San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Valentine’s: Pillow fights, free portraits, dining out, and more
San Francisco was bustling on Saturday with both locals and out-of-town visitors celebrating Valentine’s Day. Couples, families, and friends could be seen strolling down the Embarcadero, stopping at the many markets, stands, and restaurants along the way.
While many people made holiday reservations at restaurants, there were plenty of other ways to celebrate too, including lots of free activities.
“It’s exciting, fun for a Valentine’s Day, and different,” said Walter Paulson of San Francisco, who said he has been to four of these pillow fights.
At the Embarcadero Plaza, hundreds of people got together to take part in the annual free pillow fight tradition. This year, participants were instructed to bring only synthetic pillows, no pillows stuffed with feathers.
San Francisco residents Allie McAndrews and Lilly Datnow were among the group of friends organizing the pillow fight.
McAndrews explained that while the San Francisco Valentine’s pillow fight had been going on for more than 20 years, the tradition hit a lull during the pandemic. She and her friend went to the fight last year and thought it was “the best thing,” but it was in need of some more organizing and publicity. McAndrews and her friend took it upon themselves to get the word out about the event this year, and to lead the group in stretches and activities (such as screaming into your pillow).
Many people showed up to the pillow fight wearing costumes. Some veterans of the pillow fight opted to wear goggles as eye protection.
Around San Francisco, couples could be seen walking hand in hand and dining at restaurants.
Others were out in search of their special someone, like those attending BART’s annual Valentraine speed-dating event, where passengers looking for love hopped aboard in the Mission District and rode the train to Millbrae and back.
At Pier 7, people could get their photos taken for free in the giant photo frame art installation on the waterfront, courtesy of the Port of San Francisco and Big Art Loop.
“Cause we’re in love with San Francisco, and it’s Valentine’s Day, and we just wanted to give back,” explained Annabelle Lee with Big Art Loop, which is the group working to install 100 public art sculptures in San Francisco.
Many out-of-town visitors said they enjoyed the Valentine’s energy in San Francisco.
“Yeah, it’s nice to be in the city. I love coming out to the city, it’s a beautiful city,” said Pinne Chao of Stockton.
The San Francisco Giants selected Rutgers outfielder Peyton Bonds in the third round (90th overall) of the MLB draft on Saturday.
You might note the name Bonds and the Giants and wonder. You’re mostly right.
Bonds is the son of Bobby Bonds Jr. (11-year minor league veteran, spending four seasons in the Giants’ system), the grandson of Bobby Bonds (14-year big league veteran who played seven years for the Giants and amassed 57.2 career WAR) and the nephew of Barry Bonds (seven-time MVP, all-time home run king, 22-year veteran, with 15 of those campaigns playing for the Giants).
This wasn’t a nepotism or a feel-good pick: Peyton Bonds is a real talent. He ranked 115th in ESPN’s final draft rankings, which included a number of high school players ahead of him who will be going to college instead of turning pro. Based on his talent, selecting Bonds in the third round was appropriate.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound outfielder played for Campbell in 2024 then at Rutgers in 2025 and 2026, hitting .305 with 16 home runs over three college seasons. He hit .352 with six home runs and 13 stolen bases this past season.
Bonds has plus raw power like many of his family members. He hit a ball 111.2 mph off a wood bat in batting practice at the MLB draft combine and with a maximum exit velocity of 120.7 mph with aluminum in a game this spring.
Bonds also has above-average bat-to-ball ability (.352 batting average this past season), but a poor chase rate (39%, well worse than average). He is a solid average runner, with enough speed to steal a few bases and possibly stick in center field long term.
Four people were arrested and three others were cited following a fight that took place following a San Francisco Giants game at Oracle Park Thursday night.
According to San Francisco police, the fight broke out at 9:46 p.m., after the matchup between the Giants and Colorado Rockies in which San Francisco won 8-2. Officers working at the ballpark responded and detained seven people who were involved.
A preliminary investigation by police determined that the altercation was result of a verbal dispute that turned physical.
Officers said they developed probable cause to place four people under arrest. Police identified those arrested as 29-year-old Major Norton of Suisun City, 21-year-old Jaylynn Del Toro of Fresno, 23-year-old Elijah Ortega- Garcia of Selma in Fresno County and 26-year-old Gisselle Lopez of Vallejo.
All four were booked into San Francisco County Jail on suspicion of disturbing the peace and public intoxication. Norton was also booked on suspicion of assault likely to produce great bodily injury.
Three people were cited for disturbing the peace and released. Police did not provide additional details about the fight.
In a statement to CBS News Bay Area, a Giants spokesperson said the incident “was a horrible and intolerable display of behavior.”
“SFPD made multiple arrests and those involved will be banned from the park,” the team added.
The Giants are in the middle of a four-game series with the Rockies, which concludes on Sunday. Both teams are at the bottom of the National League West standings heading into next week’s All-Star break.
Coffee, croissants and classical music brought office workers, residents and visitors together at One Sansome as the free monthly Baroque & Brew series transformed a weekday morning into a community gathering in downtown San Francisco.
The event, held inside the Conservatory at One Sansome, featured live performances by Philharmonia Baroque and invited attendees to enjoy music in the landmark building’s 8,100-square-foot atrium.
Guests were free to sit or stand while listening, with many nearby office workers stopping in during an early lunch break.
The monthly series is scheduled to return in August and September and aims to bring together downtown workers and neighbors through music and shared public space.
“It’s a beautiful opportunity to have coffee, to be in community, and do what our city is known for—the art, the culture—and to share it with each other,” attendee Roger Joyner said. “It’s a beautiful summertime moment.”
Joyner said events like Baroque & Brew reflect the character of the city.
“I think that’s what San Francisco is meant to be…a city that offers culture and the beauty of art to the world. And we that live here get to enjoy it,” he said.
Organizers said the performances are intended to make live classical music more accessible while contributing to ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown San Francisco.
“It’s just a really nice way for us to get the music out of the concert hall to the people downtown, trying to reactivate Downtown San Francisco and show what a welcoming place we can be as a city,” said Isaac Bunch, general manager of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale.
For Joyner, the event also offered a chance to pause amid the pace of daily life.
“We get to take a break. We are hustle and bustle, doing what we do to make the city work, and then we get refreshed by it,” he said. “I think it’s great — it brings it right into the middle of our hub.”
The gathering highlighted how music, conversation and public spaces can bring people together as downtown San Francisco continues its recovery.
-
News11 minutes agoMessi and Argentina survive another close call to reach the World Cup semifinals
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours ago19-year-old arrested, accused of distributing marijuana to minors across Riverside County
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoPhillies end the Tigers’ winning streak at 6 with a 4-2 victory
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoGiants select Barry Bonds’ nephew Peyton in third round
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoMark Cuban takes legal action against the Dallas Mavericks ownership over proposed arena deal
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoSouth Florida businesses report economic boom, as FIFA officials estimate a billion dollar economic impact
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoForecast: Looking ahead to toasty temps next week
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver weather: Warming trend continues this weekend and into next week
