Guidebook for San Francisco
Essentials
Great Supermarket nearby. Good selection of frozen and fresh foods. Great prices on wine.
395 locals raden deze aan
Trader Joe's
401 Bay StGreat Supermarket nearby. Good selection of frozen and fresh foods. Great prices on wine.
The best small market in California. Incredible. Fresh everything, the definition of local and sustainable. Vela Cheese- Seco Oro is my all-time favorite. Ice Cream from the Creamery superb.
651 locals raden deze aan
Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th StThe best small market in California. Incredible. Fresh everything, the definition of local and sustainable. Vela Cheese- Seco Oro is my all-time favorite. Ice Cream from the Creamery superb.
Great farmer's market. Sundays and Wednesdays. See all the best California has to offer. Fruits and vegetables, nuts, salsas, etc.
48 locals raden deze aan
Heart of the City Farmer's Market
Great farmer's market. Sundays and Wednesdays. See all the best California has to offer. Fruits and vegetables, nuts, salsas, etc.
Shopping
Union Square
333 Post StThe heart of downtown San Francisco shopping.
Target
2675 Geary BlvdGood department store.
Walgreens
1333 Castro StOpen 24 hours. Drugstore, food and sundries also.
Huge, delicious sandwiches and comfort in a sparkling New York deli setting. Great for breakfast or lunch.
14 locals raden deze aan
Miller's East Coast Delicatessen
1725 Polk StHuge, delicious sandwiches and comfort in a sparkling New York deli setting. Great for breakfast or lunch.
locally owned, well stocked sporting goods store for all your outdoor needs.
8 locals raden deze aan
Lombardi Sports
1600 Jackson Stlocally owned, well stocked sporting goods store for all your outdoor needs.
Alessi
424 Sutter StFun, cartoony, nice shop from Alessi. Cool stuff for souvenirs and gifts.
Local bookstore chain done right. Book lovers work here. lots of magazines. Nice bargain books.
8 locals raden deze aan
Books Inc
2275 Market StreetLocal bookstore chain done right. Book lovers work here. lots of magazines. Nice bargain books.
Aardvark Books
227 Church StreetMy favorite used bookstore. Small and very well organized.
Beat generation heaven. lots of left-leaning literature. Beautiful.
86 locals raden deze aan
City Lights Booksellers
261 Columbus AveBeat generation heaven. lots of left-leaning literature. Beautiful.
Borderlands Books
1740 Valencia StBookstore and Cafe. Sci_fi and fantasy oriented. Great.
Dog Eared Books
900 Valencia StNice bookstore for used and new books.
Arts & Culture
Wonderful cultural arts center. Dance, film, galleries. Gardens are a great place to relax in the sun for a picnic or coffee. Very cheap prices for outstanding performances. Excellent galleries also.
124 locals raden deze aan
Yerba Buena Gardens
750 Howard StWonderful cultural arts center. Dance, film, galleries. Gardens are a great place to relax in the sun for a picnic or coffee. Very cheap prices for outstanding performances. Excellent galleries also.
Best nightclub in town. Saturday night weekly show "Bootie" not to be missed. San Francisco at its most fun
73 locals raden deze aan
DNA Lounge
375 11th StBest nightclub in town. Saturday night weekly show "Bootie" not to be missed. San Francisco at its most fun
Best show in town. Sign up for Goldstar to get huge discounts on tickets. Fun, fun, fun.
54 locals raden deze aan
Beach Blanket Babylon
678 Beach Blanket Babylon BlvdBest show in town. Sign up for Goldstar to get huge discounts on tickets. Fun, fun, fun.
Food Scene
Kim Thanh Restaurant
607 Geary StGreat Vietnamese seafood. low prices
Turkish food freshly prepared. My favorite restaurant in the hood. Rice pudding is excellent with a Turkish coffee
7 locals raden deze aan
A La Turca
869 Geary StTurkish food freshly prepared. My favorite restaurant in the hood. Rice pudding is excellent with a Turkish coffee
Wonderful for any meal. My favorite breakfast joint. Best corned beef hash in town.
43 locals raden deze aan
Nob Hill Grille
969 Hyde StreetWonderful for any meal. My favorite breakfast joint. Best corned beef hash in town.
Great, super cheap Indian-Pakistani food. No atmosphere just delicious curries.
41 locals raden deze aan
Shalimar Restaurant
532 Jones StGreat, super cheap Indian-Pakistani food. No atmosphere just delicious curries.
Osha Thai Noodle Cafe
692 Geary StSuperb Thai restaurant open very late
This is an authentic railcar diner. The dining room is an actual rail car from the old days. Good Portuguese and great burgers. 5PM- 4AM daily. The After-club place to eat
16 locals raden deze aan
The Grubstake
1525 Pine StThis is an authentic railcar diner. The dining room is an actual rail car from the old days. Good Portuguese and great burgers. 5PM- 4AM daily. The After-club place to eat
Pure San Francisco. Huge beer selection. Low prices and fun atmosphere. Hofbrau style meals with enormous portions. Try American Bison here.
42 locals raden deze aan
Tommy's Joynt
1101 Geary BlvdPure San Francisco. Huge beer selection. Low prices and fun atmosphere. Hofbrau style meals with enormous portions. Try American Bison here.
Chai-Yo
1331 Polk Streetwonderful noodle house. My favorite lunch spot.
Good little American-style Chinese food place. Super cheap lunch. Fresh and delicious.
Bamboo Restaurant
1441 Polk StreetGood little American-style Chinese food place. Super cheap lunch. Fresh and delicious.
The best vegetarian restaurant in town. In this town, that's saying a lot.
89 locals raden deze aan
Greens
2 Marina BlvdThe best vegetarian restaurant in town. In this town, that's saying a lot.
Pearl's Deluxe Burgers
708 Post StReally, really great hamburgers.
Superb Indonesian cuisine. Don't look at the menu. Just order Rijsttafel for 2. It's brilliant.
21 locals raden deze aan
Borobudur Restaurant
700 Post StSuperb Indonesian cuisine. Don't look at the menu. Just order Rijsttafel for 2. It's brilliant.
Olde English pub decor, good hearty updated fare. Fun and good food. Blunderbusses on the wall.
White Horse Restaurant
635 Sutter StOlde English pub decor, good hearty updated fare. Fun and good food. Blunderbusses on the wall.
Sushi bar in a speakeasy basement setting. Open late. 6PM-2AM
55 locals raden deze aan
Ryoko's Japanese Restaurant & Bar
619 Taylor StSushi bar in a speakeasy basement setting. Open late. 6PM-2AM
The Irish Bank
10 Mark LnWonderful, beautiful Irish pub. Best Fish and Chips in the Bay area.
My favorite place to eat at Fisherman's Wharf. Nice seafood and stylish environment. old photos are charming. Alioto family members are a big part of the city.
9 locals raden deze aan
Alioto's
8 Fishermans WharfMy favorite place to eat at Fisherman's Wharf. Nice seafood and stylish environment. old photos are charming. Alioto family members are a big part of the city.
Best. Cioppino. in. town. Great oysters, too. There's always a wait. It's worth it. Reasonable and delicious
78 locals raden deze aan
Sotto Mare
552 Green StBest. Cioppino. in. town. Great oysters, too. There's always a wait. It's worth it. Reasonable and delicious
outdoor seating, excellent grilled Panini sandwiches and coffee. Watch the world go by San Francisco style. Great afternoon happy hour(s) with 2.95 pints!
26 locals raden deze aan
Cup-A-Joe Coffee House
896 Sutter Stoutdoor seating, excellent grilled Panini sandwiches and coffee. Watch the world go by San Francisco style. Great afternoon happy hour(s) with 2.95 pints!
Golden Coffee Shop
901 Sutter StTiny, run-down, very good cheap bacon and eggs breakfast
Cafe Bean
800 Sutter Sttop notch coffee. Dutch owner brings Amsterdam style and attitude.
King of Thai Noodle House
184 O'Farrell StGreat for a quick lunch at Union Square. Won't slow you down.
only open for lunch. The best, freshest seafood in all of San Francisco. Wait in the long line because it's worth the time.
144 locals raden deze aan
Swan Oyster Depot
1517 Polk Stonly open for lunch. The best, freshest seafood in all of San Francisco. Wait in the long line because it's worth the time.
The best Vietnamese roasted crab you've ever eaten. Don't look at the menu, just order crab with a side of garlic noodles.
16 locals raden deze aan
Crustacean
1475 Polk StThe best Vietnamese roasted crab you've ever eaten. Don't look at the menu, just order crab with a side of garlic noodles.
Aicha
1303 Polk StWonderful Moroccan food. Inexpensive and fresh.
Great little pizza place for a slice or a meal. Fast and delicious
15 locals raden deze aan
Victor’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant
1411 Polk StGreat little pizza place for a slice or a meal. Fast and delicious
Nice little Greek joint. Cheap and good. Authentic and delicious.
6 locals raden deze aan
Myconos Greek Restaurant
1431 Polk StreetNice little Greek joint. Cheap and good. Authentic and delicious.
Piccadilly Fish & Chips
1348 Polk StReally good U.K. style fish and chips.
Vietnamese food well prepared in a colonial setting. Beautiful and expensive.
28 locals raden deze aan
Le Colonial
20 Cosmo PlVietnamese food well prepared in a colonial setting. Beautiful and expensive.
Stunning decor. Dine under the sea on the most expensive and delicious seafood downtown. Or just walk in for a look at the unbelievable glass sculptures.
16 locals raden deze aan
Farallon
Stunning decor. Dine under the sea on the most expensive and delicious seafood downtown. Or just walk in for a look at the unbelievable glass sculptures.
The best bakery I've ever seen in the United States. Bread (after 5Pm) is a German's dream to find. Pastries and cafe fare beyond anything you've had before.5 Stars.Highly recommended.
768 locals raden deze aan
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero StThe best bakery I've ever seen in the United States. Bread (after 5Pm) is a German's dream to find. Pastries and cafe fare beyond anything you've had before.5 Stars.Highly recommended.
Best Pupusas in town. Watch Futbol on three screens. Cheap and delicious.
15 locals raden deze aan
Balompié Cafe
3349 18th StBest Pupusas in town. Watch Futbol on three screens. Cheap and delicious.
Expensive and well worth it. You never knew Vietnamese food could be this good.
95 locals raden deze aan
The Slanted Door
Ferry BuildingExpensive and well worth it. You never knew Vietnamese food could be this good.
Best grilled chicken in town. Most visitors walk right past this unassuming spot, and they are missing out. Rabbit also good, Fries are excellent.
8 locals raden deze aan
Il Pollaio
555 Columbus AveBest grilled chicken in town. Most visitors walk right past this unassuming spot, and they are missing out. Rabbit also good, Fries are excellent.
Jin Mi Korean Cuisine. Excellent Korean food at a low price. If you've never tried Korean, this is a great place to start. Worth the price just for the little snacks that come with. Hot sauce yummy
366 Golden Gate Ave
Jin Mi Korean Cuisine. Excellent Korean food at a low price. If you've never tried Korean, this is a great place to start. Worth the price just for the little snacks that come with. Hot sauce yummy
The center of French culture and life in San Francisco. Excellent coffee, reading materials, newspapers, etc. Near the lovely Notre Dame des Victoires church.
18 locals raden deze aan
Café de la Presse
352 Grant AveThe center of French culture and life in San Francisco. Excellent coffee, reading materials, newspapers, etc. Near the lovely Notre Dame des Victoires church.
Great breakfast/brunch spot. Steps from the front door. The name says it all. Fresh and delicious
72 locals raden deze aan
Farm : Table
754 Post StGreat breakfast/brunch spot. Steps from the front door. The name says it all. Fresh and delicious
My favorite romantic dining spot in the area. No large parties, just two-tops and the best roasted meats in North Beach. Always a line and worth the wait.
8 locals raden deze aan
L'Osteria del Forno
519 Columbus AvenueMy favorite romantic dining spot in the area. No large parties, just two-tops and the best roasted meats in North Beach. Always a line and worth the wait.
wonderful North Beach hangout. Meet the locals and enjoy superb java and pastries.
70 locals raden deze aan
Caffe Trieste
601 Vallejo St.wonderful North Beach hangout. Meet the locals and enjoy superb java and pastries.
Great coffee. Outdoor tables for people watching. Best t-shirt in the City: Black as Night, Strong as Sin, Sweet as Love, Hot as Hell
14 locals raden deze aan
Caffe Roma
Great coffee. Outdoor tables for people watching. Best t-shirt in the City: Black as Night, Strong as Sin, Sweet as Love, Hot as Hell
Sacre Pantina. My best friend calls it : a cloud of sugar in heaven. He is right! They invented this dessert and it shines
19 locals raden deze aan
Stella Pastry & Cafe
446 Columbus AveSacre Pantina. My best friend calls it : a cloud of sugar in heaven. He is right! They invented this dessert and it shines
Sightseeing
Free living museum of the Cable cars! Walk here then take the cable car to Fisherman's Wharf
207 locals raden deze aan
Kabeltram Museum van San Francisco
1201 Mason StFree living museum of the Cable cars! Walk here then take the cable car to Fisherman's Wharf
Wells Fargo Museum
420 Montgomery StFree! And very cool. Stagecoach to play in and photos of the earthquake in 1906.
In the middle of the lovely old Army post, the garden is enchanted and inhabited by fairies. The nicest garden around.
Community Garden
Pope RoadIn the middle of the lovely old Army post, the garden is enchanted and inhabited by fairies. The nicest garden around.
Beautiful hotel with a small well curated exhibition on the Marines. Great old-style steakhouse on the top floor.
Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel
609 Sutter StBeautiful hotel with a small well curated exhibition on the Marines. Great old-style steakhouse on the top floor.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed building on Maiden Lane, the street of prostitution back during Barbary Coast days, now Tony shopping alley. Cool. Echoes of the Guggenheim NY.
XANADU GALLERY
140 Maiden LnFrank Lloyd Wright designed building on Maiden Lane, the street of prostitution back during Barbary Coast days, now Tony shopping alley. Cool. Echoes of the Guggenheim NY.
The finest example of Arts and Crafts architecture and design in the CIty. wonderful, charming, lovely. http://sfswedenborgian.org/
7 locals raden deze aan
San Francisco Weddings at the Swedenborgian Church
2107 Lyon StThe finest example of Arts and Crafts architecture and design in the CIty. wonderful, charming, lovely. http://sfswedenborgian.org/
Free and wacky good fun. Full to the brim with old game machines- predecessors to pinball machines. All handmade and running. Cool fortune-telling machines including a typewriter! WPA Circus amazing.
87 locals raden deze aan
Musée Mécanique
Fishermans WharfFree and wacky good fun. Full to the brim with old game machines- predecessors to pinball machines. All handmade and running. Cool fortune-telling machines including a typewriter! WPA Circus amazing.
The street of painted balconies. Part of the Chinatown walking tour. Wonderful ironwork balconies.
Waverly Place
Waverly PlaceThe street of painted balconies. Part of the Chinatown walking tour. Wonderful ironwork balconies.
Free and nice. Great souvenirs. Take the F Train to Castro from here.
6 locals raden deze aan
San Francisco Railway Museum
77 Steuart StFree and nice. Great souvenirs. Take the F Train to Castro from here.
The Gayest Street in the world. Well, USA anyway. Great fun, nice shopping, good restaurants.
37 locals raden deze aan
Castro Street
Castro StreetThe Gayest Street in the world. Well, USA anyway. Great fun, nice shopping, good restaurants.
Free and interesting. The boat shop is a sight to see- restoration and construction going on. Friendly workers at this city owned recreation facility. Upstairs for old photos&views. Swim if you dare!
Dolphin Swim & Boat Club
502 Jefferson StFree and interesting. The boat shop is a sight to see- restoration and construction going on. Friendly workers at this city owned recreation facility. Upstairs for old photos&views. Swim if you dare!
Beautiful old military post. Walk around and see the lovely community garden behind the hostel. Peaceful and green. Lay on the great lawn and nap.
161 locals raden deze aan
Fort Mason
2 Marina BlvdBeautiful old military post. Walk around and see the lovely community garden behind the hostel. Peaceful and green. Lay on the great lawn and nap.
Can't get tickets? Booked 6 weeks in advance! No problem-go to the landing and ask the people in line if they have spare tickets. Somebody always does. Tour groups buy too many and always have extras
49 locals raden deze aan
Alcatraz Cruises station
Can't get tickets? Booked 6 weeks in advance! No problem-go to the landing and ask the people in line if they have spare tickets. Somebody always does. Tour groups buy too many and always have extras
Nice little park at the top of Nob Hill. Relax in the grass as you peruse the ugliest fountain in the city. We call it the "nambla fountain". See why.
72 locals raden deze aan
Huntington Park
Nice little park at the top of Nob Hill. Relax in the grass as you peruse the ugliest fountain in the city. We call it the "nambla fountain". See why.
Wonderful Hotel. Finished just before the 1906 quake, burned to the ground and was rebuilt within a year! Afternoon tea exquisite.
67 locals raden deze aan
San Francisco Badlands
4121 18th StWonderful Hotel. Finished just before the 1906 quake, burned to the ground and was rebuilt within a year! Afternoon tea exquisite.
The heart of Chinatown. Shops and restaurants surround this little park. Great people watching.
9 locals raden deze aan
Portsmouth Square
745 Washington StThe heart of Chinatown. Shops and restaurants surround this little park. Great people watching.
Sunset, The best time to see the view of the City and Bay, and the exquisite WPA era murals, recently restored and free to view. I have tears in my eyes just sitting ere thinking of them.
545 locals raden deze aan
Coit Tower
Sunset, The best time to see the view of the City and Bay, and the exquisite WPA era murals, recently restored and free to view. I have tears in my eyes just sitting ere thinking of them.
After Coit tower, follow these charming and historic stairs down the hill. You can twist and turn and keep going all the way down to the Embarcadero. Fall in Love with San Francisco the way I did
23 locals raden deze aan
Filbert Steps
After Coit tower, follow these charming and historic stairs down the hill. You can twist and turn and keep going all the way down to the Embarcadero. Fall in Love with San Francisco the way I did
Really excellent performing arts center and a magnificent example of Mid-Century Modern architecture. Masonic Museum is really cool. See the Freemasons as they see themselves.
14 locals raden deze aan
The Masonic
1111 California StReally excellent performing arts center and a magnificent example of Mid-Century Modern architecture. Masonic Museum is really cool. See the Freemasons as they see themselves.
Drinks & Nightlife
Fun neighborhood pub, Get takeout from kim Thanh across the street and eat it here while listening to the best jukebox in town and watching the locals play billiards.
High Tide Cocktails
600 Geary StFun neighborhood pub, Get takeout from kim Thanh across the street and eat it here while listening to the best jukebox in town and watching the locals play billiards.
The Owl Tree
601 Post StOwl themed bar. No need to say more. It's cool.
Fun, cheesy Chinese themed bar. Ask the bartender for Chinese liquor. Be ready to take a cab home. Buddha lounge across the street also very cool.
25 locals raden deze aan
Li Po Cocktail Lounge
916 Grant AvenueFun, cheesy Chinese themed bar. Ask the bartender for Chinese liquor. Be ready to take a cab home. Buddha lounge across the street also very cool.
Old fashioned nice San Francisco restaurant. Great atmosphere and very good food. American Style.
7 locals raden deze aan
John's Grill
63 Ellis StOld fashioned nice San Francisco restaurant. Great atmosphere and very good food. American Style.
Best steakhouse in town. Unhurried, top-notch service. Eat in the bar and enjoy live jazz with the best Porterhouse steak you've ever eaten.
13 locals raden deze aan
Harris'
2100 Van Ness AveBest steakhouse in town. Unhurried, top-notch service. Eat in the bar and enjoy live jazz with the best Porterhouse steak you've ever eaten.
Bacchus Kirk
925 Bush StAnother fun local pub!
the very last old-school Gay cruise bar on Polk Street, from the days before Castro St was the Gayest. Woody and fun. A real cigar-store Indian is out front. All are welcome here
10 locals raden deze aan
Cinch Saloon
1723 Polk Stthe very last old-school Gay cruise bar on Polk Street, from the days before Castro St was the Gayest. Woody and fun. A real cigar-store Indian is out front. All are welcome here
Tiny closet of a Gay bar. Scarey neighborhood, especially at night. Best Thursday night DJ party in town. Tons of Fun! All genders and orientations welcome here.
6 locals raden deze aan
Aunt Charlie's Lounge
133 Turk StTiny closet of a Gay bar. Scarey neighborhood, especially at night. Best Thursday night DJ party in town. Tons of Fun! All genders and orientations welcome here.
Pricey but cool! Throwback to the Tiki craze in the 1950's. Buried in the bowels of the Fairmont, rainstorms and dim sum for happy hour. Fun and unique.
93 locals raden deze aan
Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
950 Mason StPricey but cool! Throwback to the Tiki craze in the 1950's. Buried in the bowels of the Fairmont, rainstorms and dim sum for happy hour. Fun and unique.
Amazing, fun, laid back Blues bar. live music nightly, one of the only buildings to survive the 1906 fire. This was a U.S. Army hangout , and the soldiers saved it with beer soaked blankets
31 locals raden deze aan
The Saloon
1232 Grant AveAmazing, fun, laid back Blues bar. live music nightly, one of the only buildings to survive the 1906 fire. This was a U.S. Army hangout , and the soldiers saved it with beer soaked blankets
Great, fun little bar. Meet the North Beach real people. Almost all locals here. Love it.
19 locals raden deze aan
Tony Nik's
1534 Stockton StGreat, fun little bar. Meet the North Beach real people. Almost all locals here. Love it.
wonderful neighborhood bar. Free popcorn, great drinks, local patrons. Sports bar before there was such a thing. great for an afternoon pop.
11 locals raden deze aan
Northstar Cafe
1560 Powell Stwonderful neighborhood bar. Free popcorn, great drinks, local patrons. Sports bar before there was such a thing. great for an afternoon pop.
This may be the single coolest place in the whole City. Full of atmosphere, including Beat Generation photos and memorabilia. Just next to City Lights and well worth the visit.
57 locals raden deze aan
Vesuvio Cafe
255 Columbus AveThis may be the single coolest place in the whole City. Full of atmosphere, including Beat Generation photos and memorabilia. Just next to City Lights and well worth the visit.
Everything Else
HydeOut
1068 Hyde StGreat neighborhood pub.
Farmer's market and high-end food mecca. The very best food and wine California has to offer, all under one roof. A must for foodies. See why people want to live here.
679 locals raden deze aan
Ferry Building Marketplace
Farmer's market and high-end food mecca. The very best food and wine California has to offer, all under one roof. A must for foodies. See why people want to live here.
Best place to doze in the sun on the grass and relax. pure, beautiful North Beach.
104 locals raden deze aan
Washington Square
Best place to doze in the sun on the grass and relax. pure, beautiful North Beach.