Celebrate Small Business Week with Muni: Explore the Bayview, Chinatown, Castro and Excelsior

Artist credit: Dan Bransfield.

This week in San Francisco, we’re celebrating and lifting up our small business community, the heart of San Francisco! We’re thrilled to help you visit your favorites – and discover plenty of new ones – this Small Business Week (May 5 to 9). You can always count on us when you Go Local.

We’ll showcase a dozen neighborhoods throughout the week and cover how you can get to them on Muni. Plus, we'll share a little slice of what we do behind the scenes to make your trips to small businesses smooth and reliable.

Today, we’ll help you explore the Bayview, Chinatown, Castro and Excelsior. You’ll also hear how maintenance is top of mind for us when we connect communities across the city.

Artist credit: Dan Bransfield.

Bayview-Hunter's Point 

Known as the city’s “Sunniest Neighborhood,” the Bayview has vibrant small businesses and beautiful parks. It’s also one of the oldest business districts in California! You can learn even more about the neighborhood on our Bayview-Hunter's Point Go Local webpage. 

Shop 

There's so much to do when you Go Local in the Bayview. You can shop for apparel, stop by a  salon or find your favorite workout at a locally-owned gym. Plus, it's a great place to build  creative skills. You can learn ceramics, glass-blowing and much more. Check out the Bayview Makers District of San Francisco webpage for a wide range of small businesses to explore. 

Dine 

Oysters, soul food, pastries, breweries – you’ve got many delicious options when you head to the Bayview for a meal or a drink. Restaurants in the area specialize in local and global cuisines. For inspiration, check out the Food and Beverage section of the Bayview Makers site. 

Artist credit: Dan Bransfield.

Chinatown

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia. It’s also the oldest Chinatown in North America. The famous Dragon Gate opens the door to the neighborhood’s rich culture and history. You can learn more about it on our Chinatown Go Local webpage.

Shop

Streets like Grant Avenue have lots of locally-owned shops where you can find gifts, souvenirs and antiques. On Stockton Street, you’ll find lively markets with Chinese produce and herbs – plus classics like roast duck. Visit the Shop Chinatown website for a list of businesses to visit. 

Dine

Chinatown’s culinary scene boasts new and traditional Chinese cuisine. Craving dim sum? Bakeries throughout the neighborhood offer a wide variety of options. Plus, the fun doesn’t stop after dinner in Chinatown. You can also stop by cocktail lounges and karaoke bars. For ideas, check out this San Francisco Chinatown directory.

Take Muni

T Third, California Cable Car, Powell / Hyde Cable Car, Powell / Mason Cable Car, 1 California, 8 Bayshore/8AX/8BXBayshore, 9/9R San Bruno, 12 Folsom/Pacific, 30 Stockton, 38/38R Geary, 39 Coit, 45 Union/Stockton 

Artist credit: Dan Bransfield.

Castro 

The Castro is home to San Francisco’s strong LGBTQ+ community, and it‘s been an epicenter of activism for decades. You can learn more about the Castro's history on our Castro Go Local webpage. Today in the neighborhood, you’ll find lots of colorful small businesses and historic landmarks to explore.

Shop

The Castro has a wide range of locally-owned businesses you can support this week and beyond. And it’s a great place to buy gifts! You'll find plenty of options along the corridor. Check out the Castro Merchants retail webpage for inspiration.

Dine

The Castro has lots of cafes, restaurants and bars to explore, including landmarks like Twin Peaks Tavern. Planning to stop by for a meal? Here’s a full list of cafes and restaurants in the Castro. Looking to grab a drink? Check out the Castro Merchants Bars & Nightclubs webpage. 

Take Muni

F Market & Wharves, J Church, K Ingleside, L Taraval, M Ocean View, N Judah, 22 Fillmore, 24 Divisadero, 33 Ashbury/18th Street, 35 Eureka, 37 Corbett

Artist credit: Dan Bransfield.

Excelsior

The Excelsior is one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco. It’s also one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods. Restaurants, shops and community events across the Excelsior reflect this. You can learn more on our Excelsior Go Local webpage.

Shop

The Excelsior is home to hundreds of small businesses, all within its 5-mile radius! And as you explore them, you’re bound to spot some of the neighborhood’s incredible murals. 

Dine

You’ll find cuisines from around the world when you stop by the Excelsior to share a meal with friends and loved ones. When you choose this neighborhood to Go Local, you can order pupusas, pancit, Dutch crunch and a whole lot in between. 

Take Muni

J Church, 8 Bayshore/8AX/8BXBayshore, 9/9R San Bruno, 14/14R Mission, 23 Monterey, 24 Divisadero, 29 Sunset, 35 Eureka, 43 Masonic, 44 Shaunessy, 49 Van Ness/Mission, 52 Excelsior, 54 Felton, 67 Bernal Heights

Helping you Go Local all year long: Our focus on maintenance

Our Fleet Maintenance team prioritizes preventative maintenance and teaches the next generation through training opportunities.

Wherever you choose to eat, drink and shop this week, we're ready to help you Go Local! That’s because we’re always working behind the scenes to keep Muni moving – and improving your trips in every way we can.

Maintenance is a critical part of the equation. Today, SFMTA Chief Mechanical Officer of Fleet Maintenance Michael Henry explains what we do to keep our buses, trains and historic streetcars in good repair.

Ready for repairs 24/7 

“We run three maintenance shifts 24 hours a day because our vehicles are running up to 20 hours a day,” Henry explains. “They're running far more than an individual personal car would, so they require a lot attention.”

“We’re always around to triage and repair vehicles if something happens that impacts service,” Henry says. “In those cases, we get the needed repairs done so we can get those vehicles right back on the road.” 

Prioritizing preventative maintenance 

But Henry’s teams are always working to reduce the need for these types of repairs. All year long, they perform preventative maintenance on Muni’s fleet.

“We have a long list of things we check for safety – from doors and wheelchair ramps to engines, braking systems and suspension systems,” Henry says.

“We also take care of things that are so important to our operators. That means things like functional controls, the speaker systems for announcements and the radio so they can speak to our control center.”  

Riders are family 

“What makes maintenance personal and important to me is not only do we supply service for our customers, but some of my family are the customers,” Henry says. “So it’s really important to me that my community, my family, my friends have safe, clean, reliable vehicles. I'm always asking: ‘Hey, how was the ride? What can we improve?’"