San Francisco Magazine celebrated its 24th annual Best of The Bay at the elegant Conservatory at One Sansome on July 19, 2025. This beloved tradition shines a spotlight on the best of the Bay Area across food and drink, home and real estate, style and travel, beauty and wellness—and, of course, arts and entertainment.

…and it’s official: Red Curtain Addict has been named Best Arts Resource in the Bay Area by San Francisco Magazine, and we couldn’t be more honored. This recognition means so much as we continue our mission to connect communities with the arts and spotlight the incredible artists and organizations that make the Bay such a vibrant place to live, create, and experience.

Not only did we get to celebrate this incredible honor, but we also had the privilege of emceeing and covering the evening. We’re excited to share some of the night’s most unforgettable moments with you, including exclusive interviews, event highlights, special announcements, and more.

🎥 Watch below to experience the Best of The Bay for yourself.

There were so many memorable highlights from the evening, including the chance to learn more about the event's benefactor. In partnership with grantLOVE, proceeds from the celebration supported the San Francisco Arts Education Project—an organization that has provided equitable access to high-quality arts education for local youth for over four decades, nurturing creativity and empowering the next generation of artists, performers, and cultural leaders.

"It's a very big deal to step into this incredible spotlight filled with a room of people who support the arts," said Chad Jones, Executive Director of SFArtsEd.

"Not everyone has to become an artist," added Alexandra Grant, Founder of grantLOVE. "But everyone needs to know how to problem-solve, how to think more creatively, and to be given permission to have ideas."

One of the most exciting and memorable moments of the evening came when California State Senator Scott Wiener took the stage to present an official State Senate Resolution. This special recognition honored San Francisco Magazine for its remarkable legacy of storytelling and its profound cultural impact throughout the Bay Area.

Senator Wiener praised the magazine for spotlighting the region’s diverse communities, celebrating local innovators, and amplifying voices that shape the Bay’s unique identity. "We're really proud of San Francisco Magazine", said California State Senator Scott Wiener. "It's part of the heart and soul of our city. So it was really important for me to be here to celebrate!"

We had an incredible time immersed in an atmosphere buzzing with top culinary talent, inventive bartenders, dynamic brand activations, and captivating live performances from SFJAZZ and DJ King Most. “People come from around the world to experience our restaurants,” said Autumn O’Keefe, Publisher of San Francisco Magazine.

“Our vibrant food scene has put us on the map in so many ways, so it’s truly an honor to have them here. We’re excited to celebrate their creativity and the amazing work they’re doing.”

This year’s Best of The Bay celebration also marked a major milestone: the 70th anniversary of Luxury Magazine. Editor-in-Chief Michael McCarthy reflected on the magazine’s enduring legacy, sharing, “My job is to hold up a mirror to this beautiful and complex region—to tell the stories of the Bay Area through its arts, food, culture, design, and architecture. It’s an incredible honor, and tonight brings it all together.”

The evening was a powerful tribute to seven decades of storytelling, spotlighting the people and ideas that continue to shape the fabric of San Francisco.

As the evening came to a close, one thing was clear: the Bay Area’s creative spirit is as alive and dynamic as ever. From honoring culinary and cultural trailblazers to supporting arts education and celebrating seven decades of storytelling, the Best of The Bay was more than just an event, it was a reminder of what makes this city so extraordinary. 

We’re honored to have been part of it and can’t wait to continue sharing the stories, people, and experiences that make the Bay Area shine.

To find out more about this year's Best of the Bay Winners, click HERE. To find out more about Red Curtain Addict, click HERE!