Guidebook for San Francisco

Melina
Guidebook for San Francisco

Food Scene

One of the best Dim Sum places in town, a few blocks from our home. Arrive by late morning. The pea shoot shrimp dumplings are HEAVEN! They also serve delicious Sichuan meals.
88 personas locales recomiendan
Mama Ji's
4416 18th St
88 personas locales recomiendan
One of the best Dim Sum places in town, a few blocks from our home. Arrive by late morning. The pea shoot shrimp dumplings are HEAVEN! They also serve delicious Sichuan meals.
This local favorite has something for everyone, build your own salads, healthy homey dinners, plenty of room. When our kitchen was being remodeled we were regulars here and the entire family was always happy.
11 personas locales recomiendan
Firewood Cafe
4248 18th St
11 personas locales recomiendan
This local favorite has something for everyone, build your own salads, healthy homey dinners, plenty of room. When our kitchen was being remodeled we were regulars here and the entire family was always happy.
We hit up our neighborhood sushi spot a few times a month. SO good, fresh, and friendly. Ask the chef for the sushi specials, and start off with the shishito peppers!
23 personas locales recomiendan
Takara Sushi
4243 18th St
23 personas locales recomiendan
We hit up our neighborhood sushi spot a few times a month. SO good, fresh, and friendly. Ask the chef for the sushi specials, and start off with the shishito peppers!
Pan-Asian noodle house on Castro street. Because who doesn't love noodles?
Slurp Noodle Bar
469 Castro St
Pan-Asian noodle house on Castro street. Because who doesn't love noodles?
I would argue that these are the best croissants in town. And the coffee is also amazing.
12 personas locales recomiendan
Hearth
3985 17th St
12 personas locales recomiendan
I would argue that these are the best croissants in town. And the coffee is also amazing.
There are tons of amazing coffee shops inout neighborhood, but this is where the locals go. We also buy our coffee beans here. Try 'Lauren's blend. '
29 personas locales recomiendan
Spike's Coffees and Teas
4117 19th St
29 personas locales recomiendan
There are tons of amazing coffee shops inout neighborhood, but this is where the locals go. We also buy our coffee beans here. Try 'Lauren's blend. '
Philz is renowned for very special flavored drip coffee. They make it one cup at a time to your specifications, so be prepared to chill a few minutes. If you have the time it is well worth it. My favorite is 'silken splendor', as sexy as it sounds. It is a bit more expensive, but like all places you get a discount if you bring your own cup.
913 personas locales recomiendan
Philz Coffee
3101 24th St
913 personas locales recomiendan
Philz is renowned for very special flavored drip coffee. They make it one cup at a time to your specifications, so be prepared to chill a few minutes. If you have the time it is well worth it. My favorite is 'silken splendor', as sexy as it sounds. It is a bit more expensive, but like all places you get a discount if you bring your own cup.

Drinks & Nightlife

After work on Thursday or Friday I often meet friends at Blush for a glass or two. It is very comfortable, lovely knowledgeable staff, and you can have a conversation without yelling. Live jazz Thursdays.
27 personas locales recomiendan
Blush! Wine Bar
476 Castro St
27 personas locales recomiendan
After work on Thursday or Friday I often meet friends at Blush for a glass or two. It is very comfortable, lovely knowledgeable staff, and you can have a conversation without yelling. Live jazz Thursdays.
The rev is an iconic european style cafe in the Mission. Great music every night, and just a cool local vibe.
80 personas locales recomiendan
Revolution Cafe
3248 22nd St
80 personas locales recomiendan
The rev is an iconic european style cafe in the Mission. Great music every night, and just a cool local vibe.
Twin Peaks was the first openly gay bar in San Francisco. They literally tore the cardboard off the windows so people could see in and out, at great risk. We often stop in to this distinguished bar for a martini before heading downtown on the train to catch a show.
32 personas locales recomiendan
Twin Peaks Tavern
401 Castro St
32 personas locales recomiendan
Twin Peaks was the first openly gay bar in San Francisco. They literally tore the cardboard off the windows so people could see in and out, at great risk. We often stop in to this distinguished bar for a martini before heading downtown on the train to catch a show.

Entertainment & Activities

Don't miss this beautiful theater! The historic Castro theater begins each show with a pipe organist performing music related to the movie. Most weekends they have sing-a-longs, complete with costume contests. Generally the matinee features kids in dress up, and the later show features more adult dressing up. My teen once won for their Wizard of Oz wicked witch cosplay!
332 personas locales recomiendan
Castro Theatre
429 Castro St
332 personas locales recomiendan
Don't miss this beautiful theater! The historic Castro theater begins each show with a pipe organist performing music related to the movie. Most weekends they have sing-a-longs, complete with costume contests. Generally the matinee features kids in dress up, and the later show features more adult dressing up. My teen once won for their Wizard of Oz wicked witch cosplay!

Essentials

Mollie's is only a few blocks away. We love them because they specialize in local and organic products, but also have other essentials you might need, like pop tarts. If you walk there they will drive you home in their van for free.
277 personas locales recomiendan
Mollie Stone's Markets
2435 California St
277 personas locales recomiendan
Mollie's is only a few blocks away. We love them because they specialize in local and organic products, but also have other essentials you might need, like pop tarts. If you walk there they will drive you home in their van for free.
Cliffs is our neighborhood EVERYTHING store. While it is originally a hardware store, it is rally more like a traditional mercantile sure with a bit of everything, including toys, art supplies, costumes, kitchen supplies, everything! It also has some of the the best Castro/gay pride souvenirs.
69 personas locales recomiendan
Cliff's Variety
479 Castro St
69 personas locales recomiendan
Cliffs is our neighborhood EVERYTHING store. While it is originally a hardware store, it is rally more like a traditional mercantile sure with a bit of everything, including toys, art supplies, costumes, kitchen supplies, everything! It also has some of the the best Castro/gay pride souvenirs.
35 personas locales recomiendan
United States Postal Service
2111 Lane St
35 personas locales recomiendan
A few blocks away, great neighborhood business.
Big Cleaners
4359 18th Street
A few blocks away, great neighborhood business.

Getting Around

Ford GoBike Station (It is officially called the Eureka Valley Recreation Center Station) This is a super convenient bake sharing system - ten dollars for a day pass!
Bay Wheels
Ford GoBike Station (It is officially called the Eureka Valley Recreation Center Station) This is a super convenient bake sharing system - ten dollars for a day pass!
The Castro Muni station at Market street is where you can catch the underground to zoom you downtown in about ten minutes. You grab a bus to anywhere. You can also travel down above ground in refurbished vintage street cars from around the world called the F-line. SUPER COOL!
76 personas locales recomiendan
Castro Station
76 personas locales recomiendan
The Castro Muni station at Market street is where you can catch the underground to zoom you downtown in about ten minutes. You grab a bus to anywhere. You can also travel down above ground in refurbished vintage street cars from around the world called the F-line. SUPER COOL!

Parks & Nature

This is some of the best people watching, best picnic grounds, best playground if you have any littles. You just don't want to miss it. The beautiful Mission Dolores next to the park is a public high school (Where my son attends!).
107 personas locales recomiendan
Helen Diller Playground
107 personas locales recomiendan
This is some of the best people watching, best picnic grounds, best playground if you have any littles. You just don't want to miss it. The beautiful Mission Dolores next to the park is a public high school (Where my son attends!).
This is some of the best people watching, best picnic grounds, best playground if you have any littles. You just don't want to miss it. The beautiful Mission Dolores next to the park is a public high school (Where my son attends!).
1244 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Mission Dolores
19th Street
1244 personas locales recomiendan
This is some of the best people watching, best picnic grounds, best playground if you have any littles. You just don't want to miss it. The beautiful Mission Dolores next to the park is a public high school (Where my son attends!).