In an era defined by disconnection and distraction, we find ourselves drawn more than ever to what grounds us: truth, art, food, love and place. For our annual Best of the East Bay issue, with a special section on Education, we highlight stories that are not just locally grown, but deeply rooted.
Whether it’s the thoughtful journalism Michael Bolden champions at UC Berkeley, the healing ethos of ALMA’s arts-based education in Orinda or the lovingly prepared dolmas at the new Azerbaijani restaurant Bistro 4293 in Oakland, each story in this issue offers more than a profile—it provides a portal into how culture, care and connection can shape lives.
We also share a deeply personal story of one family’s evolving understanding of gender and love, a powerful reminder that growth is often uncomfortable, always necessary and sometimes beautiful beyond measure.
And of course, our annual Best of the East Bay roundup is here to celebrate the people, places and businesses that continue to feed the soul of this region. Your votes, alongside our editorial picks, reflect a community in joyful motion—still changing, still rising, still home.
Welcome to the East Bay’s renaissance, with a celebration of what we value most, grounded in regional pride and rooted in the fearless joy of being real.
