Guidebook for San Francisco

Melinda
Guidebook for San Francisco

Arts & Culture

This amazing movie theatre features an enormous Wurlitzer organ and shows art films, classics, and is part of many different movie festivals. Big old movie palaces like this are few and far between.
332 locals recommend
Castro Theatre
429 Castro St
332 locals recommend
This amazing movie theatre features an enormous Wurlitzer organ and shows art films, classics, and is part of many different movie festivals. Big old movie palaces like this are few and far between.
The new de Young is an architectural marvel filled with art from every era and from all over the world. Great cafe and fabulous part of any trip to SF.
999 locals recommend
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr
999 locals recommend
The new de Young is an architectural marvel filled with art from every era and from all over the world. Great cafe and fabulous part of any trip to SF.
Terrific collections of modern and contemporary art. Anchor museum in the area that also includes the Jewish Contemporary Museum and the Museum of the African Diaspora.
813 locals recommend
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd St
813 locals recommend
Terrific collections of modern and contemporary art. Anchor museum in the area that also includes the Jewish Contemporary Museum and the Museum of the African Diaspora.
Professional repertory company. Always good, always well-staged. Beautifully-restored 19th century theater.
29 locals recommend
A.C.T.'s Geary Theater
415 Geary St
29 locals recommend
Professional repertory company. Always good, always well-staged. Beautifully-restored 19th century theater.
Musicals direct from Broadway! Unlike some "touring" theaters, most shows are here for 4-6 weeks, so some local casting and rehearsal improves the quality. Wicked was born here at the Orpheum.
68 locals recommend
SHN Orpheum Theatre
1192 Market St
68 locals recommend
Musicals direct from Broadway! Unlike some "touring" theaters, most shows are here for 4-6 weeks, so some local casting and rehearsal improves the quality. Wicked was born here at the Orpheum.
Great movie theater showing "better" movie releases and the Met Opera. The heart of the West Portal neighborhood with great shops and restaurants. Easy MUNI access via underground.
24 locals recommend
CineArts at the Empire
85 W Portal Ave
24 locals recommend
Great movie theater showing "better" movie releases and the Met Opera. The heart of the West Portal neighborhood with great shops and restaurants. Easy MUNI access via underground.
Second largest opera company in the U.S. Internationally-known opera stars. September-December and in June.
150 locals recommend
San Francisco Opera
301 Van Ness Ave
150 locals recommend
Second largest opera company in the U.S. Internationally-known opera stars. September-December and in June.
Michael Tilson-Thomas leads this world-class orchestra in a large variety of repertoire almost year-round.
154 locals recommend
San Francisco Symphony
201 Van Ness Ave
154 locals recommend
Michael Tilson-Thomas leads this world-class orchestra in a large variety of repertoire almost year-round.

Sightseeing

Some of the finest Victorians in San Francisco are along this charming side street including the Caselli Mansion at the corner of Caselli and Douglas.
Caselli Avenue
Caselli Avenue
Some of the finest Victorians in San Francisco are along this charming side street including the Caselli Mansion at the corner of Caselli and Douglas.
Amazing views of the City and the Bay. Just keep going up behind our house and you'll be there!
727 locals recommend
Twin Peaks
727 locals recommend
Amazing views of the City and the Bay. Just keep going up behind our house and you'll be there!
Two Chartres-style labyrinths (one outside and one inside) provide a spiritual break from sight-seeing. Take the cable car there!
165 locals recommend
Grace Cathedral
1100 California St
165 locals recommend
Two Chartres-style labyrinths (one outside and one inside) provide a spiritual break from sight-seeing. Take the cable car there!
Year-round, world-famous farmer's market. The Ferry building also has many wonderful restaurants including Boulette's Larder and the Slanted Door. Foodie heaven!
95 locals recommend
Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market
1 Ferry Plaza
95 locals recommend
Year-round, world-famous farmer's market. The Ferry building also has many wonderful restaurants including Boulette's Larder and the Slanted Door. Foodie heaven!
Beautiful outdoor space. There are often free concerts and Samovar Tea Lounge is a favorite restaurant.
124 locals recommend
Yerba Buena Gardens
750 Howard St
124 locals recommend
Beautiful outdoor space. There are often free concerts and Samovar Tea Lounge is a favorite restaurant.

Food Scene

My favorite coffee and bistro spot. And it's a bar at night. Beautiful patio and great people watching.
69 locals recommend
Flore on Market
2298 Market St
69 locals recommend
My favorite coffee and bistro spot. And it's a bar at night. Beautiful patio and great people watching.
Good food, great waiters, and the best people watching in the Castro.
46 locals recommend
Pauline's Pizza
260 Valencia St
46 locals recommend
Good food, great waiters, and the best people watching in the Castro.
Wonderful French bistro
286 locals recommend
Zazie
941 Cole St
286 locals recommend
Wonderful French bistro
Bring your pup or just enjoy the sing-a-long in the morning line for great coffee. My favorite take-away coffee place. Great pastries too.
29 locals recommend
Spike's Coffees and Teas
4117 19th St
29 locals recommend
Bring your pup or just enjoy the sing-a-long in the morning line for great coffee. My favorite take-away coffee place. Great pastries too.
Wonderful, inexpensive Chinese food. Deliveries orders include extras such as pork buns and sesame balls. They can usually deliver within 30 mins. to our house.
13 locals recommend
Red Jade
245 Church St
13 locals recommend
Wonderful, inexpensive Chinese food. Deliveries orders include extras such as pork buns and sesame balls. They can usually deliver within 30 mins. to our house.
Our friend who is French says they make the best croissants in San Francisco. We agree. YUM!
93 locals recommend
Thorough Bread and Pastry
248 Church St
93 locals recommend
Our friend who is French says they make the best croissants in San Francisco. We agree. YUM!
Great cozy brunch place with fireplace and lovely patio. In the heart of Noe Valley with its charming shops.
49 locals recommend
Savor open kitchen
3913 24th St
49 locals recommend
Great cozy brunch place with fireplace and lovely patio. In the heart of Noe Valley with its charming shops.
Eclectic menu and energetic crowd. Some Asian influences in the cuisine, but many Bistro staples such as soups, sandwiches, and salads.
96 locals recommend
Chow Food Bar
215 Church St
96 locals recommend
Eclectic menu and energetic crowd. Some Asian influences in the cuisine, but many Bistro staples such as soups, sandwiches, and salads.
Wonderful brunch spot and bakery.
Luna
558 Castro Street
Wonderful brunch spot and bakery.
Inexpensive, excellent food and open late!
8 locals recommend
Miyabi
253 Church St
8 locals recommend
Inexpensive, excellent food and open late!
Inexpensive wraps and good Lebanese/Syrian food. Mohammed, the owner, is a gracious and beautiful man. Sidewalk tables make this great on a sunny day.
32 locals recommend
Palmyra
700 Haight St
32 locals recommend
Inexpensive wraps and good Lebanese/Syrian food. Mohammed, the owner, is a gracious and beautiful man. Sidewalk tables make this great on a sunny day.
Wonderful patio and great people watching. Good burgers!
7 locals recommend
Flippers Gourmet Burgers
482 Hayes Street
7 locals recommend
Wonderful patio and great people watching. Good burgers!
Roasted chicken, pastas, lovely salads, and very good veggie sides make this a neighborhood comfort food stop. Wine and beer only, but surrounded by bars!
11 locals recommend
Firewood Cafe
4248 18th St
11 locals recommend
Roasted chicken, pastas, lovely salads, and very good veggie sides make this a neighborhood comfort food stop. Wine and beer only, but surrounded by bars!
The BEST dim sum in San Francisco! In the heart of the second Chinatown. Do NOT miss the mango pudding.
34 locals recommend
Ton Kiang
5821 Geary Blvd
34 locals recommend
The BEST dim sum in San Francisco! In the heart of the second Chinatown. Do NOT miss the mango pudding.
Hip atmosphere, great Thai food. And they deliver to our house.
31 locals recommend
Thai House Express Restaurant
599 Castro St
31 locals recommend
Hip atmosphere, great Thai food. And they deliver to our house.
Best coffee, fast wi-fi and a charming patio.
8 locals recommend
illy Caffè
2349 Market St
8 locals recommend
Best coffee, fast wi-fi and a charming patio.

Everything Else

Julie is our beloved chiropractor and we couldn't recommend her more.
Julie L. Trestman, DC
550A Castro St
Julie is our beloved chiropractor and we couldn't recommend her more.
Great neighborhood gym.
13 locals recommend
Cole Valley Fitness
957 Cole St
13 locals recommend
Great neighborhood gym.
Need a bit of meditation? This is a world-famous zendo in the City. Great onsite bookstore. Check their website for current schedules.
12 locals recommend
San Francisco Zen Center
300 Page St
12 locals recommend
Need a bit of meditation? This is a world-famous zendo in the City. Great onsite bookstore. Check their website for current schedules.
Great pilates studio!
Center Studio For Pilates
663 Castro Street
Great pilates studio!

Shopping

This is a must-stop in the Castro. Hardware and feather boas in one place. Uniquely Castro.
69 locals recommend
Cliff's Variety
479 Castro St
69 locals recommend
This is a must-stop in the Castro. Hardware and feather boas in one place. Uniquely Castro.
If you need it, they have it. Map is a bit off - you enter on Castro street.
61 locals recommend
Walgreens Pharmacy
4129 18th St
61 locals recommend
If you need it, they have it. Map is a bit off - you enter on Castro street.

Entertainment & Activities

Interactive science-based museum is great for all ages, but especially fun for elementary school-aged kids. Terrific views of the bridge and bay.
432 locals recommend
Exploratorium
Green Street
432 locals recommend
Interactive science-based museum is great for all ages, but especially fun for elementary school-aged kids. Terrific views of the bridge and bay.
Four-story rainforest, planetarium, aquarium, and a living roof make this a MUST see place. Make a day of it: wander the park and have lunch at a food truck on the music concourse.
116 locals recommend
Academy Of Sciences station
116 locals recommend
Four-story rainforest, planetarium, aquarium, and a living roof make this a MUST see place. Make a day of it: wander the park and have lunch at a food truck on the music concourse.

Essentials

Closest and best market in the neighborhood. Walk down and take the Mollie Bus back! See flyer for more information.
277 locals recommend
Mollie Stone's Markets
2435 California St
277 locals recommend
Closest and best market in the neighborhood. Walk down and take the Mollie Bus back! See flyer for more information.