Scary SFPD spy drone policy faces backlash
Plus: Best Bay Area rap albums of 2026, Luis E. Garcia's vital paintings, an operatic message of trans power
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From Best Burrito and Best Street Fair to Best Dive Bar and Best Shoe Store: Tell us what you love in our 52nd survey of the best things in the Bay Area! Polls close soon, vote now—and tell your friends!
JOIN US FOR ANOTHER SEISMIC LITQUAKE
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Today's headlines:
SFPD drone spying policy faces backlash
By Tim Redmond
Community groups, commission members dubious about letting cops use surveillance technology without more guardrails.
The best Bay Area rap albums of 2026 (so far)
By Alan Chazaro
Trunk Boiz' epic return, Larry June's smooth cruising, an Avengers-style rap supergroup: Local hip-hop remains unstoppable.
Luis E. Garcia’s paintings weave a vital connection to his Pipil roots
By Mary Corbin
A CCSF class in Mesoamerican art history opened his eyes to Indigenous cultures, and sparked his own journey.
Drama Masks: A message of trans power delivered with operatic oomph
By Charles Lewis III
As SF Opera aims to cut its workers' pay, Opera Parallèle celebrated resistance with 'Revolution is Just the Beginning.'
In case you missed it:
BIG WEEK: Zinefest, Bizerkley, Hiero Day, Free Shakespeare, BART Speedrun…
Security guards protect billion-dollar tech companies—and can’t get a decent contract
Ficks’ Picks guide to CROSSROADS fest’s eerie experiments, fresh local voices
Best of the Bay 2026 Editors’ Pick: Theatre Bay Area
BERNAL HEIGHTS OUTDOOR CINEMA RETURNS FOR 23RD SEASON
A film “crawl” from cafes to studios, galleries, pop-up screening rooms, and friendly public spaces. Plus: Picnic, play and watch films under the stars in neighborhood parks and playgrounds.
YERBA BUENA GARDENS FESTIVAL SEASON IS HERE
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is back with 100+ free outdoor shows in downtown SF. With free music concerts, dance events, circus, kids’ shows, and more, YBG Festival is the place for picnics and summertime vibes.
