Sunday Streets is San Francisco’s open streets program with an annual season of events that reclaim car-congested streets for community health, transforming them into car-free spaces for all to enjoy. Event routes are 1-4 miles in length, with fun, free activities provided by local nonprofits, community groups and small businesses.
Sunday Streets is a program of the nonprofit Livable City presented in partnership with the SFMTA, San Francisco Department of Public Health, and the City and County of San Francisco.
Sunday Streets’ mission is to:
Create temporary open space and recreational opportunities in neighborhoods most lacking
Encourage physical activity
Foster community-building
Inspire people to think about their streets as public spaces
Sunday Streets was inspired by the Ciclovía in Bogotá, Colombia and championed in San Francisco by Mayor Gavin Newsom and the ShapeUp Coalition of San Francisco. Since starting the program in 2008 with two events along the waterfront, the nonprofit Livable City has grown Sunday Streets into one of North America’s premiere open street programs serving 100,000 residents in diverse neighborhoods across San Francisco.
The magic is made possible by the entire Sunday Streets community, including 400+ volunteers, hundreds of local nonprofits and small businesses, dozens of sponsors and City agencies, and the residents of our host neighborhoods. From the bottom of our heart – thank you!
Learn More:
San Francisco’s Car-Free Roots
The History of Sunday Streets San Francisco
Why One Mile? The Case for Open Streets
Why Open Streets are an Important Tool in the Fight Against Climate Change
Creating Resilience: How Block Parties Can Prepare Us for Disaster
The Beginning of Open Streets: Bogotá, Colombia Changes the Game
Sidewalks to Cheap Coffee Shops: How Third Places Keep Us Connected
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next Sunday Streets?
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What if I need to access my home or business on the route during the event?
To create a safe car-free space, vehicle access on the route is limited. If at all possible, Sunday Streets asks you avoid any trips during the hours of 10:00am – 4:30pm that traverse the event’s footprint.
However, Sunday Streets understands that businesses and neighbors may need local access during the event. Please email SundayStreets@livablecity.org prior to the event to coordinate with the Sunday Streets team for a smooth experience.
In the event of an unexpected need for local access, there will be traffic enforcement officers at intersections where vehicle traffic is permitted to cross the route who can help you access business/residents as needed and is deemed safe. Volunteers will be on hand to help escort drivers to and from those intersections.
Thank you in advance for using caution should you need to drive on the Sunday Streets route during an event, as there will be many people of all ages enjoying the open streets. Please listen to instructions by all traffic enforcement officers and Sunday Streets volunteers.
Are there bathrooms along the route?
YES – Sunday Streets provides portable toilets along the route and there are public facilities on or near most of the routes. Please see the event pages for maps and info.
If I need to drive to the event, where can I park near the route?
Livable City strongly encourages biking, walking, or taking public transportation to get to Sunday Streets when possible. Should you need to drive, be aware that the Sunday Streets route is towed of all vehicles beginning at 8 a.m. on the day of the event (even if you’re just parking for a moment to buy a cup of coffee, you risk your car being towed).
Check out SFPark.org and parkme.com to identify available parking lots and spaces nearby. Please see the event pages for maps and info.
How can my organization, community group or small business table at Sunday Streets?
Sunday Streets would love for you to join the magic! Any organization, business, community group or individual hosting an activity or information booth at Sunday Streets should register as an exhibitor. Exhibitor spaces start at $35 and are free for organizations and businesses on the route. Click here for Exhibitor information.
Have an idea for a larger partnership? Send your project proposal at programs@livablecity.org!
Can I perform with my music or dance group?
Yes! Sunday Streets welcomes musicians and performers. Please apply here and take note that not all applications can be accepted due to limits on entertainment permits.
How is Sunday Streets funded?
It takes a village!
Livable City fundraises the majority of the costs needed to provide open streets for over 100,000 San Francisco residents. These funds come from a mix of individual donations, grants, public and private sponsorships, and Exhibitor Fees. These donations go directly toward Sunday Streets’ programming costs.
Sunday Streets would not be possible without a longtime partnership with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the support of the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the City and County of San Francisco. In 2017, Sunday Streets began partnering with San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development to provide greater support to neighborhood businesses. In addition to direct financial support, city departments provide the in-kind equipment and city services needed to make Sunday Streets possible, including traffic control, SFPD staffing, street cleaning, bus rerouting, barricades, and marketing space.
Want to help Sunday Streets get to the finish line? Make a tax deductible donation to the program today!
How can I get Sunday Streets in my neighborhood?
Currently, Livable City produces Sunday Streets events in six neighborhoods across San Francisco. As Sunday Streets has grown since 2008, these neighborhoods were selected to provide the benefits of open streets where they are needed most – in neighborhoods with limited open space and recreational opportunities.
Although there are not current plans to produce Sunday Streets in additional neighborhoods, you can still be a part of creating more open streets in San Francisco and in your neighborhood, and Livable City would love to help you make that happen!
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Check out Play Streets, a Livable City program that temporarily closes a residential city block to traffic to provide a safe place for children, their families, and neighbors to come together and play outside
- Organize your neighbors and host a neighborhood block party. It’s easier than you think. Read more about the permit process on the SFMTA website.
- Talk with your local neighborhood or merchant association about hosting a community open streets event. Read the permit information from the SFMTA, and tips and tricks for building neighborhood support.
- Check out the SF Better Streets portal for other ideas about street events and activation.
Contact your Supervisor and tell them you love Sunday Streets and ask them to support more Sunday Streets in San Francisco and more open streets in your neighborhood!
Our Staff
Tom Radulovich
Executive Director
Tom joined Livable City as Executive Director in June 2004. He has been an urban environmental activist since attending college at UC Berkeley, advocating for urban environmental restoration, better public transport, and the greening and revitalization of public streetscapes and open spaces. Tom also served on the BART Board of Directors from 1996-2016, helping pass policy and infrastructure projects that supports a more connected and sustainable Bay Area.
Katy Birnbaum
Associate Director
Katy joined the Sunday Streets team in 2015 and has taken her love of community organizing to the heart of the Sunday Streets program. Katy leads the effort to ensure Sunday Streets is a true community resource for all participants whether they be neighborhood residents, local merchants, community organizations, city agencies or non-profits. Since graduating SFSU in 2010, Katy has used her communications skills to increase the reach and impact of various political and community groups in the Bay Area.
Angelica Tumandao
Program Administrative Coordinator
Angelica joined Livable City in 2018 as a Volunteer Administration Intern. Born and raised in the Philippines, Angelica grew up valuing communal unity and seeks to find it in San Francisco. She was drawn to Sunday Streets to help the growing nonprofit reach its goal to provide open space for communal unity in San Francisco. Her favorite open space in San Francisco is Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove since it radiates a relaxing aura, despite being inside the city.
