About us
🔴 Our events are all about connection — meeting new friends, exploring new places, and doing fun things together — that aren't focused on alcohol or romance. We strive to create a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive space for everyone. Thoughtful behavior is expected, and newcomers are always welcome!
📢 Stay in the loop!
Make sure your Meetup notifications are turned ON so you learn about upcoming events as soon as they’re announced by email!
🔷 See our Group Guidelines HERE
🔷See ALL our scheduled events HERE
🔷 See our 10,000+ photos HERE
🔴 Help Keep the Fun Going in 2026
We’re a volunteer-led group, and member contributions help cover annual Meetup fees and occasional venue rentals. See our 2026 contributor list. Please make your annual $20 contribution for 2026 by giving cash with your name to the host at an in-person event. (Contributions are not tax-deductible.) As a thank-you, you can opt in to receive one-way group text updates with reminders and last-minute announcements. New here? Enjoy a few events first, then pitch in if it feels like a good fit!
🔴 Important Notice & Liability Waiver
By participating in any New Beginnings Social Event, you and your guests RELEASE and DISCHARGE the organizers, hosts, and participants from all liability for injuries, illness, damages, death, issues relating to privacy or economic loss arising from activities, advice, or information provided. Participation is voluntary and entirely at your own risk. You are responsible for your safety, belongings, and transportation decisions. Choose carpool drivers carefully and consider leaving valuables at home.
Upcoming events
27
💎 Hidden Gems of Pacific Heights: Architectural Walking Tour in SF! 💎
Jackson Tower, 2040 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA, US💎 Take a Walk on the Historic Side! 💎
Join Architect Martin Bernstein for another fun and fascinating 1.5-hour architectural walking tour through historic Pacific Heights, San Francisco.“I Never Noticed That Before,” is one of a series of engaging tours that invite you to slow down, look up, and discover the hidden gems tucked into the neighborhood’s elegant homes and storied streets. Expect captivating insights, a few surprises, and maybe even a dash of local gossip along the way!
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📍 Starting Point: 2040 Franklin Street (corner of Franklin & Jackson)
🕜 Starting Time: 1:30 PM sharp — please arrive a few minutes early so we can begin on time.Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture lover, or just looking for a fresh way to explore the city, this tour promises plenty of “aha!” moments and a delightful afternoon of discovery.
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🎟️ COST
The Walking Tour is FREE, but Martin's tours are supported almost entirely by walker contributions.
At the end of the tour, you will be given the opportunity to make a suggested $20* cash contribution or to contribute via Zelle to: martinbernstein617@gmail.com.
*10% of each contribution supports New Beginnings, a volunteer-led community that brings people together to make new friends, have fun, and share new experiences.
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WHAT TO BRING
☀️ Sun protection — hat and/or sunscreen
💧 Water to stay hydrated
👟 Comfy shoes
🤔 Your curiosity!-------------------------------
🅿️ PARKING
Free 2-hour Street Parking throughout the neighborhood. Note signs for any special parking restrictions. For paid garages, visit Haas-Lilienthal House - Driving Directions & Parking. (Haas-Lilienthal House is near our starting place.)
🚇 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
- Muni Bus, BART, or Cable Car: For detailed directions, visit the Haas-Lilienthal House - Driving Directions & Parking page.
- Muni Bus Fare & Schedule: $2.75 for adults, $1.50 for seniors (65+). Pay with cash or through the Muni Mobile app. Check routes and timings at SFMTA.com.
- Taking the Train into SF? Exit at 4th & Townsend (the final stop). From there, take Muni or Uber/Lyft to our meeting location.
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✨ Spots are limited to 20 — RSVP soon to save yours!
If the event fills, join the waitlist. Walk-ups welcome if space allows.👨🏻💼 Your Tour Guide
Martin Bernstein, Architect
martinbernsteinarchitect.com
Palo Alto ∙ San Francisco
📞 650.387.1000-------------------------------
🔷 See our Group Guidelines HERE
🔴 Help Keep the Fun Going in 2026
We’re a volunteer-led group, and member contributions help cover annual Meetup fees and occasional venue rentals. See our 2026 contributor list. Please make your annual $20 contribution for 2026 by giving cash with your name to the host at an in-person event. (Contributions are not tax-deductible.) New here? Enjoy a few events first, then pitch in if it feels like a good fit!🔴 By participating in any New Beginnings Social Event, you and your guests RELEASE and DISCHARGE the organizers, hosts, and participants from all liability for injuries, illness, damages, death, issues relating to privacy or economic loss arising from activities, advice, or information provided. Participation is voluntary and entirely at your own risk. You are responsible for your safety, belongings, and transportation decisions. Choose carpool drivers carefully and consider leaving valuables at home.
2 attendees
🏈 49ers vs. Seahawks Watch Party at Marvin Gardens — Belmont
Marvin Gardens, 1160 Old County Rd, Belmont, CA, USGrab your red and gold and come cheer on Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and the rest of our San Francisco 49ers as they take on the Seattle Seahawks in a nationally featured NFC West showdown!
This one comes with plenty of history. The NFL has moved the game into FOX’s marquee 1:25 PM Pacific national window, giving this fierce divisional rivalry top billing.
And there’s a little unfinished business.
The 49ers will be looking for a much different ending after Seattle’s 41–6 playoff win over San Francisco last January. With both teams battling near the top of the NFC West, expect plenty of intensity, big defensive matchups, and no shortage of reasons to yell at the TV. 😄
📅 Sunday, October 11
⏰ New Beginnings Watch Party: 1:00–4:30 PM
🏈 Kickoff: 1:25 PM
📺 FOX — National Game of the WeekPro tip: Arrive around 1:00 PM so we can find one another, order food and drinks, and settle in before kickoff.
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🍔 Where We’re Watching
Marvin Gardens — one of our favorite spots for watching the Niners!
Think great food, friendly staff, and a comfy covered patio with plenty of game-day energy.
They’ve always been good to our group, so please plan to order food and/or drinks and tip generously.📍 Marvin Gardens
1160 Old County Road, Belmont
Marvin Gardens on Yelp----------------------------------
🚗 Parking
Street parking is usually available along Old County Road or in the neighborhood across the street.
Expect a short walk, and please be careful crossing Old County Road — 👀 eyes up, phones down!----------------------------------
❤️💛 Wear Your Colors!
49ers gear is highly encouraged, and Seahawks fans are welcome too — friendly rivalry only. 😉
Whether you follow every snap or just enjoy a lively Sunday afternoon with friends, come join us.Come loud. Come proud. Come ready to high-five strangers! 🎉
Let’s go, Niners! 🔥💛❤️---------------------------------
🔷 See our Group Guidelines HERE
🔴 Help Keep the Fun Going in 2026
As a volunteer-led group, member contributions help cover Meetup fees and the occasional venue rental that make our gatherings possible. If you haven’t contributed in 2026, we invite you to give a $20 annual cash contribution (with your name) directly to the event host. (Contributions are not tax-deductible.) See our 2026 contributor list. New here? Enjoy a couple of events first — then pitch in if it feels like a good fit!🔴 Liability Reminder
By participating in any New Beginnings Social Event, you and your guests RELEASE and DISCHARGE the organizers, hosts, and fellow participants from all liability for injuries, illness, damages, death, issues relating to privacy or economic loss arising from activities, advice, or information provided. Participation is voluntary and entirely at your own risk. You are responsible for your safety, belongings, and transportation decisions. Choose carpool drivers carefully and consider leaving valuables at home.16 attendees
🧶 Why Can’t We Just Get Along? Understand the Patterns, Choose Better Responses
·OnlineOnline🤷♀️🤷🏻♂️ Why Can’t We Just Get Along?
Understand the Patterns, Choose Better Responses 💬👫Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, How did we get here again?
Maybe you tried to explain yourself and felt misunderstood. Maybe you became defensive, shut down, pushed harder to be heard, or said something you later wished you hadn’t. Sometimes the topic changes, but the pattern feels strangely familiar.
In this four-week Relationship Support series, we’ll look beneath those frustrating interactions to better understand what happens to us when an important relationship feels threatened, painful, or uncertain—and what we can do differently once we recognize the pattern.
Drawing on ideas from Dr. Sue Johnson’s book Hold Me Tight and Emotionally Focused Therapy, we’ll explore the emotions and needs underneath our reactions, make sense of difficult relationship experiences, and consider healthier ways to communicate, protect our boundaries, and move forward.
This series can be useful whether you’re partnered, separating, divorced, dating, single, or simply trying to better understand yourself in relationships. No partner is needed, and there is no reading assignment.
You’re welcome to join us for any or all sessions. Each week stands on its own, although attending the full series will allow you to build on what you discover from week to week.
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FOUR-WEEK SERIES:
- September 30 — Why We Get Stuck
- October 7 — Why It Hurts So Much
- October 14 — Making Sense of a Painful Moment
- October 21 — Choosing What Comes Next
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THIS WEEK'S FOCUS - WEEK 3 (Oct 14)
Making Sense of a Painful MomentMany of us replay difficult conversations long after they are over.
What really happened? Why did I react that way? Why couldn’t they understand what I was trying to say?
In this session, we’ll slow down one difficult interaction and look at it differently—what happened, what we felt, what we needed, and how we responded.
The goal isn’t to decide who was right or wrong. It’s to understand our own experience more clearly, even when the other person cannot—or will not—give us the understanding, apology, or closure we hoped for.
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Each weekly session includes:
- Brief teaching, guided reflection, and group discussion
- Video clips that bring key concepts to life
- Opportunities to reflect on your own experiences
- A short break followed by our confidential Sharing Circle
- Space to share—or simply listen. Passing is always welcome.
Come for one week or join us for all four. You may discover that the frustrating patterns in your relationships make a lot more sense once you understand what is happening underneath them.
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Our Typical Agenda
• Brief Welcome & Introductions
• Teaching, Video(s), or Guest Speaker (30-45 minutes)
• Interactive Group Discussion
• Bio Break
• Confidential Sharing Circle* (approximately 45 minutes)*For the Sharing Circle, please plan to have your camera on so we can create a more connected and supportive space together.
We practice balanced sharing and listen without questioning, commenting on, or offering advice about another person’s experience. Meetings are not recorded, and everyone agrees to protect the privacy of what is shared.--------------------------------
🔹 About the Group
This is a relationship support meeting that combines learning and sharing in a warm, supportive environment. You’re always welcome to connect, reflect, and grow—at your own pace.
✨ Come as you are and share only what feels comfortable. We do not record our meetings. You are welcome whether you are navigating divorce, separation, dating, family relationships, friendships, or simply trying to create healthier patterns in your life. ❤️
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💌 A Little Support Goes a Long Way
If you’re finding value in these gatherings, we invite you to consider a $20 monthly contribution to help support:
- Our paid Zoom account
- Our Meetup Subscription
- Weekly preparation, curation, and handouts
- Ongoing care of this growing community
Venmo: @Amy-Papazian (last 4 digits: 8444)
10% of each donation supports New Beginnings — our volunteer-led community creating friendship, fun, and fresh experiences.🤗 Thank you in advance – whether you give now, later, or simply keep showing up, you help make this group special. 💕
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🌱 Continue the Conversation
Everyone processes differently. Some people find a group discussion most helpful, while others prefer the privacy of a one-on-one conversation.
If you'd like to talk about your own relationships or life transition in a confidential setting, I invite you to schedule a
complimentary 45-minute Strategy Session—or simply call or text me at 650.504.8444.--------------------------------
🎉 New Beginnings Social Events
Ready to reconnect with the world a little more? Our New Beginnings Social Events group offers relaxed, welcoming activities — both in-person around the San Francisco Bay Area and online — for connection, laughter, and new friendships. Explore what’s coming up: meetup.com/bay-area-new-beginnings
4 attendees
Past events
2106
