Berkeley, Bayfront, and Proposed Dutch Bros

BAYAREAOWN WEEKLY RECAP

BAY AREA DEVELOPMENTS & REAL ESTATE

San Francisco Roundabout Trail
San Francisco just debuted the Roundabout, a 38-mile loop trail that nearly circles the entire city. The route connects Bayfront Park, the Daly City border, the Pacific coast, and the Golden Gate strait, offering sweeping views for walkers, runners, and cyclists. Designed to link neighborhoods and highlight the city’s natural edges, it could serve both as a scenic commute option and a new weekend adventure. Urban planners are calling it one of the largest recreational investments in decades — and a fresh way to see the city from every angle.

Dutch Bros Drive-Thru Proposal — South Bascom, San José
Dutch Bros has submitted a proposal to bring a drive-thru coffee stand to South Bascom Avenue near Leigh Avenue, reusing a long-vacant fast-food pad. If approved, it would add another quick-service option along a busy commute corridor and could activate an underused corner with fresh lighting and landscaping. Expect standard city review on traffic circulation, queueing, and noise—typical issues for drive-thrus—before any green light. Why it matters: small, high-throughput retail like this can revive sleepy parcels and boost daytime foot traffic for nearby shops.

Berkeley Apartment Deal
A major East Bay transaction just closed in West Berkeley. A local investment firm has acquired Fourth and U, a 171-unit apartment complex at 2020 Fourth Street. The property sits in a neighborhood that’s booming thanks to its mix of housing, retail, and transit access. The new ownership signals confidence in long-term rental demand across the Bay, but it raises the familiar question: will promised upgrades improve quality of life for tenants — or push rents even higher?Berkeley is pushing infill housing near jobs and transit, but the lack of affordability requirements raises questions about how the city should balance growth with equity.

El Rey Revival
San Francisco’s historic El Rey Theatre is finally getting a second act after sitting vacant for nine years. Built in 1931 by architect Timothy Pflueger, the Art Deco landmark has been everything from a movie palace to a church to the first Gap store. Now purchased by The Father’s House, a Bay Area megachurch, the El Rey is slated to reopen by Easter 2027. Plans include church services, classic film screenings, and even a community center with a basketball court — a blend of cultural revival and community use for one of SF’s long-idle icons.

Sprouts Comes to San Leandro
Sprouts Farmers Market is planting roots in San Leandro with a new store opening November 14 at 1188 E. 14th Street. Known for its “farmers market” style layout, Sprouts centers fresh produce and caters to dietary needs with plant-based, keto, and gluten-free sections. Named Retailer of the Year in 2024, the chain has opened four Northern California locations in just three years. The San Leandro debut will include giveaways and grand opening events, underscoring how specialty grocers are reshaping the way Bay Area families shop for food.

MARKET TRENDS

Rates: The 30-year fixed ticked up to 6.30% this week after a month of declines, still near 11-month lows. Refi and purchase apps are both higher than a year ago, suggesting some pent-up demand.

Bay Area Prices & Pace:

San Francisco: Median sale price $1.305M in August (+0.6% YoY); 36 DOM; 393 sales (slightly up YoY).

San Jose: Median $1.365M (-1.0% YoY); 22 DOM; 492 sales (down YoY).

Oakland: Median $700K (-15.2% YoY); 36 DOM; softest pocket in the core Bay Area right now.

Supply & Bidding: Statewide, August’s sales-to-list ratio eased to 98.3% and price-per-sq-ft was flat YoY, signaling slightly more negotiating room than last year.

National Context: Existing-home sales were essentially flat in August and prices hit a record August median ($422.6K), but new-home sales jumped on builder incentives (rate buydowns, closing-cost credits). Expect builders to keep pulling some demand while rates hover in the mid-6s.

Local Read: Inventory has been trending higher in SF versus last year, with more price reductions showing up as days-on-market stretch. That lines up with the softer East Bay readings and mixed South Bay movement.

What it means: Buyers are getting a bit more leverage (especially in parts of the East Bay), while well-priced Peninsula and core SF homes still move. If rates hold near ~6.3%, expect a firmer fall season; a further dip could unlock sidelined move-up sellers

📩 Want to better understand what this means for the future of Bay Area housing? We’re here to help — send us a message at [email protected].

FOOD & DRINK

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UPCOMING EVENTS

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO?

Folsom Street Fair, Sun Sep 28, 11 AM–6 PM
SoMa — Folsom St (8th–12th), San Francisco

Pacifica Fog Fest, Sat–Sun Sep 27–28, 10 AM–6 PM
Palmetto Ave, Pacifica

SF Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival, Sat–Sun Sep 27–28, 11 AM–5 PM
Grant Ave (California–Broadway), Chinatown, San Francisco

September Arts & Culture Fest, Sun Sep 28, 11 AM–5 PM
Downtown San Mateo (B Street & nearby blocks)

Litquake Out Loud + Book Fair, Sun Sep 28, 11 AM–4 PM
Yerba Buena Gardens (Great Lawn), San Francisco

Walnut Creek Oktoberfest, Fri Sep 26, 5–10 PM & Sat Sep 27, 12–9 PM
Civic Park East, Walnut Creek

Disclosure (Live), Sat Sep 27, 7 PM (doors 6 PM)
Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Kali Uchis — The Sincerely, Tour, Sat Sep 27, 8 PM
SAP Center, San Jose

Harajuku Foodie Fest, Sat Sep 27, 12–6 PM
2018 Oxford St, Berkeley

SF Turkish Festival, Sat Sep 27, 11 AM–6 PM
Embarcadero, San Francisco

Chuseok Korean Harvest Festival, Sat Sep 27 (time varies)
The Presidio, San Francisco

Off the Grid at Cityside Park, Sat Sep 27 (time varies; recurring Saturdays)
Cityside Park, San Francisco waterfront

SFMTA Weekend Events (transit + closures roundup), Sat–Sun Sep 27–28
Citywide, San Francisco

DTSJ Weekend Roundup (multiple events), Sat–Sun Sep 27–28 (times vary)
Downtown San Jose

Not sure what to do next? Big changes are underway — San Francisco just unveiled a 38-mile Roundabout trail, Berkeley’s Fourth & U traded hands with upgrades on deck, and the historic El Rey Theatre is set for a 2027 revival, while specialty grocers like Sprouts keep reshaping neighborhood retail. At the same time, the housing market is shifting: buyers are gaining leverage in parts of the East Bay, while well-priced homes in SF and the Peninsula still move quickly. Whether you’re planning to buy, sell, or just watch the market, we’ll turn these trends into a clear plan tailored to your goals.

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