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Inside San Quentin's effort to redefine prison life

A former symbol of mass incarceration now trains inmates in coding, journalism and filmmaking.

News

For decades, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Quentin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/04/02/san-quentin-state-prison-rehabilitation-project?utm_" data-vars-content-id="a4818f4a-c154-44c2-b995-6a40d40eba5a" data-vars-headline="Inside San Quentin&#x27;s effort to redefine prison life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/04/02/san-quentin-state-prison-rehabilitation-project?utm_" target="_self">San Quentin</a> stood as a symbol of America&#x27;s harshest era of incarceration, housing California&#x27;s death row and many of the state&#x27;s most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dangerous offenders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-inmates-at-san-quentin-state-prison/treadlightly" data-vars-content-id="a4818f4a-c154-44c2-b995-6a40d40eba5a" data-vars-headline="Inside San Quentin&#x27;s effort to redefine prison life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-inmates-at-san-quentin-state-prison/treadlightly" target="_blank">dangerous offenders</a>.The big picture: But now, in a transformation that would have sounded implausible even a decade ago, the state&#x27;s oldest prison is trying to reinvent itself as something closer to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Scandinavian-style" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-48885846" data-vars-content-id="a4818f4a-c154-44c2-b995-6a40d40eba5a" data-vars-headline="Inside San Quentin&#x27;s effort to redefine prison life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-48885846" target="_blank">Scandinavian-style</a> rehabilitation facility — one centered on education and second chances.

Nothing quizzical about the Friday SF News Quiz!

If there's a better way to start a long holiday weekend, we don't wanna know about it.

A long and overindulgent weekend awaits, but before that, we are back for another edition of your favorite thing on the internet.<ul><li>That&#x27;s right, it&#x27;s Friday SF News Quiz time! Time to test your smarts. </li></ul>

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.

Original Joe's, Balboa Cafe join this year's Outside Lands

The festival is also adding pastry carts, mashups and global flavors.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Outside Lands" data-vars-click-url="https://sfoutsidelands.com/info/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfoutsidelands.com/info/" target="_blank">Outside Lands</a> has become a pretty reliable tracker of San Francisco&#x27;s food trends. State of play: This year&#x27;s lineup — released this week — features 100 local establishments and is heavy on pastries, comfort food and dessert.What to expect: Household names like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Señor Sisig" data-vars-click-url="https://www.senorsisig.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.senorsisig.com/" target="_blank">Señor Sisig</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Koja Kitchen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kojakitchen.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kojakitchen.com/" target="_blank">Koja Kitchen</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tacolicious" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tacolicious.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tacolicious.com/" target="_blank">Tacolicious</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Woodhouse Fish Co." data-vars-click-url="https://www.woodhousefish.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.woodhousefish.com/" target="_blank">Woodhouse Fish Co.</a> are all returning to the festival, which takes place August 7-9 in Golden Gate Park.What&#x27;s new: Some of the buzziest additions reflect the city&#x27;s love of nostalgic, old-school restaurants, with several longtime local institutions joining the festival for the first time.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Original Joe&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.originaljoes.com/north-beach/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.originaljoes.com/north-beach/" target="_blank">Original Joe&#x27;s</a> will bring prime rib dip sandwiches and spicy rigatoni.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Balboa Cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.balboacafesf.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.balboacafesf.com/" target="_blank">Balboa Cafe</a> plans to serve chicken paillard tenders, Caesar salad wraps and espresso martinis on tap.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Perry&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.perryssf.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.perryssf.com/" target="_blank">Perry&#x27;s</a> is also making its debut with classics like cheeseburgers and homestyle mac and cheese. </li></ul>Between the lines: There will also be a broader mix of global cuisine, including Nigerian newcomer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jollof Kitchen" data-vars-click-url="https://thejollofkitchen.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thejollofkitchen.com/" target="_blank">Jollof Kitchen</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Meski" data-vars-click-url="https://www.meskisf.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.meskisf.com/" target="_blank">Meski</a>, the Ethiopian and Afro-Latin concept tied to Sobre Mesa chef Nelson German and Warriors star Draymond Green.The intrigue: Some of the more interesting additions are the one-off restaurant mashups.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wise Sons" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wisesonsdeli.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wisesonsdeli.com/" target="_blank">Wise Sons</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Outta Sight Pizza" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thatsouttasight.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thatsouttasight.com/" target="_blank">Outta Sight Pizza</a> will serve pastrami dip sandwiches and burrata pizza bagels.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reem&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reemscalifornia.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reemscalifornia.com/" target="_blank">Reem&#x27;s</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lion Dance Cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.liondancecafe.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.liondancecafe.com/" target="_blank">Lion Dance Cafe</a> are teaming up on flatbread wraps with sambal and harissa yogurt. </li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jaji" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jajioak.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jajioak.com/" target="_blank">Jaji</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tallboy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tallboy.bar/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tallboy.bar/" target="_blank">Tallboy</a> are bringing lamb lavash wraps and dirty martini olive potato chips.</li></ul>Desserts galore: Festivalgoers looking for a sugar rush won&#x27;t have to look far — pastry carts will be roaming the grounds all weekend.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Parachute Bakery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.parachutebakery.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.parachutebakery.com/" target="_blank">Parachute Bakery</a> is bringing yuzu pastries and vanilla and passionfruit croissants.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tano" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/tano__sf/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/tano__sf/" target="_blank">Tano</a> will serve its decadent ube-infused salt bread and sesame-toffee chocolate-chip cookies.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Humphry Slocombe" data-vars-click-url="https://humphryslocombe.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorMZupvDleJN-sZNOyE8iQ9sGdKeWPwGBsrFy4ZBj_8gG9KzdMR" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://humphryslocombe.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorMZupvDleJN-sZNOyE8iQ9sGdKeWPwGBsrFy4ZBj_8gG9KzdMR" target="_blank">Humphry Slocombe</a> returns with its famous &quot;secret breakfast&quot; sundaes and bourbon caramel coke floats.</li></ul>As for the drinks, Cocktail Magic is back with themed bar pours, Wine Lands returns with new producers, and Beer Lands expands with breweries like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wondrous" data-vars-click-url="https://wondrousbrewing.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wondrousbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Wondrous</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Leopard Mark" data-vars-click-url="https://untappd.com/TheLeopardMarkBrewingCo" data-vars-content-id="f4ccc66d-8b6a-4e71-a84c-350c75a801d8" data-vars-headline="Original Joe&#x27;s, Balboa Cafe join this year&#x27;s Outside Lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://untappd.com/TheLeopardMarkBrewingCo" target="_blank">The Leopard Mark</a>.

How do you celebrate Mom?

Tell us your plans for the moms in your life and help shape a future guide to local ideas.

Mother&#x27;s Day is right around the corner and we&#x27;re wondering how you celebrate the moms in your life. Should the day be spent together as a family, or as a day for moms to recharge? Maybe a bit of both — a morning spent alone and an evening reserved for family time?<ul><li>Either way, it comes down to what each mom wants and needs, which can evolve as kids grow.</li><li>Take our quick poll and let us know! Email us at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sanfrancisco@axios.com" data-vars-click-url="mailto:sanfrancisco@axios.com" data-vars-content-id="fa562ec4-ca5c-4002-babd-ae58fb26d34d" data-vars-headline="How do you celebrate Mom?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="mailto:sanfrancisco@axios.com" target="_blank">sanfrancisco@axios.com</a> to share additional thoughts.</li></ul><div><iframe name="opinionstage-widget" alt="Opinion Stage Embed" src="https://www.opinionstage.com/api/v2/widgets/eae6b009-5404-431a-858e-5c78235080f8/iframe" data-opinionstage-iframe="eae6b009-5404-431a-858e-5c78235080f8" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="embed-poll" data-vars-asset-id="eae6b009-5404-431a-858e-5c78235080f8" data-vars-content-id="fa562ec4-ca5c-4002-babd-ae58fb26d34d" width="100%" height="800" allow="fullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" class="gtmView" referrerPolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe><div style="display:none"></div></div>We&#x27;ll share the results and ideas in Friday&#x27;s newsletter.

Don't miss the SF Stair Challenge this weekend

This year's 2,000-step route winds through the Pacific Heights neighborhood.

San Francisco has over 900 public stairways — and this weekend, you can climb some of its best-kept secrets.State of play: Walk San Francisco&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual SF Stair Challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://walksf.org/events/sf-stair-challenge/" data-vars-content-id="46d9f3fb-4cd0-4f55-aa91-810df1ef2c0b" data-vars-headline="Don&#x27;t miss the SF Stair Challenge this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://walksf.org/events/sf-stair-challenge/" target="_blank">annual SF Stair Challenge</a> is back, sending participants up mosaic steps, tucked-away garden paths and historic staircases. Axios SF got a first look at this year&#x27;s tour.

Where to go during SF Restaurant Week

Book your reservation, or plan out your next week of meals, now.

Eating out in San Francisco may feel a bit more accessible for the next week or so.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Restaurant Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfrestaurantweek.com/about/" data-vars-content-id="ba66a852-a06b-4c43-9db3-e63cd806a107" data-vars-headline="Where to go during SF Restaurant Week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfrestaurantweek.com/about/" target="_blank">Restaurant Week</a>, which begins today and runs through April 19, gives diners a chance to try some of the city&#x27;s best restaurants at lower prices — with prix-fixe menus ranging from as low as $10 for lunch or brunch and up to $90 for dinner.<ul><li>Here are some of my top picks:</li></ul>

🌸 Cherry Blossom Festival FAQ

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://sfcherryblossom.org/history/" data-vars-content-id="8200ae00-67e8-433e-be9c-13752253e840" data-vars-headline="🌸 Cherry Blossom Festival FAQ" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfcherryblossom.org/history/" target="_blank">Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival</a> kicks off this weekend — another great excuse to hit up Japantown.The big picture: Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka will serve as the parade&#x27;s grand marshal this year. (I&#x27;m actually SO sad I&#x27;m gonna miss her! Please allow me to live vicariously through you.)

American Indian Cultural District celebrates 6 years in SF

The milestone comes with a first-ever block party amid state-level recognition.

The American Indian Cultural District (AICD) is hosting its first-ever block party this weekend, the latest milestone <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in a history" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/10/11/bay-area-indigenous-peoples-ramaytush-ohlone" data-vars-content-id="71599c27-e3fd-426c-8053-cb63d23bde62" data-vars-headline="American Indian Cultural District celebrates 6 years 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/2024/10/11/bay-area-indigenous-peoples-ramaytush-ohlone" target="_self">in a history</a> that began well before San Francisco was founded.The big picture: The celebration comes after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AICD" data-vars-click-url="https://americanindianculturaldistrict.org/" data-vars-content-id="71599c27-e3fd-426c-8053-cb63d23bde62" data-vars-headline="American Indian Cultural District celebrates 6 years in SF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://americanindianculturaldistrict.org/" target="_blank">AICD</a> became the first of its kind to be formally designated a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state cultural district" data-vars-click-url="https://www.caculturaldistricts.org/american-indian-cultural-district" data-vars-content-id="71599c27-e3fd-426c-8053-cb63d23bde62" data-vars-headline="American Indian Cultural District celebrates 6 years in SF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.caculturaldistricts.org/american-indian-cultural-district" target="_blank">state cultural district</a> in December, a move leaders hope will unlock more funding for its programs.

Beloved night markets return to Castro, Cole Valley

Spring night markets are drawing crowds and boosting local businesses.

The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer and San Francisco is easing back into one of its favorite seasonal rituals: neighborhood night markets.Why it matters: What started as a pandemic-era workaround has evolved into a beloved community staple, with live music, kid-friendly activities, rows of local food vendors, pop-ups, and bespoke goods.

Where to get ice cream in San Francisco

Food and Drink

For a city that&#x27;s often foggy and cold, we sure do love our ice cream, and even more so when it&#x27;s warm enough that a double scoop feels less like a treat and more like a necessity.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s where to grab a sweet treat to help you cool down amid this week&#x27;s heat wave. </li></ul>

Inside the Tenderloin play recreating a pivotal LGBTQ uprising

An immersive Tenderloin show retells the 1966 uprising that helped spark the modern LGBTQ rights movement.

Culture

<figure><img alt="The police encounter at Compton&#x27;s Cafeteria Riot." height="450" id="48fc0349-dd5c-4cdd-bb18-4b687922b5c4" src="https://images.axios.com/0xmQBbune7HVefX19OlAxinOC6Y=/2026/03/12/1773350852517.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Actors portray a scene of cops being shooed out of Compton&#x27;s. Gif: Nadia Lopez/Axios</figcaption></figure>For many people who lived in the Tenderloin in the 1960s, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Compton&#x27;s Cafeteria" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVzU9y3gXrG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==" data-vars-content-id="525a9b5c-7c53-44e6-8cdc-f69863a014be" data-vars-headline="Inside the Tenderloin play recreating a pivotal LGBTQ uprising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVzU9y3gXrG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==" target="_blank">Compton&#x27;s Cafeteria</a> was just another late-night diner. But for the transgender women, drag queens and gender-nonconforming people who gathered there, it was something more: a place where they could exist.Why it matters: Over coffee and a quick meal, a community pushed to the edges of society found refuge at Compton&#x27;s. Now, that history is being told on stage via &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Compton&#x27;s Cafeteria Riot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.comptonscafeteriariot.com/" data-vars-content-id="525a9b5c-7c53-44e6-8cdc-f69863a014be" data-vars-headline="Inside the Tenderloin play recreating a pivotal LGBTQ uprising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.comptonscafeteriariot.com/" target="_blank">Compton&#x27;s Cafeteria Riot</a>,&quot; a show that chronicles the events that inspired the 1966 rebellion.

The trinket trade boom is taking over San Francisco

What began as an experiment in the Outer Sunset has now taken off across the city.

Neighborhoods

<figure><img alt="A trinket exchange box in San Francisco." height="450" id="76e69924-29ac-40e3-96d5-ee8a2f3d1948" src="https://images.axios.com/6xUpR04Sbar7FC_PJ7QXDMZU1VQ=/2026/03/05/1772746864702.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The Keychange Exchange on Pine Street. Photo: Nadia Lopez/Axios</figcaption></figure>Across San Francisco, colorful, decorated boxes stuffed with trinkets are popping up on street corners and on sidewalks, turning ordinary blocks into miniature trading posts.The big picture: From the Outer and Inner Sunset to Noe Valley and the Castro, small trinket trade boxes stocked with everything from rings and rubber ducks, keychains, baseball cards, tiny ceramic animals, patches and custom pins are inviting strangers to take a tiny treasure and leave one behind.

Things to Do 🗓

Best thing I ate: San Tung's chicken wings

Original Joe's, Balboa Cafe join this year's Outside Lands

How to celebrate Mother's Day

How do you celebrate Mom?

Don't miss the SF Stair Challenge this weekend