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2 weeks ago | 
secretsanfrancisco.com | Dana Flynn
San Francisco’s Downtown First Thursdays first debuted in May 2024 as a year-long project that brought monthly free block parties to downtown. The events regularly drew large crowds, with free performances from major artists, local vendors, and local businesses getting in on the fun. The free events have largely been deemed a success, with past headliners including Toro y Moi, Rebecca Black, and Bob The Drag Queen.
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2 weeks ago | 
secretsanfrancisco.com | Dana Flynn
Stern Grove Festival draws large crowds to the secluded park every summer for the beloved free music festival. In past years, the festival has secured major acts like Chaka Khan, Joan Baez, Thundercat, Janelle Monae, and many more. The 2025 lineup is finally here, and it includes major stars like Diana Ross, Damian Marley & Stephen Marley, and Orville Peck, among other great acts.
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2 weeks ago | 
secretsanfrancisco.com | Dana Flynn
San Francisco’s Botanical Garden is filled with unique plants and regularly draws crowds to wander through the impressive garden. Luckily, the garden offers a free admission day soon, so you can explore it for free. The Botanical Garden regularly offers free admission days, with the next one coming up on Tuesday, April 8. For San Francisco residents, the Botanical Garden is free daily with proof of residence, such as a driver’s license, utility bill, or lease.
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3 weeks ago | 
secretsanfrancisco.com | Dana Flynn
The California State Library announced an exciting new initiative that allows for easy access to hundreds of thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks for free to people in California. The new program is called California’s Bookshelf; all you need is an email address and to be located in the state with an internet connection. To start using the collection, you can create a virtual library card through a free app.
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3 weeks ago | 
secretsanfrancisco.com | Dana Flynn
Salesforce Tower is undeniably one of the most recognizable buildings in San Francisco’s skyline. The massive skyscraper sits in the center of Downtown SF, and with an enormous screen displaying LED artwork at night, it has become an iconic part of SF. Now, it looks like the tower is going to resemble another iconic building—The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Officials have reported that the massive tower is leaning and soon could resemble the historic building in Italy.
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3 weeks ago | 
secretsanfrancisco.com | Dana Flynn
Self-driving cars have become a normal sight in San Francisco, with Waymos regularly spotted on the streets. Many San Franciscans have adopted the new technology, hailing the autonomous vehicles the same way they would a Lyft or Uber. While there are many mixed opinions about robotaxis, they continue to expand, and Waymo has recently secured a temporary permit allowing them to map the airport roads at SFO.
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1 month ago | 
secretsanfrancisco.com | Dana Flynn
One of San Francisco’s most beloved music festivals just announced the 2025 lineup. The music festival is known for taking over Golden Gate Park every August, regularly securing major acts to perform for thousands. The iconic festival is scheduled for August 8-10, 2025, and people have been eagerly awaiting the lineup. Major headliners for 2025 include Doja Cat, Doechii, and Tyler the Creator, among many others.
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1 month ago | 
secretsanfrancisco.com | Dana Flynn
Wayne Thiebaud is well known for his colorful paintings, often featuring decadent desserts or colorful gumball machines, but the painter actually has a varied portfolio, frequently inspired by some of art history’s most iconic artists. In a recently opened exhibition, the Legion of Honor explores Theibaud’s works, specifically through the lens of the works he reinterpreted.
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1 month ago | 
secretsanfrancisco.com | Dana Flynn
A major new retailer is setting up shop in Downtown San Francisco this May. Nintendo will be setting up its second retail store in the United States, right here in San Francisco. The company recently announced the new opening, and while details are limited, we do know that May 15 is the slated opening date. The new store is located at 331 Powell St, on the corner of Union Square. Its neighbors include the Westin St. Francis and Macy’s, among other retailers in the area.
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1 month ago | 
secretsanfrancisco.com | Dana Flynn
San Francisco has plenty of amazing restaurants, from neighborhood favorites to internationally recognized fine dining establishments. With new openings happening frequently, it’s always an exciting time to eat out in SF. Recently, the prestigious Michelin Guide, known for awarding coveted stars, added four new restaurants to their guide. San Francisco currently has 28 restaurants, which have been awarded at least one of the iconic stars and many more as part of the guide.
