A Local’s Guide to the Latest Hotels, Eateries, and Cultural Events in San Francisco

For those of us who grew up in San Francisco, the vibrant Victorian homes (especially the Painted Ladies) and fresh sourdough with Dungeness crabs at Fisherman’s Wharf have always been cherished. However, new neighborhoods like Mission Rock along the waterfront and Downtown’s East Cut, along with international cuisine restaurants, provide even more to love as the city evolves and becomes more diverse. Spring and summer also turn the city into a hub for free festivals and concerts, uniting locals and newcomers alike.

Here are some of the most thrilling recent openings, activities, and events happening in San Francisco in 2024.

New luxury hotels for an exquisite stay

Within walking distance of Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf is the Jay, the newest luxury hotel in San Francisco. Opened at the end of 2023, it features 360 modern rooms and the Third Floor, a restaurant and lounge by the award-winning Omakase Group. Join for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and enjoy seasonal specialties like coconut pork belly and seared black cod with cauliflower couscous.

Union Square’s the Beacon Grand, previously the historic Sir Francis Drake, reopened in spring 2022 after an extensive renovation and redesign of all public spaces and its 418 rooms. First opened in 1928, the hotel preserved its grand staircase, chandeliers, and marble lobby floors, while refreshing the rooms with oak hardwood floors, white bathrooms with brass fixtures, and a vibrant jewel-toned palette. A highlight is the newly transformed Starlite Room, now one of the trendiest nightlife destinations downtown on the 21st floor of the hotel.

Located along the Embarcadero waterfront, 1 Hotel San Francisco opened in 2022 and features redwood reclaimed from the old Bay Bridge, living walls, and an abundance of native plants sprouting from every corner, with furnishings crafted from salvaged driftwood. This upscale property includes a wellness spa with rooftop soaking tubs and a restaurant that emphasizes organic and sustainably sourced ingredients, such as its mushroom “Caesar” salad made with local chicories.

Organize your journey around these eateries

Chef Dominique Crenn, recognized as one of Time’s most influential people of 2024, launched Petit Crenn in 2015 as a sequel to her three Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn in Hayes Valley. After closing in July 2020 due to the pandemic, it returned as a pop-up in 2023. The restaurant will permanently close soon because of an expiring lease, so be sure to reserve your spot online before it shuts down in September. This cherished establishment honors the culinary traditions of her mother and grandmother, with a menu largely featuring seafood and vegetables.

Another essential stop for seafood aficionados is the one-Michelin-starred Aphotic, which made its debut in spring 2023 in the SoMa district. Aphotic emphasizes traceability—every item served can be traced back to the exact time and source of its seafood, as stated by chef and owner Peter Hemsley. This striking, black-walled venue offers a 10-course tasting menu filled with delightful surprises, including steamed crab head buns and their famous oyster ice cream.

For an unforgettable tasting experience, secure an online reservation at chef Mike Lanham’s Anomaly, which began as a pop-up in 2018. Its permanent location in Lower Pacific Heights opened in January 2023, offering diners an 11-course exploration of modernist cuisine. Don't miss the fennel soup topped with coconut lime snow, created with dry ice: When the ice touches the hot soup, it produces a spectacular vapor effect, delivering an incredible contrast of temperatures when served. The open kitchen also allows diners to observe the chefs crafting each intricate dish.

Kiln made a striking entrance when it debuted in May 2023, offering an 18–20 course tasting menu that draws inspiration from French, Japanese, and Scandinavian culinary traditions, emphasizing the purity of flavors. Chef John Wesley's seasonal menu employs techniques learned from his global experiences. Each course highlights one ingredient, presented in two or three variations. For instance, the lamb dish features a creamy hay custard with lamb shank and mushrooms, a celeriac cracker with lamb fat, and a lamb rib croquette.

Another coveted reservation is at Four Kings, a brick-and-mortar establishment in Chinatown by chefs Franky Ho and Mike Long (both previously with Michelin-starred Mister Jiu’s), which opened in March 2024. Named after the Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop, this modern Cantonese restaurant offers dishes like spaghetti infused with mapo tofu seasoning, clay pot rice with Chinese sausage and bacon, and XO snails. The lively atmosphere is enhanced by vintage Hong Kong pop culture posters from the ’90s and 2000s, vinyl records from the chefs’ personal collections, and a bustling open kitchen.

Copra is a sophisticated dining venue featuring floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with artisanal pottery and hand-woven chandeliers, showcasing South Indian flavors through dishes such as its black cod, which is coated in shallots, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked on cast iron.

The fusion restaurant Dalida also garnered significant praise upon its summer launch in the Presidio area. Its menu creatively blends Eastern Mediterranean cuisine with Latin American and Californian influences, featuring dishes like tandoori lamb shoulder and pork cheek souvlaki.

Unmissable Cultural Events

Visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in the SoMa district to explore the vibrant Yayoi Kusama: Infinite Love exhibit, showcasing her iconic immersive mirror rooms. For those who haven't experienced it yet: prepare for dazzling kaleidoscopic colors, inflatable forms that stretch from floor to ceiling, and mind-bending installations. Even though the Kusama exhibit closes on May 28, one of the infinity mirror rooms will be available until January 2025.

Another exciting exhibit at SFMOMA is the Art of Noise, a multi-sensory exploration of the evolution of music and sound recording over the last century. Be sure to experience listening stations like the immersive audio installation by Brooklyn artist Devon Turnbull—his bespoke speakers serve as both a sculpture and a source of incredibly high-fidelity sound playback.

For fashion lovers, the de Young Museum’s fashion exhibition titled Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style, which opened in January, highlights over 50 fashion designers from the Fine Art Museums’ permanent collections. This exhibit also features a delightful augmented reality experience, allowing visitors to virtually "try on" extravagant dresses, including a 1955 “Soirée de Paris” gown by Yves Saint Laurent, a 1985 lamé ensemble by San Francisco designer Kaisik Wong, and a 1987 velvet dress by Valentino.

The Broadway sensation Wicked is returning to headline the fall 2024 season at the Orpheum Theatre from August 28 to October 13, 2024. This will be followed by the acclaimed musical Hamilton, which is set to perform from November 27 to January 5, 2025.

Must-See Festivals Despite the Crowds

Of course, major events like the free Stern Grove music festival are making a comeback. This year marks its 87th edition, starting with Canadian indie pop duo Tegan and Sara in June and featuring its inaugural end-of-season fundraiser with the legendary Chaka Khan. Established in 1938, the city's oldest music festival attracts over 90,000 attendees annually, aiming to provide accessible live music experiences. Tickets are available one month prior to the shows, so sign up for their newsletter to stay informed.

Outside Lands, San Francisco's premier festival, returns for its 16th edition this August with headliners Tyler, The Creator, The Killers, and Sturgill Simpson. Dubbed the world’s “only gourmet music festival,” its culinary offerings rival its musical acts. Last year's Taste of the Bay Area featured 96 restaurants with over 700 distinctive menu items during the three-day event.

The city will host numerous free concert series, many in Golden Gate Park, including Illuminate Live, which boasts over 100 free performances throughout the year, featuring artists like reggae musician Irie Dole and the eclectic Ariel Marin Band. Another exciting addition is SF Live, the newest series launching on June 1, offering six months of diverse arts and culture performances. The beloved Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival will also return at the end of summer to the city's largest park.

The Portola Music Festival is returning for its third edition this September at Pier 80, organized by the team behind Coachella along with local company Non Plus Ultra. This year features an impressive lineup of top DJs and music producers from the electronic music scene. Headliners include Rufus Du Sol, Justice, Disclosure, and M.I.A., promising two days of entertainment at this adults-only (21+) festival.