Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
Great coffee, every magazine imaginable, meet all the locales.
136 personas locales recomiendan
Farley's
1315 18th StGreat coffee, every magazine imaginable, meet all the locales.
Plow is a local favorite because it has the most fabulous fried potatoes you've ever tasted. And, dishes like lemon ricotta pancakes that are just sweet enough for everyone's liking. I have a friend that comes all the way from Arizona for their grilled cheese sandwich with grilled cheese sandwich sharp cheddar, organic tomatoes, fromage blanc, and Acme bread.
261 personas locales recomiendan
Plow
1299 18th StPlow is a local favorite because it has the most fabulous fried potatoes you've ever tasted. And, dishes like lemon ricotta pancakes that are just sweet enough for everyone's liking. I have a friend that comes all the way from Arizona for their grilled cheese sandwich with grilled cheese sandwich sharp cheddar, organic tomatoes, fromage blanc, and Acme bread.
The brain child of Potrero Hill resident and renowned French Basque chef, Jocelyn Bulow, this casual French bistro is known for its steaming bowls of mussels best eaten with an order of pomme frites dipped in aoli. Waiters will also recommend an unusual glass of wine, and you can top it all off with an apple tarte tatin for dessert.
178 personas locales recomiendan
Chez maman east
1401 18th StThe brain child of Potrero Hill resident and renowned French Basque chef, Jocelyn Bulow, this casual French bistro is known for its steaming bowls of mussels best eaten with an order of pomme frites dipped in aoli. Waiters will also recommend an unusual glass of wine, and you can top it all off with an apple tarte tatin for dessert.
Potrero means goat in Spanish, so our neighborhood pizza place is aptly named. Great pizza for eating in or taking out. I really like their spaghetti and meatballs too! There's a quaint table for two in the window with a great city view. My favorite place to sit for an early dinner.
108 personas locales recomiendan
Goat Hill Pizza
300 Connecticut StPotrero means goat in Spanish, so our neighborhood pizza place is aptly named. Great pizza for eating in or taking out. I really like their spaghetti and meatballs too! There's a quaint table for two in the window with a great city view. My favorite place to sit for an early dinner.
Brought to you by the proprietors of Chez Maman, Papito is Mexican cuisine with a French twist. Duck confit tacos, anyone? An inviting pitcher of Sangria always awaits, as well as sunny West-facing outdoor seating. A great place to meet the neighbors. Reasonably priced, and just right for any day of the week.
80 personas locales recomiendan
Papito
1457 18th StBrought to you by the proprietors of Chez Maman, Papito is Mexican cuisine with a French twist. Duck confit tacos, anyone? An inviting pitcher of Sangria always awaits, as well as sunny West-facing outdoor seating. A great place to meet the neighbors. Reasonably priced, and just right for any day of the week.
Aperto has been our neighborhood trattoria for more than 20 years for good reason. It's always good. Well priced, interesting daily menu, great fish, and great desserts. My favorite dish has never left the menu. It’s Tagliolini ‘Pepati,' a pasta dish with roasted tomatoes, bacon, and jalapeno. It's an unusual combination, but real comfort food. Great brunch too.
58 personas locales recomiendan
Aperto
1434 18th StreetAperto has been our neighborhood trattoria for more than 20 years for good reason. It's always good. Well priced, interesting daily menu, great fish, and great desserts. My favorite dish has never left the menu. It’s Tagliolini ‘Pepati,' a pasta dish with roasted tomatoes, bacon, and jalapeno. It's an unusual combination, but real comfort food. Great brunch too.
Piccino is a great upscale Italian restaurant located at the foot of Potrero Hill in the Dogpatch area. Highly recommend anything from the wood fired ovens, especially the pizza.
162 personas locales recomiendan
Piccino
1001 Minnesota StPiccino is a great upscale Italian restaurant located at the foot of Potrero Hill in the Dogpatch area. Highly recommend anything from the wood fired ovens, especially the pizza.
Mochica is a newer addition to our 18th Street Restaurant corridor. It serves Peruvian food, including fresh ceviche, fabulous small plates, and the Peruvian national cocktail, a Pisco Sour. Ymmm!!
47 personas locales recomiendan
Mochica
1469 18th StMochica is a newer addition to our 18th Street Restaurant corridor. It serves Peruvian food, including fresh ceviche, fabulous small plates, and the Peruvian national cocktail, a Pisco Sour. Ymmm!!
Drinks & Nightlife
Tucked away on 20th Street, but right off the light rail station, this is an "only in San Francisco" bar. Third Rail gets it 'pedigree' so to speak from the creative chefs behind the popular Mission district Range. You can have a just a beer, but Third Rail specializes in handcrafted cocktails with fresh ingredients and hand-crushed ice. And, Third Rail makes its own smoked jerky, so it's not your average bar at all.
44 personas locales recomiendan
Third Rail
628 20th StTucked away on 20th Street, but right off the light rail station, this is an "only in San Francisco" bar. Third Rail gets it 'pedigree' so to speak from the creative chefs behind the popular Mission district Range. You can have a just a beer, but Third Rail specializes in handcrafted cocktails with fresh ingredients and hand-crushed ice. And, Third Rail makes its own smoked jerky, so it's not your average bar at all.
Because every neighborhood needs a dive bar. Ours just happens to be on the dock of the bay with a sprawling, sunny patio and waterfront seats. A burger and a beer always taste better on the water. And, there's music. Just saying.
113 personas locales recomiendan
The Ramp
855 Terry A Francois BlvdBecause every neighborhood needs a dive bar. Ours just happens to be on the dock of the bay with a sprawling, sunny patio and waterfront seats. A burger and a beer always taste better on the water. And, there's music. Just saying.
Sheba is in the Fillmore district, which has been the center of jazz music in San Francisco since the ’40s. Acclaimed the Harlem of the West, it has many popular jazz spots. What's great about Sheba is that it's intimate (you sit maybe 3 feet away from the musicians) and the music is free. Home to up-and-coming jazz musicians, you're guaranteed a great time with great drinks and light snacks too. Perfect place to hang out on a Sunday afternoon. shebapianolounge.com
18 personas locales recomiendan
Sheba Piano Lounge
1419 Fillmore StSheba is in the Fillmore district, which has been the center of jazz music in San Francisco since the ’40s. Acclaimed the Harlem of the West, it has many popular jazz spots. What's great about Sheba is that it's intimate (you sit maybe 3 feet away from the musicians) and the music is free. Home to up-and-coming jazz musicians, you're guaranteed a great time with great drinks and light snacks too. Perfect place to hang out on a Sunday afternoon. shebapianolounge.com
Ruby Wine is a great neighborhood wine bar with small batch, natural and organic wines from wine regions everywhere—including California. The $10. wine flights on Friday night are a great way to start the weekend and learn about wine. rubywinesf.com
27 personas locales recomiendan
Ruby Wine
1419 18th StRuby Wine is a great neighborhood wine bar with small batch, natural and organic wines from wine regions everywhere—including California. The $10. wine flights on Friday night are a great way to start the weekend and learn about wine. rubywinesf.com
Anchor Brewing has been at the foot of Potrero Hill since the '30s, but the brewery has been in existence since the Gold Rush Days. The Anchor Brewery Building is a beautiful example of industrial architecture of the '30s. Tours are by reservation. Anchor Steam Beer and its fine family of beers are still brewed onsite and taste great without reservation.
86 personas locales recomiendan
Anchor Brewing Company
1705 Mariposa StAnchor Brewing has been at the foot of Potrero Hill since the '30s, but the brewery has been in existence since the Gold Rush Days. The Anchor Brewery Building is a beautiful example of industrial architecture of the '30s. Tours are by reservation. Anchor Steam Beer and its fine family of beers are still brewed onsite and taste great without reservation.
Shopping
When you travel, you shop, and when you shop, you need more bags to bring your stuff home. With that logic, you can't go wrong buying a bag at Rickshaw Bagworks in Dogpatch. You can design your own bag(s) from scratch or buy ready made ones on display. All the bags are made onsite, which takes about a week from start to finish.
14 personas locales recomiendan
Rickshaw Bagworks
904 22nd StWhen you travel, you shop, and when you shop, you need more bags to bring your stuff home. With that logic, you can't go wrong buying a bag at Rickshaw Bagworks in Dogpatch. You can design your own bag(s) from scratch or buy ready made ones on display. All the bags are made onsite, which takes about a week from start to finish.
Collage is the first place I go for a gift. One for the birthday girl and one for me! Collage features local artists and designers who make elegant and recycled jewelry with real gemstones, pearls, and silver at really good prices. And, there's old clocks, cuff links and other great gifts for guys. Don't go home without something from Collage.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Collage Gallery
1345 18th StCollage is the first place I go for a gift. One for the birthday girl and one for me! Collage features local artists and designers who make elegant and recycled jewelry with real gemstones, pearls, and silver at really good prices. And, there's old clocks, cuff links and other great gifts for guys. Don't go home without something from Collage.
As a trained designer, I'd say that Arch rivals the best of the art stores I've frequented in and out of art school. But, it's really for everyone. It has great cards, stamps, craft supplies, and fun gifts. I recently bought an artist's map of Potrero Hill to share with my airbnb guests at Arch (couldn't resist getting out my colored pencils to give it some flair.)
12 personas locales recomiendan
ARCH Art Supplies
1490 17th StAs a trained designer, I'd say that Arch rivals the best of the art stores I've frequented in and out of art school. But, it's really for everyone. It has great cards, stamps, craft supplies, and fun gifts. I recently bought an artist's map of Potrero Hill to share with my airbnb guests at Arch (couldn't resist getting out my colored pencils to give it some flair.)
Good Life Grocery has been on Potrero Hill for at least 30 years. It's a great alternative to chain grocery stores or expensive organic specialty stores. Good Life caters to the locals with sensibly priced, great organic produce, a butcher case, and locally sourced foods. The owners are local, hire local high school students, and have a scholarship fund. Good citizens and a neighborhood institution.
282 personas locales recomiendan
The Good Life Grocery
448 Cortland AveGood Life Grocery has been on Potrero Hill for at least 30 years. It's a great alternative to chain grocery stores or expensive organic specialty stores. Good Life caters to the locals with sensibly priced, great organic produce, a butcher case, and locally sourced foods. The owners are local, hire local high school students, and have a scholarship fund. Good citizens and a neighborhood institution.
Christopher's is a local bookstore where you can actually browse through books. And the staff recommends good books for you. Lots of books about San Francisco. Across the street from Chez Maman, perfect to get a book after a nice dinner.
36 personas locales recomiendan
Christopher's Books
1400 18th StChristopher's is a local bookstore where you can actually browse through books. And the staff recommends good books for you. Lots of books about San Francisco. Across the street from Chez Maman, perfect to get a book after a nice dinner.
Essentials
Much more than the corner store with wine and essentials, Dave's has been part of the neighborhood for more than 30 years. Best homemade tuna sandwich on soft roll, my comfort food. Then, for quick takeout, you can order homemade hummus, tabouleh, and other Middle Eastern fare. Trust me on this one.
11 personas locales recomiendan
Dave's Food Store
1601 20th StMuch more than the corner store with wine and essentials, Dave's has been part of the neighborhood for more than 30 years. Best homemade tuna sandwich on soft roll, my comfort food. Then, for quick takeout, you can order homemade hummus, tabouleh, and other Middle Eastern fare. Trust me on this one.
I've been going to Vermont Cleaners for over 20 years. They are one of the last cleaners that do the work onsite. It's green, it's friendly, and very well-priced. In a pinch, I take something I need to wear right away, and it gets professionally pressed while I wait. Can't beat it.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Vermont Cleaners
600 Vermont StI've been going to Vermont Cleaners for over 20 years. They are one of the last cleaners that do the work onsite. It's green, it's friendly, and very well-priced. In a pinch, I take something I need to wear right away, and it gets professionally pressed while I wait. Can't beat it.
Parks & Nature
China Beach is a hidden sliver of a beach tucked between Lands End and Baker Beach and down a steep path in Sea Cliff. There's incredible views of the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge. China Beach was named for the Chinese fishermen who anchored their junks in the cove and camped on the beach way back when. There's a monument to this past, or you can just concentrate on the here and now, and lie on this beautiful beach and do nothing.
75 personas locales recomiendan
China Beach
China Beach is a hidden sliver of a beach tucked between Lands End and Baker Beach and down a steep path in Sea Cliff. There's incredible views of the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge. China Beach was named for the Chinese fishermen who anchored their junks in the cove and camped on the beach way back when. There's a monument to this past, or you can just concentrate on the here and now, and lie on this beautiful beach and do nothing.
Warm Water Cove is an itsy-bitsy hidden park at the end of 24th Street. I'm usually the only one there. I like to watch the ships from this vantage point and then walk along the old industrial waterfront all the way to the AT&T Giants ballpark.
Warm Water Cove Park
300 24th StWarm Water Cove is an itsy-bitsy hidden park at the end of 24th Street. I'm usually the only one there. I like to watch the ships from this vantage point and then walk along the old industrial waterfront all the way to the AT&T Giants ballpark.
The Presidio is a national treasure. It has history, incredible views of the Golden Gate bridge, and wonderful wooded hiking and biking trails. It is also home to some award winning restaurants, and inexpensive cafes.
383 personas locales recomiendan
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio is a national treasure. It has history, incredible views of the Golden Gate bridge, and wonderful wooded hiking and biking trails. It is also home to some award winning restaurants, and inexpensive cafes.
Getting Around
The 22nd St. Caltrain station is at the foot of Potrero Hill and takes commuters directly to the Silicon Valley in 45 minutes with the bullet train schedule.
29 personas locales recomiendan
22nd St Station
1149 22nd StThe 22nd St. Caltrain station is at the foot of Potrero Hill and takes commuters directly to the Silicon Valley in 45 minutes with the bullet train schedule.
Sightseeing
When I first moved to San Francisco, I lived on Telegraph Hill at the foot of Coit Tower. I've been on Potrero Hill for 20 years now, and forgot how great the views are from Coit Tower until recently. I went back there on a cold, clear November night. Stunning panoramic views of the City and the Bay. If you're here outside of tourist season, it's worth a visit.
545 personas locales recomiendan
Coit Tower
When I first moved to San Francisco, I lived on Telegraph Hill at the foot of Coit Tower. I've been on Potrero Hill for 20 years now, and forgot how great the views are from Coit Tower until recently. I went back there on a cold, clear November night. Stunning panoramic views of the City and the Bay. If you're here outside of tourist season, it's worth a visit.
The Mission District is less than a mile away from Potrero Hill. It was traditionally home to many Latinos and has incredible murals painted on walls, taquerias including the original burrito at El Faro, and now home to hip new shops, trendy restaurants and Mission Pie. Because the world does need more pie...especially coconut cream ones.
355 personas locales recomiendan
Mission District
The Mission District is less than a mile away from Potrero Hill. It was traditionally home to many Latinos and has incredible murals painted on walls, taquerias including the original burrito at El Faro, and now home to hip new shops, trendy restaurants and Mission Pie. Because the world does need more pie...especially coconut cream ones.
Vermont Street on the west end of Potrero Hill is the real crookedest street in San Francisco, not Lombard Street. Wikipedia agrees with me, citing its sinuosity of 1.56 versus Lombard Street's 1.2. It's steep, narrow and has seven hairpin turns. It's been featured in a Clint Eastwood movie and Ken Block's gymkana of San Francisco, The Urban Playground. Check it out.
15 personas locales recomiendan
Vermont Street
Vermont StreetVermont Street on the west end of Potrero Hill is the real crookedest street in San Francisco, not Lombard Street. Wikipedia agrees with me, citing its sinuosity of 1.56 versus Lombard Street's 1.2. It's steep, narrow and has seven hairpin turns. It's been featured in a Clint Eastwood movie and Ken Block's gymkana of San Francisco, The Urban Playground. Check it out.