Top of the Hill Fest, Pan-Asian Carnival, and the Bay’s October Buzz

BAYAREAOWN WEEKLY RECAP

BAY AREA DEVELOPMENTS & REAL ESTATE

California Forever — Suisun City Expansion (Solano County)
The team behind California Forever—the tech-backed plan for a new utopian city in Solano County—isn’t backing down. After its original “new city” concept faced massive backlash, the group now proposes expanding Suisun City instead, tying its 175,000-home vision to an existing municipality. By doing so, developers can bypass a countywide vote and seek approval directly from Suisun’s City Council and Solano’s LAFCO. Founder Jan Sramek says the plan will bring jobs, entertainment, and housing over 40 years, but critics see it as a legal workaround. Could expanding Suisun City make California Forever’s dream viable—or reignite local resistance?

SB 79 — Transit Housing Revolution (Statewide)
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed SB 79, a landmark bill from Senator Scott Wiener allowing taller, denser housing—up to 75 feet—near BART stations and other major transit hubs. The law overrides local zoning that limits density, fast-tracking apartments near rail and subway stops from Berkeley to Palo Alto. Supporters say it’s the bold step needed to tackle California’s housing and transit crises, while opponents call it government overreach that could reshape quiet neighborhoods. Either way, it’s one of the most ambitious housing laws in state history—and could finally unlock California’s urban gridlock.

Twin Oaks Court — Los Altos Hills Housing Scaled Back
In one of Silicon Valley’s wealthiest towns, Los Altos Hills is revising its first-ever multifamily housing plan. The Twin Oaks Court development, originally slated for 250 homes, has been cut down to 92 units after pushback from residents. While city leaders say it preserves the town’s “rural character,” critics argue it undermines state housing mandates. With median home prices around $5.5 million and few affordable units in decades, the fight highlights how even small zoning changes can define who gets to live in Silicon Valley.

Apple & Housing Trust Silicon Valley — $200M Affordable Housing Fund
A major new push for Bay Area affordability is underway: Apple and Housing Trust Silicon Valley have launched a $200 million fund to create or preserve 7,400 affordable homes across the region. Backed by U.S. Bank, PNC, Wells Fargo, and Mechanics Bank, the fund focuses on projects near jobs and transit to reduce commuting costs and boost community stability. Named the 2025 Housing Champion, Apple has already helped finance nearly 20 developments across San Jose, Santa Cruz, and Belmont. As public funding tightens, corporate partnerships like this may become the Bay Area’s new affordability model.

San Mateo County’s $41M Affordable Housing Push
San Mateo County just approved $41 million for nine affordable housing projects across eight cities, including Belmont, Daly City, and Half Moon Bay—adding 636 new homes for families, seniors, and first-time buyers. Funded by Measure K’s half-cent sales tax, each county dollar is expected to leverage more than $16 in public and private investment, marking one of the largest housing commitments in county history. Since 2013, San Mateo has built or rehabilitated nearly 5,000 affordable units. This new investment could be key to keeping more residents from being priced out of the Peninsula.

MARKET TRENDS

Mortgage rates have eased again — the 30-year fixed now averages 6.27%, its lowest since summer. The Fed’s September rate cut (down 25 bps to 4.00%–4.25%) gave buyers a small but real boost, with refis and open-house traffic both up.

Across California, the median home price sits at $883,640 (-1.7% MoM, +1.8% YoY), while the Bay Area median rose to $1.30 million (+2.7% YoY). Sales volume is up nearly 10% year-over-year, even as inventory remains tight at 2.8 months of supply.

County breakdown: Santa Clara 1.8 months / 10 days on market, San Mateo 2.1 months / 12 days, San Francisco 2.0 months / 33 days — showing strong South Bay demand but slower movement in SF.

Slightly lower rates plus lean supply are keeping prices stable and competition brisk for turnkey, well-located homes. If you’re buying, focus on rate buydowns and payment comfort; if you’re selling, clean presentation and realistic pricing still win.

📩 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

JUST OPENED IN THE BAY AREA

YOUTUBE

San Francisco’s Comeback and the Bay Area’s Next Big Shift (2025)

From San Francisco’s new skyscraper and Fisherman’s Wharf makeover to statewide housing reforms and Daly City’s latest mixed-use project. You’ll learn how the Fed’s first rate cut in 9 months, the latest inflation data, and California’s SB 79 upzoning law are impacting home prices, rents, and investment opportunities across the Peninsula.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO?

1. Top of the Hill Festival — Oct 18–19, 10 AM–10 PM | Mission St & John Daly Blvd, Daly City
   Community celebration with food, live music, and carnival rides.

2. Pan-Asian Wonder Bazaar Cultural Carnival — Oct 18–19, 12 PM–8 PM | Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, San Jose
   Cultural festival featuring Asian cuisine, dance, fashion, and crafts.

3. Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival — Oct 18–19, 9 AM–5 PM | Main Street, Half Moon Bay
   Annual fall fair with giant pumpkins, art, and local food vendors.

4. Campbell Oktoberfest — Oct 18 (10 AM–6 PM) & Oct 19 (10 AM–5 PM) | Downtown Campbell
   Bavarian-style festival with beer, music, and family entertainment.

5. SF Music Day — Oct 19, 12 PM–6 PM | War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, San Francisco
   Free performances from Bay Area jazz, classical, and world musicians.

6. Shipyard Open Studios — Oct 18–19, 11 AM–6 PM | Hunters Point Shipyard & Islais Creek Studios, SF
   Citywide open studios where visitors can meet hundreds of local artists.

7. Oakland Autumn Lights Festival — Oct 16–18, 6 PM–10 PM | Gardens at Lake Merritt, Oakland
   Nighttime garden illuminated with art installations, music, and food.

8. Bay Area Science Festival – Discovery Day — Oct 25, 10 AM–4 PM | UCSF Mission Bay, San Francisco
   Free STEM festival with hands-on exhibits for kids and families.

9. Halloween Scream Yacht Party — Oct 25 (Evening) | Pier 3 Waterfront, San Francisco
   Costume-themed yacht cruise with DJs, dancing, and drinks.

10. Crawloween Pub Crawl — Oct 24–26 & Oct 31–Nov 1, Evenings | Polk Street Corridor, San Francisco
    Multi-day Halloween bar crawl with prizes and themed stops.

11. Pirates of Emerson Haunted Park — Through Nov 2, 7 PM–10 PM | Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton
    Bay Area’s long-running haunted attraction with mazes and scare zones.

12. Boo at the Zoo — Oct 24–26, 10 AM–4 PM | Oakland Zoo
    Family Halloween weekend with animal encounters and costume contests.

13. Día de los Muertos – Festival of Altars — Nov 2, 4 PM–9 PM | Potrero del Sol Park, San Francisco
    Mission District celebration with altars, performances, and community art.

14. Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival — Nov 2, 10 AM–5 PM | International Blvd & Fruitvale Ave, Oakland
    Parade, food, live bands, and traditional ofrendas honoring loved ones.

15. Glowfari Lantern Festival — Nov 7–Jan 26 (Evenings) | Oakland Zoo
    Walk-through winter lantern exhibit featuring giant illuminated animals.

16. Illuminate SF Festival of Light — Nov 8–Jan 5 (Evenings) | Across San Francisco
    Annual public art light installations brightening city landmarks.

17. Litquake Literary Festival — Through Oct 25 (Times Vary) | Multiple Venues, SF & East Bay
    Author readings, panels, and literary crawl events around the Bay.

18. San Jose Veterans Day Parade — Nov 11, 12 PM–4:30 PM | Downtown San Jose
    One of the nation’s largest Veterans Day parades honoring service members.

19. San Francisco Veterans Day Parade — Nov 9, 11 AM–1 PM | Fisherman’s Wharf & North Point St, SF
    Annual parade with military bands, floats, and color guards.

20. Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show — Oct 24–26 (Fri 10–4, Sat 10–5, Sun 10–4) | Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton
    Holiday shopping showcase featuring handmade art, décor, and gifts.

Not sure what to do next? The Bay Area housing map is shifting fast as California Forever reworks its plans in Solano County, SB 79 opens new opportunities near BART, and San Mateo County commits $41 million to affordable homes. With Apple and private partners funding thousands of new units, the region is seeing a new wave of collaboration between public and private investment. Whether you are planning to buy, sell, or invest, we will help you turn these changes into a clear, local strategy that fits your goals.

📩 Reach out at [email protected] to start your plan today.