On April 7, 2025, Mayor Daniel Lurie of San Francisco announced the introduction of new legislation to establish 5 “entertainment districts” across the city in order to invigorate the streets, support small businesses, and revitalize the city’s economy. Numerous city officials, community representatives, and business leaders attended the announcement at Yerba Buena Lane.
Since the establishment of California’s first entertainment district on Front Street in San Francisco, a total of 4 events have been held, attracting over 21,000 participants. Some businesses reported sales growth of “7 to 15 times.”
Mayor Lurie stated, “Creating entertainment districts is a way to bring vitality and joy to the streets, so we have decided to add 5 new districts.”
According to the new proposal, the 5 new entertainment districts, in addition to Yerba Buena Lane, include Valencia Street between 16th and 21st streets, Pier 39, Ellis Street between Stockton Street and Powell Street, Folsom Street between 7th and 8th streets, and Jessie Square.
Mayor Lurie emphasized that the new entertainment districts can increase community cohesion through events such as Oktoberfest, art walks, cultural celebrations, and night markets, as well as pave the way for promoting visitor spending during large-scale events in the future.
Scott Rowitz, the executive director of Yerba Buena Partnership, highlighted the vibrancy and energy of the Yerba Buena community.
Rowitz explained, “Yerba Buena Lane is an ideal location for developing an entertainment district, with its abundance of restaurants and bars, a blend of historical and modern architecture, convenient transportation and parking, attracting more housing, job opportunities, art, and cultural resources.”
He mentioned that the area boasts multiple art museums, galleries, cultural institutions, 65 public art installations, four schools, the world-renowned Moscone Center, as well as top hotels such as Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, and Hyatt. A total of 11,000 residents live in this community from 2nd to 5th streets, Market Street to the highway.
Rowitz believes this area will become a “landmark of San Francisco.”
According to Mayor Lurie, the legislation was jointly proposed by City Councilors Danny Sauter, Matt Dorsey, and Jackie Fielder and was submitted for council review on April 8. As of now, San Francisco has 21 established or planned entertainment districts.
This legislation is another initiative by the San Francisco City Hall to boost the economy. Last month, San Francisco extended the “First Year Free program” that waives the first-year fees for new small businesses. In February this year, the city launched the “PermitSF” program to streamline commercial and residential permit processes, making it easier for small businesses to start up. In an effort to attract more restaurateurs to the city center, Mayor Lurie collaborated with California Senator Scott Wiener to push for state-level legislation to lower the threshold for restaurants to obtain liquor licenses. Additionally, the city government established the SFPD Hospitality Zone Task Force to ensure year-round safety in the downtown area, creating a favorable business environment to attract more residents and visitors for consumption.