San Francisco, CA

San Francisco ranks top in the U.S. for desserts. Here’s where to go.

Published

3 months ago

April 24, 2026

San Francisco ranks top in the U.S. for desserts. Here’s where to go.

First came monster donuts piled high with bacon and Fruity Pebbles. Then there were cronuts—the croissant-donut hybrid that had everyone buzzing. Later came the era of everything filled with pistachio paste, followed by pastries crafted to look like fruit. For Californians with a sweet tooth, the latest viral dessert trend is often just a drive away.

Now, a new report has confirmed what residents in the Bay Area have known for decades: when it comes to sweets, San Francisco can’t be beat.

From artisanal sourdough bakeries to late-night ice cream spots, San Francisco has secured its place as the fourth sweetest city in the United States, according to new research from Betway.

Analyzing dessert shop availability alongside online appetite for sugary treats, the study ranked major cities across the U.S. and Canada to uncover the nation’s sweetest city.

San Francisco ranks as the fourth most favored spot for folks with a sweet tooth in the nation, placing behind Miami, Atlanta, and Las Vegas, but ahead of cities like Boston and New Orleans—have beignets lost their luster?

The report noted San Francisco’s strong dessert scene, including 111 bakeries and cookie shops, 54 ice cream parlors, and 135 dessert shops. Overall, the authors wrote, the mix of high-quality bakeries and steady demand keeps the city firmly in the top tier of dessert cities.

Viral dessert spots in San Francisco to visit now

San Francisco’s ranking among the best cities for desserts should come as no surprise. Legend has it that the city is the first place in the U.S. to serve a fortune cookie. The slightly sweet, crispy cookie with a grain of insight—a memorable fortune read: “Buy clothes now, more expensive later”—is still produced in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. The factory produces up to 10,000 fortune cookies a day and offers tours that should be on every visitor’s San Francisco itinerary.

The pastry shop that some say has the best croissant in San Francisco (see: Arsicault below) has experienced long lines since it opened its doors in the North Beach district three years ago. Owner and head pastry chef Sophia Smith honed her skills in Paris, where she mastered the art of lamination, a process that begins with high-quality French butter and yields a range of sweet and savory pastries that regularly sell out. The demand at the viral spot has gotten so great that a notice on their website asks customers not to line up before 7:45 a.m. The shop opens at 9 a.m., Thursday through Sunday.

Named the best new bakery in the U.S. by Bon Appétit when it opened its doors in 2016, Arsicault is a slice of Parisian heaven with three locations in San Francisco. Known for their traditional French pastries, including sweet and savory croissants, each location has a slightly different menu. Customers will find an assortment of sundries, including French baguettes, scones, cookies, quiches, and freshly made sandwiches.

The exquisiteness of their guava tarts warranted a mention in the New York Times when they were a pop-up; now, Sol Bakery is the latest viral sensation to open a brick-and-mortar spot in San Francisco. Located at the corner of Hayes and Central in the city’s Panhandle district, Sol Bakery is known for its viral tart, as well as its fresh focaccia, cakes, and sourdough croissants.

The name says it all. Known for their inspired multi-layered crepe cakes, Sweet Glory delivers on taste and aesthetics. Located in the Inner Sunset area of the city, Sweet Glory offers handcrafted desserts made with handpicked ingredients. In addition to their crepe cakes, try their moreish Basque burnt cheesecakes, which also come in a delectable range of flavors.

If you know, you know, and Holy Nata knows how to make the best Portuguese tart in San Francisco. Gooey, crispy, and luscious all in one, the “pastel de nata” is an egg custard tart with provenance. The recipe of the viral tart comes straight from Lisbon and is infused with the love of family and tradition. In addition to the traditional (which can be bought by the box), Holy Nata offers a rotating assortment of flavors each week. Holy Nata is in the city’s financial district.

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San Francisco, CA

1 dead, 2 missing after boat capsizes near Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay

Published

8 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Press Room

1 dead, 2 missing after boat capsizes near Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay

One person is dead and two others are missing near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay after a boat with 19 people aboard capsized Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

A vessel was reported to be on fire around 600 yards off Alcatraz around 3:35 p.m., and police found a capsized three-deck pontoon boat, San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen said.

The incident was initially reported as a fire, but no first responders reported witnessing a blaze, Crispen said.

Everyone on the boat is believed to have been adults, Crispen said. A dog was also on board and is dead, he said.

Thirteen people were safely rescued, and another three were transported to hospitals, Crispen said.

Firefighters are “in full rescue mode,” with 11 boats and divers as part of the response, Crispen said.

“We are going to continue for hours to make sure that we find these two missing people, if possible,” Crispen said.

“It seemed like a recreational-type vessel, but that’s all we know at this point,” Crispen told reporters.

The vessel reportedly launched from a yacht club, and investigators were still gathering information, he said.

Helicopter footage from NBC Bay Area showed responding rescue boats and debris floating in the water. Video from the station appeared to show some of the rescued with blankets on shore.

Local police departments and private vessels also responded to the incident, Crispen said.

“This is an all-hands-on-deck search and hopefully rescue,” San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said.

When first responders arrived, some people were in the water, others were on the sinking boat, and others were falling into the water, Crispen said.

Alcatraz Island is the site of the famous prison located in San Francisco Bay, around 1 mile offshore. It was closed as a federal prison in 1963 and is now a National Park.

Crispen said the search would be extensive.

“Our standard operating procedure is to continue to search, as long as it’s safe enough for us to search,” he said.

He said divers were in the water, helicopters were above, and officials were searching areas where survivors in the water would tend to move to.

“This search will go on for some time,” Crispen said.

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San Francisco, CA

Sold-Out SF Marathon 2026: The Races, Routes and Road Closures (Plus How to Watch It All) | KQED

Published

20 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Press Room

Sold-Out SF Marathon 2026: The Races, Routes and Road Closures (Plus How to Watch It All) | KQED

Everything you need to know about the 2026 San Francisco Marathon weekend on July 25-26, including the route, the road closures and whether it’s too late to sign up.

If you still want to sign up for the SF Marathon, you still have time. (AN Studio/Getty)

Keep reading for the 2026 SF Marathon route, which streets will be closed, where to find public transit changes and how to watch from the sidelines if you’re a spectator.

We’ll also give an overview of all the weekend’s events and races themselves if you’re feeling spontaneously athletic (or want to meet people) and decide to sign up for a race at short notice.

And important to flag — several of these races now allow dogs.

Jump straight to:

What is the SF Marathon route, and when are the races?

The 26.2-mile main event — the full SF Marathon — is on Sunday, July 26. The full marathon starts at 5:15 a.m. on Embarcadero Street at Market Street and finishes on Embarcadero Street at Howard Street.

You can check out a map of the entire course on SF Marathon’s Strava account, which also includes elevation levels and first aid/water stops.

An image of several people's legs photographed in a running motion. — Be aware of street closures and changes to Muni this weekend because of the SF Marathon. (Elena Popova/Getty Images)

Is it really too late to sign up for the full marathon and 1st half marathon?

Yes, the full marathon — and the popular 1st half marathon over the Golden Gate Bridge — are both sold out.

According to officials, the spots went out “faster than ever” this year. But you can still join the waitlist and hope for the best.

“Spots do open up,” the website reads. “Plans change, runners defer, and entries become available again. When they do, the right wait list is the best way to secure yours.”

What are my other options for races around the SF Marathon that weekend?

Your other options for races during the SF Marathon weekend that are still accepting sign-ups include:

The City Half Marathon (Sunday)

This is the race where you get to run through San Francisco’s neighborhoods. It’s 13.1 miles with a 3.5-hour time limit and starts at 8:30 a.m. from MLK Jr. Drive at Golden Gate Park to Embarcadero at Howard.

Race fee:$303.74

The Alexi Pappas SFM 10K (Sunday)

This race is named after the Bay Area’s own Olympian Pappas and is a flat 6.2 miles that starts at 7 a.m. from The Embarcadero at Market Street to the Embarcadero near Washington Street. Dogs are now welcome for this race.

Race fee: $164.04

And if you are a runner who wants to take on the SF Marathon challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. (RichVintage/Getty Images)

5K race (Saturday option)

This 5k allows your dog to run with you along the Embarcadero waterfront. Starting at 8 a.m, this is a 3.1-mile course with an hour limit.

Race fee: $120.04

5K race (Sunday option)

Dogs are also allowed at this Embarcadero waterfront race, but the race isn’t a loop like the Saturday option, instead starting at The Embarcadero at Market St. and ending at Embarcadero at Washington Street. This 3.1-mile race starts at 9 a.m. and has an hour limit.

Race fee: $118.94

Looking for something more family-friendly and chill? There is Sebastian’s 1K Mad Dash on Saturday, which is a little under a mile. It starts at 9 a.m., starting and finishing at Embarcadero and Washington. The race fee is $28.75.

If you can’t make it to San Francisco, you can join the race virtually by registering on the SF Marathon’s app. It’s $110.15 to join, and you’ll need to download the SF Marathon tracking app to follow your progress.

Which streets will be closed to cars and public transit for the SF Marathon?

The SF Marathon website breaks down which city streets will be closed for races at what time, along with some recommended detours.

There will be closures along The Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf and in the Marina District. However, rest assured that vehicle traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge, which is on the route, will remain open in both directions throughout the marathon.

A map of traffic advisories during the 2026 San Francisco Marathon. (Courtesy of the San Francisco Marathon)

A lot of SF Muni lines will also be rerouted due to marathon weekend events.

SFMTA has not yet updated its guidance for this year, but you can peek at the 2025 list of route alterations, changes and closures to get a sense of what’s to come.

Where can I cheer the SF Marathon runners on?

Are you a good friend cheering on a runner? Make sure you know which race they are running in, and then look at the above section to check out the times and routes.

You can also track a runner’s progress using the SF Marathon app using a bib number.

Where can I find my pictures and results after the race?

Participants will have their pictures emailed to them a few days after the event — or on the race results and photos page on the SF Marathon website.

I need to bail. Can I defer my SF Marathon registration until next year?

Bailing? The people on the waitlist will thank you!

You can defer your registration to next year for a $39 fee, and the last day to do so is July 24. (That’s also the last day to convert your in-person race into a virtual one, if your plans have unexpectedly changed.)

Keep in mind that registration is nontransferable, and you cannot give or sell your bib to someone else.

What will the weather be like in San Francisco for the marathon?

Check the weather forecast again before you head out, as San Francisco weather can turn on a dime — and keep in mind that the National Weather Service forecasts the weather a week out.

Historically, the temperature around the courses is usually around 64°F, according to the SF Marathon website.

Whether you’re planning to participate in a race or just spectate, be sure to drink plenty of water well before going out.

The 49th Annual San Francisco Marathon returns July 25-26, 2026, offering distances from a 5K, 10K and half-marathon, to the full marathon and an ultramarathon. (Jason Doiy/Getty Images)

You can also be strategic about how to combat heat by cooling your body’s pulse points, such as your neck, inside your elbows, and behind your knees, to bring quick relief. In case things get toasty, KQED has a thorough guide on how to stay safe during a heat wave.

The full marathon has 14 hydration stations, which include water, electrolytes, medical assistance, and toilets. The SF Marathon encourages runners to bring refillable water bottles that are 50 gallons or less.

What’s the best way of traveling to the SF Marathon starting line that morning?

If you’re trying to get to the race for the full marathon’s 5:15 a.m. start time on Sunday, remember: BART service does not start early enough to get you there, and you’ll miss your race.

Instead, the SF Marathon will have shuttles from six BART stations to get you to the starting line. There is free parking at BART stations, and buses will run very early in the morning. Times are subject to change, but the list of BART stations with shuttles is currently:

Bay Fair (San Leandro) at 3:50 a.m.
Daly City at 4:05 a.m.
El Cerrito Plaza at 4:05 a.m.
MacArthur at 4:05 a.m.
Millbrae at 4:05 a.m.
Walnut Creek at 3:55 a.m.

Buses aim to arrive by 4:30 a.m. at the Main Start Line on the Embarcadero. You’ll need to purchase your bus ticket ahead of time, though.

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