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5 Marin hikes for San Franciscans obsessed with the outdoors

Redwoods, beaches, waterfalls and coastal bluffs await.

Things to Do

You don&#x27;t have to go far from the city to get out in nature. <ul><li>Within an hour of San Francisco, you can hike through redwood forests, along dramatic cliffs, around quiet lakes, and to waterfalls that empty onto the beach — all before making it home for dinner.</li></ul>

California dodges gut bug (for now)

State officials say no local cyclosporiasis outbreak has emerged, and most California cases are tied to travel.

Health

California has been marked safe from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/cyclosporiasis-stomach-bug-cases-symptoms-outbreak" data-vars-content-id="06f5fad2-0b47-4047-894d-cf4871381336" data-vars-headline="California dodges gut bug (for now)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/cyclosporiasis-stomach-bug-cases-symptoms-outbreak" target="_self">cyclosporiasis outbreak</a>.The latest: The state hasn&#x27;t seen any local outbreaks linked to the surge of cases roiling guts around the country, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California Department of Public Health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR26-024.aspx" data-vars-content-id="06f5fad2-0b47-4047-894d-cf4871381336" data-vars-headline="California dodges gut bug (for now)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR26-024.aspx" target="_blank">California Department of Public Health</a>.

These are San Francisco's biggest restaurant openings right now

New Thai spots and pop-ups going permanent are reshaping the SF dining scene.

Food and Drink

A beloved jazz bar is back. A Michelin-starred chef&#x27;s Thai spot is about to open. And a new class of pop-ups is graduating to brick-and-mortar.Why it matters: Your summer is about to get more delicious.

Search for survivors of boat sinking near Alcatraz will be suspended

Three people remain missing as authorities shift from rescue to recovery.

News

The U.S. Coast Guard will suspend its search at sunset Wednesday for the three people still missing after a boat carrying 20 adults capsized near Alcatraz Island this week, authorities announced.Why it matters: The tragedy underscores how quickly conditions in the San Francisco Bay can become life-threatening and marks the start of a difficult recovery effort.

Pro-housing groups sue SF over family zoning plan

The newly enacted law falls short of the state's housing requirements, the lawsuit alleges.

A coalition of pro-housing organizations is suing San Francisco over Mayor Daniel Lurie&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="family zoning plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/12/03/family-zoning-plan-lurie-board-of-supervisors-sf" data-vars-content-id="834c30d6-a4cd-46bd-abf4-859915a16f8b" data-vars-headline="Pro-housing groups sue SF over family zoning plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/12/03/family-zoning-plan-lurie-board-of-supervisors-sf" target="_self">family zoning plan</a>, arguing that it fails to meet the state&#x27;s housing mandate and doesn&#x27;t properly rezone for lower-income housing.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second legal challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/09/sf-zoning-lawsuit-ceqa-housing-family-zoning-plan-lurie" data-vars-content-id="834c30d6-a4cd-46bd-abf4-859915a16f8b" data-vars-headline="Pro-housing groups sue SF over family zoning plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/09/sf-zoning-lawsuit-ceqa-housing-family-zoning-plan-lurie" target="_self">second legal challenge</a> in two months against Lurie&#x27;s zoning agenda, which he has lauded as a landmark accomplishment since its approval in December.

Inside the push to bring better internet to Chinatown

More than half of households in Chinatown lack access to reliable high-speed internet, per the mayor's office.

A decade-long effort to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bridge the digital divide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/05/02/chinatown-internet-broadband-access-barriers" data-vars-content-id="f7883c6a-64d5-4820-ba5c-60ee2d698116" data-vars-headline="Inside the push to bring better internet to Chinatown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/05/02/chinatown-internet-broadband-access-barriers" target="_self">bridge the digital divide</a> in San Francisco&#x27;s Chinatown is finally seeing momentum as the city seeks to streamline internet access for lower-income communities.Why it matters: More than half of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="households in Chinatown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/03/02/chinatown-san-francisco-gentrification" data-vars-content-id="f7883c6a-64d5-4820-ba5c-60ee2d698116" data-vars-headline="Inside the push to bring better internet to Chinatown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/03/02/chinatown-san-francisco-gentrification" target="_self">households in Chinatown</a>, where almost a third of people live below the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="poverty line" data-vars-click-url="https://sfstandard.com/2022/12/08/san-francisco-neighborhood-new-census-data-maps/" data-vars-content-id="f7883c6a-64d5-4820-ba5c-60ee2d698116" data-vars-headline="Inside the push to bring better internet to Chinatown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/12/08/san-francisco-neighborhood-new-census-data-maps/" target="_blank">poverty line</a>, lack access to reliable <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-speed internet" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/chinatown-internet-high-speed-18524997.php" data-vars-content-id="f7883c6a-64d5-4820-ba5c-60ee2d698116" data-vars-headline="Inside the push to bring better internet to Chinatown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/chinatown-internet-high-speed-18524997.php" target="_blank">high-speed internet</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the mayor&#x27;s office" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-supervisor-sauter-bring-free-public-wifi-to-chinatown" data-vars-content-id="f7883c6a-64d5-4820-ba5c-60ee2d698116" data-vars-headline="Inside the push to bring better internet to Chinatown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-supervisor-sauter-bring-free-public-wifi-to-chinatown" target="_blank">the mayor&#x27;s office</a>.

Bay Area could soon get its first surf pool

Enterprise Park would feature a pool that generates waves for surfing year-round.

A surf pool could be coming to the Bay Area soon.Driving the news: Alameda is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="considering a proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alamedaca.gov/Shortcut-Content/News-Media/City-explores-surf-park-concept-at-Alameda-Point" data-vars-content-id="94834dd2-f057-4261-977b-a4f30e7544b1" data-vars-headline="Bay Area could soon get its first surf pool" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alamedaca.gov/Shortcut-Content/News-Media/City-explores-surf-park-concept-at-Alameda-Point" target="_blank">considering a proposal</a> to construct an aquatic recreation zone near Encinal Beach, between the Encinal Boat Ramp and the USS Hornet.

5 years since COVID: How the pandemic reshaped the Bay Area

The CDC announced the Bay Area's first confirmed case — and the U.S.'s seventh — on Jan. 31, 2020.

It&#x27;s been five years since the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="coronavirus outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/covid" data-vars-content-id="92e8c4a0-b10c-4918-86eb-dbf0dca9b98f" data-vars-headline="5 years since COVID: How the pandemic reshaped the Bay Area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/covid" target="_self">coronavirus outbreak</a> overtook the world and changed our lives forever.Flashback: Though local cities and counties didn&#x27;t issue shelter-in-place orders until mid-March 2020, the virus is thought to have been circulating in the region <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="as early as January" data-vars-click-url="https://data.sccgov.org/COVID-19/COVID-19-case-counts-by-date/6cnm-gchg" data-vars-content-id="92e8c4a0-b10c-4918-86eb-dbf0dca9b98f" data-vars-headline="5 years since COVID: How the pandemic reshaped the Bay Area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://data.sccgov.org/COVID-19/COVID-19-case-counts-by-date/6cnm-gchg" target="_blank">as early as January</a>.

San Francisco unveils new Bayview-Hunter's Point park project

It's the first phase of a project developing this former brownfield into a 10-acre park.

New park alert: The southern half of India Basin Waterfront Park is now open to visitors. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first phase of a project developing the former brownfield into a 10-acre park, made possible by a $200 million environmental justice investment aiming to connect Bayview-Hunter&#x27;s Point — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a historically Black neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/02/29/black-women-history-sf-photo" data-vars-content-id="6f102e58-fbee-4a4f-8424-c6d1d3e5bad3" data-vars-headline="San Francisco unveils new Bayview-Hunter&#x27;s Point park project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/02/29/black-women-history-sf-photo" target="_self">a historically Black neighborhood</a> — to a healthy shoreline and waterfront access.

San Francisco apartment construction projected to decline

The projected cool-down comes as a national shortage of homes to buy or rent is keeping housing prices high.

Development

San Francisco is among several metro areas expected to slow the pace of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="apartment construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/08/23/new-apartment-construction-declines-san-francisco" data-vars-content-id="c2ff3c84-0aa2-4013-bc93-7e6a8cef71eb" data-vars-headline="San Francisco apartment construction projected to decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/08/23/new-apartment-construction-declines-san-francisco" target="_self">apartment construction</a> by 2028, a new report finds.Why it matters: The projected cool-down comes as a national <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shortage of homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/16/housing-harris-trump-election" data-vars-content-id="c2ff3c84-0aa2-4013-bc93-7e6a8cef71eb" data-vars-headline="San Francisco apartment construction projected to decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/16/housing-harris-trump-election" target="_self">shortage of homes</a> to buy or rent is keeping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/19/first-time-home-buyer-tax-credit-kamala-harris" data-vars-content-id="c2ff3c84-0aa2-4013-bc93-7e6a8cef71eb" data-vars-headline="San Francisco apartment construction projected to decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/19/first-time-home-buyer-tax-credit-kamala-harris" target="_self">housing prices</a> high.

SF moves to relax Central SoMa zoning rules to boost housing

The proposal is the city's latest effort to reduce barriers in hopes of meeting the state's mandate for new housing units.

San Francisco could relax requirements for housing developments in the Central South of Market neighborhood and Transbay plan areas under new legislation brought by Mayor London Breed.Why it matters: San Francisco&#x27;s approval process for new housing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is notoriously long" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/07/18/permit-housing-new-units-building-bay-area" data-vars-content-id="163f1a42-6d11-4278-b325-2c6473b2f8c9" data-vars-headline="SF moves to relax Central SoMa zoning rules to boost housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/07/18/permit-housing-new-units-building-bay-area" target="_self">is notoriously long</a>. The proposal is the city&#x27;s latest effort to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reduce barriers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/01/30/sf-housing-crisis-homeless-unhoused" data-vars-content-id="163f1a42-6d11-4278-b325-2c6473b2f8c9" data-vars-headline="SF moves to relax Central SoMa zoning rules to boost housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/01/30/sf-housing-crisis-homeless-unhoused" target="_self">reduce barriers</a> in hopes of meeting the state&#x27;s mandate to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="create 82,000 housing units" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/02/02/san-francisco-affordable-housing-plan" data-vars-content-id="163f1a42-6d11-4278-b325-2c6473b2f8c9" data-vars-headline="SF moves to relax Central SoMa zoning rules to boost housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/02/02/san-francisco-affordable-housing-plan" target="_self">create 82,000 housing units</a> over the next eight years.

Bay Area cities are converting hotels, schools into housing

As officials seek to repurpose empty space into much-needed housing, a mix of building types are on the table.

The next in-demand apartment could be inside an old Bay Area school, church or hotel.Why it matters: As developers and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/27/biden-housing-apartments-office-us-cities" data-vars-content-id="97c4ce95-2262-4a5c-8f28-c79b1f9f641f" data-vars-headline="Bay Area cities are converting hotels, schools into housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/27/biden-housing-apartments-office-us-cities" target="_self">cities</a> like San Francisco seek to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="repurpose empty space" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/23/adaptive-reuse-office-buildings-apartments" data-vars-content-id="97c4ce95-2262-4a5c-8f28-c79b1f9f641f" data-vars-headline="Bay Area cities are converting hotels, schools into housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/23/adaptive-reuse-office-buildings-apartments" target="_self">repurpose empty space</a> into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="much-needed housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/11/biden-us-housing-crisis-2025-budget" data-vars-content-id="97c4ce95-2262-4a5c-8f28-c79b1f9f641f" data-vars-headline="Bay Area cities are converting hotels, schools into housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/11/biden-us-housing-crisis-2025-budget" target="_self">much-needed housing</a>, a mix of building types are on the table.

Bay Area could get new funds for freeway lid projects

The bill could help stitch back together communities of color that were torn apart by freeways.

Attempts to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stitch back together communities of color" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/03/13/the-stitch-atlanta-funding" data-vars-content-id="7e1908b2-4593-48f0-abbe-4b9a195bc648" data-vars-headline="Bay Area could get new funds for freeway lid projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/03/13/the-stitch-atlanta-funding" target="_self">stitch back together communities of color</a> that were torn apart by freeways could get a serious boost under a new bill in the California Legislature.Why it matters: Communities have for years <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pursued freeway lids" data-vars-click-url="https://oaklandbpac.org/2021/06/" data-vars-content-id="7e1908b2-4593-48f0-abbe-4b9a195bc648" data-vars-headline="Bay Area could get new funds for freeway lid projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://oaklandbpac.org/2021/06/" target="_blank">pursued freeway lids</a> — decks over the interstate that enable park or commercial development to reverse decades-old damage — only to hit a wall over price.

How San Francisco plans to cut red tape to increase housing

"After decades of down-zonings and obstructionism, we're due for a re-balancing," a San Francisco Planning official said.

Amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record homelessness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/01/04/california-homeless-statistics-high" data-vars-content-id="2937b052-c206-42df-a7df-d042be483ed0" data-vars-headline="How San Francisco plans to cut red tape to increase housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/01/04/california-homeless-statistics-high" target="_self">record homelessness</a> across the nation, California and San Francisco officials are homing in on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cutting red tape" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/sf-housing-development-red-tape-17815725.php" data-vars-content-id="2937b052-c206-42df-a7df-d042be483ed0" data-vars-headline="How San Francisco plans to cut red tape to increase housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/sf-housing-development-red-tape-17815725.php" target="_blank">cutting red tape</a> to bolster housing development and help solve the housing shortage.Why it matters: State and local leaders have long focused efforts on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="funding affordable housing programs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/09/07/san-francisco-homelessness-interim-housing" data-vars-content-id="2937b052-c206-42df-a7df-d042be483ed0" data-vars-headline="How San Francisco plans to cut red tape to increase housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/09/07/san-francisco-homelessness-interim-housing" target="_self">funding affordable housing programs</a> and addressing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="root causes of homelessness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2022/11/03/san-francisco-tenderloin-community-action-plan" data-vars-content-id="2937b052-c206-42df-a7df-d042be483ed0" data-vars-headline="How San Francisco plans to cut red tape to increase housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2022/11/03/san-francisco-tenderloin-community-action-plan" target="_self">root causes of homelessness</a>, but experts say targeting policy to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="remove unnecessary bureaucratic processes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/zoning-land-use-planning-housing-affordability" data-vars-content-id="2937b052-c206-42df-a7df-d042be483ed0" data-vars-headline="How San Francisco plans to cut red tape to increase housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/zoning-land-use-planning-housing-affordability" target="_blank">remove unnecessary bureaucratic processes</a> must be a priority to make a meaningful dent in the housing crisis.

🚋 Powell Street gets makeover 

San Francisco secures $14.5M to transform Powell Street

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Development 🏗️

San Francisco secures $14.5M to transform Powell Street

Pro-housing groups sue SF over family zoning plan

Inside the push to bring better internet to Chinatown

Bay Area could soon get its first surf pool

5 years since COVID: How the pandemic reshaped the Bay Area