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F1 brings big crowds to the Marina — and plenty of chaos

Spectators climbed trees, balconies and rooftops amid traffic gridlock and crowding.

News

An estimated 40,000 people descended upon the Marina on Saturday to watch <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Formula 1 race cars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/19/red-bull-f1-showrun-marina-boulevard" data-vars-content-id="af6a41d1-b038-4205-875c-bccc9cd87f44" data-vars-headline="F1 brings big crowds to the Marina — and plenty of chaos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/19/red-bull-f1-showrun-marina-boulevard" target="_self">Formula 1 race cars</a> roar down the streets — and San Francisco is dealing with the fallout.Why it matters: While the high-octane, Red Bull-hosted spectacle <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drew massive crowds" data-vars-click-url="https://sfstandard.com/2026/02/22/f1-red-bull-showrun-san-francisco-marina/" data-vars-content-id="af6a41d1-b038-4205-875c-bccc9cd87f44" data-vars-headline="F1 brings big crowds to the Marina — and plenty of chaos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfstandard.com/2026/02/22/f1-red-bull-showrun-san-francisco-marina/" target="_blank">drew massive crowds</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media posts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVHl5ohkk75/" data-vars-content-id="af6a41d1-b038-4205-875c-bccc9cd87f44" data-vars-headline="F1 brings big crowds to the Marina — and plenty of chaos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVHl5ohkk75/" target="_blank">social media posts</a> showing the lengths people went to catch a glimpse have ignited concerns over public safety, traffic and crowding.

Violent crime drops in SF as major U.S. cities see broad declines

The stats counter the crime-related reasons Trump cited for wanting to send federal troops to Democratic-run cities.

​​<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/04/cities-homicide-rates-fall-2025" data-vars-content-id="039fed98-9fc4-468e-b624-4533b49b73b2" data-vars-headline="Violent crime drops in SF as major U.S. cities see broad declines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/04/cities-homicide-rates-fall-2025" target="_self">Violent crime</a> dropped sharply across America&#x27;s biggest cities — including San Francisco — in 2025, according to data reviewed by Axios.Why it matters: The stats point toward a sustained San Francisco recovery, away from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="doom-loop narrative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/09/super-bowl-lx-takeaways" data-vars-content-id="039fed98-9fc4-468e-b624-4533b49b73b2" data-vars-headline="Violent crime drops in SF as major U.S. cities see broad declines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/09/super-bowl-lx-takeaways" target="_self">doom-loop narrative</a> that has dogged the city since the pandemic.

SF moves to ban ICE activity on city property

State and local governments are increasingly working to put guardrails on federal immigration enforcement.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved legislation Tuesday that would ban <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/29/super-bowl-security-immigrants-fear" data-vars-content-id="2e19a8b5-7ae8-458e-9d5f-a352e35933a2" data-vars-headline="SF moves to ban ICE activity on city property" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/29/super-bowl-security-immigrants-fear" target="_self">federal immigration enforcement</a> activities on San Francisco city property in a push to create &quot;ICE-free zones.&quot;Why it matters: San Francisco is the latest Bay Area city to pass this kind of measure as elected officials across the country test the extent to which they can counter President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration blitz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/27/bay-area-sf-federal-immigration-crackdown-fears-immigrant-anxiety" data-vars-content-id="2e19a8b5-7ae8-458e-9d5f-a352e35933a2" data-vars-headline="SF moves to ban ICE activity on city property" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/27/bay-area-sf-federal-immigration-crackdown-fears-immigrant-anxiety" target="_self">immigration blitz</a>.

A.C.T. makes "Paranormal Activity" feel real

Live stage horror from a Harry Potter veteran make this ACT show gasp-worthy.

Culture

It&#x27;s been a while since I&#x27;ve screamed in the theater, but a theatrical adaption of &quot;Paranormal Activity&quot; isn&#x27;t standard fare for San Francisco — especially with live poltergeists in the mix.Catch up quick: The play, which premiered on the West End in December 2025, is loosely based on the &quot;Paranormal Activity&quot; film franchise, which reimagines the haunted house genre through security cameras and found footage.

How to recycle your Christmas tree in San Francisco

Holidays

The holidays are over, but some of us still have dried-out Christmas trees dropping needles in our living rooms.Yes, but: You can still ditch your tree for free, courtesy of Recology. It&#x27;s easy and one of the simplest ways to reduce post-holiday waste.Driving the news: Recology is collecting holiday trees now <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="until Jan. 16" data-vars-click-url="https://www.recology.com/recology_news/holiday-tree-collection-28/" data-vars-content-id="4873806f-fb00-4832-95fc-0ee752cba42e" data-vars-headline="How to recycle your Christmas tree in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.recology.com/recology_news/holiday-tree-collection-28/" target="_blank">until Jan. 16</a>.

Where to shop local for holiday gifts

Skip the big retailers. These local SF shops offer one-of-a-kind holiday finds.

With the holidays fast approaching, it&#x27;s crunch time for gift hunting.The big picture: Forget faceless online retailers. San Francisco is home to some amazing small businesses that support your local community.

Where to eat out this Thanksgiving in SF

Several restaurants are still taking reservations or offering Thanksgiving meals to walk-ins.

Food and Drink

Not trying to cook this Thanksgiving? Don&#x27;t worry, we&#x27;ve got you covered.Why it matters: While reservations are booked at most places, there are several last-minute dining options.

How to make the most out of Halloween in SF

Here's your guide for all things scary in Fog City this year.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s no secret that San Francisco <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="goes all out for Halloween" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/17/where-to-shop-local-halloween-2025-sf" data-vars-content-id="8a8febec-5be2-42cf-a17b-b74e9e9631ae" data-vars-headline="How to make the most out of Halloween in SF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/17/where-to-shop-local-halloween-2025-sf" target="_self">goes all out for Halloween</a> — arguably our most highly anticipated holiday of the year.The big picture: Get ready for outlandish costumes, eerie mansions and a whole host of neighborhood block parties.

Why the cempasuchil flower is essential to Día de los Muertos

The flower is believed to guide returning spirits back to their loved ones.

The bright orange <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cempasuchil" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gob.mx/agricultura/articulos/cempasuchil-flor-de-vida-flor-de-muertos?idiom=es" data-vars-content-id="bd7ab344-6e9c-4d3f-a10f-bfa4d690d287" data-vars-headline="Why the cempasuchil flower is essential to Día de los Muertos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gob.mx/agricultura/articulos/cempasuchil-flor-de-vida-flor-de-muertos?idiom=es" target="_blank">cempasuchil</a> flower, or the marigold, isn&#x27;t just a decoration for Día de los Muertos — it&#x27;s believed to guide returning spirits back to their loved ones.Why it matters: The flower plays a key role in linking ancestral spiritual traditions with modern-day rituals during the holiday&#x27;s observance at the beginning of November.

How to celebrate mom this Mother's Day in San Francisco

Spend quality time or give her the gift of sleep or relaxation this Mother's Day.

Mother&#x27;s Day is around the corner and we&#x27;ve got a few ideas on how to celebrate mom:

Where to order Thanksgiving takeout this year

If you need to preorder your meal for Nov. 28, we've got you covered.

It&#x27;s that time of the year, and whether you&#x27;re celebrating Thanksgiving or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thankstaking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/23/the-rise-of-thankstaking" data-vars-content-id="10830efa-23c9-4152-a588-a34440a1f4eb" data-vars-headline="Where to order Thanksgiving takeout this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/23/the-rise-of-thankstaking" target="_self">Thankstaking</a>, we all need to eat. Here are some local spots to preorder your meal for Nov. 28:

California's Halloween trick-or-treat hotspots

Yes, but: San Francisco may not be one of them.

Some areas have an especially high concentration of potential <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Halloween" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/29/halloween-decorations-michaels-costco-home-depot-summerween" data-vars-content-id="647c37f0-6a00-4298-9195-7b0e4a73556f" data-vars-headline="California&#x27;s Halloween trick-or-treat hotspots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/29/halloween-decorations-michaels-costco-home-depot-summerween" target="_self">Halloween</a> trick-or-treaters — though San Francisco may not be one of them, an Axios analysis of census data shows.State of play: 5-to-14-year-olds — prime trick-or-treating age — make up about 12.5% of the U.S. population and 12.7% of California&#x27;s. But in San Francisco County, they comprise 7.2% of the population.

9 SF-inspired costumes to try this Halloween

Ideas include Mark Zuckerberg's makeover, fortune cookies, Karl the Fog and more.

If you&#x27;re like me, you&#x27;ve procrastinated on finding a Halloween costume.Yes, but: It&#x27;s not too late to come up with one that&#x27;ll show off your SF pride, or sense of humor.

Your guide to San Francisco's Halloween festivities

On the agenda: Pub crawls, Ghost Palace, block parties, ghost-hunting tours and more.

Time to plan your Halloween itinerary, and boy is there a lot to pick from.Why it matters: Though Halloween isn&#x27;t until next Thursday, San Francisco is already kicking off celebrations.