Election Day 2026: What's at Stake for San Francisco Voters?

San Franciscans vote Tuesday, November 3, in an election with consequences well beyond City Hall. The ballot includes contests for state and local offices, ten city propositions, and a regional transit measure. For residents trying to understand what is at stake, a few local decisions stand out.

Transportation, the future of the Upper Great Highway, and the balance of power inside city government are all on the ballot. Some measures would change how services are funded; others would reshape who has authority to make decisions. The details matter more than campaign slogans.

One useful way to read the ballot is to ask three questions of each proposal: What changes if it passes? What stays the same if it fails? And who would pay for or oversee the result?

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San Francisco | Tuesday, November 3 – Monday, November 9

Conditions may change.

San Francisco's Holiday Season Begins: Ice Skating, Festivities and What's Coming Next

San Francisco's holiday season gets an early start on Wednesday, November 4, when the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink returns to Union Square. The outdoor rink is scheduled to operate through January 18, 2027, bringing skating and special events to the heart of downtown.

For families, the appeal is simple: an outing that feels festive without requiring a full day of planning. For Union Square businesses, the rink also creates another reason for residents and visitors to linger, shop and eat downtown.

This year's opening celebration runs from 5 to 7 p.m. on November 4, with on-ice performances. The first 100 guests at the 5:30 and 7 p.m. sessions can skate free with advance registration, according to organizers.

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Election Day: Tuesday, November 3. Check your ballot and voting location with the SF Department of Elections.

Union Square skating: The rink opens November 4. Check the official schedule for sessions and special events.

Weekend coffee: The San Francisco Coffee Festival returns November 7–8. Festival details.

San Francisco's Coffee Scene Takes Center Stage at Fort Mason

For many San Franciscans, coffee is part of the daily routine. This weekend, it becomes the main event. The 10th annual San Francisco Coffee Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, November 7–8, at Fort Mason Center's Festival Pavilion.

The ticketed event brings specialty roasters, coffee shops and other exhibitors together under one roof. Visitors can sample different beans and brewing styles, talk with people behind the products and enjoy live entertainment.

Beyond the caffeine, the festival offers a glimpse into a local business ecosystem built around sourcing, roasting, hospitality and neighborhood gathering places.

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Hidden gem: The Wave Organ. Explore the wave-activated acoustic sculpture at the end of the jetty near the St. Francis Yacht Club in the Marina. It's free to visit; the sounds are often most noticeable near high tide. Learn more from the Exploratorium.

Free & Cheap: Golden Gate Park. Enjoy a walk around the Music Concourse, gardens and open spaces. Outdoor access is free, though individual attractions may charge admission. Park information.

Free & Cheap: Public library programs. Browse the SF Public Library events calendar for readings, workshops and family activities throughout the week.

Beyond Downtown: The Changing Face of San Francisco's Neighborhood Shopping Streets

Photo: Pi.1415926535 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Optimized for web display.

San Francisco's business story is bigger than downtown. Along Clement Street, West Portal Avenue, Taraval Street and dozens of other commercial corridors, independent merchants shape the daily rhythms of neighborhood life. A hardware store, bakery or café may not make citywide headlines, but its success can affect an entire block.

Those shopping streets face a complicated mix of challenges: rent, labor and insurance costs, changing shopping habits, permitting requirements, and the practical question of how customers reach a storefront. At the same time, neighborhood loyalty and a strong mix of businesses can make local corridors resilient.

The city's Small Business Commission has identified retention, easier openings and stronger commercial corridors as priorities for fiscal years 2026–27. Its agenda highlights affordability, cleanliness, transit access and community-rooted economic development.

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Wednesday, November 4: Union Square ice rink opening celebration, 5–7 p.m. Official details.

Saturday–Sunday, November 7–8: San Francisco Coffee Festival at Fort Mason. Official details.

November and beyond: Check the SF Public Library calendar for neighborhood events and free programs.