2013 in San Francisco

2013 in San Francisco
Year	2013
City	San Francisco
Country	United States
Population	825862
Mayor	Ed Lee

2013 in San Francisco was marked by significant political activity, major cultural moments, high-profile legal decisions, and continuing economic shifts in the technology and real estate sectors. The year saw municipal responses to homelessness and housing pressures, large civic events, and notable achievements in arts, sports, and infrastructure that influenced the city's trajectory into the mid-2010s.

Incumbents

Mayor Ed Lee led the city with Board of Supervisors President David Chiu and a Board that included London Breed, Scott Wiener, Mark Farrell, Malia Cohen, and Eric Mar. The city's legislative and administrative functions involved key officials such as Police Chief Greg Suhr, Fire Chief Janice Fitzgerald, and City Attorney Dennis Herrera. At the state and federal level, San Francisco was represented by Governor Jerry Brown, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, and U.S. Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Jackie Speier among others.

Events

2013 featured a range of civic events and legal developments, including a high-profile trial involving the San Francisco Police Department and decisions affecting same-sex marriage in California following the ongoing legal aftermath of Proposition 8. The city hosted national visits by figures connected to Barack Obama's administration and saw protests and rallies linked to Occupy San Francisco's legacy, labor actions involving the United Food and Commercial Workers, and demonstrations about housing tied to groups like Anti-Eviction Mapping Project. Public safety incidents drew attention, such as major responses by the San Francisco Fire Department and coordinated operations with the California Highway Patrol after high-profile incidents. Civic milestones included municipal vote campaigns around transit-oriented development proposals, clashes about Market Street planning with advocacy from organizations like Walk San Francisco and SPUR, and cultural festivals involving Outside Lands, Chinese New Year Parade, and Fleet Week.

Arts and culture

San Francisco's arts scene in 2013 featured exhibitions at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, programming at the Asian Art Museum and de Young Museum, and performances at the San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, and American Conservatory Theater. The city's music venues, including The Fillmore (San Francisco), Great American Music Hall, and Bimbo's 365 Club, hosted touring artists from labels like Sub Pop and Matador Records. Film screenings at the San Francisco International Film Festival and programs by the San Francisco Film Society highlighted independent cinema. Literary events involved institutions such as the San Francisco Public Library and writers associated with City Lights Booksellers & Publishers and the legacy of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Street art and public sculpture were visible at sites like Pier 39, Embarcadero, and Crissy Field, while galleries in the Mission District, SoMa, and North Beach showed work from emerging artists connected to collectives and nonprofits such as Precita Eyes and Headlands Center for the Arts.

Sports

San Francisco's sports calendar included the San Francisco Giants' offseason activities and community outreach programs at AT&T Park, youth clinics tied to San Francisco 49ers alumni events, and collegiate athletics at University of San Francisco and San Francisco State University. Local running events incorporated the San Francisco Marathon and charity races organized with Bay Area Ridge Trail, while amateur leagues played at Kezar Stadium and community fields overseen by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. The city's sports media coverage by outlets such as the San Francisco Chronicle and regional broadcasts on NBC Sports Bay Area followed both professional and amateur milestones.

Infrastructure and transportation

Infrastructure and transit developments involved San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, the Bay Area Rapid Transit system, and planning for Caltrain modernization. The city's bike network expansions and protected lanes reflected advocacy by Friends of the Urban Forest and San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, while debates over Central Subway funding and construction affected neighborhoods served by contractors and regional agencies including Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Port operations at the Port of San Francisco and ferry services coordinated with Golden Gate Transit and San Francisco Bay Ferry, and airport activity at San Francisco International Airport involved the San Francisco International Airport Commission and carriers such as United Airlines and Virgin America.

Economy and business

2013 was notable for the continuing impact of Silicon Valley companies and startups on San Francisco's economy, with significant presence from firms like Twitter, Airbnb, Uber Technologies, Yelp, LinkedIn, Square, and venture capital activity from firms such as Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz. Real estate trends pushed by demand in neighborhoods like Mission District, SoMa, and South Beach affected rents and development projects led by developers including Tishman Speyer and investment groups tied to Blackstone Group. The city's tourism sector involved major hospitality operators such as Hilton Worldwide and Hyatt Hotels Corporation, while retail corridors around Union Square included flagship stores for brands like Apple Inc. and Nike, Inc.. Financial institutions with offices in the city included Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and regional headquarters for firms connected to the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq ecosystems.

Notable deaths

Notable figures with connections to San Francisco who died in 2013 included cultural and civic leaders associated with institutions such as San Francisco Chronicle, City Lights Booksellers & Publishers, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, and academic figures from University of California, San Francisco and University of San Francisco. Their passing was noted by local institutions including the San Francisco Public Library and memorialized in ceremonies at venues like Grace Cathedral and Cowell Theater.

Category:Years in San Francisco