Guidebook for San Francisco

Maggie
Guidebook for San Francisco

Food Scene

Great local coffee spot.
913 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
3101 24th St
913 locals recommend
Great local coffee spot.
Very chic cafe with good breakfast options.
42 locals recommend
Cafe Réveille
610 Long Bridge Street
42 locals recommend
Very chic cafe with good breakfast options.
Delicious salad place if you are looking for some healthy options in the area.
20 locals recommend
Tender Greens
266 King St
20 locals recommend
Delicious salad place if you are looking for some healthy options in the area.
Korean Mexican fusion with great burritos https://www.yelp.com/biz/hrd-san-francisco-4
35 locals recommend
HRD
521A 3rd St
35 locals recommend
Korean Mexican fusion with great burritos https://www.yelp.com/biz/hrd-san-francisco-4
Amazing authentic French bistro food. My go to spot for a lovely dinner. https://www.yelp.com/biz/chez-maman-san-francisco-9
178 locals recommend
Chez maman east
1401 18th St
178 locals recommend
Amazing authentic French bistro food. My go to spot for a lovely dinner. https://www.yelp.com/biz/chez-maman-san-francisco-9
One of the most popular breakfast/brunch places in SF. They have so many signature dishes, but my personal favorite is the Plow potatoes! Keep in mind there is usually always a long line unless you go on a weekday morning or arrive at 8am during the weekend.
261 locals recommend
Plow
1299 18th St
261 locals recommend
One of the most popular breakfast/brunch places in SF. They have so many signature dishes, but my personal favorite is the Plow potatoes! Keep in mind there is usually always a long line unless you go on a weekday morning or arrive at 8am during the weekend.
A great breakfast/brunch place in the chic Dogpatch area. Their selection is fairly standard American breakfast items, but everything is cooked to perfection. Highly recommend their cornmeal pancakes. The line could get long if you go at peak hours (10am-1pm during weekends), but I'd say it's bearable. Even if the line is too long, there are many other great options within 2 blocks.
108 locals recommend
Just For You Cafe
732 22nd St
108 locals recommend
A great breakfast/brunch place in the chic Dogpatch area. Their selection is fairly standard American breakfast items, but everything is cooked to perfection. Highly recommend their cornmeal pancakes. The line could get long if you go at peak hours (10am-1pm during weekends), but I'd say it's bearable. Even if the line is too long, there are many other great options within 2 blocks.
Amazing Hawaiian food with more of a Japanese touch. Would recommend making a reservation beforehand if you can. http://www.ainasf.com/
15 locals recommend
'āina
900 22nd Street
15 locals recommend
Amazing Hawaiian food with more of a Japanese touch. Would recommend making a reservation beforehand if you can. http://www.ainasf.com/
Another SF hotspot for breakfast/brunch. I personally haven't been there because the line is always too long for me, but if you can arrive early around 8am when the wait time isn't terrible, this place is known to be amazing.
127 locals recommend
Mama's On Washington Square
1701 Stockton St
127 locals recommend
Another SF hotspot for breakfast/brunch. I personally haven't been there because the line is always too long for me, but if you can arrive early around 8am when the wait time isn't terrible, this place is known to be amazing.
A nice Greek/Mediterranean restaurant with delicious salads and sandwiches in the characteristic Hayes Valley neighborhood.
196 locals recommend
Souvla
517 Hayes St
196 locals recommend
A nice Greek/Mediterranean restaurant with delicious salads and sandwiches in the characteristic Hayes Valley neighborhood.
My personal favorite when it comes to fine dining in SF. As one of the Michelin one-star SF restaurants, it will not disappoint if you want a nice dinner during your stay. The price isn't crazy high for the quality of food and service either. Their bread is the best I have ever had. However, you would most likely need to make a reservation ahead of time.
16 locals recommend
Octavia
1701 Octavia St
16 locals recommend
My personal favorite when it comes to fine dining in SF. As one of the Michelin one-star SF restaurants, it will not disappoint if you want a nice dinner during your stay. The price isn't crazy high for the quality of food and service either. Their bread is the best I have ever had. However, you would most likely need to make a reservation ahead of time.
"Like SFMOMA brings together a dynamic collection of artists, we have assembled a display of dishes from chefs and restaurants around the world."
In Situ at SFMOMA
151 3rd St
"Like SFMOMA brings together a dynamic collection of artists, we have assembled a display of dishes from chefs and restaurants around the world."
Great pizza place recommended to me by multiple friends.
360 locals recommend
Little Star Pizza
846 Divisadero St
360 locals recommend
Great pizza place recommended to me by multiple friends.
Nice little Italian place in Dogpatch next to many great food spots.
162 locals recommend
Piccino
1001 Minnesota St
162 locals recommend
Nice little Italian place in Dogpatch next to many great food spots.
Authentic Chinese food and dim sum. Beware of the possible lines during the weekends for dim sum.
45 locals recommend
Dragon Beaux
5700 Geary Blvd
45 locals recommend
Authentic Chinese food and dim sum. Beware of the possible lines during the weekends for dim sum.
Great dim sum place.
64 locals recommend
Hong Kong Lounge
5322 Geary Blvd
64 locals recommend
Great dim sum place.
Great dim sum place.
9 locals recommend
Lai Hong Lounge
1416 Powell St
9 locals recommend
Great dim sum place.
Really good boba place with real tea.
13 locals recommend
Asha Tea House
2086 University Ave
13 locals recommend
Really good boba place with real tea.
I love the farmers market at the Ferry Building. You can find its hours here http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers-market/. I always go on Saturdays. Plenty of vendors from which you can get fresh produce of high quality. Many famous SF local restaurants/cafes also come here (yes, you can get breakfast/lunch here), so I'd highly recommend going if you have time during your stay. It's got a great vibe there.
95 locals recommend
Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market
1 Ferry Plaza
95 locals recommend
I love the farmers market at the Ferry Building. You can find its hours here http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers-market/. I always go on Saturdays. Plenty of vendors from which you can get fresh produce of high quality. Many famous SF local restaurants/cafes also come here (yes, you can get breakfast/lunch here), so I'd highly recommend going if you have time during your stay. It's got a great vibe there.
Great boba chain. There are multiple other locations in SF as well.
15 locals recommend
Boba Guys Union Square
429 Stockton Street
15 locals recommend
Great boba chain. There are multiple other locations in SF as well.
AMAZING FRENCH BAKERY. There is literally always a line around the corner, but don't be intimidated, the line looks long but moves fast, and I think the short wait is worth the great bakery goods you get there. Their chocolate croissants are just heavenly. They start selling fresh bread starting at 430pm everyday, so if you are a bread lover, do not miss this place.
768 locals recommend
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero St
768 locals recommend
AMAZING FRENCH BAKERY. There is literally always a line around the corner, but don't be intimidated, the line looks long but moves fast, and I think the short wait is worth the great bakery goods you get there. Their chocolate croissants are just heavenly. They start selling fresh bread starting at 430pm everyday, so if you are a bread lover, do not miss this place.
Another great bakery, less crowded than Tartine, but still very good.
176 locals recommend
b. patisserie
2821 California St
176 locals recommend
Another great bakery, less crowded than Tartine, but still very good.
This is where you can get cronuts
52 locals recommend
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse
1042 Larkin St
52 locals recommend
This is where you can get cronuts
Great Italian gourmet pizza place. Their margherita pizza is one of a kind.
598 locals recommend
Pizzeria Delfina
3621 18th St
598 locals recommend
Great Italian gourmet pizza place. Their margherita pizza is one of a kind.
Iza Ramen will not disappoint. https://izaramen.com/
30 locals recommend
Iza Ramen
237 Fillmore St
30 locals recommend
Iza Ramen will not disappoint. https://izaramen.com/
Ramen with a chicken-based broth. It's as good as you can imagine.
34 locals recommend
Nojo Ramen Tavern
231 Franklin St
34 locals recommend
Ramen with a chicken-based broth. It's as good as you can imagine.
The hottest ramen place in SF right now. http://mensho.tokyo/
39 locals recommend
Mensho Tokyo SF
672 Geary St
39 locals recommend
The hottest ramen place in SF right now. http://mensho.tokyo/
Nice brunch place nearby. Around 10min walk from the apartment.
24 locals recommend
The Butler And The Chef Bistro
155 South Park Street
24 locals recommend
Nice brunch place nearby. Around 10min walk from the apartment.
I have never been myself, but I have heard wonderful things about it.
185 locals recommend
Brenda's French Soul Food
652 Polk St
185 locals recommend
I have never been myself, but I have heard wonderful things about it.
Authentic Hong Kong style tea restaurant. I get my Chinese fix here when I need it.
Tasty
5530 Geary Blvd
Authentic Hong Kong style tea restaurant. I get my Chinese fix here when I need it.

Parks & Nature

Good for jogging in the nature.
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
1721 locals recommend
Good for jogging in the nature.
Easy and scenic trail next to the ocean.
694 locals recommend
Lands End Trail
Lands End Trail
694 locals recommend
Easy and scenic trail next to the ocean.
You can get a great view of the city from the top of the Bernal Heights Park. It is also not touristy at all.
363 locals recommend
Bernal Heights Park
3400-3416 Folsom St
363 locals recommend
You can get a great view of the city from the top of the Bernal Heights Park. It is also not touristy at all.
Great for long walks.
553 locals recommend
Ocean Beach
La Playa St
553 locals recommend
Great for long walks.

Sightseeing

From the apartment to the Ferry Building, round trip is almost exactly a 3.1miles (5k) run. I highly recommend it since you get amazing views of the sea and the Bay Bridge along the way.
85 locals recommend
Ferry Building
1 The Embarcadero
85 locals recommend
From the apartment to the Ferry Building, round trip is almost exactly a 3.1miles (5k) run. I highly recommend it since you get amazing views of the sea and the Bay Bridge along the way.
817 locals recommend
Union Square
333 Post St
817 locals recommend

Essentials

Saturday5AM–12AM Sunday5AM–12AM Monday5AM–12AM Tuesday5AM–12AM Wednesday5AM–12AM Thursday5AM–12AM Friday5AM–12AM
357 locals recommend
Safeway
298 King St
357 locals recommend
Saturday5AM–12AM Sunday5AM–12AM Monday5AM–12AM Tuesday5AM–12AM Wednesday5AM–12AM Thursday5AM–12AM Friday5AM–12AM
Gourmet food market. Also has a restaurant inside.
9 locals recommend
The Market Hall
1101 4th St
9 locals recommend
Gourmet food market. Also has a restaurant inside.
Saturday 8AM–10PM Sunday 8AM–10PM Monday 8AM–10PM Tuesday 8AM–10PM Wednesday 8AM–10PM Thursday 8AM–10PM Friday 8AM–10PM
664 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
450 Rhode Island St
664 locals recommend
Saturday 8AM–10PM Sunday 8AM–10PM Monday 8AM–10PM Tuesday 8AM–10PM Wednesday 8AM–10PM Thursday 8AM–10PM Friday 8AM–10PM

Arts & Culture

Fun spot, for groups especially.
432 locals recommend
Exploratorium
Green Street
432 locals recommend
Fun spot, for groups especially.
The newly renovated SF MOMA now has a great collection and always has cool special exhibitions.
813 locals recommend
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd St
813 locals recommend
The newly renovated SF MOMA now has a great collection and always has cool special exhibitions.
Mission Bay Library
960 4th St

Getting Around

Caltrain is a California commuter rail line on the San Francisco Peninsula and in the Santa Clara Valley. The northern terminus of the line is in San Francisco at 4th and King streets; its southern terminus is in Gilroy.
161 locals recommend
San Francisco station
700 4th St
161 locals recommend
Caltrain is a California commuter rail line on the San Francisco Peninsula and in the Santa Clara Valley. The northern terminus of the line is in San Francisco at 4th and King streets; its southern terminus is in Gilroy.
MUNI light rail stop. https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/transit/routes-stops
8 locals recommend
4th & King Sts station
8 locals recommend
MUNI light rail stop. https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/transit/routes-stops
MUNI bus stop. https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/transit/routes-stops
Townsend St & 4th St station
301 Townsend St
MUNI bus stop. https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/transit/routes-stops
Bay Area Rapid Transit is a public transportation system serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The rapid transit elevated and subway system connects San Francisco with cities in the East Bay and the northern portion of San Mateo County.
132 locals recommend
Powell Street Station
899 Market St
132 locals recommend
Bay Area Rapid Transit is a public transportation system serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The rapid transit elevated and subway system connects San Francisco with cities in the East Bay and the northern portion of San Mateo County.

Entertainment & Activities

A climbing gym with great facilities.
44 locals recommend
Dogpatch Boulders
2573 3rd St
44 locals recommend
A climbing gym with great facilities.
Always a great spot for some laughter. http://www.cobbscomedy.com/
36 locals recommend
Cobb's Comedy Club
915 Columbus Ave
36 locals recommend
Always a great spot for some laughter. http://www.cobbscomedy.com/
Stylish theater chain for new & classic films features cocktails & creative bites served seat-side.
229 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
2550 Mission St
229 locals recommend
Stylish theater chain for new & classic films features cocktails & creative bites served seat-side.
15 locals recommend
Century San Francisco Centre 9 and XD
845 Market St
15 locals recommend
74 locals recommend
AMC Metreon 16
135 4th St
74 locals recommend
If you are looking for a place for group activity, Lucky Strike is a very popular bowling venue with a relaxing atmosphere.
47 locals recommend
Lucky Strike
200 King St
47 locals recommend
If you are looking for a place for group activity, Lucky Strike is a very popular bowling venue with a relaxing atmosphere.
They have a very comprehensive list of cooking classes taught by professional chefs. It is a bit pricey, but I definitely recommend taking one during your stay if you got time. Each class is usually 4h long and you learn a particular set of recipes with a common theme. Great classroom setup too. https://www.sfcooking.com/
San Francisco Cooking School
690 Van Ness Avenue
They have a very comprehensive list of cooking classes taught by professional chefs. It is a bit pricey, but I definitely recommend taking one during your stay if you got time. Each class is usually 4h long and you learn a particular set of recipes with a common theme. Great classroom setup too. https://www.sfcooking.com/
Intense HIIT gym class. https://www.barrysbootcamp.com/
7 locals recommend
Barry's Bootcamp
236 King St
7 locals recommend
Intense HIIT gym class. https://www.barrysbootcamp.com/
Very cool tour! A must-see in SF. Alcatraz and history go hand in hand. Once home to some of America's most notorious criminals, the federal penitentiary that operated here from 1934 to 1963 brought a dark mystique to the Rock. The presence of infamous inmates like Al "Scarface" Capone, and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud helped to establish the island's notoriety. To this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons.
503 locals recommend
Alcatraz Island
503 locals recommend
Very cool tour! A must-see in SF. Alcatraz and history go hand in hand. Once home to some of America's most notorious criminals, the federal penitentiary that operated here from 1934 to 1963 brought a dark mystique to the Rock. The presence of infamous inmates like Al "Scarface" Capone, and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud helped to establish the island's notoriety. To this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons.