Peter Hartlaub
@peterhartlaub.bsky.social
San Francisco Chronicle culture critic. Spends too much time in the archive. Total SF co-founder. S.F. 🌁 Oakland 🌳 Alameda ⚓️
Pinned
Claude the alligator’s cause of death revealed: ‘There was nothing we could have done’
As Bay Area residents mourned the death of Claude the albino alligator this week, the California Academy of Sciences received the results of a necropsy.
www.sfchronicle.com
Breaking Claude news:
He had been sick for weeks — was scheduled to go to UC Davis for an MRI — then died early Tuesday.
Necropsy found a large cancerous liver tumor.
Story also covers the outpouring of condolences for Claude at @calacademy.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
He had been sick for weeks — was scheduled to go to UC Davis for an MRI — then died early Tuesday.
Necropsy found a large cancerous liver tumor.
Story also covers the outpouring of condolences for Claude at @calacademy.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
Devastating news.
Saw so many great punk rock shows here over the past quarter century plus. One of the local music venue titans.
😢🫡
Saw so many great punk rock shows here over the past quarter century plus. One of the local music venue titans.
😢🫡
Breaking some news for @coyotemedia.org here.
Incredibly sad about this — some of the best nights of my life have involved this club — but I’m also so honored and grateful to Ramona, Kathleen and Lynn for trusting me with this story.
www.coyotemedia.org/san-francisc...
Incredibly sad about this — some of the best nights of my life have involved this club — but I’m also so honored and grateful to Ramona, Kathleen and Lynn for trusting me with this story.
www.coyotemedia.org/san-francisc...
Beloved SF Club Bottom of the Hill to Close at the End of 2026
One of the city’s last independent music venues, Bottom of the Hill has survived waves of gentrification, COVID closures, and more throughout its 35 years. Now, owners say it’s last call — on their ow...
www.coyotemedia.org
January 3, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Devastating news.
Saw so many great punk rock shows here over the past quarter century plus. One of the local music venue titans.
😢🫡
Saw so many great punk rock shows here over the past quarter century plus. One of the local music venue titans.
😢🫡
Reposted by Peter Hartlaub
This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 30, 2025 at 4:21 AM
This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)
My sister, mom, niece and nephew are at the game.
Top 10 regular season 49ers game to see live … ever?
Top 10 regular season 49ers game to see live … ever?
December 29, 2025 at 4:37 AM
My sister, mom, niece and nephew are at the game.
Top 10 regular season 49ers game to see live … ever?
Top 10 regular season 49ers game to see live … ever?
I’ll be in my garage listening to the game on my old radio this weekend.
Excellent article with some encouraging updates (even though he’s not ready for the victory formation yet) about Greg Papa.
Story by @eric-branch.bsky.social
Excellent article with some encouraging updates (even though he’s not ready for the victory formation yet) about Greg Papa.
Story by @eric-branch.bsky.social
When the #49ers secured a dramatic Week 3 win, Greg Papa was alone, 40 miles away at home, and feeling light years removed from his professional life.
He walked into the silent stillness of his backyard, laid in his hammock and, for several minutes, wept.
www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers...
He walked into the silent stillness of his backyard, laid in his hammock and, for several minutes, wept.
www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers...
December 27, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I’ll be in my garage listening to the game on my old radio this weekend.
Excellent article with some encouraging updates (even though he’s not ready for the victory formation yet) about Greg Papa.
Story by @eric-branch.bsky.social
Excellent article with some encouraging updates (even though he’s not ready for the victory formation yet) about Greg Papa.
Story by @eric-branch.bsky.social
The best Christmas miracle!!!
👠🪩❤️
👠🪩❤️
Days before it was slated to close, Oasis gets a Christmas gift that will allow them to reopen in 2026.
D'Arcy Drollinger gave me the exclusive!
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
D'Arcy Drollinger gave me the exclusive!
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
Exclusive: S.F. drag club Oasis saved with multimillion-dollar gift
The LGBTQ cabaret and club was slated to shutter after New Year’s Eve, but will now continue, Oasis owner D’Arcy Drollinger confirmed, calling it “a Christmas miracle.”
www.sfchronicle.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:16 PM
The best Christmas miracle!!!
👠🪩❤️
👠🪩❤️
My greatest work of investigative journalism 🗞️🎄
yearly reminder that the SF Chronicle is an important part of Rudolph
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
December 25, 2025 at 1:42 AM
My greatest work of investigative journalism 🗞️🎄
The Chronicle photo staff has sooooo much talent.
📸🏆💯
📸🏆💯
It's my favorite season. Merry Photos of the Year to those who celebrate. @EmilyBJan curated another stunner by our talented @sfchronicle visual journalists.
www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...
www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...
These are the San Francisco Chronicle’s best photos of the year
A look back at 2025 through the perspective of S.F. Chronicle photojournalists and contributors.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 25, 2025 at 12:51 AM
The Chronicle photo staff has sooooo much talent.
📸🏆💯
📸🏆💯
Jake Paul fight recap.
So glad I didn’t pay anything for that.
So glad I didn’t pay anything for that.
December 20, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Jake Paul fight recap.
So glad I didn’t pay anything for that.
So glad I didn’t pay anything for that.
I wrote this under embargo and remember being shocked when the other reviews came in.
It felt like @pattonoswalt.bsky.social was the only other person fully behind this absolute kickass time at the movies.
Punisher War Zone & @lexialex.bsky.social forever.
www.sfchronicle.com/movies/artic...
It felt like @pattonoswalt.bsky.social was the only other person fully behind this absolute kickass time at the movies.
Punisher War Zone & @lexialex.bsky.social forever.
www.sfchronicle.com/movies/artic...
Movie review: 'Punisher: War Zone' bloody good
Every few months, my father calls me out of the blue, informs me that he's at a video...
www.sfgate.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I wrote this under embargo and remember being shocked when the other reviews came in.
It felt like @pattonoswalt.bsky.social was the only other person fully behind this absolute kickass time at the movies.
Punisher War Zone & @lexialex.bsky.social forever.
www.sfchronicle.com/movies/artic...
It felt like @pattonoswalt.bsky.social was the only other person fully behind this absolute kickass time at the movies.
Punisher War Zone & @lexialex.bsky.social forever.
www.sfchronicle.com/movies/artic...
Always good to hear from Steve DeBerg, who I think of mostly for this comeback and that game for the 49ers where he had laryngitis & played with a giant amplifier on his back.
Before Philip Rivers, there was Steve DeBerg. Former #49ers QB recalls his comeback at 44.
"‘Are you out of your f---ing mind?’”
www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers...
"‘Are you out of your f---ing mind?’”
www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers...
Before Philip Rivers, there was Steve DeBerg. Former 49ers QB recalls his comeback at 44
With the San Francisco 49ers about to face 44-year-old Colts QB Philip Rivers, we checked in with Steve DeBerg about how tough a fortysomething return to the NFL can be.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Always good to hear from Steve DeBerg, who I think of mostly for this comeback and that game for the 49ers where he had laryngitis & played with a giant amplifier on his back.
Reposted by Peter Hartlaub
the world is largely a dumpster fire right now, but @peterhartlaub.bsky.social went to "Tuba Christmas" last week and experienced the world premiere of "All I Want for Christmas is You" arranged for 65 tubas — and you should too.
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
A tuba symphony just debuted 'All I Want for Christmas.' Listen to it here
We went to Noe Valley to watch a 65-tuba orchestra perform a Mariah Carey Christmas classic. The scene was wild … and surprisingly beautiful.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:49 PM
the world is largely a dumpster fire right now, but @peterhartlaub.bsky.social went to "Tuba Christmas" last week and experienced the world premiere of "All I Want for Christmas is You" arranged for 65 tubas — and you should too.
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
I watched a 65-tuba orchestra perform the world tuba premiere of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and it changed me.
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
A tuba symphony just debuted 'All I Want for Christmas.' Listen to it here
We went to Noe Valley to watch a 65-tuba orchestra perform a Mariah Carey Christmas classic. The scene was wild … and surprisingly beautiful.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I watched a 65-tuba orchestra perform the world tuba premiere of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and it changed me.
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
Writing a 1,000 word column about how Frisco is OK but only a tourist would say the San Nerk Yankees.
For anyone worried AI will replace all of us.
Courtesy of Gemini for the prompt “create an infographic of all the World Series winners since 1986”
I dare you to find 10 things that are right.
Courtesy of Gemini for the prompt “create an infographic of all the World Series winners since 1986”
I dare you to find 10 things that are right.
December 17, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Writing a 1,000 word column about how Frisco is OK but only a tourist would say the San Nerk Yankees.
This @sfchronicle.com feature is so well done! Don’t miss.
I feel like I just consumed a really good prestige TV series. Honestly started imagining Cate Blanchett in the “Hurricane Weinberg” role.
Cheers @tonybravosf.bsky.social and Caleb Pershan.
I feel like I just consumed a really good prestige TV series. Honestly started imagining Cate Blanchett in the “Hurricane Weinberg” role.
Cheers @tonybravosf.bsky.social and Caleb Pershan.
She was the ‘mad genius’ behind a S.F. restaurant empire — then it fell apart. Can she make a comeback?
www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaur...
www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaur...
She was the ‘mad genius’ behind a S.F. restaurant empire — then it fell apart. Can she make a comeback?
The owner of Tosca and Leo’s Oyster Bar wants to breathe new life into her San Francisco restaurants while she fights a former business partner in court.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 13, 2025 at 5:24 PM
This @sfchronicle.com feature is so well done! Don’t miss.
I feel like I just consumed a really good prestige TV series. Honestly started imagining Cate Blanchett in the “Hurricane Weinberg” role.
Cheers @tonybravosf.bsky.social and Caleb Pershan.
I feel like I just consumed a really good prestige TV series. Honestly started imagining Cate Blanchett in the “Hurricane Weinberg” role.
Cheers @tonybravosf.bsky.social and Caleb Pershan.
Good luck finding a decent carnitas burrito in Birmingham …
Fannie Mae confirmed that it is relocating its San Francisco office to Birmingham in 2026, one day after Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville disclosed the mortgage-finance company’s plan publicly.
Fannie Mae confirms it will leave San Francisco, backing senator’s claim
Fannie Mae confirmed that it is relocating its San Francisco office to Birmingham in 2026, one day after Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville disclosed the mortgage-finance company’s plan publicly.
bit.ly
December 13, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Good luck finding a decent carnitas burrito in Birmingham …
SFFD station decorations return!
Sixth year of the contest — brought back after an @sfchronicle.com article urged the return of a 1940s tradition.
Lights. Wreaths. Real snow? And block parties on 12/20!
🎄 🚒
#SFFDHoliday @sffdpio.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
Sixth year of the contest — brought back after an @sfchronicle.com article urged the return of a 1940s tradition.
Lights. Wreaths. Real snow? And block parties on 12/20!
🎄 🚒
#SFFDHoliday @sffdpio.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
San Francisco fire stations let it snow with return of decoration contest
San Francisco firefighters will light up their stations and compete for charity in a contest with roots in the 1940s that sometimes brings snow to the city.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
SFFD station decorations return!
Sixth year of the contest — brought back after an @sfchronicle.com article urged the return of a 1940s tradition.
Lights. Wreaths. Real snow? And block parties on 12/20!
🎄 🚒
#SFFDHoliday @sffdpio.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
Sixth year of the contest — brought back after an @sfchronicle.com article urged the return of a 1940s tradition.
Lights. Wreaths. Real snow? And block parties on 12/20!
🎄 🚒
#SFFDHoliday @sffdpio.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
Season ticket holder 👋
Frustrates me that the front office increasingly sounds a lot like the A's/Earthquakes with spending, despite being in one of the biggest NWSL markets with a strong fanbase
"We were the second worst team, guess we'll just have to try with what we have, what else can you do?"
Frustrates me that the front office increasingly sounds a lot like the A's/Earthquakes with spending, despite being in one of the biggest NWSL markets with a strong fanbase
"We were the second worst team, guess we'll just have to try with what we have, what else can you do?"
When Emma Coates was introduced as Bay FC’s new head coach on Wednesday, she and CEO Kay Cossington both emphasized the need for a clear identity and consistent playing style.
Emma Coates’ vision as new Bay FC coach? Empower players to make decisions
When Emma Coates was introduced as Bay FC’s new head coach on Wednesday, she and CEO Kay Cossington both emphasized the need for a clear identity and consistent playing style.
bit.ly
December 10, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Season ticket holder 👋
Frustrates me that the front office increasingly sounds a lot like the A's/Earthquakes with spending, despite being in one of the biggest NWSL markets with a strong fanbase
"We were the second worst team, guess we'll just have to try with what we have, what else can you do?"
Frustrates me that the front office increasingly sounds a lot like the A's/Earthquakes with spending, despite being in one of the biggest NWSL markets with a strong fanbase
"We were the second worst team, guess we'll just have to try with what we have, what else can you do?"
I hope this fails spectacularly, and replaces/exceeds "pivot to video" in the annuls of atrocious top-down journalism decisions.
The media should be constantly building trust while challenging its readers/listeners/viewers, not launching personalized echo chambers as a formal initiative.
The media should be constantly building trust while challenging its readers/listeners/viewers, not launching personalized echo chambers as a formal initiative.
The Washington Post is launching a personalized AI podcast, saying users will be able to "shape their own briefing, select their topics, set their lengths, pick their hosts and soon even ask questions using our Ask The Post AI technology."
December 10, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I hope this fails spectacularly, and replaces/exceeds "pivot to video" in the annuls of atrocious top-down journalism decisions.
The media should be constantly building trust while challenging its readers/listeners/viewers, not launching personalized echo chambers as a formal initiative.
The media should be constantly building trust while challenging its readers/listeners/viewers, not launching personalized echo chambers as a formal initiative.
The @sfexaminer.bsky.social in 1927 started a tradition — an enormous Christmas tree on Twin Peaks.
But the @sfchronicle.com seethed, backing a man who called cut trees "the slaughter of the innocents."
How S.F.'s petty past shaped its Christmas future.
🎄 🗞️
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
But the @sfchronicle.com seethed, backing a man who called cut trees "the slaughter of the innocents."
How S.F.'s petty past shaped its Christmas future.
🎄 🗞️
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
Why does San Francisco have a spot called Christmas Tree Point?
There hasn’t been a Christmas tree on Christmas Tree Point in 75 years. We searched the Chronicle archive to learn why, and found a story filled with melodrama, spite and … a happy ending?
www.sfchronicle.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The @sfexaminer.bsky.social in 1927 started a tradition — an enormous Christmas tree on Twin Peaks.
But the @sfchronicle.com seethed, backing a man who called cut trees "the slaughter of the innocents."
How S.F.'s petty past shaped its Christmas future.
🎄 🗞️
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
But the @sfchronicle.com seethed, backing a man who called cut trees "the slaughter of the innocents."
How S.F.'s petty past shaped its Christmas future.
🎄 🗞️
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
My @coyotemedia.org membership just paid for itself for the next three months with a single story.
🫡 @reveleth.com
🫡 @reveleth.com
From bizarre to maybe TOO sexy, find out what furries think of the Bay Area’s spread of sports mascots.
✍️ @reveleth.com
✍️ @reveleth.com
Bay Area Sports Mascots Ranked by the Ultimate Experts: Furries
Everybody has an opinion on mascots, but what do the real masters of the fur think?
www.coyotemedia.org
December 10, 2025 at 5:23 PM
My @coyotemedia.org membership just paid for itself for the next three months with a single story.
🫡 @reveleth.com
🫡 @reveleth.com
With the new SMART train extension I can now take my bike & public transit from Alameda to Windsor.
I rolled in on a very cold recent Sunday and found a very cozy downtown — with 225 Christmas trees and a grocery store that has a happy hour.
🎄🚴♀️❤️
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
I rolled in on a very cold recent Sunday and found a very cozy downtown — with 225 Christmas trees and a grocery store that has a happy hour.
🎄🚴♀️❤️
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
Trains have returned to this North Bay town. Now is the perfect time to visit
This Bay Area town channeled English beauty and housed German POWs. Right now it’s full of holiday charm and accessible by train for the first time in 67 years.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
With the new SMART train extension I can now take my bike & public transit from Alameda to Windsor.
I rolled in on a very cold recent Sunday and found a very cozy downtown — with 225 Christmas trees and a grocery store that has a happy hour.
🎄🚴♀️❤️
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
I rolled in on a very cold recent Sunday and found a very cozy downtown — with 225 Christmas trees and a grocery store that has a happy hour.
🎄🚴♀️❤️
www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...
Reposted by Peter Hartlaub
After a banner year of Warner Bros putting unique, filmmaker driven original movies into theaters and getting giant audience turn out for them, the corporation that now owns them would like you to know that actually you didn’t like this and that what you really wanted was to watch at home.
As Netflix confirms plans to buy Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion, the streaming service has said it expects shorter theatrical runs for movies in future "to meet the audience where they are, quicker." https://bit.ly/3XCvY8M
December 5, 2025 at 5:21 PM
After a banner year of Warner Bros putting unique, filmmaker driven original movies into theaters and getting giant audience turn out for them, the corporation that now owns them would like you to know that actually you didn’t like this and that what you really wanted was to watch at home.
December 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM
“His comments hint that as a presidential candidate, he is veering toward the road to Normalsville by way of the Pander Bypass.”
Excellent column by @joegarofoli.bsky.social about Newsom, and his latest weird pivot in the name of bland electability.
(Keep San Francisco culturally abnormal!)
Excellent column by @joegarofoli.bsky.social about Newsom, and his latest weird pivot in the name of bland electability.
(Keep San Francisco culturally abnormal!)
December 5, 2025 at 12:38 AM
“His comments hint that as a presidential candidate, he is veering toward the road to Normalsville by way of the Pander Bypass.”
Excellent column by @joegarofoli.bsky.social about Newsom, and his latest weird pivot in the name of bland electability.
(Keep San Francisco culturally abnormal!)
Excellent column by @joegarofoli.bsky.social about Newsom, and his latest weird pivot in the name of bland electability.
(Keep San Francisco culturally abnormal!)