Guidebook for San Francisco
Drinks & Nightlife
Specialty cocktails, craft beer, excellent tapas (queso fundido is my fav), chill ambiance, definitely a local's place. Opens at 5 PM & is 21 and over (they're a bar licensed to have food, not a restaurant with a bar).
62 locals recommend
Asiento
2730 21st StSpecialty cocktails, craft beer, excellent tapas (queso fundido is my fav), chill ambiance, definitely a local's place. Opens at 5 PM & is 21 and over (they're a bar licensed to have food, not a restaurant with a bar).
Neighborhood Irish pub (pretty sure all the bartenders are Irish too). Super casual, reasonably priced. There's a couple of pool tables in the back, good place to watch sporting events (they'll usually order popular pay per view events, so it can get really busy if it's a major event). The food is typical pub style, you're really coming here to kick back and enjoy a few pints with friends, or new friends that you'll meet there :)
26 locals recommend
The Napper Tandy
3200 24th StNeighborhood Irish pub (pretty sure all the bartenders are Irish too). Super casual, reasonably priced. There's a couple of pool tables in the back, good place to watch sporting events (they'll usually order popular pay per view events, so it can get really busy if it's a major event). The food is typical pub style, you're really coming here to kick back and enjoy a few pints with friends, or new friends that you'll meet there :)
This place is dope. Renovated greenhouse turned into a brewery. Great place to grab a locally brewed beer, taps alternated regularly (daily, I think). Small (but tasty) food selection, probably best to eat ahead of time if you're going to get hungry.
148 locals recommend
Southern Pacific Brewing
620 Treat AveThis place is dope. Renovated greenhouse turned into a brewery. Great place to grab a locally brewed beer, taps alternated regularly (daily, I think). Small (but tasty) food selection, probably best to eat ahead of time if you're going to get hungry.
I've never been here but many of my friends like it and go for live music, dancing, cocktails, etc. You can be chill, sexy or chill-sexy here.
69 locals recommend
Make-Out Room
3225 22nd StI've never been here but many of my friends like it and go for live music, dancing, cocktails, etc. You can be chill, sexy or chill-sexy here.
If you're enjoying the shops and restaurants up on Valencia, this is a good place for a quick drink (or the party after the party). Tends to be chill during the earlier hours, a good time to chat with friends, maybe play one of the arcade games. As it gets late, the volume, energy level and crowd of people increases.
89 locals recommend
The Valencia Room
647 Valencia StIf you're enjoying the shops and restaurants up on Valencia, this is a good place for a quick drink (or the party after the party). Tends to be chill during the earlier hours, a good time to chat with friends, maybe play one of the arcade games. As it gets late, the volume, energy level and crowd of people increases.
Food Scene
Locally owned neighborhood coffee shop with homemade pastries, as well as breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Smoothies, loose leaf tea, wide variety of coffee choices. The owner is super sweet and is usually there weekday mornings.
Temo's Coffee
3000 24th StLocally owned neighborhood coffee shop with homemade pastries, as well as breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Smoothies, loose leaf tea, wide variety of coffee choices. The owner is super sweet and is usually there weekday mornings.
Literally the best Italian food I've had in America (and I used to live in Boston, so... :) I've brought guests here on multiple occasions and it always gets rave reviews.
The vitello al prosciutto y provolone is my favorite main dish, the affogato is my favorite dessert.
If you have more than 2 people, it's probably a good idea to make a reservation, as there's probably only 10 - 12 tables and it can get quite busy, despite being in a quiet(ish) neighborhood. Casually sophisticated ambiance - you can dress up or dress down, it's a nice place, but it's San Francisco so no one cares what you wear.
Closed on Mondays, open 5:30 - 10 every other day, about a 5 minute walk from Glen Park BART
32 locals recommend
Manzoni
2788 Diamond StLiterally the best Italian food I've had in America (and I used to live in Boston, so... :) I've brought guests here on multiple occasions and it always gets rave reviews.
The vitello al prosciutto y provolone is my favorite main dish, the affogato is my favorite dessert.
If you have more than 2 people, it's probably a good idea to make a reservation, as there's probably only 10 - 12 tables and it can get quite busy, despite being in a quiet(ish) neighborhood. Casually sophisticated ambiance - you can dress up or dress down, it's a nice place, but it's San Francisco so no one cares what you wear.
Closed on Mondays, open 5:30 - 10 every other day, about a 5 minute walk from Glen Park BART
Bomb.com Thai place - the yellow curry and roti are to die for. Moderately priced, pretty casual, tends to get busy (at dinner, not sure about lunch) so you may have a little wait.
117 locals recommend
Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine
710 Florida StBomb.com Thai place - the yellow curry and roti are to die for. Moderately priced, pretty casual, tends to get busy (at dinner, not sure about lunch) so you may have a little wait.
Little neighborhood breakfast/brunch/lunch place. Simple, inexpensive dishes, clean, fast, friendly. Can get busy on the weekends, but you won't have to wait long for a table.
I think it's cash only or a credit card minimum of $10.Either way, there's a convenience store right across the street with an ATM machine.
21 locals recommend
Rhea's Café
2200 Bryant StreetLittle neighborhood breakfast/brunch/lunch place. Simple, inexpensive dishes, clean, fast, friendly. Can get busy on the weekends, but you won't have to wait long for a table.
I think it's cash only or a credit card minimum of $10.Either way, there's a convenience store right across the street with an ATM machine.
Mexican food - the local's favorite for tacos, burritos, nacho, etc. I've been told it's "good drunk food." (This one is about a 3 minute walk from the house, but there's another El Farolito about 8 minutes away on foot next to the 24th Mission Street BART station, which I'm pretty sure is open till 2-3 AM.)
Quick serve, inexpensive, huge portions. Cash only.
77 locals recommend
Taqueria El Farolito
2950 24th StMexican food - the local's favorite for tacos, burritos, nacho, etc. I've been told it's "good drunk food." (This one is about a 3 minute walk from the house, but there's another El Farolito about 8 minutes away on foot next to the 24th Mission Street BART station, which I'm pretty sure is open till 2-3 AM.)
Quick serve, inexpensive, huge portions. Cash only.
Original location of a popular local coffee shop, each cup is brewed individually. (You can download the Philz app and order ahead of time if you're in a rush.) Pretty large selection of pastries as well. Good place to read the morning paper, or catch up with a friend, get some work done, etc. Tends to be very busy during the morning commute.
913 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
3101 24th StOriginal location of a popular local coffee shop, each cup is brewed individually. (You can download the Philz app and order ahead of time if you're in a rush.) Pretty large selection of pastries as well. Good place to read the morning paper, or catch up with a friend, get some work done, etc. Tends to be very busy during the morning commute.
Good, cheap, super quick Thai food. Portions are huge, probably enough for at least 2 meals. Nice option for take out or eat in, going solo or going with a group and splitting a few dishes. They're open for lunch and dinner, open till 10 or 11 PM every day.
21 locals recommend
Chili Cha Cha 2
3166 24th StGood, cheap, super quick Thai food. Portions are huge, probably enough for at least 2 meals. Nice option for take out or eat in, going solo or going with a group and splitting a few dishes. They're open for lunch and dinner, open till 10 or 11 PM every day.
Super popular local ice cream shop, known for their "Secret Breakfast" ice cream, as well as their often times original/sometimes witty ice cream titles, and daily menu changes. They partnered with Blue Bottle coffee to make their own version of Vietnamese coffee ice cream, my personal fav. A little pricey, but only a 2 minute walk from the house, open late, some outdoor seating.
224 locals recommend
Humphry Slocombe
Super popular local ice cream shop, known for their "Secret Breakfast" ice cream, as well as their often times original/sometimes witty ice cream titles, and daily menu changes. They partnered with Blue Bottle coffee to make their own version of Vietnamese coffee ice cream, my personal fav. A little pricey, but only a 2 minute walk from the house, open late, some outdoor seating.
"Classic soda fountain founded in 1918 featuring diner fare, milkshakes & a vintage candy counter."
Super relaxed, been around forever, burgers, breakfast and milkshakes are the go to items here.
138 locals recommend
St. Francis Fountain
2801 24th St"Classic soda fountain founded in 1918 featuring diner fare, milkshakes & a vintage candy counter."
Super relaxed, been around forever, burgers, breakfast and milkshakes are the go to items here.
Everything Else
Twin Peaks Summit is one of the highest (if not the) points in San Francisco. Breathtaking views. I like to go when it's completely dark outside, but it's also good at sunrise and sunset. (Try to avoid going when it's foggy.) Cool going with friends, or going with a significant other and enjoying a picnic (you'll want to bring a blanket for sure, though :).
501 Twin Peaks Blvd
Twin Peaks Summit is one of the highest (if not the) points in San Francisco. Breathtaking views. I like to go when it's completely dark outside, but it's also good at sunrise and sunset. (Try to avoid going when it's foggy.) Cool going with friends, or going with a significant other and enjoying a picnic (you'll want to bring a blanket for sure, though :).
Arts & Culture
Every house on this street has beautiful, culturally significant murals painted on the back of it. If you're interested in the details, Precita Eyes at 2981 24th Street offers tours. (Their tours are about 2 hours and take you down a few historically/socially relevant blocks.)
124 locals recommend
Balmy Alley
50 Balmy StEvery house on this street has beautiful, culturally significant murals painted on the back of it. If you're interested in the details, Precita Eyes at 2981 24th Street offers tours. (Their tours are about 2 hours and take you down a few historically/socially relevant blocks.)
Entertainment & Activities
Indoor mini golf (with a bar ;) Nice for a chill, yet still fun evening.
147 locals recommend
Urban Putt
1096 S Van Ness AveIndoor mini golf (with a bar ;) Nice for a chill, yet still fun evening.
Is bowling a sport? Let's say yes for the sake of picking a category ;)
Relatively new, large, bowling alley and bar. Pretty inside, lots of dark wood paneling.
127 locals recommend
Mission Bowling Club
3176 17th StIs bowling a sport? Let's say yes for the sake of picking a category ;)
Relatively new, large, bowling alley and bar. Pretty inside, lots of dark wood paneling.
Popular, relatively new rock climbing gym about a 12 minute walk from the house. I think it's $100 a month for membership - or you can do a class pass- , then there are some special classes you can sign up for at an extra charge.
92 locals recommend
Mission Cliffs
2295 Harrison StPopular, relatively new rock climbing gym about a 12 minute walk from the house. I think it's $100 a month for membership - or you can do a class pass- , then there are some special classes you can sign up for at an extra charge.
Small, relatively new, family owned fitness studio. Yoga classes, dance classes, weight training, etc available. I did a hip hop dance class here that was a lot of fun, probably about 20-25 people in the class. You can check their website to see what classes they have that day, and even sign up ahead if you want to guarantee yourself a spot. 2 minute walk from the house if you go out the back door.
YuBalance Neighborhood Fitness Studio
Small, relatively new, family owned fitness studio. Yoga classes, dance classes, weight training, etc available. I did a hip hop dance class here that was a lot of fun, probably about 20-25 people in the class. You can check their website to see what classes they have that day, and even sign up ahead if you want to guarantee yourself a spot. 2 minute walk from the house if you go out the back door.
Essentials
This is my favorite place to get fruits and veggies. Family owned, produce quality at Casa Lucas is better than high cost chain (and local) grocery stores and the prices are wayyyy lower. It's only a 5 minute walk from the house, so super convenient. They close around 8 PM.
56 locals recommend
Casa Lucas Market
2934 24th StThis is my favorite place to get fruits and veggies. Family owned, produce quality at Casa Lucas is better than high cost chain (and local) grocery stores and the prices are wayyyy lower. It's only a 5 minute walk from the house, so super convenient. They close around 8 PM.
This is where I go to buy meat and fish (and ice cream). It's a little on the pricey side, but the quality makes it worth the extra $1 a pound you'll pay for a steak. You won't see a lot of multinational brands here, Gus's is intentional about supporting small and/or local, high quality companies. They're open until 10 PM, 7 days a week. Can get crowded on Sundays , but if you go on off hours you'll be fine.
96 locals recommend
Gus's Community Market
1101 4th StThis is where I go to buy meat and fish (and ice cream). It's a little on the pricey side, but the quality makes it worth the extra $1 a pound you'll pay for a steak. You won't see a lot of multinational brands here, Gus's is intentional about supporting small and/or local, high quality companies. They're open until 10 PM, 7 days a week. Can get crowded on Sundays , but if you go on off hours you'll be fine.
Getting Around
This is your best bet in terms of getting to Downtown (Union Square, Financial District, Moscone Center, Embarcadero, etc.). It's about a 7 minute walk from the house, then between 7-9 minutes to downtown, depending on which stop you want.
227 locals recommend
24th St Mission station
This is your best bet in terms of getting to Downtown (Union Square, Financial District, Moscone Center, Embarcadero, etc.). It's about a 7 minute walk from the house, then between 7-9 minutes to downtown, depending on which stop you want.