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San Francisco's newest trail spans 12 iconic park sites

News

A newly connected trail ties together many of the city&#x27;s best-known national park destinations into one continuous adventure.Why it matters: The route offers a new way to experience many of San Francisco&#x27;s iconic landscapes — not as separate stops, but as one trek across the city&#x27;s northern and western shoreline.

Why Harris' Restaurant remains one of San Francisco's best steakhouses

The pepper steak is everything you want in a hearty dinner.

Food and Drink

About once a month, I dine somewhere that feels frozen in time, where the food is only part of the draw and the experience is rooted in the charm of a bygone era.State of play: I recently landed at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harris&#x27; Restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.harrisrestaurant.com/about" data-vars-content-id="cd39e6d8-7e19-4e37-a717-af490cba319a" data-vars-headline="Why Harris&#x27; Restaurant remains one of San Francisco&#x27;s best steakhouses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.harrisrestaurant.com/about" target="_blank">Harris&#x27; Restaurant</a>, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="longtime steakhouse" data-vars-click-url="https://sf.eater.com/dining-report/212259/harris-restaurant-review" data-vars-content-id="cd39e6d8-7e19-4e37-a717-af490cba319a" data-vars-headline="Why Harris&#x27; Restaurant remains one of San Francisco&#x27;s best steakhouses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sf.eater.com/dining-report/212259/harris-restaurant-review" target="_blank">longtime steakhouse</a> that&#x27;s been serving the city since 1984 (and before that, famously so as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grison&#x27;s Steakhouse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Bob-Grison-Legendary-S-F-Restaurateur-2976855.php" data-vars-content-id="cd39e6d8-7e19-4e37-a717-af490cba319a" data-vars-headline="Why Harris&#x27; Restaurant remains one of San Francisco&#x27;s best steakhouses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Bob-Grison-Legendary-S-F-Restaurateur-2976855.php" target="_blank">Grison&#x27;s Steakhouse</a>).

San Francisco could create the nation's first city-run public bank

A ballot measure heads to voters this November.

San Francisco voters will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decide this November" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kqed.org/news/12058853/san-francisco-public-bank-supporters-eye-2026-ballot-measure" data-vars-content-id="4bbb262e-4e65-447e-b966-1931d7733989" data-vars-headline="San Francisco could create the nation&#x27;s first city-run public bank" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kqed.org/news/12058853/san-francisco-public-bank-supporters-eye-2026-ballot-measure" target="_blank">decide this November</a> whether the city should take the first step toward creating what could become the first city-run public bank in the nation.Why it matters: Supporters say a public bank could help finance affordable housing, small businesses and green infrastructure — projects that often struggle to get affordable loans from traditional banks.

San Francisco unveils anti-scam push targeting government impersonators

The city will offer scam verification, alerts and victim support.

San Francisco launched a new initiative Tuesday to help residents verify whether communications claiming to be from City Hall are legitimate as officials look to combat a growing wave of online scams.Why it matters: Government impersonation scams — from fake parking tickets and phony utility shutoff notices to bogus jail release calls — are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on the rise" data-vars-click-url="https://coasthills.coop/resources/learn/financial-fitness/may-2026/government-impersonation-scams-are-on-the-rise" data-vars-content-id="c12edc05-0d38-4863-8fd1-5ecb90d14796" data-vars-headline="San Francisco unveils anti-scam push targeting government impersonators" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coasthills.coop/resources/learn/financial-fitness/may-2026/government-impersonation-scams-are-on-the-rise" target="_blank">on the rise</a>, disproportionately <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="target elder adults" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events/2026/05/top-scams-affecting-older-adults" data-vars-content-id="c12edc05-0d38-4863-8fd1-5ecb90d14796" data-vars-headline="San Francisco unveils anti-scam push targeting government impersonators" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events/2026/05/top-scams-affecting-older-adults" target="_blank">target elder adults</a> and cost Americans <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="billions annually" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fbi-ftc-report-2025-losses/" data-vars-content-id="c12edc05-0d38-4863-8fd1-5ecb90d14796" data-vars-headline="San Francisco unveils anti-scam push targeting government impersonators" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fbi-ftc-report-2025-losses/" target="_blank">billions annually</a>.

Five new laws taking effect this month

Here's what changes for schools, restaurants, streaming services and more.

Numerous new laws come on the books in California on Wednesday.The big picture: State lawmakers introduced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 2,400 bills in 2025" data-vars-click-url="https://capitolweekly.net/bill-volume-of-california-legislative-committees-2025-session/" data-vars-content-id="e933cbf0-3cdb-4c9d-9a3f-31be0b138b52" data-vars-headline="Five new laws taking effect this month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://capitolweekly.net/bill-volume-of-california-legislative-committees-2025-session/" target="_blank">nearly 2,400 bills in 2025</a>, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed about 800 of them into law.Here are five you should know about:

What millions couldn't buy in California's two biggest races

Candidates with deep pockets struggled to overcome established ties and trusted political brands.

Politics

Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="primary results" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfelections.org/results/20260602w/index.html" data-vars-content-id="cefe3f7d-424f-4b7b-9b0d-4c45edf11a6c" data-vars-headline="What millions couldn&#x27;t buy in California&#x27;s two biggest races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfelections.org/results/20260602w/index.html" target="_blank">primary results</a> complicated a narrative in California politics that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wealthy candidates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/01/tech-billionaires-california-elections" data-vars-content-id="cefe3f7d-424f-4b7b-9b0d-4c45edf11a6c" data-vars-headline="What millions couldn&#x27;t buy in California&#x27;s two biggest races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/01/tech-billionaires-california-elections" target="_blank">wealthy candidates</a> can spend their way to the top of the ballot.The big picture: The setback for two of the cycle&#x27;s biggest self-funders — billionaire <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tom Steyer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/19/tom-steyer-2026-race-california-governor" data-vars-content-id="cefe3f7d-424f-4b7b-9b0d-4c45edf11a6c" data-vars-headline="What millions couldn&#x27;t buy in California&#x27;s two biggest races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/19/tom-steyer-2026-race-california-governor" target="_self">Tom Steyer</a> and former congressional aide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saikat Chakrabarti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/06/02/san-francisco-democratic-primary-pelosi-succession-00946143" data-vars-content-id="cefe3f7d-424f-4b7b-9b0d-4c45edf11a6c" data-vars-headline="What millions couldn&#x27;t buy in California&#x27;s two biggest races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/06/02/san-francisco-democratic-primary-pelosi-succession-00946143" target="_blank">Saikat Chakrabarti</a> — suggests political office can&#x27;t easily be bought, experts tell Axios.

Wiener, Chan advance in race for Pelosi's seat

Pelosi's late endorsement appears to have helped lift Chan into November's matchup against Wiener.

State Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Scott Wiener" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/22/scott-wiener-pelosi-congress-run" data-vars-content-id="c1e003db-82a8-498d-b7ed-1119e61a053e" data-vars-headline="Wiener, Chan advance in race for Pelosi&#x27;s seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/22/scott-wiener-pelosi-congress-run" target="_self">Scott Wiener</a> and Supervisor Connie Chan advanced Tuesday to November&#x27;s election to succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi in one of San Francisco&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most closely watched" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/08/san-francisco-pelosi-successor-congress-race-2026-district-11" data-vars-content-id="c1e003db-82a8-498d-b7ed-1119e61a053e" data-vars-headline="Wiener, Chan advance in race for Pelosi&#x27;s seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/08/san-francisco-pelosi-successor-congress-race-2026-district-11" target="_self">most closely watched</a> Democratic contests.By the numbers: Wiener secured a runoff spot with about 41% of the vote, with Chan securing about 29%, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the AP" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/california-primary-results-us-house/#11" data-vars-content-id="c1e003db-82a8-498d-b7ed-1119e61a053e" data-vars-headline="Wiener, Chan advance in race for Pelosi&#x27;s seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/california-primary-results-us-house/#11" target="_blank">per the AP</a>.

San Francisco voters give Lurie an election-night boost

Results are in for local supervisor races and ballot measures.

Voters delivered Mayor Daniel Lurie one of his biggest political victories since taking office Tuesday, backing supervisors and ballot measures aligned with his vision for City Hall.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="early results" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfelections.org/results/20260602w/index.html" data-vars-content-id="136c0bab-b064-4cfe-bb7c-ef386fc33de5" data-vars-headline="San Francisco voters give Lurie an election-night boost" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfelections.org/results/20260602w/index.html" target="_blank">early results</a> and races <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="called by the Chronicle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2026/california-primary-election-results/san-francisco/" data-vars-content-id="136c0bab-b064-4cfe-bb7c-ef386fc33de5" data-vars-headline="San Francisco voters give Lurie an election-night boost" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2026/california-primary-election-results/san-francisco/" target="_blank">called by the Chronicle</a> suggest voters remain largely supportive of Lurie&#x27;s effort to reform city government and reshape it around public safety.

Lurie pushes a budget plan built for leaner years ahead

The mayor's proposal is fueling debate over San Francisco's spending priorities.

Mayor Daniel Lurie&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$16.9 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-presents-responsible-budget-strengthening-social-safety-net-in-response-to-significant-federal-cuts-advancing-san-franciscos-economic-recovery" data-vars-content-id="21e14e07-62df-4c5b-bbcf-64d16cf6712d" data-vars-headline="Lurie pushes a budget plan built for leaner years ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-presents-responsible-budget-strengthening-social-safety-net-in-response-to-significant-federal-cuts-advancing-san-franciscos-economic-recovery" target="_blank">$16.9 billion</a> budget plan is built around a simple argument: San Francisco can no longer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="afford to govern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/07/24/mayor-lurie-san-francisco-budget-police-funding" data-vars-content-id="21e14e07-62df-4c5b-bbcf-64d16cf6712d" data-vars-headline="Lurie pushes a budget plan built for leaner years ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/07/24/mayor-lurie-san-francisco-budget-police-funding" target="_self">afford to govern</a> the way it did before.State of play: Facing a projected<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" $643 million deficit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/04/23/san-francisco-budget-deficit-2026-lurie-cuts-public-health-housing-workforce" data-vars-content-id="21e14e07-62df-4c5b-bbcf-64d16cf6712d" data-vars-headline="Lurie pushes a budget plan built for leaner years ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/04/23/san-francisco-budget-deficit-2026-lurie-cuts-public-health-housing-workforce" target="_self"> $643 million deficit</a> over the next two years, Lurie is proposing to eliminate 550 vacant city positions, cut millions in grants to nonprofit providers and consolidate city functions.

Nancy Pelosi backs Connie Chan in high-stakes congressional race

Pelosi's endorsement gives Connie Chan a late boost as voters cast ballots.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Supervisor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Connie Chan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/11/20/connie-chan-pelosi-congress-race" data-vars-content-id="fea9a81e-3a9a-4852-b4d0-af7bc7bdf063" data-vars-headline="Nancy Pelosi backs Connie Chan in high-stakes congressional race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/11/20/connie-chan-pelosi-congress-race" target="_self">Connie Chan</a> this week in the race to<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" succeed her in Congress" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/08/san-francisco-pelosi-successor-congress-race-2026-district-11" data-vars-content-id="fea9a81e-3a9a-4852-b4d0-af7bc7bdf063" data-vars-headline="Nancy Pelosi backs Connie Chan in high-stakes congressional race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/08/san-francisco-pelosi-successor-congress-race-2026-district-11" target="_self"> succeed her in Congress</a>, delivering a major boost to a candidate who has struggled to keep pace with her better-funded rivals.Why it matters: Pelosi&#x27;s 11th-hour backing could prove decisive in the high-stakes primary, potentially helping consolidate traditional Democratic voters behind Chan while tying her candidacy to one of the most powerful political networks in the country.

What a weakened federal Voting Rights Act means for California

The federal decision could affect representation and political power in California over time.

California has long relied on strong voting protections to expand representation, but a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" data-vars-content-id="84d04e32-57a1-4a35-8f31-e825dbf6d7df" data-vars-headline="What a weakened federal Voting Rights Act means for California" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" target="_self">federal ruling</a> could chip away at that foundation.State of play: The Supreme Court&#x27;s narrowing of the Voting Rights Act last week weakens a federal backstop that helped challenge unfair electoral maps, threatens <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California&#x27;s Voting Rights Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/us/elections/voting-rights-act-supreme-court-california.html" data-vars-content-id="84d04e32-57a1-4a35-8f31-e825dbf6d7df" data-vars-headline="What a weakened federal Voting Rights Act means for California" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/us/elections/voting-rights-act-supreme-court-california.html" target="_blank">California&#x27;s Voting Rights Act</a> and potentially reverses gains in representation for voters of color, experts say.

San Francisco approves Muni budget — but bigger crisis looms

Deficits could still force major Muni cuts without new funding.

Transit

Facing a massive deficit, San Francisco transportation leaders on Tuesday unanimously approved a two-year operating budget, but whether it holds depends on voters this November.The big picture: The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency&#x27;s budget for the next two fiscal years staves off immediate service cuts and bridges a major deficit, but long-term financial stability hinges on whether <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two" data-vars-click-url="https://connectbayarea.com/" data-vars-content-id="8368bf75-816e-4f4e-9e0d-6bf9c47c839e" data-vars-headline="San Francisco approves Muni budget — but bigger crisis looms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://connectbayarea.com/" target="_blank">two</a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" crucial funding proposals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/03/sf-ballot-measure-muni-parcel-tax-renters-homeowners-bart-public-transit-november" data-vars-content-id="8368bf75-816e-4f4e-9e0d-6bf9c47c839e" data-vars-headline="San Francisco approves Muni budget — but bigger crisis looms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/03/sf-ballot-measure-muni-parcel-tax-renters-homeowners-bart-public-transit-november" target="_self"> crucial funding proposals</a> pass in the fall.

Sam Altman home attacks spark concern over AI-motivated violence

Recent incidents highlight fears that AI tensions could escalate into more violence.

Recent attacks on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman&#x27;s Russian Hill home signal a potential turning point in the backlash against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/13/ai-elite-vs-ai-skeptic-doomer" data-vars-content-id="134455cd-3b0a-4cc3-9e14-17ca9c307726" data-vars-headline="Sam Altman home attacks spark concern over AI-motivated violence" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/13/ai-elite-vs-ai-skeptic-doomer" target="_self">AI</a>, as a debate long shaped by fear, policy arguments and online rhetoric begins to spill into the real world.Why it matters: There&#x27;s no clear trend of AI-related violence to date, but the acts aimed at Altman and OpenAI in the past week raise new questions about how dissent around AI is evolving.

How Supervisor Jackie Fielder's leave could affect City Hall

By staying in office, she avoids a political shakeup.

District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder&#x27;s decision to take a medical leave of absence — without giving up her seat — avoids a major political shakeup, though her leave isn&#x27;t expected to significantly shift the balance of power on the Board of Supervisors, analysts say.Why it matters: Staying in her role avoids triggering a mayoral appointment and a broader political ripple effect, though her time away could still limit the district&#x27;s sway on some votes.

Politics 🇺🇸

Five new laws taking effect this month

Becerra, Hilton advance in California governor's race

What millions couldn't buy in California's two biggest races

Wiener, Chan advance in race for Pelosi's seat

San Francisco voters give Lurie an election-night boost