The weather might be turning cold but night markets are hot, or at least for the Outer Sunset — as long as you’re wearing a sensible coat.
Seriously there are so many night markets nowadays, from the very popular ones on Irving Street and in Chinatown, to even a new one coming next month in The Castro. Enter Taraval Night Market by Ocean Beach, which kicked off for the very first time on Saturday, transforming this usually sleepy neighborhood into a vibrant hub along the Great Highway, filled with local music, delicious food, and artisan vendors.
Whenever I invite friends to the Outer Sunset, I often hear the same complaints: It’s too far, there’s nothing to do out there, and the beach is too cold. But I believe Ocean Beach residents know how to throw a good party. While the Irving and Chinatown night markets attract large crowds from across the city, including out-of-town tourists, the Great Highway felt like a gathering of neighbors.
With the sound of waves in the background, we explored stalls offering local crafts, street food, and unique souvenirs. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, music, laughter, and the refreshing scent of the ocean air.
The market itself was small but thoughtfully curated, featuring two entertainment stages flanked by a row of food trucks. You can’t stroll leisurely without a sweet drink, so we kicked things off with a deliciously ice-cold strawberry lemonade — because all drinks should come in quart-sized containers! The variety of artists at each night market is always different, and it feels great to support local talent.
I picked up some eye-catching stickers from David Maldonado, who was showcased in the City Art Cooperative Gallery earlier this year. We also ran into our friend Vivian Tong, an amazing artist and archivist whose work will be featured at this year’s Fan Expo starting in November.
While the selection of food was smaller, the lines were far more manageable than at previous night market experiences. Local restaurant Underdogs Too served street tacos and elote, available at both the market and the restaurant just two blocks away — depending on how chilly you want to feel.
The real star of the night was United Dumplings, where you could indulge in fried prawns and a whole fried squid. We watched as families swooped in on the whole fried squid like seabirds, triumphantly working together to make it a more shareable meal. If United Dumplings decided to open a new location in the Outer Sunset, I’m sure they would be warmly welcomed.
At the Irving Night Market, we mused: “The only thing that could make this better is a cocktail,” and the market by the beach delivered with three cocktail booths. While that may seem excessive for the event’s footprint, it transformed the gathering into a true celebration.
The intersection of Taraval and 46th is known for drinks at the edge of the world, with options ranging from the dive bar Riptide to the elegant cocktail bar White Cap. For one night only, we brought that dream right to the water’s edge, where tipsy locals lounged in the dunes, soaking in a full evening of music.
As the sun set, the temperature dropped, and the only solution was to dance. We enjoyed the DJ sets from Yo Yogurt and Soular on the Great Highway — an experience that might become more common if Prop K passes. We also jammed out with the beloved local band Long Tall Dan & The Foogie Boogies, a fixture at every neighborhood block party.
Taraval Night Market is the brainchild of Artyhood, a nonprofit that specializes in creating arts and community events throughout San Francisco. It’s part of a broader initiative supported by local politicians like Supervisor Joel Engardio, State Senator Scott Wiener, and Mayor London Breed — pictured above — who see these events as a way to revitalize neighborhoods, support small businesses, and bring more joy to the city.
The Outer Sunset may have a reputation for being quiet and uneventful, but when drinks and music are involved, the residents are eager to gather in the fog. In that spirit, we deem the Night Market by the Beach a resounding success and hope it marks the beginning of more public events in our cozy neighborhood.
T. Von D. is a local museum worker and lesbian.
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