Real San Francisco Podcast

Alexander Fromm Lurie & Baxter Smith of The Lurie Group

Welcome to Real San Francisco — the podcast where the pulse of the city meets the truth of the market.We cut through the headlines, hype, and internet noise to bring you the real story of San Francisco. From housing and real estate trends to business, culture, and community, every episode delivers data-driven insights and insider perspectives from people who live and breathe this city.🎙️ On Real San Francisco, you’ll hear:Honest breakdowns of the San Francisco housing marketWhat’s really driving Bay Area real estate trendsStories of buyers, sellers, and families making moves in the cityHow culture, politics, and tech (including AI and venture capital) are shaping San Francisco’s futurePractical advice for anyone thinking about buying, selling, or investing hereWhether you’re a lifelong San Franciscan, a Bay Area professional, or simply curious about what’s happening in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, this podcast gives you the clarity and confidence to understand what’s really going on in San Francisco.💡 Stay informed. Stay in the loop. Stay Real San Francisco.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Our Perfect SF Summer Day

    Welcome to The REAL San Francisco Podcast! In this episode, Baxter Smith and Alexander Fromm Lurie talk about what makes a perfect summer day in San Francisco — from morning workouts and bike rides across the Golden Gate Bridge to brunch, beach walks, live music, family time, and the hidden gems that make this city unlike anywhere else. San Francisco summer is never one-size-fits-all. One perfect day might start with Pilates, cycling through the Marin Headlands, and brunch at a favorite neighborhood spot. Another might mean a slow morning in the Sunset, coffee on the way to Ocean Beach, surfing, pizza with the family, or catching live music at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. This episode is a love letter to the outdoor lifestyle, neighborhoods, food, beaches, music, parks, and spontaneous magic of San Francisco. Baxter and Alexander share their favorite ways to enjoy the city — from Ocean Beach bonfires and Fort Funston views to China Camp sunshine, Marin hikes, cold plunges, farmer’s markets, and the local spots that make everyday life in San Francisco feel special. If you love San Francisco, are thinking about moving here, or want a local’s guide to experiencing the city during summer, this episode is for you. Topics we cover: The perfect summer day in San Francisco Ocean Beach walks, surfing, bonfires, and cold plunges Biking across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Marin Favorite brunch, coffee, pizza, and neighborhood food stops Family-friendly summer activities in the Sunset and beyond Live music, street fairs, farmer’s markets, and San Francisco festivals Fort Funston, Baker Beach, Crissy Field, Aquatic Park, and hidden beach gems Why San Francisco lifestyle and real estate are deeply connected Subscribe for more conversations about San Francisco real estate, local lifestyle, neighborhood culture, and the people and places that make this city special. Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay Real San Francisco. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to The Real San Francisco Podcast 00:15 Your Perfect San Francisco Summer Day 00:28 Starting the Day with Fitness 01:00 Biking Across the Golden Gate Bridge 01:24 Brunch, Ocean Beach & Family Time 02:34 Street Fairs, Festivals & Neighborhood Energy 04:01 Dinner, Date Night & Live Entertainment 05:55 The Reality of a “Day Off” 06:30 Baxter’s Ideal Summer Day with Family 07:21 Coffee, Ocean Beach & Surfing 08:24 Hardly Strictly, Music & Sunset Neighborhood Stops 08:55 A Kid-Free Reset: Massage, Coffee & Pastries 09:27 Beach, Music, Food & Relaxation 09:58 Best Beaches in San Francisco 10:29 Ocean Beach Bonfires & Sunset Moments 11:46 Marin Day Trips & Tennessee Valley 12:05 China Camp, Sunshine & Escaping the Fog 13:01 Fort Funston, Whale Watching & Wildlife 14:41 Surfing, Paddleboarding & Cold Plunges 15:55 What’s Your Perfect SF Summer Day? 16:16 San Francisco Lifestyle & Real Estate 16:24 Like, Comment & Subscribe 16:34 End #RealSanFrancisco #SanFranciscoPodcast #SanFranciscoSummer #SFLifestyle #OceanBeachSF #SanFranciscoRealEstate #BayAreaLiving #GoldenGateBridge #SFNeighborhoods #SanFrancisco

    Our Perfect SF Summer Day
  2. Jun 27

    The Connective Tissue: Vikrum Aiyer on Connection, Community, and San Francisco's Future

    Welcome to The REAL San Francisco Podcast! In this episode, Alexander Fromm Lurie and Baxter Smith sit down with Vikrum Aiyer for a powerful conversation about connection, community, civic leadership, and the future of San Francisco. From his work in the Obama administration and technology policy to his involvement in San Francisco’s civic and cultural institutions, Vikrum brings a unique perspective on what it takes to build a stronger, more connected city. This episode explores one of the biggest questions facing San Francisco today: How do we move from a boom-and-bust cycle into a more sustained, inclusive, and thriving future? Together, Alexander, Baxter, and Vikrum discuss the importance of building “connective tissue” between tech companies, local businesses, nonprofits, cultural institutions, government leaders, and everyday residents. They also dive into the role of AI, downtown recovery, civic pride, the arts, community investment, and why San Francisco’s next chapter depends on all of us choosing to participate. If you care about the future of San Francisco — whether you live here, work here, invest here, or simply love this city — this episode is a must-watch. Topics we cover: Vikrum Aiyer’s journey through government, tech, policy, and civic leadership Why San Francisco needs more connection across sectors How tech and AI companies can become better stewards of the city The role of arts, culture, and civic institutions in San Francisco’s comeback Why community investment matters for long-term growth How San Francisco can move beyond the boom-and-bust cycle What residents, founders, leaders, and everyday citizens can do to support the city’s future Why San Francisco’s next chapter is about pride, participation, and shared responsibility Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping the real San Francisco — from real estate and business to culture, community, technology, and civic life. Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay Real San Francisco. #RealSanFrancisco #SanFranciscoPodcast #VikrumAiyer #SanFrancisco #SFCommunity #SanFranciscoRealEstate #BayAreaPodcast #CivicLeadership #SanFranciscoTech #AIinSanFrancisco #SFArts #SanFranciscoFuture 00:00 Opening Teaser 00:38 Welcome to The Real San Francisco Podcast 00:53 Introducing Vikram Iyer 01:13 Building a More Sustainable San Francisco 01:35 Vikram’s Background in Policy, Tech & Civic Leadership 02:31 Why San Francisco Needs More “Connective Tissue” 04:03 From the East Bay to DC and Back to San Francisco 05:12 Why Local Impact Matters 06:19 How Companies Can Be Better Stewards of San Francisco 08:11 Why Employers Must Invest Locally 09:12 Connecting AI, Climate, Talent & Local Institutions 10:36 The Disconnect Between Tech, Arts & Community 12:26 Are Tech Leaders Thinking About Civic Responsibility? 14:07 Why San Francisco Needs a Coordinating Backbone 15:34 The San Francisco Futures Initiative 17:09 Moving Beyond the Boom-and-Bust Cycle 19:00 How Local Investment Creates a More Stable City 20:41 What San Francisco Needs More of Right Now 21:19 The Challenge of Polarization Within the City 23:14 Safety, Schools, Housing & the Need for Dialogue 24:22 Tech, Labor & Cross-Sector Conversations 25:12 Why Cultural Institutions Matter 26:20 The San Francisco Symphony & the Power of Convening 28:12 The Untold Story of San Francisco’s Institutions 29:19 How Everyday San Franciscans Can Invest in the City 30:55 Three Ways to Support San Francisco’s Future 31:28 Bring People Back Into the City 32:21 Becoming Spokespeople for San Francisco’s Story 33:15 Building an Inclusive City 34:16 San Francisco Five to Ten Years From Now 34:32 Rethinking Space, Parks & Downtown 35:48 AI, Capital & Building a Stronger Civic Foundation 36:48 Pride, Stewardship & Giving Back 39:39 How Giving and Micro-Actions Can Help the City 41:57 Civic Pride and Investing in San Francisco’s Future 43:02 Closing Thoughts with Vikram Iyer 43:24 End

    The Connective Tissue: Vikrum Aiyer on Connection, Community, and San Francisco's Future
  3. Jun 22

    SF Market Reset, The Energy Has Returned

    Welcome back to The Real San Francisco Podcast. In this Summer 2026 Market Signals episode, Alexander Fromm Lurie and Baxter Smith explore the forces shaping San Francisco right now—and why the city feels more dynamic than it has in years. From the rise of AI and the return of office culture to tightening inventory, rising rents, and renewed confidence in the city, we unpack what’s driving today’s market and what it means for buyers, sellers, homeowners, and anyone paying attention to San Francisco’s next chapter. Whether you’re actively considering a move or simply trying to understand where the city is headed, this conversation offers an insider perspective on the trends, psychology, and opportunities emerging across the market. In this episode: • Why San Francisco feels different right now • How AI, job growth, and return-to-office policies are influencing housing demand • Why single-family homes remain one of the most competitive segments of the market • Where we still see value and opportunity across the city • What buyers should be doing now to prepare for the second half of the year • The strategies helping successful buyers and sellers navigate today’s market The Real San Francisco Podcast explores the people, neighborhoods, ideas, and market forces shaping one of the world’s most fascinating cities. Subscribe for market insights, conversations with local leaders, and stories from the front lines of life in San Francisco.

    SF Market Reset, The Energy Has Returned

About

Welcome to Real San Francisco — the podcast where the pulse of the city meets the truth of the market.We cut through the headlines, hype, and internet noise to bring you the real story of San Francisco. From housing and real estate trends to business, culture, and community, every episode delivers data-driven insights and insider perspectives from people who live and breathe this city.🎙️ On Real San Francisco, you’ll hear:Honest breakdowns of the San Francisco housing marketWhat’s really driving Bay Area real estate trendsStories of buyers, sellers, and families making moves in the cityHow culture, politics, and tech (including AI and venture capital) are shaping San Francisco’s futurePractical advice for anyone thinking about buying, selling, or investing hereWhether you’re a lifelong San Franciscan, a Bay Area professional, or simply curious about what’s happening in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, this podcast gives you the clarity and confidence to understand what’s really going on in San Francisco.💡 Stay informed. Stay in the loop. Stay Real San Francisco.

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