Not-So-Dramatic Local Stories with the Editors of 7x7 at Ritual Coffee Roasters at 6:30pm. Try not to laugh as we bring you 25 years of poor predictions, ridiculous recommendations, and fizzled sensations from the archives. // Saturday, October 24th from 5pm to 9pm, download map and schedule at litquake.org (Courtesy of Litquake) --- ### 5 Haunted NorCal Hotels Ready for Spooky Season **Published:** September 30, 2026 | **Author:** Ginny Prior | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/haunted-hotels-california-2677966010.html.md It’s Halloween season, time to trot out the tales of mischievous ghosts who’ve taken up residence in some of our favorite hotels. Many of these properties are historic, with famous guests who “go bump in the night.” In some, the specters go further, regularly making a spectacle of themselves. Embrace the "spirit" of the season with an overnight, tour, or party at these five unforgettable hotels. Full transparency: I’ve visited these places and felt the presence of… something. --- ### Music director designate Elim Chan returns to the SF Symphony podium for an October sneak peak. **Published:** September 29, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/elim-chan-conducts-adams-mendelssohn-2677955205.html.md Known for her electrifying presence, crystalline precision, and expressive energy, Elim Chan will become the Symphony’s 13th music director when she officially takes the podium in the 2027–28 season. But San Francisco audiences don’t have to wait until then to see what all the excitement is about. Following sold-out appearances with the Orchestra in June, Chan returns to Davies Symphony Hall this October 29–31. The October program has a little bit of everything: gorgeous melodies, dazzling violin, a full chorus, and a journey into some of music’s biggest questions. French violinist Renaud Capuçon joins Chan and the Orchestra for Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, a piece filled with soaring lyricism and the kind of virtuoso fireworks that make seeing it performed live especially thrilling. The San Francisco Symphony Chorus takes center stage, too, moving from the poignant beauty of Brahms’s Nänie to the luminous, bell-like soundscape of Arvo Pärt’s a cappella Magnificat. (Courtesy of SF Symphony) Then things get darker. The evening culminates in John Adams’ Doctor Atomic Symphony, drawn from his acclaimed opera about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the Manhattan Project, and the creation of the atomic bomb. Adams transforms that history and its questions of ambition, responsibility, and human consequence into music of enormous tension and orchestral power. For Chan, the connections running through the evening are deeply human. Brahms confronts mortality and grief; Adams wrestles with humanity’s capacity for destruction. Between them are moments of stillness, beauty, and transcendence. The result is the kind of night that shows just how much ground a live orchestra can cover: intimate one moment, explosive the next, with music that is beautiful, unsettling, exhilarating, and thought-provoking all at once. If you haven’t been to Davies Symphony Hall lately, consider this your invitation to hear one of classical music’s most exciting conductors begin her next chapter in San Francisco. // Elim Chan Conducts Adams and Mendelssohn, October 29–31at Davies Symphony Hall (tickets start at $45); 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center), sfsymphony.org --- ### Modern Guide to Elmwood: Dine, Shop + Stroll in Berkeley's Oldest Commercial District **Published:** September 29, 2026 | **Author:** Emily Polsby | **Section:** Neighborhoods **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/modern-guide-elmwood-berkeley-2677956106.html.md Along College Avenue near Cal's campus, the Elmwood is a tranquil neighborhood of mature trees and charming old houses in that mix of Craftsman, brown shingle, Victorian, and Period Revival styles that makes strolling in Berkeley so pleasant. The shopping district that grew up to serve these gracious homes in the early 1900’s includes a post office, Berkeley's only surviving commercial movie theater (Rialto Cinemas Elmwood, 2966 College Ave.), excellent restaurants, an epic bookstore, some unique hobby shops, and no fewer than three places for artisanal ice cream. Many of the businesses in the Elmwood have been there since the ’70s, and some are even housed in landmark buildings, such as the majestic Mission Revival-style Wells Fargo Bank building, and the Julia Morgan Theater, which anchors the far northern end of the neighborhood. The theater is home to the Berkeley Playhouse (2640 College Ave.), which regularly presents professional musicals, as well as youth productions starring the students in their theater arts education program. Walk about a third of a mile from the concentration of shops and restaurants near College and Ashby and you'll find the section of the Elmwood near Alcatraz Avenue that abuts Oakland's lively Rockridge neighborhood—another area thronged with great places to eat and browse. --- ### Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island's Kona Coast puts its aloha where its mouth is. **Published:** September 28, 2026 | **Author:** Gail Goldberg | **Section:** Travel **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/four-seasons-resort-hualalai-kona-2677955990.html.md The luxury oceanfront Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, situated along a half-mile slice of gorgeous coastline on the northwest Kona Coast, is the kind of place that instantly lowers your blood pressure, fuels your connection to nature, feeds your soul (and stomach), and pampers you like nobody’s business. In other words, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai knows how to paradise. Whether Hawaii is like your second home or you’ve yet to make a maiden voyage to the 50th state, checking into this magical Big Island property is an experience sure to stay with you long after the chocolate-covered macadamia nuts are (sadly) no more than a sweet memory. King's Pond at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai(Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai) Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, the hotel is no stranger to collecting accolades—and loyal guests who return year after year. Most recently, the 249-room property was named the #1 Hotel and Resort in the U.S. for the second consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. Having just checked in for a three-day stay, I understand why it garners so much love: everything revolves around providing visitors with their best experience. For some that means snorkeling, a game of pickleball, and a round of golf—all before lunch. For others (e.g. moi), the daily itinerary is all about pool-hopping, beach-reading, and spa-going. Everyone, however, revels in the majestic surroundings, fabulous dining options, and idyllic accommodations. There’s really no reason to ever leave the grounds, and I didn’t. Here’s why… Food, Glorious Food Every appetizer, entrée, poolside lunch, and lychee cocktail I consumed was on point. My biggest challenges were choosing which restaurant to try, deciding what to order, and knowing when enough homemade coconut sorbet is actually enough. (What? It was so friggin’ good.) Miller & Lux(Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai) Turns out, my first and last meals are the ones my taste buds will never get over. As soon as I arrive—the resort is only a 20-minute drive from the airport in Kona— I make a beeline to ‘Ulu for lunch. Casual yet chic, the open-air beachfront restaurant focuses on farm- and ocean-to-table experiences with its Pan-Asian-meets-Hawaiian cuisine. My primo patio seat is just as yummy as the king crab and mochi noodles with sweet ebi butter and bok choy…and the aforementioned sorbet. The final night: al fresco dinner at SF chef Tyler Florence’s Miller and Lux. Unsurprisingly, everything was mind-blowingly scrumptious—from the warm popover and tableside caesar salad to the French Dover sole (holy smokes!) and signature bananas foster. Along with a magnificent hillside view, the evening was made extra special thanks to the charming chef himself. Mr. Florence happened to be in town and happily chatted up this diner about all things M+L, The Great Food Truck Race, and, naturally, Bay Area goings-on. My one food regret? Not making it to Noio, the resort's 12-seat omakase restaurant serving decadent culinary rides starring freshly caught island fish and Japanese ingredients. Pools, Ocean Views + a Famous Eagle Ray The deep-blue Pacific is stunning and dramatic, full stop, but the island’s volcanic landscape means lots of black lava rock, choppy water, and rocky bottoms. There are protected swimming areas. However, this resort is all about the pools—all eight of them. Each has a distinct personality with luxe poolside amenities like chilled towels and complimentary ice-pops delivered straight to your chaise. Beach Tree Pool(Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai) I skip the kids-only and family-friendly watering holes, spending much of my cabana time at the Beach Tree “quiet” Pool instead, where the agenda is strictly magazine page-turning, smoothie-sipping, and SPF-application. I also make regular visits to the King’s Pond and Infinity Pool, super convenient as my lovely low-rise bungalow—tastefully decorated in mid-century Hawaiian style like all the rooms and suites—is perched directly above them. The Pond’s 1.8-million-gallon swimmable lava rock “aquarium” is filled with more than 1,000 tropical fish and marine life—snorkel heaven, if you will. Also located here is the Kumu Kai Marine Center, where marine naturalists lead daily feedings, educate guests about the resort’s residents and ocean preservation, and offer “touch-tank” experiences. Oh, what fun it was to feed the parrotfish, yellow tang, pearl wrasse, and striped belly pufferfish—and meet the pond’s most famous resident Kainalu, a rescued spotted eagle ray who recently entered his 30s. A Little Pampering + a Touch of Culture In between pool time, beach walking, and acquiring tasty iced coffee and spicy Hawaiian snacks at the Hualalai Trading Company, I fit in a visit to the spa. (How could I not?) A treatment room at the Hualalai Spa(Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai) My verdict on the signature Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, which uses rhythmic techniques and local traditions handed down from generations of kupuna (elders)? Hale (yes). The private outdoor thatched hut, aka hale, was wonderfully quiet, the masseuse knew all the right spots, and inhaling the seductive scent of lavender and ylang ylang while my whole body exhaled? Dreamy. Afterwards, a little groggy and a lot zen, I lingered at the Waiea (Water of Life) Garden, meditating by the stream accessorized with rocks from around the island. I wish I had more hang time at the spa, home to 19 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms offering massages, facials, body treatments, and wellness services including cupping, acupuncture, and Reiki. Thing is, I had a date to keep: I was headed to the Ka’upulehu Cultural Center to make a lei. Surrounded by colorful exhibits and art focused on Hawaii’s fascinating history and culture, my giant needle and I create a divine pink-and-yellow plumeria necklace over the next hour or so. A poolside room at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai(Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai) I’m completely enchanted as my mea hoʻokipa (host) Michelle Kaulumahiehie Amaral shares stories while I thread flowers. She’s worked at the center for more than 20 years, has been a professional hula soloist for more than four decades, and has been dedicated to preserving her native Hawaiian culture for her entire life. Lei-making not your thing? Try your hand at ukulele or your hips at hula. The educational center offers a range of crafts and programs, and they’re all complimentary. Finally, anyone have recommendations for five-star coconut sorbet in SF? // Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, 72-100 Ka‘upulehu Drive (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii), fourseasons.com --- ### Global star RM, of K-Pop sensation BTS, shares his personal art collection in the new exhibition 'RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me.' **Published:** September 28, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/rm-x-sfmoma-exhibition-2026-2677954838.html.md RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me is the first museum exhibition featuring artworks from the personal collection of RM of BTS. The show brings together nearly 200 works by Korean and international artists, including some that have never been publicly exhibited in the United States. It’s a rare opportunity to see modern and contemporary Korean art in conversation with both familiar and unfamiliar works from around the world and across different time periods. Wayne Thiebaud, "Clown and Beast", 2018–2019; collection SFMOMA, gift of the Wayne Thiebaud Foundation in memory of Paul LeBaron Thiebaud (1960-2010)(© Wayne Thiebaud Foundation / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY; photo: Don Ross) “The venture has no obvious parallel,” says The New York Times. The new exhibition offers an intimate look at what inspires RM and why. He shares his reflections on the art in handwritten wall texts and a special, narrated audio guide. “I just hope for it to be really personal,” says RM. Featuring works by artists including Yun Hyong-keun, Park Rehyun, and Chang Ucchin, the exhibition also traces the broader trajectory of art in Korea through ceramics, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, and more. “You have to find your root. . . and that’s how I started to look at the Korean artists,” says RM. Chang Ucchin, "The River Scene", 1988; collection of RM(© Chang Ucchin Foundation; photo: courtesy Seoul Auction) There is no single way into this exhibition and RM doesn’t “want to prescribe how these works should be seen; whether out of curiosity or study, all perspectives are welcome.” His only hope, he says, “is that this exhibition can be a small but sturdy bridge for many.” “We live in an age defined by boundaries,” RM continues. “This exhibition at SFMOMA reflects those boundaries: between East and West, Korea and America, the modern and the contemporary, the personal and the universal.” // ‘RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me’ is on view from October 3rd through February 7, 2027; 151 Third St. (SoMa), more info and tickets at sfmoma.org )\", 1961; collection SFMOMA, bequest of Phyllis C. Wattis" photo_credit="( \u00a9 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris; photo Katherine Du Tiel)"] Yves Klein, "Éponge (SE251)" "(Sponge )", 1961; collection SFMOMA, bequest of Phyllis C. Wattis( © Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris; photo Katherine Du Tiel) --- ### Hometown hero Kristi Yamaguchi hits a milestone for children's literacy with her nonprofit, Always Dream. **Published:** September 25, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Community + Activism **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/kristi-yamaguchi-always-dream-2677941280.html.md Kristi Yamaguchi had her first “hands-on experience” with a nonprofit not long after winning the 1992 Olympic women’s figure skating championship. Yamaguchi was already inspired to give back: Her parents, who were very involved with the community in her hometown of Fremont, “encouraged me to do something because I’d been so fortunate to pursue my dream,” she remembers. But working with Make-A-Wish Foundation through Stars on Ice, the professional tour in which she co-starred for more than a decade, she could see, up close, “the impact of the work of the organization." Decades later, Always Dream, the nonprofit Yamaguchi founded in 1996, is celebrating 30 years of its own impact. (Courtesy of Always Dream) In the early days, Always Dream was a more general children’s charity, granting funding to local organizations, summer camps, and youth groups—even building an accessible playground, the Always Dream Play Park, in Fremont. “I’ve always had an amazing team of people around me, starting with my cofounder Dean Osaki,” says Yamaguchi. “It was really him and I for many years, those first 10 years or so.” When Yamaguchi wrote the New York Times bestselling children’s book Dream Big, Little Pig! in 2011, though, her vision for the organization's future suddenly came into focus. “That was about the time we really decided to grow the organization and really go all in,” she says. “When you’re thinking of supporting and inspiring kids’ dreams, it starts with education, and early literacy and reading is the foundation for their education.” It wasn’t just reading-age children Yamaguchi wanted to reach when Always Dream launched the Always Reading program that same year; it was their entire ecosystem of family members and caregivers—a unique approach that research suggested was the key to a lifetime of good reading habits. (Courtesy of Always Dream) Literacy rates in the United States are far lower than they should be for a developed nation. According to the National Literacy Institute, 21 percent of American adults are functionally illiterate; 54 percent of those who can read never progressed past a sixth-grade level. In communities of concentrated poverty, the numbers are even more abysmal. While approximately 40 percent of fourth-grade students nationwide cannot read at a basic level, the illiteracy rate soars to 70 percent in low-income communities, where there is, on average, one book for every 300 kids. The key pillars of the Always Reading program address the statistics directly. Families participating in the program receive a digital tablet (and data connection) with access to a children’s library containing 40,000 titles, along with gifts of hardcopy books throughout the year. In regular check-in and education sessions, Book Coaches work with caregivers to integrate reading into their daily routine. When a family completes the program, the tablet and books stay in the home, empowering them to continue engaging with them. In the 2026-2027 school year, the Always Reading program is working with 18 different schools across Northern California. Hawaii, which Yamaguchi describes as a “second home to me and my family,” has 26 school partners across four islands. Altogether, they’ll reach more than 7,000 students from 177 Pre-K, TK, and kindergarten classrooms. “Our goal is to reach 10,000 individuals annually, and we’re projected to do that in the next couple of years,” says Yamaguchi, but just “the fact that we have done 30 years of constant giving and impact… is a big milestone.” Krist Yamaguchi speaks at an annual Always Dream gala(Courtesy of Always Dream) On October 24th, Always Dream will celebrate the achievement with a 30th-anniversary gala at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel honoring the children, families, educators, and supporters with whom they’ve worked over the decades. Two weeks later, on November 6th, Yamaguchi will cut the ribbon to officially open the Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink at City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, a portion of the proceeds of which will go to benefit Always Dream. “I feel books unlock the imagination in children, and that’s where dreams are born,” Yamaguchi has said, and, by all accounts, that’s exactly the impact Always Reading’s approach has had on the families that participate: After completing the program, 90 percent of caregivers have more confidence in helping their child to read, and 80 percent look at books and read out loud with them more frequently than they did before. // The 2026 Always Dream Annual San Francisco Gala 30th Anniversary Celebration is October 24; get more tickets and information about the event and learn more about Always Dream at alwaysdream.org --- ### 32 Fun Things to Do This Week (9.28.26) **Published:** September 25, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-9-28-26-2677919109.html.md This week’s events are just the beginning. Welcome back Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week, the Mill Valley Film Festival, the Emeryville Art Exhibition, Flop Festival, 1890 Bryant Street Open Studios, and PushFest, all of which are kicking off multiple days of inspiring performances and experiences. In between, drink some Chartreuse at a paired dinner, cheer on the Valkyries on the big screen, and sample Latin fare at an Embarcadero pop-up. Jump ahead to this week's top events: Cheer on the Valkyries as they kick off their WNBA playoff at Dirty Habit. Immerse yourself in Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week. Bliss out on bluegrass and more at the 26th Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. Clown around at the Flop Festival at the Church of Clown. Have a good one. Watch mixologists face off at a live head-to-head competition between bartenders judged by industry professionals. Cheer them on as you enjoy sampling pours, voting, and food and entertainment; Monday at 5pm. // Graton Resort and Casino, 288 Golf Course Dr. W (Rohnert Park); tickets at ticketmaster.com Taste your way through wines from prized Loire Valley grapes and regional selections of chenin blanc and cabernet franc at a class from the experts at the Vinguard Wine School; Monday at 6pm. // Fox and Lion Bread, 3350 18th St. (Mission); tickets at givebutter.com Take your omakase higher. Enjoy an intimate 12-course menu from chef Willer Larreal Perez paired with a unique soundtrack and rooftop views of Northern Sonoma County; Tuesday at 6:30 pm. // Appellation Healdsburg, 101 Dovetail Ln. (Healdsburg); reservations at opentable.com Cheer on the Valkyries as they kick off their WNBA playoff run during a big-screen watch party with a live DJ, specialty cocktails, and bites; Wednesday at 5:30pm. // Dirty Habit, Hotel Zelos, 12 Fourth St. (SoMa); reservations at opentable.com Go deep into Chartreuse, sampling spirits from herbal green to softer yellow over a five-course dinner built around each pour, all guided by ambassadors from the legendary brand; Wednesday, 6:30pm to 9pm. // La Connessa, 1695 Mariposa St. (Potrero Hill); tickets at eventbrite.com Kick off Oakland Style Week at Music + Mixology, where 14 top mixologists from The Town’s hottest restaurants and bars will compete to create the official 2026 Oakland Style cocktail. Cast your vote as you enjoy delicious bites, DJ beats, and more stylish fun; Wednesday, 5:30pm to 8:30pm. // The Rotunda Building, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza (Oakland); tickets at visitoakland.com Thank you to our partners at Visit Oakland. Immerse yourself in Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week and check out more than five days of exhibitions, open studios, and performances spanning 58+ arts organizations across San Francisco and Oakland; Wednesday through Sunday. // Tickets and location details at nexus-sfbay.com Explore Jamaica in a multi-country exhibit. MoAD’s After the Island: Ornament and Ceramic Practice in the Jamaican Diaspora features the ceramic works of three artists in a curatorial partnership with Toronto’s Gardiner Museum; opens Wednesday at 11am. // MoAD, 685 Mission St. (SoMa); tickets at moadsf.org Admire the creative world of Simon Ungless and Jody Niederkohr, the Marin-based founders of When Simon Met Ralph, at a retrospective of the sustainable fashion brand filled with luxury fashion pieces, one-of-a-kind home accessories, graphic prints, and archival and new work; opens Thursday at 10am. // Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Dr. (San Rafael); details at visitmarin.org Settle in for a first look at A Cozy Kitchen, a new cookbook from Adrianna Adarme, who joins Violet Witchel in conversation to talk about dishes inspired by her Colombian and Peruvian roots; Thursday at 6:30pm. // Omnivore Books, 3885a Cesar Chavez St. (Noe Valley); details at omnivorebooks.com Find some inspiration at the Mill Valley Film Festival, with a lineup of 94 features and 80 short films from 45 countries and a diverse range of filmmakers; Thursday through October 11. // Details and tickets at mvff.com Expand your food scene during Emeryville Restaurant Week, 11 days of prix fixe menus and deals across town; Thursday through October 11. // Details at emeryvillerestaurantweek.com Get a head start on spooky season during a gourmet ghost tour of North Beach that will take you through the history of the Gold Rush era, iconic pizza joints, and old haunts; Friday at 5:30pm and Saturday at 4pm. // Details and tickets at stretchy-pants.com Bliss out on bluegrass and more at the 26th Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, featuring this year’s first set in collaboration with SF Porchfest on Saturday at 11:15am; runs Friday through Sunday. // Hellman Hollow, Lindley Meadows, and Marx Meadow (Golden Gate Park); details at hardlystrictlybluegrass.com Settle in for a stellar San Francisco Symphony season. Catch Renee Fleming’s homage to Richard Strauss (October 1-4); conductor Karina Canellakis command of Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances (October 9-11); and the trifecta of violinist Lisa Batiashvili, cellist Gautier Capuçon, and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet as they join forces in piano trios by Shostakovich, Debussy, and Dvořák (October 15th). // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets and schedule at sfsymphony.org Thank you to our partners at the San Francisco Symphony. Look inside the spaces of local painters, sculptors, and jewelry makers at 1890 Bryant Street's open studios. Stay for daily free demos; Friday, 6pm to 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 5pm. // 1890 Bryant Street Studios, 1890 Bryant St. (Mission); RSVP at eventbrite.com Head to the Emeryville Art Exhibition, where more than 100 local artists come together for a landmark show of 210 works; opens Friday 6pm to 8pm and runs through October 25th. // Public Market Emeryville, 5905 Shellmound St. (Emeryville); details at emeryarts.org See Joan Crawford’s campy side in a screening of Strait-Jacket complete with live drag performances, a video tribute, and a Crawford costume contest for a “Hag-stravaganza.” Friday at 7pm. // Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson St. (Chinatown); tickets at tickettailor.com Shop handmade crafts and homemade Latine fare and learn culinary secrets from a dozen Bay Area vendors at a pop-up Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with Foodwise; Saturday, 9am to 2pm. // Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Building (Embarcadero); details at foodwise.org Gush over RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me, the first-ever museum exhibition featuring art from the personal collection of BTS’ RM. See more than 200 works of modern and contemporary Korean art in conversation with art from around the world; opens Saturday at 10am through February 7. // SFMOMA, 151 Third St. (SoMa); tickets at sfmoma.org Thank you to our partners at SFMOMA. Buy directly from local makers and shop one-of-a-kind goods at the Makers Market Local Artist Fair, a day of creative talent, tasty food and drinks, and live tunes; Saturday, 11am to 5pm. // First Street Napa, 1300 First St. (Napa); RSVP on Facebook Be part of the African Arts Festival, a celebration of the African diaspora with dance and drum lessons, face painting, food, shopping, and performances; Saturday, 11am to 4pm. // Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between 3rd St. and 4th St. (SoMa); details at ybgfestival.org Raise a glass to fresh brews at the first-ever West Coast Wet Hop Harvest Fest, bringing together beers from more than 30 breweries offering unlimited pours; Saturday, 1pm to 5pm. // Original Pattern Brewing, 292 4th St. (Oakland); tickets at eventbrite.com Watch new works at Pushfest featuring barrier-breaking performances from a fresh lineup of mixed-genre dance choreographers; Saturday and Sunday, 1pm and 3pm. // Push Dance Company, 447 Minna St. (SoMa); tickets at pushdance.org Shake, stir, and sip your way through Latin American cocktails at a hands-on workshop focused on pisco, rum, and tequila drinks led by La Mar's beverage director ; Saturday, 3pm to 4pm. // La Mar Bar, Pier 1 ½ (Embarcadero); tickets at eventbrite.com Clown around at Flop Festival. Catch 12 shows from the wonderfully weird Church of Clown in this celebration of clown, mime, physical theater, and original performance; Saturday at 6:30pm through Oct. 18. // Church of Clown, 2400 Bayshore Blvd. (Visitacion Valley); tickets at churchofclown.org Party late for a good cause. Dress up and dance it out while enjoying midnight bites from local chefs after the SF-Marin Food Bank’s annual “One Big Table” benefit dinner; Saturday at 9:30pm. // San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, 900 Pennsylvania Ave. (Potrero Hill); details on Instagram Go to the source of Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon at an exclusive tour, tasting, and meal at Joseph Phelps' Backus Vineyard; Sunday, 10am to 11:30am. // Joseph Phelps Vineyards, 200 Taplin Rd. (St. Helena); reservations at Tock Revamp brunch with a multi-course menu showcasing millets curated by India's "Millet Queen," Indira Narayan; Sunday, 11:30am to 1:30pm. // Copra, 1700 Fillmore St. (Pacific Heights); reservations at opentable.com Level up your weekend barbecue at the Chandon Rocks and Ribs Oyster Fest. Sip on sparkling cuvées, dig into St. Louis-style ribs, and knock back some bivalves in the vineyard’s chic garden; Sunday, 2pm to 4:30pm. // Chandon, 1 California Dr. (Yountville); tickets at chandon.com Wander through the soundscapes of Room/Tone, a free evening of live, site-responsive sound from Bay Area sound artists using electronic, artist-made, and acoustic instruments, as well as field recordings; Sunday, 6pm to 9 pm. // 500 Capp Street, 500 Capp St. (Mission); register at humanitix.com Prepare for the big haul at the Vintage Fashion Faire. Shop more than 75 booths and "racks on the tracks" of vintage clothing and accessories—plus hit the food truck, vintage bar cart, photo booth, and more. Early shoppers will get a free tote and limited-edition sticker; Saturday, October 17th at 10am. // The Bridge Yard, 210 Burma Rd. (Oakland); tickets at vintagefashionfaire.com Thank you to our partners at the Vintage Fashion Faire. --- ### Oakland Style returns October 7-11 with a five-day celebration of art, music, fashion, cuisine + culture. **Published:** September 24, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/oakland-style-2026-2677932956.html.md Oakland Style is The Town’s annual five-day celebration of art, music, fashion, cuisine, and culture—a complete artistic expression of the creativity found only in Oakland. Taking place October 7-11, this year’s Oakland Style is preparing for an amazing lineup of events. See what’s in store: Music + Mixology | Wednesday, October 7th Join fourteen top mixologists from The Town’s hottest restaurants and bars as they compete to create their version of the 2026 Oakland Style cocktail. This exciting competition is presented by Dobel Diamante Cristalino. Register for the voting app, taste the fourteen cocktails, and choose your favorite. An official panel of judges will also rate the cocktails to determine the winners of the $5,000 first place, $3,000 second place prize, and $1000 third place prizes while guests enjoy delicious bites, DJ music, and dancing. Courtesy of Oakland Style) Inspired on the Runway | Thursday, October 8th Experience Oakland Style live at this collaborative fashion show featuring looks from Oakland School for the Arts, Creative Growth, Oakland Style Lab, Kingmakers, and White Elephant Sale—all inspired by The Town itself. High Tea + High Style | Friday, October 9th Enjoy a contemporary tea service and informal preview of the designs from four of Oakland’s finest stylemakers; award-winning jewelry designer Dorian Webb, women’s fashion designer Lesley Evers, sustainable clothing brand Blue & Yellow, and Oxford Tailoring. The Art of Sneakers, Vol. 3 | Saturday & Sunday, October 10-11 Enjoy a two-day exhibit showcasing sneaker culture’s dynamic impact on fashion and society. The Art of Sneakers features work by top artists and interactive programming that includes sneaker repair and customizing workshops, artist talks, and more. Live Art Walk | Saturday, October 10th The Live Art Walk is a specially curated walking tour through Uptown Oakland's most vibrant spaces, showcasing incredible work by local artists. Here, art meets performance, with dance, music, live art making, and more woven right into the gallery experience. Enjoy snacks and beverages along the way, and get a rare chance to meet the creative minds shaping Oakland's cultural landscape. Creative Growth | Saturday, October 10th On October 10th, Creative Growth opens its doors to the public, offering a tour of their studio’s fashion department led by Beyond Trend coordinator Amy Keefer and Creative Growth artists. Visit the renowned gallery space featuring a visual art exhibit inspired by music, and add style pieces to your personal collection made by Creative Growth artists. Courtesy of Oakland Style) The Town’s Threads: A Living Runway | Saturday, October 10th The Black Cultural Zone brings A Living Runway to life in East Oakland in celebration of E.A.S.T.: Embracing Authentic Style Together! Enjoy a vibrant three-hour community celebration blending culture, local fashion, and kinetic street energy that transforms the park into a continuous runway. Timed spotlight performances, runway showcases, live music, and local cultural vendors (including featured designer Lee Rickie) will be guided by the master of ceremonies from the main stage. Oakland Roots Home Game with Upcycled Jersey Fashion Show | Saturday, October 10th Fashion design students from California College of the Arts, Oakland Tech, and Oakland School for the Arts will team up with Oakland Roots & Soul to give retired jerseys and apparel a second life, reworking them alongside pre-loved pieces from ThredUp into original, one-of-a-kind looks. The project culminates in a runway halftime show at the Oakland Coliseum spotlighting the next generation of Bay Area designers and proving that sport can be a launchpad for creativity, circular fashion, and community. Made in Oakland Film Festival | Sunday, October 11th On October 11th, Cinemama will present Oakland Made: A Celebration of the Oakland Film Scene Past and Present. Whether set in Oakland, filmed in Oakland, or led by an Oakland creative, these films are a sampling of The Town’s rich film history and a current film landscape that has folks buzzing. Grab your popcorn (and drinks) for one film or a whole day’s worth of them. Each screening is paired with a Q&A, so come prepared for great conversations and never before shared insights on some of your favorite—and soon to be favorite—Oakland masterpieces. Brunch & The Runway | Sunday, October 11th Get ready for brunch, bubbles, and a whole lotta style. Chef Michele McQueen is taking her decadent Sunday brunch to another level as she welcomes Bridgit Cain, owner of Proper Fashions, for an informal fashion show featuring looks for men and women. Enjoy delicious food, DJ music, a fabulous fashion show, and boutique shopping. // Oakland Style is October 7-11; get the details at visitoakland.com Courtesy of Oakland Style) --- ### How to Spend the Perfect Day on Mare Island, Vallejo's Hidden Gem **Published:** September 24, 2026 | **Author:** Nicole Findlay | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/day-trip-mare-island-vallejo-2677932624.html.md The moment you drive over the bright blue Mare Island Causeway Bridge, you know you’re going somewhere unusual. The former naval shipyard that seems almost abandoned is anything but. By the time you leave, you’ll feel like you’ve been let in on a secret. Mare Island Naval Shipyard was established in 1854 as the first U.S. naval shipyard on the West Coast. It played a key role in major events, including the Civil War, two world wars, and the Cold War, before abruptly closing in 1996. Mare Island reopened to the public in 2004, and today, although roughly 1,000 people call it home, its most impressive residents may be the ospreys that nest on the leftover cranes, light poles, and other industrial structures. --- ### 5 East Bay Hikes + Local Eats for a Picnic **Published:** September 23, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Outdoor Adventures **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/east-bay-picnic-hikes-2659836441.html.md Fall is the perfect time to take a minute to savor the beauty of the East Bay’s parks and open spaces—and maybe an overstuffed sammie, too. These trails from Crockett to Sunol will get you the views you crave, plus we’ve got the tea on exactly where to stop nearby for the eats you’ll need to make the day complete. Feast more than just your eyes on these five East Bay picnic hikes. --- ### The Big Eat 2026: 100 Dishes to Try in San Francisco This Year **Published:** September 22, 2026 | **Author:** Amy Sherman, Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/big-eat-sf-2026-2677917552.html.md It's that time of year again: 7x7’s Big Eat 2026 is served. We’ve drawn this year’s 100 must-try dishes in San Francisco from a wide range of classic joints, trending restaurants, comforting neighborhood spots, and hole-in-the-wall favorites from Bayview-Hunters Point to North Beach, and Potrero Hill to the Outer Richmond. A handful of these dishes have long graced the Big Eat (think Mandalay Bay’s tea leaf salad, Zuni’s chicken, or King Henry VIII cut at House of Prime Rib). Others, like Rich Table’s dried porcini donuts, sisig fried rice at Abacá, and chicken wings at Good Good Culture Club, are more recent must-eats. We’ve even got a few dishes from newcomers like Arquet and Wolfsbane that are quickly making a name for themselves. The list is, in other words, pretty diverse—but it is also far from comprehensive. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of restaurants, bakeries, and delis that are no less deserving of a spot than those we chose. With just 100 slots to fill, we had to narrow things down somehow. And remember, restaurant menus rotate regularly. While we tried to focus on staple dishes, they may not always be available. DIshes marked with a (V) are vegetarian. Here they are, in no particular order, 100 things to eat in 2026. 7. Dungeness crab cakes at Scoma's(Courtesy of @scomassf) 1. Agnolotti dal plin with beef, pork, sugo d’arrosto, and Parmigiano Reggiano at Penny Roma, 3000 20th St. (Mission), pennyroma.com 2. Fried huevo taco with fried egg, mayocoba beans, salsa macha, queso cotija, pickled onion, and cilantro (V) at Tacos Oscar, 530 Haight St. (Lower Haight), tacososcar.com 3. Warm housemade mini donuts dusted in nutmeg and cinnamon sugar (V) at Grand Lake Kitchen, 1199 Church St. (Noe Valley), grandlakekitchen.com 4. Drunken Sailor Pizza with white wine tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, capers, and anchovy (V) at Jules Pizza, 237 Fillmore St. (Lower Haight), julespizza.co 5. Bánh mì thịt (roast pork sandwich) at Saigon Sandwich, 560 Larkin St. (Tenderloin), saigonsandwich.com 6. Blueberry ricotta pancakes with housemade ricotta, blueberry syrup, and almond crunch (V) at Early to Rise, 1801 McAllister St (NoPa), earlytorisesf.com 7. Dungeness crab cakes at Scoma's, 1965 Al Scoma Way (Fisherman's Wharf), scomas.com 8. Ouefs mayonnaise with classic French hard-boiled eggs, Dungeness crab, shrimp, caviar, and pimiento oil at Bon Délire, Pier 3, Suite 102 (Embarcadero), bondeliresf.com 9. Black label tavern burger with 8oz brisket truffle butter, mushroom ragout, demi-glace, and white American cheddar at Hamburguesa Bar, 78 2nd St. (SoMa), hamburguesabar.com 10. An’s famous garlic noodles at Thanh Long, 4101 Judah St (Outer Sunset), thanhlongsf.com 11. Heaven and Earth Bonsai Tree at Nisei(Courtesy of Nisei) 11. "Heaven and Earth" Bonsai Tree with seasonal Japanese soufflé cheesecake, cheese foam, frozen matcha, crumbs, herbs, flowers, and red bean (V) at Nisei, 2316 Polk St. (Russian Hill), restaurantnisei.com 12. Old Faithful Pizza with fennel pork sausage, spicy goat horn peppers, red onion, mozzarella, tomato sauce, parmesan and Sicilian oregano at Rose Pizzeria, 1 Clement St. (Inner Richmond), rosepizzeria.com 13. Charred cabbage with Calabrian chiles and miso butter (V) at 7 Adams, 1963 Sutter St. (Fillmore), 7adamsrestaurant.com 14. Mac & cheese (V) at Old Skool Cafe, 1429 Mendell St. (Bayview-Hunters Point), oldskoolcafe.org 15. Varuval seabass collar with varuval crust, caravelle curry, snow pea poriyal, and basmati rice at Copra, 1700 Fillmore St. (Pac Heights), coprarestaurant.com 16. Chicken and sausage gumbo with holy trinity, okra, herbs and spices at Gumbo Social, 5176 3rd St. (Bayview-Hunters Point), gumbosocial.com 17. Tea leaf salad with Burmese tea leaves, lentils, ground dried shrimp, fried garlic, green pepper, sesame seeds, peanuts, and dressing, at Mandalay, 4348 California St. (Inner Richmond), mandalaysf.com 18. Maine lobster pot pie with wild mushrooms, market vegetables, fingerling potatoes, black truffles, and brandied lobster cream at Bourbon Steak, 335 Powell St. (Union Square), bourbonsteak.com 19. Poppyseed hamantashen (V) at Cinderella Bakery, 436 Balboa St. (Inner Richmond) or 2937 24th St. (Mission), cinderellabakery.com 20. Wagyu dog with egg, pork floss, scallion-ginger, Kewpie mayo, unagi sauce, Sriracha, and furikake at Gigi’s, 299 Divisadero St. (Lower Haight), meetatgigis.com 21. Potrero torta with 10hr braised beef lengua at Merkado(Molly DeCoudreaux) 21. Potrero torta with 10hr braised beef lengua, queso Oaxaca, red cabbage, jalapeño pickled carrots, and garlic aioli at Merkado, 130 Townsend St. (SoMa), merkadosf.com 22. Sformato with sweet Brentwood corn, Parmigiano Reggiano, and gypsy pepper (V) at Via Aurelia, 300 Toni Stone Crossing (Mission Bay), viaaureliasf.com 23. RT Bistro Burger with dill pickled onion, California cheddar bistro sauce, and triple cooked fries at RT Bistro, 205 Oak St. (Hayes Valley), rt-bistro.com 24. Dutch pancake topped with seasonal fruit and nuts (V) at Outerlands, 4001 Judah St. (Outer Sunset), outerlandssf.com 25. Ceviche Peruano with Half Moon Bay halibut, chili rocoto leche de tigre, choclo, and sweet potato chips at Casa Sofia, 710 2nd St. (South Beach), casasofiasf.com 26. Lemon spaghetti with yellow tomato confit butter, parmesan, and basil (V) at Bosco, 888 Brannan St. (SOMA), boscosf.com 27. Breakfast burrito with flour tortilla, chorizo, tots potatoes, scrambled eggs, jack cheese, and sriracha mayo at Al Carajo, 3224 1/2 22nd St. (Mission), alcarajosf.com 28. Mapo tofu chips n’ dip with fried lotus root, won ton chips, and mapo pork over creamy tofu at Pang, 1309 9th Ave. (Inner Sunset), pangsf.com 29. Schooner bar with dark chocolate, peanut butter mousse, and candy bar ice cream (V) at Waterbar, 399 The Embarcadero (Embarcadero), waterbarsf.com 30. Braised pork belly with preserved vegetables at Dumpling Kitchen, 1935 Taraval St. (Parkside), dumplingkitchenca.com 31. Pani puri with passion fruit at Tiya(Neetu Laddha) 31. Pani puri with passion fruit, mango, avocado, and flower (V) at Tiya, 3213 Scott St. (Marina), tiyasf.com 32. BBQ pork handroll rice noodle rolls at Sam Wo, 713 Clay St. (Chinatown), samworestaurant.com 33. Seafood chowder with fish, shrimp, mussels, squid, potatoes, bacon, and cream at Bar Crudo, 655 Divisadero St. (NoPa), barcrudo.com 34. Muhammara dip with roasted pepper, feta, pomegranate seed, molasses, spiced walnut, Bazlama, and housemade bread (V) at Alora, Pier 3 (Embarcadero), visitalora.com 35. Pancakes without boundaries with whipped buttermilk, grilled strawberry maple, and butter pat (V) at Hilda and Jesse, 710 Union St. (North Beach), hildaandjessesf.com 36. Nanking sesame chicken at House of Nanking, 919 Kearny St. (Chinatown), houseofnankingsf.com 37. Dac biet burger with white American cheese, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, Thai basil, lime, alfalfa sprouts, and pho aioli at Smish Smash, 945 Market St. (Downtown), smish-smash.com 38. The “best damn crab cioppino” with seafood at Sotto Mare, 552 Green St. (North Beach), sottomaresf.com 39. Sutlac, a creamy, oven-baked rice pudding with a caramelized top at Okava, 945 Market St. (Downtown), oklavacafe.com 40. Meski yetsom platter with gomen collard green, key sir alicha, plantain salsa, habichuela misir wat, pickled red onion, and injera at Meski, 1000 Larkin St. (Lower Nob Hill), meskisf.com 41. Sea urchin tamalito de maiz at Maria Isabel(Isabel Baer) 41. Sea urchin tamalito de maiz with Santa Barbara sea urchin, sweet corn tamal, corn crema, Mexican vanilla oil, and fermented habanero sauce at Maria Isabel, 500 Presidio Ave. (Presidio Heights), mariaisabelsf.com 42. Paccheri all'Amalfitana with HMB petrale sole and San Marzano tomato at Delfina, 3621 18th St. (Mission), delfinasf.com 43. French Dip with sliced tri-tip, provolone, au jus, and sourdough baguette at Maggie & Mac’s, 1326 9th Ave. (Inner Sunset), maggieandmacs.com 44. Grand Marnier chocolate mousse with chocolate sable, crispy citrus, and chocolate ganache (V) at Miller & Lux, 700 Terry A Francois Blvd. (Mission Bay), millerandluxrestaurant.com 45. Onigiri, a grilled rice ball with shio konbu, sesame, and mentaiko at Bar Iris, 2310 Polk St. (Russian Hill), bar-iris.com 46. Grilled pork belly skewers with miso glaze and pickled mustard seeds at Rise Over Run, 33 Turk St. (Mid-Market), hilton.com 47. Fried plantain and black bean burrito with jack cheese, roasted bell peppers, sour cream, pico de gallo, cilantro, onion, and smoky chile salsa (V) at Little Chihuahua, 292 Divisadero St. (Lower Haight), thelittlechihuahua.com 48. Dried porcini doughnuts with raclette (V) at Rich Table, 199 Gough St. (Hayes Valley), richtablesf.com 49. Smoked trout toast with Mt. Lassen trout, bier reduction, dijon, cream cheese, bier mustard, and dill at Radhaus, 2 Marina Blvd., Bldg. A (Marina), radhaussf.com 50. Tunisian deviled eggs with machwiya mix and roasted shrimp at Gola, 819 Valencia St. (Mission), golarestaurantsf.com 51. Hen en croute at Wolfsbane(Albert Law) 51. Hen en croute, an heirloom hen baked in a sourdough loaf with black truffle, bread sauce, crispy thigh, and hen consommé at Wolfsbane, 2495 3rd St. (Dogpatch), wolfsbanesf.com 52. Hải sản spinach with shrimp, calamari, egg drop gravy, and tobiko at Le Soleil, 3251 20th Ave.,Ste. #221 (Park Merced), lesoleilsf.com 53. Prime rib sliders with horseradish cream, cornichon and arugula at Left Door, 1905 Union St. (Cow Hollow), leftdoor.com 54. Seabream sashimi with virgin sauce at Caché, 1235 9th Ave. (Inner Sunset), cache-sf.com 55. Seasonal kouign amann (V) at B. Patisserie, 2821 California St. (Pac Heights), bpatisserie.com 56. Baja fish tacos with pickled onions on blue corn tortillas at Chicano Nuevo, 3355 Mission St. (Bernal Heights), chicanonuevo.com 57. Chicken for two roasted in the wood-fired brick oven with warm bread salad at Zuni Café, 1658 Market St. (Hayes Valley), zunicafe.com 58. Pav bhaji with scallion bread, spiced vegetables, and amul butter (V) at Besharam, 1275 Minnesota St. (Dogpatch), besharamrestaurant.com 59. Clam and garlic pizza at Golden Boy Pizza, 542 Green St. (North Beach) and other locations, goldenboypizza.com 60. Famous Monte Cristo with roasted turkey breast, honey-baked ham, sharp cheddar, and gruyere cheese at Mama's on Washington Square, 1701 Stockton St. (North Beach), mamas-sf.com 61. Whole roasted branzino with brown butter at Equal Parts(Courtesy of Equal Parts) 61. Whole roasted branzino with brown butter, blood orange, and basil at Equal Parts, 478 Green St. (North Beach), equalpartssf.com 62. Bread pudding French toast with bananas, banana cream, and butterscotch (V) at Goldenette, 1601 Polk St. (Lower Nob Hill), goldenettediner.com 63. Smashburger with house beef patty, potato bun, American cheese, house sauce, onions, pickles, and lettuce at Final Final, 2990 Baker St. (Cow Hollow), finalfinalbar.com 64. Pan fried pork soup bao at Fusion Dumpling, 650 Jackson St. (Chinatown), fusiondumplingca.com 65. Everything bagel with plain shmear (V) at Wise Sons, multiple locations including 537 Octavia St. (Hayes Valley), wisesonsdeli.com 66. Two piece chicken combo with cornbread and a side at Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement, 1375 Fillmore St. (Fillmore), minniebellssoul.com 67. Risotto alla Milanese with saffron and grana padano at The Tailor’s Son, 2049 Fillmore St. (Pac Heights), thetailorssonsf.com 68. Avgolemono soup at La Méditerranée, 2207 Fillmore St. (Pac Heights) or 288 Noe St. (Duboce Triangle), cafelamedfillmore.com 69. Welsh rarebit with Jasper Hill No.5 cheddar at Dingles Public House, 333 Fulton St. (Hayes Valley), dinglespublichouse.com 70. Scallion fry bread with buffalo ricotta, Skyhill honeycomb, grilled figs, and salsa macha at Arquet, Ferry Building, 1, #5 (Embarcadero), arquetrestaurant.com 71. Crudo in herb oil at Bosque(Courtesy of Bosque) 71. Crudo in herb oil with kanpachi, trout, and lemon at Bosque, 609 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley), bosquewinebar.com 72. Uni and grits panna cotta with yellow corn, holy trinity, sea urchin, and tomato raisins at Lazy Bear, 3416 19th St. (Mission), lazybearsf.com 73. Beef rice bowl with brisket, tobiko, radicchio, arugula, perilla leaves, and parmesan at Buoy, 22 Franklin St. (Hayes Valley), thebuoysf.com 74. Tajarin with hand-cut thin tagliatelle, five-hour pork, veal and fresh sausage sugo, marsala, tomato sauce, and warm spices at Perbacco, 230 California St. (Downtown), perbaccosf.com 75. Chisai 13-course omakase menu at Chisai Sushi Club, 3369 Mission St. (Bernal Heights), chisaisushiclub.com 76. Beignet flight with crawfish, apple, chocolate, and plain varieties at Brenda’s French Soul Food, 652 Polk St. (Tenderloin), frenchsoulfood.com 77. Pescado a lo macho with seafood bouillabaisse, pan roasted fresh salmon, chupe sauce, and coconut rice at Mochica, 1469 18th St. (Potrero Hill), mochicasf.com 78. Shrimp dumpling at Good Mong Kok Bakery, 1039 Stockton St. (Chinatown), goodmongkokbakery.com 79. Pit beef sandwich with charred rare steak, raw onion, horseradish, mayo, and black pepper at Breadwinner at The Mess Hall, 201 Halleck St. (Presidio), messhallpresidio.com 80. Sisig fried rice with koshihikari rice, pork chicharron, poached egg, and pickled onion at Abacá, 2700 Jones St. (Fisherman's Wharf), restaurantabaca.com 81. Peking duck at Happy Crane(Jeremy Chiu) 81. Peking duck with house made pancakes, house-made tian mian jiang sauce, fresh accompaniments, and seasonal fruit at The Happy Crane, 451 Gough St (Hayes Valley), thehappycranesf.com 82. Creekstone Farms skirt steak carne asada fajitas with sauteed peppers and onions, rice, refried pinto beans, salsa, sour cream, and flour or corn tortillas at Elena’s, 255 W. Portal Ave. (West Portal), elenasmexican.com 83. Salmon tikka tandoor with pommery mustard, tobiko, and carom seeds at Bombay Brasserie, 340 Stockton St. (Union Square), bombaybrasseriesf.com 84. Local anchovy ‘frites’ with pepperoncini mayo at The Anchovy Bar, 1740 O’Farrell St. (Fillmore), theanchovybar.com 85. Mango sticky rice bingsu with Korean snow ice, organic homemade crumble, sticky rice, mango puree, and condensed milk (V) at U:Dessert Story, 3489 16th St. (Mission), udessertstory.com 86. King Henry VIII cut with accompaniments at House of Prime Rib, 1906 Van Ness Ave. (Nob Hill), houseofprimerib.net 87. Crustacean omelet with Dungeness, bay shrimp, lobster, sauce Americaine, and toasted brioche at JouJou, 65 Division St. (Design District), joujousf.com 88. Bigoli freschi with Liberty duck ragu, orange, and clove at Bar Sprezzatura, 300 Clay St., Suite 100 (Downtown), barsprezzatura.com 89. The Manong, a crispy mochiko chicken filet with BBQ glazed pork belly, Izzy Sauce, banana ketchup, grilled onions, elote slaw, sweet pickled bitter melon, and pickled Fresno chili at Izzy & Wooks, 945 Market St. (Downtown), izzyandwooks.com 90. California causa with Dungeness crab, purple potatoes, avocado, quail egg, and creamy aji amarillo sauce at La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, Pier 1 1/2, The Embarcadero (Embarcadero), lamarcebicheria.com 91. Costoletta alla Milanese at Clementina 91. Costoletta alla Milanese with crispy pork chop cutlet, blistered cherry tomato, and wild arugula at Clementina, 343 Clement St. (Inner Richmond), clementinasf.com 92. Mentai cream sauce udon with seasoned cod roe, parmesan cheese, green onions, kaiware sprouts, tempura bits, and nori at Udon Mugizo, 1581 Webster St. #217, 2nd Fl. (Japantown), mugizo-us.com 93. Tamal of the day with pickled cabbage, onions, salsa, crema, plus mole at Donaji, 3161 24th St. (Mission), donajisf.com 94. Chicken wings with jaew som at Good Good Culture Club, 3560 18th St. (Mission), goodgoodcultureclub.com 95. Les moules mariniére with garlic, shallots, white wine, lemon juice, and parsley at Chez Maman West, 401 Gough St. (Hayes Valley), chezmamanrestos.com 96. Carnitas, braised pork with orange, bay leaf, milk, and cinnamon served with cabbage salad, curtidos, salsa cruda, and tortillas at Nopalito, 306 Broderick St. (NoPa), nopalitosf.com 97. Kimchi fried rice with soft-poached egg, scallions, and sesame seeds over purple rice (V) at Um.Ma, 1220 9th Ave. (Inner Sunset), ummasf.com 98. Sweet & sour chicken at Mamahuhu, 517 Clement St. (Inner Richmond), eatmamahuhu.com 99. Cinnamon roll (V) at Devil’s Teeth Baking Company, multiple locations including 3619 Balboa St. (Outer Sunset), devilsteethbakingcompany.com 100. Tagliatelle with Marsala mushrooms and truffled pecorino cheese (V) at Mattina, 2232 Bush St. (Pac Heights), mattinasf.com --- ### Artist Lava Thomas explores her ancestral heritage in the new show 'Lineage' at Jessica Silverman. **Published:** September 21, 2026 | **Author:** Emily Wilson | **Section:** Art + Design **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/lava-thomas-lineage-jessica-silverman-2677906965.html.md In 2013, artist Lava Thomas found an old album in the piano bench of her grandma’s Los Angeles house while she was looking for sheet music (her grandmother was a church choir director and pianist). She had never seen the album before. Paging through the album, it started crumbling in her hands from age. She turned to the photographs of two women and knew right away what she wanted to do. “The women were very different, had very different expressions, and were from different time periods,” says Thomas. “One of them had this powerful direct gaze that met me with so much force, I literally gasped. It took my breath away, and I knew I wanted to draw them, and I knew immediately that I wanted to draw them big.” Drawings that Thomas did of those two women, titled Looking Back 1 and Looking Back 2, were part of an exhibition at the Berkeley Art Center in 2015. Now, more monumental drawings of Thomas’s Texas ancestors, as well as documentation of their lives, make up Lineage, her first solo exhibition at Jessica Silverman. 'Lava Thomas: Lineage' is on display at Jessica Silverman Gallery in San Francisco through October 24th.(Phillip Maisel) Thomas works in different mediums, including public art, such as Portrait of a Phenomenal Woman, the statue of writer Maya Angelou outside the main branch of the San Francisco library—and installations like her hundreds of pink tambourines with quotes by women such as Sojourner Truth in Resistance Reverb: Movement 1, on view at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. But drawing is her favorite. Thomas says she was blessed with an innate talent for it, which the precise and moving portraits in Lineage make clear. Thomas has drawn since she could wrap her fingers around a writing implement, and it’s a medium she always returns to. “I like the accumulation of thousands upon thousands of lines. I like its meditative quality,” she says. “l also like the fact that it's an accessible medium, and most everyone across class, education, and geographical boundaries, has held a pencil in their hand.” Like most of Thomas’ work, the drawings in the show are made with graphite and Conté crayon, sometimes with charcoal and watercolor added. Thomas, who keeps multiple sharpeners, both electric and manual, in her studio for her pencils, says the combination of these gives her both control and the kind of dark marks that can be seen across the room. Lava ThomasEast Side Elementary Schoolhouse, 2026 Graphite and Conté pencil on paper(Phillip Maisel) Thomas has used these materials with precision and care to create works of her Texas ancestors like Grace and Bearing, 2026, which shows a woman sitting in a chair. Her pearl necklace, the flowers on the table next to her, and her black shawl are rendered with incredible detail. I Stand Upright in My Own Regard, 2026, is a full-length portrait of a man. Thomas used charcoal for his double-breasted overcoat, which is textured like velvet. He stands next to a chair with a hat placed on it, looking at the viewer. Thomas used watercolor for the eyes, emphasizing his even gaze. The show also contains Thomas’ first architectural drawing, East Side Elementary Schoolhouse, 2026, showing the one-room segregated schoolhouse in Decatur, the small town where her ancestors came from. Thomas’s grandmother had related stories about the town and the school (which she was instrumental in getting landmarked), and Thomas visited in 2019 when she was doing an artist residency in Fort Worth. She went to the Chamber of Commerce and explained she was doing research on her family and looking for landmarks her grandmother had told her about. The woman behind the counter pulled out a map and showed her where everything was. The show also contains documents rendered so carefully it’s hard to believe they aren’t photos. They include the sign on the schoolhouse, birth and death certificates, and the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Lava Thomas Civil Rights Act of 1866, Unfinished, 2026 (Phillip Maisel) Seeing her family’s history and portraits now on the walls of the gallery, Thomas says she feels a sense of exhilaration. Her emotions while spending hours making the marks to depict her ancestors included sadness for what her family had been through, as well as some understanding of the transformation from enslavement to emancipation and claiming their rights as citizens. “My ancestors pursued those rights, particularly through education, through building and belonging to Black civic organizations, and their manner of dress—the way they presented themselves, the evidence of some financial stability, these ideas around aspiration and building families,” she explains. “I feel an enormous amount of pride drawing them and knowing that they were doing this in Texas during a time when the KKK was at its height. They were doing this against this backdrop of real racial violence, and they still managed to build lives and have homes and educate themselves and build some sense of financial stability.” Her great-grandparents’ determination that their daughter, Thomas’ grandmother, go to high school led them to leave Decatur, where the school only went through the eighth grade. Thomas’ grandmother graduated as the valedictorian of her class. The portraits of Thomas’ ancestors will also be on view in their home state when this show travels to the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth for Lava Thomas: In Our Own Regard on November 7th. // ‘Lava Thomas: Lineage’ is on view at Jessica Silverman now through October 24th, 2026; 621 Grant Avenue (Chinatown), jessicasilvermangallery.com --- ### 31 Fun Things to Do This Week (9.21.26) **Published:** September 18, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-9-21-26-2677863828.html.md Life’s a party. You’re cordially invited to celebrations around town, from an East Coast-inspired lobster boil and an oyster-slinging block party to celebrations for Dolly Parton and the harvest season. More of an introvert? Join a BYO-book club in Golden Gate Park or a paint-and-sip session in Hayes Valley. Jump ahead to this week's top events: Pay your respects at Dolly Day in Union Square. Don your bib for a lobster boil with The Vault Garden downtown. Celebrate the Korean harvest festival of Chuseok at the Asian Art Museum. Raise a bivalve during the bayside block part that is Waterbar’s OysterFest. Have a good one. Grab some Japanese-Peruvian bites at the new Kaiyō Handroll Bar, where creative creations and flavor combos reign; open Tuesdays through Thursdays, 4pm to 12am and Fridays and Saturdays, 4pm to 1am. // Kaiyō Handroll Bar, 1838 Union St. (Cow Hollow); reservations at resy.com Fall into your favorite book and bring your own chair to a low-key outdoor book club session with fellow bibliophiles and the SF Library; Monday, 5:30pm to 6:30pm. // JFK Promenade, JFK Dr. and Conservatory West Dr. (Golden Gate Park); details at sfpl.org Paint your beloved fur baby during a beginner-friendly pet painting session with step-by-step guidance; Tuesday, 6:30pm to 9pm. // Manny's, 3092 16th St. (Mission); tickets at eventbrite.com Pucker up for La Vénus Électrique, a French romantic comedy set in 1928 Paris that’s making its Bay Area premier after opening at Cannes; Wednesday, 7pm. // The Marina Theater, 2149 Chestnut St. (Marina); tickets at frenchpremiere.com Hear from the woman behind The Women when best-selling author Kristin Hannah joins fellow novelist Yangsze Choo for a conversation about the forgotten power of women across history; Wednesday at 7:30pm. // Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley); tickets at cityarts.net Celebrate feminist icons and art heroes in a session of SFMOMA's monthly book club featuring Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife and its ties to the museum's Matisse exhibition; Thursday, 6pm. // SFMOMA, 151 Third St. (SoMa); free with RSVP at sfmoma.org Join a Seoul-meets-soul-food dinner party. Sit down for six courses and conversation with chef Jiyoung Park of ParksKitchen and chef Michele McQueen of Lucy Blue and Town Fare; Thursday at 7pm. // Town Fare, 1000 Oak St. (Oakland); tickets at tixr.com Drift away and tune in at a floating sound bath full of good vibrations; Thursday, 7pm. // Hotel Healdsburg, 25 Matheson St. (Healdsburg); tickets at hotelhealdsburg.com Honor works thought lost during the Re:Vision Festival of Restoration and Rediscovery, which celebrates the work of archives and archivists with days of cinema across decades, borders, and genres; Thursday through Sunday. // Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St. (Mission); schedule and tickets at filmpreserve.org Pay your respects at Dolly Day, a free tribute honoring Dolly Parton's music, generosity, and spirit packed with sing-alongs and sparkle. Big hair and costumes encouraged; Friday, 12pm to 3pm. // Union Square (Union Square); free, details at dollyday.org Put your palate to the test at "So You Think You Know Cab," a blind-tasting class built around Cabernet Sauvignon from around the world; Friday at 6:15pm. // San Francisco Wine Society, 408 Merchant St. (Financial District); tickets at resy.com Don your bib for a lobster boil with The Vault Garden featuring a delicious spread of seasonal favorites from land and sea during an East Coast-inspired night; Friday at 4:30pm. // The Vault Garden, 555 California St. Ste. E (FiDi); reservations at opentable.com Ring in fall at the Sunset Night Market’s Autumn Moon Festival. Dive into food, music, games, activities, shopping, and community spirit as you give gratitude at one of the most beloved cultural celebrations of the year; Friday, 5pm to 10pm. // Irving St. between 20th Ave. and 25th Ave. (Inner Sunset); details at sunsetmercantilesf.com Thank you to our partners at Sunset Mercantile. Be part of live artwork, delightful encounters, and grown-up magic at Fairyland's adults-only "Drawn Together" affair; Friday, 6pm to 10pm. // Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave. (Oakland); details at fairyland.org Catch Ryan Gosling on the big screen at a free outdoor screening of Project Hail Mary in Hayes Valley; Friday at 7:15pm. // Proxy, 432 Octavia Blvd. (Hayes Valley); details at proxysf.net Look up for acrobatic acts and high-flying performances when Circus Vargas makes its Bay Area stop for a week of its new show Masquerage; Friday through October 2nd. // Westfield Oakridge, 925 Blossom Hill Rd. (San Jose); tickets at circusvargas.com Experience the running of the salmon at the Oroville Salmon Fest. Witness the incredible natural phenomenon, kayak the Feather River with 50,000 fish, and see inside the hatchery—plus enjoy slammin' salmon wrestling, a soap box derby, a car show, live music, great food, and more; Saturday at 9am. // Details and tickets at visitoroville.com Thank you to our partners at Explore Butte County. Paint your city and taste local wines in an intimate, guided paint-and-sip session with artist Rhonel Roberts; Saturday, 2pm to 5pm. // Arlequin Wine Merchant, 384 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley); register at thethirdplace.is Take part in some free ferry-themed fun during Alcatraz City Cruises’ 20th anniversary celebration full of face painting, photo opps, and hands-on activities from the Exploratorium, Cal Academy, and the SF Zoo. Stay for a free ride; Saturday, 10am to 2:30pm. // Pier 33 (Embarcadero); details at alcatrazcitycruises.com Elevate brunch at a Lalito pop-up featuring pambazo, mole chilaquiles, crudo ceviche, and more from chef Alan Garcia in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month; Saturday and Sunday, 11:30am to 3:30pm. // Flour + Water Pasta Shop, 3000 20th St. (Mission); details on Instagram Pick your own produce from the Sea Ranch farm during a guided tour of their edible harvest, with the option to go pumpkin picking afterward; Saturday, 2pm to 4pm. // The Sea Ranch, 60 Sea Walk Dr. (Annapolis); register at thesearanchlodge.com Head across the Bay for a free outdoor concert in Jack London Square with Bruno Mars tribute band The Pinky Ring Party; Saturday, 6pm to 8pm. // Jack London Square, 2 Broadway (Oakland); details at jacklondonsquare.com Jam with Fantastic Negrito and the San Francisco Symphony. The Oakland native and multi-Grammy Award-winning artist joins the Symphony for a striking collaboration that brings his bold, genre-defying sound into a symphonic setting and marks the 10-year anniversary of his breakout Tiny Desk Concerts appearance; Saturday at 7:30pm. // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org Thank you to our partners at the San Francisco Symphony. Trade pickleball shots with Terrell Owens, check out his new apparel line, and get a chance to rub elbows at dinner during a weekend lineup of sports, food, wine, and fashion with the NFL legend; Saturday and Sunday. // Silverado Resort, 1600 Atlas Peak Rd. (Napa); tickets and schedule at silveradoresort.com Celebrate the Korean harvest festival of Chuseok with traditional dance, folk games, and food tastings inspired by the holiday; Sunday at 10am. // Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St. (Civic Center); free with admission, details at asianart.org Roll up your sleeves for a volunteer beautification session at McLaren Park to clear brush and plant native plants; Sunday, 10am to 12pm. // John McLaren Park, 100 John F Shelley Dr. (Portola); details at mobilize.us Find something new to play at Game Market West, a free marketplace for tabletop games from independent designers; Sunday, 10am to 3pm. // Guildhouse, 420 First St. (San Jose); RSVP at luma.com Make a day of the Cole Valley Fair. The beloved neighborhood tradition is back for its 23rd year of arts, crafts, and community with more than 90 vendors, live music, family-friendly activities, and a full block of local vintage cars; Sunday, 10am to 5pm. // Cole St. between Frederick St. and Grattan St. and Parnassus Ave. between Shrader St. & Belvedere St. (Cole Valley); details at sunsetmercantilesf.com Thank you to our partners at Sunset Mercantile. Pick your way to the perfect pie at a harvesting and hands-on pizza class with Jordan Winery paired with current releases and a full three-course lunch; Sunday, 10:30am to 2pm. // Jordan Winery, 1474 Alexander Valley Rd. (Healdsburg); tickets at jordanwinery.com Say happy 75th birthday to the Randall Museum with a packed day of free fun that includes climbing, skateboarding, and archery; Sunday, 1pm to 5pm. // Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way (Upper Market); details at randallmuseum.org Raise a bivalve during Waterbar’s OysterFest, a bayside block party supporting The Marine Mammal Center with oysters, small bites, and live music; Sunday, 12pm to 3pm. // Waterbar, 399 The Embarcadero South (Embarcadero); details at waterbarsf.com --- ### First Taste: The Mission’s newest bakery is one of San Francisco’s oldest. **Published:** September 18, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/cinderella-bakery-2677874733.html.md Cinderella Bakery has been keeping the Inner Richmond stocked with Russian pastries and Eastern European fare for more than 70 years. It’s a community staple for stuffed piroshkis, blinchikis (Russian-style blintzes), and a whole universe of cookies, cakes, and sweet rolls—especially around holidays like Purim, when the bejeweled hamentashen fly off the shelves. But Mike Fishman, who took over ownership of the historic bakery in 2008 along with his wife Marika Fishman, never wanted Cinderella to be just a “one-man shop.” “I always wanted to try and expand,” he says. Inside the new Cinderella Russian Bakery & Café on 24th Street in the Mission(Nicola Parisi) If things had gone to plan, they already would have: The Fishmans actually bought this building on 24th Street—the former home of historic Mexican bakery La Victoria, which first opened its own doors around the same time Cinderella did across town—back in 2018. It’s taken eight years to navigate turbulent waters churned up by a variety of circumstances to get to this point (not the least of which was the pandemic and its consequences on the restaurant industry). Good things, though, are worth the wait. By the time Cinderella Russian Bakery & Café opened its second-ever location late last month, the shop and the community were ready to embrace one another with open arms. For the Fishmans, that meant honoring the legacy of La Victoria and the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District of which they were now a part. They commissioned local arts organization Precita Eyes to install a vibrant, 12-foot-tall mural that portrayed traditional Russian matryoshka dolls—Cinderella’s logo—alongside versions encoded with details commonly associated with Mexican heritage. Inside, a gallery of historic photos from La Victoria Bakery is displayed alongside vintage matryoshkas and handpainted traditional Russian folk characters. The mural at Cinderella's Mission location was made by artists collaborating with Precita Eyes and has both Russian and Mexian elements.(Nicola Parisi) “Food, family, and culture in both Jewish communities and Latino communities bring everything together,” says Mike. For longtime neighbors that may have had little exposure to Russian pastries, Cinderella’s fried and baked shoeprint-shaped piroshkis with fillings like beef and cheddar are a familiar, empanada-like entry point. Toothsome inside their soft, airy pockets of bread, they’re just one of the things Marika Fishman says are a “must try.” She fills up a box for me with several others, extra generous with the hamentashen after I tell her they are my favorite thing at the original location. Cinderella makes them in six flavors including apricot, raspberry, and apple cinnamon. But it’s the poppyseed—with lightly sweetened seed jam inside a buttery, crumbly, three-cornered-hat of a cookie—that keeps me coming back every March. “A lot of people don’t know that we make hamentashen all year round, not just at Purim,” Marika says. As one of those people, I make a mental note. The traditional honey cake (medovik) may be what Cinderella is best known for, which alternates thin, delicate layers of caramelized cake with a frosting made of condensed milk. Silky with warm, nutty notes, the honey gives the cake an almost floral complexity that keeps it from veering into the territory of the overly sweet. The layered honey cake medovik is one of the most popular pastries at Cinderella.(Nicola Parisi) Everything is made from scratch at Cinderella and, in their 24th Street location, they have far more room in the kitchen to churn out larger quantities of cookies and breads. The café’s interior is also a significant departure from the original, which essentially has no inside seating. Here, there is plenty of it at the front and back of the shop, with a prettily tiled open pastry counter in between, along with several tables outside. While the original location has entrees like beef stroganoff and chicken a la Kiev, their opening hours have historically prevented the café from having much of a dinner crowd (who wants to eat outside in the Richmond after the fog rolls in, anyway?) In the Mission, where Cinderella doesn’t close until 8pm, there’s ample opportunity to welcome one. Day or night, soups—especially Babushka’s Chicken Soup and the borsch made with beets, cabbage, and potatoes—are among the menu's most popular items. Though they’ve “hardly had a chance to come up for air” since opening three weeks ago, says Mike, they’re already noticing the familiar faces of repeat customers. While the neighborhood may always have a La Victoria-sized hole in its heart, Cinderella’s poppyseed rolls and cheese-filled vareniki are helping to fill it back up again. // Cinderella Russian Bakery & Café is open daily from 8am to 8pm; 2937 24th St. (Mission), cinderellabakery.com Babushka's chicken soup, borsch, and other dishes from Cinderella Russian Bakery & Café(Nicola Parisi) --- ### Bay Area Arts + Culture Calendar for Fall 2026: Can't Miss Performances, Exhibitions, Festivals, and Events **Published:** September 17, 2026 | **Author:** Mariam Rubalcava | **Section:** Culture **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-arts-culture-fall-2026-2677870451.html.md Summer may get the festivals, foggy park days, and outdoor concerts, but fall is when the Bay Area's cultural calendar really shows off. This season, BTS superstar RM is taking over an entire floor of SFMOMA, ancient Egyptian treasures are landing at the de Young, and Azzedine Alaïa is bringing serious fashion drama to the Legion of Honor. Beyond the museums, Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant is heading to Golden Gate Park, Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter are bound for Monterey, and Robyn and Swedish House Mafia are turning Pier 80 into one giant dance floor. Add ballet from San José to Berkeley and Litquake, which will transform San Francisco into one big book club—with 7x7 joining the Lit Crawl fun. Throw in Dolly Parton Day, Día de los Muertos celebrations around the Bay, and a final dance beneath R-Evolution, and you’ve got enough to keep your calendar full through November. Here are 20 fall events worth getting tickets for in advance: --- ### Modern Guide to the Marina: A Life of Leisure With Stunning SF Bay Views **Published:** September 16, 2026 | **Author:** Bridget Veltri, Chloe Saraceni, Jen Woo | **Section:** Neighborhoods **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/marina-district-san-francisco-guide-2638972965.html.md Ah, the Marina: a land where crosswalks seem like mere suggestions, and an abundance of athleisure-clad mommies who juice-lunch between Pilates and shopping and puffer-vest-wearing bros sharing investment tips over beers come together in pure yuppie bliss. Historically, it is indeed the neighborhood that much of SF loves to hate. If this were high school, the Marina would be the meanest, prettiest girl in school that nobody wants to admit they wish they were best friends with. Because honestly? She's beautiful, fun, and has a lot going on. Stars of the district include the (sometimes-sun soaked) Marina Green—the expansive lawn with a waterfront view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz—hands down the city’s best spot for running, biking, and playing with the pups. Plus, there's something to be said for a 'hood where day drinking is encouraged and brunch is basically a sport. The Marina just feels, well, good. --- ### This Interactive Map Shows You the Best Spots for Leaf Peeping All Season Long **Published:** September 15, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Outdoor Adventures **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/california-fall-leaf-peeping-2666078687.html.md Fall’s official start is less than two weeks away, and we can’t wait for all the cozy to come. Let the apple cider, fire-warmed nights, and leaf peeping commence! In some areas of Northern California, nature is already breaking out its best autumn colors. Where exactly? The California Fall Color Map knows. Each fall, people from around the state contribute foliage photos and descriptions to this website and interactive map’s weekly updates. The first color report of the season from Yosemite’s Dog Lake is already a few weeks old. Indeed, it’s in the Eastern Sierra that the action begins each year before spreading into valleys and coastal regions throughout October. And this year, reports suggest that those changing leaves may last even longer than usual due to the El Niño winter. Use the map for spontaneous autumn exploration, or plan a fall getaway by looking back at the color reports from past years. They’ll give you a good idea of when the leaves in your destination of choice will be dressed to impress. Need a little inspiration to decide which direction to head? Check out five of our favorite spots in and around the Bay Area to get in the mood for fall. // Visit the California Fall Color Map at californiafallcolor.com --- ### 8 New Books by Bay Area Authors to Dive Into This Fall **Published:** September 14, 2026 | **Author:** Rosie Merlin | **Section:** Culture **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/new-bay-area-books-2026-2677856141.html.md This new crop of books hits all the sweet spots we expect from Bay Area creators: delicious food, astute cultural commentary, and intriguing novels. Dive into these eight new fall titles. Handmade Utopia: Back-to-the-Land Architecture in Northern California, edited by David Jacob Kramer In the 1960s, when young and idealistic “back-to-the-landers” fled Bay Area cities and created a patchwork of utopian communities up and down the length of Northern California, the folk architecture they built defined a radical new style. Handmade Utopia travels down dirt roads to explore these communities, discovering and documenting hidden handmade homes and capturing oral histories of the now-elderly residents who have stuck it out in their otherworldly creations. Presented alongside a collection of archival materials, the homes shine as rugged, experimental works of art. // $65, Artbook One of the homes features in 'Handmade Utopia' edited by David Jacob Kramer(Courtesy of @aperturefnd) Ukraine: Recipes and Stories from Kyiv to the Black Sea, by Anna Voloshyna Chef Anna Voloshyna was born and raised in southern Ukraine and later immigrated to the Bay Area, where she teaches cooking classes and hosts pop-up dinners focusing on food from her homeland. Her latest cookbook features 100 traditional and modern recipes for dishes from the region, including grilled sardines with dilly potatoes, lamb plov with apples and chickpeas, bay leaf kefir panna cotta, and no-churn sunflower-seed-butter ice cream. Alongside the recipes and photographs, Voloshyna’s stories bring you to food carts on the streets of Kyiv, root cellars stocked with fermented and preserved goods, and the front lines of the war where she cooked a meal for soldiers. // $40, Chronicle Books Open the Floodgates, by Nina Schuyler In Schuyler’s inventive new environmental novel, real-world laws have granted personhood to rivers. In an unnamed California town, the River now has the right to fight powerful enemies who want to keep it polluted. Intrigued? Us too. Schuyler is the author of four other fiction books and teaches creative writing at Stanford Continuing Studies and Book Passage. She is also the author of How to Write Stunning Sentences and has an extensive following for her Substack newsletter of the same name. // $25, Chin Music Press Pastries from 'Bake Sum' by Joyce Tang with Soleil Ho(Courtesy of @cherrybombe/@thejoycetang) Bake Sum: Asian American Pastries, Breads, and Other Treats, by Joyce Tang with Soleil Ho Oakland’s Bake Sum bakery is a local favorite for creative, stunning, and truly delicious treats. This new cookbook reveals the techniques and unique flavors of Asian Americana they’ve championed. From classic Asian puddings & jellies like almond Jell-O and mango pudding to sesame-studded and matcha-scented cookies to the bakery's famous croissubi (a Spam musubi-croissant hybrid), the 75 recipes cross a range of skill levels, with step-by-step photography and clear instructions on technique. Essays on culture and Tang’s journey to pastry chef and bakery owner are interspersed throughout the book. // $35, Hardie Grant Friends and Family, by Natalie Baszile Bay Area author and filmmaker Baszile’s highly acclaimed debut novel Queen Sugar was the inspiration for a TV show of the same name, co-produced by Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey. Her latest novel is an exploration of race, friendship, and privilege. Booklist says, “This cinematic story is about family, and friends who become family… the pages fly by. Baszile deftly employs San Francisco itself, with its staggering wealth disparities and craggy physical landscape, as both the setting and the perfect metaphor for the nuanced challenges even the closest friends and family face.”// $30, Penguin Random House 'Korean Soups' by Clara Lee and Eddo Kim(Courtesy of @claraandeddo/@queens__universe) Korean Soups: Recipes for Soups and Stews That Nourish, Restore, and Delight, by Clara Lee and Eddo Kim With recipes for a cold cucumber soup and spicy braised chicken stew, this new cookbook from the co-founders of uber-cool San Francisco-based Korean food company Queens features 50 classic recipes from the heart of Korean cuisine. Lee and Kim offer an expert guide to curating a well-stocked Korean pantry and include 13 foundational side-dish recipes (including rice, kimchi, and pickles) to pair with the soups. Ruth Reichl says this book is “an essential guide to Korean ingredients and a new way to appreciate Korean soups. I am buying it for every Korean food lover I know.” // $32, Hachette How to Exi(s)t: A Poet’s Memoir, by Truong Tran In How to Exi(s)t, Tran—a neurodivergent, gay war refugee and artist—moves back and forth in time. He explores his experiences with academia, racism, and life, from growing up in San Jose’s Vietnamese diaspora to experiencing repeated rejection for tenure-track positions. Kirkus Reviews says, "Tran's prose speaks directly to the reader and offers opinions and perspectives that are superbly barbed and lushly poetic all at once. . . . A wise, reflective self-portrait shimmering with genuine emotion and bracing honesty." Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Tran teaches at Northeastern University, Oakland and lives in San Francisco. His books include Book of the Other: Small in Comparison (winner of the American Book Award), The Book of Perceptions, Placing the Accents, and Dust and Conscience. // $17, City Lights 'Meet Me in the Garden' by Nina LaCour(Courtesy of @nina_lacour) Meet Me in the Garden, by Nina LaCour Meet Me in the Garden is a decades-spanning novel inspired by the author’s family that’s full of love, longing, art, and desire. Publishers Weekly says this “gorgeous family saga…dares much and delivers on its promise… LaCour’s sensuous novel is steeped in rich details of jazz, Creole cooking, and California glamour, and the characters are pitch-perfect.” A former indie bookseller, LaCour is also the author of Yerba Buena and lives in San Francisco. // $30, Macmillan --- ### Detour at Dalya Estate is a creative Wine Country women's retreat unlike any other. **Published:** September 11, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Wine Country **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/detour-dalya-estate-2677843587.html.md Dalya Sachs never intended to own a vineyard or get into hospitality. It was “far more of an investment” than she ever wanted to make. But after a few years in Austin, the Marin-grown, UC Berkeley-educated Ph.D. in French and Italian literature desperately missed the Bay Area. When pandemic shutdowns stretched into their second month, she began to look for a place in Wine Country. When she found it, a gorgeous estate in Sebastopol with a landscape reminiscent of Tuscany or Provence, it was love at first sight. The Dalya Estate(Curtis Myers) Sachs envisioned the six-acre property as a multifaceted venue for retreats, workshops, and other meetings and events. The main Vineyard House—a 2,400-square-foot, three-bedroom home with an expansive garden and 60-foot pool—and the Guest Cottage—a historic, 1,400-square-foot farmhouse—would also serve as a vacation rental, one the Emmy Award-winning travel show Staycation featured as one of Wine Country’s “finest.” The name that fit best, she decided, was the one she’d been carrying since birth: Dalya, which in Hebrew means a slender twig or branch of an olive tree or grapevine. While the opportunities at The Dalya Estate are virtually endless (“I’m like a little percolating idea factory,” she laughs), Sachs has a special interest in cultivating the property as a hub for creativity and deep connection. That’s the objective of Detour at Dalya Estate, a one-of-a-kind women’s retreat where art opens the door to candid conversations, creative expression, and unexpected moments. Detour is “something deeper and more creative, more vulnerable and profound, than the average women’s retreat,” Sachs explains. This fall’s three-day event (November 5-8), Dreams in the Grammar of Possibility, turns the estate into an immersive art gallery for a collaborative exhibition that’s recently been shown in Austin, New York, and at SF’s Minnesota Street Project. Photographer Stephanie Duprie Routh and Dalya Estate owner Dalya Sachs at Minnesota Street Project(Courtesy of The Dalya Estate) The installation, which explores the shifting sense of identity women experience as they age, struck a nerve with audiences. After viewing the 19 photographs by Austin photographer Stephanie Duprie Routh paired with poems written by Sachs and bespoke scents created by a Mexico City olfactory artist, “a lot of women came up to us and looked us right in the eyes and said ‘I want to talk about this more,’ Sachs explains. This fall’s Detour at Dalya Estate provides that opportunity, expanding on the project’s original concept by bringing eight women together to engage with creators Duprie Routh and Sachs through curated conversations about truth, purpose, desire, and possibility; guided silk and sfumato painting and hyperlocal botanical cocktail composition; a blind wine tasting with VinePair’s Sommelier of the Year and Wine Enthusiast’s Rising Star of 2026, Alexandria Sarovich; one-on-one portrait sessions; chef-led dining and culinary experiences; and more. It is meant to be, quite literally, a detour: a fork in time that presents retreat participants with an alternative path for their relationships with their past, their bodies, and their futures. (Curtis Myers) With its lush gardens and vineyard, its Wine Country views and relative solitude, the estate’s grounds play no small role in the experience. ”People who have stayed here as either vacation guests or to do workshops and retreats have become pretty effusively attached to the privacy and the intimacy of the space and its particular ample layout,” says Sachs. Going forward, signature Detour at Dalya Estate retreats—both those devised by Sachs and her team and those created by guest facilitators including artists, writers, and thinkers—will provide one of many opportunities (remember those percolating ideas?) for them to return again and again. // Detour at Dalya Estate’s ‘Dreams in the Grammar of Possibility’ will be held November 5-8. Early-bird discount pricing is available now through September 30th. Get more information on all-inclusive rates and logistics at dalyaestate.com/detour (Courtesy of Dalya Estate) --- ### 30 Fun Things to Do This Week (9.14.26) **Published:** September 11, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-9-14-26-2677843047.html.md If you need some beauty in your life, stay local: Arts abound this week. Start with an epic art battle, then carve out some calendar space for multi-artist exhibitions from ArtSpan, West Marin and SF artists, Recology artists-in-residence, and more. There’s also much to celebrate: Jack London’s birthday, Nisei and Bar Iris’ anniversaries, and 30 million meals from Project Open Hand. Jump ahead to this week's top events: Watch artists throw down in an epic art battle in the Mission. Get ready for Open Studios season at the ArtSpan kickoff exhibition at SOMArts. Get inspired under the redwoods at the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival. Celebrate lowrider culture with a parade and hydraulic hopping competition in the Mission. Have a good one. Treat a friend to some ice cream. Salt and Straw’s “after school happy hour” is offering buy-one-get-one deals for afternoon scoops; Mondays through Sundays, 3pm to 5pm, through September 30th. // Salt & Straw, 586 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley) and 2201 Fillmore St. (Pacific Heights); saltandstraw.com Pick up some Seattle-fresh Piroshky Piroshky. The award-winning Eastern European-inspired bakery is popping up in San Francisco for a day, but you have to order your cinnamon cardamon braids and smoked salmon pâté piroshky before the big day; pick-up Tuesday, 4pm to 6pm. // Standard Deviant Brewing, 280 14th St. (Mission); order at piroshkybakery.com Watch artists throw down in an epic art battle where 12 artists compete in three, 20-minute rounds to claim the title of champion; Wednesday at 7pm. // Public Works, 161 Erie St. (Mission); tickets at artbattle.com Discover the painting that shocked Paris, challenged convention, and helped change the course of modern art in the extended run of Matisse: A Modern Scandal; through September 27th. // SFMOMA, 151 Third St. (SoMa); details at sfmoma.org Thank you to our partners at SFMOMA. Root for your favorite suitor during Love Isn’t Blind, an elimination-style dating show where four silent suitors compete for one bachelorette (with a little help from the audience); Thursday, 6:30pm. // The Foundry SF, 1425 Folsom St. (SoMa); tickets at eventbrite.com Dish across San Ramon during City Center’s 10-day restaurant week, where you can explore prix fixe menus and limited-time dishes at more than a dozen restaurants; Friday through Sept. 27th, 11am to 7pm. // City Center Bishop Ranch, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd. (San Ramon); details at citycenterbishopranch.com Feast on spanakopita, moussaka, and gyros at the Greek Food Festival. In between bites, catch traditional Greek folk dance troupes and cathedral tours; Friday and Saturday, 11am to 10pm, and Sunday, 11am to 7pm. // Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 245 Valencia St. (Mission); details at sfgreekfestival.org Have pizza night, but make it grown-up with pours of pinot, live music, and specialty foods, gourmet products, and handcrafted goods from local vendors; Friday, 4pm to 7pm. // Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Arnold Dr. (Sonoma); RSVP at eventbrite.com Check out new works from Recology’s artists-in-residence at an opening night where they’ll debut trash-turned-art; Friday, 5pm to 8pm and Saturday, 12pm to 3pm. // Recology Art Studios, 503 and 401 Tunnel Ave. (Visitacion Valley); details at recology.com Save the date for the Autumn Moon Festival. The Sunset’s next night market is open to all and full of food, music, games, activities, shopping, and community spirit; Friday, September 25th, 5pm to 10pm. // Irving St. between 20th Ave. and 25th Ave. (Inner Sunset); details at sunsetmercantilesf.com Thank you to our partners at Sunset Mercantile. Shuck oysters with the pros of Hog Island Oyster Co. in a master class where you’ll learn to prep their signature bivalves to enjoy with sparkling wines from Schramsberg Vineyards; Friday, 5:30pm to 6:30pm. // Beacon Grand, 450 Powell St. (Union Square); register at beacongrand.com Toast Project Open Hand's milestone of 30 million meals at the Hand to Hand Gala with a plated dinner, live and silent auctions, and an honor for Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi; Friday at 6:30pm. // San Francisco Design Center Galleria, 101 Henry Adams St. (SoMa); tickets at gofundme.com Get ready for Open Studios season at the ArtSpan kickoff exhibition featuring the work of more than 300 participating artists across mediums; Friday, 7pm to 10pm. // SOMArts, 934 Brannan St. (SoMa); tickets at thethirdplace.is Enjoy late-night bites, cocktails, and immaculate vibes during Bourbon Steak's new weekend DJ residency; Fridays and Saturdays, 8:30pm to 11:30pm. // The Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St. (TenderNob); reservations at sevenrooms.com Get inspired under the redwoods at the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, featuring original work from 135 artists along with live music, a community mural, and wine tastings; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm. // Old Mill Park: 64 Cascade Dr. (Mill Valley); tickets at mvfaf.org Dive deep into the art of neon during the Neon Speaks Festival, where you can tour rare archives and get a glimpse of iconic city sights across mediums; Saturday at 10am, 11:30am, and 4pm. // Details and tickets at neonspeaks.org Celebrate lowrider culture with a parade and hydraulic hopping competition in the Mission during the SF Lowrider Council’s 45th anniversary annual celebration; Saturday, 11am to 6pm. // Schedule and location details at sanfranciscolowridercouncil.org Eat your way around the world at The Edible Atlas, a street food festival featuring vendors slinging everything from Jamaican patties to Panamanian comfort food, as well as demos from local chefs; Saturday, 12pm to 5pm. // Bloc15, 252 2nd St. (Oakland); tickets at tixr.com Wish Jack London a happy 150th birthday at a gala honoring the renowned author, adventurer, journalist, and visionary farmer with live jazz, local wines, and Sonoma cuisine; Saturday, 5pm to 9pm. // Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Rd. (Glen Ellen); tickets at jacklondonpark.com Explore what it means to be well at the One Mind Music Festival, which brings together mental health advocates and supporters for an inspiring afternoon supporting mental health research headlined by The Fray; Saturday at 12pm. // Staglin Family Vineyard, 1570 Bella Oaks Ln. (Rutherford); tickets at onemind.org Say happy birthday to Nisei and Bar Iris at their fifth annual block party complete with festival games, a small vendor market, and plenty of yakitori, onigiri, and Japanese sandos on repeat; Sunday, 11am to 8pm. // Polk St. between Green St. and Union St. (Russian Hill); details on Instagram Be part of the fun at Blues, Brews, and BBQ, the Alameda tradition featuring national blues acts, craft beer, and tasty barbecue; Sunday, 12pm to 6pm. // Washington Park, 740 Central Ave. (Alameda); details at westendartsdistrict.org Dance to a free set from Poolside at the return of Daytime Disco, the electronic project's chill, sun-soaked Union Square takeover; Sunday, 1pm to 5pm. // Union Square, 333 Post St. (Union Square); RSVP at apeconcerts.com Take your shot at The East Cut’s Fall Pickleball Festival. Drop in for games all afternoon with the SF Social Club and Volo; Sunday, 1pm to 5pm. // The Crossing at East Cut, 200 Folsom St. (Embarcadero); register at volosports.com Elevate your Sunday with live jazz, local bites, and wines by the glass, all under the palm trees at Caymus-Suisun Winery; Sunday, 2pm to 8:30pm. // Caymus-Suisun Winery, 4991 Suisun Valley Rd. (Fairfield); tickets at caymus-suisun.com Feel the heat at Whiskey and Fire, an all-inclusive afternoon combining live-fire cooking from acclaimed local chefs and pitmasters with premium whiskey tastings from around the world; Sunday at 3:30pm. // Hayes Mansion, 200 Edenvale Ave. (San Jose); tickets at toursbya21.com Get inspired by West Marin artists at a showcase of more than 40 paintings, sculptures, and photographs from notable and legacy local artists whose work captures the region’s coastline, agricultural valleys, and independent spirit; opens Sunday, 4pm to 6pm. // Sausalito Center for the Arts, 750 Bridgeway (Sausalito); details at eventbrite.com Honor Yom Kippur with a three-course fixed price menu from Delfina that gets you fed before sundown; Sunday at 5pm and 5:15pm. // Delfina, 3621 18th St. (Mission); reservations at opentable.com Look ahead to the Cole Valley Fair. Back for its 23rd year, the neighborhood tradition brings together an eclectic mix of arts, crafts, and community with local products, food booths, live music, family-friendly activities, and vintage cars; Sunday, September 27th, 10am to 5pm. // Cole St. between Frederick St. and Grattan St. and Parnassus Ave. between Shrader St. & Belvedere St. (Cole Valley); details at sunsetmercantilesf.com Thank you to our partners at Sunset Mercantile. --- ### 10 Rooftop Bars with Killer Views in the Bay Area **Published:** September 10, 2026 | **Author:** Amber Turpin | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/10-bay-area-rooftop-bars-2677842964.html.md Summer might be ending, but that doesn’t mean the nice weather is. These next few weeks are prime time for basking outdoors—something made even better with a view. These great Bay Area rooftops all set up to enjoy this lovely climate for a while longer before the “super El Niño” is unleashed this fall. Charmaine's (Courtesy of @charmainesrooftop) San Francisco Over in the Mission Bay neighborhood is Luma Hotel San Francisco, a modern, 300-room hotel with an unbeatable location near Oracle Park and the Chase Center. Up on the rooftop is Cavaña, an atmospheric bar and restaurant with a wraparound outdoor terrace for taking in the epic views. The interior, which has a variety of seating spread around the central bar, is lush with plants and tilework. Order a paloma on draft or a pisco punch to go with your queso fundido and ceviche with hoja santa oil, and listen to the cheers from the game below. // 100 Channel St., 17th Floor (Mission Bay), cavanasf.com In the heart of the city is one of our iconic Union Square claims to fame, now known as Starlite, a distilled, symbolic name for this sparkling gem of an enclosed rooftop bar on the 21st floor of the Beacon Grand (formerly Harry Denton’s Starlite Room). With a storied past, the recently refreshed space has kept the magic but spiffed things up a bit with jewel tones, Art Deco touches, and a sophisticated food and beverage revamp by some of the city’s finest. You’ll see many people ordering the Porn Star Martini, but other standouts on the cocktail menu from Trick Dog's Scott Baird include classics like the gimlet made with Åhus Akvavit and the dessert-worthy Spumoni Negroni Parfait. Try any of the snacks created by Michelin Award-winning chef Johnny Spero. Nightly vinyl DJ sets (curated by Nina Tarr) make this the spot to be. // 450 Powell St., 21st Floor (Union Square), starlitesf.com Not quite as high up is Charmaine's, a standout rooftop space found repeatedly on “best of” lists for hitting the mark on glamorous appeal. Atop the ninth floor of the hip Proper Hotel, Charmaine’s feels like an escape. The decor is full of mixed materials, textures, and patterns, with lots of glass to let the views in and an open-air terrace set with multiple firepits. The menu skews comforting (including great crispy fries). Try their refreshing take on a Pimm’s Cup, appropriately called a “Proper Cup.” // 1100 Market St. (Civic Center), htproperhotel.com Cubita in the Mission(Courtesy of @cubitasf) And don’t forget Cubita, the Mission’s rooftop mainstay where Cuban flavors blend with colorful cocktails and a festive vibe. This is the place to be at happy hour on warm weekday nights, when classic drinks like mojitos and daiquiris are just $8 a pop, served alongside a handful of priced-right snacks like tostones and mojo-marinated chicken wings. // 2516 Mission St. (Mission), cubitasf.com Silicon Valley It might not be the first place that pops into your mind for a vacation, but a visit to Santana Row in San Jose can take you away from your regular day-to-day. On the top of Hotel Valencia, the Spanish themed property smack dab on the Row, Cielo sits on the seventh floor. This is a true rooftop, not just an outdoor balcony space, and is a respite from your shopping spree down below. It is sunny and open, with a small bar at the end and heaters and twinkly lights that turn on come sundown. Pots of colorful bougainvillea and the custard yellow building make it all feel a bit like being in Spain, with views of palm trees and the Santa Cruz Mountains beyond. A small menu features a popular lychee martini, and you can get pitchers of sangria or margaritas for added group fun. Formerly open only seasonally, Cielo’s winter menu and cozy holiday experience full of mulled wine will be back by popular demand this year. // 355 Santana Row (San Jose), hotelvalencia-santanarow.com Across Stevens Creek Boulevard, on the third floor of Westfield Valley Fair, you’ll find a second option: Terra. Part of the Eataly complex, the rooftop resto-bar serves up Italian eats from the wood-fired grill, seasonal cocktails, and brunch. // 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd. (San Jose), eataly.com President's Terrace in Palo Alto(Courtesy of @presidentsterrace) Farther north, in tony Palo Alto, is President’s Terrace at the top of the Graduate Hotel downtown, a Spanish Colonial Revival-style space with a bar shaded by a vine-hung pergola and festive red-and-white-striped umbrellas. Playful cocktails like the Afterglow (limoncello, Patrón Silver, strawberry, lemon, and prosecco) riff on the sunset-worthy views and are accompanied by a menu of Mediterranean-influenced bites like marinated olives and sardine tapenade. // 488 University Ave. (Palo Alto), presidentsterrace.com Wine Country Part of chef Charlie Palmer’s yummy empire is Sky & Vine, which opened in 2018 on the rooftop space above the Archer Hotel in downtown Napa. It’s on the sixth floor, with special views of the valley and vineyards beyond, especially on Sundays when DJ Gray sets the scene for a leisurely brunch. Order a Sumac Sparkler or Stone Fruit Spritz to go with your West Coast Benedict with crab. // 1230 First St., 6th Fl. (Napa), archerhotel.com Another Palmer spot, and one of his newest projects, is Appellation Healdsburg, the immersive culinary-meets-hospitality concept created with business partner Christopher Hunsberger. The rooftop bar, Andys Beeline, is in a beautiful, vaulted space with a wall featuring a tidal wave of cascading bottles. Drink a classic rhum agricole daiquiri or the unique What’s Up, Doc? with carrot eau-de-vie. All drinks, including the outstanding wine list, go great with upscale chips and dip and vineyard views. // 101 Dovetail Ln. (Healdsburg), beelinerooftop.com Roof 106 in Healdsburg(Courtesy of The Matheson) On the Healdsburg town square is another great rooftop, above Dustin Valette’s The Matheson. Roof 106 is a go-to spot for locals, visitors, parties… pretty much any occasion is better up here. Varied seating and great vantage points combine well with a menu highlighting the wood-fired Mugnaini oven. Stop by for a dinner (or a weekend lunch) and order the Skyline Snack & Sip, which comes with a double smashburger or fried chicken sandwich, fries, and a margarita or draft beer. It’s an ideal perch for watching folks down in the square below. // 106 Matheson St. (Healdsburg), thematheson.com/roof-106 --- ### Cheese please! Celebrate fall with the Cheese Trail in Marin County. **Published:** September 9, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/marin-county-cheese-trail-2677838428.html.md Craving a cheese-tasting adventure with a side of rolling hills and local flavor? Marin County has the ultimate artisan cheese trail, where every stop offers a slice of creamy perfection and a story worth savoring. Marin French Cheese Company(Courtesy of Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau) Begin at the historic Marin French Cheese Company, which has been crafting cheeses since 1865. Sample award-winning bries like Petite Breakfast and Triple Crème at a pondside picnic under the oaks. Their charming deli and shop are packed with everything you need to build the cheeseboard of your dreams (plus Straus soft serve!) and their online cheese pairing tool will help guide your beverage choices. Next, head to Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, a creamery rooted in Swiss traditions and Marin soil. Founded by the Lafranchi family, Nicasio Valley blends farmstead heritage with fresh, organic milk to create cheeses like the signature Foggy Morning. Their shop—which sells three flavors of Foggy Morning, plus a number of other styles of cheese—is open daily and brimming with country charm (and samples!). Nicasio Valley Cheese Company(Courtesy of Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau) Keep heading north on Highway One to Tomales Bay to reach the pastures of the Giacomini Dairy, home to The Fork at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company. Stop by Monday through Saturday to grab artisan cheese and snacks from their marketplace, as well as unique gifts from local purveyors. They also offer cheese tastings and farm brunches by appointment. Tie the whole trip together with the California Cheese Trail, an interactive map founded by Vivien Straus that will guide you to hidden creameries, cheese-centric events, and tasting rooms. Pick up a hard copy at any creamery or chart your cheesy course online. (Courtesy of Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau) For a full VIP experience, take an exclusive cheese adventure with Food & Farm Tours that includes farm visits, gourmet picnics, and one-on-one time with the animals (think goat selfies). Their five-hour “Cheese Lover’s Tour” is a sensory journey into Marin’s dairy-rich culture. Afterwards, complete your farm-to-fork escape with an overnight stay in beautiful, coastal West Marin. // Get more info on Marin cheese and the Cheese Trail at www.visitmarin.org --- ### SF Designer Jay Jeffers on His New Book, 'Modern Classic,' and the Art of the Design Wink **Published:** September 9, 2026 | **Author:** Gail Goldberg | **Section:** Art + Design **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/jay-jeffers-modern-classic-2677837905.html.md He’s an interior designer, hotelier, author, collector, and storyteller—and would love his next career to include singing and dancing on Broadway. (“Off-Broadway would be OK, too,” he jokes.) Indeed, Jay Jeffers wears lots of hats. The Texas-born, San Francisco-based Jay of all trades founded his firm in 1999 and, today, splits his time between Northern California and New York City, with offices and a lean, talented team in both places. Jeffers keeps busy designing homes around the country and serving as co-owner and designer of The Madrona, the stylish Healdsburg hotel he helped bring back to life. Designer Jay Jeffers(Jason Madara) Jeffers’ latest project is Modern Classic: Tailored Homes, Timeless Style, his third book, which brings together 13 projects spanning historic houses, modern homes, apartments, retreats—and, naturally, The Madrona. Published in August by Gibbs Smith, the book explores the common thread in Jeffers’ work: spaces that feel tailored and edited but never overly precious, layered with antiques, contemporary art, custom pieces, beautiful materials, and, always, a little surprise. When he’s not designing, Jeffers is a self-described homebody who loves fashion. (“Getting dressed up is genuinely one of life’s great joys for me,” he says.) Travel, food, cocktails, and watching just about any cooking competition he can find are other passions. Here, the iconic SF-er talks about finding his calling, why every room needs a “wink,” and what truly makes a house feel like home. You took a somewhat winding path to interior design. How did you get here? It definitely wasn’t a straight line. I grew up in Plano, Texas, and studied international business and marketing at the University of Texas at Austin. After college, I worked at a small advertising agency in Austin, then moved to San Francisco and worked at Zuni Café, a men’s clothing store, and eventually landed at Gap, working in advertising for Gap, Gap Kids, and Old Navy. I started taking an introductory interior design class at Berkeley Extension at night just for fun, and something clicked. I took more classes, reduced my hours at Gap, and eventually began working for a drapery and bedding showroom. That was really when the creative fire started. I realized I had found what I wanted to do. (Sam Frost Studio) Your work doesn’t fit neatly into one design style. How would you describe it? I’ve always resisted the idea that there’s a specific “Jay Jeffers look.” Every house should tell a different story. I want the rooms to feel tailored and edited, but never minimal. There should be warmth, soul, and a sense that things have been collected over time. I love mixing vintage and contemporary furniture, great art, antiques, and custom pieces. And then I usually like to add a wink—something unexpected, whether that’s humor, drama, or a little surprise. I start by honoring the architecture, the geographic setting and, most importantly, the people who live there. What does “modern classic” mean to you? People are always asking, “What’s your style?” and I’ve resisted giving one answer because I think a good designer should be curious enough to move between different periods, places, and aesthetics. When I looked back at the projects for this book, I realized there is a thread. The spaces are tailored and edited, but they have warmth, history, and soul. There might be vintage pieces with contemporary art, or bespoke furniture mixed with antiques. Nothing should look like it was bought overnight. For me, “modern classic” is about honoring the past, celebrating the present and creating something that feels enduring. Overall, though, Modern Classic, the book, feels like the culmination of more than 25 years of designing homes. Jay Jeffers' new book, 'Modern Classic: Tailored Homes, Timeless Style'(Frank Frances Studio) Were there any projects in the book that were especially meaningful to you? That’s like asking me to pick my favorite child! Imagined History, in the Santa Lucia Preserve, was almost a 10-year project for longtime clients who became friends. We worked with architect Richard Beard and were inspired by Argentine estancias. The goal was to create a multigenerational retreat that felt as though it had evolved over generations, rather than being designed all at once. Beaux Arts 2.0, a 1925 San Francisco home, was another. We worked with Dave Sturm of Butler Armsden, keeping the classical character in the front of the house while creating something more contemporary in the back. The original arched windows inspired new details throughout. It was about respecting the history without being beholden to it. And then there’s The Madrona, which is obviously very personal because I’m the designer and co-owner. There was no traditional client telling me where to stop, which was both thrilling and slightly dangerous! A guest room in The Madrona in Healdsburg(Courtesy of Jay Jeffers) Speaking of The Madrona, becoming a hotelier wasn’t exactly part of the plan, was it? Not at all! Becoming a hotelier was never on my vision board. I’ve always loved intimate boutique hotels—the kind that feel like a stylish friend’s house. In 2020, a realtor friend and client asked me to look at a historic hotel in Healdsburg that was for sale. It was a lightning-bolt moment. I couldn’t stop thinking about it or designing it in my head. We inherited hundreds of pieces of furniture, lighting, and art, and ultimately catalogued, refurbished, and reused about 200 of the original pieces. We wanted to celebrate the history without turning it into a Victorian theme park. How do you balance your own point of view with what a client wants? I think of myself as a guide. Clients usually know what they like when they see it, so my job is to listen, understand them, and then expose them to possibilities they may not have considered. I’ll push a little. If someone says they don’t like antiques because they associate them with heavy brown “grandma furniture,” I might show them a 1970s Italian chair or a mid-century Brazilian piece. Suddenly the conversation changes. The client gives you the story. The finished home should feel like them, not like they moved into my house. (Courtesy of Jay Jeffers) How much does location influence your work? Place matters enormously. A log cabin shouldn’t feel like Manhattan, and a Carmel Valley retreat inspired by an Argentine estancia shouldn’t feel like a San Francisco Beaux-Arts house. I don’t believe in designing clichés. I don’t want to walk into a mountain house and automatically start buying antlers. At the end of the day, though, the homeowner is what matters most. You’re using the architecture and location as context, but you’re telling the client’s story. What are some of your favorite Bay Area sources for art and design? The Bay Area has an extraordinary creative community. For art, I love Dolby Chadwick, Berggruen, Fraenkel, Jessica Silverman, and Lost Art Salon. And I always tell people: buy what you love. Don’t buy art to match your sofa. For furniture and design, there’s Coup D’Etat, De Sousa Hughes, and The Future Perfect, plus Sue Fisher King for that fabulous mix of antiques and decorative things. Fog Design + Art and the San Francisco Fall Show are also great places to explore. The best advice is to get out there, look around, train your eye, and fall in love with something unexpected. (Douglas Friedman Photography) Three books in—are you already thinking about number four? Let me enjoy number three for a minute! I’ve loved design books since I was a kid. They’ve always been a source of reference and inspiration for me, so the fact that I’ve now made three is pretty amazing. I’ve had a little bit of impostor syndrome, probably, my entire life. Making these books forces me to look back and say, “Hey, I kind of do know what I’m doing—and, hey, I’m kind of good at it.” So, making a book is a little bit like therapy. As long as I have interesting clients, beautiful houses, great art, fabulous antiques, and stories worth telling, I guess I’m ready for my fourth therapy session. // Learn more about Jeffers and check out his newest book ‘Modern Classic’ at jayjeffers.com --- ### These kayak tours are a window into the miraculous comeback of NorCal's Chinook salmon. **Published:** September 8, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Outdoor Adventures **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/kayak-tours-spawning-chinook-salmon-2677833729.html.md A fiery sun beat down on our small flotilla of kayaks as we pushed off from the shore near the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville late last September. Not long ago, adult Chinook salmon would return by the thousands to spawn in this tributary, dropping eggs and milt (sperm) into nests dug into the gravel, then dying before the next generation hatched. So dense with fish was the Feather River in late September and October that they were like a carpet of glinting scales under the surface of the water. A guide holds up a dead salmon on the Feather River(Courtesy of Explore Butte County) But in 2020, the aquatic tapestry began to grow threadbare. By 2023, so few fish were returning to spawn that the entire riparian ecosystem was in trouble. A three-year moratorium imposed on commercial and sport fishing was a Hail Mary to save Northern California’s native Chinook populations—and, against all odds, it worked. In 2025, the salmon swam all around us, pushing their way upstream against the current. There were dozens of them, hundreds maybe—more than our guide from the Forebay Aquatic Center had seen in this spot for years—and late September was just the start of their run. For the first time in a while, the Oroville Salmon Festival—a day of free, family-friendly events and activities that includes a soap box derby, salmon wrestling, hatchery tours, a car show, a kids zone, live music, and plenty of local food and vendors—had good news to celebrate. The Oroville Salmon Festival is Saturday, September 26th.(Courtesy of Explore Butte County) It wasn’t one factor that led to the Chinook salmon crisis, but several working in tandem. Though they live the majority of their adult lives in the salty Pacific, the fish begin and end their lives in cold, oxygen-rich freshwater rivers, returning to the place of their birth to spawn right before they die. Between 2020 and 2022, however, there was no cold, oxygen-rich water to return to. Extreme drought had left the region's major reservoirs so depleted that only a little water could be released through manmade dams at Oroville, Shasta, and Folsom to fill the waterways used by the Chinook. Since shallow rivers heat up more quickly than those with plenty of water, the eggs laid by the returning salmon were literally cooked alive. In 2021, researchers determined that the mortality rate in the nearby Sacramento River may have been as high as 90 percent. Those that survived didn’t have an easy go of things, either. Many of the salmon “fry” suffered from severe neurological deformities caused by thiamine deficiency or became infected with a deadly parasitic worm. When the state relaxed certain environmental standards to ensure there would be enough water for farms and municipalities, a number of them got caught in agricultural pumps or swam down channels to nowhere. In 2025, though, the population was beginning to rebound; this fall, Chinook salmon are expected to run the Feather River in even greater numbers. (Courtesy of Explore Butte County) In Oroville, the results of the extreme measures taken to save this keystone species over the last few years are playing out in real time—and not just in the river itself. During the Oroville Salmon Festival, the Feather River Fish Hatchery welcomes the public to see the work they are doing to keep local populations growing. In front of the facility’s picture windows, they sort the adults who have made their final journey home, removing the eggs and milt of those that haven’t yet spawned. The eggs hatch in a special protected nursery, and the young fish will be released among their wild-born cousins when they’re large enough. Just outside, the salmon, exhausted at the end of a 60-plus-mile journey, use the last of their strength to “climb” the fish ladder to their final destination—a mesmerizing feat of determination that’s hard to stop watching. The Feather River isn't the only place in Northern California where Chinook populations have begun to rise. In the upper Sacramento River, there were 15 times more adult salmon returning to spawn in 2025 than in 2024. Farther north, the removal of the lower Klamath River dams between 2023 and 2024 opened up more than 400 miles of salmon spawning habitat that hadn’t been accessible to the fish for over 100 years. Meanwhile, a restoration project on the Tuolumne River is expected to open more than 75 acres of spawning habitat by 2030. (Courtesy of Explore Butte County) But it is only on the Feather River that you can kayak among the spawning fish on guided, two-and-a-half-hour tours twice a week as blue herons and red-tailed hawks perch in the branches above the banks and young river otters tussle in the water. Whether hunting, scavenging, or just watching quietly with paddle in hand, every species is there to bear witness to the Chinook’s return. // The Oroville Salmon Festival is September 26th; details at visitoroville.com. Feather River Salmon Tours are held twice a day on Saturdays starting September 26th and continuing through November; 5 Table Mountain Blvd. (Oroville), forebayaquaticcenter.com --- ### A Weekend Itinerary for Exploring the Posher Side of Portland **Published:** September 4, 2026 | **Author:** Amber Turpin | **Section:** Travel **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/posh-portland-weekend-itinerary-2677821136.html.md For many people, Portland is fondly associated with food trucks, craft beer, and the hilarious antics of Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen. (Oh, and that recent head-scratching occupation by ICE agents.) It’s an eclectic, artistic city with no shortage of fermented pickles and IPAs. To peg Portland as just a fun and funky place, however, would be to miss out on the high level of finesse and intention operating there on multiple levels. If you’re eager to see the city’s posher side, this is the weekend itinerary you need. A guest room at Portland's The Ritz-Carlton(Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Portland) Friday in Portland If you’re flying out of SFO—a major hub for Alaska Airlines, the main carrier to Portland International Airport (PDX)—the luxe life can start before you get there. The new Alaska lounge, which opened in July 2024 as part of the airport’s expansion of Harvey Milk Terminal 1, is spacious and airy, with 11,000 square feet in which to snack, sip, and indulge in those famous Alaska Air pancakes. Partnerships with Ritual Coffee and Salt & Stone bath products are nice touches, as well. On such a short route (under two hours), it’s easy to opt for a first class ticket. The price isn’t a giant leap for kicking off a fancy weekend, and the extra space and free canned Oregon Old Fashioned from Portland company Straightaway Cocktails served in actual glassware makes it a treat. Once you land, take a car from the lofty PDX, which just underwent a massive $2 billion renovation, adding a nine-acre roof made from local timber over the main terminal, plus 300,000 square feet of new space. Check in to The Ritz-Carlton, Portland (900 SW Washington St.) downtown. This new luxury hotel (and residences) opened in 2023 and is decorated with elements from the area, including crystal-bedecked chandeliers, wood-grain patterned wall panels, and a living plant wall at the entrance. Word is that the designers had a giant, 300-page design deck to guide the project with intentionality. Have an afternoon oyster pick-me-up at French-Norwegian bistro, Maurice.(Courtesy of @maurice_pdx) Settle into your room, one of 251 within 35 stories with great views of the Cascade Range and the Willamette River below, then head out to explore downtown. Pop into nearby shops like Frances May (521 SW 10th Ave.) and the upscale Kiriko Made (1001 SW Morrison St.) for Japanese denim. If your legs get tired, stop for a glass of wine and some oysters at Maurice (921 SW Oak St.), a French- and Norwegian-inspired cafe. Dinner is back at the hotel, up on the 20th floor at Bellpine. New chef de cuisine Jocelyn Chacón arrived at the property this year and is revved up about using all the great Pacific Northwest ingredients. Her menu pulls from her Mexican roots, plus years of experience working in restaurants all over the world, and features dishes like pork belly tamal with marionberry adobo and hazelnut crema, and salmon aguachile with apple kimchi. The glittering cityscape below is magic. If you are up for more, grab a nightcap down at Meadowrue, the forest-inspired lobby bar where twinkling lights and Japanese-influenced small plates set the scene for crafty cocktails and mocktails. Wineries like Alloro Vineyard are just a short drive from downtown Portland.(Courtesy of @alloro_vineyard) Saturday in Portland Right next door to the Ritz is the The Flock food hall (917 SW Adler St.), which opened in 2025 and features a bunch of vendors all in one place. It’s a fun spot to check out, and an easy place to grab some coffee and a pastry before the day’s adventures begin. The hotel works with partner First Nature Tours to offer exclusive, curated excursions to Ritz guests. They also arrange special tours to Oregon’s Willamette Valley, with stops at three wineries for tastings and lunch. It’s a deeper dive into the taste of this region than you’d find easily on your own, with stops at wineries like the pioneering Ponzi Vineyards (19500 SW Mountain Home Rd., Sherwood), where you can tour the cellar and check out historic barrels salvaged from a Coca-Cola plant, to wine- and olive-oil-producing Durant Vineyards (5430 NE Breyman Orchards Rd., Dayton). In between, find yourself on the beautiful grounds of Allorro Vineyard (22185 SW Lebeau Rd., Sherwood), a brand that seems to take inspiration from Italy’s agritourism tradition. This is where lunch happens, and it’s outstanding: fresh focaccia, abundant local cheese and charcuterie boards, and handmade pasta all made by executive chef Denali Whaley. The food is thoughtfully paired with Laurelwood District estate wines, like sparkling Brut Rosé and cool-climate riesling, all enjoyed in the tasting room that feels like a cozy trattoria. Afterward, stroll across the street to visit the animals (pigs! ducks! lambs!). James Beard Award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet combines Hatian and PNW flavors at Kann.(Courtesy of @kannrestaurant) The wine tour takes several hours, so you will be ready to relax and refresh back at the hotel. Don’t nap too long, though: This is a food city and you need to get out to experience some of its most elevated cuisine. It is hard to choose where to go in just one weekend here, as countless restaurants level up to stay in the game. Chefs are pushing boundaries and it is a benefit to us diners. Kann (548 SE Ash St.), one of North America's 50 Best Restaurants of 2025, is where James Beard Award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet brings his Haitian heritage together with regional ingredients in a live-fire format. The flavors are bold, distinct, and different than expected. The space is buzzy, welcoming, vibrant, and colorful, yet also feels classy and refined. A very interesting cocktail program features drinks like the Evergreen Dream—made with douglas fir brandy, melon liqueur, amaro, lime, wasabi, and egg whites—as well as non-alcoholic options that don’t feel like a passive addition. Walk three blocks to end the night at Scotch Lodge (215 SE 9th Ave. #102), the 2026 James Beard winner for Outstanding Bar. The discreet entrance leads you into what feels like a cool basement hideaway with artful wallpaper, glowing lights, and excellent cocktails. Try the Pandan Old Fashioned with mezcal and coconut-oolong demerara. If you still have room, definitely order food as well; word is the pickle-spiced fries and pappardelle with seaweed butter and candied duck are out of this world. Portland Art Museum recently added 100,000 square feet of new and renovated space.(Courtesy of @portlandartmuseum) Sunday in Portland Start the morning with some spa time up at Cloudbreak on Nineteen, the Ritz’s aptly named 19th-floor retreat. It is a serene perch, decorated in neutral tones and set above the city with panoramic views. In lieu of a cold plunge, the spa features a large ice shower, if you can handle that kind of thing. You can also opt for a steam room, dry sauna, or all three. This is also where you’ll find the indoor infinity pool and hot tub, as well as the giant 4,000-square-foot fitness center. Portland gets a lot of professional athletes coming through (it’s home to three major league sports teams: the Portland Trail Blazers, the Portland Timbers, and Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League), and many of them stay here, so the gym is equipped with performance technology favored by folks of a higher level of athleticism than the rest of us. Just notice the 100-pound dumbbells in the mix. Don’t leave the city without a visit to the newly expanded Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave.), less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel. It reopened this past November with 100,000 square feet of new and renovated space to exhibit its impressive collection of sculpture, Native American works, and modern art. The new pavilion area is named for artist Mark Rothko, who grew up in Portland. After exploring the museum, head into the wonderful gift shop for some souvenirs, then sit down for lunch at the new on-site café, Coquelico, run by the team behind local favorite Providore Fine Foods. Baked goods, fancy tea blends, and an afternoon apéritif menu happen here in a bright and cheerful space full of orange and red tones. Don’t skip desserts like the multicolored Rothko cake. Don't forget to leave enough time at PDX to stop by Blue Star Donuts for an apple cider fritter.(Courtesy of @bluestardonuts) This weekend visit is just the tip of the iceberg, so make plans to return for more exploring. Allow enough time before flying back to enjoy the PDX though, stopping at Tender Loving Empire—the brand and mercantile that features and supports all local makers—as well as Blue Star Donuts, because you can’t go wrong with an apple cider fritter for the flight home. --- ### 31 Fun Things to Do This Week (9.7.26) **Published:** September 4, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-9-7-26-2677810053.html.md Beautiful things are happening this week. Witness the return of Flower Piano and gawk at floral displays in a Filoli exhibit inspired by The Gilded Age; give back at volunteer events at Sunset Dunes and in the Embarcadero; and get inspired all around town with shows and performances in SoMa, Dogpatch, Oakland, and the Presidio. Jump ahead to this week's top events: Be the main character at Filoli's "Fleurs de Villes." Wander through the magic of Flower Piano at the SF Botanical Garden. Give back on 9/11 at a group volunteer cleanup with Refuse Refuse. Rock out on Mount Tam at the daylong music festival Sound Summit. Have a good one. Spend your day off at a pizza party when Flour + Water pops up at Stanly Ranch for a day of wood-fired pies, wine, and brown butter cereal crunch soft serve; Monday, 12pm to 5pm. // Stanly Ranch, 200 Stanly Crossroad (Napa); tickets at resy.com Taste your way through the pinot noirs and chardonnays of Alsace, Oregon, Germany, Eastern Europe, and more in a class dedicated to varietal comparison; Monday, 6pm. // Fox and Lion Bread, 3350 18th St. (Mission); tickets at givebutter.com Get cozy in the kitchen with 18 Reasons, the Mission's nonprofit teaching kitchen. Pop into this week's classes on regional Italian and Sicilian food—yes, cannoli are involved— or check out their full October lineup of good cooking. // 18 Reasons, 3674 18th St. (Mission); register at 18reasons.org Thank you to our partners at 18 Reasons. Learn from master chocolatier Shekoh Moossavi at the new Shekoh Culinary Institute's debut class on Persian classics like ghormeh sabzi and shirazi salad; Wednesday at 11am. // Shekoh Culinary Institute, 2565 3rd St. (Dogpatch); tickets at shekohculinaryinstitute.com Try out Sergeant Ma, the new dining destination from chef Jason Halverson inspired by his mother with a menu that draws on Northern California's seasonality, SF’s innovative spirit, and Asian tradition; opening Wednesday at 4pm. // Sergeant Ma, 185 Berry St. (Mission Bay); reservations at opentable.com Be the main character at "Fleurs de Villes," a fresh floral celebration and display inspired by the opulence, ambition, and iconic characters The Gilded Age; Wednesday through Sept. 18th. // Filoli, 86 Cañada Rd. (Woodside); tickets at filoli.org Get a new perspective on San Francisco at the Architecture + the City Festival. Join architecture and design professionals, hobbyists, and enthusiasts for a month of events including exclusive home and walking tours, industry talks, a Bay boat tour, film screenings, and more; Thursday through September 26th. // Details and tickets at centersf.org Thank you to our partners at the Architecture + The City Festival. Check out Character Development, a new exhibit from the Minnesota Street Project Foundation and Kadist that brings together internationally acclaimed artists in six video installations tackling everything from consumer culture to postcolonialism; Thursday through Oct. 31st. // Minnesota Street Project Foundation, 1201 Minnesota St. (Dogpatch); details at minnesotastreetproject.org Wander through the magic of Flower Piano, which returns with 130 performances, 12 pianos, and 11 days of music in one of SF’s most beautiful outdoor spaces. Upgrade your experience with tickets for the Zoox Lounge for access to premium food and exclusive performances; Thursday through Sept. 20th. // San Francisco Botanical Garden, 1199 9th Ave. (Golden Gate Park); tickets included with admission at gggp.org Thank you to our partners at the Gardens of Golden Gate Park. Listen to real-life love stories performed by playwrights, comedians, and novelists in Rosario Dawson’s genre-defying Crushing show; Thursday through Saturday at 7:30pm. // Strand Theater, 1127 Market St. (SoMa); tickets at act-sf.org Bring your favorite Star Wars nerd to see Luke Skywalker face down Darth Vader while the San Francisco Symphony performs John Williams's Return of the Jedi score live to picture; Thursday and Saturday at 7:30pm. // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org Give back on 9/11 at a group volunteer cleanup along the Muni 1 Route with the folks at Refuse Refuse; Friday, 10am to 3pm. // Sacramento St. and Drumm St. (Embarcadero); sign up at mobilize.us Fill your weekend with exceptional wines, incredible food, live music, and coastal views at the return of Winesong; Friday at 1pm and Saturday at 11am. // Location details and tickets at winesong.org Make your way through the Bernal Heights Cinema Series, three days of local independent films screened across parks, cafés, studios, galleries, and public spaces; Friday through Sunday. // Location and schedule at bhoutdoorcine.org Pick and stomp some grapes at Alexander Valley Vineyards' harvest celebration filled with vino, barbecue, and bingo; Saturday, 9am to 2pm. // Alexander Valley Vineyards, 8644 CA-128 (Healdsburg); tickets at exploretock.com Go coastal on a community bioblitz, where neighbors will come together to explore local nature and help researchers track San Francisco's coastal biodiversity; Saturday, 10am to 1:30pm. // Sunset Dunes, Great Hwy. (Outer Sunset); register at californiavolunteers.ca.gov Enjoy a brunch soirée with La Boulangerie full of free pastries, live DJ sets, and giveaways to mark the grand opening of its new Marina cafe; Saturday, 10am to 2pm. // La Boulangerie de Marina, 2300 Chestnut St. (Marina); details at laboulangeriesf.com Find something one-of-a-kind at Plaza Palooza, where you can shop handcrafted jewelry, candles, and vintage goods while Bay Area hip-hop icon Ruby Ibarra croons; Saturday, 11am to 4pm. // Levi’s Plaza Park, 1200 Battery St. (Embarcadero); details at eventbrite.com Discover the surprising versatility of cabernet sauvignon through a multi-course journey featuring Sequoia Grove Winery's finest single-vineyard, reserve wines paired with unconventional, terroir-highlighting dishes from chef Bryce Palmer. Enjoy an exclusive and unforgettable culinary adventure in an intimate communal setting. // Sequoia Grove Winery, 8338 St Helena Hwy. (Napa); reservations at sequoiagrove.com Thank you to our partners at Sequoia Grove Winery. Revisit the newly reopened Empress of China building for an open house celebration with archival photo projections, hands-on art activities, and a closing dance from the Grant Avenue Follies; Saturday, 11am to 4pm. // The Empress of China, 838 Grant Ave. (Chinatown); free, details at cmacsanfrancisco.org Stop by for Dutcher Crossing’s “Taste of Home,” a series of tasting stations throughout the vineyard pairing wines with seasonal, locally sourced bites; Saturday, 11am to 4pm. // Dutcher Crossing Winery, 8533 Dry Creek Rd. (Geyserville); details at dutchercrossingwinery.com Rock out on Mount Tam at Sound Summit, a daylong music festival with performances from Father John Misty, Guster, and Jerry Harrison's 50 Years of Talking Heads project, with proceeds funding trail restoration and other park conservation; Saturday at 11:30am. // Mountain Theater, Easy Grade Trail (Mill Valley); tickets at soundsummit.net Swing a stein at Original Pattern's Oktoberfest bash, with house-brewed German beers, bratwurst and schnitzel, polka, and a costume raffle for your best dirndl or lederhosen; Saturday, 12pm to 8pm. //Original Pattern Brewing, 292 4th St. (Oakland); tickets at eventbrite.com Dig into a crawfish boil to support Baddies Who Crab at a NOLA-inspired communal feast; Saturday, 12pm to 3pm. // Southern Pacific Brewing, 620 Treat Ave. (Mission); tickets at markitai.com Bring your pup to cheer on the Giants at the season’s final dog-friendly game. A portion of every ticket benefits the SF SPCA; Saturday at 1:05pm. // Oracle Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza (Mission Bay); tickets at mlb.com Explore a new group show spotlighting figurative work from a rotating lineup of Bay Area artists at Mercury Twenty's Present Figures exhibition; opens Saturday, 3pm to 5 pm. // Mercury Twenty Gallery, 475 25th St. (Oakland); details at mercurytwenty.com Make a weekend escape to Joseph Phelps Vineyards, where sweeping views set the stage for afternoons filled with food and wine at The Phelps Table, a seasonal culinary experience pairing a multi-course menu with a selection of thoughtfully chosen wines from across the Joseph Phelps portfolio. // Joseph Phelps Vineyards, 200 Taplin Rd. (St. Helena); reservations at exploretock.com Thank you to our partners at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Join winemaker Michael Baldacci and his family for a three-course al fresco dinner to share stories and toast the brand’s 2023 cabernet vintage; Saturday, 5:30pm to 9pm. // Baldacci Family Vineyards, 6236 Silverado Trail (Napa); tickets at baldaccivineyards.com Laugh through some Good Medicine, a stand-up show featuring rising Native comedians with live music, food from Wahpepah's Kitchen, and a Native artisan market; Saturday, 6pm to 10pm. // OMCA,1000 Oak St. (Oakland); tickets at museumca.org Discover the new works of RAWdance. Their Concept series debuts this weekend with works and works-in-progress from five Bay Area choreographers in a close-knit setting; Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 3:30pm and 7:30pm. // War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, 401 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at rawdance.org Kick off the Presidio Theatre's new season with riveting performances from the Parsons Dance Company; Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2pm. // Presidio Theatre, 99 Moraga Ave. (Presidio); tickets at presidiotheatre.org --- ### Forget Airbnb: Boutique rental company BeautifulPlaces has the Wine Country vacation home of your dreams. **Published:** September 3, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Wine Country **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/beautifulplaces-wine-country-vacation-rentals-2677817134.html.md High above Wine Country, an Italianate villa crowns the Mayacamas Mountains. On one side, the Tuscan-style estate faces a small, private vineyard bound by a broad green lawn where deer graze in the twilight hours. On the other, the patio of a large pool with a sunken hot tub is lined with swooping loungers; a dreamy, vine-strung pergola hangs over a massive dining table next to a bocce ball court. Villa Nel Bosco(Courtesy of BeautifulPlaces) Villa Nel Bosco isn’t a hotel. You won’t find it on Airbnb or VRBO or Booking.com. Part of the collection managed by the 23-year-old boutique rental company BeautifulPlaces, only they hold the key to the four-bedroom manse. There are around three dozen BeautifulPlaces in Sonoma and Napa (plus a handful of properties in the Virgin Islands and, soon, Santa Barbara) and the company’s name says a lot about its portfolio. They are, indeed, beautiful places. “We like to say there’s a certain je ne sais quoi about all our properties, something unique and special,” says co-founder Liza Graves, who started the company with Patrick Smith in 2003. At Villa Nel Bosco, the oversized wooden door opens into an airy, high-ceilinged space with a dramatic, winding staircase at its center. The kitchen looks like it belongs to a professional chef, a row of windows across the back wall provides a view of the pool from the massive wooden dining table, and two separate downstairs sitting rooms are cozified with overstuffed leather couches and original art commissioned specifically for the home. Upstairs in the vaulted-ceilinged primary bedroom is a grand king-sized bed with a linen headboard and an en-suite bath with both a soaking tub and a glass-walled shower. A door opens onto the Romeo and Juliet balcony with a circular daybed big enough for two. Simply Divine(Courtesy of BeautifulPlaces) At $1,295 per night, this stunning estate for up to eight guests is one of BeautifulPlaces’ mid-range properties. On the high end is Sonoma’s “Simply Divine,” a 12-person, 7,800-square-foot wonderland with a massive stone fireplace in the great room, a huge screened-in porch/dining room, a media room, a game room, tennis and basketball courts, and a legit speakeasy with a pool table, full bar, and stage for karaoke. A couple of the properties in Napa rival this unbelievable place just minutes from downtown Sonoma, says Graves. But while all of BeautifulPlaces’ rental homes are luxe, with impressive amenities and bespoke decor, most are modest enough for a family or group of friends to afford a taste of the good life. “Lux on First,” a charming Craftsman less than a block from the Sonoma Plaza, is an oasis built for four with a recently renovated two-bed, two-bath interior, refurbished pool, and outdoor fire pit. Two petite upstairs apartments (Vine Alley 1 and Vine Alley 2) are even closer, literally overlooking the plaza from their balconies. The five-bedroom, 10-person “Twilight Ridge” is just far enough into the hills to capture some of the best views in Wine Country from its expansive pool deck and outdoor kitchen and dining room. Twilight Ridge(Courtesy of BeautifulPlaces) Short-term rentals like these have a three- to four-night minimum. For longer stays, monthly rentals like the Day Dreamer—an elegant, 3,000-square-foot, four-bedroom home with a pool, pickleball court, sauna, and much more—range from around $12,000 to a cool $90,000 per month. Regardless of the length of stay, these “vacation rentals can be anything you want them to be,” says Graves. If you want to throw a medieval party or arrive to a pool filled with balloons, the BeautifulPlaces operations team will take care of the details. They’ll arrange for a private chef to come and cook you dinner or a massage therapist to work out your knots in privacy. If any issues or last-minute requests arise, they’re always on call. “I love it when people say, ‘we love the house,’” Graves says. “But I love when people say, ‘we loved being together at the house’ even more.” Back at Villa Nel Bosco, we do love spending the time together on what feels like a European vacation that took less than two hours to reach. We make quick work of the complimentary wine left in the kitchen, sipping it in the jacuzzi under the stars. We eat our breakfast beneath the pergola and nap in the late-afternoon sun on the balcony daybed. We make dinner one night in the well-appointed kitchen and sleep deeply on beds so comfortable they’re hard to leave in the morning light. Day Dreamer(Courtesy of BeautifulPlaces) In the privacy of the Mayacamas, we feel as at home as we do far away from the day-to-day—which is pretty much what Graves has had in mind since the beginning. “We fell in love with the idea of living like a local,” she says. Given how often they welcome repeat clients, their guests have, too. // See the vacation homes available for short- and long-term rental in Wine Country and beyond at beautiful-places.com --- ### September Style: Snoopy Goes Glam, Bank Street Flea Returns + More Shop Talk **Published:** September 2, 2026 | **Author:** Gail Goldberg | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/shop-talk-snoopy-bank-street-flea-2677810398.html.md Snoopy and the Peanuts gang are the stars of the show at events in both NYC and Santa Rosa. Plus, get your glow on at Jones Road Beauty’s new Palo Alto store, ready your totes for San Anselmo’s chicest flea market, and hit up a fashion show featuring pre-loved looks in Hayes Valley. --- ### Hikes With Drinks: 5 Bay Area Trails That End at the Bar **Published:** September 1, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Outdoor Adventures **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/bay-area-hikes-with-drinks-2403661739.html.md Sure, hiking is rewarding: the exercise, the fresh air, the peace and quiet. But why not also have a toast to celebrate your hard work? With these five Bay Area hikes, that cold beer or glass of crisp wine is no mirage—they're waiting at the bar just at the end of the trail. --- ### A coastal roadhouse + inn near Santa Cruz turns the page with refreshed rooms and a State Bird alum for chef. **Published:** August 31, 2026 | **Author:** Amber Turpin | **Section:** Getaways **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/davenport-roadhouse-santa-cruz-2677800268.html.md I got married on October 1st, 2011, in a little red schoolhouse in the Santa Cruz Mountains. After the wedding, my new husband, Dave, and I drove my 1998 white Subaru Impreza named “Luna” up and over winding mountain roads under a full moon to drop down at the coast, staying the night as a newly married couple at the Davenport Roadhouse. Most people, including us, didn’t even realize there were hotel rooms here. It was a roadhouse, known more for its long history, hearty food, and fun times. But it fit our budget and the proximity to Santa Cruz, where we had to be super early the next day to sling caffeine from the coffee shop we just opened on Mission Street a couple months before. Almost exactly fifteen years later, a lot has changed. Fortunately, Dave and I are still married, but that coffee shop has closed, there’s now a fourteen year old kid in the family. I have a different Subaru, and sadly, the little red schoolhouse was destroyed in the CZU Lightning Complex wildfire that tore through those mountain roads in August of 2020. Outside the Davenport Roadhouse on Highway 1 north of Santa Cruz(Justine Almodóvar) And I’m happy to say that the Davenport Roadhouse has entered a new chapter as well, in all good ways. Last summer, siblings Ginny Miller and Teddy Miller, and business partner Gavin Parsons (plus a third partner, Cascade Dewitt on the hotel renovation management side), took the place over, saving the Davenport Roadhouse from time’s degradation and a series of ownership changes, breathing new life and energy into the favorite local landmark. The Miller family came on surfing trips to this stretch of coast frequently, and brother Teddy has lived in Davenport for years. They have entered this big life change with courage, taking on 126 years of history, growing pains, and a limited budget, to create a space that welcomes the old and new. Our motto is “the magic is in the mix,” says Ginny. “You can’t control what happens because you’re a roadhouse.” It’s true, and that’s what makes it so cool. Walking in on a typical afternoon you might belly up to the bar next to the two lumberjacks that are regulars for a burger and a beer, a rancher carpenter from Pescadero, a pro surfer, and a Boomer couple on vacation. There’s likely a family playing shuffle board in the corner library, as well. “The goal is to create a space that can somehow be a vibe that appeals to all of those people,” Ginny says.“The point is to be one thing that resonates with a lot of people.” They have hit the nail on the head in that regard, being authentic and welcoming, as well as open to feedback and incremental change. Room 5 at Davenport Roadhouse(Lauren Segal) There’s only nine hotel rooms upstairs, including the “big room,” Room 5 on the corner—where Dave and I stayed. When I tell Ginny this little personal history, she says that when she re-envisioned this particular room she was actually thinking this space would be perfect as a wedding suite. Family and friends could stay in the other smaller rooms and create a whole block of celebration up on the wraparound deck. The roadhouse building has a lot of lore, as any structure over 100 years old will have. So does the town, where the Davenport Wharf (now just a few blocks of cement in the ocean) operated as a component to the whaling industry in the 1800s. In the 1980s, the building was an artist residency of Big Creek Pottery, a collective of ceramic artists that lived in the rooms above. It’s been said that in the mornings they would lower empty crab cages down to the kitchen on the first floor where the bakers would fill them with cinnamon rolls to pull up. That breakfast delivery system hasn’t been reestablished, but you can still walk downstairs for a fresh scone and a cappuccino. Ginny has a background working for a design firm in New York, so when they decided to embark on the renovation, they pulled from personal experience as well as input from friends in the know. With a bit of help from interior designer Jacquelyn Morris they were able to create a kind of template for style, era, color scheme, and textures. She warned them it would be a lot of work, but that’s the kind of project this is: a bootstrappy, curated vision with a lot of hands-on involvement. The result is a collection of mostly found and vintage furniture, a lot of auction items and visits to antique stores. Facebook Marketplace was utilized a lot, as well as Alameda Flea, where most of the board games and hardcover books now adorning the rooms and the library area in the lounge came from. (Lauren Segal) The hotel rooms—no two the same—are tastefully simple and clean. A few standout pieces like the Stickley couch in Room 5, balanced with secondhand leather, velvet, and wood furniture finds. Small intentional touches like sprigs of dried wildflowers in a vintage glass jar and an antique skeleton key in a ceramic pot are heartfelt. Other elements to note are the four poster pine beds, The Citizenry moss green quilted coverlets, sisal-covered floors, vaulted tiled showers, and gingham curtains on the tall, floor-to-ceiling windows looking out at the ocean. Adirondack chairs and wooden wine barrel furniture is positioned at different angles on the wraparound balcony deck to catch the views, and cozy plaid wool blankets are out there for when the inevitable fog rolls in. There are no TVs, mini fridges, or charging stations, and real brass keys unlock your room (there are also door codes texted to you for a self-check if you opt for that, along with a sweet playlist for your drive). It feels bare bones in a welcoming way, with all your immediate needs met—like the pour over coffee stations with mini bags of organic Alta Coffee, started here in Davenport by Patti Spooner over 25 years ago. The Roadhouse is not trying to be upscale and modern. It feels refreshed but authentic, suitable to its origins. The restaurant is the heart of the Roadhouse, and the decor feels appropriately rustic yet spiffed up with plaid upholstery, flickering iron chandeliers, new outdoor side seating, and a big backyard with a wooden pirate ship. This space is open and sunny, with nice landscaping and long picnic tables, perfect for parties and kiddos. There’s also another bar out there that they use for special events and pop ups, like the recent one with fisher friend, The Big Anchovy. Jessie Curran, formerly of the Atomic Workshop Group that heads State Bird Provisions, is the new executive chef at Davenport Roadhouse.(Lauren Segal) After a little bit of trial and error in the kitchen, Jessie Curran has taken on the role of executive chef, following her time in San Francisco with the Atomic Workshop group (State Bird Provisions, The Progress, The Anchovy Bar). It turns out that Ginny went to college with Curran’s twin sister, which is how they connected. Curran, a new mom, moved down to Santa Cruz for a bit of a slower pace, and has injected the menu with renewed energy, while keeping things unfussy but done well. That comes in the form of some nostalgic classics like a smashburger, pimento grilled cheese, and fish and chips. Fresh dishes include a little gem salad with a cashew green goddess; tangy guacamole with pumpkin seeds and thick stone ground tortilla chips; or the wonderfully herby and chewy barley kale salad with brown butter dates. There’s also steamed clams, a couple giant panuozzo sandwiches made utilizing the wood fired pizza oven onsite, and a housemade veggie burger. The extensive bar program, put together by Kate Ellis, features some creative seasonal drinks, like the Sundowner with sungold tomatoes or the salty sweet Preserved Lemon Drop. But there’s also a nod to classics, like a brimming-to-the-etched-glass-edge, extra Dirty Martini with three olives and the simply perfect Roadhouse Marg. You’ll stumble in and find live music most afternoons and evenings, adding to the very local community-centric feeling here (just read Ginny’s sweet post about the project), mixed with the eclectic crowd that stops on their way up or down the coast. There’s a small mercantile nook selling Davenport Roadhouse merch, ceramics, a few books, and local art, such as Tina Somers’ greeting cards (she also created a cute illustrated map of the area that receive if you’re staying the night). The Roadhouse collaborates with local artists and companies at the inn and restaurant.(Justine Almodóvar) The “artist collaboration side has been really fun, and has embodied the ethos of this place really well,” comments Ginny. That map will show you how much there is to do here… in the daytime. Across the street is the entrance to Secret Beach (locals also call it Odwalla Beach because the original juice factory used to be right there). You can go down to the water, or walk along the coastline bluff and check out the remnants of the old pier as well as the cypress grove a bit further north. Also north is the new Cotoni-Coast Dairies hiking area, with nine miles of trails winding into the hills on the eastern side of Highway 1, just up from the old cement plant. And there’s also a new Coastal Rail Trail, 32 miles of newly paved coastal connection along the railroad line from Watsonville to Davenport. The Roadhouse has a partnership with Santa Cruz E-Bike Rentals that keeps a fleet parked here so guests can easily book for a biking adventure. Come nighttime, Davenport is sleepy. The Roadhouse is the pulse of town and you’re staying at the only place open, the spot that draws people here in the first place. So unless you want to drive into Santa Cruz (also pretty sleepy after 9pm), you’re spending the evening in your room with a good book… or your new spouse. // 1 Davenport Ave. (Davenport), davenportroadhouse.com The ocean view from Davenport(Lauren Segal) --- ### 28 Fun Things to Do This Week (8.31.26) **Published:** August 28, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-8-31-26-2677781597.html.md Have your pick of fun before the long weekend. Fuel up with a visit to the new Cinderella Bakery and Café and lunch specials at MKT and on Santana Row. Get inspired at a mini film festival of SF local history, a reimagined The Girl of the Golden West opera, and the World Arts West Dance Festival in the Presidio. Getting out for Labor Day? Stroll through dahlia blooms in Mendo or feast on a seafood buffet on the Sonoma Coast. Jump ahead to this week's top events: Grab a sweet lunch deal to benefit World Central Kitchen on Santana Row. Check out the OMCA for an after hours First Friday party. Stroll the Castro Art Walk. Let a little magic into your life at a Harry Potter-themed spectacle at Oracle Park. Have a good one. Visit Cinderella’s sister shop. The new outpost of the beloved bakery and cafe has officially opened in the Mission; Mondays through Sundays, 8am to 6pm. // Cinderella Bakery & Café, Mission District, 2937 24th St. (Mission); details at cinderellabakery.com Take a long lunch with MKT, which is showcasing peak-season California produce with a special three-course prix fixe; through September 22nd. // MKT Restaurant & Bar, 757 Market St. (Union Square); details at fourseasons.com Grab a sweet lunch deal for a good cause. All month long you can enjoy $25 prix-fixe weekday lunches at restaurants in Santana Row with proceeds benefiting World Central Kitchen; Mondays through Fridays through September. // Details and participating restaurants at santanarow.com in San Jose Enjoy some reading time with fellow book lovers at an SF Public Library-organized Silent Book Club. Sit down with a drink and whatever you’re reading for an hour of uninterrupted time, then stay to discuss with others; Wednesday, 5:30pm to 7pm. // Magnolia Brewing, 1398 Haight St. (Haight-Ashbury); details at sfpl.org Try your luck at some tiles during a night of “Martinis and Mahjong,” where your ticket gets you access to open tables, beginner lessons, and a special themed cocktail; Wednesday, 5:30pm to 7:30pm. // The Jay, Autograph Collection, 433 Clay St. (FiDi); tickets at eventbrite.com Screen your way through local history at a “Shaping Legacy: San Francisco Monuments & Memorials,” a mini festival featuring eight films and panels with artists and communities behind notable projects; Wednesday at 6pm. // San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin St. (Civic Center); details at sfpl.org Learn the secrets of classic Asian puddings and jellies when Bake Sum authors Joyce Tang and Soleil Ho talk about their new cookbook full of recipes and essays on Asian American food and identity; Wednesday at 6:30pm. // Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez St. (Noe Valley); details at omnivorebooks.myshopify.com Dance all night to salsa and cumbia when Mexico City’s legendary Sonido La Conga headlines Downtown First Thursdays for a Carnaval-inspired celebration; Thursday, 5pm to 10pm. // Second St. between Market St. and Howard St. (SoMa); RSVP at eventbrite.com Enjoy plant-based snacks along with a free evening set in Little Saint's intimate upstairs venue. This week, LA-based Olivia Kaplan stops by; Thursday at 6pm. // Little Saint, 25 North St. (Healdsburg); details at littlesainthealdsburg.com Soak up summer in Silicon Valley. Go for a night swim, lounge by the water, or groove to DJ sets at Treehouse Hotel’s weekly late-night pool parties; Thursdays, 7pm to 9pm through September. // Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, 1100 North Mathilda Ave. (Sunnyvale); details at treehousehotels.com Check out the OMCA after hours for a First Friday party with Oakland-born, Grammy-winning vocalist PHER, a JAZZ.FM DJ set, drag storytime, and suncatcher-making; Friday, 5pm to 9pm. // Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St. (Oakland); details at museumca.org Witness wine as art as a live artist from Vignette du Vin paints an illustration of Silverado's historic mansion with a red blend while you enjoy drinks, bites, and live music; Friday, 6pm to 8pm. // Silverado Resort, 1600 Atlas Peak Rd. (Napa Valley); details at silveradoresort.com Saddle up for The Girl of the Golden West, Puccini's Gold Rush-era opera staged with a new English translation and live piano accompaniment; Friday at 7pm, and Sunday at 2pm. // Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center, 1010 River St. (Santa Cruz); tickets at thomasclarktenor.com Stroll the Castro Art Walk for an after-hours peek into local galleries, studios, and small businesses; Friday, 5pm to 8pm. // Location details at castroartwalk.com Hear the woman behind "Bam Bam" live when dancehall pioneer Sister Nancy brings her Steady Rock Band to the Chapel's stage; Friday at 9pm. // The Chapel, 777 Valencia St. (Mission); tickets at eventim.us Flow through a Vinyasa class with skyline views and Bay breezes at an outdoor Treasure Island class; Sunday, 10:15am to 11:15am. // Cityside Park, 387 Avenue of the Palms (Treasure Island); register at tisf.com Spend an afternoon among gorgeous dahlias and bring home your own bouquet of farm-fresh blooms at EarthSpoke Farms’ highly Instagrammable “u-pick” days; Saturdays through September, 10am to 3pm. // EarthSpoke Farms, 13501 Point Cabrillo Dr. (Mendocino); tickets at earthspokefarms.com Witness 500 years of history and tradition when Ensambles Ballet Folklórico takes the stage for Anniversary of the Pearl, a celebration of Mexican dance, music and culture; Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. // Blue Shield of California Theater at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St. (SoMa); tickets at cityboxoffice.com Let a little magic into your life at a Harry Potter-themed spectacle that combines moments and music from the iconic films with a live drone light show; Saturday at 6:15pm. // Oracle Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza (Mission Bay); tickets at thedroneartshow.com Dance along at the final weekend of the World Arts West Dance Festival, with free performances from four cultural companies plus hands-on Brazilian dance and line-dancing workshops; Sunday, 1pm to 4pm. // Presidio Tunnel Tops, 210 Lincoln Blvd. (Presidio); details at eventbrite.com Feast on the flavors of the Sonoma Coast at a family-style Labor Day buffet featuring coastal favorites like rock cod ceviche and salmon burgers with a side of bluff views; Sunday, 1pm to 4pm. // Timber Cove Resort, 21780 CA-1 (Jenner); reservations at resy.com Cheer for Wakanda at a free outdoor screening of Black Panther during the return of Yerba Buena Movie Nights. The one-of-a-kind experience comes complete with popcorn, pre-show activities, and a drag performance from KaiKai Bee Michaels. Pack up your picnic blanket for an epic evening under San Francisco skies; Saturday, 6:30pm to 9:30pm. // Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between 3rd St. and 4th St. (SoMa); details at ybgfestival.org Thank you to our partners at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. Pedal with your pup for the Dogon’ Bike Ride, where dogs are welcome by bag, basket, or bike trailer for a ruff-ly three mile ride followed by a dog show, activities, test rides, and more fun for furry friends; Saturday, 11:15am to 2pm. // Sunset Dunes, Great Hwy at Judah St. (Outer Sunset); details and RSVP at sunsetdunes.org Embark on a grown-up trek with the Chabot Space and Science Center. Enjoy drinks, charcuterie, and stargazing following your choice of an immersive outdoor experience or short guided hike for the 21+ crowd; Saturday, 5pm or 7:30pm. // Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. (Oakland); tickets at chabotspace.org Check out cool vintage, classic, and luxury cars at the 5th Annual Chinatown Car Show and stay for a day of lion dances, live music, martial arts demos, and parade; Sunday, 10am to 3:30pm. // Grant Ave. between Broadway St. and California St. (Chinatown); details at eventbrite.com Make the most of summer’s final days at Chandon's Labor Day Garden Party. Sip sparkling wine, savor delicious seasonal bites, play lawn games, and enjoy a DJ spinning tunes in the garden at this end-of-summer celebration; Sunday, 10am to 3pm. // Chandon, 1 California Dr, Yountville); tickets at chandon.com Thank you to our partners at Chandon. Sit back for some low-key jazz at Manny’s weekly jam nights—and bring your own instrument to join the fun; Sunday, 5:30pm to 8:30pm. // Manny's, 3092 16th St. (Mission); details at eventbrite.com Look up during a guided bird walk and learn how avian creatures support pollination, seed dispersal, and the ecosystem at Alemany Farm; Sunday, 10am to 12pm. // Alemany Farm, 700 Alemany Blvd. (Bernal Heights); details at eventbrite.com --- ### Eames Institute Expands Public Access in Anticipation of Upcoming Museum **Published:** August 28, 2026 | **Author:** Emily Wilson | **Section:** Art + Design **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/eames-institute-expansion-2677791934.html.md The Eames Institute in Richmond, California, dedicated to “preserving and promoting” the legacy of modernist design heroes Ray and Charles Eames, recently expanded. It has new exhibitions available to tour, as well as spaces for events like panel discussions and film screenings. Llisa Demetrios, chief curator of the institute and the granddaughter of Charles and his first wife, says all kinds of people sign up to walk through the collection—some superfans and some who have barely heard of the signature Eames chairs. Education, she says, starts right away with an image on the wall. The new Welcome Center at the Eames Institute(Courtesy of the Eames Institute) “There are some people who come on the tour and think that Ray and Charles are brothers,” Demetrios says. “This is our first lesson—they were a married couple.” Ray Eames started out her artistic life as a painter, while Charles began as an architect. Demetrios points to the skirt Ray wears in the image. “Ray designed her own clothing, which can be architectural too, and in that skirt, there are 10 pockets. You can’t see them—they’re deep pockets that have her sketch pad, her sewing kit, her camera—it's her toolkit without you even realizing it,” she says. The collection, which Demetrios’ mother inherited after Ray’s passing in 1988, contains 40,000 items. It took seven people five years to count everything. Many of the objects aren’t on view in Richmond (the institute is working on a full museum that’s set to open at the midcentury Novato warehouse that was home to Birkenstock USA in 2030), but you get some idea of the collection’s immensity walking through boxes of toys (Demetrios says there are more than 200) with labels like “Dolls Japan” and “Clay figures.” In another room are shelves and shelves of books on subjects including architecture, art, Hollywood, and geography. These set the tone for the way the Eames explored materials and ideas, Demetrios says. Ray's packing list(Courtesy of the Eames Institute) “It starts maybe with furniture, but they're going to end up doing exhibits. They're going to do graphics. They're going to do aquarium proposals, multi-screen presentations,” she explains. “For me it begins with their own home that they designed, and also the collections their toy collection and their library, and how those become the grounding of things that will come.” In a digital age, people long for physical items, Demetrios says, and they love seeing tools used by the Eameses. Some of the items on view are letters, family photos, packing lists on which Ray drew things like the dresses and shoes and gloves she would take, and her early paintings. Other eye-catching items include a musical tower. Demetrios demonstrates how to ring a bell to signal someone on the floor above to drop a marble down the 15-foot vertical xylophone, which plays a tune by Elmer Bernstein, known for his work on film scores, including some of short ones by the Eameses. There’s also a “Magic Square,” part of the Mathematica: A World of Numbers. . . and Beyond exhibition they produced in 1961 for a new wing at the California Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles. They researched the most popular exhibit at science museums before designing it, says Demetrious—a chick hatching out of an egg. The Eameses knew whatever they created had to beat that (although it would be difficult to be cuter). From the 12-or-so concepts they came up with, their favorite was the magic square, in which columns and rows add up to the same number. Three-by-three versions have been around since medieval times, says Demetrious; the one they made is eight-by-eight. The Magic Square(Courtesy of the Eames Institute) Walking through the institute, you also see stacks and stacks of the chairs that made the couple famous in an array of colors and styles. Demetrios grew up surrounded by bold hues. As a child, she thought rainbows came from these drawers, she says, opening one filled with a collection of yellow, red, orange, and green pencils. Demetrios hopes visitors get more than just the joy of encountering these physical objects from touring the collection; she hopes they get a sense of how design can solve problems and make the world better. She loves the motto the Eameses had when they worked with furniture maker Herman Miller, that there’s “goodness all the way down.” “It has to be good for the company, good for the person making the furniture, good for the designer, good for the community, and good for the environment,” Demetrios explains. The upcoming museum will be able to take these ideas even further, she adds. “It's going to be far more than just Ray and Charles' work and designs. It's also going to be world-class artists, as well as up-and-coming artists. It's going to be about making and materials. It's going to be about design and architecture and art.” // Eames Archives Guided tours start at 10am on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and must be booked in advance. Tickets are released for each month at 10am on the first day of the previous month; 1330 S. 51st St. (Richmond), eamesinstitute.org The new Connections Center at the Eames InstituteCourtesy of the Eames Institute) --- ### 'Flower Piano' celebrates its 11th Anniversary at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. **Published:** August 27, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/flower-piano-sf-botanical-garden-2677782894.html.md In the final days of summer, Flower Piano will fill the San Francisco Botanical Garden with music. During the annual event’s 11th anniversary this September 10th through 20th, 12 pianos will be spread out across the plant collections spanning the garden’s 55 acres. Each will host a wide range of scheduled professional and community partner performances, along with time for open play, when anyone is invited to sit down at the keys. “Flower Piano is a gift to all of us. There is no other event quite like it,” says Dean Mermell, who co-founded the event with Mauro ffortissimo. (Courtesy of Flower Piano) The two launched Sunset Piano in 2013, when ffortissimo covertly rolled an old grand piano onto the bluffs over Half Moon Bay, attracting thousands before the county ordered the piano removed. Since then, Sunset Piano has expanded this impromptu musical and social experiment, temporarily placing pianos in a wide variety of unexpected natural and urban settings around the Bay Area every year, from the top of Montara Mountain to Market Street. But Flower Piano, a collaboration with San Francisco Botanical Garden, is Sunset Piano’s largest and most ambitious undertaking. “Where else can you see virtuoso-level performances in a mind-blowing natural setting, surrounded on all sides by an adoring public just a few feet away?” continues Mermell. “Everyday superstars show up all the time, people who have never even performed in front of a live audience, and they are absolutely amazing musicians. All this makes Flower Piano possibly the world’s only interactive music festival.” This year, the Botanical Garden’s Celebration Garden will be transformed into the upgraded musical landscape: Zoox Lounge at Flower Piano. Tickets—which start at $40 and include both single-day and all-access, three-day weekend passes—provide priority entry to the festival, special performances from local headliners, access to premium bars, food from local makers, lounge seating, dedicated restrooms, and the flexibility to relax and enjoy all areas of the festival at will. (Courtesy of Flower Piano) The full Flower Piano program features more than 100 performances, including solos, duos, and ensembles. Familiar favorites such as Sarah Cahill, Serene, Allison Lovejoy, Sixth Station Trio, and Latin Grammy nominee Ramiro Boero in a special program with the Awesome Orchestra will be joined by several new artists and special performances. In the Lounge, performers will include Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Diana Gameros and Friends, Liz Kennedy, Sumi Lee Tango Quartet, and more. It will also host the opening night event on Thursday, September 10th, featuring La Gente SF, and bring the festival to a close on Sunday, September 20th, with the Kev Choice Chamber Ensemble. Other events in 2026 will include the third annual Flower Piano Fashion Show, which invites visitors to strut the catwalk in their best Flower Piano-themed outfit on Saturday, September 19th, from 2pm to 4pm. There will also be an assortment of family programming, such as a Family Dance-Along with the San Francisco Ballet School; the interactive fairytale opera Enchanted Melodies from the San Francisco Opera; a whimsical puppet show from Rabbit Hole Theater; a garden treasure hunt; and more, thanks to generous support from the Sue Ann & Bob Schiff Children's Fund. (Courtesy of Flower Piano) "The most memorable experiences in our parks are the ones that surprise us, bring us together, and leave us seeing a familiar place in a new way,” says San Francisco Recreation and Park Department general manager, Sarah Madland. “That's exactly what Flower Piano has done for more than a decade, delighting hundreds of thousands of visitors and showcasing Golden Gate Park as one of the world's great public spaces." General admission to Flower Piano is free for all Gardens of Golden Gate Park Members, San Francisco residents, veterans regardless of residency, and families receiving SNAP or CalFresh benefits via the Museums For All program. General admission for anyone not included in those categories is $18 for adults, $7 for seniors and youth ages 12-17, $3 for kids ages 5-11, and $37 for families. // ‘Flower Piano’ takes place Thursday, September 10th through Sunday, September 20th; San Francisco Botanical Garden, 1199 9th Ave. (Golden Gate Park), get schedules, details, and pricing info at gggp.org/flowerpiano --- ### How to Plan the Ultimate Russian River Float Trip **Published:** August 27, 2026 | **Author:** Clara Hogan, Lola Desmole | **Section:** Outdoor Adventures **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/ultimate-russian-river-float-trip-2472336787.html.md We the people of San Francisco are prepped and ready for even a sliver of hot weather, and there is no better way to take advantage of sun-drenched days than a lazy float down the Russian River. #FloatTrip means a party on the water for you and all your friends, your swan and rainbow rafts all tied together so everyone can reach the cooler. Time to pack those White Claws and crowd your feed with the last of your #summertime selfies. --- ### Created during the Gold Rush, this SF arts and culture institution is "the best little-kept secret in town." **Published:** August 26, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Culture **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/san-francisco-mechanics-institute-2677782574.html.md Things in San Francisco were not looking especially rosy in 1854. Five years after the discovery of gold in the Sierra foothills, the patina of Gold Rush fever had worn thin. Prices were bottoming out, banks were failing, and prospectors and the businesses that preyed on them were declaring bankruptcy left and right. Disillusioned by the quickly fading California dream, a group of men gathered with the goal of making a positive contribution to the struggling city. Though they were carpenters, machinists, and small-scale manufacturers rather than social reformers or educators, they settled on the idea of a sort of college for craftsmen—a place where working-class men could learn the skills and knowledge to transform their future and that of the city of San Francisco. The Beaux-Arts building on Post Street was built for the Mechanics Institute in 1910.(Greg Habiby) The membership-based men’s club they founded, the Mechanics’ Institute, was one of “a number of institutions across the country that pre-dated public library systems and always included a library and chess room,” says CEO Katherine Bella. Almost 175 years later, the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute is one of the oldest cultural institutions on the West Coast. Yet, somehow, despite having a 150,000-volume library and a legendary chess program that includes a Grandmaster-in-Residence, most San Franciscans don’t even know it exists. It’s “the best little-kept secret in town,” says Bella—but it won’t be for long. A strategic rebranding plan begun last year is helping to bring more visibility to the Mechanics’ Institute with a slate of partnerships with organizations like Yerba Buena Gardens, Downtown SF, the Chinese Historical Society, and Litquake leading to fresh programming in arts and culture, including the Lit Lounge series—a quarterly collaboration for book lovers with St. Joseph’s Arts Society—and a master class in writing that has been led by local luminaries such as Tommy Orange, David Guterson, and Laurie Ostlund. The Mechanics' Institute's two-floor library(Greg Habiby) Many of the events are held on site in the nine-story Beaux-Arts building built on Post Street in 1910 by architect Albert Pissis to replace the original institute, which burned down in the fires following the 1906 earthquake. The historic library that stretches across two of those floors will soon be renovated to add more seating, glassed-in pods for working, and more flexibility for events. “We’re taking a great space with great bones and giving it some TLC,” Bella explains. The chess club—the oldest continuously operating chess club in the country—meets in an upstairs room filled with tabletop boards Bella describes as “a little bit frozen in time.” It’s there that tournaments take place multiple days a week, along with classes and camps for club players. When there are no events scheduled, the space is open for casual play. The Mechanics’ Institute also has a robust scholastic chess program, which brings the game into more than a dozen schools and to several community sites in San Francisco. Despite its age, the Mechanics’ Institute isn’t an artifact of the past. Like most libraries in the 21st century, the organization is working to make sure that its resources are meeting the needs of today’s members, not those of its founding fathers. Women, for one, are now welcome to join the ranks of the Mechanics’, a membership list to which Jack London, Ambrose Bierce, Maxine Hong Kingston, and Daniel Handler have all belonged at one time or another. The chess room at Mechanics' Institute(Greg Habiby) “It’s about constantly trying to stay relevant while embracing the history of this place,” says Bella. The public can participate in most Mechanics’ Institute events, including curated Friday night Movies at Mechanics’, and author talks and panels like the upcoming September 15th event with local Native American filmmaker and activist Julian Brave NoiseCat and his debut book, We Survived the Night. But membership ($150/year for individuals; $80/year for students; $225/year for families) has its perks, including free (or discounted) tickets to arts and culture happenings—a small price to pay to become a part of San Francisco history. // The Mechanics’ Institute Library is open Monday through Saturday; 57 Post St. (Union Square), for details on upcoming events visit milibrary.org A recent author panel with Daniel Handler at Mechanics' Institute(Greg Habiby) --- ### The 10 Best Spanish Restaurants, Tapas Bars + Wine Bars in the Bay Area **Published:** August 25, 2026 | **Author:** Mariam Rubalcava | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/best-spanish-food-bay-area-2677776577.html.md Since Spain took home the trophy at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, it seems like the whole Bay Area has developed a serious craving for the nation’s extraordinary gastronomy. You’ll find us at these tapas institutions, lively wine bars, and buzzy newcomers (including Bad Bunny’s favorite local spot) from San Francisco to Silicon Valley digging into Basque pintxos, Valencian paella, Catalan classics, Andalusian sherry, and more. --- ### Under Canvas Yosemite ups the glamping ante with luxe safari tents (+ en-suite baths!) minutes from the park. **Published:** August 24, 2026 | **Author:** Garrick Ramirez | **Section:** Getaways **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/under-canvas-yosemite-glamping-2677770427.html.md Earlier this year, Under Canvas brought its upscale tent life to California with their first-ever property in the Golden State. Founded in 2012 amid the initial buzz of the glamping trend, Under Canvas stood out with its unplugged settings, ecological ethos, and strategic locales set just outside of the most spectacular national parks. Now, its stylized tent dwellings are in the majestic Sierra Nevada, just 10 minutes from Yosemite National Park. The new property is the latest in a string of stays that have recently opened along Highway 120. Yet, as attractive as its neighbors are, none quite nail what Under Canvas does best: giving you a front row seat to the Sierra’s natural grandeur. While the upscale camp eschews traditional resort hallmarks such as a pool or spa, it’ll have you swooning with the fragrance of sun-baked pine needles, the magical glow at golden hour, and thrilling glimpses of the Milky Way—all enjoyed from a beautifully designed canvas abode. It’s our fairy godmother's wish for what Yosemite’s in-park lodging should be. Under Canvas shutters for the season at the end of October, so time is ticking for that special, nature-filled weekend in the Sierra. A Suite-style tent at Under Canvas Yosemite(Courtesy of Under Canvas Yosemite) Why We Love These Tents Under Canvas Yosemite consists of 71 architecturally striking tents dotting an 85-acre forested hillside of towering ponderosa pines. Upon arrival at the property, you’ll ditch your car in a remote parking lot, and a staff member will shuttle you and your luggage via golf cart. The safari-style tents sit on elevated posts and come in four configurations. In addition to standard tents, the Suite adds a lounge area; the Stargazer features an overhead windowpane; and the El Capitan is a multi-tent family affair. In each, you’ll find hardwood floors and West Elm furnishings (think leather butterfly chairs, jute poofs, and cowhide rugs). Among the tent’s features, the private bathroom reigns supreme—a blessedly welcome feature offered by few of Under Canvas’ competitors. Billed an en-suite, the spa-worthy bathroom sits in an attached wood-slat structure accessed via a barn door and features a flushing toilet, hot-water shower, and EO bath products. During the day, forest views from the window and floods of sunlight from translucent corrugated ceiling panels lend it the feel of an outdoor shower. An en-suite bath for one of Under Canvas' luxe safari tents(Courtesy of Under Canvas Yosemite) Lest you hope that A/C will soon arrive at the new property, know that no Under Canvas locations—not even those in Arizona and Utah—are air conditioned. Tents cool down at night, but during warm days, you’ll need to blast the battery-powered fans and pray for a cross breeze from the tent’s multiple screened window panels. In cooler weather, a heated mattress pad and space heater keep things cozy. Also, despite notices about disconnectivity, you’ll actually discover a wisp of Wi-Fi at your tent. You won’t be able to work remotely—and that’s the point—but there’s just enough internet to text reception with requests such as shuttle service around the property. You’ll also find a few standard electrical outlets to charge your phone cleverly concealed in the floor. A Magical Nighttime Atmosphere At the center of the property, a large, multi-room tent structure with the look and feel of a fashionable outpost on Tatooine serves as the camp’s central hub, with a reception desk, a restaurant, and multiple lounge areas. The restaurant is exclusive to guests, with breakfast and dinner served cafe-style (i.e., order at the counter and your food is brought to your table). The restaurant’s tented interiors open onto a large outdoor area ringed by pine trees and set with dining tables, lounge seating, and fire pits. Reception, lounge areas, and the restaurant are tucked inside this multi-room tent structure at Under Canvas Yosemite.(Courtesy of Under Canvas Yosemite) The food is fresh and flavorful with standouts being a hefty breakfast burrito with roasted tomatillo salsa and the signature UC Rice Bowl, studded with edamame, pickled veggies, an addictive yuzu kosho dressing, and your choice of protein (go for the salmon). There’s also a good selection of beer and wine. The restaurant doesn’t offer lunch service, as most guests are out exploring midday, but a cold case is stocked with thoughtfully selected grab-and-go snacks, including sandwiches and drinks. But sundown is when the real show begins at Under Canvas. Golden hour is nothing less than magical, bathing the trees in a warm glow while the lush, rhythmic soundtrack of chirping crickets envelops the grounds. Grab a battery-powered lantern from your tent and head toward the outdoor area near reception, which becomes an evening gathering spot with aprés-hike glasses of wine and a self-serve s’mores station for roasting marshmallows over the fire pits. Brush up on Neil deGrasse Tyson before visiting the property—California’s first DarkSky-approved resort. Roughly one hour after sunset, the twinkling lights of thousands of stars come into view, transforming the midnight-blue sky into a veritable map of the cosmos. As per DarkSky criteria, there are also vivid views of the Milky Way which you’ll gaze upon in awe of from the front porch of your tent. It’s truly extraordinary stargazing and the place to book for the next meteor shower. Under Canvas Yosemite is a DarkSky-approved resort.(Courtesy of Under Canvas Yosemite) Pro-Tips and Packing Essentials for Under Canvas Yosemite The property sits just seven miles from Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat entrance, and getting to the park couldn’t be easier. Skip the traffic and parking hassle awaiting you in the Valley, and breeze into the park via the modern, air-conditioned coaches of the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS). Under Canvas is a designated YARTS stop, and a staff member can shuttle you directly to the waiting bus. Better yet, bring a bike—unquestionably the best way to explore the Valley—which you can tuck into the coach’s undercarriage. Within an hour, you’ll be basking in the monumental beauty of Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Merced River. You’ll also find other notable destinations closer to camp including a pair of killer swimming holes: Rainbow Pool and Carlon Falls, the latter of which is reached via a pleasant 1.5-mile hike through a forest of oaks, cedars, and pines. While the property offers numerous amenities and creature comforts, there are a few notable items that will greatly enhance your experience. First on the packing list: a pair of slippers. The trails that link the camp are dusty, so shoes are best left outside on your tent’s front porch. If you like to sleep in, consider bringing an eye mask, as the tent’s canvas walls let in the morning sun. Inside an Under Canvas Yosemite tent(Courtesy of Under Canvas Yosemite) Most importantly, if you’re bringing snacks and beverages, plan on two coolers. This is bear country, and the camp has a strict rule prohibiting food in tents. You have to stash your food cooler in the bearproof storage locker near the parking lot, but can keep your drinks closer at hand. While glassware is not provided in the tents and there is no ice available to guests, you can grab plastic cups from the on-site restaurant (or pack your own) and buy ice from the nearby market so that your in-tent happy hour can proceed as planned. // Under Canvas Yosemite is open mid-April through late October (closing October 25th in 2026); 30801 Hardin Flat Rd. (Groveland), undercanvas.com --- ### See How Local Mushrooms, Oysters, Cheese, and More Get Made on These Bay Area Farm Tours **Published:** August 21, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Outdoor Adventures **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/bay-area-farm-tours-2677757796.html.md As summer turns to fall, farms, ranches, and vineyards across the Bay Area are in peak production mode. That makes now the ideal time of year to see exactly how their gardens (and cows, and goats, and oyster beds) grow. From Moss Landing to Sebastopol, these farm and ranch tours are pulling back the curtain on our food system, showing you exactly how they are working to responsibly produce the cheese, veggies, and proteins we eat every day. --- ### 31 Fun Things to Do This Week (8.24.26) **Published:** August 21, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-8-24-26-2677729653.html.md Soak up the dog days of summer. Give a pet their furever home at Berkeley Humane’s adoption-day bash, take your fur baby on a playdate in Silicon Valley, or treat your pup to a dedicated day of pampering in Santa Cruz. For treating yourself, how about a soundbath in Golden Gate Park or The Spa at St. Regis, or a night of creative expression that taps into all five senses with Design Marin. Jump ahead to this week's top events: Try something new at Pay What You Can Day at Bay Area hotspots like Reem’s, Tacos Oscar, and Bombera. Toast Nightbird's 10th anniversary at a five-course "garden-to-table" dinner. Meet hundreds of adoptable pets from more than 30 Bay Area shelters at Bark (& Meow) Around the Block in Berkeley. Get down with jazz, blues, funk, and hip-hop at the Black Music Festival at Great American Music Hall. Have a good one. Unwind at an outdoor soundbath from AstraLogik, a queer Filipina duo blending chill-folk, R&B, and soul into a healing, meditative session; Monday, 4:30pm to 5:30pm. // Golden Gate Park, JFK Dr. and Conservatory Dr. West (Golden Gate Park); details at sfpl.org Sip spritzes and settle into aperitivo hour at Bosco, where chefs Kaili Hill and Ryan McIlwraith pair bevraginos with a rotating, complimentary spread of seasonal bites; Tuesdays through Saturdays, 5pm to 7pm. // Bosco, 888 Brannan St. (SoMa); details at boscosf.com Raise a glass to Abacá for its fifth anniversary bash at a night of unlimited bites, special swag, and libations and celebration; Monday at 6pm. // Abacá, 2700 Jones St. (Fisherman's Wharf); tickets at opentable.com Have yourself a Tomato Week with hyper-local dishes built around the day's harvest (think heirloom panzanella and saffron-broth halibut) at Spoonbar; Tuesday through Sunday, 4pm to 9pm. // Spoonbar, 219 Healdsburg Ave. (Healdsburg); reservations at spoonbar.com Give back for back-to-school season at a community mixer benefiting the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. Come to donate school supplies, and stay for live jazz and dinner deals; Tuesday, 6pm to 8pm. // Wild Onion Bistro & Bar, Hotel Citrine, 750 San Antonio Rd. (Palo Alto); details on Instagram Find something one-of-a-kind at the Noe Valley Night Market, where you can browse handmade treasures from local artists, dance to live music, and eat your favorite neighborhood nosh; Tuesday, 4:30pm to 8:30pm. // Noe Valley Town Square, 3861 24th St. (Noe Valley); details at noemerchants.com Go from sound bath to spa at an evening dedicated to wellness. Enjoy welcome bites and drinks, a 45-minute guided sound bath, and full run of The Spa at The St. Regis; Wednesday, 4:30pm to 6:45pm. // The Spa at The St. Regis San Francisco, 125 3rd St. (SoMa); tickets at eventbrite.com Play with clay, color, scent, and more at an intimate creative exploration session designed to engage all five senses—including the taste of a four-course family-style meal from the chef at Bump Bar; Wednesday, 5pm to 8pm. // Location details and tickets at designmarin.org Bring California's golden hour magic to the middle of your week at Filoli’s Summer Nights. Ease into the evening with a garden stroll, delicious bites, refreshing drinks, and live acoustic music; Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5pm. // Filoli, 86 Cañada Rd. (Woodside); tickets at filoli.org Thank you to our partners at Filoli. Pay what you can at Bay Area hotspots like Reem’s, Tacos Oscar, and Bombera for a global day of hospitality started by Mexico City's Masala y Maíz; Wednesday. // Details at pagaloquepuedas-paywhatyoucan.com Toast Nightbird's 10th anniversary at a five-course "garden-to-table" dinner with Tucker Taylor, master culinary gardener at Jackson Family Wines; Thursday at 6:30pm. // Nightbird, 330 Gough St. (Hayes Valley); reservations at opentable.com Settle in for live jazz during the Redwood Room's After Dark series of performances from renowned artists including the Grant Levin Duo and Larry Dunlap; Thursdays and Fridays at 5pm. // The Redwood Room, Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, 495 Geary St. (Union Square); reservations at redwoodroomsf.com Catch a free screening of Jurassic Park in the urban jungle. Bring your own blanket and enjoy food and drinks available from local vendors and the Greyhound Bar; Thursday, 6:30pm. // The Crossing at East Cut, 200 Folsom St. (Embarcadero); details at thethirdplace.is Sip your way through more than 200 whiskies at Whiskies of the World. Meet the distillers and enjoy pours with waterfront views and culinary bites; Friday, 6pm to 9:30pm. // Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, 390 Capistrano Rd. (Half Moon Bay); tickets at thesanfranciscopeninsula.com Witness the works of State of Play, ODC Theater’s annual summer dance festival featuring performances of new material under the direction of Chafin Seymour at various stages of development ; Thursday through Sunday. // ODC Dance Commons, 351 Shotwell St. (Mission); tickets at odc.dance Leash up for a pet playdate. Wrap up the week with an outdoor event full of vendors, treats, and fun for four-legged friends; Friday, 4pm to 8pm. // Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, 1100 North Mathilda Ave. (Sunnyvale); details at treehousehotels.com Slip into Rhythm & Ruse, an immersive cabaret featuring the musical collective Hella Fitzgerald and California's top burlesque performers; Friday at 6pm. // The Palace Theater, 644 Broadway (North Beach); tickets at thepalacetheatersf.com Take a hands-on cooking class with the Press culinary team followed by a three-course dinner showcasing the Michelin-starred restaurant’s tips and techniques; Friday at 5:30pm and 7pm. // Press, 587 St. Helena Hwy. (St. Helena); reservations at opentable.com Stop and smell the roses in honor of 20 years of SF community gardens during a day of open tours, arts and crafts, educational workshops, potlucks, and more across the city’s community gardens; Saturday, 10am to 2pm. // Details via Google Maps Meet hundreds of adoptable pets from more than 30 Bay Area shelters at Bark (& Meow) Around the Block, one of California’s largest adoption events with waived fees, live music, and a beer garden; Saturday, 10am to 4pm. // Berkeley Humane, 2700 Ninth St. (Berkeley); details at berkeleyhumane.org Take a unique tour of Chinatownn with a combo volunteer street clean-up and guided mural tour to learn about the stories and cultural significance behind these artworks. Stay for free local food, refreshments, and live performances; Saturday, 10:30am to 12pm. // Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, 836 Stockton St. (Chinatown); register at mobilize.us Sweat through a free Barry's Bootcamp to kick start your weekend; Saturday, 11am to 12pm. // The Crossing at East Cut, 200 Folsom St. (East Cut); register at barrysbootcamp.com Learn the story of the famous Hunters Point's crane at a free history talk told through the eyes of community members; Saturday, 2pm to 4pm. // Hunters Point Shipyard, 451 Galvez Ave. (Bayview); RSVP at eventbrite.com Paint your own Portuguese azulejo tiles at an all-levels workshop that explores the art and the history of the form; Saturday, 2pm to 4pm. // Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, 1100 N Mathilda Ave. (Sunnyvale); register at classbento.com Smoke a stogie on Rise Over Run's rooftop, paired with handcrafted cocktails, dinner specials, and a live set from DJ Heartbreak; Saturday, 5pm to 10pm. // Rise Over Run, Timbri Hotel, 33 Turk St. (Tenderloin); tickets at eventbrite.com Celebrate Onam, the cherished harvest festival of Kerala, India, with an all-vegetarian feast showcasing a colorful spread of traditional dishes served all-you-can-eat style; Saturday and Sunday at 11am. // Copra, 1700 Fillmore St. (Pacific Heights); reservations at opentable.com Get down with some jazz, blues, funk, and hip-hop at the Black Music Festival featuring an intergenerational lineup of Bay Area rappers and headliners Tuck & Patti and Faye Carol; Sunday at 4pm. // Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell St. (Tenderloin); tickets at gamh.com Score one-of-a-kind pieces from a crew of local designers at a closet-clearing sale for the Bay Area fashion set; Sunday, 11am to 4pm. // Mighty Mighty Studio, 480 23rd St. (Oakland); details on Instagram Pamper your pup at Chaminade Resort's Pawsh Retreat, a dedicated day of doggy fun complete with pools, an agility course, a fashion show competition, and pet portraits, all to benefit the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter; Sunday, 12pm to 3:30pm. // Chaminade Resort & Spa, One Chaminade Ln. (Santa Cruz); details at chaminade.com Take care of yourself at the Berkeley Herbal Center’s day of wellness, where you can experience massage, acupuncture, reiki, and tarot alongside free tea, herbal remedies, and handmade crafts from more than 40 vendors; Sunday, 11am to 5pm. // Strawberry Creek Park, 1260 Allston Way (Berkeley); details on Facebook BYOB (bring your own book) to Reading Rhythms, a social reading party where you enjoy silent reading time and literary discussion all in good company; Sunday, 2:45pm to 5pm. // Manny's, 3092 16th St. (Mission); tickets at eventbrite.com --- ### 'A Taste for Cabernet': The Ultimate Wine + Food Experience **Published:** August 20, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sequoia-grove-taste-for-cabernet-2677739989.html.md Sequoia Grove Winery, nestled in historic Rutherford, invites guests to rediscover an iconic Napa Valley wine. The multi-course culinary journey A Taste for Cabernet will challenge everything you thought you knew about pairing the varietal, proving that great cabernet doesn't just complement a dish; it transforms it. (Courtesy of Sequoia Grove Winery) The experience sets out to break the decades-long recommendation to reserve cabernet sauvignon for red meat and heavy sauces. Poured alongside a series of thoughtfully composed courses, the wine showcases its versatility, with a profile that’s bright enough to lift delicate flavors, structured enough to stand up to bold spice, and nuanced enough to reveal something new in every glass. Leading the culinary side of the experience is chef Bryce Palmer, whose inventive, boundary-pushing approach to food brings an unexpected edge to the table. He’s designed each course to explore the wine's structure, fruit, and terroir-driven character from surprising angles. Expect unconventional dishes that play with fat, acid, and sugar, each one selected not to match the wine, but to have a conversation with it by drawing different facets from each glass. The afternoon builds toward a pour of Cambium, Sequoia Grove's flagship wine and the pinnacle of the estate's winemaking program. Crafted from the winery's finest fruit, Cambium represents the full, layered expression of Rutherford cabernet sauvignon, a rare and fitting finale to an evening dedicated to exploring what this varietal can truly achieve. Chef Bryce Palmer of Sequoia Grove Winery(Courtesy of Sequoia Grove Winery) A Taste for Cabernet is designed as a communal experience. Seating is intentionally limited, creating an intimate setting where conversation flows as freely as the wine among fellow guests, with the culinary team, and around the table. This isn't a formal, sit-and-listen tasting; it's a shared exploration meant to be savored slowly and discussed course by course. More than a typical winery visit, Sequoia Grove Winery's Taste for Cabernet dinners are a rare opportunity to experience Napa Valley's most celebrated varietal and singular terroir through a completely fresh lens. // 8338 St. Helena Hwy. (Napa), learn more and make reservations at sequoiagrove.com --- ### New All-Day Dining Playground The Mess Hall Debuts in the Presidio **Published:** August 20, 2026 | **Author:** Daisy Barringer | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/the-mess-hall-presidio-2677740389.html.md “Where do you want to eat?” might be the most dangerous question two people can ask each other. “Sushi?” “Not in the mood.” “Burgers?” “Feels like a lot.” “Oysters?” “It’s not really an oyster kind of day.” Forty-five minutes later, a decision still hasn’t been made, stomachs are rumbling, and everyone is a whole lot hangrier than they were when the conversation first started. Some of the offerings from Dayboat Seafood (Erin Ng) The Mess Hall exists to end that fight before it starts: six food and beverage concepts under one roof mean one person can get Korean fried chicken, one a smashburger, and one a dozen oysters—and everyone can watch the fog roll under the Golden Gate Bridge while eating their separate meals together. The Mess Hall is the last piece of Presidio Tunnel Tops to fill in, arriving four years after the park itself opened. Opened last week inside a 6,200-square-foot former U.S. Army building with wraparound bay views, its three restaurants, a full bar, a coffee shop, and a market all share one ordering system and some of the best sightlines in San Francisco. The story behind The Mess Hall starts with a walk. Founding partner Rob Gaon and his wife were passing a row of barracks under renovation near the Presidio’s Mason Street when the idea hit him. The cocktail bar at The Mess Hall in the Presidio (Erin Ng) “I just happened to say to her, ‘God, that’d be a great food hall,’” Gaon remembers. “When we travel, we’re always seeking out food halls—it’s a great way to dive into a place’s culture.” After submitting one of several formal proposals to the Presidio Trust, Gaon and his partners won the lease. The original concept looked a little different. Gaon and co-founder Nate Leonard, also a former chef, imagined leasing out sections to separate operators until chef Peter Serpico, a James Beard Award winner who spent years in the Momofuku kitchens, suggested another approach: developing all three restaurant concepts under a single culinary vision. The result feels like one cohesive experience instead of a handful of unrelated storefronts sharing a roof. To eat your way through it, start by ordering at the counter (for now—kiosks and QR-code ordering are on their way). They'll text you when your food is ready for pickup. At Breadwinner, the pit beef sandwich ($18) is a Baltimore import done right—charred rare steak, onion, horseradish mayo; the chicken bacon ranch ($17) is buttermilk fried and perfectly crispy; and the smashburger ($14) has the lacy, well-charred edges you want. Get the build-your-own salad ($12), too, if you’re the type of person who feels like you should have something green on the table—though the dressings alone (avocado ranch, especially) are reason enough to order it either way. Some of the offerings from The Mess Hall's Korean restaurant, Boda (Erin Ng) Over at Boda, get the kimchi fried rice ($12; add bulgogi or shrimp for $7) and the Korean fried chicken sandwich ($17; choice of instant ramyun or gochujang glaze), plus an order of beef mandu ($14). Dayboat Seafood does fresh-shucked oysters ($26 a half dozen), a build-your-own hand roll, and a tomato-and-seafood cioppino with a grilled baguette on the side ($24). The bar does a Golden Negroni (St. George gin, Trabanco Quinquina, Gran Classico, $16), a citrusy Seaberries built on yuzu vodka and sea buckthorn ($15), and an NA Seaberry Spritz ($14) if you’re skipping the buzz. The wine list runs from a $15 glass of chillable cinsault to a $175 Beaune Premier Cru. The café opens at 7am with Wrecking Ball coffee and Breadbelly pastries (yes, that Breadbelly), alongside a bodega-style breakfast sandwich ($11) you can load up with hash browns, sausage, or bacon. The market’s got everything you need for a picnic: bread, cheese, tinned fish, crackers, wine, and cold drinks to carry out to the park. The café serves Wrecking Ball coffee and pastries from Breadbelly. (Erin Ng) The layout tracks the second you walk in, with the market anchoring one end, the open kitchen running down the middle, and Boda, Dayboat, and Breadwinner sharing the same pass. The coffee bar and pastry case sit just across from it, and the full bar holds down the back corner. The renovation kept the original Douglas fir floors and light fixtures from the building’s 1897 run as an Army depot (it was also at various points a butcher shop, a feed store, and a mailroom), so despite the newness, it feels like it’s already got some history behind it. Seating stretches from communal tables inside to red bistro chairs on the patio. Depending on where you land, you might catch sight of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Palace of Fine Arts, or the Transamerica Pyramid—a lineup you won’t find from any other table in the city. Even with The Mess Hall’s doors now open, Gaon is still a little amazed by the whole thing. “It’s such an incredible position to be in—developing something for a city I love,” he says. // The Mess Hall is open 7am to 8pm, Monday through Thursday, and 7am to 10pm, Friday through Sunday; 201 Halleck St. (Presidio), messhallpresidio.com (Editor’s Note: As of this story’s publication on August 20th, 2026, Boda and Dayboat Seafood have not yet started service but will soon. Breadwinner, the bar, café, and market are currently open.) The views from every angle of The Mess Hall are world class.(Erin Ng) --- ### How to Enjoy Napa Valley This Harvest Season, From New Experiences to Our Favorite Annual Celebrations **Published:** August 19, 2026 | **Author:** Kristin Conard | **Section:** Wine Country **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/napa-valley-harvest-season-experiences-2677728432.html.md If you’ve been to Napa Valley during harvest or the “crush,” that time of year in the late summer and early fall when crews pick grapes in the vineyards and wineries start processing the crop, you know that it’s special. “Harvest is just a completely different time,” says Jeff Cole, winemaker at Sullivan Rutherford Estate. “There’s an energy here that you can feel. For me, there really isn’t a better time to experience Napa Valley and gain a deeper appreciation for the hard work, car,e and dedication that goes into every bottle.” We give you the details on some of the world-renowned wine region’s best annual harvest events, along with some new highlights, to help you plan your harvest getaway in Napa Valley. With everything going on at this peak season, you’ll want to make reservations ahead of time. Sunrise over the Sttupa Estate Napa Valley(Kristin Conard) Refreshed Just In Time for Harvest Robert Mondavi Winery reopened this spring with a new look after being closed for three years (7801 St. Helena Hwy., Oakville), but it wasn’t the only Napa winery to get a refresh. Beaulieu Vineyard in Rutherford (1960 St. Helena Hwy.) also underwent a multimillion-dollar, two-year renovation. The new hospitality center has seven different tasting areas, including an open-air courtyard built in the restored stone winery building that dates to 1885 where they host their high-end 1885 Tasting of Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The high-end, adults-only Poetry Inn has new owners and a new name. It’s now the Sttupa Estate Napa Valley (6380 Silverado Trail, Yountville). The name comes from the word “stupa,” which the estate describes as “a unique place that fosters a connection between humankind and nature.” What hasn’t changed is that it’s one of the best places to stay in Yountville. Each of the five suites is still named after a different poet (though there are plans to update and reimagine the décor over the next couple of years), and each has a wood-burning fireplace, indoor-outdoor showers, and incredible views out over the valley, particularly at sunset. Breakfast is served out on the shared patio or in your own suite; you might spot hot air balloons floating by as you enjoy the three-course, Michelin-caliber feast. The hotel’s owners also run the nearby Sullivan Rutherford Estate (1090 Galleron Rd., St. Helena), and guests get a complimentary guided tour and tasting at the winery, a world-class maker of merlot. Cult favorite Realm Cellars has just opened a new tasting room for their Realm North tastings at Houyi Estate on Pritchard Hill (200 Long Ranch Rd., St. Helena). It’s on the site of the 22 acres where they source their single vineyard cabernet sauvignon, which, at around 1,300 feet in elevation (i.e., above the fog line), has some fantastic views out over Napa Valley. You don’t have to be a member for a tasting but you do have to be on their email list. The new wood-fired pizza oven at Harvest Inn in St. Helena(Mike Larson) Napa's Newest Flavors St. Helena’s Harvest Inn (1 Main St.) has a new outdoor pizza oven in their Bocce Grove. It’s built onto the back of a red 1954 Ford F-350, a formerly defunct Coca-Cola delivery truck. Harvest Inn got it fixed up and refitted with a locally-made pizza oven in which they use locally-sourced hardwood. Pro tip: Pizza is half off from 3pm to 6pm, Monday through Friday. Riverside French restaurant Normandie (670 Main St.) may have just opened in downtown Napa this spring, but it’s already established itself as a popular spot for craft cocktails and good food. The restaurant specializes in martinis like the house version featuring sage and butter-washed Grey Goose vodka served with theatrical flair and smoke at the bar. The show continues at the table with a roving cheese cart and tableside prep for dishes like cognac-flambéed Maine lobster tail. Also new this year in downtown Napa is the Flora Springs Wine Lounge (1142 First St.). It serves caviar and chocolate along with wine flights and cocktails in a cozy and luxe setting with velvet couches and chandeliers. Flora Springs also updated their St. Helena tasting room this summer (677 St. Helena Hwy. S.). It now features large mosaics inspired by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí and Napa’s natural landscapes and made with five million glass tiles. Along with wine tastings, they’ll have a Mediterranean market with a range of prepared foods and snacks. Eight North, by the owners of Lawer Estates, opened late last year in Calistoga (1374 Lincoln Ave.). Executive chef Abby Burk designed the menu to focus on the wood-fired grill with dishes like American wagyu burgers, steak, and a signature baked Alaska. The harvest dinner and auction at Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park is one of the season's best events.(Carolyn Harrison) Beyond the Basic Harvest Dinner There’s no shortage of fantastic winery dinners in Napa during the harvest season, but if you’re looking for something more hands-on, board the Napa Valley Wine Train (1275 McKinstry St., Napa) and get your feet dirty with some classic grape stomping. In addition to a two-hour vintage train ride and a gourmet lunch, you’ll taste wine and stomp grapes at Grgich Hills Estate. Only offered during September and October, sure it’s touristy, but it’s still a lot of fun. Round Pond Estate in Rutherford (875 Rutherford Rd.) is an idyllic spot with a long, palm tree-lined driveway set amidst 360 acres of vineyards, culinary gardens, and 2,200 olive trees of both Italian and Spanish varieties. On November 14th, the estate is hosting the Olive Harvest Celebration. “This will be our third year hosting the Olive Harvest Celebration,” says winemaker Jeff Plant. “Guests visit our Olive Mill (one of two working mills in the Napa Valley) where they will get a short tour and learn about olive oil production from our mill master Emilio Alvarez and his team.” It’s the only time of year that you can get the very first press of fresh olive oil, and you can even make your own vinaigrette on site with fresh garden herbs. If you can’t make it for harvest, sample the literal fruits of the estate’s labor at their Il Pranzo 4-Course Pairing Experience. After a tour of the gardens, you’ll get to enjoy an incredible meal involving veggies hand-harvested that very morning and views out over the vineyards. For a crush season experience that gives back, book a ticket for the annual harvest dinner and auction at Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park (3369 Saint Helena Hwy N., St. Helena). The multi-course meal is held next to the 180-year-old water-powered mill, an idyllic setting beneath the stars and oak trees. Proceeds from the dinner and auction go to funding this park, as well as Bothe-Napa Valley and Robert Louis Stevenson State Parks. If you like a little art and culture with your harvest party dinner, check out the Celebration of Artistry & Excellence at Sullivan Rutherford Estate. The September 26th event features work by ceramicist Adán Paredes alongside a four-course meal by James Beard Award-winning chef Rogelio Garcia, and wine from the estate’s reserve collection. “It is an amazing experience to have three completely different forms of creativity coming together at the same table,” says Cole. Relax at the new Recovery Lounge at Silverado Resort or with a seasonal fall treatment at Alila Napa Valley.(Courtesy of @alila.napavalley) Seasonal Spa Treatments This harvest season, guests at Napa’s Silverado Resort (1600 Atlas Peak Rd.) can enjoy the Spa and Longevity Center, which underwent a renovation in the spring. The new Recovery Lounge features wellness technology like compression boots, PEMF mats, and sound-healing, zero-gravity loungers. There are also new themed wellness “journeys” that incorporate meditation and coaching for longevity, sports performance, detox, and more. The spa at Alila Napa Valley in St. Helena (1915 Main St.) is always a treat. "During the summer and fall harvest season, there is an energy throughout Napa Valley that is both vibrant and deeply connected to the land, as the entire community labors and honors the agricultural stewardship that results in every bottle of Napa Valley wine,” explains general manager Heidi Miersemann. Spa Alila’s seasonal fall treatment—the 80-minute Harvest Cabernet Ritual—celebrates the region’s most popular wine, beginning with a grapeseed exfoliation and ending with a facial treatment using products from St. Helena’s Be Here Farm + Nature. --- ### What's In Your Bay Lisa Bühler, Founder of Super-Fun SF Clothing Brand Lisa Says Gah? **Published:** August 18, 2026 | **Author:** Gail Goldberg | **Section:** Locals We Love **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/wiyb-lisa-says-gah-founder-2677722479.html.md Lisa Bühler is a fashion person through and through. She was the kid meticulously planning her school outfits and forever hunting for vintage treasures. If you ran into her on the street today, you’d immediately want to know where she got her outfit. Ten out of ten times, the answer would probably be Lisa Says Gah—because why wouldn’t she be wearing something playful, cool, and comfy from the clothing brand she founded in San Francisco almost 12 years ago? The label has built a rabid fandom, mainly obsessed with its quirky and colorful original prints, easy dresses, graphic tees (snow cones!), matching sets, and knitwear. In other words, pieces that feel collectible, not precious, and price points that generally range from $60 to $200. Lisa Says Gah in Hayes Valley(Courtesy of Lisa Says Gah) Since its birth, the label’s name has been a source of curiosity—as in, people really want to know why Lisa is saying “Gah” and what the catchy three-letter word actually means. “To me, ‘Gah!’ is that spontaneous reaction when you discover something you instantly love,” Bühler explains. “It reflects my personality and the feeling I hope people have when they discover Lisa Says Gah.” (Fun fact: LSG began life as the name of Bühler’s long-ago creative blog, which also became her Instagram handle and “just stuck” when she started the business.) Along with an innate sense of style clearly influenced by her sunny Southern California upbringing and more than a decade living in foggy San Francisco, Bühler has a head for business. She studied advertising (and Italian) at Pepperdine University, which gave her a great foundation in storytelling, communications, and creative thinking, she says. Before launching her own business baby, Bühler spent 10 years working in fashion across buying, merchandising, and creative production at various companies. Most notably, she was a buyer at Nasty Gal during its rapid-growth phase. “It was a crash course in trend forecasting, merchandising, hiring great talent, trusting my instincts, and learning how to build a business,” she says. “It was also where I became a manager for the first time and really gained the confidence to eventually start my own company.” Lisa Says Gah in Hayes Valley(Courtesy of Lisa Says Gah) Today, Bühler’s independently funded brand employs a team of about 30 across design, merchandising, marketing, retail, operations, and customer experience. There are brick-and-mortar stores in Hayes Valley and Echo Park, which makes total sense since Bühler, her husband Louis, and their two young children split their time between SF and LA. “San Francisco fills my creative cup,” says Bühler. “It's where I feel most connected to the roots of the brand, longtime customers, and the city that inspired so much of Lisa Says Gah.” Indeed, over the years, Bühler has lived in several neighborhoods, including the Castro and SoMa. But Hayes Valley is where she’s spent the most time—and where her beloved family flat near Alamo Square sits today. We recently caught up with Bühler to pick her brain about a few of her favorite things to eat, see, shop, and do around the Bay. "Suppenküche is a forever favorite," says Lisa Bühler.(Courtesy of @suppenkuchesf) What do you love most about your neighborhood? I live between Alamo Square and Hayes Valley—and love that it feels central but is still very neighborhood-y. I can walk to coffee, restaurants, shops, and the park. What’s your go-to coffee spot? Ritual (432b Octavia St.) or Blue Bottle (315 Linden St.) in Hayes Valley. I love both of their outdoor spaces. What restaurant will you never tire of? Suppenküche (525 Laguna St., Hayes Valley) is a forever favorite. What’s your fave bookstore? I’ve been getting back into the public library! But there are also so many great bookstores in the city. City Lights (261 Columbus Ave.) is obviously a North Beach classic, but I mostly love that so many neighborhoods still have their own bookstores. Books are also my favorite gifts, so I’m always grabbing one for a friend or an upcoming kid’s birthday party. Bühler likes to take out-of-towners to Alamo Square, followed by a great SF restaurant.(Courtesy of PatternPictures/Pixabay/CC) What’s your favorite place to commune with nature? The Presidio. It’s one of those places that makes you forget you’re in a city. Where do you like to take out-of-towners? All the parks, especially Alamo Square, and then somewhere great to eat. Places like Rich Table (199 Gough St., Hayes Valley), Foreign Cinema (2534 Mission St., Mission), Cotogna (490 Pacific Ave., Jackson Square), Zuni (1658 Market St., Civic Center), and Burma Love (multiple locations, including 8 Mint Plaza, Downtown). San Francisco is really a food city to me. What are your favorite shops/shopping streets? Hayes Valley or Fillmore Street: I love wandering both without much of a plan. What are your fave local brands? Baggu (888 Valencia St., Mission), Heath Ceramics (2900 18th St., Mission-Potrero & 1 Ferry Bldg, #12, Embarcadero), and Bi-Rite (multiple SF locations including 550 Divisadero St., NoPa). (Food and ice cream count!) Scribe Winery, Lisa Bühler's favorite day trip(Courtesy of @scribewinery) What’s your favorite day trip? Sonoma, especially Scribe Winery (2100 Denmark St.). Where do you like to spend time with the kids? Presidio Tunnel Tops (210 Lincoln Blvd.)—it’s hard to beat with little ones. Anything else you want to shout out? Yes: the farmers markets, especially Fort Mason, followed by a beer and snack at Radhaus (2 Marina Blvd., Bldg A, Marina). San Francisco is at its best when you can walk around, get something good to eat, stumble into a shop, and end up in a park. That mix of food, design, nature, and neighborhood culture is what I love most about the city. // Check out Lisa Says Gah at 522 Octavia St. (Hayes Valley), lisasaysgah.com --- ### A new book uncovers Marin's essential role in the counterculture movement of the mid-20th century. **Published:** August 17, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Culture **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/morning-in-marin-david-perlis-2677716703.html.md San Francisco is considered the nucleus of the counterculture movements of the 1950s and 1960s. It’s the place where the Beat Generation, psychedelic rock, and the Summer of Love ignited; the place where Allen Ginsburg and Jerry Garcia blew up the conformity and complicity of post-WWII America. What happened in the city, though, was only the brief and intense flame of a larger revolution in literature, poetry, art, music, and philosophy, argues writer Dave Perlis in his new book Morning in Marin: Zen, Drugs, and Ewoks on the California Coast. “The way I look at it, San Francisco was the stage where you could go to perform your ideas, exhibit your ideas, and help them gain national attention,” he says. “But the place where the inspiration happened, where the love and the magic happened, was Marin. It was a liminal zone where fantasy and reality were able to blur.” 'Morning in Marin: Zen, Drugs, and Ewoks on the California Coast' comes out on September 1st at Heyday Books.(Courtesy of Heyday Books) Indeed, it was in Fairfax that Eastern mysticism found its foothold in the United States; in Mill Valley that Alan Watts introduced a generation to Buddhism; in Point Reyes where Philip K. Dick transformed his disturbing visions into sci-fi masterpieces; in Muir Beach where Ken Kesey launched his acid tests and the Grateful Dead performed its first show on LSD; in Larkspur where Grace Slick began to write the Jefferson Airplane hit “White Rabbit”; on a Sausalito houseboat that Shel Silverstein penned his anti-establishment children’s poetry; in San Rafael that Frank Lloyd Wright shaped an architectural masterpiece and George Lucas was inspired to design the royal palace of Naboo in Star Wars. All are part of what Perlis calls the Marinaissance, what he describes as “a seismic cultural awakening encompassing literature, music, dance, painting, philosophy, religion, architecture, and film, which in the decades that follow will have an outsized role in shaping the twentieth century’s most enduring culture.” In Morning in Marin, Perlis expertly tells the story of a history that spans more than 50 years, a brilliantly written book with a fast-paced and fascinating narrative full of rich, immersive, and often conspiratorial details. Through painstaking research and more than 60 interviews, he reveals the machinations behind individuals and events whose profound impact on art, music, and writing still resonates today. Perlis also explains why Marin’s place at the nexus of America’s mid-20th century countercultural revolution is no mere coincidence. The region’s geography, he says, was instrumental in the development of its identity. Philip K. Dick, Gary Snyder, and Shel Silverstein, three major figures in literature that came out of Marin's mid-20th century counterculture movement(Courtesy of Creative Commons) “The fact that is almost an island surrounded on three sides by water is a huge influence on the people that it drew. Because the Golden Gate Bridge didn’t exist until 1937, it was sort of preserved as a time capsule—and that really did create a magical atmosphere.” Around Mount Tam, Point Reyes, and Tomales Bay, “people found a pristine environment that didn’t exist near any other major city,” Perlis continues. Marin felt far away but was, in reality, just a short distance from the major cities of San Francisco and Oakland, and the intellectual centers of Berkeley and Stanford. “Physically and spiritually facing Asia,” the region also drew those eager to rebel against European ideals and Christian morals. Creativity and experimentation are a current that still runs through Marin today—”culturally it is still a vibrant community that’s producing all kinds of things,” says Perlis—but there’s one major difference. As one of the wealthiest counties in the country, these days “you have to already be from there or have already succeeded in order to make Marin your inspiration. It used to not be like that.” Morning in Marin, though, isn’t meant to be a commentary on the region in the present day. Instead, it is a “time capsule and a time machine,” says Perlis. “I did my best to preserve our cultural history so that it wouldn’t be lost; I wanted it to be something we could all share in. It’s not my story, it’s our story.” // ‘Morning in Marin: Zen, Drugs, and Ewoks on the California Coast’ by David Perlis comes out on September 1st. Find it at your favorite indie bookshop, online, and at heydaybooks.com David Perlis, author of the new book 'Morning in Marin: Zen, Drugs, and Ewoks on the California Coast'(Jordan Blackman) --- ### A Fresh Guide to San Francisco Farmers' Markets **Published:** August 14, 2026 | **Author:** Chloe Saraceni | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/san-francisco-farmers-market-guide-2677278804.html.md There's no lovelier time than late summer and early fall to shop for fresh produce at one of San Francisco's many farmers' markets. So skip the grocery store and use our guide to find the market nearest you. You'll be supporting local ag and saving money all while chomping on the most mesmerizing produce of the season. --- ### 31 Fun Things to Do This Week (8.17.26) **Published:** August 14, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-8-17-26-2677688413.html.md Make this week a feast. Options for food and libations span the spectrum from aperitivos at Delfina and a fermentation-forward festival in SoMa, to an all-you-can-eat seafood boil in Bayview and an homage to Green Goddess dressing at the Palace Hotel. Dance it all off at an Indian wedding-style party at the Great American Music Hall or a Valkyries watch/block party downtown. Jump ahead to this week's top events. Watch icon Willie Brown and satirist Will Durst trade sharp takes on politics at Yerba Buena Gardenst trade sharp takes on politics at Yerba Buena Gardens. Cheer on the Valkyries on the big outdoor screen during a free block/watch party. Honor the 60th anniversary of the Compton's Cafeteria Riot at the Tenderloin Museum. “Crash” an Indian wedding at the Great American Music Hall. Have a good one. Grab a new read on the go from the library Bookmobile as it makes a pit stop in Golden Gate Park; Monday at 4pm. // JFK Promenade, JFK Dr. and Conservatory Drive West (Golden Gate Park); details at sfpl.org Witness the legendary Herbie Hancock in concert during the San Francisco stop of his summer tour; Monday at 7:30pm. // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at ticketmaster.com Toast the last days of summer at Delfina's Ferragosto, an extended aperitivo hour with complimentary bites, specialty cocktails, frosé, and Italian wines, no reservation needed; Tuesday; 5pm to 6:30pm. // Delfina, 3621 18th St. (Mission); details at delfinasf.com Watch political icon Willie Brown and satirist Will Durst trade sharp, funny takes on the day's headlines live with an audience Q&A, at the “Will & Willie Show”; Tuesday, 6pm to 8pm. // Yerba Buena Gardens, 221 4th St. (SoMa); tickets at eventbrite.com Taste your way across SF with dishes from 40 of the city’s most celebrated restaurants at the Toast and Taste gala, with proceeds benefiting Compass Family Services; Tuesday, 6pm to 9pm. // Chotto Matte, 50 O'Farrell St. (Union Square); tickets at compass-sf.org Sip your way through a multi-course bourbon dinner paired with selections from Weller, including the rare William Larue Weller; Wednesday, 6:30pm to 9pm. // La Connessa, 1695 Mariposa St. (Potrero Hill); tickets at eventbrite.com Mingle at a presentation-worthy singles mixer from the folks behind SF’s famous Date My Friend; Wednesday, 7pm to 9pm. // Madrone Art Bar, 500 Divisadero St. (Fillmore); register at heylo.com Sample the perfect summer beer at the launch party for Hot Mangonada, a mango-and-lime sour brew from Temescal Brewing and De La Creamery complete with Mexican food, ice cream, and prize-fueled loteria; Thursday, 5pm to 9pm. // Temescal Brewing, 4115 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland); RSVP at partiful.com Shop the Citrine Collective Market, a curated lineup of local makers and sustainable brands with live music, happy hour specials, and bites from Wild Onion Bistro & Bar; 5:30pm to 8pm. // Hotel Citrine, 750 San Antonio Rd. (Palo Alto); RSVP at eventbrite.com Brush up on your Presidio history, from its founding as a Spanish outpost to its current life as a national park, at the Clift's cocktail-fueled speaker series that promises to make history fun; Thursday at 6pm. // The Redwood Room, Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, 495 Geary St. (Union Square); RSVP at eventbrite.com Discover the art of dim sum at a tasting menu of hand-crafted dumplings, Peking duck, and more with a live guzheng performance and tableside masters walking you through the craft behind every dish; Thursday, 7pm. // Peony Seafood Restaurant, 388 9th St. (Oakland); tickets at kqed.org Answer the eternal question of what’s for dinner with tips and conversation from Caroline Chambers, the NYT bestselling author behind What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking; Thursday, 7pm to 8:30pm. // Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California St. (Presidio Heights); tickets at jccsf.org Cheer on the Valkyries on the big outdoor screen during a free block/watch party complete with a mobile basketball arcade, jersey giveaways, and live sets from King Isis and AroMa; Friday, 4pm to 9pm. // Front St. between California and Sacramento streets (FiDi); details at downtownsf.org Soak up state fair vibes with local flair. Head to this month’s rendition of Cole Valley Nights for a pie-baking contest, carnival games, and wholesome neighborhood fun; Friday, 4pm to 9pm. // Cole St. between Carl St. and Parnassus Ave. (Cole Valley); details at sunsetmercantilesf.com Have some laughs and libations during an after-hours evening with Ian Lara at Orin Swift Cellars; Friday, 5pm to 7pm. // Orin Swift Cellars, 1321 Main St. (St. Helena); tickets at exploretock.com Head out for a Renaissance-themed night market in the Castro complete with a “crown-and-corset” drag review and lots of local vendors; Friday, 5pm to 10pm. // Castro St. and 18th St. (Castro); RSVP at eventbrite.com Watch James Beard Award winners and Top Chef alums fire it up at Graton's two-day festival celebrating Sonoma food and wine with a signature five-course dinner experience and a live, poolside cookout; Friday at 6pm, and Saturday, 1pm to 5pm. // Graton Resort & Casino, 288 Golf Course Drive West (Rohnert Park); tickets at savorsonoma.com Get the best seat in the house for Noah Kahan's The Great Divide Tour. Tickets may be sold out, but you and 11 or more friends still have the chance to experience the show in your very own private luxury suite. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the Grammy-nominated artist live in person from the best view in the house; Friday at 6:30pm. // 24 Willie Mays Plaza (Mission Bay); tickets at oracleparksuites.com Thank you to our partners at Giants Enterprises. Savor a seven-course tasting menu from Alinea and Jungsik alum chef Desmond Ho, featuring kanpachi, Dungeness crab, and dry-aged duck, all paired with rare bottles spanning Champagne to Sauternes; Friday, 5pm to 9pm. // SoMa ProtoLab, 1070 Bryant St. (SoMa); tickets at thethirdplace.is Honor the 60th anniversary of the Compton's Cafeteria Riot at a special performance with drag legend Peaches Christ; Friday at 7pm. // Tenderloin Museum, 835 Larkin St. (Tenderloin); tickets at comptonscafeteriariot.com Catch a new English translation of Puccini's The Girl of the Golden West, which marks America's 250th anniversary with a limited eight-performance run; Friday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. // Terra Nova Theater, 1450 Terra Nova Blvd. (Pacifica); tickets at tickettailor.com Celebrate Green Goddess Day early (the bonafide holiday is officially on Sunday) with a special dressing-themed lunch at the place that started it all; Saturday, 12pm to 2pm. // Pied Piper Bar & Lounge, the Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery St. (SoMa); details at piedpipersf.com Adopt a new best friend during Clear the Shelters day, where all adoption fees on adult animals are waived; Saturday, 11am to 7pm. // SF SPCA, 250 Florida St. (Mission); details at cleartheshelters.com Take a bike tour of the Big Art Loop, an all-ages, curator-led ride. Fuel up with a snack break at Breadbelly at Pier 70; Saturday, 11am to 2pm. // Pier 7, The Embarcadero (Embarcadero); RSVP at sfbike.org Prep your markers for some baddie bingo with the Bay Area’s Baddies Who Crab club; Saturday, 1pm to 3pm. // Anina, 482 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley); register at partiful.com “Crash” an Indian wedding at an evening party with live dhol drumming, DJs, dance lessons, henna, chai, and Indian wedding traditions sans-invite; Saturday at 6pm. // Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell St. (Tenderloin); tickets at crashanindianwedding.com Step into 1852 San Francisco at an immersive living-history adventure of gold panning, tall ship tours, and performances from historical characters like Mark Twain and Emperor Norton; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm. // Pier 35 (Embarcadero); tickets at sanfranciscohistorium.com Experience A Midsummer Night’s Dream under Filoli’s towering redwoods in a performance from Silicon Valley Shakespeare; Saturday at 5:30pm. // Filoli, 86 Cañada Rd. (Woodside); tickets at filoli.org Knead, shape, and bake your own bread at a live-demo class—kicked off with a glass of Dom Pérignon Champagne—that will help you understand its ingredients, hydration, and techniques; Sunday at 11am. // Under-Study, 595 St Helena Hwy. (St. Helena); register at opentable.com Explore funky ferments at Suds Francisco, a festival dedicated to all things funky and fermented that will welcome more than 40 breweries, wineries, cideries; kombucha, sake, NA-Bev makers; and food vendors and live music; Sunday at 2pm. // Salesforce Park, 425 Mission St. (SoMa); tickets at eventbrite.com Come hungry for an all-you-can-eat seafood boil. Pile your plate high with juicy shrimp, smoked sausage, sweet corn, baby potatoes, and buttery Old Bay and Cajun flavor at Gumbo Social’s annual event; Sunday, 12pm to 2pm. // Gumbo Social 5176 3rd St. (Bayview); tickets at humanitix.com --- ### Road Trip Rx: California's Untamed North Coast **Published:** August 13, 2026 | **Author:** Amber Turpin | **Section:** Getaways **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/north-coast-california-road-trip-2677641084.html.md It’s really great that Coastal Marin and Sonoma counties make for an excellent day trip or quick overnight all year long; you can get all the way up to Sea Ranch in under three hours. But sometimes that well worn ease and convenience creates a mental barrier, limiting how far we are willing to go to explore. There are over 300 more miles to the California state line, so why not venture a little farther along the North Coast? Let’s begin this route above our typical boundary of the northern Sonoma coast. Get up here whichever way you want, even extending the road trip a couple of days to meander through Bodega Bay and check out the new Bar Auklet (11180 Hwy 1) in Point Reyes, or hit Patrick Cappiello’s new wine bar, The Siren’s Cellar (10439 Hwy 1), tucked behind the Jenner Outpost next to Cafe Aquatica. However you arrive, this trip’s official start is in Mendocino. The terrace at the Hill House at Trailborn Mendocino(Christian Harder, courtesy of Trailborn Hotels & Resorts) This picture perfect village is packed with charm and begs you to linger for a couple days. It’s also packed with history, natural wonder, and a whole lot of cemeteries—all interesting and worth exploring. The place to book your stay this trip is at the brand new Hill House at Trailborn Mendocino (10701 Palette Dr.), the first California property of the Trailborn boutique adventure hotel brand. The Hill House Wine & Grocer is their lobby store with a super cool feature: a wall of self-dispensing local wine by the ounce, where you can grab a (real) stemmed glass, swipe your room key, select the pour size you want, and it will automatically charge your room. Take your glass out to the firepits out front to enjoy al fresco, and if that chilly Mendo fog rolls in, there are cushy blankets to curl into. Pizza Standard Time, an onsite pizza shop and cocktail bar, is also now open. A continental breakfast every morning serves up a variety of yummy GoodLife Cafe & Bakery pastries, the locals favorite down the street. And a special side room, called the Cabot Cove Detective Library, is for Angela Lansbury fans. She towers over the space in a giant portrait—and there’s even a mystery-solving game to play, a homage to the property which served as a backdrop to the fictional town of Cabot Cove where Murder, She Wrote took place. Out of the many restaurant options in Mendocino you can’t miss the new Brickery and Waiting Room by the landmark Cafe Beaujolais team. Located in the same spot as the original restaurant (961 Ukiah St.), the sister businesses are a great addition to town. The suitably named Waiting Room is up front and offers espresso drinks and baked goods in the early part of the day, then transitions to a little lounge later on with happy hour snacks, wine, and beer. Vinyl plays prominently and there are cozy seats for lingering. For The Brickery, walk around to the spacious back garden area and order at the window from a menu that features almost too much to choose from. They’ve got great wood-fired pizzas, salads, soups, and smashburger specials on certain days. MacCallum House(Nikolas Zvolensky) Explore nearby beaches, like the epic Big River Beach at the Mendocino Headlands (Hwy 1 & Big River Rd.) just south of the village or Russian Gulch State Park (12301 Hwy 1), just north of the village, famous for the “Devil’s Punchbowl,” a 100-by-60-foot tunnel formed by pounding waves. Also spend time wandering around the village, popping into cute shops like the Mendocino Book Company (102 S. School St.); Study Club (10470 Lansing St.), which has chic stuff in a lovely setting; the new multipurpose, Valerie (10546 Lansing St.); and Mendo Made (10550 Lansing St.), a collective of local makers and goods where you’ll find flower pressed clothing, ceramics, and even a special stash of Tam’s Jam from out at Emandal in Willits. For a special dinner (maybe on your last night before leaving Mendocino?), duck into the MacCallum House (45010 Albion St.). It’s in a historic Victorian home—which is kind of the theme here—and executive chef Alan Kantor offers a five-course tasting or a la carte menu of seasonally-driven dishes. In the same camp as the Chez Panisse realm, MacCallum House highlights simple seasonal dishes. Their caprese salad with housemade fresh mozzarella and juicy, perfectly seasoned and olive oil-drizzled tomatoes was perfect. The wine list is vast and local-leaning, and there’s a very cute bar on the side. Don’t leave before checking out the new Dome at Mendocino Grove, just a couple of miles south of the village (9500, 9601 Hwy 1). The glampground unveiled it in May, a space intended for mindfulness with open sitting hours for self guided reflection. A weekly gentle Vinyasa flow yoga class incorporates sound bath elements, a closing aromatherapy adjustment, and Oracle Cards. You can also book tarot readings. All of this is led by Kati Bilsky, who came up from Esalen in Big Sur to be the resident instructor here. (Courtesy of Mendocino Grove) Departing on your journey north you should first stop at the tiny town of Caspar and the just reopened Caspar Inn. Caspar Bread and Wine (14957 Caspar Rd.) is run by a team that obviously cares about craft and community, and opening the front door feels like stumbling into a grange hall with awesome things to eat and drink. They have a sourdough bread program and pastries and coffee available by day; at night it turns into a natural wine bar. On our visit there were just two food items being served, written on a chalkboard: homemade potato chips and a salami sandwich. We all ordered them and they were the best things ever. Often there is live music from visiting artists, or events like storytelling. This is a community center above all—and you can tell. Your next destination is just about 20 minutes away, with the opportunity to explore Fort Bragg and other cool spots along the way. First, stop off at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (18220 Hwy 1), an amazing 47-acre property that you would never know is that big from the road. Pathways, twists, and turns take you all the way to the coastal bluff, with robust botanical specimens all along. There’s a huge selection of rhododendrons and camellias, a vibrant dahlia garden, and even a vegetable garden with produce that goes to the local food pantry. Nearby is Noyo Harbor, a pocket of boats and activity right at the mouth of the Noyo River. You’ll find some of the best fish and chips around at Sea Pal Cove (32390 N. Harbor Dr.), a bare bones operation with a really good fryer. The chowder has clams the size of golf balls and there are multiple craft beers on tap to wash it all down. Sit on the big waterside deck and watch the sea birds and sea lions play in the water. If you time your visit right, you can stop into the new Schnaubelt Distillery (32425 N. Harbor Dr.) for a tasting, or to grab a bottle. There’s also the popular, female-owned Princess Seafood (32096 N. Harbor Dr.), the culmination of the all-women fishing vessel, F/V Princess. Visit the newer restaurant at the river mouth or the original fish market (32410 N. Harbor Dr.) where you can slurp down a few oysters. And just opened this July, Floyd & Connie’s is a super cool spot that you find tucked away in the Snug Harbor RV Park (32150 N. Harbor Dr.), with updated, nostalgic Americana food and legit cocktails that started as a pop-up in 2022 by a husband-and-wife team. A dish at the Harborview Bistro at Noyo Harbor Inn in Fort Bragg(Brendan McGuigan) Perched above the harbor with views for days is the Noyo Harbor Inn & Harborview Bistro (500 Casa Del Noyo), a perfect stop for a beverage or snack (or overnight stay). A big draw here is their wide selection of whiskeys, in cocktails or in flights, as well as their own bitters line. Try the Mendocino Spirit flight for local tastes like the Ukiah-based Charbay R5, a hop-flavored spirit distilled with Bear Republic Brewery’s Racer 5 IPA. There’s even a cigar lounge! Don’t linger too long, because your next basecamp is at the very special Inn at Newport Ranch, just ten miles north of Fort Bragg (31502 Hwy 1). Owner Will Jackson, a young-at-heart 98-year-old, purchased the first 850 acres of this historic property in 1985. Today, its 2,200 acres span the craggy coastline and forested inland hills. A very old Monterey Cyprus tree (which appears on the Inn’s logo) stands guard over the inn’s main entrance, held in by the gorgeous stained glass doors and wood architecture. David Sellars, a graduate of the Yale School of Architecture, finished this project in 2015, and you’ll notice inspiration by Frank Lloyd Right, as well as Japanese and Craftsman design styles. Many of the materials were salvaged from local sources. The Inn at Newport Ranch has only 10 rooms and suites (and one stunning house available to rent), and all are one of a kind. Windows feature prominently to let the landscape in, and some of the construction built around existing trees in the indoor spaces. Suites have full kitchens stocked with French presses, real milk in the fridge, complementary snacks, and even little cans of Fever Tree tonic. But even if you’re in one of those suites, you probably won’t cook much because the in-house restaurant is outstanding. A full breakfast is included, with a vast assortment of dishes like polenta with poached eggs, house smoked bacon, fresh juices, and more. It’s a delight to start the day here. A guest room at the Inn at Newport Ranch(Nikolas Zvolensky) Dinner is also on offer by reservation in a tasting format four nights a week, and there’s a “Ranch Supper” everyday except for Thursdays. All seasonally-driven and made with lots of foraged and local ingredients, everything down to the cultured butter is homemade. You can tell that culinary consultant Adam Lawrence and executive chef Nick Wells truly love cooking and are excited about their jobs. The best way to explore the property is on an ATV tour, bookable online along with a few other excursions and adventures. Ask if Otis Brown is available to take you, a real gem of a human born just a few miles north of here in Westport. He knows a ton, and will help tell the Inn at Newport story, like the fact that Will Jackson loves picnics so much that he created 15 scenic picnic spots around the property, which you’ll get to see and partake in if you opt for a tour during lunch. Riding along in the off-road Kawasaki—“the Cadillac of ATVs,” explains Brown—you’ll learn that the water is so deep right at the edge of the land here, whales come super close to rub their barnacles off on the cliffs. Brown’s wife, who is a naturalist and the gardener here, says she can smell the whales’ breath when this happens. That organic garden was made with guests in mind, encouraging visitors to use, harvest, and cook with the ingredients growing there. They also have a mushroom farm, bee hives, and foraging tours led by the couple. This isn’t a one-nighter kind of place, so book at least two and then go explore Fort Bragg a bit more. The old town is abundant with art; it seems like everywhere you look there’s painted stuff. In fact, there’s a whole mural walking tour pamphlet you can pick up to explore for yourself. There are tons of shops, some super kitchy and touristy, and others really unique, like the letterpress store Little Cup (223 E. Redwood Ave.) and the intriguing Larry Spring Museum of Common Sense Physics (225 E. Redwood Ave.). You’ll also find Fabled (116 E. Laurel St.), which has sweet and quirky housewares, eclectic local goods, and curated items, from lemon-shaped candles to crafty potholders. You can also stop in at the Noyo Center for Marine Science (32439 N. Harbor Dr.), a citizen scientist-run operation with the world’s largest killer whale skeleton on display. For food, try out the countless mini slider options at the new Huck’s Sliderhouse (139A E. Laurel St.), which you can also order from a kiosk at Tall Guy Brewing (362 N. Franklin St.), a true third space located in an old Sears building that former North Coast Brewing brewmaster Patrick Broderick opened in 2023. Taka’s Grill (250A N. Main St.) is a legit Japanese spot on the main strip—the owner even has a local uni farm nearby. Taka’s is the place to sample the local red variety in its true form, nigiri style, and to learn more about the invasive sea urchin situation. Next door is local favorite, Cowlick's Ice Cream (250 N. Main St. A), where you can try the seasonal candy cap mushroom flavor. The Chandelier Drive Thru Tree in Leggett on Hwy 101(Courtesy of @chandelierdrivethrutree) Fort Bragg is also the main stop for the Skunk Train (100 W. Laurel St.), where you can book a variety of fun adventures. They recently unveiled a luxury Presidential Car—a luxe ride with cocktail service—as well as unique railbikes, which are just what they sound like: bikes on the rails. On certain evenings, you can take the classic Pudding Creek Express route to the Glen Blair Bar, which feels like arriving at a secret forest hideout with live music, crafty drinks, fire pits, and even giant Jenga sets. Next up, head north to Eureka, a route that takes you along the South Fork of the Eel River and through massive redwood groves. You’ll hit the town of Leggett and its famous Chandelier Drive Thru-Tree first (67502 Drive Thru Tree Rd.). Have lunch just minutes away at The Peg House (69501 Hwy 101), a roadhouse that offers more than meets the eye. You can smell the grass fed burger patties on the grill and you’ll find a few local beers (like Pliny the Elder), hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, fat local oysters (BBQ’d with garlic butter), and “world famous” wild blackberry sundaes. Live music on a big stage at the edge of the outdoor patio is a draw here, like the Willie Nelson-voiced charmer at noon on a Tuesday. There are picnic tables scattered among thriving garden boxes, and a rustic gift shop in front that hits that quintessential roadside stop requirement. The Peg House’s tagline “Never Don’t Stop” is absolutely true. If you’re craving a dip, pull over to the left a few miles north on Highway 101 at the Bud Smithe Grove, where you’ll find a perfect Eel River swimming hole to jump into. Then get back on the road, opting for the scenic Avenue of the Giants, the 31-mile road that basically runs parallel to Highway 101, which has multiple opportunities to check out old growth trees and kitchy stops (like the free to enter Chimney Tree, burned out in 1914). By the time you get to Eureka, it will feel very urban—and that’s fun, because it means lively restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and vintage shops. Check in at Inn at 2nd and C in the historic Eagle House (124 C. St.), an old Victorian building with a large, ornate ballroom in the center that’s bedazzled with stained glass, balconies, and tucked away rooms. It’s also a community space, with dance classes many nights of the week (the first class is free). Phatsy Kline's at the historic Eagle House in Eureka(Courtesy of @phatsykilinesparlorlounge) Housed in the same building on the corner is Gallagher's Irish Pub, a space bustling with locals and tourists alike who come for the delicious fish and chips (voted best in Humboldt County many times) and more. Also on the bottom floor is Phatsy Kline's, a swanky place for upscale cocktails, live music, and fun events. It was closed during our visit, so we headed to The Speakeasy (411 Opera Aly.) instead, just a short walk away to try local spirits like Little River Gin from Humboldt Craft Spirits, which makes a mean dirty martini. For food, Humboldt Bay Provisions (205 G. St.) is the place for oysters, cheese plates, and glasses of wine. Go to Los Bagels for breakfast (403 2nd St.), a regional bagel shop chain that began in 1984. Locals will tell you all about the special Larrupin’s dill mustard, which you should eat on the slug-shaped everything bagel. If you notice the air smelling like chocolate, you’re not crazy. Dick Taylor Chocolate’s headquarters is prominent here (333 1st St.), with a huge factory, cafe, and bakery, plus tours every Friday. Taste, shop, sip on a malted mocha, and nibble a perfect chocolate chunk cookie before you strike out for your next destination—Arcata is less than ten miles away and also worth a visit—or begin the journey back toward home. Hopefully the road trip bug will have bitten, and you’ll take your time. --- ### 6 Must-Shop Consignment Stores in the Bay Area **Published:** August 11, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Editors | **Section:** Style **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/consignment-shops-san-francisco-bay-area-1781213052.html.md Could designer fashion be any more expensive these days? Our secret is consignment. Buy mint-condition pieces for a discounted price and even sell your next-to-new goods to make a few extra bucks. Check out these must-shop consignment stores in San Francisco (and beyond). The RealReal's flagship in San Francisco.(Mariko Reed) The RealReal The internet consignment behemoth once again has three beautiful spaces in the Bay Area: In San Francisco's Union Square, Palo Alto, and at Larkspur Landing in Marin. Each of these shops is brimming with designer merch (recent seasons only) for men and women both. If you've ever shopped with TRR, you know they are picky-picky when it comes to quality, so plan to bring your best and get the same in return. At the SF location, you can enjoy a Sightglass coffee and Mr. Holmes pastry from the cafe. How to consign: Drop your stuff curbside or head inside to meet with a luxury expert for a free valuation. If you have any fine watches in your position, they'll pay you for them on the spot. // 253 Post St. (Union Square), therealreal.com/sf; 1201 Larkspur Landing (Larkspur), therealreal.com/marin; and 379 University Ave. (Palo Alto), therealreal.com/paloalto Goodbyes Head here for designer finds for both men and women at affordable prices. Snag a pair of Gucci booties or an embroidered spring jacket, all in near flawless condition. Recent finds include a quilted Burberry coat, ruffled Dolce & Gabbana top, How to consign: Items require a minimum of a $100 resale value and will be held for 60 days; Goodbyes offers a 50/50 split on the selling price. On items priced $500 or more, you'll receive 70 percent of the selling price. // 3483 and 3464 Sacramento St. (women's) and 3462 Sacramento St. (men's), Presidio Heights, goodbyessf.com Fashionphile Known for its collection of luxury handbags as well as jewelry and accessories, Fashionphile carries the big brands—Chanel, Celine, Saint Laurent, Versace, Lanvin. Hot right now: a Chanel goatskin quilted large flap bag and Saint Laurent pink suede star-print sneakers. How to consign: Submit details and photos of your items online to receive a buyout price quote. Then, you'll receive a free FedEx U.S. domestic ground shipping label to send your item in. Payment is processed the next business day upon receiving and authenticating your bag or bauble. Or, make an appointment at the Fashionphile Studio at Neiman Marcus Union Square. // 291 Geary St., Ste. 201 (Union Square), fashionphile.com (Courtesy of Sui Generis) Sui Generis Despite a bit of address shuffling, Sui Generis is a longtime beloved destination for edgy and gorgeous high-designer mens- and womenswear. Brands on offer include Gucci, Tom Ford, Alaia, Dries Van Noten, Saint Laurent, and more. Recent finds include a Love Moschino studded jacket and a Burberry Prorsum lace dress. How to consign: Schedule an appointment to sell your pieces—you'll receive 40 percent of the purchase price. Before you go, check the store's list of accepted brands and plan to bring at least $500 worth. // 2231 Market St. (Upper Market), suigenerisconsignment.com Cris Cris is a lovely consignment boutique brimming with modern designer clothing, accessories, shoes, and leather goods for a third of the original retail price. Expect a large selection of Chanel, with some Lanvin and Hermes thrown in for good measure. Recent finds include a resort-ready Balenciaga floral-print handbag and red suede Hermes booties. How to consign: Go during their buying hours (noon to 5:30pm Wednesday through Sunday), price each piece together, leave it in the store for up to two months, and then split the sale price 50/50. // 1813 Polk St. (Russian Hill), crisconsignment.com Labels With two locations in Berkeley and Walnut Creek, this sleek shop has a plethora of brands to choose from—go for the Marc Jacobs and splurge on the Balenciaga. You'll find apparel, handbags, and accessories. Recent finds include a Stella McCartney faux suede tote, Chloe leather ankle boots, and a Chanel silk gown. How to consign: Book your 30-minute appointment online or by calling 925.952.4566. Items must two years old or newer, unless it's high-end vintage. The split is 50/50 and payments are made every Friday. // 2629 Ashby Ave (Berkeley), and 1367 N. Main St. (Walnut Creek), labelsluxury.com --- ### 7 Vibey Date Night Spots in San Francisco **Published:** August 11, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/vibey-san-francisco-date-spots-2669130310.html.md Whether you’ve just met or you’ve been together for years, every couple needs a vibey date spot now and again, the kind of place with a design perspective so strong, it’s transportive. High-brow or low(er)-brow, San Francisco has plenty of atmospheric destinations for dinner. From the bite-sized romance of the Outer Richmond’s Pizzetta 211 to the Moroccan embrace of El Mansour, these restaurants have moods made for falling (or staying) in love. --- ### 8 Places to Eat in West Berkeley, an Underrated Food Neighborhood Gem **Published:** August 10, 2026 | **Author:** Emily Polsby | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/west-berkeley-restaurants-2677599001.html.md Oakland has been getting most of the East Bay culinary love lately, but don’t sleep on West Berkeley. Venture west beyond San Pablo Avenue, to discover clusters of distinctive dining and drinking options in the Gilman District, with First Fridays on their wine block, and Fourth Street, known for tony boutiques and chains like Sephora and the Apple Store. Other creative restaurateurs have staked out their own turf elsewhere in this industrial zone. From newcomer Divan to perpetual favorite 900 Grayson, here are just a few of the West Berkeley eateries worth checking out. --- ### A Modern Guide to Santa Barbara's Arts District **Published:** August 7, 2026 | **Author:** Amber Turpin | **Section:** Getaways **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/guide-santa-barbara-arts-district-2677273180.html.md Santa Barbara is a seaside paradise. It’s no wonder we refer to it as the American Riviera. While plenty of visitors stick to the swath of hotels, restaurants, and activities close to the beach, there’s more to enjoy here than just that. Venture a few blocks inland, and you’ll enter the zone recently christened the Arts District. The main artery of Santa Barbara is State Street, which closed to traffic downtown during Covid. This helped spark a rebranding and renewal of the neighborhood’s northern end, an area historically demarcated by theaters run by rival movie studios in the 1920s. It’s now full of interior design stores, galleries, and restaurants, as well as the new location for the famous Saturday morning farmers market—the favorite of former local Julia Child. --- ### 28 Fun Things to Do This Week (8.10.26) **Published:** August 7, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-8-10-26-2677661119.html.md The stars are aligning this week. Join celestial events at an Exploratorium solar eclipse watch party and a glamp-y meteor shower viewing in Napa. For terrestrial inspiration, check out works by women and nonbinary artists at The March, stories at the Glide gala, or performances at the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival. Then decide your destiny at the Pizza, Bagel, and Beer Festival. Jump ahead to this week's top events: See a solar eclipse across the world at the Exploratorium. Have a free laugh at a Hella Funny at Public Market Emeryville. Carb-load at Pizza, Bagel, and Beer Festival in North Beach. Go all out at Glide's silent disco. Have a good one. Take a culinary tour of Tuscany at a tasting featuring ten wines from the surrounding region paired with a discussion on the history and current trends in the areas; Monday at 6pm. // Fox and Lion Bread, 3350 18th St. (Mission); tickets at ticketstripe.com See a solar eclipse across the world during a watch party and a live broadcast from Spain paired with expert commentary, hands-on activities, and more fun science; Wednesday, 10:30am to 12:30pm. // Exploratorium, Pier 15 (Embarcadero); tickets at exploratorium.edu Get stuff done at a SFPL “admin night” that helps you focus on your to-do list with drinks, snacks, and a friendly sense of accountability; Wednesday, 6pm to 7:45pm. // San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin St. (Civic Center); details at sfpl.org Enjoy pours of Hope Family Wines paired with ocean views and a four-course menu from Executive Chef Jose Mendoza in a special one-wine collaborative dinner; Wednesday at 6:30pm. // Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant, 1000 Great Hwy. (Golden Gate Park); tickets at eventbrite.com Stargaze Napa-style at the Meritage’s Perseid meteor shower experience featuring elevated food truck fare, paired libations, and guided, front-row views with local astronomers; Wednesday at 7:30pm. // The Meritage Resort and Spa, 875 Bordeaux Way (Napa); tickets at meritageresort.com Experience new works from women and nonbinary performers at the In Front of Your Eyes Performance Festival, featuring a lineup of 18 shows and performances throughout the week; Wednesday through Sunday. // The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St. (Mission); details and tickets at themarsh.org Sketch your heart out with a guided night of drawing in SFMOMA's galleries; Thursday at 6pm. // SFMOMA, 151 Third St. (SoMa); tickets at sfmoma.org Have a free laugh at a Hella Funny comedy showcase in the East Bay. See sets from local comedians and browse the Public Market Emeryville food hall for a DIY dinner; Thursday, 6pm to 8pm. // Public Market Emeryville, 5959 Shellmound St. (Emeryville); details at eventbrite.com Shuffle over to Bistro 888’s Mahjong Social for game tables, Asian-inspired bites, cocktails, and good vibes at this beginner-friendly night; Thursday, 5:30pm to 8:30pm. // Bistro 888, 888 Howard St. (SoMa); RSVP at eventbrite.com Spend an “Eve on the Green” at The Peninsula’s exclusive gala featuring a luxurious tour of Route 66 history, remarkable automobiles, a Michelin team-led dinner under the stars, and live musical performance; Thursday at 4pm. // The Quail Golf Club, 8000 Valley Greens Dr. (Carmel); tickets at peninsula.com Grab a drink and dance in the streets at this month’s Valencia Live! festivities featuring a curated lineup of music from Carnaval SF; Thursday, 5pm to 10pm. // Valencia St. between 17th St. and 20th St. (Mission); RSVP at eventbrite.com Head to Fairyland, sans-kids. The fairy gates are opening for an adults-only night of music, dancing, food trucks, cocktails, and Jolly Trolly rides to benefit the Oakland institution; Friday, 6pm to 10pm. // Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave. (Oakland); tickets at fairyland.org Indulge in the Feast of Fowl, St. Supery’s immersive ode to dishes using duck, guinea hen, and quail complemented by their fall wine releases and estate garden vegetables; Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 3pm. // St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery, 8440 St. Helena Hwy. (Rutherford); reservations at stsupery.com Help spiff up the Mission at a volunteer gardening session at Dolores Park; Saturday, 10am to 12pm. // Dolores St. and 18th St. (Mission); register at mobilize.us Harvest your own clay from a Bay Area beach at a mindful foraging class that will also show you how to create a unique creation from your found material; Saturday, 10am to 2pm. // Daly City; details and tickets at classbento.com Check out SCRAP’s new digs at the craft warehouse’s grand opening in its permanent home; Saturday, 10am to 6pm. // SCRAP, 141 Industrial St. (Bayview); details at scrap-sf.org Kick off your weekend in Wine Country at a yoga class with live music from Kevin Paris for an extra-healing vinyasa session; Saturday, 9am to 10:30am. // Yoga on Center, 44B Mill St. (Healdsburg); register at yogaoncenter.com Carb-load at Pizza, Bagel, and Beer Festival for treats from dozens of Bay Area pizzerias, bagelries, and breweries, plus live music and more; Saturday, 12pm to 4pm. // Washington Square Park, Filbert St. and Stockton St. (North Beach); details at purplepass.com Take up some sewing at a relaxed “craft and chat” workshop for all levels. Kick off the afternoon with an informal talk from artist Greg Climer before diving into applying your own appliqué textile collage to a tote; Saturday, 1pm to 3pm. // Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 3rd St. (Dogpatch); tickets at sfmcd.org Raise hell at Lodi’s Laura DeForce Gordon Day. The quirky celebration of the historic suffragist and equal rights advocate will include a booing contest, legislative obstacle course, brasserie toss, historical walking tours and root beer floats; Saturday, 3pm to 5pm. // Woman's Club of Lodi, 325 W Pine St. (Lodi); details at visitlodi.com Gather for food, wine, and storytelling across the African diaspora at MoAD’s “Sips and Soul” dinner featuring libations and conversation with South Carolina-based chef Amethyst Ganaway and acclaimed sommelier and author Cha McCoy; Saturday, 6pm to 9pm. // The St. Regis Hotel,125 3rd St. (SoMa); tickets at moadsf.org Go all out for Glide during their annual summer gala featuring inspiring stories, an exclusive DJ set from David Harness, a silent disco, flowing libations, and more; Saturday, 8pm to 12am. // The Chapel, 777 Valencia St. (Mission); tickets at gofundme.com Show up for Oakland’s Pride celebration that includes a parade and festival full of performances, dancing, and joyful activities for all ages; Sunday at 10:30am. // Frank Ogawa Plaza at Broadway (Oakland); details at visitoakland.com Catch the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival and live performances from deaf and hearing artists of the Urban Jazz Dance Company from across the world; Sunday, 12pm to 4pm. // Presidio Tunnel Tops, 210 Lincoln Blvd. (Presidio); details at presidio.gov Check out a short film showcase when filmmaking community hub Cinemama screens two local films exploring identity, place, and resilience followed by a gathering with panelists and filmmakers; Sunday at 1pm. // OMCA, 1000 Oak St. (Oakland); tickets at museumca.org Take a ride through Pride history of local sites that hold local trans and queer significance in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot; Sunday at 1pm. // UN Plaza, Fulton St. and Hyde St. (Civic Center); register at sfbike.org Chill out at the Bliss Festival, the Presidio’s outdoor art and music festival of favorite Bay Area artists and local libations in a serene setting; Sunday at 2pm. // Presidio Theatre, 99 Moraga Ave. (Presidio); tickets at presidiotheatre.org Feel the heat when Heritage Fire brings its signature live-fire culinary experience to the Charles Krug Winery for an afternoon celebrating the region's acclaimed chefs, exceptional wineries and rich agricultural heritage; Sunday at 4:15pm. // Charles Krug Winery, 2800 Main St. (St Helena); tickets at toursbya21.com --- ### 13 Bloody Good Marys in San Francisco **Published:** August 6, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Editors | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/best-bloody-marys-san-francisco-2521369190.html.md Martinis, sidecars, and Irish coffees usually get top billing as San Francisco's most iconic cocktails. But if you're out and about in the city any given weekend morning, you'll come to find how much SF is in love with a good ole Bloody Mary (maybe it's all the hangovers?). But foodies that we are, we're rarely content with just tomato juice and horseradish. Rather, we lace our brunch beverage of choice with everything from tomatillos to carrots to balsamic vinegar. As for garnishes, well, let's just say that sometimes there's no toothpick large enough to hold all the artisan bacon,and pickled veggies piled on top of the glass. From classics to crazies, here are our 13 favorite Bloody Marys in San Francisco. --- ### Fall is Coming: Rothy’s Drops a New Clog, Hanna Andersson Hosts a Pop-Up + More Shop Talk **Published:** August 5, 2026 | **Author:** Gail Goldberg | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/rothys-fall-shoe-shop-talk-2677662971.html.md Penny, an undeniably cool loafer-clog hybrid, is ready for her close-up—and a prime spot in your closet. Plus, Hanna Andersson invites you to Mill Valley for a day of real-life back-to-school shopping. And Hindsgaul, a new haircare line with main-character energy, is here to lift the weight off your shoulders. --- ### How to Explore the Farmers Markets of Napa Valley **Published:** August 4, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/farmers-markets-napa-valley-2677646527.html.md There are plenty of ways to experience Napa Valley. But some of the best moments don't begin in a tasting room; they begin at a farmers market. Right now, the markets are full of rows of just-picked peaches, heirloom tomatoes, fragrant herbs, fresh-cut flowers, artisan breads, and handcrafted foods. Whether you're shopping for the week's produce, putting together a picnic, or simply enjoying a slow morning, Napa Valley's farmers markets offer a closer look at the people and products that define the region. Now, there's a single place to discover them all at once. The new website Farmers Markets of Napa Valley brings together six California Certified Farmers Markets under one regional platform, helping residents and visitors explore them throughout the valley. Supported through funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Promotion Program, the initiative helps to support local farmers, growers, ranchers, artisans, and the communities they serve. (Courtesy of Farmers Markets of Napa Valley) Six Markets, Six Different Experiences Each farmers market shares the same goal: bringing people together around fresh, locally grown food and the farmers who produce it. From the lively Saturday morning atmosphere of the Napa Farmers Market to neighborhood favorites in Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga, Farmstead, and Kaiser Napa, every market has its own character. Some visitors come for fruits and vegetables picked just hours before the market opens. Others stop by for fresh flowers, locally made foods, or handcrafted goods. Farmers markets change with the seasons. Summer brings berries, peaches, nectarines, melons, tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, basil, and zucchini. As fall arrives, apples, pears, squash, pumpkins, and hearty greens begin to fill the stands. Buying what's available means produce is at peak flavor—and you’re supporting the small family farms that help keep Napa Valley's agricultural traditions alive. (Courtesy of Farmers Markets of Napa Valley) Plan your next market morning. Whether you call Napa Valley home or you're visiting for the weekend, the Farmers Markets of Napa Valley website makes it easy to find market locations, operating days, and seasonal schedules in one place. Browse produce before grabbing lunch downtown, pick up ingredients for dinner straight from local growers, or wander the markets with a cup of coffee and see what catches your eye. However you spend your visit, you'll head home with fresh ingredients and a better appreciation for the people who grow them. // Explore all six California Certified Farmers Markets, view seasonal schedules, and start planning your next visit at Farmers Markets of Napa Valley; farmersmarketsofnv.org. --- ### 7 Essential Bay Area Experiences to Fill Out Your Summer Bingo Card **Published:** August 4, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Culture **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/essential-bay-area-summer-experiences-2657437429.html.md There's still six weeks left of summer, plenty of time to fill out your bingo card with some of San Francisco's most essential warm-weather (or freezing, foggy weather, depending on the microclimate) activities. Some of our favorite experiences have been beloved around here for 40, 80, even more than 100 years. And millions of Bay Areans over multiple generations can’t be wrong. --- ### What to Eat at Outside Lands 2026: Limited Editions, a New Snack Series + More **Published:** August 3, 2026 | **Author:** Amy Sherman | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/outside-lands-best-food-2026-2677278233.html.md Is Outside Lands a music festival with food or a food festival with music? If that sounds ludicrous, consider this: While there are 90 artists and bands at the three-day festival this year, there are 100 restaurants representing 53 different cuisines under the banner "Taste of the Bay Area." From the hottest new spots, such as Parachute Bakery, to the gone-but-not-forgotten Shuggie's and Mozzeria, and classics such as Perry's and Original Joe's, it will literally be impossible not to find something you want to eat: trendy croissant cubes, parmesan espresso martinis, quesabirria tacos, Basque cheesecake, plus three different types of boba tea, three kinds of chicken Caesar wraps, and six pizzerias offering slices. If you like fries, you're really in luck. There will be a staggering 31 different versions, including bougie garlic fries with caviar and crème fraîche, pulled pork adobo fries, paneer tikka masala-loaded fries, tzatziki fries, and chimichurri fries. Debuting this year will be the Snack Series, in which more than 20 local restaurants are offering secret-menu items, snack-sized versions of select signature dishes priced at $16 or less. While all the menu items have yet to be announced, we know that participants include Abacá, Bodega SF, Bun Mee Vietnamese Sandwich Eatery, Charles Chocolates, Dolores Park Cafe, El Garage, Gumbo Social, Izzy's Cheesesteaks, Merkado, Om Sabor, Respectable Bird, Ruru Kitchen, Shawarmaji, Tiya, Total Meltdown, and Wooly Pig. Over 90 percent of this year’s 100 restaurants are returnees, but there will be plenty of new dishes and a handful of new vendors, too. Here are just a few of the things we think are particularly worth checking out this August 7th through 9th at Golden Gate Park. --- ### 27 Fun Things to Do This Week (8.3.26) **Published:** July 31, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-8-3-26-2677293506.html.md Summertime and the living is easy. Lace up your rollerskates in San Rafael, get out under the stars in Kenwood, and head to Sonoma for the Gravenstein Apple Fair. Inspire other senses at the San Francisco Aerial Arts Festival, a free day at the Museum of Craft and Design, and a new photo exhibit in the Castro. And whether you’re headed to Outside Lands or not, you can join the pre-party at The Chapel on Thursday. Jump ahead to this week's top events: Get some free inspiration at the Museum of Craft and Design. Start Outside Lands early at a free pre-party at The Chapel. Be dazzled by high-flying acts at the San Francisco Aerial Arts Festival at Fort Mason. Nosh on local fare at the Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol. Have a good one. Serve up something fresh with 18 Reasons. Join a cooking classe, Sunday supper, or pop-up dinner, or learn some new skills and recipes at this nonprofit teaching kitchen. // 18 Reasons, 3674 18th St. (Mission); learn more on Instagram Thank you to our partners at 18 Reasons. Sneak in some yoga during your lunch break with a free outdoor class at the Ferry Building; Monday, 12pm to 1pm. // Ferry Building, 1 Embarcadero (Embarcerdo); details at ferrybuildingmarketplace.com Make the rounds for National Night Out, a citywide celebration where all ten SFPD district stations host a community gathering filled with food, games, activities, and opportunities to connect with neighbors; Tuesday at 4pm. // Schedule and details at sanfranciscopolice.org Elevate your matcha game at a “matcha showdown” that explores the flavors, history, cultural significance, and local variations on the beloved drink; Tuesday at 7pm. // KQED Headquarters 2601 Mariposa St. (Mission); tickets at tixr.com Lace up and roll out for Roller Disco Daze, Marin Center's free outdoor roller rink in partnership with the Church of 8 Wheels. Join a themed DJ night, enjoy lawn games and art installations, nosh on Manny’s tacos, and more; Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12pm to 8pm, and Fridays through Sundays, 12pm to 10pm. // Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Ave of the Flags (San Rafael); details at marincounty.gov Thank you to our partners at the County of Marin. Travel Back to the Future with a big, outdoor screening complete with popcorn, local wine, and a cozy setup for the Madrona’s monthly summer film series; Wednesday at 7:30pm. // The Madrona, 1001 Westside Rd. (Healdsburg); tickets at opentable.com Explore Rodney Strong Vineyards among the Russian River Valley vines with a tasting experience in their appointed indoor room, or on the outdoor terrace or concert green; Thursdays through Sundays, 10:30am to 5pm. // Rodney Strong Vineyard, 11455 Old Redwood Hwy. (Healdsburg); reservations at rodneystrong.com Thank you to our partners at Rodney Strong Vineyards. Get some free inspiration at the Museum of Craft and Design, including access to hands-on weaving and their current Video Craft exhibition; Thursday, 12pm to 5pm. // Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 3rd St. (Dogpatch); details at sfmcd.org Let loose at a downtown party. Another First Thursday returns with DJs, live music, dancing, and drag with headliner Eric Rhodes; Thursday, 5pm to 10pm. // 2nd St. between Market St. and Howard St. (SoMa); RSVP at eventbrite.com Raise a glass to work/life balance at a talk on “occupational wellness” that will share ideas for aligning your professional pursuits with your personal values, all over a glass of Eleven Eleven Wines; Thursday, 5:30pm to 7pm. // Eleven Eleven Wines, 620 Trancas St. (Napa); tickets at exploretock.com Start Outside Lands early at a free pre-party with drink specials, fun giveaways, and live music; Thursday, 6pm to 9pm. // Curio at The Chapel, 775 Valencia St. (Mission); details on Instagram Hang out with celebrity chefs at a benefit dinner for World Central Kitchen with Stephanie Izard, Damaris Phillips, Aarti Sequeira, and Crista Luedtke, who are each serving up signature bites from their own tasting stations; Friday, 4pm to 8pm. // Treehouse Silicon Valley, 1100 N Mathilda Ave. (Sunnyvale); tickets at sevenrooms.com Get revved up for Monterey Car Week, ten days celebrating collector car culture with car shows, exclusive gatherings, vintage racing, live auctions, and luxurious experiences; Friday through August 16. // Details and tickets at seemonterey.com Have a Parisian summer night in Healdsburg at Jordan Winery’s pop-up series that offers intimate French vibes and food with sweeping views; Friday, 6pm to 9pm. // Jordan Winery, 1474 Alexander Valley Rd. (Healdsburg); reservations at jordanwinery.com Meet a cast of Rebels, Criminals, Pioneers in a new photo exhibit highlighting masc heroes living authentically throughout the 1900s; opens Friday, 5pm to 8pm. // Queer Arts Featured, 575 Castro St. (Castro); details at queerartsfeatured.com Be dazzled by high-flying acts at the San Francisco Aerial Arts Festival, which will transform theaters, galleries, and public spaces into stages where artists defy gravity; Friday through Sunday. // Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, 2 Marina Blvd. (Marina); zaccho.org Spend an “Evening for Animals” at an after-hours benefit with San Francisco Animal Care and Control. Connect with people, pets, and the SFACC mission over dinner, cocktails, inspiring rescue stories, and a virtual auction; Saturday, September 26th, 7pm to 10pm. // San Francisco Animal Care and Control, 1419 Bryant St. (Mission); tickets at eveningforanimals.com Thank you to our partners at San Francisco Animal Care and Control. Get a taste of the sweet life at the Alila Napa Valley’s dolce vita afternoon tea service with a seasonal selection of house-made pastries, savory small bites, and artisanal teas, and the option to add on some bubbly; Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30am to 1:30pm. // Salvia Terrace and Bar, Alila Napa Valley, 1915 Main St. (St Helena); reservations at opentable.com Nosh on local fare at the Gravenstein Apple Fair. The annual event brings together farmers, families, musicians, artists, and food lovers for a true Sonoma County celebration; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm. // Ragle Ranch Park, 500 Ragle Rd. (Sebastopol); tickets at gravensteinapplefair.com Be part of a cultural tradition at the Pistahan Festival, a vibrant showcase of Filipino and Filipino-American arts and culture through live performances, artisan markets, traditional food vendors, and more; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 5pm. // Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between 3rd St. and 4th St. (SoMa); details at pistahan.net Party in Oakland at the Laurel Street Fair World Music Festival. Celebrate The Town’s rich culture with live music, roller skating, a beer garden, artisan vendors, and libations; Saturday, 11am to 7pm. // MacArthur Blvd. between 35th Ave. and Maybelle Ave. (Oakland); details at laureldistrictassociation.org Snag a free Spam musubi. In honor of National Spam Musubi Day, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is giving away the iconic Hawaiian staple; Saturday, 12pm to 4pm. // L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, 312 Kearny St. (FiDi) and other Bay Area locations; details at hawaiianbarbecue.com Immerse yourself in the flavors of the Russian River Valley with a guided tasting with Benovia Winery at Embarc’s chic wine bar; Saturday, 1pm to 3pm. // Embarc Wines, 2 Embarcadero Center (FiDi); tickets at eventbrite.com Prep for the Perseids meteor shower with a class on different kinds of showers, how to find the best viewing window, and a guide to what you’re seeing; Saturday at 8:30pm. // Robert Ferguson Observatory, 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd. (Kenwood); tickets at simpletix.com Shop Inner Sunset Flea for two full blocks of vintage and secondhand treasures, artists and makers, community organizations, live music, and all-ages fun; Sunday, 10am to 4pm. // Irving St. between 9th Ave. and 11th Ave. (Inner Sunset); details at sunsetmercantilesf.com Pick through treasures at the Pickwick Vintage Show, featuring clothing, jewelry, accessories, textiles, and more from 70+ California vendors; Sunday, 10am to 4pm. // Ferry Building, 1 Embarcadero (Embarcerdo); details at ferrybuildingmarketplace.com Grab a spot under the redwoods for two weeks of concerts at Filoli that kick off with the vintage sounds of Lizzy and the Triggermen; Sunday at 5:30pm through August 18th. // Filoli, 86 Cañada Rd. (Woodside); tickets at filoli.org --- ### 8 Hidden Gems in South Lake Tahoe **Published:** July 31, 2026 | **Author:** Nora Heston Tarte | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/hidden-gems-south-lake-tahoe-2677467907.html.md South Lake Tahoe is one of the premier destinations for Bay Area travelers, but the itinerary can feel a bit tired if you keep coming back over and over. Once you’ve crossed the big items off your bucket list, uncover some of the lesser-known local haunts you might have otherwise missed. Nevada Beach at the end of the Lam Watah Nature Trail(Courtesy of Visit Lake Tahoe) Hike to the beach via the Lam Watah Nature Trail. Hiking in Lake Tahoe is so popular that the best-known trails fill up fast, causing your attempt at connecting with nature to devolve into shouting “on your left” every few minutes. Finding a route less traveled certainly helps, and the Lam Watah Nature Trail to Nevada Beach ranks among the best. The easy trail is a mix of paved road and dirt paths winding through a meadow shadowed by towering trees before landing at Nevada Beach, a favorite local spot with a dog-friendly stretch. Here you can set up your chairs and dip your toes before starting the trip back. The total distance largely depends on your starting point. If you park on the side of the road near the trailhead, you’ll complete about a 2.5-mile round trip. If you begin next to the giant playground at the parking lot of the woodsy park, you’re looking at three miles all in. // Hwy 50 at Kahle Dr. (Stateline), alltrails.com Get a Dole Whip at a walk-up window. You don’t have to fly to Disneyland to get your Dole Whip fix. The delicious pineapple ice cream-ish dessert is for sale at Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, near the state line marker. The Jimmy Buffet-themed resort boasts island vibes in the middle of the mountains and Joe Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions serves Dole Whip soft serve and even Dole Whip margaritas at the walk-up window near the entrance seasonally while supplies last. Enjoy your snack on the newly expanded and renovated patio overlooking Lake Tahoe Boulevard, a prime destination for people watching. // 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (South Lake Tahoe), margaritavilleresorts.com Noel's has the best espresso martini in Tahoe.(Courtesy of @noelscoffee) Taste the “best” espresso martini at Noel’s Apothecary. Noel’s Apothecary started as a speakeasy, but it isn’t one anymore. Instead of shielding the business from clientele on the main stretch of Stateline bars, owners decided to put a big sign overhead and advertise live music nightly without losing the speakeasy style inside. While the venue is fun for many reasons (and operates as a coffee bar during the day), the real reason to come here is for the killer espresso martini—we’re calling it the best we’ve ever had. The magic is in the recipe: vodka distilled seven times, a dash of sea salt, and a twist of orange. Instead of being finished with three coffee beans, according to tradition, the drink gets an orange peel garnish. // 31 US-50, #102, (Stateline), sltrestaurants.wixsite.com Head to The Hangar for lawn games and beers. Further down Lake Tahoe Boulevard, beyond the bustling Heavenly Village, sits The Hangar Taproom and Bottle Shop. In addition to a small shipping-container tasting room, the sprawling outdoor lawn features plenty of games fit for the whole family, including corn hole. Plentiful picnic tables invite friends to gather and sip craft beer alongside grub purchased from on-site food trucks. The best bonus? The property is dog friendly. The Hangar also hosts occasional 21+ concerts with some notable talent. // 2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Ste. B (South Lake Tahoe), thehangarlaketahoe.com Fallen Leaf Lake(Courtesy of Visit Lake Tahoe) Trade Lake Tahoe for Fallen Leaf Lake. Look, we’re mostly heading to Lake Tahoe in summer for the beach, but with complicated reservation systems and crowded sand, it isn’t always easy—or relaxing. Those in the know can beat the crowds by heading one mile southwest to Fallen Leaf Lake. The sand is a little less groomed, but there’s a lot more serenity at this little-known spot, a smaller version of the region’s namesake lake. Fallen Leaf Lake even boasts its own campground if you want to stay the night. // Fallen Leaf Rd. (South Lake Tahoe), visitlaketahoe.com Listen to live music in a sandwich shop speakeasy. Okay, okay… Heavenly Village is anything but hidden. But the bar we’re talking about inside the village is exactly that: a true speakeasy is located behind the “refrigerator” at Social House Craft Sandwiches. Dubbed Community Speakeasy, all you have to do to get in is go up to the bar and say, “I hear there is another bar around here.” That’ll land you on the list if there’s room. Once inside, phones are prohibited, but you’ll be able to enjoy craft cocktails and rotating musicians. // 1001 Heavenly Village Way, #3 (South Lake Tahoe), socialhousetahoe.com The new South Lake Tahoe Recreation & Aquatics Center(Courtesy of Visit Lake Tahoe) Recharge at the rec center. Just two miles from South Lake Tahoe’s main attractions sits the South Lake Tahoe Recreation & Aquatics Center. The 64,000-square-foot facility just opened in April, and it boasts an indoor swimming pool, rock climbing walls, and full gym next door to the library and down the street from the community ice rink. This isn’t just any community pool. Instead, the indoor area features options for lap swimming, a lazy river, and a children’s swim area and splash pad. Prices are low, and it’s a good way to beat the crowds—or poor weather—without missing out on water time. // 1100 Rufus Allen Blvd. (South Lake Tahoe), cityofslt.gov/2520/Parks-Recreation Dine on wine and sandwiches in a strip mall. Another off-the-beaten-path favorite, The Cork & More is located in the Tahoe Center strip mall. It’s a gourmet market with a stunning selection of cheese, including many unique and aged varieties. There is also wine tasting available, and you can sip through open bottles or grab a glass of your favorite. Our recommended way to enjoy? Purchase a bottle from the vast collection and crack it open on the patio, then order up sandwiches from the back-room deli that truly are the best in the city. // 1032 Al Tahoe Blvd. (South Lake Tahoe), thecorkandmore.com --- ### Locals We Love: Maggie McDonogh, 4th-Gen Captain of the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry **Published:** July 30, 2026 | **Author:** Ginny Prior | **Section:** Locals We Love **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/captain-maggie-mcdonogh-angel-island-2677294448.html.md A fiery redhead is making waves in the maritime industry. Maggie McDonogh is not only the owner of the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry, she is one of the few female captains in this male-dominated field. Running the Tiburon-to-Angel Island route her father started in 1959 has been challenging. But McDonogh’s tenacity and fierce loyalty to her family roots keep “the little ferry that could” running and profitable. You might say it’s personal. McDonogh’s great-grandfather came to Tiburon with the railroad and started a boarding and chowder house. Her grandfather ran a fleet of rowboats between the north and south towers of the Golden Gate Bridge during its construction and transported supplies for the U.S. Army stationed on Angel Island during the 1930s. When they began planning to turn the island into a state park and decommission its military installation in 1959, her father, Milton, founded the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry. “On the first day he made seven dollars,” says McDonogh. The company now ferries between 55,000 and 70,000 people annually to the state park. (Courtesy of @angelislandferry) McDonogh grew up at the docks her dad helped build. By her early 20s, the ferry company was growing so rapidly that he needed her help. McDonogh earned her U.S. Coast Guard Master license and took on the nickname “Captain Maggie.” Eventually, she took over the family business altogether. Funding is just one of the challenges for an independent operator like the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry Company. “We’re not public like some of the bigger companies that have the benefit of funding from bridge tolls and other public dollars, in addition to their farebox revenues,” says McDonogh. In 2018, when the State Department of Parks and Recreation put the Angel Island route out to bid, McDonogh rallied the support of the town of Tiburon and state lawmakers. “This ferry company is part of the collective memory of our community,” she says. “I can't tell you the number of times I meet somebody and go into their home, and I see their family picture with our railing of the ferryboat in the background.” Like a master of chess, McDonogh is always planning her next move. Her fleet will soon include one of the first zero emission ferries in California, financed with the help of a $24-million grant from the California Air Resources Board. Plans are underway to electrify the first two vessels in the fleet, and EV Maritime in New Zealand is designing a third, plug-in hybrid electric vessel. The Prime Minister of New Zealand even came to San Francisco for the signing ceremony. McDonogh has also forged a strong partnership with the Angel Island Conservancy to offer several historical island events for America’s 250th anniversary, including a recent Fourth of July celebration. On October 10th, during Fleet Week, the island will hold a Victorian Sundae Social and Picnic. The Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry embarks on one of its sunset cruises, offered most Saturdays and Sunday evenings between May and October.(Michael Parker) The Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry also hosts specialty cruises for the public on holidays and during special events like the Blue Angels performances and the Lighted Boat Parade. They offer sunset cruises on the Bay most Saturday and Sunday evenings, May through October, and have hosted everything from beach parties to weddings. McDonogh is even licensed to officiate the ceremony. McDonogh never tires of sharing her window to what she calls one of the great estuaries of the world for wildlife. “We see harbor seals, pelicans, dolphins. Once we saw killer whales, and that caused quite a kerfuffle with the biologists up and down the coast.” Ever a family affair, fifth-generation McDonogh Becky, Maggie’s daughter, helps as a deckhand when she’s not fishing commercially. The Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry is the only carrier that will hire teenagers as young as 16 to give them maritime experience. “It’s our obligation to pass on knowledge to the next generation, just like my father did,” says McDonogh. “I know I’m tiny. I’m one of the few females in a male-dominated business. And the pressure you put on yourself because of that is—you need to be better,” she continues. Small businesses, McDonogh believes, are the threads that hold a community together. // Find the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry schedule and event information at angelislandferry.com (Courtesy of Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry) --- ### Two Historic Napa Valley Wineries Creatively Reinvent Their Tastings for the Modern Age **Published:** July 29, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Wine Country **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/historic-napa-wineries-reinvent-tastings-2677288938.html.md It’s no secret that wineries in the Napa Valley have found themselves navigating uncharted territory of late. It’s not only that people are drinking less wine. The typical tasting just isn’t hitting the same way it used to, whether due to the astronomical fees now charged by most tasting rooms or the bafflement some younger Wine Country visitors feel for the beverage. What’s a Napa Valley winery to do—especially when that Napa Valley winery has been around for a century or more? This summer, two historic vintners are meeting the moment head-on—one with an out-of-the-box tasting experience unlike any other in Northern California, the other by reconnecting with its roots in a jaw-dropping redesign of spaces never before open to the public. The atrium in the restored historic winery at Beaulieu Vineyard(Adam Potts) Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) This July, the 126-year-old Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) debuted a second act for its original Rutherford winery. Up until then, the stone behemoth on the St. Helena Highway had spent decades sitting quietly, still full of early winemaking equipment and a number of other treasures from the company’s storied history. Two years of renovations have now transformed the 1885 building, restoring its original architecture and carving out seven different indoor and outdoor tasting spaces. The redwood wine barrels found inside were refashioned into dramatic ceilings, and SF firm BAMO designed the interiors with different combinations of the label’s signature red and gold, including bespoke rugs embroidered with the topography of Napa Valley. Pieces from a massive archive of BV historical documents and ephemera first discovered in 2023—ranging from mid-century magazine recipes for pairing with BV wines (when that idea was still novel in the U.S.) to an authentic pre-Prohibition bottle from 1919—are part of a new mini-museum in the hospitality center’s front reception hall. A fully restored 1925 Cadillac Imperial Touring Car that belonged to founder Georges de Latour has a place of honor in a glass-walled atrium nearby. The 1885 Courtyard at BV(Adam Potts) Upstairs, in the former barrel room, the ceiling is still graffitied with the names and dates of generations of workers—appropriate for a space in which they’re now hosting The Time Traveler Experience, a two-hour tasting with historically inspired bites to pair with different BV vintages. It’s just one of three tasting experiences involving the winery’s first-ever culinary program. The Heritage Tasting ($80 per person, 90 minutes) is the most accessible version. Inspired by afternoon tea, it pairs a wine flight with a tiered tray layered with savory, seasonal bites so delicious you’ll wish they offered them in larger formats. At The George De Latour Table in the elegant library space, they serve a multi-course wine- and food-paired meal. It is, however, the architecture itself that is the restored BV winery’s most arresting feature. Signum Architecture made it a priority to keep as much of the original building as possible. Now, its two-foot-thick stone walls encircle a main atrium and an open-air courtyard like the ruins of a European castle. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring light, drama, and panoramic views of the vineyards, where guests can take A Walk with the Maestro, a 90-minute guided tour and tasting through vines once tended by legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff (aka The Maestro). By leaning into its history, Beaulieu Vineyard has created a singular place with a range of tasting experiences that capture not just the story of BV, but of the entire Napa Valley. // 1960 St. Helena Highway (Rutherford), reservations at bvwines.com The historic manor house at Stags' Leap Winery(Courtesy of @stagsleapwinery) Stags’ Leap Winery Stags’ Leap’s new tasting is a bold move into the burgeoning world of immersive experiences. Leap of Legend reimagines the second floor of the winery’s historic manor house as a literal walk through the past. It’s part escape room, part private movie theater, part multisensory introduction to Stags’ Leap’s catalog of estate-grown cab and petite sirah. The 30-minute journey created in partnership with ThemeDream Productions passes through several rooms, each representing a different era of the winery’s story: the Napa landscape before the arrival of vine-planting settlers, the period when the manor house was used as a post office for the local community, the speakeasy days of Prohibition, and the winery’s era as a darling of Hollywood. Is it a bit cheesy? Of course. But embrace the silliness and you’ve got something that’s genuinely fun and absolutely unique—an experience full of puzzle-solving and insights that has you on your feet and conspiring with your fellow tasters (not to mention actually retaining some of the fascinating details of the Stags’ Leap story). A scene from the 'Leap of Legend' experience (Frank Gutierrez) While guests taste two wines before and during the experience, four more come afterward in a more classic form: a 60-minute seated, guided tasting accompanied by a plate of cheese, crackers, and fruit. The entire Leap of Legend experience is available only by reservation for parties of four to six and, at least for now, only Wednesdays to Saturdays through August 22nd. // 6150 Silverado Trail (Napa), reservations at stagsleap.com --- ### Fall Asleep to Crashing Waves at These 9 NorCal Beach Campgrounds **Published:** July 28, 2026 | **Author:** Kate Loweth | **Section:** Outdoor Adventures **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/bay-area-beach-camping-2677282161.html.md There's something magical about falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing nearby. From the rugged cliffs of Big Sur to the windswept beaches of Sonoma County, Northern California is home to some of the state's most spectacular beachfront campgrounds. Grab your s'mores supplies and cozy sleeping bags and get ready to spend a night or two where the land meets the sea. Kirk Creek Campground in Big Sur(Courtesy of @kirkcreekcampground) Kirk Creek Campground, Big Sur Set up your tent on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean at this campground in scenic Big Sur. Tent and RV sites (no hookups) are available, and you can access a rocky beach via a steep path from the campground. Those looking for sandy beach options can head five miles south to Sand Dollar Beach, located just across Highway 1 from another excellent campground, Plaskett Creek. Kirk Creek campers receive free day-use parking. // 64955 CA-1 (Big Sur), recreation.gov Sunset State Beach, Watsonville Tucked between ocean cliffs and strawberry fields, this beachfront campground is a year-round favorite. While RVs are allowed, the 92 sites are quite close together, making them better suited to tent camping. Multiple trails take you from the bluff down to the beach, and if you're lucky, you might catch pilots flying their remote-control gliders over the area. // 201 Sunset Beach Rd. (Watsonville), parks.ca.gov Manresa State Beach, Watsonville If you're looking for a quieter, tent-only camping experience, reserve a spot at this campground that is open May 15th through October 31st. Manresa has walk-in tent camping only, so be sure not to bring too much gear, as you'll have to lug it from the parking lot. // 205 Manresa Uplands Rd. (Watsonville), parks.ca.gov New Brighton State Beach in Capitola(Kate Loweth) New Brighton State Beach, Capitola This tent and RV campground features more than 100 campsites on a bluff above the ocean. It's worthwhile to book one of the premium bluff campsites that offer extra room, ocean views, and easy access to the path down to the beach. In the summer months, you can learn about the area's history as a Chinese fishing village at the Pacific Migrations Visitor Center, located within the campground. // 1500 Park Ave. (Capitola), parks.ca.gov Tomales Bay Boat-in Camping, Point Reyes Station There's no better way to experience the beauty of the Point Reyes National Seashore than by kayaking to your campsite on Tomales Bay. Permits allow campers to choose from several tidally influenced coves on the west side of the bay, some with vault toilets. Campers may only arrive via watercraft, providing for a unique camping experience. // Tomales Bay (Point Reyes Station), nps.gov Lawson's Landing, Dillon Beach Just an hour-and-a-half north of San Francisco, this private RV and tent campground sits right on Dillon Beach at the mouth of Tomales Bay. Visitors enjoy clamming, fishing, crabbing, and kayaking, with plenty of nearby hiking trails offering coastal views. If you are looking for a dog-friendly glamping option nearby, check out the cottages and cabins at Dillon Beach Resort. // 137 Marine View Dr. (Dillon Beach) lawsonslanding.com Francis Beach Campground in Half Moon Bay(Courtesy of @halfmoonbaystatebeach) Francis Beach Campground, Half Moon Bay With 53 campsites, including 40 with electrical hook-ups for RVs and a spot for hike-and-bike campers, this popular campground on Half Moon Bay State Beach is a favorite of beachgoers looking for easy access to the sand. Campers just have to walk through the campground and between the dunes to access a four mile stretch. Hike along the coastal trail or book a horseback trail ride with Sea Horse Ranch. // 95 Kelly Ave. (Half Moon Bay), parks.ca.gov Bodega Dunes Campground, Bodega Bay Located within Sonoma Coast State Park, this campground is a favorite for its ocean views and hiking trails. With 99 campsites, you'll have your choice of tent or RV sites (no hook-ups) with access to hot showers and flush toilets. The town of Bodega Bay is within walking distance, so you can easily head over to The Birds Café for some fried artichoke tacos and clam chowder. // 2485 CA-1 (Bodega Bay), parks.ca.gov Kirby Cove Campground, Sausalito If you want to wake up to iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge (when Karl cooperates), this campground near the historic Battery Kirby is the spot for you. With just five tent-only campsites, this campground is quite popular for those looking to embrace foggy mornings tucked among the cypress and eucalyptus. While day-use visitors have to hike down to Kirby Cove, campers receive a gate code to drive down the steep access road to the parking lot, with campsites and the beach just a short walk away. // 948 Fort Barry (Sausalito), recreation.gov Kirby Cove Campground in Sausalito(Courtesy of @thatdudecreates) --- ### A Modern Guide to SoMa: World-Class Art, Top-Notch Eats, Filipino Culture + America's First Leather District **Published:** July 27, 2026 | **Author:** Lola Desmole, Chloe Saraceni, Bridget Veltri | **Section:** Neighborhoods **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/soma-san-francisco-guide-2638971891.html.md Perhaps nowhere are the many evolutions and dichotomies of San Francisco so readily obvious as in the city's South of Market neighborhood. SoMa is a one-time residential hub for blue-collar immigrants turned warehouse wasteland and taggers' paradise turned scene of the first dot-com boom and bust. It continues to be a neighborhood that flies somewhat under the radar despite being a world-class arts district anchored by SFMOMA and its neighbor, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The Salesforce Transit Center brought an epic, elevated urban park to the downtown area, and the neighborhood is also home to the country's first officially designated Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District and SoMa Pilipinas, SF’s official Filipino Cultural Heritage District. When in SoMa, us locals are partial to dinners at hip restaurants and the occasional splurge on one of several Michelin-starred destinations; hanging with friends at mixology-driven bars and iconic breweries, and relishing a round of bowling or mini golf. Here is what to eat, drink, do, see when you find yourself South of Market. --- ### These Once-Shuttered Oakland Restaurants Are Getting a Second Chance to Make a First Impression **Published:** July 24, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/oakland-restaurant-comebacks-2677269558.html.md Despite being declared “the best food city in the U.S.” in 2024, not even Oakland—a city notorious for sky-high operating costs, tight business restrictions, and an ecosystem still feeling the impacts of post-pandemic recovery—could keep some of its most lauded restaurants afloat. Like dominoes, they’ve fallen one after another: Pomella, Shakewell, Horn Barbecue, Clove & Hoof, Gold Palm, The Kon-Tiki, Left Bank Brasserie, and others have all disappeared in just the last two years. Lately, though, a new trend is emerging. Restaurants on the precipice—even those that were once believed to have left the city for good—are making surprise returns. There’s no single reason driving the resurgence. Some, like Daytrip, which came back in leaner, meaner form about six months after its December 2024 closure, have restructured their operations and menus or switched from full-service restaurants to fast-casual models. Others, like Phở Vy are back in pop-up form. Still others have returned with the help of food-business-friendly policy changes, like recently updated zoning rules in Jack London Square, or with the outpouring of support from patrons and community members. Whatever the reason, we have only one thing to say to The Town’s most recent comeback kids: Welcome home—we’re so glad to see you. --- ### 29 Fun Things to Do This Week (7.27.26) **Published:** July 24, 2026 | **Author:** Lisa Plachy | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-7-27-26-2677254083.html.md Make some cultural connections. Celebrate Peruvian Independence Day at Chotto Matte and Fiesta en el Parque in the Presidio. Get inspired by Mary Oliver at the Roxie and modern writers at the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference. Round out your senses at chef-led dinners with Farming Hope and Amista Vineyard, and vino-fueled fun at Wayfarer’s Vineyard Week and Gloria Ferrer’s anniversary weekend. Jump ahead to this week's top events: Settle in for a 21+ screening of Beauty and the Beast at The Walt Disney Family Museum. Bring back brat summer at a Charli XCX-themed block party on Front Street. Have a great weekend with Gloria Ferrer, which is celebrating its 40th with a two-day festival in Sonoma. Party in the Presidio at Fiesta en el Parque, an annual celebration of Latin culture, dance, and music. Have a good one. Indulge in wine tastings, chef-led dinners, demos, and more for Wayfarer’s event-packed Vineyard Week; Monday through Friday. // Timber Cove Resort, 21780 Coast Highway #1 (Jenner); details and tickets at eventbrite.com Support food justice and nosh on eats from chefs Alexander Smalls, Fernay McPherson, and Bryant Terry, who will be serving up “the contemporary African kitchen” in a special dinner benefitting Farming Hope; Monday, 6:30pm to 9pm. // Refettorio, 690 Van Ness Ave. (Tenderloin); tickets at humanitix.com Get literary with a week of drop-in talks, classes, workshops, and more from writers like Jane Hirshfield and Mira Rosenthal at the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference; Monday through Friday. // Schedule and tickets at napawritersconference.org Have a Disney night, but make it grown-up. Settle in for a 21+ screening of Beauty and the Beast with brews from Fort Point Beer Company, trivia, and a Q&A with actor Fergie L. Philippe; Monday at 6pm. // The Walt Disney Family Museum, 104 Montgomery St. (Presidio); tickets at waltdisney.org Raise a glass at a free tasting with Nikka Whisky, which is hosting a guided experience of its signature blends; Tuesday at 5pm. // Tetra Hotel, Autograph Collection, 400 West Java Dr. (Sunnyvale); register at eventbrite.com Spend a summer evening with Samin Nosrat, the beloved James Beard Award-winning author of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and Good Things, who will join KQED's Alexis Madrigal for a live conversation; Tuesday at 7pm. // Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, 10 10th St. (Oakland); tickets at ovationtix.com Celebrate Peruvian Independence Day with fresh ceviche, crisp cocktails, and salsa, bachata, and Latin hits from DJ JuanLove; Tuesday at 5pm. // Chotto Matte, 50 O'Farrell St. (Union Square); reservations at chotto-matte.com Get inspired by the life and poetry of Mary Oliver at a screening of Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World featuring interviews with close friends and never-before-seen personal photos, notebooks, and correspondence; Wednesday at 6:30pm. // Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St. (Mission); tickets at veezi.com Get an introduction at hand-lettering with some low-cost, low-pressure tools—crayons—at a beginner-friendly class; Wednesday, 6:30pm to 8pm. // Sunset Commons, 1600 Irving St. (Inner Sunset); register at eventbrite.com Savor summer Wine Country-style at Farm Fest, a family-friendly celebration of live local music, classic BBQ, outdoor games, and libations from Eleven Eleven Wines; Thursday, 6pm to 10pm. // Carneros Resort and Spa, 4048 Sonoma Hwy. (Napa); tickets at carnerosresort.com Enjoy vino and vinyl in Sea Ranch at a complementary tasting with Read Holland Estate complemented by relaxing record vibes; Thursday, 4pm to 6pm. // The Sea Ranch Lodge, 60 Sea Walk Dr. (The Sea Ranch); details at thesearanchlodge.com Expand your palette with complimentary Champagne tastings from a rotating lineup of estates in the Auberge Du Soleil courtyard; Thursdays and Fridays, 4pm to 5:30pm. // Auberge Du Soleil, 180 Rutherford Hill Rd. (Rutherford); details at auberge.com Witness St. Vincent live with the San Francisco Symphony for unique symphonic reinterpretations of the songs from the Grammy-award winning artist; Thursday at 7:30pm. // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org Bring back brat summer at a Charli XCX-themed block party with a look-a-like contest, bling bar, DJ sets, and plenty of food, drinks, and fun; Friday, 4pm to 9pm. // 240 Front St. (FiDi); RSVP at eventbrite.com Let loose with some improv at Manny’s and discounted drinks with your ticket purchase; Friday, 7pm to 9pm. // Manny’s, 3092 16th St. (Mission); tickets at eventbrite.com Look to the stars for Space Week, five epic days of hands-on activities, live demonstrations, inspiring talks, and interactive fun with aerospace pros, real rocket parts, and more—plus Friday’s Cosmo Con, an 18+ celebration of all things science fiction; Wednesday through Sunday. // Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. (Oakland); details at chabotspace.org Thank you to our partners at the Chabot Space and Science Center. Sit back for an outdoor screening of Up with on-site food and drinks to help you get cozy; Thursday, 6:30pm to 8:30pm. // The Crossing at East Cut, 250 Main St. (Embarcadero); RSVP at thethirdplace.is Jazz up brunch at The Big Four, which serves up sophisticated eats, handcrafted cocktails, and live jazz for an easy, elevated weekend experience; Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 2:30pm. // The Big Four, The Huntington Hotel, 1075 California St. (Nob Hill); reservations at thehuntingtonhotel.com Have a great weekend with Gloria Ferrer, which is celebrating 40 years with a two-day festival full of live music, food trucks, exceptional wines, and guided tours across its properties; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. // Gloria Ferrer, 23555 Arnold Dr. (Sonoma); tickets at gloriaferrer.com Celebrate Bay Day at the Exploratorium with an afternoon of demonstrations, activities, and rare access to Bay Area marine life and the tools scientists use to study them; Saturday, 11am to 4pm. // Exploratorium, Pier 15 (Embarcadero); tickets at exploratorium.edu Party in the Presidio at Fiesta en el Parque. The annual celebration of Latin culture, dance, music, and community offers salsa, merengue, and cumbia dance classes; lawn games; live performances; and breathtaking views for the whole family; Saturday, 1pm to 4pm. // Presidio Tunnel Tops, 210 Lincoln Blvd. (Presidio); details at presidio.gov Catch act two of the YBG ChoreoFest, a mini-festival of site-specific performances throughout Yerba Buena Gardens with the David Herrera Performance Company and more; Saturday, 2pm to 4pm. // Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between 3rd St. and 4th St. (SoMa); RSVP at ybgfestival.org Take your favorite Deadhead out to celebrate Jerry Garcia. View and bid on his exclusive artwork and groove to his signature sounds with Keystone Revisited; Saturday, 5pm-8pm. // Sausalito Center for the Arts, 750 Bridgeway (Sausalito); tickets at eventbrite.com Honor six years of Lori Austin Gallery at a celebration and special exhibition with glass artist Randi Solin; Saturday, 5pm to 7pm. // Lori Austin Gallery, 105 Plaza St. (Healdsburg); details at loriaustingallery.com Try your hand at harvest at Chandon in Napa Valley. Pick vineyard grapes, learn about the journey from vine to wine, and discover how sustainability shapes every bottle before toasting to your hard work over a family-style brunch paired with estate sparkling wines; Sundays at 10am. // Chandon, 1 California Dr. (Yountville); reservations at chandon.com Thank you to our partners at Chandon. Dig into Sonoma County bounty at a farm-to-table vineyard dinner with Amista Vineyard featuring a multi-course dinner from chef Michael Degen paired with estate-grown sparkling and still wines; Saturday at 5:30pm. // Amista Vineyards, 3320 Dry Creek Rd. (Healdsburg); reservations at exploretock.com Top off the week with a spritz on the patio at Piadina. A lineup of summer-fresh cocktails come with a complementary surprise bite; Sundays, 12pm to 4pm. // Piadina, Hotel SLO, 877 Palm St. (San Luis Obispo); reservations at resy.com Stroll the Castro Art Mart for works from LGBTQ+ creators and a day full of live music, drag performances, and community fun; Sunday, 2pm to 7pm. // Noe St. at Market St. (Upper Market); details on Instagram Share a round of oysters at a happy hour where bivalves are $7 and cocktails are $10; Sundays through Thursdays, 1:30pm to 4pm. // The Post Room, the Beacon Grand, 450 Powell St. (Union Square); details at beacongrand.com --- ### 5 Hikes Showcasing Sonoma County from the Coast to the Redwoods **Published:** July 23, 2026 | **Author:** Dana Rebmann | **Section:** Outdoor Adventures **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sonoma-hikes-coast-to-redwoods-2677263270.html.md There’s so much more to Sonoma County than vineyard views. From towering redwoods to historic fruit orchards to rugged coastlines studded with migrating whales, all it takes is racking up some steps to take it all in. --- ### Bare it All at These Nude Beaches, Hot Springs + Clothing-Optional Escapes in the Bay and Beyond **Published:** July 22, 2026 | **Author:** Mariam Rubalcava | **Section:** Outdoor Adventures **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/bay-area-nude-beaches-2677244899.html.md Summers in Northern California can be unexpectedly hot. One minute you are wrapped in a hoodie under the coastal fog, and the next you are sweating through a swimsuit on the sand, soaking in a hot spring, or cooling off after a hike. At some point, the idea of ditching the extra layer altogether starts to make perfect sense. Many people assume nude sunbathing and skinny-dipping are illegal everywhere in the United States, or that going clothes-free is a privilege reserved for the French Riviera, Greek islands or German saunas. Not quite. In the Bay Area and across Northern California, there are still beaches, campgrounds, retreats, outdoor soaking spots, and hot springs where clothing-optional culture is accepted, tolerated, or even built into the experience. This guide starts close to home, with nude beaches, naturist clubs, and clothing-optional outdoor experiences in the Bay Area, then moves beyond. Some spots are easy entry points for first-timers; others require tide checks, reservations, a hike, or a little extra nerve. The golden rule is simple: know the rules before you bare anything. We've included a list of essentials at the end of the story. Where to Bare It in the Bay Area Mile Rock Beach, San Francisco(Courtesy of @the_dirtpath) Clothing-Optional Beaches + Natural Hot Springs Bay Area nude beaches come in many moods, with dramatic bridge views, hidden coves, cliffside trails, and stretches of sand where locals have been going clothes-free for decades. Some are well established, others are more informal. In all cases, check tides and access before going, keep cameras pointed at the scenery, and cover up when leaving the accepted clothing-optional area. North Baker Beach, San Francisco For a first nude beach experience with an iconic view, this is the classic SF choice. The main stretch of Baker Beach draws families, tourists, dog walkers, and picnic groups, while the far northern end has long been known as the clothing-optional area. Access is simple, the boundaries are fairly clear, and the Golden Gate Bridge does a lot of the flirting for you. Because this is still a mixed public beach, cover up before heading back toward the parking lot, picnic areas, or main beach. // 1770 Gibson Rd. (Presidio), presidio.gov Marshall’s Beach, San Francisco Just north of Baker Beach, this spot is quieter, more tucked away, and a little more dramatic. You reach it from the 0.7-mile-long Batteries to Bluffs Trail, which makes the arrival feel less like a casual beach stroll and more like you earned the view. One of the city’s clearest clothing-optional beaches, Marshall has long been popular with LGBTQ+ beachgoers. The beach is smaller than Baker, and at high tide the sand can nearly disappear, so check conditions before going. Bring shoes for the stairs and trail, give people space when the beach is narrow, and cover up before returning toward the Presidio. // Batteries to Bluffs Trail (Presidio), presidio.gov Mile Rock Beach, San Francisco This is not a full nude beach destination, but its tucked-away Lands End location gives it occasional clothing-optional appeal. The beach sits below a steep staircase and coastal trail, with a rocky shoreline and a sense of distance from the city. Because hikers, photographers, and sunset watchers pass through, privacy depends on timing. Treat it as a scenic hideaway where clothing-optional use may happen discreetly on quiet days, not as a guaranteed nude beach. If other visitors arrive, cover up and enjoy the view. // Lands End Trail (Outer Richmond), parksconservancy.org Gray Whale Cove / Devil’s Slide, Montara South of Pacifica, this state beach sits below steep cliffs near Devil’s Slide, with white sand, dramatic views, and a sheltered cove reached by stairs from Highway 1. One end has a long clothing-optional reputation, but be cautious: nudity on state park land can still be cited unless an area has been formally authorized. Parking is on the highway so take care crossing. Arrive and leave dressed, and keep clothing-optional use discreet and limited to the traditional area. // Highway 1, near Devil’s Slide (Montara), parks.ca.gov San Gregorio Private Beach, San Gregorio One of Northern California’s most established clothing-optional beaches, this private stretch of coast sits just north of San Gregorio State Beach and has long been associated with LGBTQ+ beach culture, driftwood shelters, and a more experienced nude-beach crowd. Because it is private, the atmosphere is different from public beaches. When access is available, visitors generally pay a parking fee before heading down to a wide, windswept stretch of sand. Access has changed over time, so confirm current conditions before going. // 19429 Cabrillo Hwy. (San Gregorio), openspacetrust.org Black Sands Beach, Marin Headlands(Courtesy of @parksconservancy) Black Sands Beach, Marin Headlands One of the most striking beaches in the Marin Headlands, this dramatic stretch of dark sand sits just north of the Golden Gate and requires a stair-heavy descent, which makes it feel more secluded than it is. Some visitors use the farther ends as clothing-optional areas, but it is not a formal nude beach. Hikers can appear unexpectedly, especially on weekends. Keep a cover-up nearby and stay away from the main access point if you plan to sunbathe nude. // Upper Fisherman’s Trail off Conzelman Rd. (Sausalito), nps.gov Little Beach at Muir Beach, Muir Beach Just north of the main Muir Beach, this smaller cove has a long clothing-optional reputation and a relaxed Marin County feel, with cliffs and a natural separation from the more family-oriented main beach. The water is cold, currents can be dangerous, and there are no lifeguards, so this is more for sunning and relaxing than swimming. Bring layers and cover up before returning to the main beach, parking area, or trails. // 200 Pacific Way (Muir Beach), nps.gov Red Rock Beach / Mickey’s Beach, Stinson Beach One of Marin County’s classic nude beaches, this rugged spot south of Stinson Beach is rocky, steep, and a little wild, which keeps the atmosphere quieter than at easier-to-access beaches. It is a better choice for experienced beachgoers than for a casual first outing. Wear real shoes, pack light, bring water, and check tides before going: the terrain demands attention. // Shoreline Hwy. (Stinson Beach), californiabeaches.com South Rodeo Beach, Marin Headlands South of the main Rodeo Beach area, this cove has a clothing-optional reputation, though it is less established than Red Rock or Little Beach. The area is quieter than the main beach but not fully hidden, and some trails and viewpoints may look down toward the cove. It is best for experienced beach explorers who understand Marin’s coastal conditions and are comfortable with a more informal setting. // Battery Alexander parking area off Field Rd. (Sausalito), californiabeaches.com Steep Ravine Hot Springs, Stinson Beach This is the Bay Area’s most natural hot spring experience: no spa desk, no robe service, no cucumber water, just a tidal spring that seeps into the sand near Steep Ravine Beach when conditions are right. The spring is only exposed at very low tides, and even then it can be difficult to locate. Ocean water, waves, rocks, and shifting temperatures make it appropriate only for careful, experienced visitors. Go only at a very low tide, avoid rough surf, and never turn your back on the ocean. Because this is a natural public setting, do not assume privacy, supervision, or age-controlled access. // Rocky Point Rd., Steep Ravine Beach (Stinson Beach), californiabeaches.com Nudist Campgrounds, Clubs, Inns + Spas The pool at nudist destination Lupin Lodge(Courtesy of Lupin Lodge) For people who want more than a few hours on the sand, the Bay Area also has naturist properties where the experience is more structured. These places offer facilities, clearer rules and a stronger sense of community, which can make them a reassuring step for visitors who are curious but new to clothes-free recreation. Lupin Lodge, Los Gatos Tucked into the Santa Cruz Mountains, this historic nudist destination has long offered a clothes-free retreat setting with camping, overnight stays, a pool, hot tub, sauna, trails, and community activities. The atmosphere is rustic and community-oriented rather than resort-like. Expect to show a valid photo ID at registration, and families should review the property’s rules before arriving, including pool and hot tub restrictions for children and permission requirements for unrelated minors. Bring a towel to sit on. // 20600 Aldercroft Heights Rd. (Los Gatos), lupinlodge.com The Sequoians, Castro Valley Hidden in the East Bay hills, this clothes-free membership club has forested grounds, a pool, trails, social events, and overnight camping options. It is a traditional naturist community rather than a hotel or spa, and the setting is low-key and social, offering a more structured environment with a stronger sense of community. New visitors should check guest policies before going, especially if planning to visit with minors. Photography is not part of the visitor experience unless the club explicitly permits it. // 10200 Cull Canyon Rd. (Castro Valley), sequoians.com Meadowlark Country House & Resort, Calistoga For a softer Wine Country version of clothing-optional travel, this adults-only stay near Calistoga offers a clothing-optional pool, hot tub, and wellness area. The property feels more like a boutique inn than a nudist campground, with suites, guesthouses, gardens, mineral water, and a relaxed Napa Valley pace. It is a good fit for couples or first-timers who want a private, polished introduction to clothing-optional relaxation. Guests must be 18 or older, and clothing is optional only in the pool area. Day-use access may be limited, so call before making the drive. // 601 Petrified Forest Rd. (Calistoga), meadowlarkinn.com Archimedes Banya, San Francisco For a clothing-optional soak without fully leaving the city, this Russian-style banya in Bayview-Hunters Point offers saunas, steam rooms, cold plunge, pools, spa treatments, and designated clothing-optional areas, including an upper-level outside deck. It is still more structured than a beach: clothing-optional use is limited to specific areas and times, while other areas require a swimsuit or robe. Standard entry is 18 and up with valid government ID. Check the current clothing schedule before going, keep phones out of bathing areas, and follow posted rules by floor or section. // 748 Innes Ave. (Bayview-Hunters Point), banyasf.com Where to Bare It Beyond the Bay Area Bonny Doon Beach, Santa Cruz(Courtesy of @therealpashnit) Northern California’s clothes-free culture does not stop at the edge of the Bay. A road trip opens the door to mountain lakes, inland resorts, coastal coves, and hot spring retreats. Some places are best for a day trip, others are better for a full weekend, but all require the same basic approach: check the rules, plan ahead, and respect the setting. Bonny Doon Beach, Santa Cruz If Santa Cruz County has one classic nude beach, this is it. North of the city near Davenport, the beach has been part of local clothing-optional culture for decades, with broad sand, dramatic cliffs, and a rugged setting. The clothing-optional area is in the more secluded north end. It is beautiful, but the cliffs are serious, the surf can be rough, and services are limited. Park only where allowed, avoid cliff edges and cover up before returning to the road. // Cabrillo Hwy. and Bonny Doon Rd. (Santa Cruz), parks.santacruzcountyca.gov Panther Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall Beach, Santa Cruz One of the most scenic clothing-optional possibilities in the county, this pair of beaches is known for sandstone cliffs, a dramatic rock arch, and a secluded stretch that can be reached only when the tide is low enough. The arch leads from Panther Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall Beach, which has the stronger clothing-optional reputation. It is gorgeous, but completely tide-dependent. Do not pass through the arch unless the tide is safely low, and leave well before the water rises. // Hwy. 1, about eight miles north of Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz), islands.com Laguna Creek Beach, Santa Cruz Along the Coast Dairies stretch north of Santa Cruz, this quieter beach offers wetlands, birdlife, and open sand for visitors looking for a less social, more natural coastal experience. It has a clothing-optional reputation among locals, but the surrounding habitat is sensitive. Stay out of wetlands and dunes, avoid disturbing birds and keep the experience low-impact. Compared with Bonny Doon or Panther, this is more about solitude than scene. // Laguna Rd. and Cabrillo Hwy. (Santa Cruz), californiabeaches.com Orr Hot Springs, Ukiah Farther north, this small and peaceful retreat offers one of Northern California’s quieter clothing-optional hot spring experiences, with communal pools, private tubs, simple lodging, and a calm, respectful atmosphere. It is a good choice for travelers who want a hot spring weekend without a large resort scene. The property is not adults-only, but there are specific restrictions for children: guests under 18 must be supervised at all times, bathhouse access is limited to certain hours, and children under three or not fully potty-trained are restricted to private tubs. Reservations are required. // 13201 Orr Springs Rd. (Ukiah), orrhotsprings.org Panther Beach / Hole in the Wall Beach(Courtesy of Visit Santa Wilbur Hot Springs, Williams This remote, off-grid retreat offers a rustic version of the clothing-optional hot spring experience, with mineral springs, lodging, camping, and a large preserve for hiking and wildlife viewing. It is a strong choice for people who want a true reset rather than a quick spa day. The setting is intentionally simple, and that is part of the appeal. Guests must be 13 or older, and those ages 13 to 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Minors are not allowed in bunk room accommodations. Plan the drive carefully, especially if arriving after dark, and bring what you need. // 3375 Wilbur Springs Rd. (Williams), wilburhotsprings.com Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown One of Northern California’s classic clothing-optional hot spring retreats, this rustic property combines spring-fed pools, camping, lodging, bodywork, and hiking with overnight accommodations. It works well for travelers who want to turn a soak into a full weekend rather than a quick dip. Children can visit, but guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and kids are limited to specific pool areas and times. // 18424 Harbin Springs Rd. (Middletown), harbin.org Laguna del Sol, Wilton For an inland clothes-free escape, this long-running, 250 acre, clothing-optional resort southeast of Sacramento offers a more complete naturist experience than a beach day, with pools, spa areas, overnight accommodations, RV and tent camping, sports courts, social events, and access to nature around Lake Archie and the Cosumnes River. The resort is structured, private, and built around clothing-optional recreation, which can make it more comfortable for first-timers who want clear rules, facilities, and a community setting. Clothing isn’t allowed at the swimming pool and spa, but other areas may have different clothing expectations. Review current guest policies, age rules, first-time visitor requirements, and clothing guidelines before going. // 8683 Rawhide Ln. (Wilton), lagunadelsol.com Secret Cove and Creek Beach, Lake Tahoe — Secret Cove is the best-known clothing-optional beach at Lake Tahoe, with a long nude-sunbathing history, while nearby Creek Beach feels slightly more low-key. Expect a mix of nude sunbathers, swimsuit-wearing visitors, paddlers, dogs, and curious first-timers, especially in summer. The walk down from the Highway 28 access area is part of the experience, and parking rules have become stricter as the East Shore has grown more crowded. Arrive early, bring water and sun protection, and keep cameras away from other beachgoers. // Hwy. 28, approx. 1.5 miles south of Sand Harbor (Incline Village), tahoepublicbeaches.org Golden Rules Before You Bare It (Mariam Rubalcava) 1. Stay within the accepted clothing-optional area, and cover up when heading back to trails, parking lots, entrances, or mixed-use spaces. 2. Nude sunbathing is one thing; behavior that feels lewd, intrusive or meant to shock people is another—and that is where citations, fines, and indecent-exposure issues can start. Keep it respectful and non-sexual. Clothing-optional does not mean anything-goes, and sexual activity is not allowed on public beaches or at most private resorts, retreats, and hot springs. Think freedom, not free-for-all. 3. Check age rules before visiting with anyone under 18. Some places are adults-only, while others allow minors only with a parent, guardian, or under specific supervision rules. 4. Phones down. Never photograph or film anyone without clear permission, even by accident in the background. 5. Bring a towel to sit on, pack out what you bring in, and leave the place as relaxed, clean, and welcoming as you found it. --- ### California's Most Outstanding Sustainable Winemakers of 2026 **Published:** July 21, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Wine Country **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/outstanding-sustainable-wineries-2026-2677252414.html.md Wine production can be a dirty business. It’s not just the use of synthetic agrochemicals and herbicides; it's the removal of natural habitat for vineyard planting, the stripping of the soil, the intensive use of limited water resources—virtually everything associated with large-scale, single-crop production. Since the early 2000s, California winegrowers have been working toward more sustainable solutions, coming up with ways to both protect and enhance the environment and the community at large while still producing grapes of the highest quality. Today, around 65 percent of California’s vineyards have been third-party certified as sustainable, meaning they are both ecologically and community-friendly. (Courtesy of @hobowinecompany) Close to 70 percent of those—2,634 vineyards across 251,687 acres—have earned their certification from the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW) program, and each year, they award the most inspiring vintners and growers among their ranks with California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Award. This year, all four winners came from Northern California, making the decision as to where to go the next time you’re in Wine Country or buying a bottle at the shop (brick-and-mortar or online) a no brainer. Here they are: the most outstanding sustainable winegrowers of 2026. This article is part of 7x7’s sustainability series, a collaboration with Bay Area-based media company NextGen Purpose, a global network for anyone who cares about nourishing people and the planet. Catch this month’s companion piece—a deep-dive conversation with the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance—on their Essential Ingredients Substack or podcast on Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get your podcasts. --- ### 11 Summer Essentials for Dolores Park, a Weekend Getaway, or a European Escape **Published:** July 20, 2026 | **Author:** Anisa Esmail | **Section:** Style **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/11-summer-essentials-san-francisco-2677244901.html.md The group chat finally made it out of the planning phase. Gas up the car and grab the aux. Phone on DND. Outfits on point. Ready for your next photo dump. Whether you’re headed to Dolores Park, the Russian River, or down Highway 1, these local finds are essential for your summer adventures. --- ### A beloved, historic Haight-Ashbury music venue and bar is reborn. **Published:** July 17, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/deluxe-music-venue-reborn-haight-2677234751.html.md If you’ve been hanging around for awhile, you may remember Club Deluxe, the intimate live music venue with a divey, old-school Haight-Ashbury vibe that closed in 2023. If you’ve been hanging around even longer, it may be DeLuxe that’s lodged in your memory, a gay bar with a pool table and what was rumored to be a choice cruising scene in the ‘80s. The place didn’t have a permit for staging live music, but they did it anyway. “Everybody smoked in bars in San Francisco back then, so the way that you’d promote your speakeasy show was on the back of a matchbook,” says Christian Beaulieu, co-owner of DeLuxe. Mitch Polzak & the Royal Deuces brought down the house on The Deluxe's reopening night in June.(Kit Castagne) Today, the live music is on the up-and-up, but that indie, word-of-mouth, neighborhood-centric core remains. Even getting the club back on its feet was a community effort. Beaulieu, a musician and former bartender at Club Deluxe, was the one to light the spark. “I was walking down the street one day and saw that the property was available and that all the magic was still just sitting in that space,” he remembers. So, Beaulieu began talking to other local musicians, many of whom felt the same affection for the little club. They, too, had been trying to generate interest in bringing the venue back to life, and knew just the guy who could help connect the dots. “I remember receiving four or five messages in a week saying that I should reach out to this guy Christian,” remembers DeLuxe co-owner Jay Bordeleau, who is also the owner of Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club in Hayes Valley. “It felt like such a shame for San Francisco to lose such a storied venue, such a well-loved venue. The universe was saying this needs to happen.” Christian Beaulieu and Jay Bordeleau, co-owners of DeLuxe(Dennis Hearne) “Let’s open a jazz club, it’ll be fun,” was the running joke between the two during the months of painstaking dealings with contractors, vendors, and paperwork required to get DeLuxe back into fighting shape. Open a little less than a month now, it actually is. The space isn’t the same as it was when it closed three years back. It's still got the that streamlined Moderne look with train-car-window cut outs in the divider between the bar and the stage, but new murals by Jon Weiss dress the upper walls with moments from the venue’s history, and handcrafted liquor shelves add a bit of Art Deco-inspired drama. There’s room for 80, most perched in wooden booths and at tables that wrap around the bandshell stage. An all-new sound system and custom speakers have upped the ante in the listening department. The bar is working from a menu of ten house cocktails, including the club’s previous crowd-favorites: Greyhounds made with squeezed-to-order grapefruit, and Spa Collinses made with a blend of citrus, ginger, cucumber, and mint. They’ve added others, including a fizzy Cosmo Spritz, a Mezcal Louisiane (mezcal, vermouths, absinthe, bitters), and an espresso martini, along with a fresh lineup of beer, wine, and craft mocktails. The one thing they knew could not be changed, however, was “that Haight-Ashbury independent community vibe,” says Bordeleau. “The visceral feeling of being in a small room, up close and personal with live music, that emotion was what we were most keenly aware of. We talk about the music being at the forefront, but for me, it’s the interaction of the music and the audience.” Opening night at The DeLuxe(Kit Castagne) While Club Deluxe had developed a reputation as a jazz club, the previous generation flexed with other musical genres, too. Beaulieu and Bordeleau are continuing that tradition and “adding a little more strangeness.” But even as music at the new DeLuxe will draw from all over—blues, indie pop, Spanish guitar music, rockabilly, even the Grateful Dead—jazz will remain elemental to the venue. “Jazz and swing music really, really sound like they want to be in that room,” says Beaulieu. “You can feel it when you’re in there: This is really the ancestral home of this music in the Haight-Ashbury. This is where it’s supposed to be played.” There’s something emotional, too, about this long-loved club returning at a time when so many of the indie music venues from the ‘90s and ‘00s have shut down. “People almost can’t believe what they’re seeing,” Beaulieu continues. “It’s not at all what’s supposed to be happening, a club coming back from the ashes.” But whether you shot pool at the original DeLuxe in the ‘80s, caught a jazz quartet at Club Deluxe in the early 2000s, or just showed up in the city last week, Deluxe version 3.0 is a kind of universal proof that “the city’s not dead and lame,” says Bordeleau. If DeLuxe can be reborn, “there’s still hope for other cool stuff.” // The DeLuxe is open seven days a week with one performance per night, Monday through Thursday, and two performances Friday through Sunday; 1511 Haight St. (Haight-Ashbury), check out the calendar at thedeluxesf.com Beaulieu behind the bar at The DeLuxe(Dennis Hearne) --- ### 29 Fun Things to Do This Week (7.20.26) **Published:** July 17, 2026 | **Author:** Nora Heston Tarte | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-7-20-26-2677234012.html.md It’s a cinematic summer. Movies are on the docket in all forms, whether you’re spreading out in the park to watch a free showing of a classic or buying tickets to intimate and empowering musical scores of your favorite silver screen showings. Jump ahead to this week's top events: Catch more than 60 independent films at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival.at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Robin Williams’ The Birdcage at the Castro. Sway to the music at the return of the Bhangra & Beats Night Market. Join the crowd or watch from afar as the San Francisco Marathon stomps through town. Have a good one. Catch more than 60 independent films at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival; Monday through Aug. 2nd. // Multiple locations (San Francisco), details at jfi.org Get swept up in a tale as old as time when Beauty and the Beast plays at the Orpheum Theatre; Tuesday through August 9th. // Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St., (Civic Center); details at us.atgtickets.com Wander the garden, sip, snack, and settle into the sounds of live acoustic music at Summer Nights, a midweek escape into golden-hour California magic; every Wednesday and Thursday. // Filoli, 86 Cañada Rd. (Woodside), details at www.filoli.org Thank you to our partners at Filoli. Tease your roots and get in the groove as The Playhouse presents Hairspray live on stage; Tuesday through September 12th. // San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post St., (Union Square); details at sfplayhouse.org See theater quite unlike you’ve seen it before. Marvelous: A Risque Parody is an adult-only show that riffs on famous Marvel characters; Tuesday through Saturday. // Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson St. (Chinatown); details at greatstartheater.org Travel back in time for the Totally Tubular Festival, with iconic musical acts including Flock of Seagulls, The Motels, and The Producers, headed by Thomas Dolby and The Lost Toy People; Wednesday at 7pm // Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., (Castro); details at thecastro.com Explore the dynamics of metal in two new exhibitions at the Petaluma Arts Center with Expressions in Metal in the Main Gallery and selections from Thirty-Six Views of the Golden Gate Bridge: Photographs by Arthur Drooker in the North Gallery; Opening reception is Thursday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. // Petaluma Arts Center, 230 Lakeville, (Petaluma); details at petalumaartscenter.org Experience the smooth jazz sounds of Sacha Boutros as he takes over the Redwood Room at The Clift Hotel during “Redwood Room After Dark”; Thursday at 7pm. // The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco, 495 Geary St., (Lower Nob Hill); details at redwoodroomsf.com Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Robin Williams’ The Birdcage with a special one-night-only viewing; Thursday, 7:30pm. // Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., (Castro); details at thecastro.com The San Francisco Symphony brings James Bond to life, celebrating more than 60 years of 007 films with a musical extravaganza; Thursday and Friday. // Multiple locations; details at sfsymphony.org Explore the world of independent publishing during the San Francisco Art Book Fair, an event brimming with indie magazines, books, artisan publications, and more. The opening reception kicks off Thursday from 6pm to 10pm, followed by three full days of free programming. // 1150 25th St., 1201 Minnesota St., and 1275 Minnesota St. (Mission-Potrero); details on Instagram @sfartbookfair Take a tour the beautiful waterfront model homes at Delta Coves. Just east of the Bay Area, Delta Coves brings resort-style waterfront living to the California Delta. Residents enjoy direct boating access, private docks, and a vibrant island clubhouse surrounded by some of Northern California’s most scenic waterways; model homes are open every Thursday through Monday, from 10am to 6pm. // Delta Coves, 21 Seaward Ct. (Bethel Island), information and directions at DeltaCoves.com Thank you to our partners at Delta Coves. Get in touch with your emotions when The San Francisco Standard presents a free showing of Inside Out; Friday at 7pm. // Civil War Parade Ground, Graham St., (Presidio); details at sfstandard.com Celebrate and sway to the music at the return of Bhangra & Beats Night Market, a free, family-friendly open-air festival featuring live music, dance performances, cultural activities, food vendors, cocktails, and shopping; Friday from 4pm to 9pm. // Yerba Buena Gardens, Jessie Square, and Yerba Buena Lane; details at bhangraandbeats.com Walk through The Still Point, a 70-minute, multi-room art and dance exhibit performance combining music, interactive elements, theater, and scenic installation; Friday and Saturday. // SOMArts, 934 Brannan St., (SoMa); details at somarts.org Gather with friends at the North Shattuck Block Party. The free event features live music, local food, wine, shopping, and family activities, presented by The North Shattuck Association; Saturday from 11am to 6pm // Shattuck Ave. and Rose St., (Berkeley); details at northshattuck.org Dress up for a Masters of the Universe event, featuring a showing of the film and a costume contest complete with prizes; Saturday at 2pm. // Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., (Castro); details at thecastro.com Pair wine with combat sports when the California State Athletic Commissions and Raymond Vineyards partner to support retired fighters and the CSAC Fighter Pension Fund with a hard-hitting Napa Knockout event; Saturday at 3pm // Raymond Vineyards, 1584 St. Helena Hwy., (St. Helena); details at eventbrite.com Experience Brooklyn-based rapper and producer Kool Keith with DJ Shortkut, playing tunes from Black Elvis 2; Saturday. // The Freight, 2020 Addison St., (Berkeley); details at thefreight.org Watch an old favorite as The Princess Diaries comes to the free outdoor movie series Cinema on the Square; Saturday. // Union Square Plaza, 333 Post St., (Union Square); details at visitunionsquaresf.com Peek behind the scenes of the art being created by a cohort of interdisciplinary artists, scientists, technologists, and researchers during Leonardo@Djerassi Open Studios 2026; Saturday. // Djerassi Resident Artists Program, 2325 Bear Gulch Rd., (Woodside); details at djerassi.org Learn more about Jack Johnson and how he made the jump from surfer boy to filmmaker to musician in the all-tell documentary Surfilmusic directed by Emmett Malloy; Saturday at 8pm. // Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., (Monterey); details at surfilmusic.jackjohnsonmusic.com Witness comedy in action during Sketch on Speed, presented by Killing My Lobster. The show you’ll experience was written, produced, and performed within 12 hours; Saturday at 9pm. // Z Below, 470 Florida St. (Mission-Potrero); details at zspace.org Join the crowd or watch from afar as the San Francisco Marathon stomps through town, featuring a 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, ultra marathon, and double marathon; Saturday and Sunday. // Details at thesfmarathon.com Discover a new side of wine during “Unfiltered: A Celebration of Wine on the Edge,” featuring winemakers from 60 nearby natural and low-intervention brands pouring and discussing this niche part of the industry; Saturday and Sunday. // Donkey & Goat Winery, 1340 Fifth St., (Berkeley); details at donkeyandgoat.com Enjoy the magic of Matilda with a full orchestra while Danny Devito narrates alongside the iconic scores. Saturday and Sunday. // Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., (Civic Center); details at sfsymphony.org Shop eclectic riches from treasure hunters, collectors, and enthusiasts at Found in the Fog as it celebrates its second monthly art, antique, and vintage market; Sunday from 8am to 3pm. // Marina Middle School, 3500 Fillmore St., (Marina); details on Instagram @foundinthefog.sf Explore one of the earlier in-your-face adaptations of queer culture with the 2000 cult classic film But I’m a Cheerleader; Sunday at 2pm. // Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., (Castro); details at thecastro.com Celebrate leather culture and live entertainment without waiting for the Folsom Street Fair when the Up Your Alley Fair hits the streets of Dore Alley; Sunday. // Dore Alley; details at folsomstreet.org --- ### The time is ripe to savor grape harvest season in Healdsburg. **Published:** July 17, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/grape-harvest-season-healdsburg-2026-2677235431.html.md We heard you like crushing it. Good thing farm-to-table dinners, grape-stomping parties, and epic festivals are right around the corner in this trifecta of American Viticultural Areas, a.k.a. Healdsburg. This is a place made for connoisseurs, where acclaimed tasting rooms, wineries, and vineyards are paired with rolling hills and ideal temperatures. And while the city is known for its diverse terroirs, it also has Michelin-starred eateries and a charming town square that makes you feel like the main character in a Hallmark movie. (Courtesy of Stay Healdsburg) There's a reason to raise a glass all year-round in Healdsburg, from estate vineyards and cellar tours to scenic wineries and tasting rooms. But grape harvest season, typically from late August to October, is a special time full of signature events designed for elevated tastes. Step into the vineyards with expert winemakers for hand-selected clusters picked at peak ripeness; indulge in elegant farm-to-table dinners brimming with fresh, local ingredients; and gather for exclusive tastings of newly harvested grapes, pressed juices, and young wines. There are even non-alcoholic tastings and tours—singular events that are anything but dry—and are available any time of the year. Healdsburg also hosts a variety of seasonal fairs and festivals filled with artisan food stands and engaging attractions. Plus, you can tantalize your tastebuds with honey or mead tastings at La Ruche, olive oil tastings at Trattore Farms, blind meat tastings at Journeyman Meat Co., and iced-tea tastings at MacRostie Winery any day of the week. Add a pedal tour with Bike Healdsburg, a kayak tour with Getaway Adventures, or a guided horseback experience with Montage Healdsburg, and your weekend plans have never looked so juicy. // Browse upcoming events and book crushworthy accommodations while they’re still available this harvest season; details at stayhealdsburg.com (Courtesy of Stay Healdsburg) --- ### The Perfect Long Weekend in SLO CAL: Outdoor Adventure + Immersive Art in Central Coast Wine Country **Published:** July 16, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks, Amanda Kuehn Carroll | **Section:** Travel **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/weekend-itinerary-san-luis-obispo-2649069776.html.md Just a few hours south of the Bay, SLO CAL—San Luis Obispo County—sits like a present waiting to be unwrapped. The region is deliciously varied, with rolling hills and vineyards inland and a fog-kissed coastline that stretches for miles. And since you can drive from one to the other in about 15 minutes, you don’t have to decide between a seaside escape and a Wine Country one. On top of that, add what’s arguably the state’s most iconic hotel (Madonna Inn), what’s inarguably its most lavish historic residence (Hearst Castle), an immersive art utopia (Sensorio), and lots of chances for adventuring and wildlife viewing, and you’ve got the kind of road trip other regions of California can only dream of. We break down the best spots to sleep, eat, and play in our itinerary for a long weekend in SLO CAL. --- ### A new trail connects a dozen iconic San Francisco sights across 13 waterfront miles. **Published:** July 15, 2026 | **Author:** Shoshi Parks | **Section:** Outdoor Adventures **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/golden-gate-dozen-trail-sf-2677229015.html.md This month, San Francisco welcomed what may be the most icon-filled walking and biking trail in the entire American national park system. The Golden Gate Dozen, which stretches 13 waterfront miles from Crissy Field to Fort Funston, connects some of the city’s most remarkable landscapes and vistas with stops at historical sites and money shots of the Golden Gate Bridge from every angle. A partnership between the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the Public Lands Program, and hiking app AllTrails helped to define the route, which is broken down into bite-sized sections between 12 major stops (hence its name, the Golden Gate Dozen). A cheerful mascot, a pink-frosted donut (it’s the Golden Gate Dozen, remember?), marks the route at a few of the stops IRL (collect all four stickers!). The doughy guide to the Golden Gate Dozen Trail(Courtesy of Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy) In general, though, there is not yet any new, official signage; the AllTrails map will keep you on track. "The Golden Gate Dozen is the kind of trail that shows why urban access to public lands matters,” says Pitt Grewe, head of social and environmental impact at AllTrails. “A route that connects San Francisco’s rich history and unique ecology to its diverse community is a powerful reminder of what we're working to protect and make accessible for everyone." Below, we’ve broken down each section of the trail. Tackle the full 13 miles in a single day, conquer it piece by piece, or pick out just the spots you most want to see. Crissy Field to Presidio Tunnel Tops: 0.5 miles From the East Beach Parking Lot at Crissy Field, you’ll walk west along the promenade, then cut through the East Bluff Picnic Area to the bridge over the marsh. Watch for great blue herons and belted kingfishers, then head west down Mason Street to the Presidio Tunnel Tops. Presidio Tunnel Tops to Fort Point: 1.5 miles Take in the views (and maybe brunch at Dalida in the Presidio’s adjacent Main Post; 101 Montgomery Street, Suite 100), then cross back over Mason Street to Crissy Field. Stop at the Warming Hut on the promenade for a Crissy Mocha and a donut sticker before continuing on to Fort Point National Historic Site. Crissy Field(Courtesy of @415urbanadventures) Fort Point to the Golden Gate Bridge: 0.7 miles Check out the fort’s exhibits on the history of the “guardian of the Golden Gate,” then return back toward the Warming Hut, popping into the Presidio Visitor Center for another sticker along the way. Look for the sign pointing to Battery East and the Golden Gate Bridge. Head up the steps, then follow the trail to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Plaza. Golden Gate Bridge to Baker Beach: 1.5 to around 3 miles Return to the Battery East Trail, take a left under the bridge, and continue up the California Coastal Trail. Snap a photo of the bridge from the overlook, then either continue on this easier, shorter trail (about 20 minutes) or the longer and more challenging Batteries to Bluffs Trail (about an hour). Take the Sand Ladder down to the beach to beachcomb the next section, or stay on the more solid Coastal Trail as it passes alongside Baker Beach. Baker Beach to the Presidio: 0.1 miles to around 0.9 miles Explore Battery Chamberlin, then continue past two parking lots and around the fence through the sand. Take the staircase at the end of Baker Beach up to the tony Sea Cliff neighborhood. If you want a little more time in the Presidio, zag over to the Lobos Creek Valley Trail before you do, taking Gibson Road toward Bowley Street and crossing over Lincoln to the trailhead at the native dunes; the trail adds a little less than a mile to your route. When you’re done, head back out to Lincoln Street and toward Sea Cliff Avenue. The Presidio to China Beach: 0.7 miles Follow Sea Cliff Avenue down to China Beach, a hidden cove where Gold Rush-era Chinese immigrants camped and fished. Return the way you came until you reach 29th Avenue and El Camino del Mar. The stairs to the Sutro Baths(Courtesy of Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy) China Beach to Lands End: 1.2 miles Take El Camino Del Mar into Lincoln Park and turn right to pick up the California Coastal Trail again. Follow the path through Lands End, the same route down which a train once carried San Franciscans to the Sutro Baths, and don’t miss the views at Eagle’s Point and the Lands End Lookout, where sticker number three awaits. Lands End to Sutro Baths: 0.6 miles Nerd out on the history of the Sutro Baths at the Lookout before crossing busy Point Lobos Avenue to the Sutro Heights parking lot. Sutro Baths to Sutro Heights: 0.3 miles Check out the remains of Adolph Sutro’s legacy, including what was once the world’s largest indoor swimming pool, then follow the main trail to the southern end of Sutro Heights Park. Continue downhill to Balboa Street. Sutro Heights to Ocean Beach: 3 miles Carefully cross the Great Highway to Ocean Beach. Walk along the beach, take the Esplanade Trail, or pass through Sunset Dunes. If this is your ending point, consider bringing a picnic or lighting a bonfire on the beach. Otherwise, continue all the way to the end of the Great Highway and take a left on Sloat Boulevard. Fort Funston(Courtesy of Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy) Ocean Beach to Fort Funston: 5.7 miles This last section is the longest by far, but since it’s mostly on pavement, at least it’s easy going. Follow Sloat past the SF Zoo and take a right on Skyline Boulevard. Cross Skyline, then continue south along the road to John Muir Drive and Fort Funston, where there is another battery to explore (Battery Davis), hang gliders to see, and dogs to watch running through the surf. // Learn more at parksconservancy.org and find the route at AllTrails --- ### Lace up, roll out, and boogie down at Roller Disco Daze at the Marin County Fairgrounds. **Published:** July 14, 2026 | **Author:** 7x7 Partner | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/roller-disco-days-marin-fairgrounds-2677205200.html.md This summer, the Marin Center is transforming Lagoon Island on the fairgrounds into a free open-air roller rink—and everyone is invited to the party. Roller Disco Daze turns up the music every Wednesday through Sunday from July 17th through August 16th in San Rafael, bringing five weeks of pure retro joy to one of the Bay’s most scenic spots. With Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Marin County Civic Center rising in the background, this is not your average rink. Hosted with David Miles, Jr., San Francisco's legendary "Godfather of Skate" and founder of the Church of 8 Wheels (554 Fillmore St., Hayes Valley), the rink brings the same infectious, feel-good energy that made his San Francisco roller disco a Bay Area institution. Expect themed nights, lawn games, art installations, DJ beats, and a good time. Catch the sunset over the lagoon, grab tacos from the food truck on-site, then skate it off under the stars for a full evening of fun. Admission is free, and skate rentals, including kids' sizes, are available on-site for $5. (All skaters must sign a waiver; skaters under 18 require a parent or guardian signature.) (Courtesy of Marin Center) Just 15 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, and close to downtown San Rafael's restaurants, breweries, and shops, Roller Disco Daze is the perfect excuse for a trip to Marin. Whether you grew up doing laps under a disco ball or you're strapping on skates for the very first time, the rink welcomes all ages and all skill levels. Grab your crew and get skatin’. // Roller Disco Daze runs from July 17th through August 16th and is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12pm to 8pm, and Fridays through Sundays from 12pm to 10pm (last entry to skate is 30 mins before closing); Lagoon Island at the Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags (San Rafael), marincenter.marincounty.gov --- ### A Modern Guide to Glen Ellen, A Tiny Gem in Sonoma Wine Country **Published:** July 14, 2026 | **Author:** Nora Heston Tarte | **Section:** Getaways **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/modern-guide-glen-ellen-sonoma-2677222705.html.md Glen Ellen is a largely undiscovered gem for many who visit Sonoma County. Located about ten miles north of Sonoma proper, the small town is just over two square miles, anchored by Jack London State Historic Park and the Sonoma Botanical Garden. But what Glen Ellen lacks in size it makes up for with plenty to do in close proximity. Our modern guide breaks down the hamlet’s best wineries, restaurants, and stays for a weekend that’s just slightly off the beaten path. --- ### Where San Francisco Is Eating this Summer **Published:** July 13, 2026 | **Author:** Amy Sherman | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/popular-new-restaurants-sf-2677215761.html.md San Francisco's newest restaurants are breathing life into neighborhoods all across the city. At both under-the-radar gems and high-profile destinations, menu options run the gamut from an $8 burger to a luxurious $325 seafood tower. There’s plenty of comfort food in between—notably, plenty of pizza and the appearance of the Cal-classic French dip at not just one, but two new spots. These eight spots are fitting the moment beautifully. --- ### 24 Things to Do This Week (7.13.26) **Published:** July 10, 2026 | **Author:** Bridget Veltri | **Section:** General **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/sf-events-7-13-26-2677203219.html.md While it may not feel like it with the foggy weather, summer is in full swing here in San Francisco. From Bastille Day celebrations to Mahjong classes and comedy shows, get out there and make the most of this season. Jump ahead to this week’s top events: Celebrate Bastille Day with French-inspired dining at Verjus. See acclaimed international and indie films at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Experience Mosswood Meltdown in Oakland. Enjoy Hayes Valley Carnival. Have a good one. Unwind with Jazz Nights at Novela; Monday at 6:30pm. // Novela, 662 Mission St. (SoMa), novelasf.com Catch Lunch Rhymes with Radio XII and Damneet Kaur; Monday, 12pm to 1pm. // Mechanics Monument Plaza, 1 Market St. (Downtown), downtownsf.org Catch stand-up comedy at Hayes Valley Comedy Night at The Function; Monday at 7pm. // The Function, 1414 Market St. (Civic Center), thefunctionsf.com Attend Poetic Tuesday at Yerba Buena Gardens; Tuesday at 12:30pm. // Yerba Buena Gardens, 750 Howard St. (SoMa), more info at ybgfestival.org See Brooks Wheelan at Punch Line Comedy Club; Tuesday at 7:30pm. // Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St. (Jackson Square), info at punchlinecomedyclub.com Play Bingo for free at Bingo F*ck Yourself at Columbus Cafe; Tuesday around 9pm // 562 Green St. (North Beach), columbuscafesf.com Join Tequila Trivia Tuesdays at The Boardroom; Tuesday at 7:30pm // 1600 Powell St. (North Beach); boardroomsf.com Celebrate Bastille Day with a prix fixe dinner at Zazie; Tuesday. // Zazie, 941 Cole St. (Cole Valley), zaziesf.com Experience Lamplighters Music Theatre’s production of Iolanthe at ODC Theater; on through July 19th. // 3153 17th St. (Mission), info at lamplighters.org Celebrate Bastille Day with French-inspired dining at Verjus; Tuesday, during dinner service. // Verjus, 550 Washington St. (Jackson Square), verjuscave.com Learn to play Mahjong at Teaching Tuesday: Mahjong Night with Cindy; Tuesday, 5:30pm to 7:30pm. // Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post St. (Downtown), downtownsf.org Celebrate Bastille Day with French wines and a special reading from poet Philip Lamantia; Tuesday, 5pm to 8pm. // Golden Sardine, 362 Columbus Ave. (North Beach), goldensardinesf.com Watch independent films from around the world at the Frozen Film Festival; Wednesday through Sunday. // Multiple venues (San Francisco), more info at frozenfilmfestival.com Experience Limitless, an evening of art, music, and performance celebrating the final weeks of Unbound: Art, Blackness, & the Universe; Thursday // Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD), 685 Mission St. (SoMa) and SFMOMA, 151 Third St. (SoMa), moadsf.org Challenge a friend at Chess on the Plaza; Thursday, 12pm to 2pm. // Mechanics Monument Plaza, 1 Market St. (Downtown), downtownsf.org See acclaimed international and indie films at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival; Thursday through August 2nd. // Multiple venues (Bay Area), more info at jfi.org Catch Circus Bella’s free outdoor circus performance featuring acrobats, jugglers, and more; Friday at 6pm. // 680 Filbert St. (North Beach), circusbella.org Dance above the city at a Sunset Rooftop Party with Ali Farahani; Saturday, 3pm to 9pm. // Via Hotel Rooftop, 138 King St. (Mission Bay), get tickets at eventbrite.com Catch Peach Tree Rascals live on The Faight Night One Tour; Saturday, doors at 8pm.// The Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center), get tickets at eventbrite.com Explore the future of artificial intelligence at the AGI Summit 2026; Saturday and Sunday // Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon St. (Marina), more info at agisummit.ai Enjoy Hayes Valley Carnival; Saturday, 12pm to 4pm. // Hayes Valley, more info at explorehayesvalley.org Experience Mosswood Meltdown; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 10pm. // Mosswood Park, 3612 Webster St.(Oakland), tickets at mosswoodmeltdown.com Watch Charley Crockett and Nicki Bluhm at the Stern Grove Festival; Sunday, 12pm to 5pm. // Stern Grove Festival, 19th Ave. and Sloat Blvd. (West Portal), sterngrove.org View Monet and Venice at the de Young Museum; on through July 26th. // de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. (Golden Gate Park), more info at famsf.org --- ### How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Seattle Right Now **Published:** July 10, 2026 | **Author:** Amy Sherman | **Section:** Travel **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/perfect-weekend-right-now-seattle-2677203404.html.md Even if you didn't score tickets to the FIFA World Cup games in Seattle, it's well worth heading to the Emerald City this summer. Seattle is making a sparkling post-pandemic comeback. Foot traffic is up, hotel demand is rising, and downtown now draws about as many visitors as it did in 2019. The city has retained its charm and, at the same time, feels revitalized with vibrant public art and new businesses. This long weekend itinerary features new and notable spots, along with a couple of classics. --- ### The neighborhood bar is back... this time with better drinks. **Published:** July 9, 2026 | **Author:** Garrick Ramirez | **Section:** Eat + Drink **URL:** https://www.7x7.com/new-neighborhood-bars-sf-2677199347.html.md Since the cocktail resurgence of the 2000s, the anticipation of a new San Francisco bar opening would often spark excited curiosity. What Disney-worthy interiors would await? What clever, Instagrammable vessel would drinks be served in? What cheeky phrase would the neon sign espouse? That’s all changing. Now, local bars are eschewing novelties in favor of an age-old attribute: conviviality. Today, a connection to others is the defining feature with gregarious regulars, friendly bartenders, and spirited bonding around Giants, Dubs, Niners games. No pretense or pyrotechnics; just good old-fashioned socializing. In other words, the neighborhood bar is back. This time, with better drinks. Shotski's Alpine Lodge, downtown's newest bar (Courtesy of Shotski’s Alpine Lodge) Shotski’s Alpine Lodge Chambongs and draft Red Bull cocktails. A glowing wheel with a variety of drink options decided by a spin. Namesake shotskis, whose mounted glasses can be filled with a selection of 100 shots. This isn’t your father’s Future Bars Group. Yet, while the cocktails are still top-tier—crafted as always by the group’s ridiculously prolific beverage director, Jayson Wilde—the vibe at the latest Future Bars opening is notably less precious. With the slogan “All altitude, no attitude,” the taxidermy-filled, lodge-themed space is only in service of a jovial, après-ski mentality. The group’s special events manager, Alexandra Garrett, who managed nearby Rickhouse for many years, noticed that downtown’s post-work crowd needed a little nudge to mingle. Enter the shotski. For those unfamiliar, a shotski is an actual ski that’s been modified with four affixed shot glasses to accommodate a small group taking a simultaneous shot by carefully hoisting the ski-mounted glasses up together. It’s lawn games meets the dive bar. It’s also the perfect ice breaker. Only two in your party? Grab two new friends. Fueling Ritual at Shotski's(Courtesy of Shotski’s Alpine Lodge) Shotski’s has plenty of non-shot options, too, including the fennel-tinged Magic Carpet Ride, likely your new favorite tequila highball. Other highlights include the Permanent Vacation, a macadamia nut-infused piña colada, and the Death Cookie, an old-fashioned-style sipper served with a Biscoff cookie. Pro tip: add a creamy Straus soft serve topping to the Dance with the Devil for an extraordinary, boozy root beer float. Plus, all cocktails top out at $13—unheard of for downtown. Can’t decide what to order? Plunk down $10 to spin the wheel of fortune and let fate decide, with options that include a bucket of 10 beers, a flask of various spirits such as Casamigos, and non-drink options including an aux takeover or 10 plays on the claw machine. Add a foosball table, a second upstairs bar, and an official entertainment zone on adjoining Claude Alley (read: you can drink in the street on special events), and you’ll see why Shotki’s might be the most fun to be had in downtown right now. // 239 Kearny St. (Downtown), shotskislodge.com The Golden Rule's interior was designed by SF's own Jon de la Cruz.(Douglas Friedman) Golden Rule Golden Rule is what a neighborhood bar from a fine-dining group looks like: stylishly simple interiors with a come-as-you-are vibe, a smattering of TVs for sporting events, Bay Area rap bumping in the background, and exceptionally good cocktails. Back Home Hospitality, the restaurant group behind Che Fico, clearly had fun with their first bar outing, cloaking a standout cocktail destination as a casual, neighborhood hang. There’s nothing quite like it in the city. Set within Thrive City, the food- and drink-fueled development surrounding the Chase Center, Golden Rule includes a few clever nods to the Warriors’ adjoining home. The fetching, airy space designed by Jon de la Cruz is dominated by a bar composed of blue, orange, yellow, and red tiles, inspired by the colors of the Warriors’ jersey in 1962, the year the team arrived in the Bay from Philadelphia. Squint and it could pass for a fashionable take on a retro fast-food interior, a fitting example of the bar’s decidedly sophisticated take on fun. As explained by beverage director Danielle Peters everything should be "exciting but approachable,” which aptly describes the cocktail menu she’s assembled. Drinks cover a range of styles, and are all utterly flavorful with a clean, round finish. When was the last time you had a citrus cocktail that sipped as smooth as a martini? The Ms. Denise, named after the first woman drafted by the Warriors, is a clarified bourbon, citrus, and strawberry cocktail with the refinement of an eau-de-vie and deliciousness of an agua fresca. Margarita fans will love the Oh Sheila, a richly layered, herbaceous agave cocktail with a caramelized pineapple base; while espresso martini drinkers should opt for the Bi-Coastal, served in a Greek coffee cup, with all of the richness of a latte but none of the heft. The Oh Sheila at The Golden Rule(Krescent Carasso) Don’t miss the MIP, a playful martini riff with a spritz of Hubba Bubba essence (yep, you read that right) and a WNBA playing card, alluding to the gum-stick-filled card packs of Peters’ youth. There’s also a well-considered non-alcoholic menu, and a Little Treats section with petite cocktails and spirit pairings such as the Snaquiri, a mini daiquiri served alongside Incan corn nuts. For food, Golden Rule stays true to the neighborhood bar concept with small bites all under $8. The addictive chile- and lime-dusted potato chips are handmade, and the wafting aroma of Che Fico pizza will have you flagging your server for a slice. For now, Golden Rule is open Thursday through Saturday and on all Chase Center event nights, when the buzz of excited concertgoers and Valkyries and Warriors fans spills out onto the sidewalk patio seating. // 720 Terry A. Francois Blvd. (Mission Bay), goldenrulebar.com The Lucky Spot in North Beach(Courtesy of The Lucky Spot) The Lucky Spot In contrast to the fantastic settings of the Future Bars spots he once worked, owner Barry John Walsh’s new bar, The Lucky Spot, swaps thematics for simplicity. That’s not to say it isn’t noteworthy. In fact, Walsh has accomplished something extraordinary: opening a new bar that feels like it’s always been a part of the neighborhood. The convivial space has been instantly embraced by locals—an even more impressive feat in the close-knit community of North Beach. The handsome pub, with SF memorabilia adorning its wainscoting-finished walls, has slid effortlessly into the neighborhood like the clean-shaven cousin of Gino & Carlo. What’s his secret? A warm, engaging staff that sets a hospitable tone that resonates with its patrons. This is the place where you’ll quickly get to know every bartender by their first name. It’s also the type of place that buys Golden Boy pizza for customers every Sunday during football season. While game day may call for a pint, don’t forget that Walsh spent eight years with the cocktail-oriented Future Bars Group (he was introduced to the company after a chance encounter with the father of the bar group’s owner in his native Ireland). He also owns the ‘70s-themed Marina cocktail den, For the Record, and The Lucky Spot’s cocktail offerings are equally strong. The Orange You Glad is an easy-drinking vodka-spiked take on a creamsicle, while Dirty Deeds is a perfectly balanced dirty martini with subtle, savory notes and a Bloody Mary-worthy garnish of a speared cornichon, pickled onion, olive, and cherry tomato. Still, as attractive as the drinks are, they are not what fill the bar’s Instagram feed. Rather, it’s the patrons, representing a broad swath of San Franciscans sporting everything from button-downs to Niners jerseys, confirming that The Lucky Spot is first and foremost about the good cheer. // 1431 Stockton St. (North Beach), theluckyspotsf.com The Dirty Deeds at The Lucky Spot(Courtesy of The Lucky Spot) ## Contributors & Authors - [Daisy Barringer](https://www.7x7.com/u/daisybarringer): Daisy Barringer is a journalist covering food, travel, and culture. She grew up in San Francisco and... - [Emily Polsby](https://www.7x7.com/u/emilypolsby): Emily Polsby is a Bay Area-based journalist who grew up in Berkeley. 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