Best Drinks, Food To Bring To A BBQ, Picnic San Francisco

If you are anything like the younger me, you might overthink what to bring to a social function you were invited to. Whether it’s a house party, bbq, picnic or similar, what you bring can work wonders for conversation starters, meeting new people or making friends. I know as I have spent 20+ years analyzing responses, reactions from gifts, drinks and snacks people have brought to social functions in the city.

Below are a few recommendations of things to bring that are relatively easily accessible across the city, across all price points at stores, farmers markets and more.

Beyond specific recommendations, you will get a better understanding of sizes, and why I recommend them i.e. time of the year, versatility and more. I will also highlight considerations, specific questions to ask based on your event, time of year, occasion and more.

The recommendations I have accumulated are a result of lots of trial and error, saying yes to nearly all social invites, amazing friends, observing reactions at snack tables at parties, diverse clients & readers, and me talking to people at bars and restaurants all over the city. Whether you get an invite to a potluck picnic, dinner party, Mexican baptism (party) or Russian toddler’s b-day celebration, there is something for everyone here.

Related Reads On Eddie’s List

• Best Bay Area Cheesemakers, Cheese Shops

• Bay Area Food, Drink, Dish Recommendations

• San Francisco Bay Area Gifts, Souvenirs

• Popular, Romantic Bay Area Picnic Spots

Local Food, Drink Recommendations Bay Area

For more helpful tips, things to do or ways to avoid embarrassing, expensive or awkward mistakes, sign up for my free weekly email newsletter. Filled with curated events, activities and things to do each week as well as specific recommendations (dishes, drinks, causes, local orgs). 28,000 subscribers trust me, are you next?

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events, News This Week

1 email a week. San Francisco Bay Area event calendar, arts, crafts, outdoor festivals, galas, street fairs, pop-ups, comedy, wellness, tech, shows, book events, concerts, cultural & free things to do this weekend San Jose Oakland, Silicon Valley.

By Eddie Hernandez

Have a tip or question? Want more recommendations for dips, cheeses?

Let's Chat!

The recommendations below focus on snacks and beer, but I will expand it in time based on interest, feedback from readers.

Best Beer To Bring To A BBQ, Picnic or House Party

Beer is one of the most democratic, equalizing & unifying things in this world (aside from subways) and one of the easiest ways to meet people when in an unfamiliar party with people you don’t know.

Warmer Days, Day Parties, or General Events

Read more

San Francisco Bay Area Makerspaces, Workspaces

Music, Graphic Design, Metalworking, Sewing, 3D Printer Makerspaces Bay Area

Even before the pandemic, many makerspaces were closing up as margins were thin, real estate prices were going through the roof, and communities shrank. Those that survived are operating with uncertain futures and others are expected to close unless a miracle happens.

Places like American Steel in West Oakland were incredible. I miss going there on tours, walking around, seeing all the murals, and peeking into the yards and observing all burning man sculptures. Institutions like these fueled my curiosity, encouraged me to explore neighborhoods and were some of the early inspirations for my photography career.

In an effort to get the word out on some of these incredible spaces, I put together a list of makerspaces across the Bay Area. Please support your local makerspace and get the word out. People are always complaining about lack of third spaces, difficulty meeting people, so here is your chance.

Sign up below for the free email newsletter with events, things to do each week (1 email per week, no AI, manually curated, usually sent on Mondays). Over 28,000 subscribers and counting.

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Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

San Francisco newsletter: news, art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural events; food & drink recs. Bay Area events this weekend, San Jose things to do this week, East Bay activities

By Eddie Hernandez

Related Helpful Reads On Eddie’s List

• San Francisco Bay Area Volunteer Opportunities

• San Francisco POPOS (Privately Owned Public Spaces)

• San Francisco Bay Area Hobby Classes (Adults)

• San Francisco Bay Area Walking Groups, Community Bike Rides

• Bay Area Last Mile Connectors, Commuter Shuttle Services

• Kid Activities, Classes San Francisco Bay Area

• Teen Activities, Things To Do Bay Area

San Francisco Bay Area Makerspaces List, Locations

Hardware, Bio, Electronics, Fabrics, Machinery, Glass, Woodshop Makerspaces

Below is a list of makerspaces across the San Francisco Bay Area. If I am missing something, feel free to submit a tip. Based on my time, as well as interest from readers, I may add more details, tools, links, audiences and info on offerings for places.

Submit Tips!

Napa Makerspaces

• Napa Valley College, Makerspace

  • 3D printer, Laser Engraver/Cutter, Tools: Soldering Iron, Osciliscope, Cordless Circular Saw, Power Drills, Woodworking Tools, Bandsaw, Handsaw Belt Sander, Plunge Circular Saw; 3D Modeling Software, Coreldraw, Adobe Illustrator, CNC Machine, CNC Routing Machine

• Guild Napa

Marin County Makerspaces

Marin County Public Library Makerspaces

• The Lab: Makerspace & Studio, Marin City

  • 3D Printers, Laser Cutter, Podcast Studio, Cricut Maker 3, CNC Router, DSLR Photo/Video Camera, 4K Drone, XBOX Console, Nintendo Switches, Desktop 3D Scanner, iReal Handheld 3D Scanner, Adobe Production Software, Autodesk Software Design Suite, VHS to Digital Conversion Equipment

• The Shop, Novato

  • Tools (crochet hooks, drills, nail guns, circular saws etc.), bike repair, sewing, button press, jointer table, lathe / woodturning station

East Bay Makerspaces

Alameda Makerspaces: Oakland, Berkeley, Livermore

• Sudo Room, Oakland Makerspace (North Oakland)

• Ace Makerspace, North Oakland

• The Crucible, West Oakland

• East Bay Makers Club, Berkeley (CNC mill, laser, 3d printing, electronics bench)

• Alameda County Library 3D Printers

• Circuit Launch, Oakland

• Counter Culture Labs, Oakland (bio)

• Robot Garden, Livermore

• Create It Factory, Livermore

• The Spark: A Makerspace at Fremont Library

• OAK - Informal Spaces (formerly Port Labs)

  • shared tools, 3D printers, & electronics test benches. Bio-capable space.

• UC Berkeley Makerspaces

  • Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation

  • Berkeley Art Studio

  • B Makerspace (Moffitt Library)

• Berkeley Tool Lending Library

• Makers Workspace, Berkeley (designers, fine artists, makers)

• Tinker Coop Maker Club (kids K-9th grade)

• Makerspace, Hayward Library

  • Carvey, Cricut EasyPress, Cricut Maker, Dremel Digilab LC40 Laser Cutter, Epson Wide-Format Printer, Kenmore Sensor Sew 70, Prusa Core One 3-D printer, Sublimation Station, Xyron Create-A-Sticker Max

Contra Costa Makerspaces

• Maker Pub, Antioch

• Pleasant Hill Library

  • Cameo Sillhouette Pro, Epilog Fusion Pro Lasercutter, Ultimaker s5 3D Printer, sewing machines

If you would like to support my efforts with creating and upkeeping free guides like this for everyone, you can buy me a coffee below.

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San Mateo, Peninsula Maker Spaces

• San Mateo County Public Library Makerspace

  • Atherton

  • Belmont

  • Brisbane

  • Half Moon Bay

  • Millbrae

• Redwood City Public Library Makerspace

  • 3D Printers, Epilog Fusion Edge 24 Laser, Cricut, Sewing & Embroidery Machine

• Kitchen Town, San Mateo (food innovation hub)

• College of San Mateo Makerspace

• MakeX Makerspace, Palo Alto

Solano Makerspaces

• Solano County Library’s Makerspace, The Makery, Vallejo

  • Lulzbot TAZ 6 3D printer, Silhouette Cameo 3 vinyl cutter, Heat Press, Digital keyboard, Synthesizer, Electronic Drum Kit, Microphone, Green Screen, Canon DSLR, Studio Lights, Soldering Irons, Sewing Machines, Microbit Controllers, Makey Makey kits, Drawing Tablets

• Benicia Makerspace: Metalworking, Electronics, Woodworking, CAM, Computer Lab

South Bay, San Jose Area, Silicon Valley Makerspaces

• Foothill College, KCI Makerspace, Los Altos

• Maker Nexus, Sunnyvale

• Visual Philosophy Studio, San Jose

• Circuit Launch, Mountain View

• BioCurious • Community Biotech Lab

• Hacker Dojo, Mountain View

Sonoma Makerspaces

• Chimera Arts Makerspace, Sebastopol

• Sonoma State University Makerspace

• Fiber Circle Studio, Petaluma

San Francisco Makerspaces

• Noisebridge, Mission District

• Double Union, Mission District

• Sequoia Fabrica Community Workshop, Mission District

• Humanmade, SOMA

• Queerious Labs, SOMA

• Studio 45, Mission/Bernal (woodshop & electronics)

• Randall Museum, Corona Heights

• Gardenville Station, Bayview

• Clayroom, SOMA (woodworking)

• Mission Community Woodshop

• UCSF Makers Lab

Santa Cruz Makerspaces

• Idea Fab Labs, Santa Cruz

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Having grown up in the Bay Area, I spent a lot of time all over visiting shops, visiting abandoned warehouses, getting lost in the woods, hanging out at arcades, going to events, concerts and exploring every inch possible across the 9 Bay Area counties. This is not your average wine mom (or dad) recommendations on where to take your teens.

Whether you are visiting with family or kids, have nieces and nephews visiting you, this guide will provide lots of curated options to keep them busy and happy.

Teenager Activities, Things To Do San Francisco Bay Area

Sign up for my free weekly email newsletter for events, pop-ups, things to do for teenagers, kids, families, tourists and more from festivals, street fairs, night markets, concerts, movie nights and more! Sent on Sundays, 1 email a week.

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

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Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events, News This Week

1 email a week. San Francisco Bay Area event calendar, arts, crafts, outdoor festivals, galas, street fairs, pop-ups, comedy, wellness, tech, shows, book events, concerts, cultural & free things to do this weekend San Jose Oakland, Silicon Valley.

By Eddie Hernandez

Where To Take Teens San Francisco Bay Area

Below are some of my favorite recommendations on where to take teenagers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I decided to make this as many guides out there were outdated, featured many closures or lacked context about what specifically to do i.e. check out this street but not when part, what shops in particular. etc.

Have A Tip For Places To Take Teenagers In The Bay Area?

Based on interest, feedback, I will update this list with more context, tips and places. Places come and go and popular spots sell out so check back often!

Send Tips!

Teenager Activities San Francisco

Read more

Last Updated April 14, 2026

San Francisco Karaoke Nights; Bars, Clubs, Private Rooms & Public Open Mics

Below is my list of San Francisco bars, venues and more with karaoke nights from daily offerings, weekly events and more.

For my free weekly email newsletter with a sample of events, sign up here (free via email, usually sent on Sunday or Monday). It includes pop-ups including game nights, look-a-like contests, food/beverage events, talks, classes, shows & more

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events, News This Week

San Francisco Bay Area event calendar, arts, crafts, outdoor festivals, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, day parties, pop-ups, comedy, wellness, tech, activities, bar lectures, book, quirky, cultural & free events this weekend San Jose, Oakland

By Eddie Hernandez

San Francisco Karaoke Bars, Open Mics Nights

San Francisco Public Karaoke Bars (Open Mic)

The Mint Karaoke Bar, Duboce Triangle

• Wed-Mon, 5-2am

Silver Cloud Restaurant & Karaoke Bar, Marina

• Karaoke 9pm

Festa Wine & Cocktail Lounge, Japantown

• M-Th & Sun 6:30PM - 1AM; Fri & Sat 6:30PM-2AM

• Public but cozy (not too big)

Tupelo, Polk Gulch

• Tuesdays 9-1am

Lucky Horshoe, Bernal Heights

• Fridays 9-1:30am

Knockout, Mission District

• Mondays & Tuesdays, 9-close

Rumpus Room, SOMA

• Tuesdays 9-1AM

Kilowatt, Mission District

• Tuesdays

Madrone Art Bar, NOPA

• Tuesdays, 9:30pm-11:30pm

Mayes Oyster House, Polk Gulch

• Wed 9-2AM

Mothership, Mission District

• Wednesdays 8pm

Neck of The Woods, Inner Richmond

• Tuesdays 9pm (doors open at 8pm)

Eagle Bar, Castro

• Mondays, 8pm

Bow Wow Cocktail Lounge, Chinatown (TBD)

Have an upcoming karaoke night event? Did details change? Let me know!

I will update this list over time based on interest, feedback and more.

Submit Karaoke Tips!

San Francisco Karaoke Bars: Public & Private Rooms

• Pandora, Union Square

  • Rooms open at 6pm, lounge at 8pm; close at 2am

San Francisco Private Karaoke Booths, Rooms

TaishoSF, Lower Nob Hill

• Mon-Wed 5pm–12am; Thu-Sat 5pm-2am

K-Box Karaoke, Japantown

• Mon-Thu 3-12am; Fri 3-2am; Sat 12-2am; Sun 12-12am

Pa’ina, Japantown

• Wed 5-12am; Thu 5-10pm; Fri 5-12am; Sat 11am-3pm; 5-12am; Sun 11-8pm

Music City, Lower Nob Hill

• Mon-Fri 10-10pm

Related reads on Eddie’s List:

• San Francisco Bay Area Trivia & Bingo Nights

• Board Game Nights San Francisco

• Bars w/ Board Games, Activities, Pool Tables

• San Francisco Bay Area Bingo Nights

• San Francisco Bay Area Walking Groups

• San Francisco Bay Area Mahjong Events

All Ages Karaoke Venues, San Francisco

K-Time Karaoke, Inner Parkside

• 6:30-2am

Doremi Music Studio, Japantown

• Sun-Thu 5-2am; Fri & Sat 5-3am

R1, Stonestown

• 10-2am, Charge per guest

Fillmore Karaoke, Japantown

• Thu-Sat 4-2am, Sun & Wed 4-12am

Voiz Karaoke, Inner Parkside (closed); Not listed: Pagoda, Dimples

Karaoke Nights San Francisco Bars, Private Booth Karaoke San Francisco, Public Karaoke Nights San Francisco, Under 21 Karaoke Venue San Francisco, Private Karaoke Rooms San Francisco, Open Mic Karaoke Nights San Francisco, Free Bar Karaoke San Francisco, Karaoke Bar Nights San Francisco

Last Updated: April 11, 2026

The Bay Area loves to throw their block parties and after pandemic, they are coming back with more frequency, more pop-ups and bigger areas. Most happen during the longer (and drier) days between April-October, but you can find some beyond those times of the year.

Below is a list of recurring and one-off night markets and block parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Upcoming Night Markets, Block Parties San Francisco Bay Area

In addition to these regular, recurring & established night markets and block parties, there are many more in the works including neighborhood ones, pop-ups, outdoor dance parties and more. One of my favorite things to do in the Bay Area is go salsa dancing in the streets on a warm day.

Be sure to check out my free weekly email newsletter to so you don’t miss out! Over 27,000 subscribers, usually sent on Sundays.

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events, News This Week

San Francisco Bay Area event calendar, arts, crafts, outdoor festivals, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, day parties, pop-ups, comedy, wellness, tech, activities, bar lectures, book, quirky, cultural & free events this weekend San Jose, Oakland

By Eddie Hernandez

San Francisco Bay Area Night Market Schedule

Below is a list of recurring and upcoming night markets throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Check back for updates and sign up for my free weekly newsletter for more last-minute events and pop-ups.

San Francisco Night Markets

San Francisco Night Market Dates, Locations

• Fort Mason Night Markets: 4/17, 5/22 & 6/19

• 2nd Fridays, May-October, Chinatown

• Sunset Night Market, Feb 27, Jun 12, Sep 25, Dec 11

• Richmond Night Market May 16, Jun 20, Jul 18, Aug 15

• Cole Valley Night Market 4/16, 5/21, 8/20, 12/10

• Bhangra & Beats Night Market: July 25th, October 24th

• Noe Valley Night Market: March 31st

• Castro Night Market, Third Fridays, March through October

• SOMA Nights Feral Night Market, 4th Thursdays April-September

Submit Your San Francisco Bay Area Night Market, Block Parties

Have an upcoming block party? Want to promote your neighborhood night market?

Submit Your Event

East Bay Night Market Schedule, Dates

East Bay Night Market Dates, Locations (Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda)

• Prescott Night Markets, West Oakland

• Chinatown Night Market, Oakland

• Berkeley East Asian Union Night Market, 4/27 (TBD)

• 626 Night Market (Asian), Pleasanton, Oct 9-11

North Bay Night Market Schedule: Sonoma, Napa, Marin

Sonoma, Marin Night Market Dates, Locations

• Sonoma Tuesday Night Markets, May 5-Sep 8

• San Rafael Summer Evening (Farmers) Markets: 5/15, 6/12, 7/10, 8/14, 9/11

• Meat Carnival (Night), Mare Island, Napa

South Bay Area Night Market Schedule: San Jose, Santa Clara

Santa Clara, San Jose, South Bay Area Night Market Dates, Locations

• 365 Night Markets, San Jose

• Thursdays, Gordon Biersch Night Markets: May 7th - August 13th, San Jose

• Santa Clara Night Markets: May 1-2; June 5-6; July 17-18

Related Reads On Eddie’s List

• San Francisco Bay Area Flea Markets, Vintage & Antique Fairs

• San Francisco Bay Area Farmers Market Directory

• Compostable Takeout Containers, Coffee Discounts, Fix It Clinics

• San Francisco Bay Area Trinket Trade Boxes

• San Francisco Bay Area Fix-It Fairs, Bike Clinics

• San Francisco Local Newspapers, Bay Area Independent Media Publications

• Who Owns Your Restaurant, Bar & Coffee Shop? Bay Area Co-Ops, Private Equity

• San Francisco Bay Area Activity & Social Guides

San Francisco Bay Area Block Party Schedule

Upcoming San Francisco Block Parties Dates

• Downtown First Thursdays, 2nd Street, b/t Market & Folsom

• Lover’s Lane, Valentine’s Day, Mission District

• St Patricks Day Block Parties, Downtown San Francisco

• United Irish Cultural Center, Green Fest Block Party, Sunset, March

• Halloween Roving Block Party, Mission District

• Valencia Live (Mission District): 5/14, 6/11, 7/9, 8/13, 9/10, 10/8

• Host A Neighborhood Block Party

  • https://www.sf.gov/host-a-neighborhood-block-party

Want To Know When More Bay Area Night Markets Are Added Here?

Be the first to know once this guide is updated with more recommendations. Based on interest, likes and feedback, I will update guides like this with more options.

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East Bay Block Parties Schedules: Oakland, Berkeley

• Love the People, Block Party, Valentines Day, West Oakland

• First Friday Block Parties, Oakland

• Bookworm Block Party May 31, Downtown Berkeley

North Bay Block Parties

• West End Block Parties, San Rafael, Fridays 8/21-10/16

This effort is a work in progress. It takes a lot of time to locate events, confirm details, and update guides. If you would like to support my work in creating (and updating) free guides like this for everyone to enjoy, feel free to buy my a tea, coffee or beer below.

Buy Me A Beverage

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Bay Area Flea Markets, Antique & Vintage Fairs

Eddie’s List is 100% reader-supported & is manually curated each week.

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San Francisco Bay Area Flea Markets, Vintage Fairs This Weekend

Given rising costs, inflation and degrading quality of items on the market, there has been a renewed interest in flea market, vintage fairs and antique pop-ups in the San Francisco Bay Area. Treasure hunts are at an all-time high and luckly for everyone reading this there are more and more events (recurring and one-off) than ever before in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, East Bay, Sonoma and beyond.

In addition to San Francisco Bay Area events, classes, shows, talks, art openings, galas, street, fairs, festivals, I also post pop-up markets, seasonal antique fairs, community garage sale block parties, flea markets, vintage fairs and more in my free weekly email newsletter.

• 👇 Sign up below for the next email newsletter, usually sent on Sundays. 👇

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Newsletter

San Francisco Bay Area curated news, food/drinks recs & event calendar: arts, crafts, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, day parties, pop-ups, comedy, wellness, book, quirky & cultural events). ~Sundays via email only.

By Eddie Hernandez

Upcoming San Francisco Bay Area Flea, Vintage, Antique Markets

List Your Upcoming San Francisco Bay Area Markets, Community Garage Sale, Pop-Ups: Flea, Vintage, Antique & More.

Submit Tips!

Popular reads by Eddie’s List:

• San Francisco Bay Area Farmers Market Directory

• Bay Area Neighborhood Emergency Response Team Trainings

• Compostable Takeout Containers, Coffee Discounts, Fix It Clinics

• Recycling Locations, E-Waste San Francisco Bay Area

• Where To Donate Clothes San Francisco Bay Area

• Why Does San Francisco Have So Much Trash?

• San Francisco Bay Area Trinket Trade Boxes

• San Francisco Bay Area Fix-It Fairs, Bike Clinics

• San Francisco Bay Area Night Markets

San Francisco Bay Area Flea, Vintage & Antique Markets

Below is a running list of flea markets, vintage fairs and antique markets throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

I will be updating this list with specific times and URL links shortly. Some markets have relaunched this Spring, some have changed locations, a few I need to reconcile differing times on websites, social media and business listings (Google & Yelp).

In addition to the markets below, you may also find various Buy Nothing groups on Facebook. Some are regulated more than others, some are for specific neighborhoods, some limit posts (giving away only) so check each group before posting as you may get banned.

One group I recommend checking out in San Francisco is the Gift Everything No Rules Group, formerly the Buy Nothing Project & Buy Not A Thing No Rules San Francisco (see story about the name change here).

East Bay Swap Meets; Flea, Antique & Vintage Markets

Swap Meets, Flea Markets Oakland, Alameda, Contra Costs, Berkeley

• 1st Sundays: Alameda Point Antiques Faire

• San Pablo Flea Market (Open Daily)

• 1st Saturdays Oakland Vintage Market

• Berkeley Flea Market, Ashby BART Station Parting Lot (weekends)

• Solano Swap Meet, Concord (weekends)

• 2nd Saturdays, Ohlone College Flea Market, Fremont

• 3rd Saturdays, Chabot College Flea Market, Hayward

• 3rd Saturdays, Wardrobe Project Flea, Vintage & Makers Market, Rockridge BART

• 4th Saturdays, Laney College Flea Market, Oakland

• White Elephant Sale, Oakland (annual, January)

• Daily: Oakland Coliseum Swap Meet (Google listing and website hours vary)

• Last Saturdays: Prescott Vintage Market (West Oakland Vintage Market)

If you like this guide, check out my other free guides below ranging from volunteering, civic engagement, building community, trinket trade boxes, free classes, safety tips, book clubs and much more.

Free Guides!

San Francisco Flea Markets

San Francisco Flea Market Days, Locations, Times

• 2nd Sundays, Sunset Flea Market, April-November

• Sundays, Alemany Flea Market

• 1st & 2nd Sundays, Sucka Flea Market, Mission District

• 3rd Saturdays: Secondhand Saturdays, Outer Sunset, April-October

• Haight Ashbury Flea Market: Thur-Sun

This effort is a work in progress. It takes a lot of time to locate events, confirm details, and update guides. If you would like to support my work in creating (and updating) free guides like this for everyone to enjoy, feel free to buy my a tea, coffee or beer below.

Buy Me A Beverage

Marin, Sonoma, Napa & Solano County Flea Markets, Antiques

Marin Vintage Markets, Sonoma Flea Markets, Antique Fairs

• 2nd Sundays (pending weather), French Marin Market, San Rafael

• Sundays Midgley’s Country Flea Market, Sebastopol

• Sundays Napa-Vallejo Flea Market, American Canyon

• Select Sundays, Mar-Oct: Taylor Trades Outdoor Market, Santa Rosa

• 4th Saturdays Starting 4/25: Marin City Flea Market

Want More Antique, Vintage Market Recommendations?

Be the first to know once this guide is updated with more recommendations. Based on interest, likes and feedback, I will update guides like this one with more options.

Sign Up For Updates!

Santa Clara, Peninsula Flea Markets

San Jose Flea Market, Palo Alto Flea Market Days, Times, Locations

• 1st Saturdays, De Anza College Flea Market, Cupertino

• 2nd Saturdays, Electronics Flea Market, Saratoga

• Fri/Sat/Sun: Berryessa Flea Market, San Jose

• Wednesday-Sunday: San Jose Capitol Flea Market

• 2nd Saturdays: Palo Alto High School Flea Market

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Dating In San Francisco

Dating in San Francisco can be brutal for both men and women, but even more so if you end up wasting time on first dates, which over time, can lower enthusiasm for future first dates, and make you become more jaded about the dating culture here.

With limited time, busy work life, rising costs and challenges to coordinate schedules, matches on dating apps mean less and less as first dates are not guaranteed or even likely for some folks.

Dating here can feel less like actual dating and more like job interviews given high stakes, job backgrounds and introverted personalities but it doesn’t have to be that way. Dating should be fun or at least interesting enough for a good story.

Unique, Fun First Date Ideas San Francisco: Events, Pop-Ups & More

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

San Francisco newsletter: news, art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural events; food & drink recs. Bay Area events this weekend, San Jose things to do this week, East Bay activities

By Eddie Hernandez

First Date Ideas San Francisco, Fun Things To Do

Coffee Date Ideas, Drink Ideas For First Dates San Francisco & More

Dating in San Francisco can be brutal. Many people fail to get past the likes, matching and conversation stages of online dating. If you manage to get a yes to a date, that doesn’t mean the date will show up or appear like their photos. If this is you, let’s get in touch: https://eddie-hernandez.com/dating-services-for-men-women/

As a Bay Area native, photographer, and dating coach, I spend a lot of time navigating the city looking for fun places to take photos, identifying great spots for first dates, and helping individuals expand their hobbies & interests, finding bars/restaurants to meet singles. For my thoughts on coffee dates in general, check out this post!

This is a curated list of first-date spots and first-date ideas in San Francisco. It will be updated regularly, unlike other lists that are outdated. Organized by:

• outdoors

• wine bars

• bars w/ great food

• low key restaurants

• fancy restaurants w/ cocktails

• daytime/coffee date ideas, including newer places in case you have exhausted all your regular go to spots or baristas and bartenders know you too well at other spots.

It will also contain tips on how to extend/combine date ideas so it doesn’t seem so short, boring and sterile.

Paid subscribers also get access to my other curated lists (happy hours, trivia nights, apt guides, where to meet singles, late night food, where to meet vc’s and more).

Related Reads On Eddie’s List:

• Happy Hour List in SF

• Best Places To Meet Singles In SF

• Best Wine Bars San Francisco

• Bars With Activities/Games

• Best Cocktail Bars San Francisco

• Bars With Live Music San Francisco

• Comedy Shows, Open Mics San Francisco

• Board Game Nights, Bars With Board Games Bay Area

• New Bar, Restaurants Openings San Francisco

First Date Spots San Francisco: Coffee, Drink Dates & More

In a survey of users a while back, Hinge came up with some interesting insights about first dates. According to their survey, drinks were the most likely to yield a first date, followed by coffee, lunch and dinner (in descending order). Hinge is one of the more popular apps in SF but definitely not the only option in town.

While coffee dates can be efficient, they can be hard to build any sort of chemistry and in some cases can be viewed as low-effort dates. Like with any good first date idea, it’s important to have a plan and sell your date idea (you can’t expect to get someone more excited about a date than what you convey in your tone, planning).

Know your audience. Some people are busy so coffee dates can be easier to obtain. Lunch dates don’t take up valuable night/weekend nights with friends so these can be solid options to get your foot in the door. Dinner dates are great if you know how to plan for it (typically, bar seats at restaurants that allow for you to get snacks if you are in the mood are great).

If you are not getting second dates that often, might want to read this.

Casual, Unique First Date Ideas, Activities San Francisco

San Francisco Unique Date Spots, Daytime Date Ideas, Activities

Read more

Last Updated: May 3, 2026

San Francisco Bay Area Wine Events, Art & Wine Festivals

Napa, Sonoma Wine Auctions, Fundraisers, Harvest Events, & Wine Festivals

For more events, things to do, including pop-ups, festivals and more, check out my free weekly email newsletter with over 26,000 subscribers.

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

Your new favorite San Francisco newsletter, Bay Area event calendar: news, art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural events; food & drink recs. 1 email/week.

By Eddie Hernandez

Related reads on Eddie’s List

• Best Wine Bars San Francisco

• Best Breweries, Taprooms, Beer Bars Bay Area

• San Francisco Bay Area Galas, Black Tie Events, Auctions

• Where To Find Pliny The Younger Bay Area

• Central Coast California Food & Wine Events, Festivals

• San Francisco Bay Area Open Studios, Art Walks

San Francisco Bay Area Wine Events, Harvests, Auctions

Below are a list of popular Napa and Sonoma wine festivals and annual events as well as other San Francisco Bay Area wine events (Art & Wine festivals, events with strong wine presence). It does not contain weekly, recurring wine walks (at the moment) but may contain annual wine walk events.

Most of the events are for the greater San Francisco Bay Area, but I may include other events nearby in surrounding areas on occasion including Tahoe, Mendocino, Sacramento, Lodi areas in the future.

At this time, it’s only a list of festivals by month with URL links to the events. There are no dates attached to the listing. Depending on interest and feedback, I may add more events, details as well as wine events from just outside the Bay Area.

Where To List San Francisco Bay Area Wine Events

Is something outdated? Am I missing something? Have an upcoming awesome anniversary party at your wine bar? Feel free to send me tips below. There is never a cost to list an event on Eddie’s List however, I do not list all events. I am not looking for special dinner pairing event but may consider fun, social events, concerts etc.

Send tips!

Some of these will be included in the free weekly email newsletters but for those who want to plan ahead, (wine moms, I’m looking at you), enjoy!

Spring Wine Events, Festivals San Francisco Bay Area

March San Francisco Bay Area Wine Festivals: Napa, Sonoma & More

Read more

Dating Events San Francisco Bay Area: Speed Dating, Singles Events

There is a strong demand for alternatives to online dating and dating apps in the Bay Area. Dating events in the San Francisco are everywhere, and while some go viral and make the news, there are plenty that don’t. Not all of these events are the same. Below is a guide on the various types of dating events exist in the San Francisco Bay Area from speed dating, singles events, pop-up events, dating shows and more.

Where To Meet Singles In The Bay Area

San Francisco Bay Area Dating Events This Weekend

Eddie’s List is reader-supported (no sponsored links, ads) & is manually curated (no AI). Check out my free newsletter for social activities, pop-ups, concerts, shows, art openings, festivals, street fairs, talks, dating events, singles mixers & more alternatives to dating apps in the Bay Area.

• Follow me on IG for last-minute events, pop-ups, updates via stories & re-posts.

• Eddie’s List FAQ’s | Contact: Questions, tips, feedback? | Past Newsletters

• 👇 Sign up below for the next email newsletter, usually sent on Sundays. 👇

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Newsletter

San Francisco Bay Area curated news, food/drinks recs & event calendar: arts, crafts, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, day parties, pop-ups, comedy, wellness, book, quirky & cultural events). ~Sundays via email only.

By Eddie Hernandez

San Francisco Bay Area Dating Culture

Dating culture in the Bay Area has always been a bit weird. Given people’s varied interests, introverted tendencies, preferences to not cross bridges (or even leave neighborhoods), rising costs, excessive screen time, reliance on apps to navigate life and busy lifestyles, there doesn’t leave much time to meet people organically, offline.

During the pandemic, people resorted to dating apps to meet people, given things were closed, there were fewer events, places closed early and people’s social circles were disrupted. Even people who swore off apps at this point or wouldn’t be caught dead on them, had no choice. For some folks, especially women, waiting was not an option, given things like family planning.

Folks were going to happy hour less, work friendships collapsed as people no longer met in the office, others relocated given WFH was the new norm. Intromptu run-ins on the bus, coffee shops and gyms also made it hard for people to keep in touch and reach out. In a matter of months, friendships that were cultivated over many years disappeared overnight.

Around 2024, once things started to pick up, people started to take a break from dating apps. This was partly due to fatigue, rising costs, more inefficiency but also a desire to meet people in real life and spend less time on screens. However, given many friendships did not survive this challenging time, people did not resume going out as often as they did before the lockdown.

San Francisco Bay Area Dating Events

In the past 2 years, dating events in the San Francisco Bay Area have sprouted up all over the place. There were always singles events and speed dating events posted on various ticketing platforms each week, but now, a spike in events has led to the pop-up singles mixers, comedy dating events, pitch events and more.

People are meeting at grocery stores (Trader Joe’s singles event, Costco singles night) pitching their friends on stage, others are creating flyers for their friends, others are using friendships services for romantic interests and some are taking ads via date-me-docs and online bulletin boards.

All these options has provided some exciting around dating again but for many, it’s muddied the water even more as people are spending more time with uncertain events, experiencing the same problems as before, not knowing what to say, meeting people who don’t put in effort or finding out that dating is a lot more work than they thought (traveling to/from dates, making time during the week after work, sending calendar invites for dates and hitting the brakes after a few dates once things get serious).

Regardless of the method of how you meet others, some constant themes still exist: conversations are hard if you have a boring life and don’t have much to talk about, it’s easier to go out if you have friends, not everyone is truthful (appearance, recency of photos, intentions) and people are more selective (this was always true on apps but as people are trying to make up for lost time dating, they are rushing the process and losing patience quickly).

Where To Meet Single Men & Women In The Bay Area

From bars, to cafes, restaurants, social clubs, run clubs, galas & more, where to meet singles in the Bay Area.

Where To Meet Singles In The Bay Area

San Francisco Bay Area Singles Mixers

Singles mixers are one of the fastest growing segments of dating events in the Bay Area. In the past several months, we have seen people meet at Costco in SoMa and Trader Joe’s in Hayes Valley (if you missed out, sign up for my free weekly newsletter and stop kicking yourself about discovering events AFTER they happened).

These grocery store singles nights in San Francisco were largely attended by 20 something and a few 30-somethings but they were met with mixed results. A few people came away with making friends which is great if that is your goal but for many who have friends, it felt like a waste of time.

Many folks in attendance were shy given personalities, many were socially awkward while trying to figure out who is shopping and who is there for the event, several waited for others to make a first move but for most people, being filmed by television crews and newspaper sites documenting these viral events made it a bit uncomfortable.

These pop-up singles events in the Bay Area will continue to happen but may not happen at the frequency needed to make this your only way (or even main way) of meeting people. Feel free to enjoy them for what they are, see what it’s like but also realize that some people are going there with no intentions of dating and have FOMO, ultimately looking for their 15 seconds of fame online or on tv.

San Francisco Bay Area Speed Dating Events

Speed dating events are flooded on ticketing sites like Eventbrite, you may even have attended a few yourself. Many of them are overly specific in terms of their intended audience but this is mostly for SEO (get eyeballs) but also to appear more serious and focused.

Turnouts for speed dating events can vary wildly. Some speed dating events in the Bay Area may not guarantee a minimum number of people. Some speed dating events in San Francisco may be heavily skewed towards one gender. Other speed dating events may be super generic with no focus (any age) and some that do have some focus and aim for balance in turnout may not have any structure (merely show up and talk to strangers, use an app to use corny prompts/questions or make it impossible to get to know someone in 2-3 minutes).

Unless you are naturally charming, possess great social skills, have self awareness and have a fulfilling life to draw from in these improvised conversations, you may leave these events feeling defeated as you likely spent time taking a bus there and back, paid a coverage charge or didn’t strike up a connection.

Like any outing or event, there are no guarantees. Many folks these days want instant success, no friction and clear signs - that is not how dating works. I am not saying you have to be coy, ambiguous and hard to get but you do have to learn to read people, ask questions, be present, flirt a little, cut off time wasters and transition from meeting to numbers or dates.

Please do a search on Yelp, Google & Reddit before wasting any money on events.

Related Reads On Eddie’s List

• Online Dating In The San Francisco Bay Area

• Where To Meet Singles Over 40 In The Bay Area

• Volunteer Opportunities San Francisco Bay Area

• Galas, Black Tie Events, Fundraisers San Francisco Bay Area

• Where To Meet VC’S, Founders San Francisco Bay Area

• San Francisco Bay Area Professional Matchmakers

• San Francisco Bay Area Social Clubs

• Fun Classes San Francisco (Adult, Hobby)

San Francisco Bay Area Date My Friend Events

Dating events have become quite popular in the San Francisco Bay Area and offer a good balance between the above events. They often happen more frequently and with more notice than pop-up singles mixers and offer a more casual meeting environment vs something forced or timed like speed dating.

The main types of dating events I have seen are pitch events (where people pitch their single friends to an audience) and dating gameshows were a handful of people compete for love on stage.

What I like about these events is that people are putting themselves out there and trying to meet others but only a handful of people in attendance get the light shown on them as it’s typically reserved for 3-4 people at minimum or up to 15-20 folks in the pitch competitions.

One thing you might notice is that some of the folks on stage are pretty outgoing, charming and using the stage to meet others despite either no struggle with meeting others or not serious with settling down (some use it to pitch their business). I am not saying this is the case with most contestants, but buyer beware.

That said, people in attendance can meet others even if not on stage but not everyone in attendance is single (some are just looking for a fun night out or to support their single friends) which can make it harder to approach them if you attend these events alone. I’d argue that if you are going to approach someone at these events, why re-invent the wheel and not just talk to people at bars, cafes, restaurants, concerts, shows, talks, pop-ups and more?

Part of dating sucess is about putting yourself out there, not knowing outcomes, taking risks, being vulnerable and meeting people whom you have a reason to approach and talk to. In some cases, the people at these events will be hounded by others waiting to talk to them and that will look and feel like any night out at a trendy bar, busy night club.

How To Date In The San Francisco Bay Area

You can’t attend an event, or go to a bar and expect instant success - that is not realistic. Can it happen? Sure, anything is possible but if you are not interested in a venue, not happy on your own, don’t have anything to talk about, dating will be brutal.

Mindset is often overlooked when dating. If you are not curious, put too much pressure on yourself or an event, it’s going to be disappointing. I am not saying you should wait and let things happen, you have to make your own luck by balancing sustained effort, good attitude, getting to know people and being efficient with your time.

Many folks have become dilusional, thanks to instant gratification of app ordering, obsession with optimization, becoming use to getting what they want in other parts of their lives (work, health, finances, friends, education etc.) but dating is a different beast. The volume approach hardly ever works (more swipes, more dates) in meeting more quality people or having better quality relationships.

You see people get help via speech coaches, trainers, nutritionists, mentors, advisors with other aspects of their lives but these same folks expect to wing dating without understanding that this is arguably the biggest decision you can make in your life - who you spend the rest of your life with.

San Francisco Bay Area Dating Services

Dating Coach San Francisco Bay Area For Men, Women

Unlike most dating coaches, I don’t try to get people to sign up for my services. I actually reject over 70% of folks for various reasons (post-COVID), it’s likely higher than that. One of the biggest reasons why I turn down men and women is because they are not ready to date or they expect someone to do all the work for them. Either they don’t have realistic expectations or are not willing to put in the work (in themselves first).

Reviews, Interviews & More

Whether it’s helping with dating photos, optimizing dating profiles, assessing matchmakers, curating places & events to meet people offline, overhauling wardrobes or making small incremental changes in their lives to allow for more serendiptitous moments, more opportunities for meet cutes, cultivating activities and hobbies to meet more people or learning how to screen profiles, read people, set/maintain boundaries and cut off time-wasters, I have been helping single folks with their dating lives for over 12 years.

See My Dating Services

San Francisco Bay Area Singles Events This Week

There are plenty of events attended by singles each week listed in my free weekly email newsletter. Although not specifically marketed as singles events, these events are great for meeting singles with similar vibes, hobbies and more. Many readers have met their partners at these events and they would have never had known about them had they not signed up. These events are great for all ages, groups and singles, men and women, gay and straight.

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events, News This Week

San Francisco Bay Area event calendar, arts, crafts, outdoor festivals, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, day parties, pop-ups, comedy, wellness, tech, activities, bar lectures, book, quirky, cultural & free events this weekend San Jose, Oakland

By Eddie Hernandez

Dating Events Over 40, Speed Dating Over 50 San Francisco Bay Area

There are lots of dating events marketed for over 40 and 50 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Many are on eventbrite by randos who have no business listing, no reviews on Yelp/Google. The best dating events I recommend are through hobbies, classes, volunteering, talks, social clubs, and becoming a regular at cafes, restaurants, and more. See the list of options above.

TL;DR: Singles Events San Francisco Bay Area

I am not saying to not check out these events, in fact, I sometimes list interesting ones in my free weekly newsletter, but they are merely another outlet to meet people and won’t address fundamental issues you may be experiencing like with confidence, lack of friends, available time, unrealistic expectations, having nothing to talk about.

Dating is supposed to be a little awkward and a bit uncomfortable. You can’t expect to get out of it more than what you put in. The folks who often struggle with dating the most, it’s not because of lack of trying, but more so not knowing how to date. Consider the venues, time of day, day of week, neighborhood where events are held. Assess where the events are promoted. See who is attending said events.

If you are on the fence, bookmark events (but don’t go inside) and see who is walking in and who is leaving these events.

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Last Update April 7, 2026, 3:35PM

Author Talks San Francisco, Bay Area Book Events This Weekend

Be sure to check out my weekly email newsletter with activities, events & things to do each week in the San Francisco Bay Area & beyond including author talks, book clubs, writers events and more; 26,000+ subscribers & counting.

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills & San Francisco Bay Guardian, Best of the Bay 2024 & 2025!

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

Your new favorite San Francisco newsletter, Bay Area event calendar: news, art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural events; food & drink recs. 1 email/week.

By Eddie Hernandez

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• San Francisco Bay Area Open Studios, Art Walks, Art Shows

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Bay Area Book Festivals, Fairs, Author Talks, Book Clubs & More

As with all my guides, I will update them based on feedback, user interest, etc. If you like it please give it a like, hit the share button, otherwise I will focus on other guides to maintain, add new entries to etc. Similarly, be sure to check directly with library branches for updates, holiday rescheduling and more.

This effort is a work in progress. It takes a lot of time to locate events, confirm details, and update guides. If you would like to support my work in creating (and updating) free guides like this for everyone to enjoy, feel free to buy my a tea, coffee or beer below.

Buy Me A Beverage

San Francisco Bay Area Book Events, Author Talks

San Francisco Book Events, Author Talks, Book Signings

• Books Inc, Laurel Village, Marina & Opera Plaza

• City Arts & Lectures, Hayes Valley

• Commonwealth Club, Embarcadero

• Omnivore Books, Noe Valley

• Book Passage, Ferry Building

• City Lights Bookstore, North Beach

• Mechanics Institute, Financial District

• Booksmith, Haight

• Green Apple, Inner Richmond, Inner Sunset

• Medicine For Nightmares, Mission District

• Manny’s, Mission District

• Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, Chinatown

• Telegraph Books, North Beach

• Long Now Foundation, Interval, Fort Mason

East Bay Book Events, Author Talks, Book Signing Events

• Books Inc. - Alameda

• Clio’s Books - Adam’s Point, Oakland

• Oakland Public Library

• Towne Center Books, Pleasanton & Livermore

• Orinda Books

South Bay, Peninsula Book Events, Author Talks, Book Signings

• Books Inc. - Mountain View, Palo Alto, Campbell

• Keplers Books, Menlo Park

• Peninsula Book Collective, Daly City

Marin, Sonoma, Napa Book Events, Author Talks, Book Signings

• Book Passage, Corte Madera

• Copperfield’s Books, Sebastopol, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Napa, Novato, Larkspur

• Marin County Library, Various Locations

• Napa Bookmine, Downtown & Oxbow

• Dominican University, San Rafael

Where To Promote Book, Library & Author Events Bay Area

There is never a cost to submit events for consideration in my free weekly San Francisco Bay Area email newsletter with over 26,000 subscribers. If you would like to submit an event for consideration, add a venue/group/club not listed here, or suggest an edit, please use the contact form below.

My goal is to direct people to follow venues and orgs directly, sign up for their email lists, follow them on social media, and not to replace them as their primary outlets for communication but rather amplify efforts to remind folks to support these businesses and make it easier for people to find new places to explore.

Send Tips!

San Francisco Bay Area Book Clubs, Silent Readings

San Francisco Book Clubs

• Books Inc. - Laurel Village, Marina, Opera Plaza

• Booksmith, Haight

• Bookshop, West Portal

• ~3rd Sundays: Friends of Dorothy Read Friends of Dorothy Book Club, Castro

• ~4th Sundays: Genre Smoosh Book Club (Fiction), Castro

• Babes Who Book: Sour Cherry Comics, Mission District

• Silent Book Club SF: Introvery Happy Hour, Hotel Eblem, Union Square

• Dolores Park Book Club

• SF Book Club

• SF Bookish

• Noe Valley Books Book Club (silent and not so silent)

• Richmond Sci-Fi Book Club, Monthly, Sundays 12pm Conservatory of Flowers

San Francisco Silent Book Clubs, Reading Clubs

• 2nd Tuesdays: North Beach Library (Silent Book Club)

• 1st Wednesdays: Silent Book Club, Magnola (Brewing), Haight

• 2nd Wednesdays: Book Club: Chinatown Readers (Silent Reading Session)

• Every Other Wednesday: Inner Richmond Library (Silent Book Club)

• ~4th Wednesdays: Black Bird After Hours Reading Club, Outer Sunset (+Wine)

• ~4th Thursdays: Silent Book Club at Saluhall

East Bay Book Clubs: Alameda, Contra Costa, Oakland, Berkeley

• Books Inc. - Alameda

• WHB Book Club, Womb House Books, Temescal

• Book Society Book Clubs, Berkeley (Die Laughing, Secret Romantasy Fan, Cookbook Lovers, Leading Ladies, Wandering, WTF Did I Just Read, Traveling Book, Tough & Tannic)

• 2nd Wednesdays, General Book Club, Towne Center Books, Pleasanton

• 3rd Tuesdays, Mystery Book Club, Towne Center Books, Pleasanton

• 4th Thursdays, Murder Over Easy Mystery Book Club, Orinda Books

• East Bay Romance Readers

• Banter Books Silent Book Club, Fremont

South Bay, Peninsula Book Clubs

• Books Inc. - Mountain View, Palo Alto

• 1st Mondays, The Whodunit? Mystery Book Club, Los Altos Library, 10:15AM

• 1st Mondays, Mystery Monday Book Club, Saratoga Library, 7pm

• 2nd Mondays, Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club, Milpitas Library, 7pm

• Last Mondays, Los Altos Library, 12pm (Books To Make Sense Of Today’s World)

• 1st Tuesdays, Romance Unbook Club, Mission Branch, Santa Clara

• 2nd Tuesdays, Sci-fi & Fantasy Unbook Club, Mission Branch, Santa Clara

• 2nd Wed, Adult (Contemporary) Book Discussion, Woodland Library, Los Altos, 2pm

• 2nd Wednesdays, Healing Through Books, Peninsula Book Collective, Daly City

• 2nd Thursdays, Chinese Book Club, Saratoga Library, 10:15AM

• 3rd Thursdays, Banned Book Club, Peninsula Book Collective, Daly City

• We Found Wonderland Bookclub, San Jose

• 2nd Sundays: Silent Reading, Peninsula Book Collective, Daly City

• ‘Elite’ Silicon Valley Book Club

North Bay Book Clubs: Marin, Napa

• 1st Wednesdays, Point Reyes Library Book Club

• 2nd Thursdays, Fairfax Book Club, Marin County Library

• 2nd Mondays, Teach Truth Book Club, Napa Bookmine

• 2nd Tuesdays, Poetry Book Club, Napa Bookmine

• 2nd Tuesdays, Sausalito Books by the Bay

• 2nd Wednesdays, Rainbow Book Club, Napa Bookmine

• 3rd Thursdays, Napa Bookmine Book Club

• Suisun Thriller Baddies

• Sausalito Women’s Club Book Discussion

Women’s Book Clubs San Francisco Bay Area

• Sips & Stories, San Francisco

• Fremont Ladies Book Club

• Literary Boudoir, East Bay

• Hot Girls Book Club, San Francisco

San Francisco Bay Area Writers Events, Meetups

• Page Street Writers, Hayes Valley, San Francisco

• Bazaar Writers Salon, Central Richmond, San Francisco

• Manny’s, Mission District

• 3rd Sundays: California Writers Club, Marin, San Rafael

• Friends & Journaling, Berkeley

San Francisco Bay Area Book Festivals, Fairs

• January: LocalLit Annual Author Fair, San Jose

• San Francisco Cook Book Week, April

• May 29-31, 2026 - Bay Area Book Festival, Berkeley

• San Francisco Book Festival

• San Francisco Art Book Fair, July

• September: Bay Area Queer Zine Fest

• September: Kristi Yamaguchi’s Family Literacy Festival, San Jose

• October: Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair

• October: Litquake

• December: East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest (TBD)

San Jose Book Clubs, San Francisco Author Events, East Bay Book Events, Bay Area Writer Events, San Francisco Book Talks, Palo Alto Author Events, Mountain View Author Events, Peninsula Book Clubs, South Bay Area Author Talks, Where To Promote Author Event San Francisco, Where To Host Book Talk Bay Area, Book Signings San Francisco, Book Signing Events Bay Area, Library Silent Book Clubs San Francisco, Berkeley Book Clubs, Women’s Book Clubs San Francisco Women’s Book Club Bay Area, Menlo Park Book Events, Oakland Book Events, Santa Clara Book Clubs, Los Altos Book Clubs, Independent Book Stores San Francisco, Independent Book Stores Bay Area, LGBTQ+ Book Club San Francisco Bay Area, Where To Promote Library Events,, Where To List Book Events Bay Area, Where To Post Book Festivals San Francisco, Where To List Book Fairs Bay Area, There To Advertise Book Fair San Francisco, Book Events San Jose, East Bay Book Clubs

San Francisco Bay Area Art Walks, Fairs, Markets & Open Studios

Below are the upcoming art walks and open studios in the San Francisco Bay Area. Each year, most studios open for one weekend only, in conjunction with other nearby studios. Other studios may choose to set their open studios at their own dates and times.

For the time being, I included regional open studios and individual studios doing one-off open studios outside the regional ones.

As for art walks, I mostly included ones specifically focused on recurring art walks vs the one-off/annual art and wine festivals (those will be included in the free weekly newsletters).

Depending on feedback and reader interest, I may add more types of art events, add more details.

Upcoming Bay Area Art Walks, San Francisco Open Studios

Sign up below for the free email newsletter with events, things to do each week (1 email per week, no AI, manually curated, usually sent on Sundays). It will feature more one-off, ad-hoc paint and sip nights, drink and draws and more. Over 26,000 subscribers and counting.

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

San Francisco newsletter: news, art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural events; food & drink recs. Bay Area events this weekend, San Jose things to do this week, East Bay activities

By Eddie Hernandez

Related reads on Eddie’s List

• Drag Shows, Brunches San Francisco Bay Area

• More Free Local Guides, San Francisco Bay Area

• San Francisco Bay Area Author Talks, Book Clubs

• San Francisco Bay Area Bar Bingo & Loteria Schedule

• San Francisco Bay Area Activities Guide

• San Francisco Bay Area Trinket Trade Boxes

• Walking Groups San Francisco Bay Area

• San Francisco Bay Area Maker & Craft Fairs

San Francisco Bay Area Art Walks

San Francisco Art Walks

• 1st Thursday Art Walk, Tenderloin / Lower Polk

• 3rd Thursday Art Walk, Clement Street (Inner Richmond), Quarterly

• 1st Friday Art Walk, Castro, San Francisco

• 1st Friday Art Walk, North Beach, San Francisco

• 1st Saturday Art Walk, Lower Haight, San Francisco

East Bay Art Walks Alameda, Contra Costa

• Oakland First Fridays, Uptown

• 2nd Friday Alameda Art Walk

• Livermore Art Walk, October 10

• Montclair Village Art Walk

Santa Clara & San Mateo County Art Walks

• South First Fridays in San Jose

• First Fridays Art On Main, Half Moon Bay

• Third Friday Art Walks, Gilroy

• Friday Art on the Square, Redwood City (summer)

• Palo Alto Festival on the Arts (summer)

North Bay Art Walks

Sonoma Art Walks

• Sonoma Art Walk, First Thursdays

• Petaluma Third Thursdays

• Petaluma First Fridays (Arts Alive)

Marin County Art Walks

• First Tuesday Art Walk, Mill Valley

• Second Friday Art Walk, San Rafael

Solano County Walks

• 2nd Friday Art Walks, Vallejo

If you would like to submit your recurring or one-time, one-off open studios event, art walk, or art show you can use the contact form below.

Submit Event!

San Francisco Bay Area Open Studios

In addition to regional open studio dates, some have additional open studios at other times of the year.

San Francisco Open Art Studios

• SF Open Studios

  • Weekend 1 | Sept. 26 & 27

    Bayview, Excelsior, Hunters Point, Ingleside, Oceanview, Outer Mission, Portola, Visitacion Valley

  • Weekend 2 | Oct. 3 & 4
    Bernal Heights, Castro, Glen Park, Mission, Noe Valley

  • Weekend 3 | Oct. 10 & 11
    Dogpatch, East Cut, Mission Bay, Potrero Hill, SOMA, South Beach

  • Weekend 4 | Oct. 17 & 18
    Hunters Point Shipyard Artists

  • Weekend 5 | Oct. 24 & 25
    Chinatown, Civic Center, Cole Valley, Downtown, Duboce Triangle, Haight-Ashbury, Hayes Valley, Inner Sunset, Laurel Heights / Presidio Heights, Marina, Nob Hill, Nopa/Divisadero, North Beach, Pacific Heights, Parkside, Richmond, Russian Hill, Sunset, Twin Peaks, West Portal

• Mission Artists Open Studios, April 11-12

• Shipyard Open Studios, Bayview, April 25-26

East Bay Open Art Studios

• June 6/7, June 13/14 - East Bay Open Studios

South Bay/Peninsula Open Art Studios

• Silicon Valley Open Studios

  • May 2/3 - Coastside and Northern Peninsula

  • May 9/10 - Mid-Peninsula

  • May 16/17 - South Bay

North Bay Open Art Studios

• Marin Open Studios, May 2/3, May 9/10

• Sonoma Art at the Source Open Studios, June 6/7, June 13/14

• Santa Rosa Open Studios, September 12/13, September 19/20

• ICB Artists at Work, Sausalito, September 26

• ICB/ART Open Studios, Sausalito, November 13-15

• Point Reyes Open Studios

San Francisco Bay Area Self-Guided Art Walks

East Bay Self-Guided Art Walks

• Emeryville Art Map & Walking

• Sculpture Walk, Albany Bulb

• Little Point Richmond Fairy Houses

• Alameda Faery Doors

San Francisco Self-Guided Art Walks

• Mission District Self-Guided Mural Walk

  • Clarion Alley, Women’s Building, Balmy Alley, Cypress Street Murals, Osage Street Murals

North Bay Self-Guided Art Walks

• Sausalito Floating Homes

San Francisco Bay Area Art Fairs

• FOG Design+Art Fair, January

• Atrium Art Fair, January

• SF Art Week, January

• Super Fine Art Fair, March

• San Francisco Art Fair, April

• SF International Arts Festival, April

San Francisco Bay Area Art Markets

San Francisco Art Markets

• 1st Sundays: Castro Art Mart, San Francisco

• Mini Art Mart: Japantown (usually middle of the month)

• Artistica Creators Fest, The Box Events, SOMA

East Bay Art Markets

• 2nd Sundays: Understory, Oakland (music, drinks & more)

South Bay Area Art Markets

• SJMade Art Markets

Art Walks Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma, Napa, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo. Open Studios Oakland, San Francisco, Sonoma, Marin, Silicon Valley, Open Studios Sausalito, Art Walks Redwood City, Art Walk Livermore, Petaluma Open Studios, Bay Area Open Studios, Bay Area Art Walks, Street Art Tours San Francisco, Self-Guided Art Walks, Bay Area Upcoming Art Fairs, San Francisco Art Fairs, Castro Art Walk, San Francisco Art Markets, Bay Area Art Markets, Oakland Art Markets, Art Mart List Bay Area, Art Market List San Francisco, Where To Promote Art Market Bay Area, Where To List Art Market San Francisco, Where To Post Art Mart Bay Area, Where To Advertise Art Mart San Francisco, Art Walk San Francisco, Bay Area Art Shows

Last Updated: March 30, 2026. Check back soon for more markets to be added.

San Francisco Bay Area Maker, Craft Markets

Sign up below for the free email newsletter with events, things to do each week (1 email per week, no AI, manually curated, usually sent on Sundays). It will feature more one-off maker/craft markets, pop-ups in addition to book talks, street fairs, festivals, wine walks, conventions, galas, art openings, book clubs, and more. Over 26,000 subscribers and counting.

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Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

San Francisco newsletter: news, art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural events; food & drink recs. Bay Area events this weekend, San Jose things to do this week, East Bay activities

By Eddie Hernandez

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• Drag Shows, Brunches San Francisco Bay Area

• More Free Local Guides, San Francisco Bay Area

• San Francisco Bay Area Author Talks, Book Clubs

• San Francisco Bay Area Bar Bingo & Loteria Schedule

• San Francisco Bay Area Activities Guide

• San Francisco Bay Area Trinket Trade Boxes

• Walking Groups San Francisco Bay Area

• San Francisco Bay Area Open Studios, Art Walks, Art Markets

• San Francisco Bay Area Maker Spaces

San Francisco Bay Area Maker Market Schedule, Dates

San Francisco Maker & Craft Markets

• Head West Marketplace: 1st Sundays, March-December, Ferry Building

• Renegade Craft Fair: March 28-29, August 1-2, November 14-15, Fort Mason

• Head West Marketplace: 2nd Sundays, Apr, Jun, Sep, Nov, Hayes Valley

• West Coast Craft Waves, May 9, Fort Mason

• SFMade: Here/Now 2026, May 20, Standard Deviant, Pier 70

• West Coast Craft Fair, June 13-14, Fort Mason

East Bay Maker & Craft Markets Alameda, Contra Costa

• Head West Marketplace: 2nd Sundays, Mar, May, Oct, Dec, Walnut Creek

• Head West Marketplace: 5th Sundays, Mar, May, Aug, Berkeley

• Makers Market, Walnut Creek, 4th Sundays April-June

• Head West Marketplace: 5th Sundays, Jul 12, Aug 9, Nov 29, Oakland

• Berkeley Makers Row

• Safarii Camp: Bay Bazaar, Oakland (last Sundays)

• Itty Bitty Market, Berkeley (once a month, TBD)

If you would like to submit your upcoming maker/craft market, please use the contact form below.

Submit Event!

Santa Clara & San Mateo County Maker & Craft Markets

• Head West Marketplace: 3rd Saturdays, March-December, San Mateo

• Head West Marketplace: 4th Sundays, March-October, Los Altos

• San Jose Made Craft Fairs

  • March 28 - San Jose Cat Day

  • April 11-12 - Little Shops Village

  • April 18 - Stationary Depot

  • May 30-21 - SJMade Fest

  • Aug 8-9 - Summer Fair

• Makers Market, Santana Row, San Jose, 2nd Sundays April-September

• Makers Market, Los Gatos, May 15, July 25

North Bay Maker & Craft Markets: Sonoma, Marin, Napa

• Head West Marketplace: 3rd Sundays, March-December, Sebastopol

• Makers Market, Mill Valley Lumberyard, 2nd Sundays April-August

• Makers Market, Napa, May 9, June 6

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Dating In The San Francisco Bay Area Over 40

Dating in the Bay Area is hard, but it’s especially hard if you are over 40. By the time you arrive this stage in your life, you are likely going out less, too busy to date, have kids, lost friends from divorce/separation, have become quite stubborn, are spending too much time on dating apps, have become a bit jaded or are just confused about etiquette and expectations in this day in age.

Dating in your 20s was much easier, even if it was messy. With more free time, less commitment, and lower expectations, it was easy to meet someone organically, and see where it goes. It seems like all the events out there cater to people in their 20s i.e. look-a-like contests, grocery store dating events, EDM concerts, coffee raves etc. Sure, these things exist, but they are covered in the news way more often despite relatively few occurences. I know, I have monitored Bay Area events for the last 4 years more than anyone else.

Things like use of AI, less available time, people who are not ready to date have made dating terrible, and in my opinion, it’s likely to get worse (see my 2026 dating trends article in my Modern Dating Blog)

I have helped women and men navigate dating apps and find events and activities to meet singles in their areas offline for over 12 years (longer than that if you count all my friends, family members who used my photos to meet their partners, spouses before I did this professionally). More about me here in the news.

Related Reads On Eddie’s List

• Senior Activities, Things To Do San Francisco

• Bars, Restaurants & Cafes With Comfortable Seating San Francisco

• San Francisco Bay Area Walking Groups

• Volunteer Opportunities San Francisco Bay Area

• San Francisco Bay Area Dating Events: Speed Dating, Singles Mixers

• Online Dating In The San Francisco Bay Area

• San Francisco Bay Area Wine Festivals, Auctions

• San Francisco Bay Area Galas, Fundraisers, Black-Tie Events

• Where To Meet VC’s, Founders San Francisco Bay Area

Where To Meet Singles In The Bay Area Over 40

I have observed and helped people meet their partners in every way possible over the last decade including: shopping, art openings, classes, being regulars in their neighborhood, in line for restrooms, in their apt building, weddings, blind dates, dinner parties, drive-thrus at Jack in the Box, cafes, restaurants, bars, concerts, galas, fundraisers, pop-ups, Hinge, Bumble, game nights, school, work, protests, social clubs, co-working spaces or approaching someone because of the shirt they had on, sticker on the ir laptop, logo on a hat, collar on their dog, shoes they were wearing, commenting on an overheard conversation and asking if a seat is taken.

The point is, you can meet anywhere, anytime, but it helps to look presentable, be in a good place (or on your way) and make a move (or look open to talking). It helps to try multiple ways to meet people vs doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results, whether its apps, singles events, matchmakers, or the same bar you frequent. Going to the same place and doing the same activity can be hard to maintain an optimistic attitude. Ask yourself: would you date yourself? This is an eye-opening question that can be difficult to answer honestly.

Social Activities To Meet Singles

I know someone who attended the same event over 50 times (among other events, activities, and over the course of many years) and, while not specifically looking to date/meet others there each time, met their spouse on the 51st time out. Each time yielded a different crowd, vibe, energy etc. Sometimes you have to try things more than once, or even a few times. On that note, I know a guy who was pretty shy, and despite nervousness, approached a woman solo while she was with two friends. They are happily married now.

Some of the best things in life are achieved when it involves courage, being uncomfortable, taking a leap of faith, making a fool of yourself or not caring what others think and just doing it despite all odds.

Things like timing, context, and luck matter. Reasons why things in the past may have not worked for you.

• Did you have low energy? Did you have resting engineer face?

• Did you approach someone from an awkward angle/positioning?

• Did the other person not want to talk that particular day, moment?

• Did you seat at a booth in the corner vs a seat at the bar?

• Did you go to an event or venue on an off night?

• Are the same people going to the same venue or event or is it a different crowd?

• Is your class or bar gender-dominated?

• Do the type of people you are interested in attend the event/venue you frequent?

• Did you approach people or just hope they approach you?

• Did you go out with large groups of friends that block/repel people from approaching you?

• Did the person you approached get hit on by a creepy guy right before you and had their defenses up? Did they just go on a string of bad dates and were not interested in meeting someone at that point in time?

• Do you live a fulfilling life so you have things to talk about with strangers?

I know this is a lot of questions, and I know it feels like a lot of work, but when you are deciding who you give your time to, and who you will spend the rest of your life with, the stakes are high, you have a right to be selective, but it’s going to take work. This is arguably the biggest decision you will make in life. People often don’t this seriously, get help, make time, or do all the little things that make the process easier. They don’t acknowledge nuance and details and overly simplify experiences. They seek out shortcuts, want answers, don’t want to deal with ambiguity, or look in the wrong places.

Sure, some people have better luck than others and may have met their partners after 1 week on dating apps or first night out after getting out of a relationship. Everyone is different. Stop comparing yourself to others. Focus on what you can control and influence.

Luck is when opportunity meets preparedness. Make your own luck.

Helping Single Men And Women For Over 12 Years

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Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Newsletter

San Francisco Bay Area weekly newsletter: curated news, events (arts, crafts, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, day parties, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural) + food & drink recs. Free via email only.

By Eddie Hernandez

Dating As A Woman In The Bay Area Over 40

Dating as a woman is brutal, and it gets harder as one gets older. Kids, work, stress and life in general make it challenging to remain optimistic. I have been helping women in their dating lives and men are quick to point to gender ratios, women having options, chasing after the top 10% of men and the truth it, this percentage of men would be higher if the bar wasn’t so low.

If you are not meeting men in your area, assess your schedule, lifestyle, people you hang out with, and your body language in public settings. If your time is filled with wine bars, yoga classes, brunch with girlfriends, earphones on hiking trails, silent retreats, that could explain why you may not be meeting men in your life.

Subtle adjustments can make it easier to meet men on a day-to-day basis. Swap out your yoga class for a hike or urban walk, take out your headphones when out in public, sit at bar seats at restaurants with 1 friend instead of sitting at a booth or table in the corner with larger groups of gals, grab a class of wine at a place that also serves good cocktails or great beer.

There are more ways to get noticed and approached, but it takes small adjustments with sustained effort, along with good energy and a bit of luck and timing.

If you are a highly educated woman with an advanced degree or wish to date a man with the same or higher education and career trajectory, the dating pool shrinks dramatically. I am not saying you have to adjust your standards or lower expectations, but crucial to acknowledge many men are not as selective about these characteristics. The article: “Women Need to Date Carpenters Like Men Date Yoga Instructor” is a controversial one, and while you may not agree with it completely, it’s worth a read to understand your audience and how they may think and act differently than you. Figuring out what is a deal-breaker vs just a preference can dramatically increase your dating pool without compromising on values, goals, lifestyle or personality.

Women are usually more selective on apps than they are in person; this is partly due to removing false positives (lying men) and using simple heurisitics to reduce endless options down to a manageable amount, but it also reduces exceptions to the rules from entering your life.

One of my recent clients in the Bay Area recently turned 70, and she met her partner despite doubts, difficulty on dating apps, gender-dominated hobbies. She had a lot going on for her, including taking care of herself, having a great personality, maintaining boundaries, having an open mind about new interests, and checking out new places, having time to date, and being open to advice already communicated to her, but applying it in different ways or through a different lens.

You don’t have to change everything in your life but the biggest decision in life with respect to who you spend your time with demands you leave no stone unturned, make changes in your life and in some cases get help from others who are unbiased (not cheerleader friends who may be unwilling to be brutally honest with you).

Dating As A Man In The Bay Area Over 40

Chances are, you have fewer friends than you did when you were in your 30s, 20s. This is one of the biggest reasons men struggle with dating. Having few friends or even no friends nearby makes it harder to go out or have the motivation to go events. Even if you have friends, they may be holding you back as they may make you appear more immature, less trustworthy, or question your judgment in people.

In addition to lack of friends, related issues like lack of social skills is a big reason why men struggle with dating in the Bay Area. Whether it’s lack of friends, lack of social opportunities during school and formative years, too much time at work or relying on apps/technology too much, many men lag women with social skills that are crucial for dating success. Gender ratios on dating apps are horrible and using them too much will only make dating more difficult.

The common pushback I get from men is that women don’t want to be approached by men in public. That is partially true. They don’t want to be approached by creepy men, get hit on in safe places and environments, or by men who can’t read a room. By learning how to approach women in public, thoughtfully and with purpose, you can leapfrog the gender ratios on dating apps. Similarly, since many men don’t approach women in public enough (or don’t know how to), you can easily stand out as the bar is incredibly low these days (sadly).

I believe you can approach a woman at the same place 10 different ways and get 10 different results based on variables like who she is with, where she is sitting, how she is sitting, who approached her last, how her week is, the last few dates she has been on and so on and so forth. I also believe that in some cases, there is no approach that can lead to success or a better outcome. This may seem like contradictory advice but it requires nuance and context and may be why you struggle when using the volume approach (more likes, more approaches leads to more numbers and more dates) instead of customizing technique, reading people and improvising as needed. Commoditizing women is a terrible strategy and way to view women.

If having quality friends nearby is not an issue, the problem usually lies with unrealistic expectations. Just because you are wealthy, fit, or are an executive, doesn’t make up for things like poor hygiene, boring lifestyle, lack of effort, narcissistic attitude or even lack of time. Men (and women) tend to overly fixate on one or a few variables when dating and don’t step back and acknowledge the bigger picture.

I lost count of how many men are unwilling to make time do date. They have the time but are unwilling to compromise going to krav maga 5 days a week, not skipping their weekly D&D session with their friends, spending too much time at work or commuting instead of taking a job with better work-life balance because they want to chase the AI/FAANG or whatever companies are trending. Life is about trade-offs and compromise and expecting someone to fit in perfectly without any change in lifestyle or effort on your end is unrealistic.

Best Dating Apps San Francisco Bay Area Over 40

The number of people on dating apps thins out with age partly because some people lie about their age, partly because people give up on apps (or dating altogether) and also because certain apps like Hinge have single-sided filters meaning if a guy who is over 40 selects women under 40 as his preference, you as a woman won’t see him.

You can read more on Bay Area Dating App recommendations below in my Modern Dating blog.

Social Clubs, Activities To Meet Singles Bay Area

For specific places on where to meet singles in the Bay Area from Marin to San Jose, Oakland, to San Mateo and everywhere in between, check out the guides below. There are guides on everything from social clubs, run clubs, galas, volunteering, classes and more for those that don’t want to wait for weekly newsletters and want to plan ahead and have more urgency.

Where To Meet Singles Bay Area

San Francisco Bay Area Dating Events Over 40

Speed Dating Events Over 40 San Francisco Bay Area, Singles Mixers 40+

If you do a quick search online, there are many events marketed as singles events for over 40 or speed dating for 40+. I strongly advise folks do their due diligence before buying a ticket to an event. Often they are from random people who post events on Eventbrite, have no Google/Yelp page to look up reviews or don’t mention anything about ratios, minimum number of attendees.

I am not saying all or most of these speed dating events and singles mixers are scams but they often can often offer a false sense of hope. Some folks may not be single (could be separated or newly divorced), some may be people whom you already swiped left of or they may be folks who are not looking to date (looking for something casual).

If you are curious or on the fence, go to an event and see who walks into these events with your own eyes and take a mental note in case you plan on going next time. Do a search online i.e. ‘event name’ + reddit and see if people have mentioned anything online. The things I look out for in sketchy listings are stock photos, no website, no Yelp/Google/Reddit reviews, no mentions of guarantees (gender ratios, minimums) or no one you know has ever attended the event (or had anything positive to say).

TL;DR, Dating In The Bay Area In Your 40s

You can’t control others, but you can control how you present yourself, what your mindset is like, and what you have to offer. Resist the urge to spend more time on apps and less time expanding hobbies, taking classes, volunteering, making friends, being present, and living your best life.

Stereotyping dating culture, opposite genders, dating apps, or where you live is a great way to make you less attractive, more bitter and more undateable.

You don’t have to be cheerful and bubbly 24/7, but you do have to be at your best or near it when meeting people because it’s easy to dismiss low effort and energy. First impressions matter and not everyone gets a second chance.

Understand your value. Location is everything, and if you are not valued for the person you are and what you have to offer, it can be as simple as spending time in other places where you are valued more.

Just because something is labeled as a singles event, dating mixer or dating event doesn’t mean it’s good or worth your time. Any schmoe can put up an event on eventbrite or make a flyer and tape it to a post. Similarly, many of you discount regular events because it’s not explicitly for singles.

Part of dating is being vulnerable, taking chances, putting yourself out there despite not knowing outcomes. Personal growth occurs when you get out of your comfort zone.

It’s easy to blame apps, society, genders, and even location for why you are not happy, but rather than focus on what you can’t control, focus on what you can influence: where you spend your time, your attitude, what you have to offer, life experience so you have things to draw from and putting your best foot forward in real life rather than putting all your hope into algorithms and apps.

Dating is often about vibes. Someone may check off all the boxes on paper, but vibes are crucial. It’s why you see people meet often at Burning Man, galas, fundraisers, bar crawls, and dancing. Interests are a good start, passions are better and let your true self shine.

Things like one’s outlook on life, priorities, where to live/retire, how you spend vacations, social circles, places you hang out, where you were on January 6th all matter. Don’t dismiss these qualitative attributes of others and dating culture because they are more important than you think.

Life is hard, there will always be excuses. NO one is perfect nor are they expecting you to be. If they are, why are you wasting your time chasing these people? What’s most important is your path - what you are up to, what are you working toward, who are you trying to become? If you are stagnant or want someone who lack drive, it’s going to be brutal as each of you will expect the other to make a first move, do all the work, plan all the dates etc.

Dating success has a lot to do with how you approach life, make time, communicate, compromise and deal with adversity. There is only so much time on this planet, and it’s often hard to free more of it up, so rather than dwell on lack of time, focus on how you can make the most of the moments you do have running errands, getting exercise, with friends and more.

I don’t take many clients on these days but if you are interested in my dating services, you can check them out below. I work with men, women, 20-somethings, seniors, gay and straight, introverts, BIPOC and those who have exhausted all other methods but maintain a positive attitude, have time and realistic expectations.

Whether it’s navigating dating apps, assessing matchmakers, figuring out where to spend your time offline, how to approach/be approached, reading people, asking difficult questions, considering moving for dating purposes, I have seen it all.

Dating Services

I leave you all with this song by the late, great Bobby Caldwell that sums it up… what you won’t do, do for love.

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San Francisco Bay Area Chess Tournaments, Socials, Events, Meetups

Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter filled with curated San Francisco Bay Area news, events for the week (pop-ups, classes, shows, live music, art openings, festivals, street fairs), helpful tips + recommendations. I will usually include one-off, one-time Majhong events in the free weekly email newsletter. Over 26,000 people have discovered it - are you next?

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-48 Hills & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

Your new favorite San Francisco newsletter, Bay Area event calendar: news, art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural events; food & drink recs. 1 email/week.

By Eddie Hernandez

Related reads on Eddie’s List:

• San Francisco Bay Area Trivia & Bingo Nights

• Board Game Nights Bay Area

• Bars w/ Board Games, Activities, Pool Tables

• San Francisco Bay Area Bingo Nights

• San Francisco Bay Area Walking Groups

• San Francisco Bay Area Mahjong Events

San Francisco Chess Events, Meetups, Gameplay

• Mondays: Bernal Heights Chess, Barebottle

• Mondays: Chess & Live Jazz, Mr Mahong’s, FiDi

• 4th Wednesdays: Chess Lecture at the Library + Casual Combat

• Fridays: Progress Grounds

• 1st Sundays: Medicine For Nightmares, Mission; No Kings, No Queens Chess Club

• Mechanics Institute, Financial District (Various Tournaments)

East Bay Chess Events: Contra Costa

Where To Play Chess in Contra Costa, Hercules, San Ramon

• 1st Wednesdays: Chess Club, Hercules Library, 3:30-5:30pm

• Saturdays: Chess Hour, San Ramon Library, 11-12pm

• All Ages, All Moves: Chess and More, Doherty Station, San Ramon, 3-4:30pm

East Bay Chess Events: Alameda

Where To Play Chess in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Albany

• Wednesday Youth Chess, It’s Your Move, Gamestore, Oakland (lessons)

• Wednesdays: Chess Club for Kids, Tweens, & Teens, Rockridge, Library 4-5pm

• Wednesdays: Tween Hangout, 2:30-4:00, Melrose Library, Oakland

• Thursdays: Chess, Central Library, Berkeley, 3-5pm

• Fridays: Chess Club, Claremont Library, Berkeley 3-5pm (starting in April)

• Fridays: Chess Club, San Ramon Library, 3:30-5pm

• 1st & 3rd Saturdays: Lakeview Chess Club, Library, Oakland, 12-2pm

• 2nd Saturdays: Chess for Kids, Fremont Library, 11-1pm

• 3rd Saturdays: West End Library, Alameda, Chess Club for Kids 8+

• 3rd Saturdays Chess For Kids (<10 Years), Centerville Library Fremont

• Saturdays: Chess At North Library, Berkeley, 3-5pm (starting in April)

• Sundays Chess Lessons, It’s Your Move, Gamestore, Oakland

• 1st & 3rd Sundays Chess Class, Albany Library, 1:30-3pm (2nd grade-teens)

South Bay Chess Events, Meetups

• Wednesdays: Silicon Valley Chess Club, Jack’s, San Jose

• Wednesdays: Milpitas Children's Chess Club, Library, 6:30-7:30

Peninsula Chess Events, Meetups

• Fridays: Chess Club Fridays, Foster City Library (see calendar); 6-11; 12-18 y/o

Marin, Sonoma, Napa & Solano Chess Events

• Mondays: Intergenerational Chess Club, Sebastopol, 3:15-5:00pm

• Tuesdays: Vacaville Town Square Library, 4-6pm

• Wednesdays: Petaluma Chess Club, Library, 3-4:30pm

• 2nd Wednesdays: Youth Chess Club, American Canyon Library, 3-5pm

• Saturdays: Chess Club, Suisun Library, 10:30-12pm

Have A Chess Event You Want to Add? Is Something Outdated? Let Me Know!

Submit Tips!

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Where To Play, Learn Mahjong San Francisco Bay Area

Mahjong is the latest craze in the Bay Area. Trivia is too corporate these days. Bingo is for Boomers. Pickleball is dead. Long live Mahjong (for now). You can find it at restaurants, bars, senior centers, museums and more across the San Francisco Bay Area.

Runner-Up: Best of the Bay Best Bay Area Local Website

-48 Hills & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

Your new favorite San Francisco newsletter, Bay Area event calendar: news, art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural events; food & drink recs. 1 email/week.

By Eddie Hernandez

Related reads on Eddie’s List:

• San Francisco Bay Area Trivia Nights

• Board Game Nights San Francisco Bay Area

• San Francisco Bay Area Chess Events

• Bars w/ Board Games, Activities, Pool Tables

• San Francisco Bay Area Bingo Nights

• San Francisco Bay Area Walking Groups

• San Francisco Senior Activities, Things To Do

To submit a one-time or recurring Mahjong event in the San Francisco Bay Area for consideration, use the contact button below.

Submit Tips!

San Francisco Bay Area Mahjong Events, Groups & Classes

Below are the places with recurring events or at least have it regularly enough in the San Francisco Bay Area.

San Francisco Mahjong Classes, Events, Mixers

• Sundays: Free Programming (SF Parks & Rec), Union Square: Mahjong & Mixers

• Sundays: Learn and Play Chess and Mahjong at UN Plaza, Civic Center

• Mahjong Mondays: $5 beers & egg rolls, Mamahuhu, Noe Valley, Inner Richmond

• Mahjong Mondays, Pier 23 Cafe, 4-6pm

• Tuesdays: Mahjong Lair, Dragonwell (restaurant), Marina

• 2nd/4th Tuesday Community Mahjong Night, Dogpatch Games

• Tuesdays: Mahjong (American & Chinese Styles), Aquatic Park

• Thursdays: Mahjong and Mocktails, Asian Art Museum

• Most Fridays: Mah Jong, San Francisco Senior Center Downtown

• Saturdays: San Francisco Public Library

  • Mahjong for Beginners: Sunset, 10:30am-12pm

  • Intermediate Mahjong: Sunset 2:30pm-4pm

• Mahjong Night at Saint Joseph’s Art Society, SOMA (check calendar)

• Beginner’s Guide to Mah Jong, Sunset Commons (check calendar)

• Secret Mahjong Society, Mr. Mahjong’s, Chinatown (check calendar)

• Mahjong Movement (check website, Instagram for latest events)

• Mahjong Movement & Martinis at The Jay

If you would like to support my efforts with creating and upkeeping free guides like this for everyone, you can buy me a coffee below.

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Marin County Mahjong Classes, Events, Mixers

• Mahjong Mondays: $5 beers & $5 egg rolls, Mamahuhu, Mill Valley

• Sundays: Mahjong at the Mart, Larkspur, 11-3pm

Sonoma County Mahjong Classes, Events, Mixers

• Fridays: Free Chinese Mahjong Classes, Sonoma Community Center

  • February 6 – April 24, 2026, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Napa County Mahjong Classes, Events, Mixers

• Tile Tuesday: American Mah Jongg, Yountville Library, 2-4pm

Solano County Mahjong Classes, Events, Mixers

• Wednesdays: American and Filipino Mahjong Club, Vacaville Town Square Library, 11:30AM-3:30PM

  • March 18 & 25th listed, not sure if it will be extended beyond that.

San Francisco Bay Area Activity Guides

Access Guides!

Peninsula Mahjong Classes, Events, Mixers

• Mahjong Mondays: $5 beers & $5 egg rolls, Mamahuhu, Palo Alto

• San Mateo County Library Mahjong Events

  • Mondays: California Mahjong Game Time: Library, 11-1pm

  • Fridays: Mahjong, Portola Valley Li, 11-1pm

  • Fridays: Drop-In Mahjong, Sharp Park, Pacifica, 1:30-3:30

• Thursdays: Drop-In Mahjong, Peninsula Jewish Community Center, Foster City

• Wednesday Mahjong Meetup: South San Francisco, Parks & Recreation Center

East Bay, Oakland Mahjong Classes, Events, Mixers

• 2nd/4th Thursdays, Mahhong Open Play, 13 Orphans (Baba’s House), Oakland

• Mahjong Mondays, Match Point Brewing, Albany, 5-8pm

• Alameda Libraries: Play Chinese Mahjong, Castro Valley

  • 4th Thursdays, 2-5pm, April - August 2026

South Bay Area, San Jose Mahjong Classes, Events, Mixers

• Secret Mahjong Society, San Jose (various locations, dates, check calendar)

Bay Area Mahjong Events, San Francisco Mahjong Groups & East Bay Mahjong Classes, Peninsula Mahjong Classes, San Jose Mahjong Events, Santa Clara Mahjong Groups, Oakland Mahjong Groups, Palo Alto Mahjong Games, Mill Valley Mahjong Game Nights, Mahjong Events San Jose, Mahjong Events San Mateo, Mahjong Events Pacifica, Mahjong Events Portola Valley, Sonoma Mahjong Events, Mahjong Meetups Bay Area, Free Mahjong Events Bay Area, Napa Mahjong Events, Yountville Mahjong Meetups, Larkpur Mahjong Events, Albany Mahjong Events, Mahjong Clubs Bay Area, Free Mahjong Events Bay Area, Bay Area Senior Activities, Beginner Lessons Mahjong San Francisco, Mahjong Beginner Classes Bay Area, Mahjong Beginner Events East Bay

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Last updated: March 7, 2026

San Francisco Bay Area Bar Bingo Locations, Schedule

Bingo is no longer for retirement homes, cruise ships and bingo halls. It’s a great activity as people can play alone but amongst others where as it’s harder to do in more team-focused activities like trivia nights.

Many San Francisco Bay Area bars and establishments offer bingo nights which attract younger audiences, usually on slower days and times. Most bingo nights are the traditional type of offering, some is music based bingo and a few offer Loteria (commonly referred to as Mexican bingo).

Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter filled with curated San Francisco Bay Area news, events for the week (pop-ups, classes, shows, live music, art openings, festivals, street fairs), helpful tips + recommendations. I will usually included one-off, one-time bingo events in the newsletter as well as feature a bingo night below every so often.

Over 26,000 people have discovered it - are you next?

Runner-Up: Best of the Bay Best Bay Area Local Website

-48 Hills & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

Your new favorite San Francisco newsletter, Bay Area event calendar: news, art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural events; food & drink recs. 1 email/week.

By Eddie Hernandez

Related reads:

• Bay Area Trivia Nights

• Board Game Nights Bay Area

• Bars w/ Board Games, Activities, Pool Tables, & more

San Francisco Bay Area Bingo & Loteria Nights, Schedule

Below is a running list of San Francisco places (mostly bars) offering bar bingo or loteria nights regularly in the Bay Area. I don’t have direct links to each offering but may add that in based on interest. I do not feature bingo halls or the like at this moment in the list below.

There are way fewer bingo nights than trivia nights out there so there may not be one around you, especially if you live outside a major city in the Bay Area. If I am missing something or a listing is outdated, use the form below.

Submit Bingo Night!

Number of San Francisco Bay Area Bingo & Loteria Nights Below: 31

Please check with the establishment before venturing off, as some places may cancel last minute, change their offerings or may be sold out.

Monday Bingo Nights San Francisco Bay Area

Read more

Last updated: March 4, 2026

San Francisco Food Festivals, Events & More

The San Francisco Bay Area is rich in its culinary options thanks to its many farms across Sonoma, the Central Valley, and surrounding areas, talented chefs, as well as access to fresh seafood including crab, oysters and more.

One can find some type of food festival happening any time of the year drawing folks from all over the world. While many parts of the country ships food across the country, we have our pick of fresh produce, local dairies & fish in our backyard.

Related Reads

• Sacramento Events, Food Festivals

• San Francisco Bay Area Crab Feeds, Festivals

• Central Valley Events, Food Festivals

• Foodwise Seasonality Food Chart Northern California

• Pliny The Younger San Francisco Bay Area

• San Joaquin Valley Events, Fresno Food Festivals

• Northern California Food, Beer, Wine Festivals

• Late Night Food San Francisco

• Best Bay Area Cheesemakers, Cheeseshops

San Francisco Bay Area Food Festivals 2026

Below is a variety of food festivals across the Bay Area. Some will have dates, some will not as they may not have their plans finalized. This is not a complete guide by any means, nor will it contain most food festivals throughout the year, but it will contain a good representation for what is offered here.

I will post all of the upcoming food festivals in the Bay Area (and beyond) in my monthly calendars (for paid supporters only). This guide below is great for those looking to find opportunities for vendors as they typically seek out applicants 3-6 months out.

I will post select San Francisco Bay Area food festivals and events in my free weekly email newsletter, usually sent on Sundays. Sign up below for the free email newsletter with events, things to do each week (1 email per week, no AI, manually curated, usually sent on Mondays). Over 26,000 subscribers and counting.

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

San Francisco newsletter: news, art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural events; food & drink recs. Bay Area events this weekend, San Jose things to do this week, East Bay activities

By Eddie Hernandez

Where To Promote San Francisco Bay Area Food Events, Festivals

Have a food festival you want to place on Eddie’s List? Use the form below to submit your upcoming event.

Submit Food Festival!

San Francisco Bay Area Harvest festivals coming soon!

San Francisco Bay Area Food Festivals Schedule

March, April, May Bay Area Food Festivals, Restaurant Weeks

Spring food festivals San Francisco Bay Area

Read more

Drag Shows, Brunches & Events San Francisco Bay Area

More one-off drag events, brunches in the San Francisco Bay Area may appear in the free weekly newsletter. Sign up below for the free email newsletter with events, things to do each week (1 email per week, no AI, manually curated, usually sent on Sundays). Over 26,000 subscribers and counting.

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

San Francisco newsletter: news, art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural events; food & drink recs. Bay Area events this weekend, San Jose things to do this week, East Bay activities

By Eddie Hernandez

Drag Shows San Francisco Bay Area

• First Sundays, CLUTCH THE PEARLS: Drag Show, The Makout Room, 8pm

• Second Sundays, Open Stage Drag Show, Moby Dick, Castro, 9-11pm

• Drag Queen Show San Francisco: Diva Royale, Fri/Sat 6:30pm

• 2nd Tuesdays, Drag Show + Dance Party, Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, 9pm

• The Hot Boxxx Girls Drag Show, Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, Fri & Sat, 10pm

• Drag Battle Cycle, The Edge, Castro, starting March 10, (8-weeks)

• Reparations Drag Shows, Monthly Event (All Black Drag show), El Rio

• Mascara, Monthly Sober Drag Show, 3rd Saturdays, Castro Country Club

• Rebel Kings: Drag King Show, White Horse Bar, Oakland, 1st/3rd/5th Wed

Am I missing something? Send event submissions using the form below.

Submit Events!

Drag Brunches San Francisco Bay Area

• Drag Brunch, 620 Jones, San Francisco | Sundays 12:30-3pm

• Lips & Lashes Drag Brunch, Lookout, Castro | Saturdays, 12pm & 2pm

• Weekend Drag Brunches, Beaux in the Castro, 12:30 & 2:30

• Drag Queen (Brunch) Show San Francisco: Diva Royale, Sun, 1:30pm

• Bacon & Leggs Drag Brunch Starbelly Second Sat, Castro, rsvp b/t 10:45-11:30AM

Drag Trivia, Bingo San Francisco Bay Area

• Drag Bingo, The Detour, Duboce Triangle, Wednesdays, 7:30-10pm

• Drag Trivia, Badlands, Castro, Mondays, 7-9pm

• Pink Flamingo Drag Burlesque Bingo, 540, Inner Richmond, Last Sat, 5pm

• Drag Bingo, 4th Thursdays, Drake’s Dealership, Oakland

• Drag Bingo, Eli’s Mile High Club, Oakland (check calendar)

Popular Drag Shows, Events, Appearances San Francisco

Other venues that have one-off events. Check the calendars below.

• Events at El Rio, Mission District

• Events at the Stud, SoMa

Where To Watch RuPaul Drag Race San Francisco

Bars, places showing RuPaul Drag Race in San Francisco.

• RuPaul Drag Race Watch Parties, SF Eagle Bar

• RuPaul Drag Race Watch Parties, The Academy (Member Event * Guests)

• Toad Hall, Castro

• Midnight Sun, Castro

• RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Viewing Party, Fluid 510, Oakland

Related reads on Eddie’s List

• Visitors Guide San Francisco

• Monthly Event Calendars San Francisco

• Free Events, Things To Do In San Francisco

• More Free Local Guides, San Francisco Bay Area

• San Francisco Bay Area Bar Bingo & Loteria Schedule

• San Francisco Bay Area Paint & Sips

• Comedy, Open Mic Nights San Francisco

Free Drag Show Events, Appearances, San Francisco

These are public events, all ages.

• Hunky Jesus, Dolores Park, Easter

• Golden Girls Live, BroadwaySF (shows in December)

• Castro (Monthly) Night Markets

• San Francisco Pride, end of June there tends to be several drag events

• Downtown First Thursdays

  • Jessie Street (& 2nd). Grace Towers hosts an outdoor street discoteca on Jessie Street, f/drag, DJs, with house, disco, reggaeton y más every month.

Oasis Drag Shows, Events San Francisco

Due to a generous financial gift, OASIS has been saved! We will be closed for the foreseeable future to make renovations and work on programming. Stay tuned for any updates. Full story can be found in our blog. VIVA OASIS!

Before buying tickets to other shows not listed here, be sure to look up reviews on Yelp, Google or even Reddit. Unfortunately, some national companies put on local shows, but they have no business listing online, making it difficult to find reviews.

If you would like to support my efforts to create more free community guides for everyone to enjoy, feel free to buy me a coffee or a beer.

Support My Work!

Drag Events Bay Area, Drag Brunches San Francisco, Drag Bingo Bay Area, Drag Shows San Francisco, Drag Events Castro, Drag Shows East Bay, Drag Events Oakland, Oasis Drag Shows San Francisco, The Edge Drag Shows, Moby Dick Drag Shows, Makeout Room Drag Shows, Aunt Charlie’s Lounge Drag Shows, The Detour Drag Shows, The Lookout Drag Shows, Hunky Jesus San Francisco, Easter Drag Event San Francisco, Free Drag Shows SF, 18+ Drag Events San Francisco, Drag Brunch Starbelly, Weekend Drags Shows SF, SF Drag Show Today, San Francisco Drag Show Tonight, Drag Shows This Weekend SF, Drag Event Calendar San Francisco, RuPaul Drag Watch Parties San Francisco, Where To Watch RuPaul Drag Race San Francisco, Drag Queen Shows San Francisco, Drag King Shows Bay Area, Drag Queen Bingo, Drag Bingo San Francisco, Drag Brunch All Ages,

Last Updated February 19, 2026

As a photographer and dating coach for men & women, I spend a lot of time navigating the Bay Area, looking for fun places to take photos, identifying great spots for first dates, and helping individuals expand their hobbies & interests, finding bars/restaurants to meet singles and identifying events for people to meet men and women.

Related read: Dating in the Bay Area

What Is It Like Dating In The East Bay, Oakland, Berkeley

Oakland Speed Dating Events, Singles Events East Bay, Berkeley

East Bay Speed dating events can be super hit or miss and often fail to offer accountability as anyone can post an event on Eventbrite. I highly recommend doing your due diligence as they may not enforce gender ratios, guarantee minimum number of attendees nor screen for things like married folks, criminals etc.

On that note, you can expect some of the people you left-swiped on apps or maybe even received unwanted messages from to be at said events.

One of the best ways to meet single people is through existing and new hobbies and interests such as classes, volunteering, social events, talks, pop-ups and more.

More Opportunities, Events To Meet Men, Women In The East Bay

Below you can find my free weekly email newsletter with curated events, things to do each week to meet people organically to match your interests and vibe. Sign up below.

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

It has over 26,000 subscribers and it’s filled with curated quirky, fun events for introverts & extroverts (arts & crafts, comedy, pop-ups, talks, art openings, live music, festivals, street fairs, cultural events, block parties, perfomative contests, look-a-like contests, singles events at grocery stores, coffee raves & more).

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

Email event newsletter: art, festivals, volunteer, galas, classes, talks, music, street fairs, startup/tech, pop-ups, comedy, wellness & cultural. San Francisco Bay Area events this weekend, San Jose things to do this week. News round-up.

By Eddie Hernandez

Oakland Matchmakers, East Bay Matchmaking Services

Don’t make the mistake of hiring a matchmaker before you read this guide. Many services scour profiles on dating apps, thus duplicating efforts you may have already exhausted or go on dates with people you left-swiped. Read their reviews, see who left them (friends, business partners or people who attended a free event or were matched for free i.e. didn’t pay to retain services).

Related read: East Bay Matchmakers Reviews

Dating in Oakland

Dating in Oakland is often easier for folks than San Francisco and places in the Peninsula and South Bay. For one, Oakland is more diverse, quirky, eclectic and fun. People are just more friendly there and more down to earth. The social awkwardness, introverted preferences and boring (indoor/tech) hobbies are not as widespread as they are among folks in SF/Silicon Valley.

There is usually more sun than SF, more density than the peninsula and more night life, bars, restaurants than places in the South Bay. There are more creatives, artists and people who are visible in the community vs folks who are more homebodies in other parts of the Bay Area.

Oakland is not for everyone, but for those who are open-minded, love to explore and want to build community, it’s a great place to live and date.

Dating In Berkeley

Dating in Berkeley can be tough, depending on your demographics (namely age and politics). It’s a mix of a young student body, older folks and young familes. Luckily, you have options if you expand to Oakland and San Francisco as there will be more people who are non-students, non-senior citizens and non hikers there. But it’s up to you to travel, expand your radius and leave the city limits.

Where To Meet Men, Women East Bay Oakland, Berkeley

Below are some of my recommendations to meet singles whether you are new in town and don’t know many people, are over 40, don’t drink/hate bars, are a little introverted or are recently single. These locations, events, and social groups are mostly Oakland & Berkeley areas but will add more over time.

I will add more to this guide with more specific places and insight/context as to why these places are good for meeting people. In the meantime, subscribe to my newsletter, as I may mention one-off opportunities/events every so often.

I may be raising rates for new paid subscribers so if you want to lock in current rates, subscribe today! Existing paid subscribers will have rates grandfathered in.

Disclaimer

Knowing where to go is not everything, heck it’s not even 1/4 of the answer. If you think that is the case, you are not ready for dating (or at least lack self-awareness and realistic expectations.

• Be approachable (looks, wardrobe, hygiene)

• Know how to read people

• Be interesting, unique, fun (life experience, hobbies, social skills)

• Being patient, persistent, having/making friends etc.

It’s not enough to go to places with the best gender ratios or most singles, you really have to enjoy the space and the vibe otherwise you will be out of place. Similarly, you have to put yourself out there and can’t expect people to approach you (even if you are a woman).

If you live a boring life, don’t make an effort (appearance), or aim way outside of your league all the time, it may not matter where you go.

Related guides on Eddie’s List:

• Third Spaces SF Bay Area | Social Groups Bay Area

• East Bay Trivia Nights | Hobbies, Classes Bay Area

• Where To Eat/Drink Solo East Bay

• Volunteer Opportunities Bay Area

• Things To Do Near BART Oakland | Near BART San Francisco

• Date Ideas East Bay, Oakland

Where To Meet Singles: East Bay, Oakland, Berkeley

Bars, restaurants, cafes & clubs to meet singles in the East Bay

Below are some of my recommended places to meet single men and women in the East Bay, particularly Oakland, Emeryville, Alameda & Berkeley. Depending on interest, I may expand it to other parts of the East Bay. If you would like to send a tip on places for consideration, send me a note below.

Send Tips Here!

Best Places, Bars To Meet Women, Men In Berkeley

Everyone thinks that it’s impossible to meet people in Berkeley if you are not a student - that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, meeting people in school, via classes and repeated interactions is great for meeting singles but it’s not required.

Read more