San Francisco's biggest stories of 2025
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It was a year of budget woes, protests and political churn. A year of housing and preservation fights. A year with a new mayor. Some bright spots broke through, too.
The big picture: As 2025 nears its end, we're looking back at the biggest stories in San Francisco.
Our new mayor: Mayor Daniel Lurie, a self-described "political outsider" and Levi Strauss heir, was sworn in as San Francisco's 46th mayor this year.
- In his first year he led an aggressive push to confront homelessness, public safety concerns and the city's budget deficit.
Sunset Dunes opens: The controversial new park opened in April after voters last November approved a measure to permanently ban cars along the Upper Great Highway and turn it into a waterfront park.
- The 50-acre oceanfront recreational space attracts roughly 30,000 weekly visitors.
Our first women's sports bar: With viewership and attendance for women's sports soaring — boosted by the debut of the city's first WNBA team, the Valkyries — San Francisco's highly anticipated first women's sports bar opened in the Castro in June to packed crowds.
"No Kings" protests: The June protest drew 50,000 people in San Francisco alone.
- Another series of planned protests in October drew more than 160,000 people across the Bay Area.
Immigration raid called off: Lurie notably negotiated with President Trump to avert a planned surge of federal agents to San Francisco.
- The move helped avoid a federal escalation that many feared would deepen community tensions.
Prop 50 passes: The special election in October to redraw congressional districts gives Democrats the chance to flip several GOP seats, including in Northern California.
Nancy Pelosi retirement: San Francisco's longtime congressional representative announced she will be retiring from Congress in 2027, capping off a political career that has spanned more than 40 years.
Joel Engardio recall: District 4 residents removed the former supervisor from office in a landslide vote fueled by frustration over his support of the Great Highway closure to cars.
Beya Alcaraz scandal: Engardio's appointed replacement resigned just one week after being sworn in amid allegations over her former pet store's management, fueling widespread scrutiny of Lurie's vetting process.
- The politically bruising episode left his administration scrambling to restore confidence in its hiring and oversight practices, ultimately leading to the appointment of City College board trustee Alan Wong.
Vaillancourt Fountain fight: After months of debate, the city's Arts Commission in November voted to remove the 54-year-old Brutalist artwork as part of a $32.5 million redesign of Embarcadero Plaza.
- Preservationists have appealed the decision to the Board of Supervisors, which will decide next month whether the dismantling can proceed.
Claude, the albino alligator: The city lost its resident reptile — and the California Academy of Sciences' beloved unofficial mascot — to liver cancer this month, but not before he enjoyed one final victory lap in the spotlight after celebrating 30 years in September.
Family zoning plan passes: The city passed Lurie's zoning overhaul, which he signed into law this month, which will allow for the construction of thousands of new homes in historically low-density neighborhoods.
What do you think were the biggest stories this year? Email us at [email protected].