Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
I am addicted to their freshly baked pastries--almond croissant, cheese danish, and the most amazing kouign aman (say coo-een ah-mahn).
30 locals recommend
La Boulange
2300 Polk StreetI am addicted to their freshly baked pastries--almond croissant, cheese danish, and the most amazing kouign aman (say coo-een ah-mahn).
Peet's not only has the best French or Italian roast (don't need to call it coffee) but great friendly seating, free wifi, good & interesting people there.
238 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
2080 Chestnut StPeet's not only has the best French or Italian roast (don't need to call it coffee) but great friendly seating, free wifi, good & interesting people there.
Who doesn't love pizza--raise your hands. I thought so. No one doesn't love a pie. You get to sit family style at Gioia and it's just like being in the old country. Delicious toppings to choose from.
35 locals recommend
Gioia Pizzeria
2240 Polk StreetWho doesn't love pizza--raise your hands. I thought so. No one doesn't love a pie. You get to sit family style at Gioia and it's just like being in the old country. Delicious toppings to choose from.
Tai Chi is simply good, cheap, old-fashioned Chinese food. I mostly do the take-out because their wine list is not so good. Try anything but I love the dry braised green beans and anything spicy.
Tai Chi
2031 Polk StTai Chi is simply good, cheap, old-fashioned Chinese food. I mostly do the take-out because their wine list is not so good. Try anything but I love the dry braised green beans and anything spicy.
The food is great - nice mix of Chinese, Vietnamese, French. Not expensive. Wine list is so so. Ambiance is great - I love quiet restaurants, lighting is warm and friendly.
24 locals recommend
Aux Delices
2327 Polk StThe food is great - nice mix of Chinese, Vietnamese, French. Not expensive. Wine list is so so. Ambiance is great - I love quiet restaurants, lighting is warm and friendly.
I have not eaten here but the place is always packed and it looks to be a very popular hamburger joint as well as a popular spot for hearty American-style breakfast.
20 locals recommend
Polker's Gourmet Burgers
2226 Polk StreetI have not eaten here but the place is always packed and it looks to be a very popular hamburger joint as well as a popular spot for hearty American-style breakfast.
Mario's is one of the few unchanging places in North Beach which has far too many touristy eateries. Try the eggplant focaccia with a goblet of wine.
27 locals recommend
Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe
566 Columbus AveMario's is one of the few unchanging places in North Beach which has far too many touristy eateries. Try the eggplant focaccia with a goblet of wine.
Greens is the original gourmet vegetarian place, owned by SF Zen Center. You'll need a rez. Can't beat the view. Fabulous food & wine. Can't get a seat? Try the to-go counter.
89 locals recommend
Greens
2 Marina BlvdGreens is the original gourmet vegetarian place, owned by SF Zen Center. You'll need a rez. Can't beat the view. Fabulous food & wine. Can't get a seat? Try the to-go counter.
The food is up there with the best of California/nouveau cusine. Exquisite. 5 stars. Love the pork dishes. The noise if multi-decible - 5 firecrackers. Too bad that.
60 locals recommend
Leopold's
2400 Polk StThe food is up there with the best of California/nouveau cusine. Exquisite. 5 stars. Love the pork dishes. The noise if multi-decible - 5 firecrackers. Too bad that.
North Beach has too many bad Italian restaurants. Caffe Puccini is compensation, with its generous servings of pasta--duck, rabbit, bolognese. sandwiches and antipasto are among the best in the city.
Caffe Puccini
North Beach has too many bad Italian restaurants. Caffe Puccini is compensation, with its generous servings of pasta--duck, rabbit, bolognese. sandwiches and antipasto are among the best in the city.
Everything Else
As a tango dancer and love of open-toed shoes, I get pedicures ever couple of weeks. There are several good places in the area. Tootsie Toes is one of my fave.
Tootsie Toes
1741 Polk StAs a tango dancer and love of open-toed shoes, I get pedicures ever couple of weeks. There are several good places in the area. Tootsie Toes is one of my fave.
This is the place to shop for your groceries and a pretty good wine selection. Cheeses, & breads are good here too.
395 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
401 Bay StThis is the place to shop for your groceries and a pretty good wine selection. Cheeses, & breads are good here too.
Little known fact, but the Dolphin Club is open to the public. You have to love swimming in the Bay, preferably sans wetsuit. Check it out.
Dolphin Swim & Boat Club
502 Jefferson StLittle known fact, but the Dolphin Club is open to the public. You have to love swimming in the Bay, preferably sans wetsuit. Check it out.
It's 1.7 miles but you can bus it. I recommend the Saturday public program. Get there by 9 am for meditation instruction or 10 am for enlightening lecture, tea & cookies after. Architectural landmark.
12 locals recommend
San Francisco Zen Center
300 Page StIt's 1.7 miles but you can bus it. I recommend the Saturday public program. Get there by 9 am for meditation instruction or 10 am for enlightening lecture, tea & cookies after. Architectural landmark.
Beautiful architecture - Episcopalian church. Free yoga on Tuesdays at about 6 or 6:30pm (confirm on the web).
165 locals recommend
Grace Cathedral
1100 California StBeautiful architecture - Episcopalian church. Free yoga on Tuesdays at about 6 or 6:30pm (confirm on the web).
I love to be among used books even if I'm not looking for anything in particular. This store could hold me hostage for hours, days. Enter at your own risk, book worms.
10 locals recommend
Russian Hill Bookstore
2162 Polk StI love to be among used books even if I'm not looking for anything in particular. This store could hold me hostage for hours, days. Enter at your own risk, book worms.
How could I not recommend a place I take refuge in - borrow from, and do research in. It's so modern yet so comfortable. Check hours at sfpl.org.
33 locals recommend
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin StHow could I not recommend a place I take refuge in - borrow from, and do research in. It's so modern yet so comfortable. Check hours at sfpl.org.
This is the pool where I swim. It's gorgeous, big Olympic, great locker room. About $5 - $10 per use (not sure). But you must be in before 2 pm. Other pools closer but this is my favorite.
11 locals recommend
Koret Health and Recreation Center
Turk BoulevardThis is the pool where I swim. It's gorgeous, big Olympic, great locker room. About $5 - $10 per use (not sure). But you must be in before 2 pm. Other pools closer but this is my favorite.
Pool is clean, bright, right in North Beach. Check its hours for laps and recreation swim at http://sfrecpark.org/recreation-community-services/aquatics-pools/ - Also has other city pools listed.
North Beach Pool
661 Lombard StPool is clean, bright, right in North Beach. Check its hours for laps and recreation swim at http://sfrecpark.org/recreation-community-services/aquatics-pools/ - Also has other city pools listed.
Shopping
Fun place to look even if you're not buying - all sorts of fun and useful gadgets for the kitchen, cooks, and those who love kitchens & cooks.
City Discounts
1542 Polk StFun place to look even if you're not buying - all sorts of fun and useful gadgets for the kitchen, cooks, and those who love kitchens & cooks.
If you haven't heard of City Lights bookstore, here's your chance. It's up there with Paris's Shakespeare & Company. Speaks for itself, as all books do. Don't miss it.
86 locals recommend
City Lights Booksellers
261 Columbus AveIf you haven't heard of City Lights bookstore, here's your chance. It's up there with Paris's Shakespeare & Company. Speaks for itself, as all books do. Don't miss it.
Essentials
It's not called "whole paycheck" for nothing. Great & beautiful produce. Meats, fish, deli. lLove the steam bar for dinner when I can't cook. Expensive but tasty.
905 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3950 24th StIt's not called "whole paycheck" for nothing. Great & beautiful produce. Meats, fish, deli. lLove the steam bar for dinner when I can't cook. Expensive but tasty.
Sightseeing
Walk straight north on Polk - in 20 minutes or so you'll be at the Bay. Its beauty is self-explanatory.
44 locals recommend
San Francisco Maritime Museum/Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building
Walk straight north on Polk - in 20 minutes or so you'll be at the Bay. Its beauty is self-explanatory.
My favorite way to get to North Beach (30 min brisk walk) is to walk east on Jackson Street. You have to love the hill. Great view- see the Bay Bridge at the top. Pass thru bustling Chinatown.
229 locals recommend
North Beach
My favorite way to get to North Beach (30 min brisk walk) is to walk east on Jackson Street. You have to love the hill. Great view- see the Bay Bridge at the top. Pass thru bustling Chinatown.
You can walk there. Wonderful for people & dog watching. Can be windy in the afternoon but retreat to a nearby cafe.
75 locals recommend
Marina Green Triangle
You can walk there. Wonderful for people & dog watching. Can be windy in the afternoon but retreat to a nearby cafe.
Arts & Culture
La Pista is a TANGO SALON where I teach tango on Friday, 7:30pm. Drop-ins welcome. Beginner class also on Monday at 8pm. No partner necessary. Drop by!
Tom Lewis Restoration and Consulting Inc.
135 Quint StLa Pista is a TANGO SALON where I teach tango on Friday, 7:30pm. Drop-ins welcome. Beginner class also on Monday at 8pm. No partner necessary. Drop by!
This small museum became a big blockbuster years ago. Go for the view - to as far as Russia maybe (SP). The art's pretty good too.
208 locals recommend
Legion of Honor
100 34th AveThis small museum became a big blockbuster years ago. Go for the view - to as far as Russia maybe (SP). The art's pretty good too.