Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
Starbucks
2132 Chestnut StNearby, comfortable places to sit.
Terrific Middle Eastern Food. Get the Hummus appetizer and some kebabs!
70 personas locales recomiendan
Bursa Restaurant
60 W Portal AveTerrific Middle Eastern Food. Get the Hummus appetizer and some kebabs!
Can't go wrong for breakfast here. Everything is excellent. Sometimes there's a line, but it's worth the wait.
121 personas locales recomiendan
Toast Eatery
1748 Church StCan't go wrong for breakfast here. Everything is excellent. Sometimes there's a line, but it's worth the wait.
This is some of the best Indian food in the city, much better than India Clay Oven on the other end of West Portal.
27 personas locales recomiendan
Roti Indian Bistro
53 W Portal AveThis is some of the best Indian food in the city, much better than India Clay Oven on the other end of West Portal.
Wonderfully kitschy Mexican decor, dependable Tex-Mex and HUGE servings
16 personas locales recomiendan
El Toreador
50 W Portal AveWonderfully kitschy Mexican decor, dependable Tex-Mex and HUGE servings
Within walking distance of our house. A cute little French bistro.
15 personas locales recomiendan
ChouChou French Bistro
400 Dewey BlvdWithin walking distance of our house. A cute little French bistro.
This is the best nearby Chinese food for delivery. The quality is consistently good, and they deliver in about 30 minutes
6 personas locales recomiendan
Nan King Road Bistro
1360 9th AveThis is the best nearby Chinese food for delivery. The quality is consistently good, and they deliver in about 30 minutes
This is a 10-minute bus ride away. Some of the best Chinese food in the city. They don't take reservations and there's usually a line. Don't miss the carmelized chicken wings!
154 personas locales recomiendan
San Tung
1031 Irving StThis is a 10-minute bus ride away. Some of the best Chinese food in the city. They don't take reservations and there's usually a line. Don't miss the carmelized chicken wings!
This is a 10-minute bus ride away. Really some of the best Japanese food in town. Go early to avoid the lines. It's a good place for lunch after a morning exploring Golden Gate Park. They close at 2 p.m. and re-open at 5:30 pm.
101 personas locales recomiendan
Ebisu Restaurant
1283 9th AveThis is a 10-minute bus ride away. Really some of the best Japanese food in town. Go early to avoid the lines. It's a good place for lunch after a morning exploring Golden Gate Park. They close at 2 p.m. and re-open at 5:30 pm.
Bursa Restaurant
60 W Portal AveExcellent, healthy food.
You'll have to take the bus, but this is the BEST Mexican food in town. Get a crispy taco or a burrito. They only take cash, and there's usually a line. Totally worth it. We have a friend from New York who insists on coming here every time she visits.
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La Taqueria
2889 Mission StYou'll have to take the bus, but this is the BEST Mexican food in town. Get a crispy taco or a burrito. They only take cash, and there's usually a line. Totally worth it. We have a friend from New York who insists on coming here every time she visits.
If you're going to do a touristy restaurant in Fisherman's Wharf, this is the best one. A terrific view. The kids can watch the boats and the kite surfers while you have a cocktail. My parents took me there when I was a kid because I'd be entertained. I'd recommend this for lunch, or a snack with a drink. Buying dinner there costs a fortune.
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Franciscan Crab Restaurant
If you're going to do a touristy restaurant in Fisherman's Wharf, this is the best one. A terrific view. The kids can watch the boats and the kite surfers while you have a cocktail. My parents took me there when I was a kid because I'd be entertained. I'd recommend this for lunch, or a snack with a drink. Buying dinner there costs a fortune.
Shanghai Dumpling King
696 Monterey BlvdBest soup dumplings outside of China.
Excellent Northern Italian food and clay oven pizza.
30 personas locales recomiendan
Trattoria da Vittorio
150 W Portal AveExcellent Northern Italian food and clay oven pizza.
This is old-time San Francisco, and also the oldest restaurant in town, around since the Gold Rush. Go for crab, clam chowder and sourdough. It's not cheap, but it's authentic.
36 personas locales recomiendan
Tadich Grill
240 California StThis is old-time San Francisco, and also the oldest restaurant in town, around since the Gold Rush. Go for crab, clam chowder and sourdough. It's not cheap, but it's authentic.
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero StIt's famous. There's a reason.
It's near Ocean Beach and the San Francisco Zoo. Excellent coffee, salads, sandwiches and pastries. Plus a surfer dude vibe.
43 personas locales recomiendan
Java Beach
2650 Sloat BlvdIt's near Ocean Beach and the San Francisco Zoo. Excellent coffee, salads, sandwiches and pastries. Plus a surfer dude vibe.
This is on the way to Muir Woods. It's as if an English pub teleported to the California coast. Good food, cozy bar with dart boards and everything. Muir Beach, a lovely, less crowded beach is just a stone's throw away.
68 personas locales recomiendan
Pelican Inn
10 Pacific WayThis is on the way to Muir Woods. It's as if an English pub teleported to the California coast. Good food, cozy bar with dart boards and everything. Muir Beach, a lovely, less crowded beach is just a stone's throw away.
Best sub sandwiches in town. I have a friend who lives in France and will not miss this place on his visits home.
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Submarine Center
820 Ulloa StBest sub sandwiches in town. I have a friend who lives in France and will not miss this place on his visits home.
Loló
974 Valencia StTerrific Latin American food. Hipster decor. Great drinks.
The Cavallo Point Lodge used to be part of a military base, but it's now a very pricey luxury inn and spa. Go there for dinner or a drink. Lovely views of the Golden Gate, and great quality. Not a budget excursion, though.
59 personas locales recomiendan
Cavallo Point Lodge
601 Murray CirThe Cavallo Point Lodge used to be part of a military base, but it's now a very pricey luxury inn and spa. Go there for dinner or a drink. Lovely views of the Golden Gate, and great quality. Not a budget excursion, though.
This is like a gourmet cafeteria, with everything from macaroni and cheese to sandwiches to salads. Pick up stuff for a picnic, or eat in the large dining room or patio.
Lemonade Restaurant
16 West Portal AvenueThis is like a gourmet cafeteria, with everything from macaroni and cheese to sandwiches to salads. Pick up stuff for a picnic, or eat in the large dining room or patio.
This looks like a total dive, and the decor hasn't been updated since the 1950s, but they serve excellent burgers and steaks at a good price. Don't order salad.
17 personas locales recomiendan
Bullshead Restaurant
840 Ulloa StThis looks like a total dive, and the decor hasn't been updated since the 1950s, but they serve excellent burgers and steaks at a good price. Don't order salad.
Fantastic brunch, but there's always a line. Worth it though. Don't miss the potatoes.
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Plow
1299 18th StFantastic brunch, but there's always a line. Worth it though. Don't miss the potatoes.
This is the best soft serve ice cream ever. Truly. Get it dipped in their special chocolate and rolled in nuts or honeycomb candy. Sundaes are amazing. Ditto the gourmet popsicles. Worth the wait (there's always a line) and the money ($5 per cone).
Twirl & Dip Soft Serve
This is the best soft serve ice cream ever. Truly. Get it dipped in their special chocolate and rolled in nuts or honeycomb candy. Sundaes are amazing. Ditto the gourmet popsicles. Worth the wait (there's always a line) and the money ($5 per cone).
Orexi Restaurant
243 W Portal AveExcellent Greek Food.
Very San Francisco. It's an employee-owned co-op (read, they pay decent wages, and share in the profits). Incredible pizza by the slice, with a changing special every day. Also amazing breakfast pastries and breads.
320 personas locales recomiendan
Arizmendi Bakery
1331 9th AveVery San Francisco. It's an employee-owned co-op (read, they pay decent wages, and share in the profits). Incredible pizza by the slice, with a changing special every day. Also amazing breakfast pastries and breads.
OK. It's a grocery store. But it's probably unlike any grocery store you've ever seen. It's full of very high quality bulk food, produce, cheese, housewares--all very socially conscious and organic. It's another employee co-op, and a San Francisco institution. The cheese department is amazing, as are the German pastries in the bread aisle. Good place to soak up the scene and get provisions for a picnic.
275 personas locales recomiendan
Rainbow Grocery
1745 Folsom StOK. It's a grocery store. But it's probably unlike any grocery store you've ever seen. It's full of very high quality bulk food, produce, cheese, housewares--all very socially conscious and organic. It's another employee co-op, and a San Francisco institution. The cheese department is amazing, as are the German pastries in the bread aisle. Good place to soak up the scene and get provisions for a picnic.
Excellent fast food burgers, and great shakes. A step up from In and Out Burger.
179 personas locales recomiendan
Super Duper Burgers
721 Market StExcellent fast food burgers, and great shakes. A step up from In and Out Burger.
Absolutely amazing Turkish food. Pricey. But worth it.
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Kitchen Istanbul
349 Clement StAbsolutely amazing Turkish food. Pricey. But worth it.
This is a totally unique indoor mini golf course, with artisanal cocktails and good food. We've had several guests go there, and they have loved it. You will too.
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Urban Putt
1096 S Van Ness AveThis is a totally unique indoor mini golf course, with artisanal cocktails and good food. We've had several guests go there, and they have loved it. You will too.
This is in the new-ish neighborhood springing up around MIssion Bay and the new Warriors stadium. The food is amazing, plus you can eat outside in the rooftop garden and patio, or play bocce ball, all with a view of the Bay.
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STEM Kitchen & Garden
499 Illinois StThis is in the new-ish neighborhood springing up around MIssion Bay and the new Warriors stadium. The food is amazing, plus you can eat outside in the rooftop garden and patio, or play bocce ball, all with a view of the Bay.
Essentials
This is the closest market, a block away. They just have the basics, but there's also a burrito counter in the market that is excellent.
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Miraloma Market
755 Portola DrThis is the closest market, a block away. They just have the basics, but there's also a burrito counter in the market that is excellent.
This market is much fancier than Miraloma Market, and more expensive. On the flip side, the quality is excellent and there's an extensive wine shop and prepared food counter.
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Mollie Stone's Markets
2435 California StThis market is much fancier than Miraloma Market, and more expensive. On the flip side, the quality is excellent and there's an extensive wine shop and prepared food counter.
One block away, a pharmacy with limited selections of groceries as well.
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CVS
1059 Hyde StOne block away, a pharmacy with limited selections of groceries as well.
A dry cleaners one block away. Owned by a Korean family. Very lovely and quality work.
Portola One Hour Cleaners
725 Portola DrA dry cleaners one block away. Owned by a Korean family. Very lovely and quality work.
This is THE place to go for a facial. One of the best in town.
Dimitra's Skin Care-Medi-Spa: Wagner Andrew S MD
324 W Portal AveThis is THE place to go for a facial. One of the best in town.
Drinks & Nightlife
Bar with a dark "Indiana Jones" aesthetic. Terrific artisanal cocktails. Huge collection of rum. No food, and the drinks are STRONG.
Strangely, there aren't that many bars to go to in SF that have a view of the water. This is one. Great view of the Bay Bridge lights. Good for drinks. Pricey, but lots of good restaurants nearby.
82 personas locales recomiendan
Waterbar Restaurant
399 The EmbarcaderoStrangely, there aren't that many bars to go to in SF that have a view of the water. This is one. Great view of the Bay Bridge lights. Good for drinks. Pricey, but lots of good restaurants nearby.
It's totally touristy and totally worth it. Go for drinks and an appetizer. If you want a meal, you can choose from a high-end gourmet option or a bistro. But a drink is usually enough.
285 personas locales recomiendan
Cliff House
1090 Point Lobos AveIt's totally touristy and totally worth it. Go for drinks and an appetizer. If you want a meal, you can choose from a high-end gourmet option or a bistro. But a drink is usually enough.
We're journalists. This is a news-themed bar on Market. Great to stop in after sightseeing around Union Square.
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Local Edition
691 Market StWe're journalists. This is a news-themed bar on Market. Great to stop in after sightseeing around Union Square.
Excellent mixed drinks and beers, plus good casual pub food like burgers and chinese noodles. Close to Golden Gate Park.
46 personas locales recomiendan
Social Kitchen & Brewery
1326 9th AveExcellent mixed drinks and beers, plus good casual pub food like burgers and chinese noodles. Close to Golden Gate Park.
Last Rites
718 14th StParks & Nature
We love to walk our dog at this beach. You can see the container ships coming in, the kite and wind surfers zipping around. Plus, it's not uncommon to see pelicans, seals and otters just offshore.
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Crissy Field
We love to walk our dog at this beach. You can see the container ships coming in, the kite and wind surfers zipping around. Plus, it's not uncommon to see pelicans, seals and otters just offshore.
This is a great place to go to watch surfers, to hike, to hang out at the beach. It's not incredibly touristy, and if you rent a bike, you can combine it with cycling across the Golden Gate. You can hike along the cliffs and see all the old World War II gun placements and bunkers. The Marine Mammal Center, known locally for rescuing sea lions, seals and otters up and down the coast, is on the way. Worth the extra effort.
Fort Cronkhite
This is a great place to go to watch surfers, to hike, to hang out at the beach. It's not incredibly touristy, and if you rent a bike, you can combine it with cycling across the Golden Gate. You can hike along the cliffs and see all the old World War II gun placements and bunkers. The Marine Mammal Center, known locally for rescuing sea lions, seals and otters up and down the coast, is on the way. Worth the extra effort.
This park, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is little known by tourists, but it has one of the most spectacular views in town: You can see from Pacifica to the south, all of SF, including the Golden Gate, and then north to Point Reyes. It's a lovely place for a beach walk, and a favorite of dog walkers. Admission is free and it's gorgeous. Don't go on a foggy day, though, or you'll freeze to death!
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Fort Funston Road
Fort Funston RoadThis park, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is little known by tourists, but it has one of the most spectacular views in town: You can see from Pacifica to the south, all of SF, including the Golden Gate, and then north to Point Reyes. It's a lovely place for a beach walk, and a favorite of dog walkers. Admission is free and it's gorgeous. Don't go on a foggy day, though, or you'll freeze to death!
This is probably the most beautiful view of the Golden Gate and the city. It's a little less crowded than the usual vista points, and well worth the drive and the short hike to the lighthouse.
42 personas locales recomiendan
Point Bonita Lighthouse
This is probably the most beautiful view of the Golden Gate and the city. It's a little less crowded than the usual vista points, and well worth the drive and the short hike to the lighthouse.
A bit of a drive, but the drive is gorgeous and it's a typical California beach town. Great place to learn to boogie board or surf. There are pricey restaurants in the tiny village, but a couple concessions stands both on the beach and nearby that are good for burgers and such.
363 personas locales recomiendan
Stinson Beach
A bit of a drive, but the drive is gorgeous and it's a typical California beach town. Great place to learn to boogie board or surf. There are pricey restaurants in the tiny village, but a couple concessions stands both on the beach and nearby that are good for burgers and such.
This is our favorite place to walk our dog. The views of the bay and the Golden Gate are great, as is the windsurfing/kitesurfing/dog scene. There's a small cafe at the East End of the parking lot. Great place for a walk and selfies. On warm days, relatively rare in San Francisco, the beach is crowded, but there's plenty of parking.
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Crissy Field East Beach
This is our favorite place to walk our dog. The views of the bay and the Golden Gate are great, as is the windsurfing/kitesurfing/dog scene. There's a small cafe at the East End of the parking lot. Great place for a walk and selfies. On warm days, relatively rare in San Francisco, the beach is crowded, but there's plenty of parking.
Shopping
Ambiance San Francisco
756 Irving StVintage inspired. Huge selection.
A local bookstore with a large selection and frequent author events. Great place to browse on a rainy or foggy day.
6 personas locales recomiendan
BookShop West Portal
80 W Portal AveA local bookstore with a large selection and frequent author events. Great place to browse on a rainy or foggy day.
If your feet are hurting from sightseeing, this is the place to take action. They have a huge selection of walking and athletic shoes, and a staff who will do a fit analysis for free.
On The Run Shoes
1310 9th AveIf your feet are hurting from sightseeing, this is the place to take action. They have a huge selection of walking and athletic shoes, and a staff who will do a fit analysis for free.
Getting Around
You can get trains out to the beach and the zoo and the Cliff House, or to the Castro (one stop east), Civic Center, Union Square (Powell Street Stop) or the Embarcadero.
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Laguna Honda Blvd/Forest Hill Sta station
You can get trains out to the beach and the zoo and the Cliff House, or to the Castro (one stop east), Civic Center, Union Square (Powell Street Stop) or the Embarcadero.
You can catch the 43 Masonic bus across Portola Drive, next to the stop sign across from St. Brendan's School. The bus goes straight to the Haight-Ashbury District and ends at Fort Mason, next to Ghirardelli Square.
Masonic Ave & Fulton St station
You can catch the 43 Masonic bus across Portola Drive, next to the stop sign across from St. Brendan's School. The bus goes straight to the Haight-Ashbury District and ends at Fort Mason, next to Ghirardelli Square.
Pay no attention to the map. The app doesn't let me enter it accurately for some reason (Ditto the 43 info below).
44 O'Shaughnessy Bus:
Walk two blocks up Portola Drive to Woodside, where you can catch the 44 Bus. Go to the stop across Woodside, in front of the gas station and the Juvenile Justice Hall. From there, the bus will take you to Golden Gate Park in about 10 minutes. The line ends at the Presidio in the Richmond District.
48 Quintara Bus:
If you want to go East, the stop is right at the foot of our driveway. Get on there, and the bus will take you to the Mission District and Dogpatch.
Get on across the street, in front of St. Brendan's School, and the 48 goes to Ocean Beach.
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Bus Stop Bar
1901 Union StPay no attention to the map. The app doesn't let me enter it accurately for some reason (Ditto the 43 info below).
44 O'Shaughnessy Bus:
Walk two blocks up Portola Drive to Woodside, where you can catch the 44 Bus. Go to the stop across Woodside, in front of the gas station and the Juvenile Justice Hall. From there, the bus will take you to Golden Gate Park in about 10 minutes. The line ends at the Presidio in the Richmond District.
48 Quintara Bus:
If you want to go East, the stop is right at the foot of our driveway. Get on there, and the bus will take you to the Mission District and Dogpatch.
Get on across the street, in front of St. Brendan's School, and the 48 goes to Ocean Beach.
Arts & Culture
A bit off the beaten track of the usual museums, but an excellent place to learn about how Silicon Valley became Silicon Valley.
255 personas locales recomiendan
Museo de la Historia de la Computación
1401 N Shoreline BlvdA bit off the beaten track of the usual museums, but an excellent place to learn about how Silicon Valley became Silicon Valley.
the de Young is a relatively small museum by global standards, but what it has is excellent. The view deck at the top of the museum is one of the more beautiful views of the city.
1000 personas locales recomiendan
Museo de Young
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drthe de Young is a relatively small museum by global standards, but what it has is excellent. The view deck at the top of the museum is one of the more beautiful views of the city.
One of the best nature museums in the country. Not as large as the Natural History Museum in New York City, or the Smithsonian, but the place has been recently remodeled and has a stunning green roof and a several story rainforest complete with butterflies and waterfalls. The academy also supports world-renowned research. Well worth a trip, even though it's expensive.
816 personas locales recomiendan
Academia de Ciencias de California
55 Music Concourse DrOne of the best nature museums in the country. Not as large as the Natural History Museum in New York City, or the Smithsonian, but the place has been recently remodeled and has a stunning green roof and a several story rainforest complete with butterflies and waterfalls. The academy also supports world-renowned research. Well worth a trip, even though it's expensive.
Silicon Valley money has made SFMOMA, which has just finished a huge expansion, a world class museum. In Situ, the restaurant, is expensive but worth it (It features an ever-changing array of dishes from famous restaurants from all over the world).
813 personas locales recomiendan
Museo de Arte Moderno de San Francisco
151 3rd StSilicon Valley money has made SFMOMA, which has just finished a huge expansion, a world class museum. In Situ, the restaurant, is expensive but worth it (It features an ever-changing array of dishes from famous restaurants from all over the world).
This museum is really tiny by global standards, but the small collection is lovely, and it has some of the best views of the city.
208 personas locales recomiendan
Legion of Honor
100 34th AveThis museum is really tiny by global standards, but the small collection is lovely, and it has some of the best views of the city.