San Francisco, CA

SF residents divided over Measure K to permanently close portion of Great Highway to cars

Published

1 year ago

November 10, 2024

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SF residents divided over Measure K to permanently close portion of Great Highway to cars

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — It looks like a two-mile stretch of part of San Francisco’s Great Highway will be closing.

The latest numbers show Measure K passing, getting 54% of the vote.

Closing off the road to cars will create a new oceanfront park, but not everybody is happy.

As the sun sets at Ocean Beach, people enjoy another quiet weekend on the great highway without vehicle traffic.

Should SF’s Great Highway permanently close to cars? Here’s what both sides say on Prop K

The Prop K debate over the future of San Francisco’s Great Highway is heating up with just days to go until Election Day.

Measure K, if it officially passes, will make that a reality 7 days a week–not just on weekends.

And that’s exactly what Chase Davenport is hoping for.

“I just think open spaces are very important for the city,” said Davenport.

Davenport is a coastal scientist who’s thinking about the future of Ocean Beach and what’s happening there.

“I think we’re going to have to experience this city in other ways than being in cars a lot more as the world changes,” said Davenport.

Tensions rising over proposition that would close part of San Francisco’s Great Highway

The Great Highway was shut down to vehicles temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city then closed it on weekends and holidays.

But not everyone agrees with Measure K and a complete shutdown.

“It’s very disappointing right now for us…that did not want the Great Highway permanently closed to cars,” said Richie Greenberg who lives in the Richmond District.

He says closing the Great Highway permanently will create some big headaches, diverting traffic through normally quiet neighborhood streets.

“These streets were not made for the kind of 20,000 cars per volume that is here, that use the Great Highway,” said Greenberg.

Debate over changes to San Francisco’s Great Highway intensify with Prop K

Greenberg believes that will also impact businesses in the Richmond District.

“People will not want to come here because of the congestion, because of the inconvenience, because of potential accidents. Because of potential overflow,” said Greenberg.

“This movement has been led by people who live in the sunset for years,” said Lucas Lux, Board President of Friends of Great Highway Park says the pros of closing part of the road permanently to cars–outweigh the cons.

Lux says it’s all about giving the community a safe space and a reason to come out.

“After Measure K wins, we are going to work together to make our streets safe for everyone in the family and have a world-class park in our backyard. I think there is a way for us to have a win-win in the neighborhood,” said Lux.

But opponents say the local residents directly impacted by the closure and increased traffic—didn’t ask for this measure.

“We all heavily voted ‘no’ on closures. It was the in the Mission and Noe and toward the east side of San Francisco that voted ‘yes’,” said Greenberg. “This shouldn’t have been a ballot measure in the first place.”

Selena Chu, a resident of San Francisco’s Sunset neighborhood shared on Facebook, “By framing this closure as a citywide issue, (Supervisor Joel) Engardio effectively silenced the voices of West Side communities who rely on the highway for our daily commutes. There was an already existing compromise allowing the Great Highway to be shared on weekdays and closed on weekends and holidays, which doesn’t expire until the end of 2025.”

ABC7 News reached out to Supervisor Engardio Saturday night for comment. He has not responded.

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San Francisco, CA

Soak up sunlight in SF with these 18 fun events

Published

8 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Soak up sunlight in SF with these 18 fun events

Daylight saving time is here, and San Francisco residents have ample opportunities to take advantage of the extended sunlight.

Here are some of the top events to check out this week in The City.

San Francisco Camerata concert (Monday)

An evening with Marc Teicholz and Eric Zivian (Monday)

Marta Lindsey chats with Nancy Botkin (Tuesday)

Cindy Cohn chats with Cory Doctorow (Tuesday)

Ukrainian Games Festival (Tuesday-Wednesday)

‘Moving San Francisco Lunchtime Talks’ (Wednesday)

Free art workshop (Wednesday)

YBCA workshop — Yerba Buena Center for the Arts’ latest workship is inspired by “Double Horizon,” Sarah Sze’s public sculpture in the Yerba Buena Gardens.

Courtesy Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

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Yerba Buena Center for the Arts’ latest workship is inspired by “Double Horizon,” Sarah Sze’s public sculpture in the Yerba Buena Gardens.

Courtesy Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

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‘Nintendo in Concert’ (Wednesday)

‘Flourish: Art of Abundance’ (Thursday)

‘The MIX Indie Games Gallery’ (Thursday-Friday)

SFMOMA’s pop-up games gallery is located inside the Gina and Stuart Peterson White Box on the museum’s fourth floor.
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Courtesy Myleen Hollero

Luther S. Allison’s residency (Thursday-Sunday)

‘Pearls of Sorrow’ (Friday)

‘Rogue Gestures/Foreign Bodies’ (Friday)

‘A View from the Throne: Gina Schock — Inside The Go-Go’s’ (Saturday)

San Francisco Giants Fan Fest Tour (Saturday)

San Francisco Greek Film Festival opening night (Saturday)

Oscars viewing party (Sunday)

Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s annual gala (Sunday)

Smuin Ballet — Advertisement

The Smuin company in the world premiere of Jennifer Archibald’s “ByCHANCE” in October 2024.

Courtesy Chris Hardy

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The Smuin company in the world premiere of Jennifer Archibald’s “ByCHANCE” in October 2024.

Courtesy Chris Hardy

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San Francisco, CA

Demonstrators march in San Francisco on International Women’s Day

Published

20 hours ago

March 8, 2026

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Demonstrators march in San Francisco on International Women’s Day

People came out to speak out and speak up in San Francisco on International Women’s Day.

In San Francisco, demonstrators rallied and marched through Union Square, calling for not only the protection of women’s rights, but opposition to federal actions.

“I’m out here today for women’s rights, for all human rights,” Lacey, from the East Bay, said.

For over 100 years, people have recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The day also marks a call to action for gender equality. This year’s message varied, with some carrying signs calling for reproductive justice, women for peace not war and no war on Iran.

“We’re here today because the Trump regime’s attack on women and women’s rights is unacceptable and we have to rise of our millions we have to encourage that rising in our millions to defeat this,” Sully with Refuse Fascism said.

Sully was one of the speakers at the rally.

“We are going to be vehemently opposing the Trump regimes attack on Iran,” she said.

Meantime, Deborah and Paige who had their own take on the day.

“We had the idea of dressing up like suffragettes to pay homage to our foremothers who led this very brave protest movement,” Deborah said.

They came with a reminder of their own.

“We want to remind people that protest movements do work,” Deborah said.

“Particularly, now that voting is really coming under attack with the Save Act,” Paige added.

After rallying, many in the group marched, vowing to keep speaking up.

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San Francisco, CA

Olympian Eileen Gu heads up Chinese New Year parade in her native San Francisco

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Olympian Eileen Gu heads up Chinese New Year parade in her native San Francisco

San Francisco rang in the Year of the Fire Horse with its annual Chinese New Year parade Saturday evening, with thousands of revelers cheering on hometown hero and Olympic champion Eileen Gu as its grand marshal.

The procession featured drums, dancing and floats celebrating the vibrancy of the Chinese American community in the oldest celebration of its kind outside Asia and one of the largest.

Civic leaders and performers paraded from downtown to Chinatown through popping firecrackers. Children marched wearing inflatable horses while lion dancers and martial artists waved to the crowd.

The parade was first organized in the 1860s by Chinese immigrants who came to work during the California Gold Rush and wanted to share their culture through a “favorite American tradition,” the parade, according to the event website.

While the celebration always draws massive crowds, attendees were especially excited for Gu, who drew loud cheers.

Vanessa Chan of neighboring South San Francisco said she represents “cultural infusion.”

“She’s really wonderful. … She’s funny, sunny, and she represents positivity,” Chan said.

Gu appeared partway through the parade in a red dress, sitting in a red convertible adorned with flowers. The color is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity for the Chinese holiday.

Parade organizer Wiliam Gee said Gu was picked for the role by the middle of last year — before she competed in the 2025 Milan-Cortino Winter Games, where she won two silver medals and one gold, making her the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history.

“The year of the horse brings a lot of new life and energy,” Gee said. “She definitely represents Chinese heritage and definitely is an icon.”

Gu has come under scrutiny for her decision to represent China in competition, and Megan Chin, also of South San Francisco, said she felt the Olympian was attacked unfairly.

“When you’re multicultural and you want to celebrate both heritages, it’s great to be happy for someone if they want to celebrate their other heritage as well,” Chin said. “I am proud of her.”

Calvin Lui, who attended with his young son, said he loved Gu’s representation of the city where she was born and raised as well as her Chinese heritage.

“That’s her identity, both countries — so she gets the best of both worlds,” Lui said.

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