APA California - Northern

Home
United States
South San Francisco, CA
APA California - Northern

APA California — Northern is the largest of the Chapter’s eight sections, and one of the largest in the country, covering 500 miles of California coast.

We offer a community for Northern California planning professionals from Monterey to Eureka.

09/03/2026

2026 Northern Awards Gala | September 17, 2026

Get ready to celebrate the people and ideas creating great places! Northern’s 2026 Awards Gala brings planners, students, emerging professionals, and community members together for an unforgettable evening honoring exceptional individuals, projects, and plans from across the region.

The celebration begins with a lively reception, hors d’oeuvres, and complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks. Cheer on this year’s award recipients during the ceremony—then keep the energy going at the YEP-hosted after-party and cash bar.

🥂 6:30 PM — Reception, hors d’oeuvres + complimentary drinks
🏆 7:30 PM — Awards Ceremony
🎉 9:00–10:00 PM — YEP after-party + cash bar

Special ticket rates are available for APA members, emerging professionals, and students. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the celebration—purchase your tickets soon, invite a colleague or friend, and make plans to join us!

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apa-ca-northern-awards-gala-tickets-1997795382769?aff=oddtdtcreator

Questions? Email [email protected].

08/31/2026

What We're Reading | August 24-28, 2026

What does it take to move a major Bay Area project from proposal to reality? This week, Solano County stopped a shipyard bill for now, East Oakland’s safer path to the shoreline remained short of construction funding, San Francisco faced renewed questions about dangerous rail tracks on Market Street, and a judge upheld the wording of a regional transit-tax measure headed to voters. Each story reflects the same tension between urgency and careful planning—and the need to put safety, access, accountability, and community voices at the center.

Read more: https://norcalapa.org/2026/08/what-were-reading-august-24-28-2026-wwr/

08/25/2026

🎉 Save the date—September 17! We’re getting ready for a special evening honoring the incredible planning wins, fresh ideas, and dedicated people helping our region thrive. Come celebrate the projects and leaders making our communities more welcoming, vibrant, and livable for everyone. We’d love to see you there and celebrate together! 🌟🤝

🎟️ Don’t miss out—register now and invite your friends and colleagues to join the celebration!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apa-ca-northern-awards-gala-tickets-1997795382769?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/24/2026

What We're Reading | August 17-23, 2026

Big changes are taking shape across the Bay Area. San Francisco is slowing traffic around schools to help children travel more safely. San Jose is working to rebuild its shrinking tree canopy, especially in neighborhoods with too little shade. Half Moon Bay residents will decide the future of 40 affordable homes for senior farmworkers at 555 Kelly Avenue. Highway 37 is receiving major funding to ease congestion, reduce flood risk, and restore baylands. And new affordable apartments—made possible by voter-approved investments—are giving residents greater stability and, in one remarkable case, a zero-dollar rent. Together, these stories show how local choices can improve safety, health, mobility, and opportunity.

Read more: https://norcalapa.org/2026/08/what-were-reading-august-17-23-2026-wwr/

08/17/2026

What We're Reading | August 10-14, 2026

Big changes are unfolding across the Bay Area and Northern California. Can new ideas bring more people back to downtown San Jose? Should counties regulate humanoid robots before they become common at work? What does a new public beach park mean for coastal access? And why are tribes, farmers, and environmental advocates agreeing on the future of the Eel River? Explore four timely stories about the places, technologies, and natural resources shaping our region.

Read more: https://norcalapa.org/2026/08/what-were-reading-august-10-14-2026-wwr/

08/11/2026

What We're Reading | August 3-7, 2026

From the Tri-Valley to Oakland and Sonoma County, Northern California communities are weighing what progress should look like. A proposed $365 million event center is drawing both excitement and concern. A powerful El Niño could increase storm surge, king tides, flooding, and risks to wildlife, even if a wetter winter is not certain. Caltrans says changing the I-580 truck ban would move thousands of trucks away from I-880 but bring only modest health gains, raising questions about who bears the impacts. At the same time, Sonoma County’s iconic Gravenstein apple industry is fighting for survival after dramatic acreage losses and a devastating harvest. These stories remind us that growth, resilience, public health, and local heritage must be considered together—not in isolation.

What should leaders prioritize as they make these decisions?

Read more: https://norcalapa.org/2026/08/what-were-reading-august-3-7-2026-wwr/

08/04/2026

What We're Reading | July 24-28, 2026

Four stories, one important theme: California communities are finding new ways to prepare for growth, climate impacts, and changing streets. From accessory dwelling units helping Bay Area cities move toward housing goals to the potential trillion-dollar cost of a major earthquake, the stakes are high. At the same time, free heat pumps are offering low-income Californians relief from dangerous heat, while a new mobility and curb data guidebook is helping agencies plan safer, more efficient public spaces. Explore the stories and join the conversation about building a more resilient California.

Read more: https://norcalapa.org/2026/08/what-were-reading-july-24-28-2026-wwr

08/03/2026

Planners, we want to hear from you! Join APA California — Northern for a virtual listening session and help shape a 2026 conference workshop about ethics, democracy, and serving the public interest.

In just 60 minutes, you’ll have the opportunity to share what you’re seeing in your work, hear from fellow planners, and contribute ideas that can make the conference conversation more relevant and meaningful.

📅 August 7, 12–1 p.m. or August 12, 6–7 p.m.
💻 Online via Zoom
🎟️ Free—registration required

Register once and attend either—or both—sessions:
https://members.apacalifornia.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2067727&group=

Tag a planning colleague whose voice should be part of the conversation!

07/31/2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

Early Bird Registration for the APA California 2026 Conference Extended!

Register by Friday, August 7 to lock in the lowest rate. Don't wait - this is your final opportunity to save before prices go up.

Register: https://lnkd.in/gqzVfDv6

California - Northern San Diego Los Angeles Inland Empire Section Valley Section of Cal APA Central California Orange Section Coast Section - American Planning Association, California Chapter

07/28/2026

Reminder: Tomorrow, July 29, is the last day to register for the APA California 2026 Conference at the early registration rate!

We’re looking forward to gathering October 3–6, 2026, at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE for “Crafting Our Narrative: Planning as Storytelling.” Join planning professionals from across California for engaging sessions, workshops, networking, and opportunities to explore the stories shaping our communities.

Register by July 29 and make plans to join us in Los Angeles!

https://registration.expologic.com/registration/start/F2981DBB-17BE-4031-A2F3-2A09C3591DB5

Address

South San Francisco, CA
94128

Website

http://www.norcalapa.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when APA California - Northern posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to APA California - Northern:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in South San Francisco?