The Japanese Tea Garden provides visitors from around the world with an opportunity to experience the natural beauty, tranquility, and harmony of a Japanese-style garden in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
Originally created as a “Japanese Village” exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, the Japanese Tea Garden endures as one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, featuring classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April.
Admission to the Japanese Tea Garden is free for San Francisco residents with valid ID. Free hours for everyone (even non-residents) are 9-10 am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Embarcadero Waterfront Park Revitalization Moves Forward
San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors has approved a plan to revamp Embarcadero Plaza and the adjacent Sue Bierman Park as part of ongoing efforts to boost Downtown’s public spaces. The project is a collaboration between the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, Office of Economic and Workforce Development, real estate developer BXP, and the Downtown SF Partnership.
The redevelopment will merge Embarcadero Plaza, South Embarcadero, and Sue Bierman Park into a single 5-acre park — double the size of Union Square. The new design, led by architecture firm HOK, will replace the current concrete layout with lush green spaces, walking paths, and recreational areas. Plans include sculpture gardens, food trucks, volleyball courts, picnic spots, and a bandshell stage for live performances.
BXP will contribute approximately $2.5 million toward the design, while city agencies will seek public and private funding to cover the remainder of the estimated $25-$30 million cost.
The project aims to create a more inviting space along San Francisco’s waterfront, supporting the city’s broader Downtown revitalization efforts.
Over the past year, the City has invested significant effort into reinvigorating Embarcadero Plaza.
In November 2023, Rec and Park installed two pop-up padel courts, with a third court installed in October 2024. The courts were the first public padel courts in Northern California.
In July 2024, 5,000 people descended on the plaza to enjoy a free Downtown concert held by Another Planet, Dirtybird: Back to Baysics featuring Sacha Robotti, Mz Worthy, Smalltown DJs, & Deron Delgado b2b Moody Jones.
In August 2024, the City launched the free pilot summer series Bricks at Embarcadero Plaza, bringing fun weekly scheduled activities to Downtown, including trivia nights, dance lessons, DJs, live music, happy hours, and more.
In September 2024, the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival held its long running summer series Free Shakespeare in the Park at Sue Bierman Park for the first time, featuring a production of the classic “The Tempest.”
Unlike any other art event you’ve ever been to, Superfine is the art fair for all of us. Shed your preconceptions about a stuffy, exclusive art world and enjoy connecting with, learning from, and collecting the inspired work of 150+ uncommonly talented artist, a surreal circus-themed opening night, an action-packed Art Battle, LGBTQ+ short films curated by Frameline, and other moments of wonder complete the unique weekend-long art experience you’ll find at Superfine.
Join Superfine at the lovingly curated 35,000 square foot Gateway Pavilion on Pier 2 at Fort Mason and experience a welcoming environment, affordable price points, and unique opportunities to meet the SF spring 2025 exhibitors heading for global status. Envision your home, filled with the best art the Bay has to offer.
Superfine Art Fair – San Francisco March 6-9, 2025 | See below for schedule Gateway Pavilion on Pier 2 at Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina` Blvd, SF Get Tickets – Day pass $19.98 $26.78. (incl. fees) – VIP pass at $36.56 $50.47 – w/ hospitality suite, priority access + complimentary drink – Supercharge VIP pass – $60.36 $84.46 – use code “funcheap30” to save 30% on your passes!
2025 Spring Schedule:
Thursday, March 6 | 5-10p (Premium Passes only) Friday, March 7 | 5-10p (all passes – includes Art Battle) Saturday, March 8 | 11a-9p (all passes) Sunday, March 9 | 11a-6p (all passes) What to Expect:
150+ exceptional artists from the Bay Area/around the world Daily programs like ArtBattle (Friday 5-10pm), Jazz + Wine (Saturday 11-2pm) OR Art Talk + Mimosa (Sunday 12pm) 2025 Program Highlights Thursday 3/6: Opening Bash 5pm-10pm Supercharged + Art Insider passholders get access to the fair a day before the general public for a bash including:
Complimentary bubbly beverages Live music + entertainment throughout the evening First access to coveted artworks that will go fast! Our opening nights are a blast and tickets run out so book early! Firday 3/7: Art Battle 6pm-9pm For the second year running, we’re partnering with Art Battle to host a live, competitive art experience where the Bay Area’s top artists face off in a timed tournament to a DJ-spun soundtrack. The winning artist gets a free sponsored booth at Superfine SF next year and other valuable prizes (and you get to help choose who wins!)
Get there early to peruse the 150+ Superfine artists’ booths before, after, and during breaks in the action.
Superfine x ArtSpan | Through-fair The organization behind one the US’ longest running artist open studios (SF Open Studios) partners with Superfine yet again to present a collective booth of 30+ artists from the ArtSpan community, co-curated installations + panels, and more.
Follow ArtSpan and learn more about their 50+ year long mission to support Bay Area artists here.
SuperFilm by Superfine + Frameline | Through-fair, various screenings The most prominent and well-attended LBGTQ+ arts program in the San Francisco Bay Area, Frameline’s inaugural partnership with Superfine consists of a series of artistically-guided short films by queer creators along with a surprise sneak peek at a classic queer art film with an associated LGBTQ+ mixer event — all on-site at Superfine in Fort Mason Center.
Stand Up For Science 2025 Announces National Day of Action: March 7, 2025
WHAT: A rally to defend science as a public good and central pillar of social progress.
WHY: Science is for everyone–and benefits everyone. When the federal government supports scientific research through taxpayer funding, it fuels innovation, creates jobs, and sustains the world we live in. From purified water to the polio vaccine to the cell phone you might be reading this on, science has significantly impacted our lives in countless ways.
We’re mobilizing to keep science free from interference and censorship by government officials. We’re also mobilizing because attacks on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access are attacks on science, and vice versa. Science is at its best when it includes everyone and when it stands to improve people’s lives.
It’s time–as ever–to stand up for science, for everyone who does it, and for everyone who benefits from it.
WHO: Everyone! If your life is better because of science, this rally is for you.
WHERE: San Francisco, Washington, DC & state capitals nationwide
March 14 – Total Lunar Eclipse: A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes entirely through Earth’s dark shadow, known as the umbra. During this event, the Moon gradually darkens before taking on a reddish hue, often called a “blood moon.” This eclipse will be visible across all of North America, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The maximum eclipse will be at 11:58 pm PST.
March 14 – Total Lunar Eclipse: A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes entirely through Earth’s dark shadow, known as the umbra. During this event, the Moon gradually darkens before taking on a reddish hue, often called a “blood moon.” This eclipse will be visible across all of North America, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The maximum eclipse will be at 11:58 pm PST.
Huntington Falls hits your ears before your eyes as you make your way up, its gentle gargling drowning out any remaining distant car horns. McLaren, Golden Gate Park’s architect, was apparently inspired to build two waterfalls in the park (the second being Rainbow Falls) after hiking around Yosemite with John Muir. The manmade waterfall is fed by a pond atop the hill filled via an electric (and quiet) pump.
For more hikes in the Bay Area and around California, check out SFGATE Outdoors.
At over 400 feet, Strawberry Hill is the highest point in the 1,000-acre park. From the crest, the view takes in the Golden Gate Bridge and Mount Tamalpais and stretches over the bay to Mount Diablo in the east.
While the hill is not huge, there are numerous trails that circle it, together making up a 2-plus-mile route for runners.
Beach bonfire season returns to SF for the first time in four months: March 1 – October 31
For the first time in four months, it’s finally legal again to have a bonfire at Ocean Beach. During the “No Burn” Season (which runs from November 1 to the end of February), bonfires are not allowed, but starting March 1, 2025 bonfires are back through the end of October with a few conditions.
Ocean Beach Bonfire Season 2025 March 1 to October 31 | Allowed between 6 am and 9:30 pm only Ocean Beach fire rings between Stairwells 15 and 20 – Generally opposite Beach Chalet
FREE – first come, first serv
The National Park Service provides 16 fire rings/pits for Ocean Beach fires between Stairwells 15 and 20. The curfew each night is 9:30 pm.
Flower Bulb Day is coming to America. We will return on March 22, 2025, with a colorful display of more than 80,000 tulips that will cover Union Square in San Francisco. And you are invited to visit the square and pick your own bunch of tulips (there will be a maximum number of tulips per person; in 2024, it was 6 tulips).
80,000 Free Tulips Come to Union Square Saturday, March 22, 2025 | 1 pm to 4:30 pm* (expected time frame; 2025 times TBA) Union Square, San Francisco FREE (there is limited number of tulips per person)
Save the Date: March 22, 2025
Where: San Francisco’s Union Square (conveniently located near the Powell Street BART station). A large turnout is expected; attendees are encouraged to use public transportation.
Access to the garden is free and so are the tulips. However, a large crowd is expected, so be prepared to wait in line.
The 174th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration hosted by the United Irish Societies is one of the city’s most popular parades & events. Join us on Saturday, March 15, 2025, for fun and celebration.
The Parade begins at the corner of 2nd & Market Street, marches down Market Street, and will make its way to Civic Center Plaza.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebrates and showcases our Irish community, Irish culture, and character in all its forms. Featured groups from throughout the Bay Area’s Irish community including schools, youth organizations, labor unions, and cultural groups, as well as the San Francisco Police and Fire Departments, will march down Market Street.
Grab your puppy love and celebrate the paw-fect Valentine’s with us on February 23rd, 2025, from 11AM-5PM! Cupid’s Bow is ready, with pet-centric vendors to pamper your furry friend, Valentine’s activities everyone (pup included) will “dig,” and a chance to vote for San Francisco’s Ultimate Pup Contest to find the Pawsitively Cutest Pet in San Francisco!
Come have a barking good time and fall in love!
Local Pet-centric Vendors! Kissing Booth and Photo Ops DIY Valentines Pup Cup Race Small Dogs (20lbs or less): Race Begins at 12PM Big Dogs (21lbs or more): Race Begins at 1PM San Francisco’s Ultimate Pup Contest – Vote for the Pawsitively Cutest Pet in San Francisco and win a special prize sponsored by The Healthy Spot!
Pet-tastic Vendors Include:
Resilient Rover | Cody’s Cookies and Treats | Fozzie’s Kitchen Pezzy Pets | Jak + Phil | Woof Baked Goods Fiesta Paws | Disco Dog | Le Pawdrobe | BIBIM Paws What the Fur | Diamond Dogs Treatery | Spot N Knot Willis Dog Treats | Buds Bowl | RescueHaus The Pawzitive Company Healthy Spot | San Francisco SPCA Enter the San Francisco’s Ultimate Pup Contest on Instagram! Want your pup to compete for the title of Pawsitively Cutest Pet in San Francisco? Here’s how to enter San
Francisco’s Ultimate Pup Contest:
Follow @SPARKSocialSF on Instagram. Post a pic of your pup rocking their cutest outfit to your Instagram feed and stories. Tag @SPARKSocialSF in both your post and story. Comment on SPARK Social SF’s story saying: “Vote for me to be the Pawsitively Cutest Pet in San Francisco!” Contest Deadline: Enter by Thursday, February 20th, to be eligible. On the day of the event, guests can vote for their favorite pet by purchasing from any Pet-Centric Vendor! After making a purchase, they will receive a voting sticker to cast their vote for the Pawsitively Cutest Pet.
The San Francisco’s Ultimate Pup Contest voting will take place starting at 2:00pm on February 23rd, with the winner announced at 4:00pm. Contestants must be present to win.
