San Francisco, CA
Scientists investigate as whale deaths surge in San Francisco Bay
A total of 15 whales, including 14 gray whales and one minke whale, have died so far in 2025, according to a joint press release from California Academy of Sciences and the Marine Mammal Center.
“The reason or potential reasons behind the massive spike in sightings this year are still being investigated by researchers,” the release said.
The latest death, a gray whale found in the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday, marked the sixth whale death in as many days.
Newsweek reached out via email to the California Academy of Sciences and the Marine Mammal Center on Saturday during non-working hours for more information.
Why It Matters
There has been “unusually high number of sightings” of whales in the region this year but there has also been an increase in deaths. The whale population has seen a 45 percent decrease since the 2019- 2023 Unusual Mortality Event (UME), according to the release.
A record-low number of newborn whales was also seen this year, causing concern among researchers for the long-term outlook for the North Pacific gray whales, following the second UME in a 20-year period.
“These whales basically left the Arctic with a half tank,” Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesperson for the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, recently told Phys.org about the other deceased whales discovered in the region.
“The food sources that they were normally accustomed to eating that were highly nutritious for this massive, 10,000–12,000-mile journey, had moved farther away due to climate change, and as a result, these whales were left to forage on food matter that was much less nutritious.”
What To Know
The whale on Wednesday was found near the Alamere Falls in Point Reyes National Seashore, the joint release said, which is about 30 miles northwest of San Francisco.
While some of the deceased mammals have been necropsied, others have either been too far decomposed or stranded in areas that are inaccessible, making it difficult to pin these deaths on one similar cause.
While it is not unusual to see whales in the region as they migrate, the number of deaths is the highest it has been, including in 2019 when 14 whales were found deceased in the UME, according to the release.
The number of deaths currently matches the record of 15 for all of 2021, the release said. At least three of these deaths have been attributed to suspected vessel strikes, but others remain undetermined.
The whales that have been spotted alive have been observed to be either regular size or emaciated.
There are a total of 33 confirmed gray whale sightings in the San Francisco Bay this year, compared to only six seen last year, with about a third of those whales remaining in the bay for about 20 days.
Whale carcasses have been found as far north as Alamere Falls, as far west as Farallon Islands and as inland as Berkeley.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
The California Academy of Sciences and partners at The Marine Mammal Center said in the press release: “With San Francisco Bay serving as a shared space for commerce and increased gray whale activity, experts at the Academy and the Center note it’s vital that all boaters—from large commercial vessels to sailboats—be ‘whale aware’ and continue to slow down. Gray whales often have a very low profile in the water that can make them difficult to sight, unlike other coastal whales like humpback whales.”
What Happens Next
The results of the necropsy on the whale found on Wednesday are still pending, complicated by a number of factors due to “inaccessible locations that hinder full post-mortem investigations, as well as poor tissue quality from advanced decomposition, and the lack of available locations to tow for further investigation.”
Meanwhile, the whales that are alive are expected to be in “the bay for another one to two weeks before continuing their annual northern migration to arctic feeding grounds,” according to the release.
If people do see whales, they can report them through an app called Whale Alert or the Marine Mammal Center website. Sightings of dead whales should be reported to the Academy’s department of Ornithology and Mammalogy.
San Francisco, CA
Driver Arrested After Pedestrian Killed, Three Injured In Mission District Crash
One pedestrian died at the hospital and three others suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a driver struck them in SF’s Mission District earlier this week.
The San Francisco Police Department arrested a driver suspected of fatally striking four pedestrians in the area of 16th and Mission streets Monday morning, as KRON4 reports.
Officers responded to the scene at 12:13 am and found medics treating one pedestrian with life-threatening injuries. The person later died at a nearby hospital, and three other pedestrians sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver was reportedly detained soon after the collision. The department has not announced what charges they will receive.
“We hold the victim and their loved ones in our thoughts, and grieve this loss of life on San Francisco’s streets,” said Jodie Medeiros, executive director for Walk SF, in a release. “We all deserve to be able to get around safely in our city.”
This marks the ninth pedestrian death in San Francisco this year. It’s also the second such death in the Mission, following the tragic death of local musician Danielle Spillman at Mission Street and South Van Ness Avenue in April, as SFist reported previously.
Four pedestrians were killed throughout the month of March, including deaths in Chinatown, the Financial District, North Beach, and the Outer Mission. In late February, a two-year-old was run over in Mission Bay.
Anyone with information may contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text “TIP411,” beginning with “SFPD.”
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Image: Google Maps
San Francisco, CA
California Supreme Court ruling on bail sparks debate over what it means for San Francisco’s safety
A recent California Supreme Court ruling is changing how bail is set across the state, and it’s sparking a sharp debate in San Francisco about what it could mean for public safety.
Inside her office, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said every decision carries weight. She views her role through one lens: protecting the public.
“My responsibility to San Francisco is public safety,” Jenkins said. “And to be transparent to me in achieving that safety. This is a ruling that has real-life consequences, and deny that would be untruthful and would not help people understand why we may see retraction from our progress.”
The ruling requires judges to set bail at levels defendants can afford, shifting the focus away from cash bail and toward whether someone poses a risk to public safety.
Jenkins said she believes that shift could have serious consequences.
“I knew it would be immediately be devastating to public safety and the state of California and had a lot of concerns that I thought needed to be shared with the public and other city leaders,” she said.
She warns that the change could make it easier for repeat offenders, particularly those involved in drug-related crimes, to be released before trial.
“These judges don’t live in San Francisco, many of them,” Jenkins said. “They don’t live in places like the Tenderloin that are most affected by these issues. They are ruling in a way that has impacts on other people’s lives.”
But not everyone agrees with that assessment.
San Francisco Defense Attorney Marsanne Weese said the ruling does not eliminate accountability and that courts still have tools to detain people who pose a threat.
“In regards to her statements, there is no basis for it,” Weese said. “And the justices pointed out that there are a number of non-financial tools the lower courts can use and should use.”
Those tools include options like pretrial detention and supervised release, which allow judges to consider risk without relying solely on a person’s ability to pay bail.
“So, in regards to this being a drastic change, yes, it will be a drastic change, but not to safety,” Weese added.
For Jenkins, the concern is not just the intent of the law, but how it will be applied in real-world courtrooms and what that means on city streets.
For now, there is unease for some, optimism for others, and a growing debate over what public safety will look like under this new system.
San Francisco, CA
World Cup dining guide near Levi’s Stadium and in San Francisco
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With the World Cup set to bring crowds from around the globe to the Bay Area, fans may be looking for good eats around San Francisco — or closer to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
This year’s tournament will be the biggest in history, featuring 48 teams for the first time. The 104 games will be spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the U.S. hosting 78 matches.
Here are a few restaurants folks can visit near the stadium and in San Francisco. Looking for things to do near Levi’s or in the city? Check out our guide here.
Restaurants near Levi’s Stadium
Folks who have never visited Levi’s Stadium may not know it’s about 40 miles from San Francisco. And while many may have an idea of where to eat during their travels in the Golden City, that might not be the case for the city surrounding the stadium.
Here’s a quick list of options in Santa Clara and San Jose, within walking and driving distance to the stadium:
$ – Chicken Meets Rice – Santa Clara
Chicken Meets Rice is a fast-casual chain that offers Hainanese-style chicken rice. The company has a location about a 10-minute walk from Levi’s Stadium and near the Lick Mill light rail station.
Address: 2213 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara
$$ – Mariscos Costa Alegre – San Jose
For folks looking for Mexican food and flavorful seafood, and who are willing to travel an extra 15 to 30 minutes — depending on traffic — they should consider visiting Mariscos Costa Alegre.
Located in San Jose, this family-owned restaurant offers fresh Mexican seafood dishes, as well as more experimental plates like their Mexican Sushi.
The restaurant also offers an expansive drink menu and weekday specials that fans can enjoy before they head to Levi’s Stadium to support their teams.
Address: 855 N 13th Street, San Jose
$$$ – Birk’s – Santa Clara
Fans hoping to have a finer dining experience should consider visiting Birk’s, a South Bay icon bistro known for its grilled steaks, chops and seafood.
Birk’s is located about a 10-minute drive away from Levi’s Stadium and is right off the 101 highway.
Address: 3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara
Staying in San Francisco? Food to grab before heading to Levi’s Stadium
Fans staying in San Francisco could be overwhelmed by the hundreds of restaurant recommendations they may stumble upon. Although no list can be perfect, here are a few options worth considering during your stay in the city, especially for folks who are visiting the United States.
$ – Eddie’s Cafe – Alamo Square
Sitting at the corner of Divisadero Street and Fulton Street is Eddie’s Cafe, a small breakfast diner that’s been feeding the community since the mid-1970s.
For anyone who has wanted to experience a classic American breakfast plate that won’t break your wallet, it might be worth visiting this old greasy spoon diner.
Address: 800 Divisadero Street, San Francisco
$ – Trish’s Mini Donuts / Fun Food Factory / Lappert’s Ice Cream Shop – Fisherman’s Wharf
Anyone heading to Fisherman’s Wharf will be greeted with dozens of seafood dining options worth a visit, but they will also have the opportunity to try a number of fun desserts.
For folks who have never experienced county-fair-like desserts, they should consider stopping by one of the many dessert options on the pier, like Fun Food Factory, Lappert’s Ice Cream Shop, or Trish’s Mini Donuts.
Address: Pier 39 Level, Pier 39, San Francisco
$$ – Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – North Beach
When it comes to pizza, San Francisco is usually not the first city that comes to mind for many people, but folks should consider trying Tony’s Pizza Napoletana. This pizzeria was founded by 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani, who won the Best Margherita Pizza at the World Cup in Naples, Italy.
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana is one of the few American pizzerias that appear in the 2025 edition of the 50 Top Pizza World Guide list, ranking 10th on the list.
If you’re willing to wait for a seat and a pie, it’s definitely worth considering.
Address: 1570 Stockton Street, San Francisco
$$ – Four Kings – Chinatown
Although Four Kings has only been open for a couple of years, the Cantonese restaurant has become one of San Francisco’s most popular restaurants. It’s been featured in Bon Appétit and the New York Times as one of San Francisco’s best new restaurants in 2024.
“Restaurants don’t get much buzzier than this bustling Chinatown haunt, where Chefs Franky Ho and Michael Long are drawing crowds eager to sample their breezy contemporary take on Cantonese cuisine,” reads the Michelin Guide’s review of the restaurant.
“From claypot rice with bacon and Chinese sausage to savory ‘fish fragrant’ eggplant, the cooking taps into traditional flavors while offering a fresh perspective, a formula that seems to have struck gold.”
Address: 710 Commercial Street, San Francisco
$$ – Smuggler’s Cove – Hayes Valley
Among this year’s James Beard nominees, Smuggler’s Cove was highlighted as one of the country’s most outstanding bars.
Smuggler’s Cove is a tiki bar in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood that features one of the largest rum selections in the United States, and specializes in cocktails from over three centuries of rum history.
The bar’s unique theme and rum-focused drink menu make it worth a visit for folks looking for a memorable night in the city.
Address: 650 Gough Street, San Francisco
$$ – Bar 821 – Divisadero Street
Hidden along Divisadero Street is Bar 821, a small but cozy spot known for its extensive amari collection. Originally established in 2002, the bar closed during the pandemic before reopening as the reimagined cocktail bar.
For anyone near Alamo Square and hoping to grab a drink, just know that for Bar 821, you can’t simply walk into the establishment. Staff recommends you ring a doorbell outside the bar and wait to be seated inside.
Address: 821 Divisadero Street, San Francisco
$$$ – Quince – Jackson Square
Anyone hoping to have a world-class dining experience while visiting San Francisco should consider making a reservation at Quince, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant.
The owners, Michael and Lindsay Tusk, opened their original restaurant in 2003, innovating French-Italian cuisine. Their menu eventually earned them critical acclaim and the honor of three Michelin stars.
For guests who are lucky enough to secure a spot on the restaurant’s reservation list, they will be greeted with a “four-course celebration of the state’s finest terroir, along with a curated selection of cocktails and wines.”
And for people who may want to try Tusk’s cooking at a more affordable price, they should consider visiting Cotogna, a casual counterpart to the French-Italian restaurant.
Address: 470 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco
Where is Levi’s Stadium?
Levi’s Stadium is located in Santa Clara, the heart of Santa Clara County. Notably, the stadium is approximately 45 minutes to an hour away from San Francisco.
SFO to Levi’s Stadium: Is the airport close?
For anyone hoping to catch an Uber from the San Francisco International Airport to Levi’s Stadium, it might be worth highlighting that it’ll be an expensive trip. SFO is located about 31 miles away from the stadium, and multiple cities away from Santa Clara.
However, the San Jose Mineta International Airport is relatively close to the stadium, only about 5 miles away.
World Cup matches in the San Francisco Bay
- June 13: Qatar vs. Switzerland (Group B) at noon PDT
- June 16: Austria vs. Jordan (Group J) at 9 p.m. PDT
- June 19: Türkiye vs. Paraguay (Group D) at 8 p.m. PDT
- June 22: Jordan vs. Algeria (Group J) at 8 p.m. PDT
- June 25: Paraguay vs. Australia (Group D) at 7 p.m. PDT
- July 1: Round of 32 at 5 p.m. PDT
Noe Padilla is a Northern California Reporter for USA Today. Contact him at npadilla@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social. Sign up for the TODAY Californian newsletter or follow us on Facebook at TODAY Californian.
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