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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.

News

​​<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.

What ChatGPT thinks about San Francisco

The AI model often elevates the city in innovation, culture and quality of life.

Large language models (LLMs) such as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ChatGPT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" data-vars-content-id="46f691a9-9350-48a8-a293-1c57a3470771" data-vars-headline="What ChatGPT thinks about San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" target="_self">ChatGPT</a> often boost San Francisco in city comparison rankings, underscoring how deeply the AI&#x27;s training data is steeped in the internet&#x27;s Silicon Valley narratives, a new study finds. Why it matters: As AI tools increasingly shape how people judge cities, their built-in geographic biases risk reinforcing the same tech-centric SF hierarchies that already dominate the online realm.

How to avoid Bay Area travel delays this 4th of July

A record-setting travel rush is coming. Here's how to dodge bottlenecks.

Record-breaking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="July 4 travel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/06/28/july-fourth-travel-best-times" data-vars-content-id="328aa157-8a71-402f-bb07-e4dcab82bc27" data-vars-headline="How to avoid Bay Area travel delays this 4th of July" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/06/28/july-fourth-travel-best-times" target="_self">July 4 travel</a> is expected to jam the Bay Area&#x27;s roadways and runways — so plan ahead.The big picture: Nationwide, more than 72 million people are expected to travel 50+ miles over the long Independence Day holiday, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/06/july4forecast/" data-vars-content-id="328aa157-8a71-402f-bb07-e4dcab82bc27" data-vars-headline="How to avoid Bay Area travel delays this 4th of July" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/06/july4forecast/" target="_blank">AAA</a> data for June 28–July 6.

When to travel over Memorial Day weekend in SF

Millions of Bay Area travelers are expected to take road trips.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Memorial Day travel" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/39969093.100/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMDUvMTIvbWVtb3JpYWwtZGF5LXRyYXZlbC1mb3JlY2FzdC1yZWNvcmQtYWFhP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/673d6f07cfc5ece025011323Bb2a3c9ad" data-vars-content-id="b1d8ab25-88be-4b2f-8b62-5dcfcb2902c1" data-vars-headline="When to travel over Memorial Day weekend in SF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/39969093.100/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMDUvMTIvbWVtb3JpYWwtZGF5LXRyYXZlbC1mb3JlY2FzdC1yZWNvcmQtYWFhP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/673d6f07cfc5ece025011323Bb2a3c9ad" target="_self">Memorial Day travel</a> is expected to break records this year nationwide and in the Bay Area.Why it matters: Roads and airports will likely be packed as locals leave town and visitors arrive to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.

Your guide to reservation-free camping around California

California has an abundance of first-come, first-serve sites, backpacking and dispersed camping options to choose from.

Things to Do

Finding a campsite in California during the late spring and summertime can be an uphill battle with reservations difficult to come by. Yes, but: While the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reservation system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reservecalifornia.com/Web/" data-vars-content-id="1437f2ff-ab1a-40a4-8011-2680173d0d2d" data-vars-headline="Your guide to reservation-free camping around California" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reservecalifornia.com/Web/" target="_blank">reservation system</a> can be tricky to navigate, the state has an abundance of first-come, first-serve sites, backpacking and dispersed camping options to choose from.

San Francisco airport's takeoffs and landings: A work of art

Check out this data visual display using flight tracking information from SFO.

San Francisco International Airport doesn&#x27;t just <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="display art" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/12/20/atlanta-airport-artwork-guide" data-vars-content-id="9f669b80-1e61-4ce7-930e-35589fb52f5a" data-vars-headline="San Francisco airport&#x27;s takeoffs and landings: A work of art" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/12/20/atlanta-airport-artwork-guide" target="_self">display art</a>. It is art.Driving the news: James Reid, a 25-year-old software developer who lives southeast of England, turns flight tracking information into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data visual displays" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/heatmaphorizons/" data-vars-content-id="9f669b80-1e61-4ce7-930e-35589fb52f5a" data-vars-headline="San Francisco airport&#x27;s takeoffs and landings: A work of art" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/heatmaphorizons/" target="_blank">data visual displays</a> of takeoffs and landings at major airports, including San Francisco&#x27;s.

The Bay Area's ongoing air traffic controller shortage

Our three largest airports — SFO, SJC and OAK — all failed to meet their staffing goals as of September 2023.

The Bay Area&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="air traffic control facilities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/10/air-traffic-controller-shortages" data-vars-content-id="4cf9f224-c3f2-4eed-ada9-b47bb390740f" data-vars-headline="The Bay Area&#x27;s ongoing air traffic controller shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/10/air-traffic-controller-shortages" target="_self">air traffic control facilities</a> are alarmingly understaffed, new data shows.Why it matters: January&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mid-air collision" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/30/pilot-plane-crash-dc" data-vars-content-id="4cf9f224-c3f2-4eed-ada9-b47bb390740f" data-vars-headline="The Bay Area&#x27;s ongoing air traffic controller shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/30/pilot-plane-crash-dc" target="_self">mid-air collision</a> between a passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter is bringing fresh attention to the staffing shortages, which are a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="longstanding problem" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/15/faa-safety-memo-near-disasters" data-vars-content-id="4cf9f224-c3f2-4eed-ada9-b47bb390740f" data-vars-headline="The Bay Area&#x27;s ongoing air traffic controller shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/15/faa-safety-memo-near-disasters" target="_self">longstanding problem</a>.

SFO is the third-costliest U.S. airport for domestic flights

Average domestic airfare out of San Francisco International ran $425 in the third quarter of 2024.

San Francisco International is the third-costliest U.S. airport to fly out of domestically, the latest Transportation Department data shows.Why it matters: Nothing beats the February blues like planning your summer travel — and being smart about which airports you use might help you save a buck.

Waymo expands to Daly City, Broadmoor and Colma

This marks the first time the robotaxi company will serve riders in the Peninsula.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/06/25/waymo-driverless-cars-service-san-francisco-residents" data-vars-content-id="1495c74a-c1d2-4a99-bfd3-a2dbf1df477d" data-vars-headline="Waymo expands to Daly City, Broadmoor and Colma" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/06/25/waymo-driverless-cars-service-san-francisco-residents" target="_self">Waymo</a> is expanding its robotaxi service area to include Daly City, Broadmoor and Colma, the company announced Tuesday.Why it matters: The expansion marks the first time the self-driving rideshare company will serve customers in the Peninsula.

"Dogs first" airline Bark Air is coming to the Bay

Service between the Bay and Chicago begins Oct. 17.

The boutique &quot;dogs first&quot; airline, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bark Air" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/24/bark-air-dogs-airline-charter-jet-pet" data-vars-content-id="6c315e90-f40d-4148-a949-41bf245eba4e" data-vars-headline="&quot;Dogs first&quot; airline Bark Air is coming to the Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/24/bark-air-dogs-airline-charter-jet-pet" target="_self">Bark Air</a>, is coming to the Bay Area.Why it matters: At a time when many dog owners are seeking full rights for their pets as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="family members" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/25/dogs-restaurants-fda-cafes-outdoor-patio-service-therapy-pets" data-vars-content-id="6c315e90-f40d-4148-a949-41bf245eba4e" data-vars-headline="&quot;Dogs first&quot; airline Bark Air is coming to the Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/25/dogs-restaurants-fda-cafes-outdoor-patio-service-therapy-pets" target="_self">family members</a>, airlines are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cracking down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2020/12/08/944128779/federal-government-cracks-down-on-emotional-support-animals-on-planes" data-vars-content-id="6c315e90-f40d-4148-a949-41bf245eba4e" data-vars-headline="&quot;Dogs first&quot; airline Bark Air is coming to the Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2020/12/08/944128779/federal-government-cracks-down-on-emotional-support-animals-on-planes" target="_blank">cracking down</a> on their rules for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="emotional support animals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/03/25/covid-pandemic-dogs-emotional-support" data-vars-content-id="6c315e90-f40d-4148-a949-41bf245eba4e" data-vars-headline="&quot;Dogs first&quot; airline Bark Air is coming to the Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/03/25/covid-pandemic-dogs-emotional-support" target="_self">emotional support animals</a>.

Expect a busy Memorial Day travel weekend

San Francisco International Airport forecasts about 147,000 passengers to travel through the airport on Friday.

Travel

The summer travel season begins in earnest on Friday, so if you&#x27;re among the millions hitting the road or skies for Memorial Day weekend, plan accordingly.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Francisco International Airport forecasts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flysfo.com/about/media/press-releases/summer-travel-season-ready-takeoff-sfo" data-vars-content-id="ec995a72-a627-4644-a413-f0aeb6eb0ed8" data-vars-headline="Expect a busy Memorial Day travel weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flysfo.com/about/media/press-releases/summer-travel-season-ready-takeoff-sfo" target="_blank">San Francisco International Airport forecasts</a> about 147,000 passengers to travel through the airport on Friday.

420 travel: San Francisco's ranking for weed-friendly rentals

An average night at a 420-friendly stay in San Francisco comes out to about $246.

U.S. cities that blazed the marijuana legalization trail now have a high concentration of 420-friendly vacation rentals, a new study shows.Why it matters: Cannabis-cations are one piece of the growing multibillion-dollar <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weed economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/05/legalized-marijuana-pot-coresight-research" data-vars-content-id="cfb9c691-4bb1-4759-bc17-b478efdd2726" data-vars-headline="420 travel: San Francisco&#x27;s ranking for weed-friendly rentals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/05/legalized-marijuana-pot-coresight-research" target="_self">weed economy</a>.

Travel

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How to avoid Bay Area travel delays this 4th of July

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Your guide to reservation-free camping around California

San Francisco airport's takeoffs and landings: A work of art