This Week's Top Stories

cannabis

Valencia Street Cannabis Café Would Be Bay Area's First, as SF's New Law Takes Hold

A Mission District operator is now on track to open an Amsterdam-style cannabis café on Valencia Street after Mayor Lurie signed landmark legislation last month.

The Mission District may soon be home to the Bay Area's first Amsterdam-style cannabis café, after Mayor Daniel Lurie signed an ordinance implementing Assembly Bill 1775, a 2024 state law that allows cannabis shops to serve food, nonalcoholic beverages, and host live entertainment. The ordinance was introduced in March by District 8 Supervisor and Board President Rafael Mandelman.

arts

Portal Cinema Launches $250,000 Kickstarter, Eyes Late-October Opening in Bernal Heights

The nonprofit arthouse theater coming to 3293 Mission St. has launched a crowdfunding campaign and is targeting a late October or November debut with 11 or more screenings per week.

The Portal Cinema, a 49-seat nonprofit arthouse theater planned for 3293 Mission St. in Bernal Heights, has launched a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of raising $250,000 to fund an electrical panel upgrade, 35mm film projection, and a 5.1 surround-sound system — upgrades needed to open at full capacity this fall.

arts

Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema Returns for 22nd Season with Film Crawls and Free Screenings

The volunteer-run festival kicks off with Film Crawls on Mission and Cortland in early September, followed by free neighborhood outdoor screenings through September 24.

Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema, the volunteer-driven festival showcasing local independent filmmakers since 2004, returns for its 22nd season with events running September 4 through September 24, 2026. The season opens with a Film Crawl along Mission Street on September 4 and a second Film Crawl along Cortland Avenue on September 5, with an Under the Stars event on September 6 and the main outdoor screening season beginning September 10 through September 24.

Upcoming Events

Through September 24

Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema: 22nd Annual Season

📍 Various parks and venues, Bernal Heights and Mission District · Various times

Saturday, August 30

SF Community Music Center: Free Adult Open House

📍 SF Community Music Center, 544 Capp St., Mission District · 4:00 PM

Monday, September 7

SF Tango Academy: Labor Day Concert at CMC

📍 SF Community Music Center Concert Hall, 544 Capp St., Mission District · 2:00 PM

Thursday, September 10

Valencia LIVE! September Street Party

📍 Valencia St. between 18th and 21st Sts., Mission District · 5:00 PM

Saturday, September 12

Fiesta de las Américas 2026

📍 24th Street from Folsom to Bryant Sts., Mission District · 11:00 AM

More from the Neighborhood

Smoke Shop Near 16th and Mission Stops Selling Tobacco After State Enforcement Visit

A smoke shop operating without a required permit near 16th and Mission streets has stopped selling tobacco products following a visit by state enforcement officials, Mission Local reported in mid-August.

Dance Mission Theater Opens Fall Season This Weekend with 'Talk Story'

Dance Mission Theater, the women-led nonprofit performance venue on 24th Street, opens its fall 2026 season this weekend with 'Talk Story,' featuring new work by Sharp & Fine and guest artists, running…

Bernal Connect Seeks Volunteer Plant Stewards for Recreation Center Green Installation

Bernal Connect, the neighborhood community hub, is looking for volunteer stewards to tend to new planters installed at the Bernal Heights Recreation Center as part of a community-driven vision for a neighborhood…