San Francisco transformed into a mecca of art, festivals, and concerts on Friday, despite its reputation for crime and homelessness.
Visitors like Vanessa Gayton and her boyfriend Dominic came to enjoy a long list of events, including a free Portugal.
Mayor London Breed emphasized the need for the city to become a "city of yes" instead of a "city of no".
City leaders are working to revitalize downtown by partnering with event organizers like Another Planet Entertainment to bring concerts and festivals to the area.
Restaurants like Chao Pescao saw a significant increase in business on Friday, with wait times of an hour.
Visitors like Kris Hoglund and Michelle Catania, who used to live in the area, noticed positive changes in the city and felt that the events were helping to erase the city's negative image.
The city's efforts to revitalize downtown and change its perception are showing promising results.