Guidebook for San Francisco
Getting Around
24th St Mission station
Food Scene
Get there at or before doors open at 5pm if you don't have reservations and there's usually a bit of a line to snag a table. They reserve up to 1/3 of their space for walk-ins. There's always bar seating with full menu plus great drinks too!
Also, Louie's Gen Gen bar downstairs just opened on 6/9/2016 and reservations are required at this new hotspot inside Liholiho Yacht Club with its own menu for drinks and food. Same chef, but entirely different menu of bar bites and delicious drinks.
55 locals recommend
Liholiho Yacht Club
871 Sutter StreetGet there at or before doors open at 5pm if you don't have reservations and there's usually a bit of a line to snag a table. They reserve up to 1/3 of their space for walk-ins. There's always bar seating with full menu plus great drinks too!
Also, Louie's Gen Gen bar downstairs just opened on 6/9/2016 and reservations are required at this new hotspot inside Liholiho Yacht Club with its own menu for drinks and food. Same chef, but entirely different menu of bar bites and delicious drinks.
Get whatever you can "dorado" style...grilled crispy on the plancha. Tacos, burritos (the carnitas super burrito won as the best burrito in the land a couple years ago, but the carne asada is good too), or even the meat itself can be done dorado style. Also not on the menu is the salsa roja (red sauce), a side of blistered Serrano chiles, nachos, and they'll mix meats for you if you ask as well. Love their secret menu! Remember it's cash only and expect lines though it moves pretty fast.
347 locals recommend
La Taqueria
2889 Mission StGet whatever you can "dorado" style...grilled crispy on the plancha. Tacos, burritos (the carnitas super burrito won as the best burrito in the land a couple years ago, but the carne asada is good too), or even the meat itself can be done dorado style. Also not on the menu is the salsa roja (red sauce), a side of blistered Serrano chiles, nachos, and they'll mix meats for you if you ask as well. Love their secret menu! Remember it's cash only and expect lines though it moves pretty fast.
Philz Coffee
3101 24th StThe kouign amann served here is from b. patisserie. Quite yummy to wash down with their excellent coffee.
348 locals recommend
Four Barrel Coffee
375 Valencia St The kouign amann served here is from b. patisserie. Quite yummy to wash down with their excellent coffee.
The must-try here is the "kouign amann", a traditional pastry from Brittany and translates to "cake butter." Think layers of butter, dough, and sugar slowly baked into a round crusty cake somewhat like a croissant with a pool of simple syrup in the center.
176 locals recommend
b. patisserie
2821 California StThe must-try here is the "kouign amann", a traditional pastry from Brittany and translates to "cake butter." Think layers of butter, dough, and sugar slowly baked into a round crusty cake somewhat like a croissant with a pool of simple syrup in the center.
Old Bus Tavern
3193 Mission StreetThey make there own beers and the quail eggs appetizer is a must!
As the name would suggest, they specialize in Belgian beers and the food to go along with is just as impressive.
BEL
3215 Mission StreetAs the name would suggest, they specialize in Belgian beers and the food to go along with is just as impressive.
Dumpling Kitchen
1935 Taraval StGreat soft tacos with a variety of meats cooked to serve right off the grill.
64 locals recommend
Taqueria Vallarta
3033 24th StGreat soft tacos with a variety of meats cooked to serve right off the grill.
The Pierna Enchilada Torta (pork sandwhich) is a must! And worthy of it's Food Network fame.
24 locals recommend
La Torta Gorda
2833 24th StThe Pierna Enchilada Torta (pork sandwhich) is a must! And worthy of it's Food Network fame.
Great for brunch and happy hour. Food's not bad, but the views are what you come here for as you're right on the water.
62 locals recommend
Mission Rock Resort
817 Terry A Francois BlvdGreat for brunch and happy hour. Food's not bad, but the views are what you come here for as you're right on the water.
Nice drinks and great pork chops, though everything on the menu is quite yummy. Tough to get reservations, but bar seating and communal table aren't too hard to get if you arrive at opening.
504 locals recommend
Nopa
560 Divisadero StNice drinks and great pork chops, though everything on the menu is quite yummy. Tough to get reservations, but bar seating and communal table aren't too hard to get if you arrive at opening.
Hong Kong Lounge
5322 Geary BlvdHouse of Banquet
939 Clement StreetBlue Bottle Coffee
315 Linden St
Humphry Slocombe
Funky fun flavors!
Mitchell's Ice Cream
688 San Jose AvenueSuper creamy, but long lines usually. Just across the street from Dolores Park.
476 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th StSuper creamy, but long lines usually. Just across the street from Dolores Park.
Retro cool, art-deco '30s vibe. Old school soda fountain with alcoholic smoothies and designer desserts served in an old timey ambience from yesteryear.
109 locals recommend
The Ice Cream Bar
815 Cole StRetro cool, art-deco '30s vibe. Old school soda fountain with alcoholic smoothies and designer desserts served in an old timey ambience from yesteryear.
Worthy of it's national fame, you can't go wrong with anything here, but I particularly like their morning buns, frangipane croissants, country loaf, French baguette, and bread pudding.
768 locals recommend
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero StWorthy of it's national fame, you can't go wrong with anything here, but I particularly like their morning buns, frangipane croissants, country loaf, French baguette, and bread pudding.
Excellent pastries, but the must-try here is the Rebel Within: an anassuming little "muffin" at first glance, but bite into this savory cake and you'll be hooked. Parmesan, asiago, pork sausage, green onions, and a perfectly boiled egg in the center with oozy yolk will have you coming back for more.
137 locals recommend
Craftsman and Wolves
746 Valencia StExcellent pastries, but the must-try here is the Rebel Within: an anassuming little "muffin" at first glance, but bite into this savory cake and you'll be hooked. Parmesan, asiago, pork sausage, green onions, and a perfectly boiled egg in the center with oozy yolk will have you coming back for more.
Perennial favorite right on the water in the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero. Very popular so book in advance. Only downside is that it gets a little loud.
95 locals recommend
The Slanted Door
Ferry BuildingPerennial favorite right on the water in the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero. Very popular so book in advance. Only downside is that it gets a little loud.
The Morris
2501 Mariposa StChicken dumplings with foie gras and an extensive wine list.
Parks & Nature
Crissy Field
Golden Gate Park
Fort Miley
4150 Clement StGreat views of Marin headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge. Generally flat walking path.
An easy 5 minute walk from my house straight along Franconia which will take you to the base of the hill. Another 5 to 10 minutes up to the top of the hill, depending on how many times you stop to admire the views along the way. Arguably, THE best place in the city to view fireworks as seen by the crowds every 4th of July:)
363 locals recommend
Bernal Heights Park
3400-3416 Folsom StAn easy 5 minute walk from my house straight along Franconia which will take you to the base of the hill. Another 5 to 10 minutes up to the top of the hill, depending on how many times you stop to admire the views along the way. Arguably, THE best place in the city to view fireworks as seen by the crowds every 4th of July:)
Entertainment & Activities
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
2550 Mission StSan Francisco Symphony
201 Van Ness AveSightseeing
Coit Tower
Lombard Street
Lombard Street
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate BridgeArts & Culture
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse DrExploratorium
Green Street
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin St
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd StDrinks & Nightlife
Comfortable, cozy wine bar with a limited menu for mostly sharing. Interesting wines populate their list.
55 locals recommend
20 Spot
3565 20th StComfortable, cozy wine bar with a limited menu for mostly sharing. Interesting wines populate their list.
Trick Dog
3010 20th StCreative cocktails at this hipster joint.
At the top of the Mark Hopkins hotel in Nob Hill, they have their famous martini menu that goes on forever plus views of the city from all sides of the space. Often has a live band with small dance floor in the center.
104 locals recommend
Top of the Mark
999 California StAt the top of the Mark Hopkins hotel in Nob Hill, they have their famous martini menu that goes on forever plus views of the city from all sides of the space. Often has a live band with small dance floor in the center.
Bourbon & Branch
501 Jones St
Local Edition
691 Market StGreat neighborhood brewery that just opened this summer. Less than 10 min walk from the house and great place for happy hour.
94 locals recommend
Barebottle Brewing Company
1525 Cortland AveGreat neighborhood brewery that just opened this summer. Less than 10 min walk from the house and great place for happy hour.
The Saratoga
1000 Larkin StGreat bar, posh tater-tots, and late night dining.
Great neighborhood joint complete with vintage pinball machines, pool table, and casual vibe.
32 locals recommend
Evil Eye
2937 Mission StGreat neighborhood joint complete with vintage pinball machines, pool table, and casual vibe.