Guidebook for San Francisco
Essentials
A great walk to get some great food. Yes there is a hill, this is SF.
664 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
450 Rhode Island StA great walk to get some great food. Yes there is a hill, this is SF.
Mollie Stone's Markets
2435 California StA great Northern California grocery store.
Don't go here if you are on a budget but if you got money to spend and want TOP notch food with great service stop by. I prefer Whole Foods but this place is mellower though $$$
36 locals recommend
Bryan's
Don't go here if you are on a budget but if you got money to spend and want TOP notch food with great service stop by. I prefer Whole Foods but this place is mellower though $$$
Okay if you know Trader Joe's you know it will be crowded and yes there will be a line for parking but the prices are great and they have booze and great wine cheap here, too.
203 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3 Masonic AveOkay if you know Trader Joe's you know it will be crowded and yes there will be a line for parking but the prices are great and they have booze and great wine cheap here, too.
A great place to shop on Wednesday and Sunday. Not as glamourous as the Ferry Building Market but well worth it and the few organic vendors there are a better value.
48 locals recommend
Heart of the City Farmer's Market
A great place to shop on Wednesday and Sunday. Not as glamourous as the Ferry Building Market but well worth it and the few organic vendors there are a better value.
Food Scene
Great place a bit of old SF with a great up to date feel. Just one of dozens of great places to eat nearby
32 locals recommend
The Elite Cafe
2049 Fillmore StreetGreat place a bit of old SF with a great up to date feel. Just one of dozens of great places to eat nearby
Pizzeria Delfina
3621 18th StGreat food, great pizza one of the city's best
Peet's Coffee
2080 Chestnut StSo very good. Outdoor seating, near shopping and Alta Plaza Park.
Coffee, pastries, savory sandwiches, bread and cookies. This place is great for picnic supplies, some amazing bread or rolls with dinner or some amazing pastries.
11 locals recommend
La Boulange
2325 Pine StCoffee, pastries, savory sandwiches, bread and cookies. This place is great for picnic supplies, some amazing bread or rolls with dinner or some amazing pastries.
In a city of many great Thai restaurants this one is outstanding. Delivery or eat in.
16 locals recommend
My Ivy
1901 Divisadero StIn a city of many great Thai restaurants this one is outstanding. Delivery or eat in.
Okay you will have to wait to eat here but one of the city's best. Take turns waiting while exploring the neighborhood
458 locals recommend
Burma Superstar
309 Clement StOkay you will have to wait to eat here but one of the city's best. Take turns waiting while exploring the neighborhood
Frankie's Bohemian Cafe
1862 Divisadero StreetGreat bar with excellent selection of beers and food and lots of energy.
Eliza's is this Great Chinese right across the street. Classic, fresh excellent food, white or brown rice but you gotta go downstairs to pick it up, cause they don't deliver.
Pacific Heights Cleaners
2437 Fillmore StEliza's is this Great Chinese right across the street. Classic, fresh excellent food, white or brown rice but you gotta go downstairs to pick it up, cause they don't deliver.
Great, GREAT great sushi. Check it out and yes it is worth the wait. They have Happy Hour (5 to 7pm) specials if you want an early bite.
48 locals recommend
Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar
2827 California StGreat, GREAT great sushi. Check it out and yes it is worth the wait. They have Happy Hour (5 to 7pm) specials if you want an early bite.
This joint is as good as the places I miss so much in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Great place, great people.
King of Falafel
1801 Divisadero StreetThis joint is as good as the places I miss so much in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Great place, great people.
After the walk back from Crissy Field or Fort Point stop here, have a great meal and enjoy the Marina District. Kind of a SF preppy haven here.
28 locals recommend
Pluto's
627 Irving StAfter the walk back from Crissy Field or Fort Point stop here, have a great meal and enjoy the Marina District. Kind of a SF preppy haven here.
Great local coffee shop, formerly Martha & Bros now Cumaica (same owners I think but more of a focus on food). Wifi, great coffee and fun to people watch.
Martha & Brothers
2800 California StreetGreat local coffee shop, formerly Martha & Bros now Cumaica (same owners I think but more of a focus on food). Wifi, great coffee and fun to people watch.
Love this small seafood joint. Get the dungeness crab if its in season. If you have to wait, enjoy the Castro. Great beer and wine though no dessert. Tell them Matt sent you
148 locals recommend
Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro StLove this small seafood joint. Get the dungeness crab if its in season. If you have to wait, enjoy the Castro. Great beer and wine though no dessert. Tell them Matt sent you
Okay I've actually never eaten here but it gets raves, it's open very late (for SF that means 1am) and the people eating there always look sexy when I pass it riding the bus.
504 locals recommend
Nopa
560 Divisadero StOkay I've actually never eaten here but it gets raves, it's open very late (for SF that means 1am) and the people eating there always look sexy when I pass it riding the bus.
Great burgers and a variety of nights that have live music that makes this little place buzz.
8 locals recommend
Bistro SF Grill
1305 Castro StGreat burgers and a variety of nights that have live music that makes this little place buzz.
Food Inc.
Great place for a quick bite, drink some wine on the sidewalk or get some takeout.
Everything Else
A great park with AMAZING views in two directions. Tennis courts here too.
114 locals recommend
Alta Plaza Park
Steiner StreetA great park with AMAZING views in two directions. Tennis courts here too.
Can be windy here but the price is right (ITS FREE) and the setting spectacular. Usually not too long of a wait either
Alta Plaza Tennis Court
2499 Steiner StCan be windy here but the price is right (ITS FREE) and the setting spectacular. Usually not too long of a wait either
Walk Lyon Street west to the famous Lyon Street steps for a great walk, past some amazing mansions and breath taking views of Golden Gate Bridge
14 locals recommend
Lyon Street
Lyon StreetWalk Lyon Street west to the famous Lyon Street steps for a great walk, past some amazing mansions and breath taking views of Golden Gate Bridge
Nice yoga studio with pilates. Better sun and light int the studio than the yoga place next door, but but are great.
26 locals recommend
YogaWorks San Francisco
1823 Divisadero StNice yoga studio with pilates. Better sun and light int the studio than the yoga place next door, but but are great.
Great yoga studio right next door. They have a weekly unlimited pass for $25 bucks. Also great Massage too
15 locals recommend
The Mindful Body
2876 California StGreat yoga studio right next door. They have a weekly unlimited pass for $25 bucks. Also great Massage too
Traditional Japanese baths. GO DO THIS. They have men only and women only days as well as a COED day. They also do massage and other treatments.
90 locals recommend
Kabuki Springs and Spa
1750 Geary BlvdTraditional Japanese baths. GO DO THIS. They have men only and women only days as well as a COED day. They also do massage and other treatments.
A grand hotel on the top of Pacific Heights and very close to this apartment (although with a steep hill between the two) . A great place to know about if there are too many folks for here.
Hotel Majestic
1500 Sutter StreetA grand hotel on the top of Pacific Heights and very close to this apartment (although with a steep hill between the two) . A great place to know about if there are too many folks for here.
Great hip and sophisticated former motel. Great for when you have too many folks for the apartment or some you just can't spend 24-7 with.
The Laurel Inn
444 Presidio AvenueGreat hip and sophisticated former motel. Great for when you have too many folks for the apartment or some you just can't spend 24-7 with.
Sightseeing
A great neighborhood with amazing Chinese, Burmese, Vietnamese and other restaurants, grocery stores and cafes. You could eat here all week and never end up somewhere bad.
25 locals recommend
Clement Street
Clement StreetA great neighborhood with amazing Chinese, Burmese, Vietnamese and other restaurants, grocery stores and cafes. You could eat here all week and never end up somewhere bad.
Golden Gate Park
Even without the museums you can easily spend a day here.
San Francisco Botanical Garden
1199 9th AveLovely.
Great food, the IFC Cinema, shopping! Get some noodles here at any of the great noodle shops.
246 locals recommend
Japan Town
Great food, the IFC Cinema, shopping! Get some noodles here at any of the great noodle shops.
So beautiful you might have to move here. Walk up the hill and down to the beach. Great exercise, great views and you might see some dolphins or seals, too.
426 locals recommend
Crissy Field
So beautiful you might have to move here. Walk up the hill and down to the beach. Great exercise, great views and you might see some dolphins or seals, too.
Amazing brick octagonal civil war fort under the G.Gate Bridge. Walk from here to Crissy Field and there. You will LOVE it
89 locals recommend
Fort Point National Historic Site
201 Marine DrAmazing brick octagonal civil war fort under the G.Gate Bridge. Walk from here to Crissy Field and there. You will LOVE it
A bit of an oddity but well worth the visit for its architectural significance. The Neptune Society's grand domed crypt for thousands who wanted to have their ashes enshrined.
San Francisco Columbarium & Funeral Home
1 Loraine CourtA bit of an oddity but well worth the visit for its architectural significance. The Neptune Society's grand domed crypt for thousands who wanted to have their ashes enshrined.
One of SF's most photographed spots. Perched on a hill it overlooks some grand old Victorian painted ladies while the city'd skyscrapers loom in the distance.
390 locals recommend
Alamo Square
One of SF's most photographed spots. Perched on a hill it overlooks some grand old Victorian painted ladies while the city'd skyscrapers loom in the distance.
Walk around the neighborhood, stop in the park itself (Duboce Park, that is) watch the dogs play as the streetcar rolls in or out of the tunnel.
16 locals recommend
Duboce Triangle
Walk around the neighborhood, stop in the park itself (Duboce Park, that is) watch the dogs play as the streetcar rolls in or out of the tunnel.
Shopping
The great bookstore of SF. Used and new, don't miss this one if you love books.
82 locals recommend
Green Apple Books
506 Clement StThe great bookstore of SF. Used and new, don't miss this one if you love books.
An amazing shop with everything from cheap housewares to beautiful imports. Make sure you see both halves of the shop as it has expanded into what was once 2 storefronts and can be confusing
Kamei Housewares & Restaurant Supply
525 Clement StAn amazing shop with everything from cheap housewares to beautiful imports. Make sure you see both halves of the shop as it has expanded into what was once 2 storefronts and can be confusing
Great neighborhood to eat, shop on the fancy side...Betsy Johnson, Marc Jacobs, Kiehls, Design Within Reach and more.
129 locals recommend
Fillmore Street
Fillmore StreetGreat neighborhood to eat, shop on the fancy side...Betsy Johnson, Marc Jacobs, Kiehls, Design Within Reach and more.
Great used clothes store. Lots of terrific stuff for men and women both and of course since its 'previously loved' you can save your money for food and drinks.
34 locals recommend
Crossroads Trading
1901 Fillmore StGreat used clothes store. Lots of terrific stuff for men and women both and of course since its 'previously loved' you can save your money for food and drinks.
This Thrift Store is hit or miss but its with a look. Right next to Japantown and the IFC Cinemas
18 locals recommend
Goodwill
1669 Fillmore StThis Thrift Store is hit or miss but its with a look. Right next to Japantown and the IFC Cinemas
Amidst a ton of high-priced shops on Sacramento Street Good Byes has two stores and great high end used clothes that will make you walk taller. Okay maybe not but the shop is great.
11 locals recommend
Good Byes
3483 Sacramento StAmidst a ton of high-priced shops on Sacramento Street Good Byes has two stores and great high end used clothes that will make you walk taller. Okay maybe not but the shop is great.
Great art gallery that is also a bookstore that sells other great stuff too.
15 locals recommend
Park Life
220 Clement StGreat art gallery that is also a bookstore that sells other great stuff too.
High end retail that is out of my price league but great for window shopping or buying (you guessed it) high end retail.
Sacramento Street
Sacramento StreetHigh end retail that is out of my price league but great for window shopping or buying (you guessed it) high end retail.
Arts & Culture
Sundance Cinemas, with a mix of Indie/Art House movies and some broad release. Right next to JAPANTOWN so perfect for before or after dinner.
190 locals recommend
AMC Kabuki 8
1881 Post StSundance Cinemas, with a mix of Indie/Art House movies and some broad release. Right next to JAPANTOWN so perfect for before or after dinner.
A great sushi restaurant inside of the bay area's most famous (at least among those still around) Jazz Club. Have dinner there (its great) and they will reserve a good seat for ya.
40 locals recommend
The Addition
1330 Fillmore StreetA great sushi restaurant inside of the bay area's most famous (at least among those still around) Jazz Club. Have dinner there (its great) and they will reserve a good seat for ya.
Great blues club. Part of the old music legacy of the Fillmore. Check it out.
48 locals recommend
Boom Boom Room
1601 Fillmore StGreat blues club. Part of the old music legacy of the Fillmore. Check it out.
Local movie theatre playing new releases. Love that they are still in business as it never seems very crowded. Not that I;m complaining
20 locals recommend
Vogue Theatre
3290 Sacramento StLocal movie theatre playing new releases. Love that they are still in business as it never seems very crowded. Not that I;m complaining
One of SF's premier art movie houses. Lots of great eats nearby before or after the show.
20 locals recommend
Landmark's Clay Theatre
2261 Fillmore StOne of SF's premier art movie houses. Lots of great eats nearby before or after the show.
Bridge Theatre
3010 Geary BoulevardAnother great art movie playhouse located nearby.
The preeminent old theater in SF. Live organist most shows and great shows, either classics or new release indie flicks.
332 locals recommend
Castro Theatre
429 Castro StThe preeminent old theater in SF. Live organist most shows and great shows, either classics or new release indie flicks.
Great music venue. Small place and convenient to everything you might want before or after the show
38 locals recommend
Cafe Du Nord
2174 Market StGreat music venue. Small place and convenient to everything you might want before or after the show
If I have to tell you why I recommend it you probably won't want to go.
154 locals recommend
San Francisco Symphony
201 Van Ness AveIf I have to tell you why I recommend it you probably won't want to go.
If I have to tell you why I recommend it you probably won't want to go.
150 locals recommend
San Francisco Opera
301 Van Ness AveIf I have to tell you why I recommend it you probably won't want to go.
Drinks & Nightlife
A great mostly gay (but mixed and friendly) bar that serves terrific drinks. At times it can take a while to get your cocktail so be strategic.
118 locals recommend
Blackbird
2124 Market StA great mostly gay (but mixed and friendly) bar that serves terrific drinks. At times it can take a while to get your cocktail so be strategic.
A gay bar for guys who don't preen. Wednesday is buy one get one free night. The 24 Bus runs right outside the apartment straight into the Castro. Check Nextbus.com for times
13 locals recommend
440 Castro
440 Castro StA gay bar for guys who don't preen. Wednesday is buy one get one free night. The 24 Bus runs right outside the apartment straight into the Castro. Check Nextbus.com for times