A group of people stands in a line on a city sidewalk outside shops, including a barbershop, on a sunny day with parked cars along the street.
The line down Mission street for the Mission Merchant Association's first ever "Summer Sip and Stroll," hosted by Nandini Novarr. Photo by Jordan Montero.

For the first time, hundreds of locals gathered Thursday evening for the Mission Merchants Association’s Summer Sip and Stroll, otherwise known as a “wine walk,” which stretched along Mission Street from 17th to 21st streets and included a few of the cross streets.

The new Summer Sip and Stroll is more than just a fun evening out; it’s part of an ongoing effort to uplift small businesses in the Mission District.

Organized in collaboration with the Mission Merchants Association and Breakthru Beverage California’s Nandini Novarr, who curated the event’s drink offerings, the stroll helps fund year-round business initiatives and neighborhood events that celebrate local culture and commerce.

By transforming a stretch of Mission Street into a walkable tasting experience, the association aims to deepen community ties and spotlight the diverse shops, galleries and eateries that define the area — and lets visitors get tipsy while doing it. 

Nearly 300 people RSVPed to the July 17 event, a turnout that exceeded expectations, according to Novarr.

“I’m honestly shocked, impressed and incredibly humbled by how much support we received,” she said.

Among the attendees was a birthday crew who made the trip from different parts of the East Bay, and they were all in on the vibe.

“I’ve enjoyed my time. I like that [the venues] were not just bars, and it was not just a bar crawl. Each place is a different environment that was cool to look at. It was nice and it was different,” said attendees Bree Sausido and Cam Brown. 

“It felt like a classier bar crawl,” said Pauline Fadakaren chiming in.  

A group of people socializing in an outdoor bar area with graffiti-covered walls, string lights, and plants under a blue tarp.
The Mission’s Summer Sip and Stroll’s first stop: the back patio of the Sycamore. Starting off strong with a sparkling Brut. Photo by Jordan Montero.
Person in black top and white pants pours sparkling wine into plastic cups on a wooden table, with bottles, flyers, and beer signs in the background.
Pouring up Don Rodolfo’s Art of the Andes sparkling Brut. Photo by Jordan Montero.
People gather and converse at the entrance of Le Dix-Sept, a bakery with a pink sign, as one woman stands outside drinking and others wait or chat inside.
The second stop at Le Dix-Sept Pâtisserie at 3376 18th St., serving French pastries and French wine. Photo by Jordan Montero.
A woman stands behind a table displaying bottles of rosé wine, holding one bottle, with informational signs and dried flowers in the background.
Pouring out a 2024 Campuget Tradition Rosé from the South of France. Photo by Jordan Montero.
People stand in line outside a comic book store with a sign reading "Graphic Novels · Comics · Collectibles," located on a busy city street with shops and parked cars.
A small crowd enjoying the atmosphere of graphic novels and comics with beer and cider at the Summer Sip and Stroll. Photo by Jordan Montero.
A group of people stand inside a comic and toy store with shelves of collectibles, manga, and a blue neon "MANGA" sign above. Sonic the Hedgehog plush toys hang near the ceiling.
In front of Mission Comix’s Manga selection, they serve Brother’s East Beer and Cider. Photo by Jordan Montero.
Stop four at Cafe de Olla, serving J. Lohr’s Wildflower Valdiguié. Photo by Daniela X. Sandoval.
A man pours red wine into a woman's glass inside a casual indoor setting, with other people standing and chatting in the background.
Serving J. Lohr’s rich wildflower wine, a favorite of the Mission Local team. Photo by Jordan Montero.
A woman with sunglasses stands behind a counter with a dog, talking to two customers in a colorful shop with shelves, plants, and a refrigerator in the background.
New Mission Yoga served refreshing spritzes while Cannabis Recovery Hot Yoga and a tea ceremony went on behind the scenes. Photo by Jordan Montero.
A statue of a woman in a red dress and blue cloak with gold stars is depicted praying, surrounded by a yellow radiance and flowers, against a blue background.
A yoga inspired Virgin of Guadalupe art piece on the wall of New Mission Yoga. Photo by Jordan Montero.
A small, gray, scruffy dog with cloudy eyes lies on a wooden counter next to printed class credit menus. A person stands in the background.
Sweet: 16-year-old Peppermint, the New Mission Yoga dog. Photo by Jordan Montero.
Several people stand and talk around a wooden table inside a modern art gallery with paintings displayed on white walls.
The entry to Ruth’s Table. Photo by Daniela X. Sandoval.
A woman stands behind a table with flowers and brochures, speaking to a man at an indoor event. A promotional banner and whiteboard are visible in the background.
Sixth stop at Ruth’s Table, pouring a Lodi, 2023, Old Soul Petite Sirah. Photo by Daniela X. Sandoval.
A corner shop with large windows displays various potted houseplants on a blue stand labeled "HOUSEPLANTS." Additional plants are visible inside through the windows.
Ending off the stroll at the Mellow’s hydration station, serving cans of Voss sparkling water with watermelon juice to help flush out the last six stops. Photo by Jordan Montero.
A group of people gathers inside a plant shop while a man in a light shirt pours a drink for a woman; potted plants line the space.
The seventh stop and final course on the wine walk, ending with a hydrating mocktail of sparkling watermelon juice. Photo by Daniela X. Sandoval.

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Reporting from the Excelsior. Jordan is currently pursuing her B.A. at UC Berkeley in English and Journalism and is an editor at her college paper, The Daily Cal. Outside of the newsroom she enjoys movies, concerts, long walks on the beach and basically anything that has to do with art.

I'm helping with Mission Local's social media strategy and finding stories in the Mission. I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and raised in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire in Southern California. I'm a UCLA alumna and am now pursuing my master’s degree in journalism at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. In my free time, I enjoy going to the movies and running (yes, for fun!).

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