Pride Weekend 🌈 is here, and the city is packed with things to do: concerts, open mics, outdoor movies, bike rides, design meetups, and of course, Pride celebrations.

My personal picks this week:

• Pride Kick-Off Celebration
• Pomplamoose at The Fillmore
• Stern Grove Festival
• Pontica’s First Pop-Up
• Cinema on the Square

Thursday, June 25

55b + JIJI’s Jazz Tour • RSVP
📍Arcana, 2512 Mission St • 9-12 pm

Looks like a great way to spend a summer evening if you’re into live music and discovering new artists.

Friday, June 26

Pride Kick-Off Celebration • More info
📍Embarcadero Plaza • 8–10pm
If you’re looking for a fun Pride event with lights, music, and lots of people, I’d recommend this one. I went last year and had a great time. You can see a short video I took here

Pomplamoose at The Fillmore • Tickets
📍The Fillmore • 8pm
I originally thought they were French, but they’re actually an American husband-and-wife duo. Their covers are fantastic, and The Fillmore is always a fun venue.

World’s Largest Design Picnic • RSVP
📍Alamo Square Park • 9 am - 12 pm
I don’t usually share professional events, but I couldn’t skip this one. I know quite a few designers read this newsletter.

Saturday, June 27

Cinema on the Square • More info
📍Union Square • Pre-show: 6:30pm. Film starts: 8:45pm
This week’s movie is The Birdcage with Robin Williams. If you’ve never seen it, it’s a classic.

Bicycle Film Festival San Francisco • Tickets
📍Gray Area Theater • 3pm/ 5 pm/ 8 pm
For people who love bikes, films, or both.

World Naked Bike Ride SF • More info
You don’t have to participate, but you should probably know it’s happening. Expect to see a lot of naked cyclists around the city.

Pontica’s First Pop-Up • RSVP
789 6th Ave Backyard • 1pm
A backyard pop-up featuring profiteroles. Honestly, the photos alone convinced me.

Sunday, June 28

SF Pride Parade • More info
📍Market St • 10:30am
One of San Francisco’s most iconic events and one of the biggest Pride celebrations in the world.

Pride Weekend Open Mic Jam • RSVP
📍The New Farm SF, 10 Cargo Way • 4–8pm
Bring your guitar, poetry, jokes, dance moves, or whatever creative project you’ve been working on.

Ongoing

Stern Grove Festival • More info
📍19th Ave & Sloat Blvrd
Japanese Breakfast is playing this weekend, which sounds like a pretty perfect Sunday plan. Quick tip: if you didn’t win tickets through the lottery, try the Community Box Office every Saturday at noon.

SF’s Giant Laser Light Show
📍Civic Center • June 21 – July 4
If you’re downtown in the evening, don’t miss it. One of those things that’s hard to explain but very fun to stumble upon.

See you around the city,

Nastya
SF Girl Chronicle

This time I ended up at Rose’s Cafe in Cow Hollow.

When I arrived around noon, the cafe was quite busy but I was seated immediately.

After looking through Google reviews, I decided to order the French toast with strawberries (it looked beautiful in photos) and a decaf latte.

Atmosphere

The first thing I noticed was the temperature.

Both entrance doors were open, creating a constant draft. Several people, myself included, kept their jackets on the entire time.

That said, the interior is lovely.

The pink walls, colorful chandeliers, wooden furniture, and large mirrors make the space feel more European than Californian. Honestly, every time I visit I feel like I’ve somehow ended up in a small cafe in France.

One thing that surprised me: there was no music playing. Personally, I think even subtle background music would add a lot to the atmosphere.

Food

The French toast looked gorgeous and definitely lived up to expectations.

Not only was it photogenic, but it was genuinely delicious.

The latte was good too, though not particularly memorable.

Service

Overall, the staff were friendly.

One small moment stood out: I asked for a menu, and it seemed to be forgotten initially. When it finally arrived, the interaction felt a bit rushed.

Nothing dramatic, but it did slightly affect the experience.

Cost

• French Toast: $17

• Decaf Latte: $6

Total after fees and tax: around $30

Would I come back?

Yes.

Would it make my personal Top 10 breakfast spots in San Francisco? Probably not.

But it’s still a charming neighborhood cafe with a beautiful interior and good food, and I’d happily come back to try other items on the menu.

My rating: 7/10

Things I’d improve:

• Temperature inside the cafe

• Background music

• A little more attentiveness from staff

Have you been to Rose’s Cafe? What did you order?

This week feels very San Francisco: night markets, outdoor music, dragon boats, vintage finds, jazz, and a movie made by an SF native.

My picks this week:

• Isabelle Movie Screening
• Castro Night Market
• North Beach Festival
• SF Dragon Boat Festival
• Around the Tea Table

Thursday, June 18

Isabelle Movie Screening • RSVP
📍Alamo Drafthouse
A rom-com written and directed by SF native Leah McKendrick, featuring beautiful scenes of San Francisco. Going to go, fill out the form if you’d like to join too :)

Downtown SF Free EDM Party • More info
📍63 Ellis St • 5–10pm
If dancing after work sounds like your idea of a good Thursday, this one’s for you.

Jazz in the Neighborhood: Henry Hung • RSVP
📍Arcana • 9–11:30pm
A cozy jazz night is rarely a bad decision.

Friday, June 19

Castro Night Market • More info
📍18th St & Castro St • 5–9pm
It’s Pride Month, so expect extra energy, extra people, and extra reasons to stay out later than planned.

Off the Grid @ Fort Mason • More info
5–10pm
Good food, bay views, and an excuse to spend a summer evening outside.

Friday Nights at OMCA • More info
📍1000 Oak St, Oakland • 5–9pm
Museum, live music, food trucks, and that Oakland vibe that always feels a little different from SF.

Saturday, June 20

Secondhand Saturday • More info
📍1994 37th Ave • 10am–4pm
A great place to hunt for something unique for your wardrobe.

Richmond District Night Market • More info
📍22nd–25th Ave & Clement • 4–8pm
One of the city’s best neighborhood events. Come hungry.

Fête de la Musique: Summer Solstice Fest • RSVP
📍Donkey & Goat Winery, Berkeley • 1–8pm
Live music, wine, food, and summer solstice energy. What else do you really need?

Around the Tea Table: Warm Cup, Open Heart • RSVP
📍308 Page St • 1–3pm
I’m definitely a tea person, so this one immediately caught my attention.

Berkeley Nights • RSVP
📍1919 Fourth St, Berkeley • 4–7pm
I always enjoy an excuse to spend an evening in Berkeley, and this looks like a fun one.

BTS in the Park (Special Edition) • RSVP
📍Golden Gate Park • 2–4pm
For the BTS fans out there.

Saturday & Sunday

North Beach Festival • More info
📍Columbus Ave & Green St • 11am–7pm
One of my favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco hosting one of the city’s oldest street festivals.

SF Dragon Boat Festival • More info
📍Lake Merced • 8am–5pm
How often do you get to watch dragon boats race in San Francisco? Not exactly an everyday activity.

Sunday, June 21

Stern Grove Festival • More info
A San Francisco summer classic. The annual question remains: did you get tickets, or do you know someone who did?

Looking Ahead, June 25

Booked, Busy & Buttered – Book Club • RSVP
📍945 Market St • 6–8pm
For people who are into cooking and reading :)

See you around the city,
Nastya
SF Girl Chronicle 🙃

• Jun 8, Save Me SF - Film Premiere***, 7:30pm, RSVP 📍Marina Theatre SF film premiere worth showing up for

• Jun 11, Late Night Editions: The Etruscans*** @ Legion of Honor, 6–10pm, More info the Legion of Honor goes late, art, drinks, and one of the best views in the city after dark

• Jun 11, Valencia Live Street Party, 5–10pm, More info 📍Valencia St between 16th and 19th, Valencia Street closes down once a month and it is always a good time

• Jun 12, Drag Me Downtown, 4:30pm, More info 📍various locations, SF drag performances around the city, free and fabulous

• Jun 12, Sunset Night Market: Dragon Boat Festival***, 5–10pm, More info 📍Irving St between 20th–25th Ave, food, vendors, neighborhood energy

• Jun 12, Chinatown Night Market***, 5–9pm, More info 📍Grant Ave between California and Pacific. Chinatown after dark with food, vendors, and that Grant Ave energy

• Jun 12, Mahjong Party at Chinatown Night Market, 5–9pm, More info 📍Waverly Place

• Jun 12, Sundown Cinema — Outdoor Movie Night***, 6pm, More info 📍Mission Dolores Park, bring a blanket, bring snacks, bring everyone

• Jun 12, SF Story Fest @ Herbst Theatre, 8pm, Tickets storytelling on one of SF’s most beautiful stages

• Jun 13, Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival***, 11am–5pm, More info 📍Gough & Geary, yes this is a real festival and yes it’s going to be delicious

• Jun 13, Bay Area Carnivorous Plant Festival (Alameda), 12–4:30pm, More info 📍1011 Chestnut St, Alameda venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and the people who love them

• Jun 13, Summer Games + DJ pop up by Outies @ Ocean Beach***, RSVP via app meet new people, play games and listen to a cool DJ with a view

• Jun 13–14, West Coast Craft*** @ Fort Mason, 10am–6pm, More info handmade goods, local makers, and Fort Mason on a beautiful June weekend

• Jun 14, Free National Parks Day, 7am–9pm all national parks free today - it's Flag Day 🇺🇸 Yosemite, Muir Woods, Point Reyes - pick one and go

• Jun 14, Inner Sunset Flea Market, 10am–4pm, More info 📍9th Ave and Irving

• Jun 14, Trinket Trade @ Mission Dolores Park, 1pm, RSVP bring your trinkets, trade your trinkets, meet people who also have trinkets

• Jun 14, Stern Grove Festival, More info 📍19th Ave & Sloat Blvd free outdoor concerts in one of SF’s most beautiful natural amphitheaters

  ---

Say hi if you see me around the city
Xo Xo,
Your SF Girl Chronicle (Nastya) 🙃

San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in this country. Sure, summer here doesn’t exactly look like LA or San Diego summer… but honestly? It still has its own magic.

Excited for June? Here are 50+ cool events I found for you ✨

Don’t Miss Out

• Jun 4, Downtown First Thursdays, 5–10pm, More info 📍2nd St between Market and Howard SF’s monthly outdoor gallery and street party

• Jun 6–7, Union Street Festival, 11am–7pm, More info Union Street closes down and the whole city shows up

• Jun 6, BART Prom — All-Ages 80s Dance Party (Oakland), 6–10pm, Tickets 📍Rockridge Station, $15 an 80s dance party at a BART station.

• Jun 11, Late Night Editions: The Etruscans @ Legion of Honor, 6–10pm, More info the Legion of Honor goes late: art, drinks, and one of the best views in the city after dark

• Jun 12, Sundown Cinema — Outdoor Movie Night, 6pm, More info 📍 bring a blanket, bring snacks, bring everyone

• Jun 14, 21, 28, Stern Grove Festival, More info 📍19th Ave and Sloat Blvd free outdoor concerts in one of SF’s most beautiful natural amphitheaters.

• Jun 27, LakeFest (Oakland), 11am–7pm, Tickets 📍Lake Merritt Boathouse, $23 music, food, good vibes by the water

• Jun 28, SF Pride Parade, 10:30am, More info 📍Market St, if you’ve never been to SF Pride you have to experience it at least once

Free Museum Days

• Jun 2, SF Botanical Garden — Free Admission, More info

• Jun 2, Conservatory of Flowers — Free for Everyone, 10am–4:30pm, More info

• Jun 2, de Young Museum + Legion of Honor — Free for Everyone, 9:30am–5:15pm, More info

• Jun 3, SF Zoo — Free for SF Residents, 10am–4pm, More info

• Jun 4, Museum of Craft and Design — Free for Everyone, 10am–5pm, More info

• Jun 4, Berkeley Art Museum — Free Admission, 11am–7pm, More info

• Jun 4, Cartoon Art Museum — Pay What You Want, 11am–5pm, More info

• Jun 6, 13, 20, 27, de Young Museum + Legion of Honor — Free for Bay Area Residents, 9:30am–5:15pm, More info

• Jun 7, Asian Art Museum — Free Admission, 10am–5pm, More info

Markets & Fairs

• Jun 6–7, Festa Italiana Street Fair, 11am–5pm, More info 📍Stockton and Fillmore St, Italian food, music, and culture in the streets

• Jun 12, Sunset Night Market: Dragon Boat Festival, 5–10pm, More info 📍Irving St between 20th–25th Ave, food, vendors, neighborhood energy

• Jun 14, Inner Sunset Flea Market, 10am–4pm, More info 📍9th Ave and Irving St, free to browse, dangerous to your wallet

• Jun 19, Castro Night Market, 5–9pm, More info 📍18th St & Castro St, queer joy, local vendors, good food

• Jun 19, Off the Grid @ Fort Mason, 5–10pm, More info food trucks, bay views, Friday evening

• Jun 20, Secondhand Saturday, 10am–4pm, More info 📍1994 37th Ave, the Sunset neighborhood secondhand sale

• Jun 20, Richmond District Night Market, 4–8pm, More info 📍22nd to 25th and Clement, the Richmond gets its own night market and it is going to be good

• Jun 27, FoodieLand Night Market (San Jose), 1–10pm, Tickets 📍344 Tully Road, $12 food vendors, night market energy, and eating way more than planned

Concerts

• Jun 6, Louis Tomlinson Tickets @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

• Jun 6, 9, 10, Ariana Grande (Oakland), Tickets 📍Oakland Arena

• Jun 11, James Blake Tickets @ The Greek Theatre

• Jun 13–14, Bob Dylan Tickets @ The Greek Theatre

• Jun 19–20, Shakira Tickets @ SAP Center

• Jun 23, Madison Beer — The Locket Tour Tickets @ Bill Graham Civic

• Jun 25, A$AP Rocky Tickets @ Chase Center

• Jun 26, Khalid Tickets @ The Greek Theatre

Festivals & Fun Stuff

• Jun 6–7, Big West Wine Fest (Guerneville), More info wine, redwoods, and a very good weekend excuse to get out of the city

• Jun 5, 12, 19, 26, Drag Me Downtown, 4:30pm, More info 📍 drag performances in different neighborhoods around the city, free and fabulous

• Jun 8, Save Me SF — Film Premiere, 7:30pm, RSVP 📍Marina Theatre, SF film premiere and the kind of event worth showing up for

• Jun 12, SF Story Fest @ Herbst Theatre, 8pm, Tickets storytelling on one of SF’s most beautiful stages

• Jun 13, Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival, 11am–5pm, More info 📍Gough & Geary yes this is a real festival and yes it’s going to be delicious

• Jun 14, Trinket Trade @ Mission Dolores Park, 1pm, RSVP bring your trinkets, trade your trinkets, meet people who also have trinkets

• Jun 19, Friday Nights at OMCA (Oakland), 5–9pm, More info 📍1000 Oak Street Oakland Museum goes late on Fridays with food trucks and live programming

• Jun 11, Valencia Live — Monthly Street Party, 5–10pm, More info 📍Valencia St between 16th and 19th Valencia Street closes down once a month and it is always a good time

• Jun 20–21, North Beach Festival, 11am–7pm, More info 📍Columbus Ave and Green St one of SF’s oldest street festivals

• Jun 20–21, SF Dragon Boat Festival @ Lake Merced, 8am–5pm, More info 📍1 Harding Rd dragon boat racing at Lake Merced, free to watch and genuinely exciting

• Jun 27, VIOLET: Art x Tech Exhibition, 1–5pm, RSVP 📍Jettison Creative art meets tech in an intimate exhibition

Heads up for July 🎟️ If you're planning ahead - grab tickets for the Dracula Ballet before they sell out. Tickets - this one looks stunning and July will come faster than you think 🧛‍♀️

People often ask me how I make these lists. It’s actually a lot of work - going through different sources, getting messages from event hosts, filtering through everything… and in the end, trying to create a list of the most fun events I’d genuinely go to myself :) Hope you enjoy it 💛

Say hi if you see me around the city
Xo Xo,
Your SF Girl Chronicle (Nastya)

Took this photo a year ago at Union Street Festival :)

Here’s my curated list just for you:

• May 27, The Last Dinner Party @ Fox Theatre (Oakland), Tickets one of the most exciting bands right now

• May 28, Chinatown After Dark Meets SOMA Nights, 5–9pm, Tickets 📍1145 Folsom St Yuka Yu, Syd Gris, Kazukat and more.

• May 28–June 7, SF Documentary Festival***, More info documentaries that actually make you think

• May 29, Scottish Ceilidh Dance + Live Music (Berkeley), 7:30–9:30pm, RSVP $12 live music and traditional dancing, isn’t this fun?

• May 29–31, San Jose Greek Festival (San Jose), More info food, dancing, and the best spanakopita you’ll have this year

• May 29–31, Velocity Invitational*** @ Sonoma Raceway, Tickets I’m going to this one and I cannot wait 👀 historic cars, incredible racing, Sonoma for the weekend

• May 30, SF Porchfest — 90+ Bands on Every Porch, 12–6pm, More info just walk around neighborhoods and music finds you

• May 30, Earthling*** — Experimental Outdoor Listening Party, 11am–3pm, More info outdoor, experimental, and sounds like nothing else on this list. I’m going 👀

• May 30, Parks4All Brewfest, 12–4pm, Tickets beer, the Presidio, and a good cause

• May 30, Lakeshore Spring Festival (Oakland), 11am–7pm, More info one of Oakland’s best neighborhood festivals

• May 30, FuelFest (Pleasanton), 2–9pm, Tickets $54, 700+ cars and drifting action

• May 30, Patchwork Craft Fair (Redwood City), 11am–5pm, More info handmade goods, local makers, and a beautiful outdoor square

• May 30, Prom Ball Night*** by Outies @ In-N-Out, RSVP via app dressing up sounds very fun and also very chaotic (if you know what I mean)

• May 30–31, Bay Area Book Festival*** (Berkeley), More info Downtown Berkeley taken over by books and the people who love them. I want to check this one out — free and genuinely great

• May 30–31, SJMADE Fest (San Jose), 11am–6pm, More info handmade, local, and worth the trip

• May 31, The Labyrinth*** + Moulin Rouge! @ The Castro Theatre, Tickets & Tickets Iconic films at one of SF’s most beautiful theaters

• May 31–June 7, SF Queer Art & Music Festival, More info kicking off Pride month the right way

  ---

  Say hi if you see me around the city
  Xo Xo,
  Your SF Girl Chronicle (Nastya) 🙃

  SF Girl Chronicle is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

  

After Bay to Breakers it looks like everyone decided to take a little rest, but there are still some really fun things happening this week. Here’s my curated list just for you:

• May 19, BØRNS @ The Guild Theatre, Tickets, dreamy, cinematic, and best heard live

• May 20, BØRNS @ The UC Theatre (Berkeley), Tickets second night, better price, great venue

• May 21, Third Thursdays on Treat, 5–9pm, More info 📍957 Treat Ave, local vendors, good energy, free neighborhood street party in the Mission

• May 21, 1st Annual Cole Valley Nights Short Film Fest, 4–9pm, More info 📍Cole St & Parnassus St - first edition of a film festival on the street.

• May 22, Wild Nothing @ Great American Music Hall, Tickets dreamy indie at one of SF’s best venues

• May 22, Lenny Kravitz @ Thunder Valley Casino Resort, Tickets

• May 22, Fort Mason Night Market, 5–10pm, More info local makers, handmade finds, and the bay right there

• May 22–24, BottleRock Napa Valley (Napa), Waitlist sold out but there’s a waitlist 🥲

• May 22–24, FoodieLand Night Market (Daly City), 1–10pm, Tickets 📍Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave, $20 three days of food vendors, night market energy, and eating way more than planned

• May 23, San Francisco Fashion Week, 1pm, Tickets 📍Open Air Gallery at AAACC, 762 Fulton St, $12 SF does fashion week and it’s going to be a moment

• May 23–24, Carnaval Festival, 11am–6pm, More info 📍Harrison St & 24th St one of SF’s most vibrant festivals. music, dancing, color everywhere. free and unmissable

• May 24, SF MoMA — Free Community Day, 10am–5pm, More info one of SF’s best museums and it’s free, no excuse not to go

Say hi if you see me around the city
Xo Xo,
Your SF Girl Chronicle (Nastya)

P.S. small ask — reply to this email with "hi" (or anything really) and move it to your main inbox if it landed in Promotions. Google has trust issues and this helps a lot 🙏

This week is serving concerts, markets, festivals, and a hat party at MoMA. Oh and Bay to Breakers is this Sunday. Not bad for a random week in May.

Here's my carefully gathered list for this week:

• May 11, Demi Lovato — It’s Not That Deep Tour 📍 Chase Center, Tickets

• May 12–June 7, Shakespeare Over My Shoulder, Tickets 📍533 Sutter intimate Shakespeare in a small space.

• May 14, Valencia Live — Monthly Street Party, 5–10pm, More info 📍Valencia St between 16th and 19th. food, music, that Mission energy

• May 15, Florence and the Machine — Everybody Scream Tour 📍 Chase Center, Tickets

• May 15, Castro Night Market, 5–9pm, More info 📍18th St & Castro St queer joy, local vendors, good food, and a street that knows how to throw a party

• May 15–17, The Promenade of Mermaids: Flash Mob, Parade & Dance Party (Sacramento), 4–7pm, More info 📍1110 Front Street mermaids, parade, dance party - worth the drive

• May 16, Cat Power @ The Masonic, Tickets

• May 16, Yumi Zouma @ The Independent, More info

• May 16, The Oaklash Festival (Oakland), 1pm–1:30am, Tickets 📍485 9th St, Oakland’s drag extravaganza

• May 16, The Wardrobe Project Flea (Oakland), 10am–5pm, More info 📍Rockridge BART pre-loved fashion at the BART station.

• May 16, Secondhand Saturday, 10am–4pm, More info 📍1994 37th Ave the Sunset does its neighborhood secondhand sale. free to browse, dangerous to your wallet

• May 16, Art Swap: Coqtail Hour Launch 📍 Kindred Studio, 6–8pm, RSVP — swap art, drink cocktails, meet creative people.

• May 16–17, Annual Berkeley Himalayan Fair (Berkeley), 10am–7pm, More info 📍1301 Shattuck Ave. Himalayan food, crafts, and culture in Berkeley.

• May 16–17, Marin Irish Festival (San Rafael), 10am–6pm, Tickets 📍Lagoon Park, $30–50 a proper Irish festival across the bridge.

• May 16, Bus Stop 126th Anniversary Block Party, 12–8pm, More info 📍Bus Stop Saloon, 1901 Union St one of SF’s oldest bars turns 126 and throws a block party

• May 17, SFMOMA Hat Party for Matisse Exhibit Opening, 11am–3pm, Tickets — wear a hat, see Matisse, drink something nice

• May 17, Vintage Popup + Closet Sale, 11am–4pm, RSVP 📍1206 Fulton St vintage finds and closet cleanouts in one place. free and always good

• May 17, Bay to Breakers, 8am–1pm, Tickets — SF’s most chaotic and beloved race.

Say hi if you see me around the city

Xo Xo,
Your SF Girl Chronicle (Nastya)

Here’s IMHO the best of what’s happening in SF and the Bay in May:

Don’t Miss Out

• May 7, Downtown First Thursdays, 5–10pm, More info 📍2nd St & Howard St good energy, free, and a great excuse to be downtown on a Thursday

• May 9, Huge Free Waterfront Concert: Om Records, 1–5pm, More info 📍Embarcadero Plaza, this one is a big deal

• May 9, Naga Spring Party, 4–9pm, Tickets 📍Rainbow Falls, $35 spring party in one of SF’s most magical spots

• May 10, Secret Morning Coffee Rave for Singles, 9am–12pm, RSVP 📍secret location — you’ll find out 48h before. okay this one is mine 😄 coffee, good music, and a carefully curated space of singles.

• May 15–17, The Promenade of Mermaids: Flash Mob, Parade & Dance Party (Sacramento), 4–7pm, More info 📍1110 Front Street, Sacramento, mermaids. parade. dance party. I don’t need to say more

• May 16, Bus Stop 126th Anniversary Block Party, 12–8pm, More info 📍1901 Union St one of SF’s oldest bars throws a block party. free and very SF

• May 16–17, Marin Irish Festival (San Rafael), 10am–6pm, Tickets 📍Lagoon Park, $30–50 a proper Irish festival across the bridge

• May 17, Bay to Breakers, 8am–1pm, Tickets $105 — SF’s most chaotic and beloved race.

• May 22–24, BottleRock Napa Valley (Napa), Waitlist sold out but there’s a waitlist 🥲

• May 23–24, Carnaval Festival, 11am–6pm, More info 📍Harrison St & 24th St one of SF’s most vibrant festivals. music, dancing, color everywhere. free and unmissable

Free Museum Days

• May 3, Asian Art Museum - Free Admission Day, 10am–5pm, More info

• May 5, de Young Museum + Legion of Honor - Free for Everyone, 9:30am–5:15pm, More info

• May 5, Conservatory of Flowers - Free Admission, 10am–4:30pm, More info

• May 5, Cartoon Art Museum - Pay What You Want, 11am–5pm, More info

• May 6, SF Zoo - Free for SF Residents, 10am–4pm, More info

• May 7, Museum of Craft and Design - Free for Everyone, 10am–5pm, More info

• May 7, Berkeley Art Museum - Free Admission, 11am–7pm, More info

• May 9, 16, 23, 30, de Young Museum + Legion of Honor - Free for Bay Area Residents, 9:30am–5:15pm, More info

• May 10, The Exploratorium - Free for Mother’s Day, 11am–4:30pm, More info

• May 12, SF Botanical Garden - Free Admission, More info

• May 24, SF MoMA - Free Community Day, 10am–5pm, More info

Markets & Fairs

• May 9–10, Final Artists & Makers Fair + Antique Store Sale @ The Box SF, 11am–5pm (Sat) 11am–4pm (Sun), More info last one of the season — local makers, antiques, and that great Box SF energy

• May 10, Mermaids & Sea Witches Market (Berkeley), 12–5pm, More info 📍Gilman Brewing Company the most whimsical market of the month. Berkeley doing Berkeley things

• May 15, Castro Night Market, 5–9pm, More info 📍18th St & Castro St, queer joy, local vendors, good food, and a street that knows how to throw a party

• May 16, The Wardrobe Project Flea (Oakland), 10am–5pm, More info 📍Rockridge BART pre-loved fashion at the BART station.

• May 16, Secondhand Saturday, 10am–4pm, More info 📍1994 37th Ave, free to browse, dangerous to your wallet

• May 22, Fort Mason Night Market, 5–10pm, More info local makers, handmade finds, and the bay right there

Concerts

• May 7, 9, 10, Hayley Williams (Oakland), Tickets 📍Fox Theatre, three nights in Oakland and every single one will be incredible

• May 9, Stacey Kent @ SF Jazz Center, Waitlist sold out but worth checking for returns 🥲

• May 11, Demi Lovato — It’s Not That Deep Tour @ Chase Center, Tickets $95

• May 15, Florence and the Machine — Everybody Scream Tour @ Chase Center, Tickets $95

• May 16, Cat Power @ The Masonic, Tickets $48

• May 16, Yumi Zouma @ The Independent, More info sold out 🥲

• May 16–19, BTS @ Stanford Football Stadium, Tickets the biggest show of the month. probably of the year

• May 19, BØRNS @ The Guild Theatre, Tickets $154 — dreamy, cinematic, and best heard live

• May 20, BØRNS @ The UC Theatre (Berkeley), Tickets $79 — second night, better price, great venue

• May 22, Lenny Kravitz @ Thunder Valley Casino Resort, Tickets $220

• May 22, Wild Nothing @ Great American Music Hall, Tickets $33
  dreamy indie at one of SF’s best venues. great deal

Festivals & Fun Stuff

• Apr 25–May 25, SF Decorator Showcase, Tickets $53
  one of SF’s most beautiful annual events. stunning interiors, worth seeing

• May 6–9, Bohémienne, Tickets 📍644 Broadway, $55
  immersive theater at The Palace. the kind of evening you’ll talk about for weeks

• May 7, Date My Friend (30+), 7pm, RSVP 📍The Faight Collective, 475 Haight St someone thinks their friend is a catch. come find out if they’re right

• May 9, Taiwanese American Cultural Festival, 10am–4pm, More info 📍Union Square, food, performances, and culture in the heart of the city

• May 9, Live on Larkin — AAPI Heritage Month Block Party, 12–5pm, RSVP 📍Larkin St (between Ellis & Eddy) this one is for foodies. free and delicious

• May 16, The Oaklash Festival (Oakland), 1pm–1:30am, Tickets 📍485 9th St, $12 Oakland’s drag extravaganza

• May 21, 1st Annual Cole Valley Nights Short Film Fest, 4–9pm, More info 📍Cole St & Parnassus St first edition of a film festival on the street. Cole Valley doing something new and it looks great

• May 29–31, San Jose Greek Festival (San Jose), More info
  📍1260 Davis St food, dancing, and the best spanakopita you’ll have this year

• May 30–31, Bay Area Book Festival (Berkeley), More info Downtown Berkeley taken over by books and the people who love them. free and genuinely great

Come say hi if you see me around the city :)
And drop your favorite May events in the comments - I might've missed something good.

Hi SF people!

Looks like this week is a little more chill in terms of events... so much fun stuff is coming in May so I guess everyone is just warming up and rolling up their sleeves. But I still found some cool things for you this week 💫

Here’s IMHO best events in the city this week:

• Apr 28, Lily Allen @ The Masonic, 8pm, Tickets she’s performing her West End Girls show and it’s going to be a moment

• Apr 29, SF MoMA Art Bash, 6pm–1am, Tickets MoMA after dark with drinks and good energy. one of those evenings that reminds you why you live here

• Apr 30, Dreams of Distant Cities by Sixth Station Trio, 7pm, More info live chamber music in an intimate space. the kind of Wednesday evening that feels unexpectedly special

• May 1, Castro Art Walk @ Mag Galleries, 5–8pm, More info Castro galleries open late, the neighborhood out in full force. perfect Thursday evening

• May 1, SF Bike Party, 7:30–10pm, More info starts @Conservatory of Flowers hundreds of people biking through the city together at night. chaotic, fun, highly recommend

• May 1, SF Art Show Block Party, 4–8pm, RSVP

  art, drinks, and a block party in the Sunset.
  free and the kind of thing you stumble into and stay for hours

• May 2, FREE Bay Beats Show, 2–6pm, More info
  free outdoor concert in GGP. bring a blanket, bring snacks, bring everyone

• May 2, Beltane Bump @ Albany Bulb (East Bay), 4pm–sunset, More info outdoor gathering at one of the Bay’s most unique spots.

• May 2–3, SF Tea Festival @ Ferry Building , Tickets
  if you’re into tea this is your moment

• May 3, Popup Rave, 12–7pm, $15 More info

• May 3, Asian Art Museum, Free Admission Day, 10am–5pm, More info
  one of SF’s best museums and it’s free today. no excuse not to go

• May 3, Oakland Museum of California - Free First Sunday, 11am–5pm, More info OMCA is genuinely one of the best museums in the Bay. worth the BART ride

• May 3, Head West Marketplace @ Ferry Building , 11am–5pm, More info dangerous for your wallet, great for your apartment

  ---

  Also - last week I shared a video on my Instagram and TikTok about my secret place to recharge in SF - Presidio Park. I put a lot of effort into it and would really appreciate if you watched it and maybe shared with a friend you’d like to go there with. Also working on a piece about how I recharge and what makes me feel happier - stay tuned!
  
  Xo Xo,
  Your SF Girl Chronicle

  SF Girl Chronicle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Hi San Franciscans! Excited to share my carefully gathered events list for this week.

Also - I’m hosting an event myself for single ladies who’d like to paint, sip some drinks, and chat about dating in SF. If you don’t have stories yet, I definitely can share some. You’ll find my event at the end of the list.

Here’s IMHO best events in the city this week:

• Apr 23, Magic Nostalgia Live Outdoors @ Barbara Pinseria, for those who’d like to listen to some 90s songs

• Apr 23, Paper Lanterns & Tea (Sausalito) 6-8 pm, RSVP take the ferry, make a lantern, drink tea with a view. $5

• Apr 24–May 4, SF International Film Festival, More info two weeks of movies that don’t come to a regular theater

• Apr 24–May 13, Bay Area Dance Week - 100+ Free Events, More info dance lovers it’s your week

• Apr 24, Fourth Fridays Night Market, 6–10pm More info night market with Mission energy

• Apr 24, Rhye @ August Hall, Tickets silky, cinematic, and best heard live.

• Apr 25, SF DogFest, More info I went there last year and it was super fun. If you love pups you definitely should check out

• Apr 25, Piedmont Food Fest, 11:30am–5pm More info one of the East Bay’s best food events

• Apr 25, Pickin’ on the Polk, 12–10pm More info ten hours of live music on one of SF’s best streets.

• Apr 25, Patrick Watson @ Palace of Fine Arts, Tickets went to his concert a few years ago and it was actually magical

• Apr 25, Hot Glass Cold Beer Tickets - one of my favorite events I’ve been to this year. They do it just once a season, but it was super fun, also reminded me Burning Man atmosphere

• Apr 25, Clay & Play, 4–6pm, RSVP get your hands dirty, make something, leave with more than you came with

• Apr 25, Earth Day Celebration @ Alemany Farm, 11am–3pm More info one of SF’s best urban farms throws an Earth Day party

• Apr 25, Bake and Take - Free Popup in Chinatown, 11:30am, RSVP show up early or regret it

• Apr 26, Opening Day on the Bay Boat Parade 10:30am–2pm, More info one of SF’s most beloved traditions, hundreds of boats, bay views, and the Marina in full spring mode.

• Apr 26, Ploverfest (Sunset Dunes), 12–4pm More info what to expect: coastal dunes, nice people and good music

• Apr 26, Bay Bazaar (Oakland) 4–8pm, Tickets an evening bazaar on a Sunday

• Apr 26, Francisco Park’s 4th Birthday + Cake Buffet, 10am–2pm, More info one of SF’s newest parks turns four and throws a cake buffet.

• Apr 26, SF Girls Paint & Sip in Alamo Square Park, 2–4pm Tickets wine, paint, chat about dating here in SF (tell your stories or listen to others).

Please share in comments other cool events I missed this week!
And fingers crossed the weekend will be safe and sound ☀️
See you out there!

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Cherry Blossom weekend is back for round two, and this time the rest of the city showed up too. We've got art fairs, night markets, a Vietnamese picnic in Dolores, boba fest, vintage expo, and a de Young after-dark. Here's the full list of 25 best events in the city.

• Apr 14, TOMORA @ The Regency Ballroom, Tickets
  If you’re into Chemical Brothers or Aurora you definitely should check out!

• Apr 14–19, SF Circus Festival @ Club Fugazi, Tickets
  Acrobatics, spectacle, and the kind of performance that reminds you live shows are irreplaceable.

• Apr 15, 415 Night Market @ The Crossing at East Cut, More info
  Mayor Daniel Lurie told everyone to go and we're not going to argue with that.

• Apr 16, Cole Valley Nights: Party for the Planet, More info
  One of SF's coziest neighborhoods shuts down the street and throws a party.

• Apr 16, Late Night at de Young, Tickets
  The museum after dark hits different.
  Art, drinks, and the kind of evening you’ll actually remember.

• Apr 16–19, San Francisco Art Fair, More info
  Four days of galleries, collectors, and work that makes you stop mid-step.

• Apr 17, Castro Night Market, More info
  Queer energy, local vendors, good food, and a crowd that actually knows how to have fun.

• Apr 17, Fort Mason Night Market, More info
  Handmade goods, local makers, and the bay right there.
  Fort Mason night market is always a good idea.

• Apr 17–19, Startup Art Fair, More info
  Hotel Del Sol, Marina Emerging artists, approachable prices, and work that actually fits in an apartment. The art fair for the rest of us.

• Apr 18, Vallejo Ferry Fest, More info
  Take the ferry, eat something good, walk the waterfront. Free and worth the trip.

• Apr 18, San Francisco Boba Festival, Tickets
  Boba, sunshine, Ocean Avenue.

• Apr 18, Time Travelers Vintage Expo, Tickets
  Dealers, collectors, and racks you could spend hours in.
  San Mateo, worth the drive.

• Apr 18, The Wardrobe Project Flea @ Rockridge BART (Oakland), More info
  Pre-loved fashion at the BART station.
  No car needed, no excuse needed.

• Apr 18, Secondhand Saturday, More info
  The Sunset does a neighborhood secondhand sale and it is exactly as charming as it sounds.

• Apr 18, Bánh Picnic, RSVP
  Vietnamese food, Dolores Park, good weather incoming. This one sells itself.

• Apr 18, Car Show RSVP
  Beautiful cars in a beautiful neighborhood. Low key, high taste.

• Apr 18, NOSTALGIA: Art & Fashion Show Fundraiser, Tickets
  Art, fashion, a cause worth supporting. Dress up, show up.

• Apr 18, Insurgent Beatitudes - City Lights Event, More info
  The history of City Lights bookstore told out loud. Free and genuinely interesting.

• Apr 18–19, SF Cherry Blossom Festival (Weekend 2), More info
  If you missed weekend one, here’s your second chance.
  Japantown in full bloom, taiko drums, sakura snacks. Go.
  Also don’t miss the parade led by Atsuko Okatsuka this year :)

• Apr 19, Bernal Heights Earth Day Fair, RSVP
  Bernal does Earth Day the right way - local, neighborhoody, and actually fun. Free.

• Apr 19, Chinatown Mural Tour, RSVP
  See the neighborhood differently. Two hours, on foot, with context. Free.

• Apr 19, Mozart, Mendelssohn & Shostakovich Concert, More info
  A proper afternoon concert at one of SF’s most beautiful venues.

• Apr 19, Book Swap in the Park 3.0, RSVP
  Bring a book, take a book, meet the kind of people who show up to a park book swap. You’ll like them.

• Apr 19, Haight Nopa Repair Café, More info
  Bring your broken things. Volunteers fix them for free.
  The most wholesome event on this list.

See you out there, SF

• Apr 7, Taste of Montclair Village (Oakland), Link

  Oakland’s most walkable neighborhood does a food crawl. Sip, snack, and stroll through Montclair Village on a Tuesday evening. $53, worth it.

• Apr 9, California Henge: SF’s Natural Light Show, Link

  SF has its own Stonehenge moment — twice a year the grid lines up perfectly with the setting sun. Free, no ticket, just show up and look west.

• Apr 9, FART Market: Community Art Draft Night, Link

  The name is the bit, the art is real. Come draft something, buy something, be among your people. Madrone Art Bar, 6–9pm.

• Apr 10, Art Matters: Free Spring Open Studios Preview Night, Link

  1890 Bryant opens its doors before the public weekend. Artists, works in progress, and that particular energy of a space that’s still becoming something. Free, 6–9pm.

• Apr 10, Super Extra Fancy, Fancy Art Show, Link

  The title set the bar and the work delivers. Decentered Studio on Folsom. Go see what fancy actually looks like.

• Apr 11–12, SF Cherry Blossom Festival (Japantown), Link

  Japantown in full bloom. Taiko drums, sakura snacks, and the kind of street energy that makes you forget this city has weather. Go Saturday for the chaos, Sunday for the vibe.

• Apr 11–12, Little Shops Village, Sunnyvale, Link

  Small makers, local finds, and the kind of shopping that actually feels good. Sunnyvale for the weekend.

• Apr 11, Ukrainian Easter Egg Painting - Pysanka, Link

  Traditional Ukrainian Easter egg art that is genuinely more impressive than anything you’ve made with your hands recently. Go witness the craft.

• Apr 11, Sunset DJ Set at Ocean Beach, Link

  Somebody said “let’s put a DJ at the edge of the Pacific” and honestly? Correct. 5pm, 301 Great Highway. Bring a layer, stay for the golden hour.

• Apr 11, Night of Ideas (Main Library), Link

  The Main Library goes late and gets weird. Talks, performances, and big questions until midnight. 7pm–midnight. This is the one your brain needs.

• Apr 11, West Berkeley Community Print Festival, Link

  Risograph prints, hand-pressed posters, and artists who still do things the slow beautiful way. Berkeley, 12–4pm.

• Apr 11, 50th Anniversary Punk Rock Celebration, Link

  Half a century of punk and it still has more energy than most of us on a Monday morning. The New Farm SF, 3–10:30pm. Dress accordingly.

• Apr 12, Free Bike Tour: Golden Gate Park, Link

  Free, outside, guided, and you’ve been meaning to actually see the park. No excuses. 10am–1pm.

• Apr 12, Inner Sunset Flea Market (Season Launch), Link

  Mercantile season is back. 9th & Irving, every second Sunday through November. Free to browse, dangerous to your wallet.

• Apr 12 rescheduled to Apr 26, Ploverfest: Sunset Dunes Celebration, Link

  Yes, it’s a bird celebration. No, that’s not a reason to skip it. Coastal dunes, good people, free entry. 12–4pm.

• Apr 12, Holi Festival (San Ramon), Link

  Color powder, spring energy, $10. Bishop Ranch, 2–4pm. Wear white, leave colorful.

• Apr 12, The Oakland Join-Up Activity Fair, Link

  Looking for your people and your next hobby in one afternoon? Two Pitchers Brewing, 1–4pm. Low pressure, cold beer, high returns.

• Apr 12, Questions, Not Answers — Film: Perfect Days (Brava Theater), Link

  A quiet film about a man who finds meaning in small things, followed by a real conversation about what gives your life meaning. Brava Theater, 2–5pm. Bring tissues, bring thoughts.

Also small announcement for the end of this month:
26 April my friend Jess is starting a book club for those who’d like to read/discuss together The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, RSVP

See you out there, SF

April in SF hits different. We’ve got Cherry Blossoms in full bloom, Dolores Park turning into a runway for Easter, night markets under the lights, and grown adults risking it all on plastic big wheels.

Pick an event, send this list to your group chat, and actually commit to plans this month.

Let’s get into it!

Don’t Miss Out

• Apr 2, Downtown First Thursdays, 5 - 10 pm, Link

• Apr 3–5, Monster Jam (Oakland), Link

• Apr 5, Easter Celebration + Hunky Jesus Contest (Mission Dolores Park), Link

• Apr 5, Bring Your Own Big Wheel, Link

• Apr 11–12, 18–19, SF Cherry Blossom Festival, Link

• Apr 16–19, San Francisco Art Fair, Link

• Apr 26, Opening Day on the Bay Boat Parade (Marina), Link

• Apr 29, SF MoMA Art Bash, Link

  ---

Free Museum Days

• Apr 1, SF Zoo Free Day, Link

• Apr 2, Museum of Craft and Design, Link

• Apr 2, Berkeley Art Museum (Berkeley), Link

• Apr 4, 11, 18, 25, de Young Museum + Legion of Honor, Link

• Apr 5, Asian Art Museum, Link

• Apr 7, Cartoon Art Museum, Link

  ---

Markets & Fairs

• Apr 5, Head West Marketplace, Link

• Apr 17, Castro Night Market, Link

• Apr 17–19, Startup Art Fair, Link

• Apr 18, Time Travelers Vintage Expo (San Mateo), Link

• Apr 18–19, The Box SF Artists & Makers Fair, Link

• Apr 19, Bernal Heights Earth Day Fair, Link

  ---

Festivals

• Apr 12, West Berkeley Community Print Festival (Berkeley), Link

• Apr 12 rescheduled to Apr 26, Ploverfest, Link

• Apr 12, Holi Festival (San Ramon), Link

• Apr 18, Vallejo Ferry Fest (Vallejo), Link

• Apr 18, San Francisco Boba Festival, Link

• Apr 25, SF DogFest, Link

• Apr 25, Piedmont Food Fest (Piedmont), Link

• Apr 25, Dutch King’s Day Windmill Festival, Link

• Apr 25, Pickin’ on the Polk, Link

  ---

Concerts

• Apr 4, Gorgon City, Link

• Apr 4, The Strokes, Link

• Apr 6, The Strokes, Link

• Apr 6, Sticky Fingers, Link

• Apr 7, FKA twigs, Link

• Apr 14, TOMORA, Link

• Apr 24, Rhye, Link

• Apr 25, Patrick Watson, Link

• Apr 25, Alice Phoebe Lou, Link

• Apr 28, Lily Allen, Link

  ---

Fun Stuff & Community Events

• Apr 5, Easter Bonnet Parade, Link

• Apr 11, Night of Ideas, Link

• Apr 11, 50th Anniversary Punk Rock Celebration, Link

• Apr 12, Free Bike Tour, Link

• Apr 16, Cole Valley Nights, Link

• Apr 16, Late Night 2026, Link

• Apr 19, Mozart, Mendelssohn & Shostakovich Concert, Link

Come say hi if you see me at one of these events!