Union Square

If your ideal happy hour involves glue guns instead of cocktails, make your way to Crafternoons in Union Square. Every Thursday, the neighborhood's public plaza turns into a drop-in creative studio where local artists and makers lead hands-on workshops in everything from knitting and natural printmaking to upcycled sculpture and other take-home projects. There's no pressure to arrive on time or stay for the full session, making it an easy excuse to linger downtown after work. The rotating lineup means no two weeks are exactly alike, and the atmosphere is refreshingly low-key. It's one of those small community events that reminds you San Francisco still knows how to make space for creativity in the middle of the city.

There are few better ways to spend a San Francisco summer evening than watching a movie under the stars in Union Square. Cinema on the Square turns the city's busiest plaza into an open-air theater, complete with pre-show trivia, live entertainment, popcorn, drinks and plenty of room to spread out with a blanket or low chair before the sun goes down. This month's screening celebrates the 25th anniversary of The Princess Diaries, making it an especially fitting choice in the city where the beloved film is set. Arrive early for the festivities, stay for the movie, and enjoy seeing downtown transformed into one big neighborhood gathering. It's proof that Union Square is becoming a destination again after dark.