“What’s On” at the YMCA of Greater San Francisco — Fall 2026 Edition
Aug 6, 2026 – The Fall 2026 edition of What’s On at the YMCA of Greater San Francisco is packed with updates, events, and stories from across San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties. Inside, you’ll find fun runs and golf tournaments, family-friendly adventures at our historic camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a community block party, the opening of the very first coffee shop at a Y location, and the latest Y news and announcements.
Every Step and Swing Supports the Y
Join your community to support the YMCA of Greater San Francisco at one of these fun Fall events:
14th Annual Richmond District YMCA Jog in the Fog | Mountain Lake Park | Sept 20
Lace up your running shoes and embrace one of San Francisco’s favorite traditions! The 14th Annual Jog in the Fog 5K returns on Sep. 20, 2026, bringing together runners, walkers and the community for another unforgettable morning of family fun and healthy activity in the unmistakable charm of San Francisco’s iconic fog. All runners go home with a fan-favorite Jog in the Fog t-shirt. Proceeds support the Richmond District YMCA.
41st Annual Chinatown YMCA Golf Tournament and Crab Feed | Lake Merced Golf Club & Chinatown YMCA | Sept 28
Join the Y for two beloved and longstanding Chinatown YMCA traditions: its annual golf tournament at the premier Lake Merced Golf Club followed by a delicious, fresh crab dinner. This event, on Sept. 28, 2026, brings together community members, supporters and champions of service and community well-being. This year’s event is dedicated to founding ARO (Alpha RAM Omega) community service group member Louis E. Kwok, whose lifelong commitment to Chinatown continues to inspire. Proceeds support the Chinatown YMCA’s programs for youth, families and older adults.
Presidio Family YMCA Golf Tournament | Presidio Golf Course | Oct 9
Give back while enjoying an unforgettable day at the renowned Presidio Golf Course, consistently ranked among the nation’s premier public courses. The scenic 18-hole championship course winds through towering eucalyptus and Monterey pine trees, offering a challenging round set against San Francisco’s iconic rolling hills. The day includes exciting on-course contests and the YMCA’s signature YBike mixed drinks. All proceeds benefit the Presidio Family YMCA.
Mission YMCA Pro-Am Golf Tournament | Pasatiempo Golf Course (Santa Cruz) | Oct 19
Swing with purpose at the iconic Pasatiempo Golf Club — named one of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World by Golf Digest and offering breathtaking views of Monterey Bay – while supporting a meaningful cause. Proceeds from this popular tournament on Oct. 19 will support youth, families and seniors at the Mission YMCA, funding vital programs including childcare, youth enrichment, senior wellness and food distribution.
Family Fun, Community Connection
Family Weekend at Camp Jones Gulch | September 4-7
Escape to towering redwoods for an unforgettable and affordable family getaway at YMCA’s Camp Jones Gulch in the Santa Cruz Mountains, La Honda, CA. Stay in comfortable cabin accommodations, enjoy shared meals in the lodge and take part in camp activities like hiking, archery, arts and crafts, canoeing, swimming, rock wall climbing, and campfires. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to a beloved tradition, Camp Jones Gulch offers something for everyone. Cost varies by accommodation level. Register here.
Valley of the Giants Hike at Camp Jones Gulch | September 10 | 10 am – 12:30 pm
Experience the crown jewel of YMCA’s Camp Jones Gulch: an awe-inspiring old-growth redwood grove where towering trees rise more than 200 feet and have stood for up to a thousand years. Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains near La Honda, this historic camp has been a cherished rite of passage for generations of Bay Area residents. The easy, accessible walk features educational stops along the way and is open to participants of all abilities. After the hike, enjoy a hot lunch in the camp’s historic dining hall. $25 fee; free for YMCA of Greater San Francisco members. Contact [email protected] for registration.
30th Anniversary Block Party at Bayview Hunters Point YMCA | Sept 19 | 11 am – 3 pm
Head over to the YMCA in Bayview for a big block party celebration hosted by the district’s community anchor: the Bayview Hunters Point YMCA. Expect live entertainment, raffles, local food vendors, activities for all ages, a kid zone and so much more.
Buckeye Grove Nature Walk at Camp Jones Gulch | October 8 | 10 am – 12:30 pm
Join the Y for a peaceful, leisurely walk through Buckeye Grove at Camp Jones Gulch in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Explore one of the camp’s most serene and ecologically rich areas as you discover beautiful California buckeye trees, learn about native plants and wildlife that call the grove home, and enjoy the tranquility of nature. After the walk, enjoy a hot lunch in the camp’s historic dining hall. Open to participants of all abilities. $25 fee; free for YMCA of Greater San Francisco members. Contact [email protected] for registration.
Y News and Story Opportunities
Chula Café Opens First-Ever Shop at Dogpatch YMCA | Sept 12
Chula Café, a family-owned specialty coffee company with roots in Chiapas, Mexico dating back more than 150 years, will open its first-ever café on September 12 at the Dogpatch YMCA, becoming the first food and beverage vendor to operate within a YMCA of Greater San Francisco location. The family’s first commercial coffee export was shipped to San Francisco in 1871, making the opening a full-circle moment. More than a destination for exceptional coffee, Mexican-inspired specialty drinks and pastries, Chula Café aims to be a welcoming community gathering place where neighbors can connect, celebrate, and build lasting relationships.
Refreshed Playground Opening Celebrations (two events)
Lutheran Church of our Savior Preschool at Stonestown YMCA | Sept 22 | 3:30 pm
Mission YMCA | Sept 30 | 11 am
The YMCA of Greater San Francisco is holding celebrations to commemorate the reopening of the outdoor play areas at Mission YMCA and Lutheran Church of our Savior (LCOS) Preschool at Stonestown YMCA. Both play areas have been transformed into nature-inspired play environments for young children, featuring log tunnels, wooden huts, mud kitchens, sand and water play stations and outdoor classroom areas that encourage hands-on exploration, imaginative play and outdoor learning.
The newly refreshed spaces were made possible with grants from Cal Fire and the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF). As one of San Francisco’s largest providers of early childhood education, the YMCA offers childcare and preschool programs equipped to give young children a safe, nurturing place to belong while supporting families from all backgrounds.
Falls Prevention Awareness Week Event at Marin YMCA | Sept 25
Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older. During the week of September 21, the Marin YMCA is partnering with longtime partner Vivalon to commemorate Falls Prevention Awareness Week with free programs that help older adults stay strong, confident, and independent. On September 25, the Marin YMCA will offer free pop-up fitness classes and interactive activities open to the community, reflecting the Y’s and Vivalon’s shared commitment to helping Marin’s older adults stay active, safe, and connected.
Lights On After School at various YGSF After-School Locations | October 22
On October 22, YMCA of Greater San Francisco’s after-school programs will join communities across the country in celebrating Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide initiative led by the Afterschool Alliance that highlights the vital role afterschool programs play in keeping kids safe, inspiring learning, and supporting working families. Local YMCA celebrations will be announced as plans are finalized.
Soccer Mini Pitch Opening at Loma Verde Elementary School | Oct date TBD
Loma Verde Elementary School in Novato will celebrate the opening of a new U.S. Soccer Foundation Mini Pitch, made possible through a partnership between the YMCA of Greater San Francisco, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, MetLife, and Novato Unified School District. Funded by MetLife, the mini pitch expands access to soccer and active play for local youth and will be integrated into the Marin YMCA’s afterschool and summer camp programs at Loma Verde. Community leaders, YMCA and school district officials, and representatives from the U.S. Soccer Foundation and MetLife will join a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark this significant investment in the school and community.
Fall Highlights At-A-Glance:
Sept 4-7 | Family Weekend at Camp Jones Gulch
Sept 10 | Valley of the Giants Hike at Camp Jones Gulch
Sept 12 | Chula Café opens at Dogpatch YMCA
Sept 19 | 30th Anniversary Block Party at Bayview Hunters Point YMCA
Sept 20 | 14th Annual Richmond District YMCA Jog in the Fog
Sept 22 | Refreshed Playground Opening Celebration for Lutheran Church of our Savior Preschool at Stonestown YMCA
Sept 25 | Falls Prevention Day at Marin YMCA
Sept 28 | 41st Annual Chinatown YMCA Golf Tournament and Crab Feed
Sept 30 | Refreshed Playground Opening Celebration at Mission YMCA
Oct 8 | Buckeye Grove Nature Walk at Camp Jones Gulch
Oct 9 | Presidio Family YMCA Golf Tournament
About the YMCA of Greater San Francisco
With 15 locations, a residential camp and more than 130 program sites in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin counties, the YMCA of Greater San Francisco is one of the Bay Area’s largest community service organizations serving 130,000 people annually. The Y promotes individual and community wellbeing for people of all ages through wellness programs, youth development, and critical social services. The programs and services at each local Y are shaped by the needs and aspirations of the people it serves, building strong bonds of connection at the community level. Through partnerships with neighborhood associations, schools, civic leaders, and businesses, the Y continues to evolve and expand, providing safe spaces in which people can be authentic, belong to a welcoming community and become their best selves.
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