Latest news with #SanFranciscans
San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Roy Wood Jr. says Willie Brown crashed his show and walked off with merch
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. shared a distinctly San Francisco story this week: a surprise encounter with former Mayor Willie Brown that ended with a free ticket, a handshake — and a missing CD. Posting on X Wednesday, July 16, Wood described how Brown appeared unannounced at one of his stand-up sets in San Francisco. 'Willie Brown showed up to my sold out San Francisco shows once & told the door man 'Willie Brown on every list' (he was NOT on my list),' Wood wrote. 'Still they gave him a free ticket.' The comedian, a veteran of 'The Daily Show' and a regular at Cobb's Comedy Club and the Bay Area's comedy festivals, said Brown didn't stop at the velvet rope. Willie Brown showed up to my sold out San Francisco shows once & told the door man "Willie Brown on every list" (he was NOT on my list) still they gave him a free ticket. THEN after the show, he came up to my merch table, took a CD w/o paying, then shook my hand and said "You… — Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) July 16, 2025 After the show, he approached Wood's merchandise table and picked up a CD without paying. 'You just met Willie Brown, You want a picture?' Brown reportedly said, before disappearing 'into the night.' 'No date, no homeboys, no security detail,' Wood continued. 'Just the mayor out by himself showing up to yo show for free and stealing yo sh–. He was so charming I couldn't even be mad.' For many San Franciscans, the anecdote fits Brown's well-known persona. Now 91, he remains a towering figure in California politics — the city's first Black mayor and the longest-serving Speaker of the California Assembly — renowned as much for his political clout as his social style. Even in retirement, Brown is a fixture in the city, often spotted dining alone or holding court at longtime haunts.
New York Post
8 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
This High-Priced Metro's Popularity Surges Among Local Homebuyers: Why They're Staying Put as Others Flee Big Cities
Following a period of urban flight driven by a crisis of homelessness and quality-of-life decline, San Francisco appears to be turning a corner, with fewer residents now looking to leave. San Francisco has gained popularity among the locals, as only 62.9% listing views went to homes in outside markets in spring 2025, down from 68.9% six years ago, according to a new report from Advertisement Economist Jiayi Xu studied the 100 largest U.S. metros for cross-market demand, focusing on views of listings and comparing how many users from out-of-town were looking at homes in a city versus how many locals were browsing properties elsewhere. 4 San Francisco has gained popularity among the locals, as only 62.9% listing views went to homes in outside markets in spring 2025. dell – She found that in all four regions, more than half of online shopping traffic went to homes outside of the shopper's current metro areas. But that trend was slightly different in San Francisco, which has managed to win over the locals despite the city's stubbornly high cost of living, skyrocketing home prices, and elevated unemployment rates. Advertisement In June, the median list price in the sprawling West Coast metro reached $998,500, up 4% from the same period six years ago—handily the highest among the seven cities that have seen a rise in interest from local homebuyers since the pre-pandemic era. During that period, the unemployment rate in San Francisco has increased from 2.3% in May 2019 to 3.9% in May 2025. Affordable by comparison 4 In June, the median list price in the sprawling West Coast metro reached $998,500, up 4% from the same period six years ago. SeanPavonePhoto – And still, more San Franciscans are staying put and looking to buy homes locally. Advertisement One of the major factors behind this surprising trend, according to Xu, is that some of the neighboring metros are even less affordable than San Francisco. The nearby city of San Jose, located in the heart of Silicon Valley—the home of tech giants like Apple and Google—has earned the dubious distinction of having the highest median list price of the 50 largest U.S. metros, coming in at a staggering $1,398,000 in June. A month earlier, San Jose's median home price was even higher, reaching $1,419,000, requiring the typical earner to spend more than 72% of their income, assuming a 20% down payment and a 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.82%, according to research. For comparison, a person earning a median income in San Francisco would have to set aside less than 60% of their salary to cover housing expenses. Advertisement 'While the San Francisco metro remains expensive, prices have cooled from their [COVID-19] pandemic-era highs, making entry somewhat more feasible for some buyers,' explains Xu. 'In particular, areas like the Tri-Valley region offer more attainable options—especially compared to the pricier San Jose metro—with a broader range of relatively affordable inventory and greater housing variety.' Downtown San Francisco's gradual comeback 4 For comparison, a person earning a median income in San Francisco would have to set aside less than 60% of their salary to cover housing expenses. fukez84 – Another likely reason for the growing appeal of San Francisco's housing market is the city's urban improvement plan, marked by lower crime rates and cleaner streets. Mayor Daniel Lurie, who came into office in January, has pledged to tackle crime, open-air drug use, and the proliferation of homeless encampments, all of which sharply decreased foot traffic and sent businesses fleeing the bleak downtown area a few years ago. The effort by the Democrat—and heir to the Levi Strauss fortune—to clean up and revitalize the downtown area has shown early signs of progress, including a sizable drop in crime and the number of street encampments. His early initiatives have included enforcement sweeps at known drug hot spots and a mandate that city-provided drug paraphernalia be handed out only alongside referrals to counseling and recovery services. Downtown San Francisco's housing market has visibly perked up in response to Lurie's efforts, with the median list price in May surging more than 50% year over year. 4 Another likely reason for the growing appeal of San Francisco's housing market is the city's urban improvement plan, marked by lower crime rates and cleaner streets. fannyes – Advertisement The AI boom is also being credited with more tech workers either moving to or staying put in the city, and tech leaders say that the artificial intelligence gold rush, with hundreds of billions of dollars on the line, will play a major role in continuing to woo workers back to San Francisco. 'It's because of AI that San Francisco is back,' said Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang last month at The Hill & Valley Forum. 'Anybody who lives in San Francisco, you'll know what I'm talking about. Just about everybody evacuated San Francisco,' he said. 'Now it's thriving again. It's all because of AI.' Six other metros saw a drop in out-of-market home shopping in spring 2025 compared with six years earlier›. Advertisement Portland, OR, topped the list, with just 57.9% of listing views going to homes in other areas, down nearly 10% from 2019. San Francisco was in second place, with a six-year share change of 5.9%, followed by Houston, TX, boasting a 4% change in out-of-market online home shopping. 'These markets generally share traits like relative affordability, diverse job opportunities, stable employment, and easy access to nature and outdoor amenities,' notes Xu.
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Automotive
- San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco sets parking limit on RVs to clear vehicle dwellers off streets
People living in RVs in San Francisco will soon be barred from parking longer than two hours on all city streets unless they get a permit, a move that critics say has caused significant distress among the hundreds of RV dwellers who live in the city. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors this week gave initial approval to a law from Mayor Daniel Lurie that would impose strict two-hour parking limits for oversized vehicles to deal with the hundreds of people living in vehicles on city streets. The board voted to approve the plan in a 9-2 vote, with Supervisors Jackie Fielder and Shamann Walton voting no. Lurie introduced the legislation in June as a way to tackle the proliferation of vehicle dwellers in San Francisco with a combination of increased funding, enforcement and outreach. For years, San Franciscans have seen people sleeping in vehicles and in RVs amid a dire housing affordability crisis. The mayor's plan will impose a two-hour parking limit for oversized vehicles on all city streets, with the exception of commercial vehicles parked in industrial areas. Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who sponsored the legislation on behalf of the mayor, said the legislation also includes several additions made during negotiations with other supervisors and the mayor. The law will include a refuge permit system, which will allow people living in vehicles to apply for a renewable 6-month permit, contingent on compliance with community rules around such things as waste disposal and neighborly behavior, as well as ongoing work with housing support services. People living in RVs will also have access to a buyback program that will provide financial support for those willing to relinquish their vehicles in exchange for aid toward securing permanent housing. Both programs will allow the city to track RV dwellers in order to better provide them with services, Melgar said. 'In a city as wealthy as ours, I think it's on us to build a system to support people to success, and not pretend that by leaving them to be out on the streets, we are doing the progressive thing,' Melgar said. The board's approval on Tuesday highlights how the alliance between a moderate majority on the Board of Supervisors and the mayor's office has significantly changed City Hall politics. Just last year, Mayor London Breed was blocked from making minor changes to the city's parking rules by a progressive board of supervisors that often clashed with her. Now, a year later, Lurie has a moderate board working with him to push his agenda, having already passed laws to address the city's fentanyl crisis and permitting issues. Melgar said Lurie's legislation is 'great progress' over what was proposed by Breed. The new policy is expected to go into effect this fall. Despite her reservations about the plan, supervisor Connie Chan said she ultimately supported it because the mayor showed he is working in good faith to get RV dwellers housed and not just taking punitive action against them. 'San Francisco voters want us to deliver solutions with public dollars, and our city's most vulnerable cannot wait for the perfect policy,' Chan said. 'Mayor Lurie and his team and especially Supervisor Melgar have demonstrated in good faith that they have a thoughtful approach and compassionate solutions.' But supervisor Walton was sharp in his criticism of the mayor's legislation. 'More RVs than shelter builds equals an ineffective and impossible plan… a plan to fail,' Walton said. ' T his would be an attack on people trying to have a shelter in this expensive city, and they would lose their only homes.' For those living in RVs, the prospect of having nowhere to park legally has been stressful. During a walk near Lake Merced on Tuesday, San Francisco native Bill Russo told the Chronicle he lives in an RV because he wanted to be completely 'self-sufficient.' Because he has secured a disabled person license plate, Russo only has to move his RV for street cleaning every two weeks, as opposed to the every four hours as required of other RVs in the area. But Russo said he will be subject to the new restriction and will likely receive a temporary special permit allowing him to park in the city for only six more months. 'I'm counting on the delays and the fact that this won't be executed,' Russo said Meanwhile Devin Plant, a nearby RV dweller who said he has been parked in the city for just over a month, is mainly worried about what will happen to community members who don't have a way out. RV dwellers are 'going to deal with harsher conditions,' Plant said, and will 'end up under a bridge." "People don't understand this is what happens,' he said. Plant plans to leave the city this week for a guest services job he has lined up in Yosemite National Park.
Eater
5 days ago
- Business
- Eater
A Tenderloin Bathhouse-Restaurant Is (Finally) Taking Dinner Reservations
is the associate editor for the Northern California and Pacific Northwest region writing about restaurant and bar trends, coffee and cafes, and pop-ups. The combo Japanese-style bathhouse and restaurant Onsen is not only back from its pandemic-induced shutdown, but about to serve dinner to San Franciscans once again. In an Instagram post, ownership for Onsen let fans know a summer of pop-ups is on the horizon. Installations include newcomer Dostee, traveling operation Aku's BBQ, tried and true Claws of Mantis, and more. Dinners run from July 19 through August 31, with two soaks and seatings per shuttering due to COVID-induced restrictions, Onsen was an only-in-San Francisco kind of phenomenon. Former San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic Michael Bauer penned a positive review in 2017. It was a top 100 restaurant pick in 2017 and 2018 for the paper, too. General manager Adam Wren told the Chronicle he'd reopen the bathhouse in late 2024. The upcoming meals and bathhouse experiences start at $110 for parties no larger than four. Saluhall gets a familiar face Dominic Prado and his Tacos El Ultimo Baile are coming to San Francisco. He'll take his Fruitvale-born business to mid-Market's Saluhall, taking over one of the former tenant spaces on the second floor. Tacos and burritos full of 12-hour smoked brisket or topped with mozzarella, vampiro-style, are on the menu. This location will run seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m as of Saturday, July 12. Coffee phenom location up for lease Local fruit coffee innovator Outset has a big 'for lease' sign up in its Valencia Street location following a few weeks of smaller 'closed temporarily' signs in the window. Owner Heng Qiu says his business partner is in direct negotiations regarding the space with the landlord to try to reopen, and he is unsure of the status of the negotiations. The FiDi outpost remains open. Michelin-approved pairing hits Van Ness Food security nonprofit Farming Hope will host Hilda and Jesse for a chef dinner on Thursday, August 14. Chef Ollie Liedags' work at the North Beach restaurant has cemented the relative newcomer as a mainstay fine dining player in San Francisco. Expect three to five courses with an optional drinks pairing, proceeds of which support the nonprofit's second chance hiring programs and community gardening efforts. Early bird tickets are available until Monday, July 14, and can be purchased online. Eater SF All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Man convicted in violent home-invasion robbery in S.F.'s Crocker Amazon
A man involved in a violent home invasion in the Crocker Amazon neighborhood was convicted of robbery and carjacking, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins's Office announced Thursday. Prosecutors said 22-year-old Montana Jones was part of a four-person robbery operation that targeted a San Francisco home on February 14, 2024. Evidence and testimony during the trial showed that on the morning of the crime, four armed men, wearing ski masks and gloves, drove from East Oakland and broke into the occupied home, prosecutors said. They quickly went to the bedrooms and accosted the residents with their firearms, demanding to know where they kept their valuables, prosecutors said. One suspect hit a resident in the head with a firearm and forced him into the bathroom with his wife, prosecutors said. Another resident, after forcibly being disrobed, was pushed into a bathroom and hit in the face, prosecutors said. The suspects stole jewelry, cash and the residents' BMW car, prosecutors said. 'This was a violent and deeply disturbing crime that violated the sanctity of the home of peaceful San Franciscans,' said Assistant District Attorney John Roman, one of the prosecutors of the case. 'Our office is committed to pursuing justice for the victims and ensuring that those responsible are held fully accountable under the law.' Prosecutors said Jones was in custody, and his sentencing hearing was scheduled for August 25. Jones was convicted of four counts of first-degree residential robbery with a gun enhancement and one count of carjacking with a gun enhancement, prosecutors said.
