Steph Rodriguez
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Articles by Steph Rodriguez
4 Gigs: Latino stories, jazzy rhythms and a 100-year German tradition
Spring is here, and Sacramento is ready to turn up the volume with music, art and community celebrations that will fill your calendar — from pulsating indie shows to immersive exhibitions and centuries‑old beer traditions. The “Estamos Aquí” photography exhibition at Casa de Español pairs portraits with personal stories, inviting you to explore heritage, identity and the First Friday artisan market.
How to Spend Two Family-Friendly Days in Sonoma and Mendocino
Photo by Steph Rodriguez for ThrillistPhoto by Steph Rodriguez for Thrillist San Francisco Travel Outdoors Presented By California's northern coast has whale watching hikes, kayaking, and lots of local wine and cheese Presented By California’s Northern Coast is my family’s go-to destination when we need a little reset from the weekly grind.
How to Spend Two Family-Friendly Days in Sonoma and Mendocino
California radiologist, wife shot in driveway were killed in targeted attack: Police California doctor Eric Cordes and his wife, Vicki, were shot and killed in their home in a targeted attack, not a random incident, according to …
8 gigs: Sacramento’s December guide for the divas and Grinches on your list
Narrated by Disney’s Goofy voice actor Bill Farmer, Theatre of Lights combines whimsical pioneer tales with dazzling holiday displays, now with Sunday performances and ASL interpretation for even more audiences to enjoy. By Steph Rodriguez, Solving Sacramento If you think your holiday to-do list is long, try squeezing all of Sacramento’s December fun into one month. Whether you’re feeling merry or even a little Grinchy, there’s plenty of events for everyone to experience this holiday season.
8 Gigs: Sacramento’s October guide to haunted music, outdoor movies and fall flavors
This October, Sacramento’s calendar is brimming with seasonal flicks, killer riffs and fiestas that honor loved ones who’ve passed. There’s no shortage of Halloween-themed mischief either — or chances to savor the city’s rich cultural flavors: from tamales and tacos at several Día de los Muertos celebrations, to bratwurst and leberkäse at Oktoberfest, and bagels and challah at this year’s Jewish Food Faire.
A Santa Cruz Gardening Collective Cultivates Belonging for Queer and Trans Asian Americans
Nicole J. Caruth Sep 17, 2025 Updated 11:24 am PT Failed to save article Please try again Tam Welch, co-founder of Bitter Cotyledons, poses for a portrait with the Japanese buckwheat plant at Trescony Community Gardens in Santa Cruz on Aug. 30, 2025. Bitter Cotyledons strives to build a community for queer and Asian individuals to connect with their culture through gardening and food.
Inside The Red Museum: Where Sacramento creatives welcome the strange and unusual
By Steph Rodriguez, Solving Sacramento The Red Museum has taken on many identities over the decades — a bustling warehouse, a community hub, a volunteer-driven epicenter for experimental art. Vibrating at its own frequency on the outskirts of Sacramento’s Mansion Flats neighborhood, the venue has hosted everything from underground music shows and avant-garde performances to large-scale festivals that spill into the adjacent 1810 Gallery art studios.
8 Sacramento experiences that hit every summertime vibe
By Steph Rodriguez, Solving Sacramento Savor summer’s final stretch with high-energy gatherings, cultural pride and live musical performances that span generations. Whether you’re catching a dreamy doo-wop set at Goldfield Trading Post in Midtown, vibing to cumbia under the Yolo County Fairground lights or celebrating 40 years of LGBTQ+ joy at the Sac Rainbow Fest, August begins and closes out with entertainment for everyone.
Meet LabRats, the Sacramento jazz quartet behind some of your favorite musicians
By Steph Rodriguez, Solving Sacramento Every city has its own music culture and sound. That’s especially true for jazz, a genre so deeply rooted in Sacramento history that its improvisational style became a rhythmic reflection of the city’s evolving identity throughout the decades.
8 Sacramento events to experience in May
By Steph Rodriguez, Solving Sacramento The savory aromas of sizzling skewers and sweet bubble waffles wafting through the air are sure to satisfy the masses at this year’s AAPI Night Market as it returns to downtown Sacramento, setting the stage for a month packed with cultural flavor and community vibes. From free outdoor concerts and dreamy album release parties to wild DIY punk shows, May delivers a soundtrack that’s as diverse as this beautiful city.
Sacramento’s The Gold Souls blend retro funk with modern soul on new album
By Steph Rodriguez, Solving Sacramento The Gold Souls have a lot to say — and now, as a full eight-piece band, they’re channeling their message through feel-good funk music and driven by undeniable soul power. Featuring a sharp, all-women horn section, The Gold Souls are ready to celebrate the arrival of their new full-length album, “Something In The Air,” debuting on April 24, with a release party hosted at the Torch Club on Saturday, April 26.
‘There’s No Support’: Incarcerated Survivors Testify in East Bay Women’s Prison Court Hearing
Jan 5 Failed to save article Please try again On Jan. 5, current incarcerated women testified in federal court before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, that they have difficulty accessing medical and mental health care and face retaliation if they report staff misconduct. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED) Survivors of sexual abuse at a federal East Bay women’s prison said inappropriate conduct and retaliation persist, multiple women incarcerated at the facility told a federal judge on Friday.
UC Berkeley's Taylor Swift Business Class Set for 2024
Ugur Dursun Nov 2 Failed to save article Please try again Taylor Swift performs onstage during Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Levi's Stadium on July 28, 2023 in Santa Clara, Calif. A new course held at UC Berkeley, titled, Artistry & Entrepreneurship: Taylor’s Version, will explore the mega star's entrepreneurial skills starting in the spring 2024 semester.
‘A Beautiful City’: Comedian Chris Estrada on SF and the Iconic Punch Line
Aug 18 Failed to save article Please try again Comedian Chris Estrada sits at Mr. Bing's in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood on Aug. 17, 2023. (Beth LaBerge/KQED) Chris Estrada loves wandering around San Francisco. Standing on the corner of Columbus and Vallejo with a slicked-back gentlemen’s cut and a crisp, black T-shirt, the Los Angeles-born stand-up comedian is arguably one of today’s funniest entertainers.
Oakland’s Youngest Track Stars Make Junior Olympics Debut in 2 States
Aug 2 Failed to save article Please try again Kaden Remson, 9, poses for a portrait with his track medals during track practice at Castlemont High School in Oakland, on Monday, July 31, 2023. Remson runs track with the East Oakland Track Gems, a nonprofit that introduces OUSD students to track and field.
Oakland A's Fans' 'Reverse Boycott' Draws 27,000 as Team Moves a Step Closer to Leaving
Jun 14 Failed to save article Please try again Oakland A's fans gather during a reverse boycott at the Oakland Coliseum to protest the ownership of the baseball team on June 13th, 2023. (Aryk Copley/KQED) Oakland A’s fans swarmed into the Coliseum Tuesday night, many wearing green T-shirts emblazoned with the word “Sell” as part of a last-ditch effort to keep the team in the city.
Oakland Teachers Prepared to Continue Striking Thursday, Despite Incremental Gains at Bargaining Table
But “we still have many issues on the table that are unresolved. So there’s still a lot of work ahead of us to reach a tentative agreement,” Serrano said. “We want to be back in our classrooms, back in our schools.
'Devastated' Oakland A's Fans React to Team's Vegas Move
Apr 21 Failed to save article Please try again A 10-year-old fan cheers during the MLB game between the Oakland Athletics and the Cleveland Indians at RingCentral Coliseum, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Oakland. (Scott Strazzante/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) A sports team is nothing without a community that supports it. Many Oakland A’s fans are still processing the news that their beloved team signed a deal to build a new stadium near the Las Vegas Strip.
A Tree Fell on My Car in the Bay Area. What Do I Do?
As the Bay Area recovers from yet another storm, many anticipate even more power outages and flooding - and, in many cases, assessing damage caused by...
A Tree Fell on My Car in the Bay Area. What Do I Do?
upper waypoint Feb 5 Failed to save article Please try again A large tree fell and damaged two cars on Parker Avenue in San Francisco after heavy rainstorms on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Gabrielle Lurie/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) As the Bay Area recovers from another major storm that resulted in hundreds of thousands of residents losing power, high gusts of wind also led to multiple fallen trees around the region.
How SF's Casa Sanchez tortilla chips became a California staple Original
With sleepy eyes, just before the sun cracked the sky, a then 5-year-old Robert Sanchez accompanied his father, also named Robert, to the family tortilleria on Fillmore Street, R. Sanchez & Co. The alluring scent of warm corn tortillas filled the air as he watched busy workers starting the lengthy process of turning sacks of dried corn into handmade tortillas that were then packaged and distributed to nearby restaurants. “I remember it was just so fascinating for me,” Sanchez, now 65, said.
The legendary California taco spot halfway between San Francisco and Tahoe
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Hollywood icons flocked to this Tahoe-debuted taco chain Original
Feb. 13, 2023 Jim Knudson was hooked. After tasting tacos for the first time at a friend’s house in Grass Valley, California, in the 1950s, Knudson went home and got busy in the kitchen trying to create his own recipe for the perfect taco — enamored by the flavors of the Mexican staple, which was less ubiquitous at the time. That’s when a happy accident occurred, one that would change his life forever. “He was playing around with different flavors, but accidentally spilled some Parmesan on the taco.
Everything you need to know about the 'forbidden' Costco food court hack
In 2023, it is anticipated that the availability of beef will decrease, leading Americans to seek alternative sources of protein and dietary staples. The USDA projects that the average American will consume 5.6% less beef in 2023, marking the largest decrease in consumption in almost four decades, as reported by Beef Magazine. 1 DAY AGO
Costco’s latest food court trend involves its hot dog Original
I will try anything once. So when an SFGATE colleague shared a buzzy Reddit thread about a viral Costco food court trend called the “Forbidden Glizzy,” involving its wildly popular $1.50 hot dog combined with its chicken bake — I was intrigued. For the uninitiated, a Costco chicken bake on its own is like an elevated Hot Pocket. This handheld treasure is made from the same pizza dough as Costco’s popular pizzas and sprinkled with cheese before being baked to perfection.
Historic specialty grocery store in SF is saved by loyal customer Original
Feb. 1, 2023 When Lehr’s German Specialties abruptly closed its doors last August after nearly 50 years as San Francisco’s dedicated shop for hard-to-find German brands and imported treats — it didn’t stay closed for long. Hannah Seyfert, a loyal customer who moved to San Francisco from Germany in 2016, often frequented Lehr’s for a taste of “heimat,” or home. She took comfort in the little specialty shop on Church Street that carried all of the familiar brands she’s enjoyed since childhood.
Where Eagles fans in SF will get their cheesesteaks for Sunday's 49ers game
The Buffalo Bills are coming off a disappointing end to their season, losing 27-10 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional round in the playoffs. Entering the offseason, the Buffalo Bills have started looking toward the future and made the tough decision to fire one of their long-tenured coaches. 1 DAY AGO
The one SF bar to avoid if you don't want to run into Eagles fans Original
Nasri Mufarreh couldn’t have taken over Philly cheesesteak shop Jake’s Steaks on Buchanan Street — a nest for die-hard Eagles fans in San Francisco — at a better time. “I enjoyed the people who came through when the first Super Bowl happened,” Mufarreh said of the 2017 purchase that came months before the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl for the 2017-18 season. “I took over that summer, so right when the season began, the Eagles were winning every Sunday.
Celebrity-backed Dave’s Hot Chicken opens new Oakland restaurant
The Habit Burger Grill, a Southern California burger chain, is opening a new restaurant in Oakland, and it's giving away free burgers to celebrate. Founded in Santa Barbara in 1969 (and now based in Irvine), the chain has nearly 100 locations in the Bay Area. In 2020, it was acquired by Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Habit Burger is known for its charbroiled hamburgers and other fast-casual offerings, such as a chicken club sandwich and an ahi tuna sandwich.
New Oakland hot chicken spot is backed by Drake, Samuel L. Jackson Original
Hot chicken smacks different in the bay, and a new spicy chicken chain debuted in Oakland on Friday that’s backed by rapper Drake and actor Samuel L. Jackson — buzzy Los Angeles-born staple Dave’s Hot Chicken. Dave’s was founded in 2017 by friends Dave Kopushyan — a chef who trained in the organization of Thomas Keller (French Laundry) — Arman Oganesyan and Tommy and Gary Rubenyan as a mere hot chicken cart in an East Hollywood parking lot.
WATCH: San Francisco man who sprayed woman in viral video says he'd do it again
On Monday morning, a viral video began circulating of a man in San Francisco hosing down a woman sitting on the ground in front of Barbarossa Lounge on Montgomery Street. With a hose in hand, the man starts spraying her directly in the face as she shouts and tries to shield her body from the oncoming blasts of water in the video. The footage drew outrage, with many appalled by the treatment of someone who appears to be homeless. But the man with the hose, Collier Gwin, told SFGATE he’d do it again.
San Francisco art gallery owner who hosed down homeless woman says he would do it again
On Monday morning, a viral video began circulating of a man in San Francisco hosing down a woman sitting on the ground in front of Barbarossa Lounge on Montgomery Street. With a hose in hand, the man starts spraying her directly in the face as she shouts and tries to shield her body from the oncoming blasts of water in the video. The footage drew outrage, with many appalled by the treatment of someone who appears to be homeless. But the man with the hose, Collier Gwin, told SFGATE he’d do it again.
San Francisco man who sprayed woman in viral video says he'd do it again
NOVATO, Calif. - A beloved Bay Area pizza chain announced the closure of three locations. Known for Italian comfort food, Mary's Pizza Shack permanently closed their Novato, Napa, and Dixon locations on Saturday, the company announced on Facebook. "Unfortunately, this was a necessary action as we continue restructuring our Noni’s... 6 HOURS AGO
SF man who sprayed seemingly homeless woman says he'd do it again Original
“In that situation, the street was being washed and she refused to move. She started screaming profanities, and becoming very belligerent,” Gwin, who owns an art gallery next to Barbarossa Lounge and is not affiliated with the popular bar, told SFGATE. “... and at that point, the cleaning on the street was directed more in front of her.” Gwin said that the woman has been in front of his building and adjacent businesses for almost two weeks.
California storm strands more than 60 Bay Area food trucks
The Daily 01-04-23 When to expect heaviest rain in the Bay Area amid bomb cyclone A bomb cyclone, or rapidly deepening area of low pressure, was over the Pacific Ocean and 650 miles off the coast of Eureka, Calif., on Wednesday morning.
California storm leaves more than 60 Bay Area food trucks stranded
Jan. 5, 2023 New Year's Eve for Karen Gonzalez went south. Quick. Saturday’s torrential downpour experienced throughout the Bay Area ended up flooding the entire road that leads to the storage yard where she parks all three Cochinita food trucks. She’s not alone. More than 60 Bay Area food trucks park their vehicles at Mobile Foods in South San Francisco on Shaw Road, including Satay by the Bay, Los Kuyas, Rice Bucket, Sip n Slurp and others.
Bay Area icon sells out 3 nights at haunted SF venue Original
Last Friday, a psychedelic keyboard wizard draped in purple robes led me on an epic journey inside a haunted chapel. Once I ascended a dark staircase, I was greeted by a pair of large melting clocks and a 4-foot-tall cherry milkshake. It felt like a scene out of some sort of trippy “Alice in Wonderland” punk rock fever dream. And the 500 fans in attendance were all for it.
The 14 best SF restaurant dishes SFGATE staff ate this year
There’s one thing that unites SFGATE staff: We love to eat. We devour smoky barbecue plates in North Beach and expertly cooked black cod filets in the Inner Sunset. We will take down an entire dinner-plate-sized tlayuda in the heart of the Mission and then drive 80 miles north in search of the best empanadas sold in a Shell gas station. But most of all, we enjoy discovering all the delicious foods throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Famed SF restaurant has served more than 4 million people Original
Growing up in one of San Francisco’s Chinese food destinations wasn’t always easy. For Kathy Fang, daughter of House of Nanking founders Peter and Lily Fang, it meant a lot of late nights — but nothing could replace being surrounded by the sights and smells of Shanghai-style home cooking. “My parents came here with less than $40 in their pocket and the first place they stepped into was Chinatown. Ever since then, Chinatown has always been our home,” Kathy said.
Zendaya and Tom Holland visit East Bay eatery Batch & Brine Original
One East Bay restaurant received a surprise celebrity reservation this week. Oakland-born actress Zendaya seems to be in town for the upcoming holidays as she and “Spider-Man” co-star and boyfriend Tom Holland visited Zendaya’s former school, Oakland School for the Arts. the celebrity sighting, followed by a flurry of social media posts from excited fans. SFGATE confirmed that Zendaya and Holland later dined at Batch & Brine in Lafayette.
Founder of Christopher Ranch, Gilroy Garlic Festival dead at 88 Original
Don Christopher, the founder of Christopher Ranch and America’s largest producer of California heirloom garlic, died on Monday, Dec. 12. He was 88 years old. Christopher was also the co-founder of the world-famous , which has delighted countless attendees since 1979, celebrating “the stinking rose” with garlicky foods such as loaded french fries and ice cream.
How San Francisco’s legendary It’s-It ice cream was almost lost to history
San Francisco’s iconic, dark chocolate-dipped frozen treat was almost lost to history. After the lauded oceanside amusement park Playland-at-the-Beach was torn down in 1972, the It’s-It recipe changed hands from park founder George Whitney to San Franciscan George Mavros. Despite the seaside funland’s demise, Mavros set up shop near the historic windmill to continue the tradition of hand-dipping the popular ice cream sandwiches the old-fashioned way.
How SF’s iconic It’s-It ice cream sandwich was almost forgotten
San Francisco’s iconic, dark chocolate-dipped frozen treat was almost lost to history. After the lauded oceanside amusement park Playland-at-the-Beach was torn down in 1972, the It’s-It recipe changed hands from park founder George Whitney to San Franciscan George Mavros. Despite the seaside funland’s demise, Mavros set up shop near the historic windmill to continue the tradition of hand-dipping the popular ice cream sandwiches the old-fashioned way.
These four San Francisco restaurants receive new Michelin Star honors Original
Chef David Yoshimura of Nisei was also honored with the Michelin Young Chef Award. According to Michelin’s anonymous chief inspector, Yoshimura is a chef who is “full of personality” with dishes elevated by his personal culinary journey. “Chef Yoshimura is just under 35, and I say, he embodies exactly what we’re looking for in a young talent,” the inspector told SFGATE.
These Bay Area restaurants received new Michelin star honors
Chef David Yoshimura of Nisei was also honored with the Michelin Young Chef Award. According to Michelin’s anonymous chief inspector, Yoshimura is a chef who is “full of personality” with dishes elevated by his personal culinary journey. “Chef Yoshimura is just under 35, and I say, he embodies exactly what we’re looking for in a young talent,” the inspector told SFGATE.
Michelin Guide secret restaurant inspectors dine 350 times a year Original
SFGATE spoke to one of Michelin’s chief anonymous inspectors ahead of the Michelin Star Revelation 2022 awards ceremony on Dec. 5, which honors California restaurants seeking the highly sought-after Michelin Star recognition. This year, the event is hosted at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. Michelin’s inspection team is made up of hotel professionals with at least 10 years of work experience in that particular field, according to one of the guide’s anonymous chief inspectors.
This burger joint is the tastiest stop on the drive to Tahoe Original
A good burger never goes out of style. For some, it’s Americana sandwiched between two buns. For Bill Taylor, proprietor of Willie’s Burgers in downtown Sacramento, it calls back to a more innocent era, a time where he and his then-high school sweetheart, Stephanie Taylor, would grab a couple of late-night burgers at one of Los Angeles’ most historic fast food stands.
Bay Area cult-favorite craft beer available for limited orders Original
Fans of Russian River Brewing Company’s line of award-winning craft beers won’t have to wait in line for the much-anticipated limited release of its double dry-hopped Pliny the Elder cans. Instead, the cult-favorite brewery announced yesterday on Instagram that beer enthusiasts can start placing their orders for this special batch of Pliny the Elder online starting at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18.
Trader Joe’s shares the secret of where it stocks the best wines
Trader Joe’s shares the secret of where it stocks the best wines Updated: 1:47 PM PST Nov 16, 2022 If you’re in charge of bringing the wine to your next family gathering or even an upcoming friendsgiving, a trip down the vino aisle can be intimidating.Will your pals dig a buttery chardonnay or will they fancy a light-bodied pinot grigio? Are pinot noir and cabernet the safest reds to buy?
Trader Joe’s shares secret of where it stocks its best wines Original
Usually, grocery stores use overstock items to create large displays, and the products used for these end caps or massive pyramid structures aren’t always the tastiest choices found in the market. But at Trader Joe’s, that’s not the case, according to “Inside Trader Joe’s” podcast host Tara Miller. “I think that's a really great little inside tip right there,” Miller said in the “Trader Joe’s Wine Wonderings” episode.
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