Here are some of my fav picks for this weekend! You’ll notice - they’re mostly at parks (my fav <3)

All weekend - music festival on top of Salesforce Park

I typically associate Salesforce Park as the walking break for office workers (myself included!), but I love that they’re making this space more lively this weekend with great music and food. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area!

—> Link here

Friday, August 21st - Sundown Cinema at Marina Green

Saturday, August 22nd - Sunset DJ pop-up @ Crissy Field 4pm - 8pm

It’s been a while since we had a sunset DJ pop-up, and I love that this local DJ is a brave soul trying to embrace the fog and hope for a nice sunset!

—> Follow Sahr

Saturday, August 22nd - Marina Block Party, 1-6PM

This block party reminds me of the Union Street Festival that happened a few weeks ago. Definitely a fun and lively way to check out the Marina - and you can head to the DJ set right after!

—> Link here

Wednesday, August 12th (6pm-9pm) - 5K Analog Photo Run/Hike to Bonfire

Sorry this is same day, but had to share in case folks are free! My friend Gabe is running Sapiens, an SF based collective doing things that let us feel human. My other friend Jolene is also performing (she’s an incredible Filipina artist - you’re in for a treat!)

There will be:

•5k photo run
•Disposable cameras/ reusable point and shoot
•Bonfire
•Live performance by @this.is.jolene
—> Link

Friday, August 14th - Salty Dogs Cold Plunge + Post-plunge pancakes & coffee (7AM - 9AM)

Last week, The Bungalow SF hosted their first free pancake and coffee party for the community, and it was a HIT. They’re doing it again!

• 630AM (optional) - run, meet at Crissy Field East

• 7AM - Crissy Field East with Salty Dogs

• 8AM - Post Plunge Pancake & Coffee Party

—> Link

Friday, August 14th - Chinatown Night Market, Grant Ave-California (5PM - 7PM)

This annual night market takes over Grant Ave with food, drinks, shopping, and activities — a lively way to soak in Chinatown!

—> Link

Sat/Sund, August 15-16th - Annual Dahlia Show (10AM-4PM)

At the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park - there’s the most gorgeous group of dahlias this weekend!

I think this is such a fun way to see nature and all the care that goes into growing flowers. This was the winner last year:

—> Link

Sunday, August 16th - Rocky’s Goods, Micro-bakery pop-up at Noise, in Richmond

This is the first pop-up that Rocky is doing - the toasted seaweed and corn biscuit looks incredible! Rocky wanted to create a space for people to have great baked goods and gather - you should totally check him out!

—> Link

Sunday, August 16th - Caravan Oasis, The Midway (2PM - 7PM)

There’s this new collective that is hosting a house / hip hop / latin collab at the Midway! I love that it’s outside, and has lots of local artists. J Espinosa, fresh off playing Outside Lands, is headlining alongside some of the Bay’s finest DJs, each bringing their own sound and energy. Definitely a great Sunday plan if you want music!

—> Link

Hope everyone has a great weekend post OSL :)

Thursday, July 30

Lips by FNNCH Opening Celebration
South Beach Harbor · 5–7pm · Free · All ages

A giant pair of lips is landing on the waterfront! Local street artist FNNCH—best known for the honey bears you’ve probably spotted all over SF—is unveiling his newest public sculpture behind the South Beach Yacht Club.

There’ll be artist remarks, a celebration, and free professional portraits (!) in front of the sculpture near Oracle Park.

→ Register on Luma

Friday, July 31

Fridays on Front Street: Brat + Bratwurst Summer
240 Front St · 4–9pm · Free · All ages

I know some people are tired of brat summer, but we’re still waiting for our anthem of the summer! I love this theme that Front Street is putting on - they’re an official entertainment zone, which means adults can buy drinks and carry them inside. I love seeing SF experiment with letting streets be actual social spaces.

There will be bratwursts, a Charli XCX look-alike contest, and games/caricature artists - such a fun way to start the weekend!

→ Register free on Eventbrite

House of Joy: Sanjoy ft. ARINI, Lychy Jelly & Seth Finkin
The Midway · 9pm–2am

After Front Street, head to The Midway for a full night of Bay Area dance music led by Sanjoy, who recently produced the FIFA anthem “Siir Siir” and performed at the World Cup opening ceremony - and he’s a bay area native!

What’s so cool is that Sanjoy is Tanaya’s brother - she taught me Bhangra at a Seth Finkin set at Alamo Square during my birthday sunset set! And now Seth is opening for Sanjoy :)

→ Get tickets on Tixr

Note: Fridays on Front Street ends at 9pm—the exact time House of Joy begins—so these make a pretty perfect Friday-night pairing.

Saturday, August 1

La Lune Tea House Grand Opening & Fundraiser
Green Yogi Telegraph, Berkeley · 2pm–midnight · $20–40

I’m loving that there will be more permanent late night tea houses!! This feels like a little glimpse of the Bay Area world I want more of: a late-night, membership-based community tea house centered around Gong Fu tea, music, and actually spending time together.

They have tea and lounging and live music starting at 7pm. Tea continues all night, and there’ll even be an outdoor space when you need some fresh air.

→ RSVP on Partiful

As an aside…. Gather SF is also launching a new permanent space in SF! So more tea houses in the Bay Area :)

This year, I’m running my first marathon this Sunday - the SF Marathon!

It’s happening this Sunday, July 26th from 5:15AM - ~12PM. Here is some general timing:

• ~6AM: Presidio

• 7:30 AM - 8:30AM: Golden Gate Park

• 8AM - 9AM: Haight Ashbury

• 10AM - 11AM (my estimated finish time): End of course (will be busy!)

Why should you watch it?!

1. In NYC, the Marathon is considered the best day of the year, and I think it could be in SF too! The energy is so uplifting, the city is closed for a bit. I feel like marathon crowds are one of the few public events where strangers cheer for strangers unconditionally.

2. The Golden Gate Bridge crossing is a so unique. Watching thousands of runners stream across the bridge at sunrise, in both directions, is such a cool sight.

3. It’s a low-effort, high-payoff SF morning. You can walk or bike to a viewing spot (Presidio, Crissy Field, GG Park, the Marina), post up for 20-30 minutes, and be part of something without needing tickets, planning, or much commitment.

4. And…it’s community infrastructure in action - A marathon route is basically a temporary public stage. I love that it turns ordinary sidewalks into a shared experience for runners and strangers alike.

My reflections:

1. I’ve been loving the consistency and training plans that help me structure my weekends and workouts. The long runs are my space to meditate and think - and I always do it listening to Seth Finkin’s sets.

2. Community & relationships are what motivated me - having my partner encourage me and pace me, my run coach checking in, and having friends cheer me on is the best feeling in the world

3. I used to have shameful self-talk (why am I so slow, not hitting goals) but once I moved from that to being really kind to myself (I showed up, running longer than I ever have) - my experience running has been soo much better. Running really is a form of therapy.

With that…some other cool ways people gather!

Sharing some cool picks this weekend that are keeping SF vibrant:

Thursday, July 23rd - Bhangra and Beats Night Market (free) - 4-8PM (Yerba Buena Gardens, Fidi)

I posted a video about learning Bhangra from a girl at a DJ set, and it was one of my top dance experiences ever. This event has all of my fav things: outdoor music, cultural connection & learning, and easy ways for people to connect and show up. So worth checking out!

—> Eventbrite Link with more info

Thursday, July 23rd - SOMA Night Market -

If you’ve ever wondered - where is the culture in SF?! I think this is an event that showcases it. A group of friends is hosting pop-up outdoor gallery and street-level music takeover nestled in one of soma’s hidden alleyways - with local art, music and cool vibes. You can go to both events in one day!

—> Partiful Link

Friday, July 24th - Costume & Clothing Swap at Burning Man Headquarters

I love that people are trying to combat fast fashion by hosting clothing swaps - I went to one at this location a few months ago and got this black jumpsuit I absolutely love. A great way to meet people as well!

—> Partiful Link

Friday, July 24th - Sundown Cinema - Inside Out

In the Presidio, you can watch Inside Out and cozy up with some blankets and tea.

—> Link here

Tuesday, July 28th - Pop-Up Tea Lounge

Tea Lounges are so in right now - with less people drinking, more people wanting to have low key hangs, this group is so awesome to have these monthly tea pop-ups around the city. I like catching up with friends in this environment and even having some solo tea time.

—> Partiful Link

Friday, July 3rd — “Lean On”: The Official Stern Grove Warmup

Before Stern Grove’s Sunday show even starts, the real warmup happens Friday night. Lychy Jelly, From Dust, and Qaotiq are taking over The Faight Collective.

The best part is - 30 people get free tickets to Major Lazer!

—> Tickets

Friday, July 3rd — Jazz, Singing & Chinese Pipa under the Civic Center Lasers

The past two weeks Civic Center has been ALIVE. It’s happening again 9pm-11pm with some amazing performers.

Saturday, July 4th — Dance Karaoke at Hybra Dispensary!

This dance karaoke event seems like the sweetest neighborhood block party! People are dancing, singing and there will be a live saxophonist!

—> Hybra’s IG

Saturday, July 4th — Techno Fireworks at Battery Spencer

EonPulse is organizing techno DJ set with panoramic views of SF, Alcatraz, and the Pacific, and fireworks at 9:30 PM while the music keeps going. Bring layers, water, and a headlamp — you’ll want it for the walk back after dark.

—> Partiful

That reputation isn’t really around anymore - when I tell East Coast friends I live in SF, everyone only asks how AI and tech bro land is.

However - I know that’s simply not true! I have been to so many beautiful sunset DJ sets, immersive art experiences and know for certain the culture is here. I think our job here is amplify and support this community.

We need easier ways for people to gather publicly

Sociologists have long argued that “third places”—cafés, parks, plazas, bars, libraries—are where communities and culture emerge through spontaneous collision.

This happened to SF during the 70s counterculture: cheap rent created density, density created overlap between musicians, activists, and writers, and public space made it all accessible. The Grateful Dead played the Panhandle for free way before they became big.

However, that formula — density, collision, access — is breaking down. Rent has made density unaffordable. Concert economics ($600 for Ariana Grande tickets!) make it hard to access for the average person. The one lever we can actually pull right now isn’t rent control or concert economics. It’s ease of access to public space.

San Francisco has one of the most expensive and restrictive permitting processes.

Right now, there is no middle ground in San Francisco’s permitting system. If you want to host an amplified music event in a public space — even a small DJ set in a park, even a 30-person sunset gathering — you’re looking at a 6–8 week lead time and hundreds of dollars in fees before you’re even legal.

And more details on IG if you’re interested:

Why is this like this?

Through the mid-20th century, SF’s public spaces operated mostly on informal norms rather than dense permitting. Permits existed but were thin, mostly for very large or commercial events.

• The 1960s counterculture moment was a hinge point. The biggest spontaneous concerts of ‘66-’67 happened with minimal city permits, but because it was so disruptive, SF (and many US cities) toward more formal event permitting.

  

• The 1970s-80s saw formalization: Rec & Park formalized its permit office, SFPD event coordination expanded, and insurance requirements crept in as municipal liability law evolved.

• The 1990s-2000s added layers rather than consolidating them. As federal land (GGNRA), state/regional bodies, and the Port each developed their own permitting regimes (which is why there are 4 diff offices today)

• Post-2010s, neighborhood complaint culture added a feedback loop: noise and gathering complaints became easier to register and more likely to trigger new restrictions.

It’s time to fix this process - faster, easier permits with community involvement.

Using learnings from our history and best practices from other cities, I think there’s a way to make this much easier - helping bring back the conditions for culture to thrive.

1. A 2-week online application process - for new event organizers hosting amplified sound events under a certain decibel threshold and attendance cap.

   1. A low flat fee (think $25–50), not the current hundred-dollar-plus barrier.

   2. And a brief onboarding conversation with a volunteer liaison who covers the basics: sound best practices, trash expectations, good spots to set up, how to be a good neighbor.

   3. Event organizers are required to video the space before, bits during and what it looks like afterwards to ensure there is good cleanup, sent to their volunteer liason

   4. Events can be invite-only or public, and we can have them all on a shared calendar so people are aware who is playing when, in order to not have multiple at one time.

2. A 48-hour notification process for second-time event organizers

   1. Event organizers still will follow the same rules

   2. This allows organizers who have trust & goodwill to more easily set up the pop-ups

FAQs:

These are my proposals as an initial starting point, but would love to have more conversations around the solutions!

How will we ensure the space is cared for?

Every gathering matters to the place that hosts it. That's why each event organizer will have a designated friend or volunteer there with them — someone keeping an eye on the crowd, making sure things stay tidy, and leaving the space as beautiful (or better) than they found it.

What about noise?

We want neighbors to feel good about what's happening nearby, not burdened by it. Organizers agree to keep sound under 85 dB, and if someone nearby raises a concern, they get a friendly heads-up first — a chance to turn things down before anything more happens. And of course, everything wraps by 10pm, in line with the citywide sound guidance everyone already follows.

Where would this actually happen?

These are spots where community already gathers, where the city already feels alive on a sunny afternoon — we’re just hoping to make it easier and safer for that to keep happening.

• Bernal Heights Park. A hilltop, a neighborhood, a 360° view, with little sound distrubance

• Mission Dolores Park. The most obvious case. Walk through on any sunny Saturday and you’ll find DJs, acoustic sets, and impromptu drum circles already happening.

• Golden Gate Park near the Rose Garden already has a perfect setup for DJ set ups

• Sunset Dunes. The newest public space in SF, carved out of the old Great Highway. No entrenched permit culture layered on top of it yet. Musicians are already showing up informally — the Google reviews mention it.

• Crissy Field. This is the most cinematic backdrop in the city: Golden Gate Bridge, open bay, afternoon light.

Author’s Note:

If you’ve made it this far, I’d love to hear your thoughts! I’ve always thought partying and gatherings felt frivolous or not as important as, say, housing, but more and more, I’m learning that public spaces are infrastructure for connection, civic engagement and culture. If we want SF to become a cultural hub, policy changes like this would make a huge difference.

Would appreciate any comments or shares!

Source Links for comparison tables:

1. ^{San Francisco Entertainment Permit (sf.gov) – https://www.sf.gov/get-entertainment-permit-your-outdoor-event?utm_source=chatgpt.com}

2. ^{Amsterdam Event Permit / Report an Event – https://www.amsterdam.nl/en/business/event-permit/report-event/?utm_source=chatgpt.com}

3. ^{New York City Special Events Guide (NYC Parks) – https://www.nycgovparks.org/permits/special-events/guide?utm_source=chatgpt.com}

4. ^{UK Live Music Act 2012 (legislation.gov.uk) – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2012/2/contents}

5. ^{Austin, TX Special Events (austintexas.gov) – https://www.austintexas.gov/page/special-events}

6. ^{New Orleans Parades & Second Line Races (nola.gov) – https://nola.gov/parades-second-line-race/}

Under the Sky ✨

1. Wednesday, June 24th at 8:30PM — Live Music Jam Under the 7×7 Lasers, Civic Center Plaza (free)
   My friend Connie (yes, another Connie!) is hosting an open jam session under Illuminate SF’s 49 laser beams a few nights past the solstice. Bring an instrument, a blanket, a thermos & very warm jackets. Lasers turn on around 9pm when it gets dark enough — midnight picnic energy, 255 people going, should be a really good circle!

   → Partiful Link

   

2. Friday, June 26th at 7:30–10:30PM — Feels on the Water, secret SF waterfront ($10)
   Trevor is back doing another DJ pop-up, this time with his friend Aquila Visions VJing - visual DJing! They’ll be meeting in the southeast corner of the city, with 360° views of the Bay.

   They’re playing emotional/melodic electronic music and the location is secret (10 min walk) and shared with paying RSVPs only to reduce capacity (max 100). Love this format so much!

   → Partiful Link

   

3. Saturday, June 27th at 7AM — Sunrise Run + DJ, Coffee & Pineapples, Marina District (free)
   If you’re new to running or want to get back into it, this group is great! Don’t let the early time fool you (although Marina Run Club starts at 9AM) - this time is the BEST to get out there with low UV and a great DJ set afterwards :)

   → Luma Link

   

Immersive & Indoors 🕯️

For a more relaxed way to end Pride, there are two amazing sound bath events that are a great way to restore and feel centered. Both these venues have such cool histories and I feel so lucky to be in a city with rich history like this!

1. Sunday, June 28th at 5PM — The Honey Gold Experience at Audium ($45)
   Audium is one of the only concert halls in the world built specifically for spatial sound — 176 speakers, no windows, full darkness by design. Stan Shaff opened it during the Summer of Love of 1967 as a “sound sculpture” space.

   Honey Gold is bringing live music, projection, candlelight, and meditation into that environment. You start in the lobby with mocktails + curated visuals, then move into the theater for an intimate set. I’m really excited for this one!

   → Ticket Link

   

2. Monday, June 29th at 8PM — Sound Healing Symphony at Grace Cathedral, Nob Hill ($50)
   Grace Cathedral is an amazing, historic venue (opening in 1964) and is special because the vaulted ceilings create a reverb that lasts a really long time. You can get a sonic massage under a beautiful and historically significant venue. Highly recommend!

   → Event Link

   

I love sharing these events because in an increasingly lonely world, it’s important to have spaces for people to come together!

— Connie

Why celebrate pride?

In asking friends who Pride means to them - I hear it’s an invitation to share more of themselves, stand up for their values & beliefs, and appreciate how far we’ve come, and where we need to go. Even if you don’t identify, it’s such an electrifying time to live in (from what I hear is) the most LGBTQ-friendly city in the US!

All Pride

1. Compton’s Cafeteria Riot ($75), Fridays June 27th - Aug 28th

   If you’re looking for a way to learn more about Pride history & have a great evening with friends - this is it!

   I visited this immersive theater back in April - you’re set in a diner like the 1960s, and shown bar fights, activist groups and amazing performances. They serve you some breakfast food and snacks as well!

   Link

2. Visit Pink Triangle at Twin Peaks (31th year!)

   This installation is up until the end of June, and I thought it was so unique. Pink Triangles were a symbol that gay men had to wear in the holocaust, and showcasing it on such a big park (a lot of the east end of SF can see it!). As in many parts of the world people are being persecuted, it’s a great educational tool.

   Visit Twin Peaks

   

Thursday, June 18

1. SF Symphony (Pride edition!) - Conductor James Gaffigan will play Beethoven’s full Ninth, and dedicating this to Michael Tilson Thomas (one of the first openly gay conductors & SF’s beloved conductor), who passed away earlier this year

   → Bold Italic is helping organize 25% off, with tickets between $78 - $118

   

2. On Ellis Downtown Block Party ft. Habstrakt 63 Ellis St · 5–10pm

   A block party in the heart of downtown SF right by Powell St.! Habstrakt brings a French house sound that’s big enough to fill a street but groovy enough to not feel like a festival set. Free to attend, which makes it that much easier to just wander in.

   → Register on Eventbrite

3. Third Thursdays on Mint Plaza ft. Justin Martin Mint Plaza · 5–10pm · Free with RSVP · All ages

   Okay this one I’m genuinely hyped about. Justin Martin is a Dirtybird OG — deep, funky, very SF — and the fact that this is free and all ages and happening on a pedestrian plaza is exactly the kind of thing I love writing about! Third Thursdays has been quietly doing the work of making downtown feel alive again, and this is a great excuse to check it out if you haven’t been.

   → RSVP on Eventim

Note: On Ellis and Third Thursday events run 5–10pm and are right next to each other near Powell!

Saturday, June 20

1. Chai Rave SF: All-White Daytimer ($12) 620 Jones Rooftop · Noon–5pm

A rooftop daytime rave in the Tenderloin (don’t let the neighborhood scare you, the venue is great!) with a dress code: all white. Noon to 5pm means you’re dancing in full daylight with city views, which is a completely different energy than a late-night set. Wear white, go up, dance it out before the evening even starts.

→ Tickets on Eventbrite

2. Secret Kitchen — Food Truck DJ Set Location TBD · 5pm · Free

   Ren & friends are hosting a pop-up set in a food truck converted into a DJ booth, starting at 5pm for the sunset. The lineup spins garage, Latin tech, and tech house - they drop the location the day before!

   → RSVP on Partiful

3. Yeah Yeah Yas: Queer Indie Dance Party ❤️‍🔥 El Rio · Free RSVP before 10:30pm / $10 after · 21+

   El Rio in the Mission is one of those SF venues that just great — outdoor patio, unpretentious, reliably fun. Yeah Yeah Yas is their indie/electroclash/bloghouse night - perfect for a Pride Saturday night + I would get pizza at Cellarmaker before!

   → RSVP on Handstamp

Sunday, June 21

1. Daybreaker: Let’s Be Friends — Ferries & Faeries ($30-$55 incl. Yoga) Ferry Building · 10am–1pm

   Daybreaker does morning dance events in cities around the world, and the SF edition at the Ferry Building is a good one. This week’s theme is Ferries & Faeries — fairy wings, nautical looks, yoga with HAUM Studios to start, then dancing bayside while the city wakes up around you.

   Sober-friendly, costume-encouraged, very much a vibe.

   → Tickets on Daybreaker

(Photo from previous SF Prom the SF Met Gala friends threw!)

As SF is starting to get windier, I think it’s so cool people are organizing the kind of events they want to see! Sharing a mix of large & small-scale events for the weekend :)

Friday, June 12

🎬 bundle up and check out a free movie at Dolores Park - The Princess Bride!

Sundown Cinema is starting! I remember when I first stumbled upon it - such a sight of everyone hanging outside. <3 My tips are:

1. get there early for a good spot, and have something to eat from a nearby food truck

2. bring LAYERS

3. bring squish that has some back support (otherwise you end up craning your neck)

→ Tickets & info

Saturday, June 13

1. 🌅 Sunrise Run, Coffee & DJ Set — Lume Health (7AM)

   Love this morning run + DJ Set in the Marina! A social health platform and a health app are organizing this, and it should be such a fun way to be outside and motivated. I run so much faster and have more fun when I run with people!

   → RSVP on Luma

2. Pop-up DJ Set at Dolores Deluxe (1-5pm) - free

   I love this spot - it looks so much like Europe! This is a perfect lil pop-over if you’re in the Mission for a late afternoon snack and cafe vibes. French DJ Monsieur Arnaud and Jeff are throwing a pop-up with melodic, organic and funky afro-house & melodic techno. This is part of a series they’re doing, so be sure to RSVP on the Partiful!

   

   → RSVP on Partiful

3. 🐦 Dirtybird: Back to Baysics — Embarcadero Plaza (1-5pm) - free

   A San Francisco institution — Claude VonStroke’s label, house and tech-house - is throwing a 3rd annual party along the Embarcadero!

   

   → Tickets on DoTheBay

4. The SF Met Gala ($199) — The Conservatory, One Sansome (7:30PM - Late)

   This group of friends wanted an excuse to dress up - and literally organized an entire event at what I think is the most gorgeous venue in SF! They’ll have a costume contest, DJs with cool light setups, and a LIVE harp player! All late 20s / early 30s crowd, so it’s a great excuse to get dressed up without going to a nonprofit gala.

   

   → Get tickets on Luma

   The ticket price feels a bit steep (now $199) but covers all the venue, food and decorations that the friend group covered themselves (they’re hoping to break even). Get it before it rises to $249!

Sunday, June 14

1. 🌊 Feels on the Cliffs — Sunset DJ Popup with From Dust (Trevor!)

   Trevor had a bernal heights pop-up two weekends ago, and so many of my friends went! It was beautiful, expansive and makes you feel so grateful to be in the city. It kind of reminded me of the Fred Again rooftop set. Thank you Trevor!!

   → RSVP on Partiful

Next week: 🎻 An Evening with The Bold Italic & SF Symphony — Davies Symphony Hall (Thursday, June 18)

Saul at the Bold Italic got a great deal for the SF Symphony - 25% off $76–$116, and with an afterparty!

→ Tickets & info

it’s so nice to start celebrating summer in sf! I personally have been sick for almost two weeks after an amazing Lighting in a Bottle. It was my second year going and was such an incredible time - almost want to gatekeep because it was so good D:

Here are the events I’d go to if I wasn’t sick:

🎉 Summer Games at Ocean Beach & DJ set after — 5pm - sunset Saturday, June 6th

an excuse to be kids again for an afternoon. outies.app is throwing a full beach games day — dodgeball, relay races, tag wars, tug of war — the works. it starts at 5pm right on Ocean Beach, and the party doesn’t stop there: stick around for not one but two sunset DJ sets on the sand after. free, open air, sand in your shoes. this is what summer in SF is supposed to feel like.

→ Instagram Link

More ways to gather this weekend 🌆

Pre-weekend~

1. Wednesday, June 3 @ 5–8pm — ($15): Where Design Begins, Vizcom Opening Exhibition, SoMa — if you’re into design and want to get more into the community, I’d check this out! There’s live fabrication and a curated installation with lots of people here for design week.

   → Event Link

2. Friday, June 5 @ morning — free: Salty Dogs Cold Plunge (100 Yacht Road): Salty Dogs is back! We’ll meet for a 6:30AM run and 7AM plunge. My favorite weekly ritual <3

   → Instagram Link

Saturday, June 6th

1. Beach Cleanup & free Gavin Hardkiss DJ set! Ocean Beach Cafe is hosting their weekly cleanup - this time with the chance to win a $400 Dirtybird Campout Festival ticket! So cool to see everyone show up for the community, and participate together.

   

2. 7pm — free: Seth Finkin Sunset DJ Set, Ocean Beach — Our favorite most prolific SF DJ Seth Finkin will play at golden hour (7ish) before the sun sets at 8:30PM.

   → Instagram Link

3. 7pm — free: What.If Studio Sunset DJ Set Pop-Up, Ocean Beach — There’s another sunset DJ set at Ocean Beach - featuring DJ SPN, Klava, and ASTRD. Exact location on Ocean Beach disclosed day-of.

   → Instagram Link

4. 1PM - 6PM — RAAG at Southside Spirit House, Mission ($12 - $20) — an intimate day party at Southside Spirit House SF, with House , Hip Hop & Latin!

   → Ticket Link

Sunday, June 7th

1. 11am–3pm — 415 Coffee Club Rooftop Day Party, SF ($30) — a rooftop day party, featuring Le Crew (of Cave Rave fame) and HAPKI (a really popular SF DJ!) with a well-known house music headliner kept secret until the day of. 415coffeeclub events sell out — use code HAPKI10 for a discount.

   → Link

2. 12PM — Rave Runs Summer Kick Off ($10-$30) — I went to the first iteration and it was really sweet and lots of fun! Met a couple of friends who I see out and about all the time (freq_music and Darron)

   → Link

3. 3PM - 9PM @ Alchemy Springs - ($45- $90) — This event is SO up my alley and very SF. In this gorgeous sauna & cold plunge space, there will be a sound bath, salsa, yoga, Seth’s DJ set (so prolific, right?!) and lots of space to lounge and chill. I’ve had some amazing convos in this space since it’s so relaxing. Would definitely recommend!

   → Link

This weekend is SF Porchfest! Now in its 8th year, it's one of those events that makes the Mission feel like the city's best possible version of itself — 100 bands playing on 18 venues (including Arcana, 20 Spot, Radio Habana) and private porches of the neighborhood, all free, all afternoon.

Fun Fact: Porchfests started in 2007 in Ithaca, NY. They never trademarked the name, just shared the idea freely, and it’s now spread to 250+ cities. I just love that accessible, local music is a constant staple everywhere.

Porchfest in Buffalo, NY

Cool ways to gather this weekend 🌆

1. Friday, May 29 @ 7PM - Last Sunset DJ Set of the Season! Seth Finkin is playing his last set with the Jelluminati until the Fall (the fog rolls into Ocean Beach during the summer). Follow @sethfinkin for more details!

2. Friday, May 29 @ 7PM — $20: Mandala Night with Gather SF — Gather SF (the community born out of the now-shuttered Center SF) hosts a cozy evening of cacao, guided meditation, and silent mandala drawing, led by Abbas Hooshmand. Only 12 guests, phones collected at the door. One of the more intentional gathering formats I’ve seen — part community ritual, part art practice. —> RSVP on Partiful (6 spots left)

3. Friday, May 29 @ 6–11PM — Free: Sunset Sessions at Señor Sisig, Oakland — Filipino fusion bites, cocktails, and bumping house beats at the Downtown Oakland location. Five DJs across the night: Mode Leeloo, Mostash, Giovanni, Chaampa, The Mer Show. Worth the BART ride if you want to start the weekend with good food and good energy. —> RSVP on Partiful

4. Saturday, May 30 — Free: SF Porchfest, The Mission 100 acts spread across the Mission’s porches and stoops, all afternoon. Grab the map and just start walking. Kickoff party the night before (May 29) at Hotel Utah Saloon. —> Full schedule + map

   1. Saturday, May 30 @ 2–9PM — Free: Give Until Gone × SF Porchfest @ Arcana The GUG crew takes over Arcana for an all-afternoon wine-and-dancing hang that doubles as the official Porchfest afterparty from 6–9. Wander the Mission, then come back and keep going. —> RSVP on Partiful

      

5. Saturday, May 30 @ 11AM–3PM — Free + donations: Earthling Spring Listening Party, Golden Gate Park An experimental listening series at Elk Glen Meadow — blankets on the grass, a curated sound system, ambient/electronic artists performing live. This edition features Shigeto (Detroit), Colloboh, Mathewdavid, Cool Maritime (Bolinas), and Yantra. BYO beer & wine friendly. One of the more genuinely unusual formats the Bay Area does well. —> Tickets on Eventbrite

6. Saturday, May 30 @ 9:30PM — Ticketed: San Francisco, Where’s Your Disco? 🪩 A full-on disco night with a strict dress code (shine, glimmer, glam) and the promise of free champagne for the most committed fits. Last one sold out; only 22 spots left. —> Tickets via Luma

   

7. Monday, June 1 @ 7–11PM — Ticketed: Turn Out at The Faight — An election eve party with "a celebration of participation." Beverly Chills, Everfish, and Boots. playing at The Faight on Haight St. All proceeds go to Vote.org. Party on the 1st, vote on the 2nd. —> Link in bio @everfishmusic

Memorial Day weekend is genuinely one of my favorite times to be in SF. The city slows down just enough, and this weekend is stacked!

The anchor for me is Carnaval. I always end up wandering through the Mission on that Sunday and getting completely swept up in it — the costumes, the sound systems bleeding into each other across Harrison Street, the feeling that the whole city just agreed to show up at the same place. It’s one of the rare events that feels genuinely massive and genuinely free.

Saturday + Sunday, May 23–24 — Carnaval San Francisco, Free

The 48th annual festival transforms 17 blocks of the Mission into five stages, 50 performing artists, and 400 vendors. This year’s theme is La Copa del Pueblo — the People’s Cup — a nod to the World Cup coming to the Bay Area. The Grand Parade kicks off Sunday at 10am at 24th & Bryant. There are 50 food vendors spanning Mexico, Central & South America, the Caribbean and more!

More ways to gather this weekend 🌆

1. Thursday, May 21 @ 5–10PM — Free: AAPI Heritage Month Downtown Block Party — a free block party on Ellis Street with a 360° stage in the middle of the street. Jai Wolf headlines with a Club Babu set, backed by a full AAPI lineup across organic house, hip hop, tech house and more. Proceeds support an AAPI nonprofit. —> RSVP on Eventbrite (required, limited capacity)

2. Friday, May 22 @ 9PM–1:30AM — Free: SSEDA & Friends @ Arcana A special AAPI Month edition of this curated DJ night at Arcana, a plant-filled loft bar. Five DJs move through organic house → afro house → melodic techno → R&B → hip hop in an intentional progression. A portion of bar proceeds goes to an AAPI nonprofit. —> RSVP on Eventbrite

3. Saturday + Sunday, May 23 + 24 @ 12–6PM — Free: Whale’s Tail Opens for the Season, Golden Gate Park One of my favorite summer rituals: the Whale’s Tail outdoor garden bar is back at the JFK Promenade for its 2026 season. Live music, food trucks, lawn games, Adirondack chairs, dogs welcome. Every Saturday & Sunday through October. —> @thewhalestail_sf

4. Saturday, May 24 — Free: Open House Kindred Market, Mission Kindred Studio’s open house featuring small business vendors, food, drinks, and crafts in their artist-owned creative space on Bryant St. Lovely low-key alternative if you need a break from Carnaval chaos. —> kindredstudiosf.com

5. Saturday, May 24 — Cyber Dance Protocol, Oakland (note: this one’s across the bay at Township Commons with DJ Nile SF — worth the BART ride if you want to keep the night going) An open-air event with 13 DJs back to back from 3pm through 9pm — designed specifically so golden hour hits while the beats are going. —> Partiful Link

6. Sunday, May 25 — EonPulse & Friends are throwing a Techno and Haus Renegade. If the weekend weather holds up, it’s going to be amazing!! —> Partiful Link

Thank you all artists & organizers who keep the Bay so vibrant!

“What’s that?!” My group came to stop and check out the beautiful, almost Disney-like dragon at Golden Gate Park. It’s perched perfectly on an emerald green lake, and felt otherworldly. It’s enormous scale, beautifully painted scales, and blowing bubbles added so much whimsy and joy to our run.

I learned about the efforts of the 3 lead artists, 200 volunteers over 35,000 hours handpainting the scales, assembling for Burning Man, re-assemblying for Golden Gate Park & managing all of the efforts maintaining the dragon - so excited to support their fundraiser this Saturday!

Saturday, May 9th - Naga Fundraiser ($40)

There will be DJs (including a DJ who is syncing their beats with the scales), giant bubbles, activities and great vibes for all ages. I’m looking forward to meeting the artists and volunteers!

Outdoor DJ Sets 🌅

1. Thursday, May 7th @ 5 - 9PM, Free Downtown First Thursdays: R&B and Ribs

   R&B and RIBS is a homegrown San Francisco party, with the best DJs from all over throwing down their best R&B inspired sets and great chefs cooking for you.

   —> Link

2. Friday, May 8th @ 5PM - Free Sunset Yoga & DJ Pop-up with Seth Finkin

   David hosts free outdoor yoga sessions and the people’s DJ, Seth Finkin, is doing a collab with him! This will be such a nice way to unwind from the week.

   —> David’s IG

3. Saturday, May 9th @ 1-5PM - Free EDM concert at Embarcadero Plaza

   This is a massive free concert along the Embarcadero, bringing world-class house music and electronic vibes to the foot of Market Street.

   —> Link

4. Saturday, May 9th @ 4 - 8PM, Free Sunset DJ set at Ocean Beach, Golden Frequencies

   Listen to Bolly/Tolly global house along Ocean Beach!

   —> Partiful Link

I love the vibrancy and awe I feel while living in the city :) Hope to see you out there!

Last time, I shared about DJ pop-ups in random locations, and now there are even more in SF :) They don’t have as strict permitting requirements as the outdoor ones do, which makes them more predictable!

Pop-up DJ Sets 🌅

1. Thursday, April 30th at 7PM - Ocean Beach Pop-Up

   Trevor is hosting a small Ocean Beach pop and seems so cozy :) Thank you for keeping SF vibrant!

   —> Partiful Link

2. Friday, May 1st @ 10PM - Animal Themed Pop-up at a Barbershop!

   Barbershop? Jungle? Both??? This group is completely transforming Fresh Blades Barbershop into a wild jungle oasis🐅🐊🐆🌴🪾

   —> Partiful Link

3. Saturday, May 2nd @ 7PM - 10PM - DJ Seth Finkin at Alamo Square Park

   Seth hosted this pop-up for my birthday 2 weekends ago and it was amazing. Such great SF vibes and really nice way to end a park hang.

   —> Seth’s IG

4. Saturday, May 2nd @ 4PM - 8PM - Free techno at Union Square, with Joey Beltram

   I think it’s so people (including Daniel Lurie) are sponsoring these - I bet this will be popular, and a cool way to check out Union Square

5. Sunday, May 3rd @ 12pm-7pm - Bob’s Donuts Pop-Up

   The Freqmusic_art group is hosting a DJ set with Onyvaa, who seems so badass and I’m excited to see!

   —> Partiful Link

Zen/Indoor Hangs 🍵

1. Thursday, April 30 - Artist Talk & Guided Meditation at tiat, a tech x art collective

   —> Partiful Link

2. Monday, May 4 - Aliveness Circle at the Commons

   My amazing friends Vivien and Patricia are hosting intimate gathering for builders, transitioners, leaders and changemakers who want to live with more alignment and aliveness

   —> Partiful Link

3. May 5 - Craft n’ Chill - Mindful Drawing with Cole

   Cole will be taking over this session of craft and chill, with Decentered Arts. He'll be leading a meditative exercise for us to ground, then teach us some of his signature wood grain techniques

   —> Partiful Link

Big thank you to the artists and community builders who keep SF vibrant! <3 much love

The trend ⭐

Pop-up raves have been growing in popularity - maybe you’ve seen it on your feed or even as you walk by new coffeeshops like Hedge. The premise is a group of friends rent or ask a location to set up a pop-up - usually something unassuming, like a vintage store, barbershop or even laundromat.

Cities like London, Taiwan, Amsterdam are also driving this post-pandemic phenomenon, showing there’s a real desire to see this across the world!

These events are good for people 💫

These events capture the spontaneity, vibrancy & aliveness that I love about a city. For those who go to Burning Man, it reminds me of stumbling onto an art car in the middle of Deep Playa.

I think at it’s core, it’s a way for people to showcase their art and easy ways for people to connect through a bit of absurdity and joy.

• They break routine → stronger contrast with daily stress

• They feel “rare” → more emotionally salient

• Less commercialization → more authentic release vs. performative nightlife

They are good for business visibility 🏪

For many folks, this creates a new memory of the business and a way to introduce the business to a whole new group.

Examples of places where we’ve had them in SF:

• Vintage Store

• Laundromat

• Barbershops

• Lumpia Stores

Because of this, SF should make it easier 🏙️

Today - submitting an event for more than 20 people requires a lengthy permit.

1. Prices can range from $400 - $2K

2. Lead times require 6 - 8 weeks at minimum

3. Organizers have to go through multiple agencies and services

Permits are the reason why Salty Dogs get shut down :(

The people working at the office are very helpful and have to coordinate, but the process today is too lengthy!!

With that…please enjoy this amazing events this weekend :)

Cool Ways People Gather (4/18-22)

Outdoor DJ Sets 🌅

1. 4/18: Sunset Set with Seth @ Alamo Square Park on Saturday 4/18, from 6-8PM!

   1. Seth started DJing here 2 years ago, and he’s doing a special set for my birthday :) No link - just check our IGs (@curious.connie, @sethfinkin)

2. 4/18: FUSE DJ Collective is hosting a pop-up rave at The Lumpia Company in Oakland on Saturday April 18th from 3pm+.

   1. People are doing this all over the Bay Area, and it’s so fun to see!

3. 4/19: There is a free outdoor concert at the Bandshell at Golden Gate Park, Sunday April 19th from 12 - 7pm (Reggae Sundays)

   1. My friend Razteria is incredibly talented and will be performing. A bonus is it is Bike Day, so you can see hundreds of bikers coming from hippie hill!

4. 4/19: Sunset sound system is hosting a free outdoor DJ set at Yerba Buena Gardens from 12 - 7pm!

   1. This group is part of the OG SF sunset rave crew. Super excited to see Galen perform!

5. 4/19: A new DJ collective is hosting a pop-up at @avotoastysf at 1796 Union St. in the Marina from 12-3pm!

Indoor Hangs 🍵

1. 4/21 - 23: Midnight tea house is hosting a 3 day pop up at a tea salon in Buena Vista Park. The vibes are so immaculate and Jenny & friends do such a good job curating the space!

2. 4/21: There is another free Pop-up Tea house at the Commons on April 21st from 6:30-9:30pm - expect cozy and low-key vibes, with a chance to meet new friends :)

3. 4/22: On Earth Day April 22nd, Dana is doing a showing of her documentary at HookFish Marin (along with 4 other films). Hers is about the story of a regenerative farm started by a surfer to help protect the ocean from toxic land runoff. - a perfect, nature and connective event!

And last awesome event….Saturday Yoga in Golden Gate Park!

Outdoor DJ Sets 🌅

pictured: my sunset at Kalulua Beach this week after a grueling 13-mile hike!

Saturday, 4/11 (5pm+) - Sunset rave @ Ocean Beach!

Every weekend in SF there are pop ups, and this weekend is no exception!

—> Partiful Link

Saturday, 4/11 (9pm+) - Wanted party by LeCrew at secret warehouse

The cave rave got shut down halfway, but LeCrew is back at a cool, up-and-coming no-phone venue in Mission Bay! Lots of my friends are going to this one and I like that the venue is smaller.

—> Partiful Link

Sunday, 4/12 (12 - 4pm) - Ploverfest

I think it’s so cool Sunset Dunes is doing a mini-music festival, with 4 stages throughout the day! Seth is playing along with some other local legends.

It might rain on Sunday, so keep a look out for weather forecasts.

—> Sunset Dunes IG

Sunday, 4/19 (11am - 7pm) - Free, permitted DJ pop up on the city with Sunset Sound System!

This original sunset music group is back with their quarterly pop ups, this time in Yerba Buena Gardens. They’re the group most tagged in my viral sunset DJ video, so I think it would be so worth to check out the vibes :)

—> Website with Deets

Zen/Indoor Hangs 🍵

Sharing some great ways to connect inwards and with a more conscious community.

Wednesday, 4/8 (6:30pm - 9pm) - Free tea lounge at The Commons SF

The Commons is an amazing coworking and event space in the heart of Hayes Valley, and the tea lounge is a great way to meet people in the community. Expect cozy and low-key vibes, with a chance to meet new friends. I always run into a surprise friend or two there!

—> Partiful Link

Saturday, April 11th (6pm - 10pm) - West African Fashion Show & Market at African Museum of Art

Decentered Arts, a nonprofit based in SOMA, is hosting a fashion show and immersive West African Market experience! This seems like a great way to get more involved in the arts community and check out a new museum.

—> Ticket Link

Saturday, April 11th (10am - 1pm) - Daybreaker Yoga & Dancing at Chase Center

I went to my first Daybreaker almost 10 years ago - and it was one of the reasons I stayed in SF! Bring some friends to go sober daytime dancing (free) and yoga ($35)

—> Ticket Link

Saturday, April 11th 3pm - 12am - Mocktails at Night of Ideas, SF Public Library

This event seems so cool! The SF Public Library is opening up for the evening and my friend Anand from York Street Cafe (some of the best mocktails I’ve ever had) is doing a pop up. (details)

—> Instagram Link

A Salty Dogs update…

Many of you have been or want to go to the amazing Salty Dogs community plunges on Friday!

1. Last week, they were told to get a permit to host the events.

2. They have finally got in contact with the permit office and they should be getting an update the next day or two

3. You are still able to meet up at the usual time to go running or plunging - but it’s not an official Salty Dogs event! (I will still plan on doing the 6:30AM run - it’s an amazing route)

The SFChronicle wrote a piece about them - and screenshotting some of the article in case you get paywalled:

Love this community so much! See you all at events soon!

Article:

Still tons of amazing things going on in the city - sharing some cool upcoming events :)

Outdoor DJ Sets 🌅

Ploverfest - Saturday, April 12th

To celebrate Sunset Dunes 1 year anniversary, there will be a multi-DJ set lineup the entire afternoon on 4/12! I’ve been loving meeting the Sunset Dunes community - from Jelluminati, to Trinket Trade and Seth & adub (obviously). This is permitted and have some legendary DJs playing.

→ Link

Golden Frequencies Rave - Saturday, April 4th

This is the first dj sunset set this group is doing at the Golden Gate - playing Global Pan India Afro house tracks!

→ Eventbrite Link

Beach Bonfire Pre for new college grads - Saturday, April 4th

A group of new grads/college students is throwing a beach bonfire + dj set this Saturday and would love for you to come hang out!

→ Partiful Link

Zen Hangs 🍵

Sharing some great ways to connect inwards and with a more conscious community.

I-Ching at Tiat Place - Thursday April 2nd at 6pm

I recently got into i-ching (see an glimpse in my video here!) and think it’s so wonderful. Tiat is a cool third space for creative technologists, and hosts a ton of cool events.

→ Link

Alchemy Springs Sound Bath & Meditation Night - Wednesday April 8th @ 6pm ($40)

I love Alchemy Springs and this event sounds so relaxing.

→ Link

Present Moment Game - Thursday April 16th @ 6:30PM ($35)

When I first heard about this concept, I loved it! The idea is you’re only allowed to speak in the present tense. The organizer shared that it’s common for people to come as strangers and leave feeling super connected at the end, having shared the moment.

→ Link

Outdoor DJ Sets 🌅

Sauna, Swim & Sunset Set with SaunaMan & Seth Finkin (Wednesday 3/25, 6pm - 8pm)

📅 📍100 Yacht Road

Tomorrow (Wednesday) - we’re having my dream event! Sunset DJ, Swim & Sauna!

Last week, during the Salty Dogs Cold Plunge, I mentioned it would be nice to see the sunset too - and now it’s happening! It’s a bit short notice - but AJ (our dearest saunaman) is helping host this beautiful event in honor of his friend’s memory. Seth Finkin graciously offered to DJ (of course, you rock).

This is the same spot as the Salty Dogs club! Bring swimwear, goggles & towel

→ Follow SaunaMan on Instagram

Cold Plunge with Salty Dogs & Sunrise Set with Seth Finkin (Friday 3/27, 7AM)

Last week’s event was such a hit (recap), we’re having it again! Same details as last time:

📅 📍100 Yacht Road

• [Optional] 6:20 - Meet up to stretch & do a 3.5 mile loop to Hopper Hands & back

• 6:45AM - Set begins

• 7AM - Meet up & hop in the bay

• 730AM - Free Coffee & pancakes

• 8AM - Folks pack up & leave

→ Follow Salty Dogs on Instagram

CAVE RAVE with LeCrew (Saturday, March 28 8pm+)

There’s only a couple spots left for the cave rave this weekend! Val & co are going to put on a great show - can’t wait :)

→ Partiful Link (only 34 spots left)

Sunday Funday w/ EonPulse (Sunday, March 29 3pm+)

RSVP to this secret pop-up that Eon & friends are hosting! RSVP via Partiful to get the latest deets.

→ Partiful Link

Zen Hangs 🍵

Pop-Up Tea Lounge by Gather SF (Thursday, March 26th at 6:30pm)

If you’re looking for a cozy tea hang with friends, this is the spot. Check out a free tea pop-up open to the community!

→ Partiful Link

Mandala Night (Friday 3/27 at 7PM)

→ Partiful Link

Free Ecstatic Dance in Oakland @ Sweets Ballroom (Sunday, March 29 10AM - 1:15pm)

The ecstatic dance community is wonderful, and this one is a free program (usually $20). If you’re curious, this one is an awesome to check it out!

→ Partiful Link

Dao Day (Saturday, 4/4 at 2pm)

Paul is awesome - if I was in town, I’d be here!

→ Partiful Link

On my wishlist…

Still reeling over the beautiful tea gardens in China! Here’s one of my favorites - if you know of anything with this vibe in the Bay Area, let me know!

The first event is special to me because it was the brainchild from this community :) We are doing a collab of my two favorite events - cold plunge & (now sunrise) DJ sets! This one is going to be special, and probably the start to many more :) Feel grateful to be part of how this is evolving.

Outdoor DJ Sets 🌅

Friday, March 20

Cold Plunge with Salty Dogs & Sunrise Set with Seth Finkin

📅 7AM 📍100 Yacht Road

• [Optional] 6:20 - Meet up to stretch & do a 3.5 mile loop to Hopper Hands & back

• 6:45AM - Set begins

• 7AM - Meet up & hop in the bay

• 730AM - Free Coffee & pancakes

• 8AM - Folks pack up & leave

→ Follow Salty Dogs on Instagram

Saturday, March 21

Sunrise Morning Run with Jacky (Novara Social)

📅 7AM 📍TBD

Jacky sent me a sweet message saying she was inspired by all the DJ pop ups! They’re meeting Saturday at 7AM to do a run with a free DJ pop up & coffee!

→ Follow Novara Social on Instagram

Cyber Dance Protocol w/ Chunkie Beatz

📅 1pm - 5pm📍TBD, location drop day of

The only request from Allen is that you have to DANCE! They’ll be hosting open decks so great to check out if you want to play at one of these :)

→ Partiful Link

Party Animals w/ Kwaw

📅 2:30pm - 7pm📍Golden Gate Park

First version of permitted GGP sets. Can’t wait!

→ Partiful Link (waitlist only)

Battery Spencer Techno Tunnel w/ Eon Pulse (5pm-8pm)

Last week Eon had a great set at Sutro Heights, this time is going to be awesome too!

→ Partiful Link

Seth Finkin at Ocean Beach (6pm-8pm)

Seth has been blowing up and it’s so well deserved. We both found each other two months ago when we were both under 1K followers, and he has been playing nonstop ever since! Last week, he had 1K people at his set which was wild - this week, it’s a secret location (will post closer to the time).

→ Follow Seth on Instagram

Saturday, March 28

CAVE RAVE!

I’m so excited about this one - been wanting to go to a cave rave forever :) Thank you Le Crew for throwing this!

→ Partiful Link

Sunday, March 29

Free Ecstatic Dance in Oakland (10AM - 1:15pm)

The ecstatic dance community is wonderful, and this one is a free program (usually $20). If you’re curious, this one is an awesome to check it out!

→ Partiful Link

Hot Tip: If you check out Sunset Dunes Park, they typically have something every day around sunset.

→ Follow Sunset Dunes Park on Instagram

Zen Hangs 🍵

Sharing some great ways to connect inwards and with a more conscious community. Thanks Tea Tribe, Gather SF and Paul for organizing these!

Friday, 3/20 World Folk Jam

→ Partiful Link

Friday, 3/27 Mandala Night

→ Partiful Link

Saturday, 4/4 Dao Day

→ Partiful Link

On my wishlist…

I spent the past two weeks in China with fam, and felt so inspired seeing all the tea lounges and ways people gather.

I am dreaming up a tea-lounge style pop up on the beach on a beautiful day…coupled with multiple DJ sets and sauna / cold plunges. Maybe even with neighborhood baked goods where everyone contributes and shares some snacks. (ok…this is just starting to sound like Burning Man in SF haha).

Let me know if this sounds dreamy to you too :) Maybe something we can activate in the future!

Here’s 9 curated pop-ups for the next two weeks:

Where everything is:

Sunset DJ Sets (all free)

🌅[Location TBD] Sunset Set (Seth Finkin)

📅 Saturday, March 14 · 6–8pm 📍Location TBD

Seth Finkin is playing for the 4th Saturday in a row (thank u for ur service!) - he’ll play global house at a TBD location. Hope the sunset is as good as last week’s!

→ Partiful link TBD

🌅Sutro Heights Sunset Set (Eon Pulse)

📅 Sunday, March 15 · 5–8pm 📍Sutro Heights

Eon Pulse & friends will play driving techno to Sutro Heights! [updated] This is Sutro Heights, not Tower.

→ RSVP on Partiful

🌅Sunset Groove (Rotating Decks)

📅 Saturday, March 21 · 4pm-8pm📍Grizzly Peak, Berkeley

One of the best views in the Bay (~1 hr drive from SF)! This group has been hosting monthly pop-ups and every time it’s such a vibe.

→ Follow Sunset Groove on Instagram

🌅Animal-Themed GGP Day Party (Rotating Decks)

📅 Saturday, March 21 · 2:30pm–Sunset 📍Golden Gate Park

The first chapter of a fully permitted, open-air day party series designed to bring the city together! I’m super pumped and will be dressed as a kitty. Excited to see Kwaw perform!

Only 16 spots left out of 120, can join waitlist if full → RSVP on Partiful

Tea Lounge Pop-Ups

🍵 Gather SF - Tea Lounge Pop-Up (free)

📅 Thursday, March 12 · 6:30–9:30pm 📍The Commons SF, Hayes Valley

Gather SF’s tenth pop-up tea lounge is happening at the Commons (my fav coworking/community space in the city!). There will be lots of low lighting, cushioned floor seating, tea flowing freely.

This group is now a non-profit and started after the Center SF closed - they welcome volunteers and this is a great way to meet folks in the community!

→ RSVP on Partiful

🍵 Midnight Tea House: Crossing into Spring ($40-$60 sliding donation)

📅 Wednesday–Friday, March 18–20 · 7–11pm 📍SOMA

This group of friends hosts quarterly tea pop-ups and I’m glad I can finally make it! They have 3 nights of gong-fu style tea service, live music, art making, and cozy corners for connection and reflection.

→ Get Tickets on Partiful

Morning Plunge or Hang 🌊

🌊 Salty Dogs Cold Plunge & Sauna

📅 Friday, March 13 · 7am 📍100 Yacht Road

What started as five friends a year and a half ago has grown into 100+ people every Friday — and they’ve invested in a portable sauna, music and coffee. The vibes are unmatched: everyone is friendly, welcoming, and you’re usually out by 8am.

Every time I go, I feel AMAZING the entire day! Would highly recommend!

→ Follow on Instagram

☕ Corona Heights Coffee Club

📅 Friday, March 13 · 7am 📍Corona Heights

Gabe started this with some friends to have a low key hang in the middle of the city! It looks really neighbor-y and a great way to start your day :)

→ Follow on Instagram

🐾 Mini Aussie Plunge Club (with Salty Dogs!)

📅 Sunday, March 15 · 10am 📍100 Yacht Road

Salty Dogs is hosting a special Sunday plunge for dog owners & lovers (your pup does not have to be an Aussie!). I think this is nice if you can’t make the Friday event or just love dogs!

→ RSVP on Partiful

Lastly…thank you!

I’ve been so grateful for this forum to share more of the SF I want to see! Sharing some screenshots that made me smile this week. Would appreciate any comments about what you’re excited about or what you want to see more of :)