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2020 Best of the Bay

48hills is proud to host the SF Bay Guardian Best of the Bay 2020! Sign up for our newsletter for more great local news + culture. 

Welcome to our historic 45th annual edition of the nation’s original Best of the Bay. Thousands of you voted, here are the results. Stay tuned for our 2020 Editors’ Picks and a special group of Stories of Resilience submitted by our readers, published later this month.

We know that this year is incredible different—an economic tragedy for local businesses and workers and a time of political and social upheaval (some of it very hopeful).

We wrestled with the idea of continuing Best of the Bay this year, with so many of our favorite spots struggling, shutdown, or permanently closed. In the end, we decided that it’s essential to bring the community together to celebrate its classic resilience, pay respects to legends, and energize ourselves for the fight to continue.

Our designs throughout this issue represent new growth springing from fires, both real and symbolic, that have challenged us this year. We hope that all the protest energy, networks of support, and empathy and adventurousness of the true Bay spirit will continue to heal our communities and represent the Best of us!

Thank you to everyone who voted. Please support our mission to keep Bay Area media independent here.

Designer Aaron Joseph, Audrey Fukuman/Identafire Best of the Bay Editor Marke B. Bay Guardian Editor Tim Redmond Web Developer Matt Fisher Bay Guardian Publishers Emeritus Bruce B. Brugmann and Jean Dibble Special Thanks Caitlin Donohue, Hunky Beau

Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: San Francisco Bay Area Bench Collective

Group's guerrilla seating makes solid statement about accessibility and humane public infrastructure.

Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: Corgi Con

The beloved celebration of the sturdy little spuds waddles into a blessedly bigger venue this year.

Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: 540 Bar

This retro Inner Richmond watering hole attracts gleeful happy hour goers and tight-knit creative community.

Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: Compton’s Cafeteria Riot

The city thought it would never see itself done right onstage after 'Beach Blanket Babylon.' Then this long-running show came along.

Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: Kina Kantor

Extolling the virtues of an in-demand theater talent, from turns in Berkeley Rep's 'Uncle Vanya' to Bindlestiff's 'The Love Edition.'

Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: Bones Bagels

Connoisseurs of the chewy and circular flock to this Noe Valley bakery's streamlined and seasonal sourdough offerings.

More Best of the Bay stories

Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: Boardroom’s Tequila Trivia Tuesdays

Forget the pop-quiz conglomerates—this North Beach bar and host Oliver 'The Baron' Chang double down on trivial tradition.

Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: 450 Architects

Designs for a more regenerative, uplifting built environment, from SF Waldorf School to Russian Hill's Francisco Park.

Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: Wendy Reid and Lulu

A woman and bird who make sweet, symphonic music, perfect for creekside listening in your favorite park.

Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: Terror Vault

We come for the jump scares, but stay for the world-building—and vampire cocktails—at the annual SF Mint fright fest.

Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: Sisterita

Downtown French fare with a Thai twist and bookish ambiance, the perfect sustenance for your brunch bunch.

VOTE NOW in the 2025 Best of the Bay Readers’ Poll!

Our 51st installment of the Bay Area classic is 'new and improved' for 2025—and still full of local love.

Best of the Bay 2024 Editors’ Pick: Shawna Virago

The groundbreaking 'fairy godmother' of trans country music is an outspoken voice for queer rights and local independent arts.

Best of the Bay 2024 Editors’ Pick: Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive

This world-class treasure trove of film and other creative forms is the true work of art.

Best of the Bay 2024 Editors’ Pick: Blandina Farley

A most colorful tour guide acquaints all comers with the neighborhood she's made home since the '70s.

Welcome to Best of the Bay 2024: The New Classics!

Our 50th annual Readers' Poll celebrates everything that's Best about the Bay Area—from the people who live here.

Best of the Bay 2024: City Living Winners

READERS' POLL: Best Salon, Best Bike Repair, Best Podcast, Best Politician, Best Hotel, Best Tour, Best Gym, more

Best of the Bay 2024: Food & Drink Winners

READERS' POLL: Best Burrito, Best Pizza, Best Chinese, Best Brunch, Best Dive Bar, Best Sports Bar, more

Best of the Bay 2024: Arts & Nightlife Winners

READERS' POLL: Best Nightclub, Best Art Gallery, Best Drag Queen, Best Karaoke, Best Live Venue, Best DJ, more

Best of the Bay 2024: Shopping Winners

READERS' POLL: Best Bookstore, Best Bike Shop, Best Store Staff, Best Cannabis Dispensary, Best Shoe Store, more

Best of the Bay 2024 Editors’ Pick: Bhangra & Beats Night Market

The Non Stop Bhangra Crew revitalizes downtown with vibrant contemporary Punjabi music, food, and culture.

Best of the Bay 2024 Editor’s Pick: Sean Dorsey Dance Company

Led by Dorsey's ever-expansive vision for trans-queer liberation, the 20-year-old company invites everyone to see themselves on stage.