For more than two decades, Stuart Schuffman — better known as Broke-Ass Stuart — has been writing San Francisco's unofficial diary, a legacy he's now compiled into a new, career-spanning book.

State of play: "The Worst of Broke-Ass Stuart" combines 20 years of essays, columns and late-night dispatches that both mourn and celebrate the city — one reshaped by gentrification, rising costs and corporate interests.

Driving the news: The book comes out today and will be celebrated at a release party on Oct. 17, which San Francisco will officially recognize as Broke-Ass Stuart Day.

Zoom in: As the voice of the city's offbeat culture, Schuffman has spent his career championing artists, everyday eccentrics and locals working to make San Francisco more just.

• From rowdy Muni rides and early-morning hangovers to protests, the 350-page collection details Schuffman's hilarious experiences, including a stint as a San Francisco mayoral candidate.

What they're saying: "There's something beautiful and fulfilling about living a creative life," he told Axios. "This book is the proof of it."

Between the lines: The book also features musings on his time spent in dive bars, which he depicts as vital gathering places — central to shaping his own path as well as the broader culture and history of the city.

Catch up quick: Schuffman began writing zines in 2004, when he was in his early 20s, on how to live cheaply in the city.

• The zines grew in popularity and regularly sold out at local stores, leading to a travel writing gig, a couple books and his own TV show, "Young, Broke and Beautiful."
• BrokeAssStuart.com — born in 2008 — brands itself as an alt-weekly-inspired publication helping fill the cultural void left behind by now-defunct institutions like SF Weekly.

The site barely breaks even, he admits, calling it "the worst f*cking business in the world." But he insists on giving voice to up-and-coming contributing writers and keeping San Francisco's oddball spirit alive.

• His social media presence has also taken off with posts documenting quirky subcultures, events and politics.

The bottom line: "If you've ever waited tables, cried in a dive bar, danced in weird costumes in the street, tried to pay rent in drink tickets, or been in love with a city that might not love you back, this is your book," Schuffman says.

Tell a San Franciscan

Bad Bunny is driving a surge in interest in travel to the Bay Area for next year's Super Bowl after announcing that he's headlining the halftime show.

Why it matters: As much as we love football, the halftime performance has increasingly become the Super Bowl's main event.

Driving the news: Americans' search sessions for travel to Santa Clara in February 2026 surged 501% this past week compared to the same time in September 2024, per real-time data from travel agency Booking.com.

• Global travelers' search sessions for the same location and time frame jumped 473% across the site, the company told Axios.
• The data was compiled by analyzing search sessions from Sept. 20–29 in 2025 and 2024 based on check-in dates for the month of February.
• The Puerto Rican singer made his announcement on Sunday, so we're guessing most of that search interest came after that.

The intrigue: The Bad Bunny effect is real. Travel interest in New Orleans also surged following the announcement last year of Kendrick Lamar as the 2025 Super Bowl halftime performer, but not by as much.

What we're watching: With roughly four months until Super Bowl LX, preparations are underway to ensure the Bay Area is well equipped to welcome the hundreds of thousands of fans expected to flood the region.

Tell a Bad Bunny fan

🎬 The Castro Theatre will reopen next February after a $41 million renovation. (SF Chronicle)

👜 The accessory brand Baggu is facing scrutiny after launching unauthorized BART-themed merch at its new Valencia store. The retailer says it's now in talks for an official collaboration with the transit agency. (KRON)

🏳️‍🌈 SF LGBT Center deputy director Jen Valles will take over as executive director. (SF Chronicle)

⚾ The San Francisco Giants have fired manager Bob Melvin after two seasons. (SF Standard)

Look no further. Here's where to see live music this week.

🔪 Computer Kill, a post-punk band from Baltimore, helms a killer set at The Bottom of the Hill tonight. Doors open at 7:30pm.

🎤 Guerilla Toss, a New York-based experimental dance punk group, combines the jammy grooves of Phish with the offbeat edge of Pavement. They play at The Chapel tomorrow. Doors open at 7pm.

Hardly Strictly shows:

🎶 Courtney Barnett, the Australian singer-songwriter with a deadpan vocal delivery, plays Saturday on the Swan Stage at 5:55pm.

🪕 Watchhouse, formerly known as Mandolin Orange, will be performing a set on the Rooster Stage at 5:35pm Saturday, which you surely shouldn't miss if you're a fan of the folk duo.

🎸 Lucinda Williams, one of country music's best stars, is channeling every broken heart she's ever known into each note on the Banjo Stage at 3:45pm Sunday.

More events

Seems this is a neighborhood favorite! Many of you shared your love for this cozy spot in the Mission.

State of play: Stable Café feels like an enchanted garden, with lush plants and plum trees decorating the indoor and outdoor spaces.

• The café prides itself on sourcing quality ingredients directly from local farmers markets.
• I enjoyed the smoked salmon tartine with capers, Persian cucumbers and herbed farmer cheese.

🥇 Shoutout to Jake M., who was the first to submit the right answer!

🥂 And to Emma M., whose dad married his husband at the venue in 2021.

If you go: Open 8am-3pm Tuesday through Sunday at 2128 Folsom St.