Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
Features the highest quality tea served in artful vessels and a romantic atmosphere. Try a tea service which pairs a tea with a meal from a specific part of the world.
35 locals recommend
Samovar Tea Lounge
498 Sanchez StreetFeatures the highest quality tea served in artful vessels and a romantic atmosphere. Try a tea service which pairs a tea with a meal from a specific part of the world.
Very popular, a view of the park, fresh healthy menu of California cuisine, great espresso, and artwork on the walls. If it's a nice day out there will certainly be a line on the weekends.
260 locals recommend
Precita Park Cafe & Grill
500 Precita AvenueVery popular, a view of the park, fresh healthy menu of California cuisine, great espresso, and artwork on the walls. If it's a nice day out there will certainly be a line on the weekends.
Good quality, Italian style pizza! Expect a wait depending on the day, but it's well worth it. Every pizza is packed with unique flavors, using seasonal ingredients. Sit outside under the heat lamps!
598 locals recommend
Pizzeria Delfina
3621 18th StGood quality, Italian style pizza! Expect a wait depending on the day, but it's well worth it. Every pizza is packed with unique flavors, using seasonal ingredients. Sit outside under the heat lamps!
An elite bakery with artistic pastries and generous savory breads and sandwiches. Expect to wait in line after noon on the weekend, and bring a friend to experience it with, everything is divine!
768 locals recommend
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero StAn elite bakery with artistic pastries and generous savory breads and sandwiches. Expect to wait in line after noon on the weekend, and bring a friend to experience it with, everything is divine!
Thai-fusion, very artistically done. Quite an enticing menu, we recommend it! Try the Millionaire's Bacon.
133 locals recommend
Kitchen Story
3499 16th StThai-fusion, very artistically done. Quite an enticing menu, we recommend it! Try the Millionaire's Bacon.
The best espresso very close to our place. Organic milk; coffee is roasted in Santa Cruz. Has a limited selection of locally sourced pastries, but not the place to go if you want a full meal.
15 locals recommend
Sofia Cafe
3463 16th StreetThe best espresso very close to our place. Organic milk; coffee is roasted in Santa Cruz. Has a limited selection of locally sourced pastries, but not the place to go if you want a full meal.
I love this cafe, it has a wide variety menu, salads, soups, sandwiches, etc. Nice staff, and is usually not too crowded. Great for breakfast and then catching the J to downtown in the morning.
17 locals recommend
Morning Due Cafe
3698 17th StI love this cafe, it has a wide variety menu, salads, soups, sandwiches, etc. Nice staff, and is usually not too crowded. Great for breakfast and then catching the J to downtown in the morning.
If you want that late night cookie, this is a good place to try. Funny collages on the wall give it character.
36 locals recommend
Hot Cookie
1817 Castro StIf you want that late night cookie, this is a good place to try. Funny collages on the wall give it character.
High quality food, smaller portions, higher priced and there may be a wait, but if you like oysters, it's quite a good one.
148 locals recommend
Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro StHigh quality food, smaller portions, higher priced and there may be a wait, but if you like oysters, it's quite a good one.
A very vibrant, highly active brunch place..really big menu with lots of comfort food options. Sitting outside is ideal, very pretty outdoor seating. There could be a line on the weekends.
69 locals recommend
Flore on Market
2298 Market StA very vibrant, highly active brunch place..really big menu with lots of comfort food options. Sitting outside is ideal, very pretty outdoor seating. There could be a line on the weekends.
This is one of our favorite places. French cuisine, never any line, GORGEOUS outdoor seating, they have their own lemon tree and use them for fresh squeezed juice. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
21 locals recommend
Le Zinc
4063 24th StreetThis is one of our favorite places. French cuisine, never any line, GORGEOUS outdoor seating, they have their own lemon tree and use them for fresh squeezed juice. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
A popular place for morning brunch, where many of the Mission hipsters hang out. There will be a line to dine, but with the cozy outdoor benches in the sun, we think it's worth the wait!
161 locals recommend
Mission Beach Cafe
A popular place for morning brunch, where many of the Mission hipsters hang out. There will be a line to dine, but with the cozy outdoor benches in the sun, we think it's worth the wait!
Cute coffee shop with spacious upstairs, fresh salads, and sunny, quaint outdoor seating with tons of succulent decor.
72 locals recommend
Coffee Bar
1890 Bryant StreetCute coffee shop with spacious upstairs, fresh salads, and sunny, quaint outdoor seating with tons of succulent decor.
A sweet cafe with a lovely brunch atmosphere and special egg dishes. Sit outside if you can and admire the city-backyard atmosphere.
50 locals recommend
Stable Cafe
2128 Folsom StA sweet cafe with a lovely brunch atmosphere and special egg dishes. Sit outside if you can and admire the city-backyard atmosphere.
Tiny Japanese joint, very cozy and high quality sushi and homemade soft tofu! We highly recommend!
35 locals recommend
Eiji
317 Sanchez StTiny Japanese joint, very cozy and high quality sushi and homemade soft tofu! We highly recommend!
Essentials
This is the closest grocery store, and a popular one at that. Beware of gourmet treats, a killer deli, crowds of hipsters, and higher than average prices. Great for spoiling yourself! We go often.
651 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th StThis is the closest grocery store, and a popular one at that. Beware of gourmet treats, a killer deli, crowds of hipsters, and higher than average prices. Great for spoiling yourself! We go often.
Our favorite grocery store, and the largest food co-op in the city. Experience a whole new world of gritty smiling hippies, bulk dried goods and free cheese samples. We love Rainbow!
275 locals recommend
Rainbow Grocery
1745 Folsom StOur favorite grocery store, and the largest food co-op in the city. Experience a whole new world of gritty smiling hippies, bulk dried goods and free cheese samples. We love Rainbow!
Everything Else
Many tourists can't wait to try this creamery. Bi-Rite is known for ambitious, creative flavors and using the best ingredients. Expect a long line and good conversation with whomever your with.
476 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th StMany tourists can't wait to try this creamery. Bi-Rite is known for ambitious, creative flavors and using the best ingredients. Expect a long line and good conversation with whomever your with.
Shopping
If you need any toiletries or any other random convenience items, Walgreens is the closest place for that.
61 locals recommend
Walgreens Pharmacy
4129 18th StIf you need any toiletries or any other random convenience items, Walgreens is the closest place for that.
Drinks & Nightlife
A small friendly bar that is the second-oldest in SF. Easy place to get a beer or a cocktail with great atmosphere. People like their dart board too.
44 locals recommend
Elixir
3200 16th StA small friendly bar that is the second-oldest in SF. Easy place to get a beer or a cocktail with great atmosphere. People like their dart board too.
Sightseeing
Clarion Alley is a one block stretch of fantastic murals. Walls are continually in progress by local artists. A great place to see the San Francisco mural aesthetic at a walkable distance.
96 locals recommend
Clarion Alley
Clarion AlleyClarion Alley is a one block stretch of fantastic murals. Walls are continually in progress by local artists. A great place to see the San Francisco mural aesthetic at a walkable distance.
A beautiful 360 degree view of the city is what you'll find at the top of these twin hills! Careful on when you go, make sure the peaks are clear of fog for the best view. Definitely recommend!
727 locals recommend
Twin Peaks
A beautiful 360 degree view of the city is what you'll find at the top of these twin hills! Careful on when you go, make sure the peaks are clear of fog for the best view. Definitely recommend!
The Castro area is the largest LGBT neighborhood in the States. Walk along Castro street to experience a vibrant community full of fun. Lots of unique shops and bars and great nightlife!
37 locals recommend
Castro Street
Castro StreetThe Castro area is the largest LGBT neighborhood in the States. Walk along Castro street to experience a vibrant community full of fun. Lots of unique shops and bars and great nightlife!
Our favorite park is less than a block away! Come here on a sunny Saturday and experience quintessential Mission culture: hipsters, picnic blankets, beer and puppies-peace, love, happiness!
1244 locals recommend
Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetOur favorite park is less than a block away! Come here on a sunny Saturday and experience quintessential Mission culture: hipsters, picnic blankets, beer and puppies-peace, love, happiness!
Haight-Ashbury, a remnant of San Francisco's hippy era of the 1970's. Not really representative of San Francisco today, but still an interesting stretch where hippies still reside. Earthy shopping!
37 locals recommend
Haight Street
Haight StreetHaight-Ashbury, a remnant of San Francisco's hippy era of the 1970's. Not really representative of San Francisco today, but still an interesting stretch where hippies still reside. Earthy shopping!
A smaller park for dogs...I mean, people are welcome, too! Beautiful little neighborhood close to the tram.
138 locals recommend
Duboce Park
Scott StreetA smaller park for dogs...I mean, people are welcome, too! Beautiful little neighborhood close to the tram.
Gorgeous tiled outdoor staircase that climbs up a steep hill to Grand View Park. My favorite place in the Sunset.
29 locals recommend
Moraga Steps
Moraga StepsGorgeous tiled outdoor staircase that climbs up a steep hill to Grand View Park. My favorite place in the Sunset.
Super cool outdoor environmental sculpture, using the waves of the bay to produce interesting sounds. Can't complain about the view of the city, either! Bring a jacket-the bay is windy out here!
40 locals recommend
The Wave Organ
83 Marina Green DrSuper cool outdoor environmental sculpture, using the waves of the bay to produce interesting sounds. Can't complain about the view of the city, either! Bring a jacket-the bay is windy out here!
If you've never seen the beautiful and powerful Redwood trees, now's your chance! Redwood trees only grow in Northern California, and these are right across the bay and quite a site to see.
134 locals recommend
Muir Woods Visitor Center
1 Muir Woods RdIf you've never seen the beautiful and powerful Redwood trees, now's your chance! Redwood trees only grow in Northern California, and these are right across the bay and quite a site to see.
Gorgeous Japanese garden. $7 admission, eat at the restaurant there, so nice!
348 locals recommend
Japanese Tea Garden
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrGorgeous Japanese garden. $7 admission, eat at the restaurant there, so nice!
If you like plants and flowers-San Francisco has an impressive conservatory with lots of exotic and tropical plants. $7 admission.
232 locals recommend
Conservatory of Flowers
100 John F Kennedy DrIf you like plants and flowers-San Francisco has an impressive conservatory with lots of exotic and tropical plants. $7 admission.
Japantown is less touristy, more cute than Chinatown. Check out the unique mall with many Japanese restaurants and shops-go during the day, as it closes early. New People-has a cafe, shopping, & art!
246 locals recommend
Japan Town
Japantown is less touristy, more cute than Chinatown. Check out the unique mall with many Japanese restaurants and shops-go during the day, as it closes early. New People-has a cafe, shopping, & art!
Arts & Culture
Beautiful traditional one-screen theater-the 6:40pm shows have an organ performance that we hear is fabulous. Sing-a-longs and dress-up evening shows are popular.
332 locals recommend
Castro Theatre
429 Castro StBeautiful traditional one-screen theater-the 6:40pm shows have an organ performance that we hear is fabulous. Sing-a-longs and dress-up evening shows are popular.
Beautiful large mural covers this building! Make sure to look up as you pass it!
26 locals recommend
Women's Building Mural
3543 18th StBeautiful large mural covers this building! Make sure to look up as you pass it!
We actually recommend going to the weekly Thursday nightcrawl from 6-10pm, and get the Planetarium tickets, included in the $15 price (half the price of the normal daily admission). Really fun!
816 locals recommend
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse DrWe actually recommend going to the weekly Thursday nightcrawl from 6-10pm, and get the Planetarium tickets, included in the $15 price (half the price of the normal daily admission). Really fun!