Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
Donut muffins, kale parmesan scones, lemon bars, egg/bacon/cheddar/buttermilk biscuit breakfast sandwiches, beignet Sundays...
170 locals recommend
Devil's Teeth Baking Company
3876 Noriega StDonut muffins, kale parmesan scones, lemon bars, egg/bacon/cheddar/buttermilk biscuit breakfast sandwiches, beignet Sundays...
Korean comfort food. Spicy chicken wings, kimchi fried rice, vegetarian japchae, kimchi pancake, spam & ramen stew, free popcorn, tasty soju-tails (I like the yogurt flavor)... and it's open until 2am!
54 locals recommend
Toyose
3814 Noriega StKorean comfort food. Spicy chicken wings, kimchi fried rice, vegetarian japchae, kimchi pancake, spam & ramen stew, free popcorn, tasty soju-tails (I like the yogurt flavor)... and it's open until 2am!
Amazing baguettes, cheese sticks (like a giant parmesan bread stick), bialies, scones, croissants, muffins, cookies, pizzas...
320 locals recommend
Arizmendi Bakery
1331 9th AveAmazing baguettes, cheese sticks (like a giant parmesan bread stick), bialies, scones, croissants, muffins, cookies, pizzas...
Creative dimsum. The house-made hot sauces are the best. We like to sit out by the fountain.
45 locals recommend
Yank Sing
101 Spear StCreative dimsum. The house-made hot sauces are the best. We like to sit out by the fountain.
Good coffee, excellent spicy chai, nice breakfast options, and tasty sandwiches (the Tsunami is good for meatlovers).
131 locals recommend
Java Beach Café
1396 La Playa StGood coffee, excellent spicy chai, nice breakfast options, and tasty sandwiches (the Tsunami is good for meatlovers).
From outside, it looks like a hole in the wall, but the Indian food and pizzas are delicious.
13 locals recommend
Golden Gate Indian Cuisine & Pizza
4038 Judah StFrom outside, it looks like a hole in the wall, but the Indian food and pizzas are delicious.
When the weather is nice, eat outside in the park. Enjoy live music and barbecue on the weekends. Have a drink while your kids run around and play.
71 locals recommend
Park Chalet Coastal Beer Garden
1000 Great HwyWhen the weather is nice, eat outside in the park. Enjoy live music and barbecue on the weekends. Have a drink while your kids run around and play.
Andytown Coffee Roasters
3655 Lawton StRoast dungeness crab, garlic noodles, shaken beef... It's so popular, they actually have valet parking.
78 locals recommend
Thanh Long Restaurant
4101 Judah StRoast dungeness crab, garlic noodles, shaken beef... It's so popular, they actually have valet parking.
Outerlands
4001 Judah St
Trouble Coffee
4033 Judah StThe cinnamon toast can be addictive.
Beachside Coffee Bar & Kitchen
Cajun Pacific
4542 Irving Street
Judahlicious
3906 Judah StVegan juices, smoothies, salads, wraps, and raw foods.
La Playa Taqueria
3817 Noriega StThe Pizza Place on Noriega
3901 Noriega StPapa Mak's Burgers
3755 Noriega StHong Kong-style waffle cake snacks, bubble teas, fresh fruit freezes, and more. Gets crowded right after the nearby middle school lets out around 3:30.
7 locals recommend
Eggettes
3136 Noriega StHong Kong-style waffle cake snacks, bubble teas, fresh fruit freezes, and more. Gets crowded right after the nearby middle school lets out around 3:30.
Includes cool flavors like star wars, bumpy freeway, and durian, as well as the standards. You can spin the ice cream flavor wheel for a chance at a free cone. Gets crowded right after the nearby middle school lets out around 3:30.
30 locals recommend
Polly Ann Ice Cream
3138 Noriega StIncludes cool flavors like star wars, bumpy freeway, and durian, as well as the standards. You can spin the ice cream flavor wheel for a chance at a free cone. Gets crowded right after the nearby middle school lets out around 3:30.
The hash browns are amazing. Pair them with eggs or bulgogi. Have them sandwiched with melted cheese and/or avocados. Or try them solo with oj or coffee. This is a great little place for breakfast.
31 locals recommend
Art's Cafe
747 Irving StThe hash browns are amazing. Pair them with eggs or bulgogi. Have them sandwiched with melted cheese and/or avocados. Or try them solo with oj or coffee. This is a great little place for breakfast.
Sundays
1248 9th AvenueIce cream & coffee bar inside the San Franpsycho retail shop.
Crunchy/creamy Belgian fries with an assortment of dips are perfect paired with a Hoegaarden. Plus many options for sweet or savory crepes, mussels, salads, and more.
15 locals recommend
Frjtz
90 Charter Oak AvenueCrunchy/creamy Belgian fries with an assortment of dips are perfect paired with a Hoegaarden. Plus many options for sweet or savory crepes, mussels, salads, and more.
Deliciously spicy everything, with authentic Chinese hand-pulled noodles. Get there early for dinner to avoid a long wait.
24 locals recommend
Terra Cotta Warrior
2555 Judah StDeliciously spicy everything, with authentic Chinese hand-pulled noodles. Get there early for dinner to avoid a long wait.
Koo
408 Irving StSpoonful of happiness. Enough said.
Parks & Nature
Hike the Coastal Trail down to the baths and up to Lands End (check out the labyrinth on the way). If the main parking lot is full, try across the street or in the upper lot. If you still can't find space, try near 48th Avenue/Geary, and walk through Sutro Heights Park.
246 locals recommend
Sutro Baths
1004 Point Lobos AveHike the Coastal Trail down to the baths and up to Lands End (check out the labyrinth on the way). If the main parking lot is full, try across the street or in the upper lot. If you still can't find space, try near 48th Avenue/Geary, and walk through Sutro Heights Park.
Watch (or join) the hang gliders and paragliders, hike down to the beach, and check out the wide open views of the ocean.
162 locals recommend
Fort Funston
Fort Funston RoadWatch (or join) the hang gliders and paragliders, hike down to the beach, and check out the wide open views of the ocean.
A place to be happily lost for a day, or just an hour. It's all beautiful, but some of my favorite spots are the Garden of Fragrance, Heidelberg Hill, the bamboo groves, the redwood classroom, the native garden stone circle, and the moon viewing garden. I like to park at a secret spot along Stow Lake, where there's a path leading to the back entrance (Friend Gate) of the arboretum: https://goo.gl/maps/PasU1pW7uk82.
182 locals recommend
San Francisco Botanical Garden
1199 9th AveA place to be happily lost for a day, or just an hour. It's all beautiful, but some of my favorite spots are the Garden of Fragrance, Heidelberg Hill, the bamboo groves, the redwood classroom, the native garden stone circle, and the moon viewing garden. I like to park at a secret spot along Stow Lake, where there's a path leading to the back entrance (Friend Gate) of the arboretum: https://goo.gl/maps/PasU1pW7uk82.
Corona Heights Park
Museum WayFort Cronkhite
The Mount Sutro Cloud Forest is a fun spot for easy one-hour hikes. Check out https://mntsutro.com/ and http://bahiker.com/sfhikes/sutro.html for trail suggestions.
29 locals recommend
Mount Sutro
The Mount Sutro Cloud Forest is a fun spot for easy one-hour hikes. Check out https://mntsutro.com/ and http://bahiker.com/sfhikes/sutro.html for trail suggestions.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
200 Nevada AveGreat tidepooling spot.
Warming Hut at the Presidio
983 Marine DrI really like the Matt Davis/Steep Ravine and Cataract Falls trails. The East Peak trails are easy and have beautiful views. If you're lucky enough to be in the area during Mountain Play, you should check it out for a great combination of nature and culture: http://mountainplay.org.
91 locals recommend
Mount Tamalpais State Park
3801 Panoramic HighwayI really like the Matt Davis/Steep Ravine and Cataract Falls trails. The East Peak trails are easy and have beautiful views. If you're lucky enough to be in the area during Mountain Play, you should check it out for a great combination of nature and culture: http://mountainplay.org.
Sunset Boulevard
Sunset BoulevardParcourse/fitness trail between Noriega and Taraval.
Parcourse/fitness trail/bike & pedestrian path around the park, plus hiking trails and two golf courses.
75 locals recommend
Lake Merced Park
Parcourse/fitness trail/bike & pedestrian path around the park, plus hiking trails and two golf courses.
Beautiful playground with a rock climbing wave, concrete slides, gigantic rope climbing structure, sand and water play, toddler zone, and more. Plus the carousel is just across the way.
52 locals recommend
Koret Playground
Beautiful playground with a rock climbing wave, concrete slides, gigantic rope climbing structure, sand and water play, toddler zone, and more. Plus the carousel is just across the way.
Essentials
Lots of organic and local options. Fresh bread is usually delivered around 9am.
87 locals recommend
Noriega Produce
3701 Noriega StLots of organic and local options. Fresh bread is usually delivered around 9am.
Focus on organic, vegetarian, sustainable, fair-trade foods and products.
74 locals recommend
Other Avenues Grocery Cooperative
3930 Judah StFocus on organic, vegetarian, sustainable, fair-trade foods and products.
Walgreens
1363 Divisadero StOpen 8–11, pharmacy open 9–9.
Pediatric ER, open 24/7, at 1975 Fourth Street.
NOTE: The location above and on the map is auto-populated, incorrect, and not fixable. This used to be on Parnassus Avenue, but is now on the other side of the city at 1975 Fourth Street, here: https://goo.gl/maps/a95xkF3Xz7Q2.
8 locals recommend
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital
1975 4th StPediatric ER, open 24/7, at 1975 Fourth Street.
NOTE: The location above and on the map is auto-populated, incorrect, and not fixable. This used to be on Parnassus Avenue, but is now on the other side of the city at 1975 Fourth Street, here: https://goo.gl/maps/a95xkF3Xz7Q2.
Pacific Supermarket
2900 Alemany BlvdAsian food market
99 Ranch Market
1350 Grant RdAsian food market
Sunset Supermarket
2801 Vicente StAsian food market
Whole Foods Market
450 Rhode Island StTrader Joe's
265 Winston DrArts & Culture
Just go see it. Spire is more visible and well known, but Woodline is an experience. There is a tiny parking area on West Pacific Avenue south of the Lover's Lane trail: https://goo.gl/maps/1wvvseGNjXK2.
Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line
Presidio BoulevardJust go see it. Spire is more visible and well known, but Woodline is an experience. There is a tiny parking area on West Pacific Avenue south of the Lover's Lane trail: https://goo.gl/maps/1wvvseGNjXK2.
Amplified waves, best near high tide: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions/NOAATidesFacade.jsp?Stationid=9414290. The closest parking is on Yacht Road, but it's a nice walk if you park by the Palace of Fine Arts nearby.
40 locals recommend
The Wave Organ
83 Marina Green DrAmplified waves, best near high tide: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions/NOAATidesFacade.jsp?Stationid=9414290. The closest parking is on Yacht Road, but it's a nice walk if you park by the Palace of Fine Arts nearby.
3 Fish Studios
Ortega Branch Library
3223 Ortega StOutdoor art installations, sculpture, and sound art displayed year-round, plus hiking trails, formal gardens, and a historic mansion.
41 locals recommend
Montalvo Arts Center
15400 Montalvo RdOutdoor art installations, sculpture, and sound art displayed year-round, plus hiking trails, formal gardens, and a historic mansion.
The space itself is gorgeous. The artwork is diverse and frequently includes kinetic and interactive pieces. Plus parking is usually easy and there's good coffee across the street.
24 locals recommend
Minnesota Street Project
1275 Minnesota StThe space itself is gorgeous. The artwork is diverse and frequently includes kinetic and interactive pieces. Plus parking is usually easy and there's good coffee across the street.
Excellent festival running from late spring to early fall. Fun, free, and worth the trek: classical, world, and jazz music, contemporary and traditional dance, theater, children’s and family programs, and cultural events. By train, take the N-Judah to 4th/Market and walk to Mission. By car, the best parking is at the 5th & Mission Garage, across from the Metreon.
124 locals recommend
Yerba Buena Gardens
750 Howard StExcellent festival running from late spring to early fall. Fun, free, and worth the trek: classical, world, and jazz music, contemporary and traditional dance, theater, children’s and family programs, and cultural events. By train, take the N-Judah to 4th/Market and walk to Mission. By car, the best parking is at the 5th & Mission Garage, across from the Metreon.
If you're lucky enough to be in the area during Mountain Play, you should check it out for a great combination of nature and culture: http://mountainplay.org.
226 locals recommend
Mount Tamalpais
If you're lucky enough to be in the area during Mountain Play, you should check it out for a great combination of nature and culture: http://mountainplay.org.
Entertainment & Activities
House of Air Trampoline Park
926 Mason StTrampolining!
The school yard is open to the public on weekends. There's a garden, play structure, basketball hoops, four-square courts, and lots of space to practice biking or skating. BYO balls. Enter through the gate on the Kirkham side of the yard.
Francis Scott Key Elementary School
1530 43rd AveThe school yard is open to the public on weekends. There's a garden, play structure, basketball hoops, four-square courts, and lots of space to practice biking or skating. BYO balls. Enter through the gate on the Kirkham side of the yard.
Swell Bicycles
4002 Irving StPlayland at 43rd Avenue, at the FSK Annex. An old school yard was converted into a multi-use community park with play areas and structures, basketball courts, skate ramps, exercise bars, an artists' courtyard, and a community garden.
1360 43rd Ave
1360 43rd AvenuePlayland at 43rd Avenue, at the FSK Annex. An old school yard was converted into a multi-use community park with play areas and structures, basketball courts, skate ramps, exercise bars, an artists' courtyard, and a community garden.
"Boat Park" to locals, it's an old fashioned playground on sand, featuring a boat, swings, slides, climbing structures, and picnic tables, with a water fountain but no bathrooms.
10 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park 45th Avenue Playground
4414 Lincoln Way"Boat Park" to locals, it's an old fashioned playground on sand, featuring a boat, swings, slides, climbing structures, and picnic tables, with a water fountain but no bathrooms.
San Francisco Recreation & Parks
3223 Ortega St Beautiful playground + tennis and basketball courts.
Kids hammer, paint, build, climb, zip, and search for nails, preferably without parental assistance. There’s a traditional playground nearby, but this is way more fun!
23 locals recommend
Adventure Playground
160 University AveKids hammer, paint, build, climb, zip, and search for nails, preferably without parental assistance. There’s a traditional playground nearby, but this is way more fun!
TPC Harding Park
99 Harding RdGolden Gate Park Disc Golf Course
99 Marx Meadow Dr
Golden Gate Golf Course
970 47th AveSightseeing
Bison Paddock
1237 John F Kennedy DrMurphy Windmill
Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon StShopping
GENERAL STORE
4035 Judah St
Mollusk Surf Shop
4500 Irving StSurf/skate equipment, gear, and apparel.
The Last Straw
4540 Irving St
Establish
Green Apple Books on the Park
1231 9th AveLocal Take
4122 17th StThis boutique showcases Bay Area artists and designers.
Whistle
1311 16th AveBeautiful things from local makers.
ODSY Workshop
2039 Irving StreetHandmade leather goods and shoe repair in this actual workshop.