Guidebook for San Francisco

Jeff
Guidebook for San Francisco

Essentials

Closest full-service grocery
905 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3950 24th St
905 locals recommend
Closest full-service grocery
Closest drug store
293 locals recommend
Walgreens
1333 Castro St
293 locals recommend
Closest drug store
24 hour emergency medical center
16 locals recommend
California Pacific Medical Center
2340 Clay St
16 locals recommend
24 hour emergency medical center

Food Scene

Hidden gem for breakfast or brunch
16 locals recommend
Neighbor's Corner
499 Douglass St
16 locals recommend
Hidden gem for breakfast or brunch
One of 10 coffee places on 24th St, but a local favorite
913 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
3101 24th St
913 locals recommend
One of 10 coffee places on 24th St, but a local favorite
An old standby, typical SF restaurant. Splurge.
120 locals recommend
Firefly
4288 24th Street
120 locals recommend
An old standby, typical SF restaurant. Splurge.
Closest spot for breakfast
15 locals recommend
Diamond Cafe
751 Diamond St
15 locals recommend
Closest spot for breakfast
Our favorite spot for quick, healthy food. Eat in or to go. More SF than actual Mexican, but very good.
187 locals recommend
The Little Chihuahua
292 Divisadero St
187 locals recommend
Our favorite spot for quick, healthy food. Eat in or to go. More SF than actual Mexican, but very good.
Real American burgers. Not the crappy fast food variety.
46 locals recommend
Barneys Gourmet Hamburgers
4138 24th St
46 locals recommend
Real American burgers. Not the crappy fast food variety.
Simple, organic, delicious.
150 locals recommend
Gracias Madre
2211 Mission St
150 locals recommend
Simple, organic, delicious.
The best dim sum outside the Richmond District
88 locals recommend
Mama Ji's
4416 18th St
88 locals recommend
The best dim sum outside the Richmond District
Take the N Judah train out to the edge of beyond, eat brunch, then walk on the beach in the fog.
259 locals recommend
Outerlands
4001 Judah St
259 locals recommend
Take the N Judah train out to the edge of beyond, eat brunch, then walk on the beach in the fog.
A local favorite for coffee and brunch in the sun
105 locals recommend
Réveille Coffee Co.
4076 18th St
105 locals recommend
A local favorite for coffee and brunch in the sun
If you can get in, one of the best restaurants around.
149 locals recommend
Frances
3870 17th St
149 locals recommend
If you can get in, one of the best restaurants around.
Because you'll need hot chocolate after exploring this spectacular part of SF on a foggy day.
31 locals recommend
Warming Hut at the Presidio
983 Marine Dr
31 locals recommend
Because you'll need hot chocolate after exploring this spectacular part of SF on a foggy day.
The best Chinese food is in the Richmond District and suburbs. But if you must eat in Chinatown, Mr Jiu's is your best bet.
18 locals recommend
Mister Jiu's
28 Waverly Pl
18 locals recommend
The best Chinese food is in the Richmond District and suburbs. But if you must eat in Chinatown, Mr Jiu's is your best bet.

Shopping

Our favorite for only-in-SF souvenirs
19 locals recommend
Local Take
4122 17th St
19 locals recommend
Our favorite for only-in-SF souvenirs
There are several great wine shops in both the Castro and Noe Valley, but this is our favorite for quirky California varietals.
10 locals recommend
Castro Village Wine Co
4121 19th St
10 locals recommend
There are several great wine shops in both the Castro and Noe Valley, but this is our favorite for quirky California varietals.
The best hardware store in the entire world, and a surprisingly good place for souvenirs.
69 locals recommend
Cliff's Variety
479 Castro St
69 locals recommend
The best hardware store in the entire world, and a surprisingly good place for souvenirs.
In case you've run out of pirate supplies.
32 locals recommend
826 Valencia St
826 Valencia Street
32 locals recommend
In case you've run out of pirate supplies.
Food related souvenirs for all your jealous friends and family back home.
679 locals recommend
Ferry Building Marketplace
679 locals recommend
Food related souvenirs for all your jealous friends and family back home.
Because local taxidermy makes great souvenirs, right?
133 locals recommend
Paxton Gate
824 Valencia St
133 locals recommend
Because local taxidermy makes great souvenirs, right?
This small park is the heart of the Hayes Valley neighborhood. Something is always happening here, and it make a perfect break from one of the best shopping streets in the city.
59 locals recommend
Patricia’s Green In Hayes Valley
50 Oak St
59 locals recommend
This small park is the heart of the Hayes Valley neighborhood. Something is always happening here, and it make a perfect break from one of the best shopping streets in the city.
Eat Japanese food, then spend an hour wandering this amazing outpost of Tokyo's Kinokuniya bookstore. Don't miss the separate manga section downstairs.
Kinokuniya Book Store
1581 Webster St
Eat Japanese food, then spend an hour wandering this amazing outpost of Tokyo's Kinokuniya bookstore. Don't miss the separate manga section downstairs.

Everything Else

Our local yoga studio
12 locals recommend
Yoga Mayu
1501 20th St
12 locals recommend
Our local yoga studio
Quirky children's nature and science museum. Climb the hill behind for one of the best views of the city.
59 locals recommend
Randall Museum
199 Museum Way
59 locals recommend
Quirky children's nature and science museum. Climb the hill behind for one of the best views of the city.
Perhaps my favorite street in SF
6 locals recommend
Vulcan Stairs
Vulcan Stairway
6 locals recommend
Perhaps my favorite street in SF
My favorite walk within city limits
694 locals recommend
Lands End Trail
Lands End Trail
694 locals recommend
My favorite walk within city limits
Another favorite street. Walk down here after seeing the murals at Coit Tower.
23 locals recommend
Filbert Steps
23 locals recommend
Another favorite street. Walk down here after seeing the murals at Coit Tower.
Remarkable views, only in SF
26 locals recommend
Ina Coolbrith Park
Vallejo Street
26 locals recommend
Remarkable views, only in SF
Best place in the world to see a movie, and listen to the historic pipe organ.
332 locals recommend
Castro Theatre
429 Castro St
332 locals recommend
Best place in the world to see a movie, and listen to the historic pipe organ.
It's quite the hike, but from here you can see the entire city and understand its geography. Don't go if it's foggy!
727 locals recommend
Twin Peaks
727 locals recommend
It's quite the hike, but from here you can see the entire city and understand its geography. Don't go if it's foggy!
Walk Valencia from 24th to 16th -- it's full of restaurants, bars, and quirky shopping.
163 locals recommend
Valencia Street
Valencia Street
163 locals recommend
Walk Valencia from 24th to 16th -- it's full of restaurants, bars, and quirky shopping.
Walk 24th St from Diamond Street to Potrero. Between 24th and Dolores is the heart of Noe Valley. Between Valencia and Potrero is the Mission District. Take the 48 bus back up the hill.
53 locals recommend
24th Street
24th Street
53 locals recommend
Walk 24th St from Diamond Street to Potrero. Between 24th and Dolores is the heart of Noe Valley. Between Valencia and Potrero is the Mission District. Take the 48 bus back up the hill.
Traditional Japanese baths. A great place to relax. Check their schedule for gendered and mixed days
90 locals recommend
Kabuki Springs and Spa
1750 Geary Blvd
90 locals recommend
Traditional Japanese baths. A great place to relax. Check their schedule for gendered and mixed days
Semi-traditional Russian baths. Use Uber or Lyft to get there. Check their website for gendered and mixed days
28 locals recommend
Archimedes Banya
748 Innes Ave
28 locals recommend
Semi-traditional Russian baths. Use Uber or Lyft to get there. Check their website for gendered and mixed days

Sightseeing

This is where SF started. Worth the tour. Don't miss the cemetery, where you can pretend you're Kim Novak searching for Carlotta Valdes' grave.
65 locals recommend
Misión San Francisco de Asís
3321 16th St
65 locals recommend
This is where SF started. Worth the tour. Don't miss the cemetery, where you can pretend you're Kim Novak searching for Carlotta Valdes' grave.
One of our favorite views is from the corner of Church and Dolores. Search for the golden fire hydrant!
1244 locals recommend
Mission Dolores Park
19th Street
1244 locals recommend
One of our favorite views is from the corner of Church and Dolores. Search for the golden fire hydrant!
Some of our favorite murals in the Mission District
96 locals recommend
Clarion Alley
Clarion Alley
96 locals recommend
Some of our favorite murals in the Mission District
Some of our favorite murals in the Mission District
124 locals recommend
Balmy Alley
50 Balmy St
124 locals recommend
Some of our favorite murals in the Mission District
Our favorite corner of Golden Gate Park
182 locals recommend
San Francisco Botanical Garden
1199 9th Ave
182 locals recommend
Our favorite corner of Golden Gate Park
One of the very best views in the world.
40 locals recommend
Hawk Hill
Conzelman Road
40 locals recommend
One of the very best views in the world.
I never tire of biking across the Golden Gate. Rent a bike in Fisherman's Wharf and ride all the way to Sausalito. Take the ferry back.
1321 locals recommend
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
1321 locals recommend
I never tire of biking across the Golden Gate. Rent a bike in Fisherman's Wharf and ride all the way to Sausalito. Take the ferry back.
Harvey Milk: "Any time you come here, I want you to wear the tightest jeans possible. Never... take the elevator. Always use the stairs. You can make such a grand entrance by taking these stairs."
134 locals recommend
San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl
134 locals recommend
Harvey Milk: "Any time you come here, I want you to wear the tightest jeans possible. Never... take the elevator. Always use the stairs. You can make such a grand entrance by taking these stairs."
Off-the-beaten-path stairway with beautiful tile work, leading to a spectacular view (when it's not fogged in). Don't miss its sister, the 15th Avenue Steps, off Kirkham St
84 locals recommend
16 Avenue Tiled Steps
16th Avenue
84 locals recommend
Off-the-beaten-path stairway with beautiful tile work, leading to a spectacular view (when it's not fogged in). Don't miss its sister, the 15th Avenue Steps, off Kirkham St
Touristy, yes, but essential. Download the JUMP bike app to access the bright orange electric bikes in our neighborhood, or anywhere in the northeast of SF. It's an easy 30 minute ride from our house. If you're crossing the bridge or going to Sausalito, make sure the battery is fully loaded. You can only stop your ride within a limited part of SF
1321 locals recommend
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
1321 locals recommend
Touristy, yes, but essential. Download the JUMP bike app to access the bright orange electric bikes in our neighborhood, or anywhere in the northeast of SF. It's an easy 30 minute ride from our house. If you're crossing the bridge or going to Sausalito, make sure the battery is fully loaded. You can only stop your ride within a limited part of SF
A quintessential SF street, and an inspiration of "Tales of the City"
6 locals recommend
Macondray Lane
Macondray Lane
6 locals recommend
A quintessential SF street, and an inspiration of "Tales of the City"

Drinks & Nightlife

Perhaps the quintessential SF bar. Check out their live music schedule.
196 locals recommend
El Rio
3158 Mission St
196 locals recommend
Perhaps the quintessential SF bar. Check out their live music schedule.
One of our favorite bars
131 locals recommend
Madrone Art Bar
500 Divisadero St
131 locals recommend
One of our favorite bars
The first gay bar in the world with clear plate glass windows. A welcoming spot with an excellent view of the chaos of the corner of Castro and Market
32 locals recommend
Twin Peaks Tavern
401 Castro St
32 locals recommend
The first gay bar in the world with clear plate glass windows. A welcoming spot with an excellent view of the chaos of the corner of Castro and Market
Our nearest neighborhood pub and sports bar
44 locals recommend
Valley Tavern
4054 24th St
44 locals recommend
Our nearest neighborhood pub and sports bar

Parks & Nature

The first pleasure is finding the labyrinth, one of several scattered around the city
42 locals recommend
Lands End Labyrinth
Lands End Trail
42 locals recommend
The first pleasure is finding the labyrinth, one of several scattered around the city
An obscure, but magical destination
40 locals recommend
The Wave Organ
83 Marina Green Dr
40 locals recommend
An obscure, but magical destination
When SF's streets are too steep for cars, they're often turned into steps -- or in this case, a slide! Ask us if you want to borrow cardboard and waxed paper for better sliding.
Two Concrete Slides @ Seward Mini Park
70 Corwin St
When SF's streets are too steep for cars, they're often turned into steps -- or in this case, a slide! Ask us if you want to borrow cardboard and waxed paper for better sliding.
If it ever reopens, the rooftop park of the Salesforce Transit Center is a spectacular respite from the rest of downtown.
Salesforce Transit Center
425 Mission St
If it ever reopens, the rooftop park of the Salesforce Transit Center is a spectacular respite from the rest of downtown.