Central SF Guidebook
Essentials
Safeway
2020 Market StOpen 24 hours! Also has a hot food and salad bar.
More upscale than Safeway. Also has prepared food (hot and cold)
905 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3950 24th StMore upscale than Safeway. Also has prepared food (hot and cold)
Drinks & Nightlife
Piano Bar. Small, strong drinks. Every night singers at the piano, but Monday night (9m) most singers are from local opera and musical theater venues. EXCELLENT and free entertainment. Get there early though, before 8:30, small venue fills up fast.
80 locals recommend
Martuni's
4 Valencia StreetPiano Bar. Small, strong drinks. Every night singers at the piano, but Monday night (9m) most singers are from local opera and musical theater venues. EXCELLENT and free entertainment. Get there early though, before 8:30, small venue fills up fast.
Orbit Room
1900 Market StIt's close, and good and great place to meet
Sightseeing
Painted Ladies
Hayes StreetIconic view of city from Alamo Square Park. 6 blocks walk.
Oldest surviving building in San Francisco (1776) built by the Spanish-Mexican settlers of the region. Definitely worth a visit and a great jumping off point to explore the Mission neighborhood (and picnic at Delores Park!)
65 locals recommend
Mission San Francisco de Asis
3321 16th StOldest surviving building in San Francisco (1776) built by the Spanish-Mexican settlers of the region. Definitely worth a visit and a great jumping off point to explore the Mission neighborhood (and picnic at Delores Park!)
The Embarcadero is worth walking. The Ferry building is there, shops, etc.
But if you are there in the evening, look over to the Bay Bridge (Highway 80) and you'll see a wonderful art display of moving lights, it was a temporary installation, but everyone loved it so much (and it was inexpensive and low-energy LED), it's now permanent.
138 locals recommend
Embarcadero
The Embarcadero is worth walking. The Ferry building is there, shops, etc.
But if you are there in the evening, look over to the Bay Bridge (Highway 80) and you'll see a wonderful art display of moving lights, it was a temporary installation, but everyone loved it so much (and it was inexpensive and low-energy LED), it's now permanent.
All throughout the Mission neighborhood are wonderful murals, this is one street with a lot.
124 locals recommend
Balmy Alley
50 Balmy StAll throughout the Mission neighborhood are wonderful murals, this is one street with a lot.
beautiful historic building with great mural, more murals in the neighborhood
26 locals recommend
Women's Building Mural
3543 18th Stbeautiful historic building with great mural, more murals in the neighborhood
Food Scene
Indian Oven Restaurant
233 Fillmore StWe love it.
Iza Ramen
237 Fillmore StExcellent Ramen!
Suppenküche
525 Laguna StExcellent German food, Sunday Brunch is amazing.
Biergarten
424 Octavia StOutdoor German bratwurst, beer and more!
Kate's Kitchen
471 Haight StreetSouthern food, great breakfast, HUGE portions. 3 blocks up Haight.
Mercury Cafe
201 Octavia StClose, locally owned, great coffee, sandwiches and deserts.
Excellent for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Scandinavian food (we LOVE their breads!)
6 locals recommend
Kantine
1906 Market StExcellent for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Scandinavian food (we LOVE their breads!)
Arts & Culture
Iconic, gorgeous "Spanish Baroque" style movie palace (built 1922) with old-time movies, indy movies, sing-alongs and more. Before most every movie a prelude is played with the organist playing a piece on the old grand organ. IN the middle of the Castro district (historic gay neighborhood)
332 locals recommend
Castro Theatre
429 Castro StIconic, gorgeous "Spanish Baroque" style movie palace (built 1922) with old-time movies, indy movies, sing-alongs and more. Before most every movie a prelude is played with the organist playing a piece on the old grand organ. IN the middle of the Castro district (historic gay neighborhood)
A world-class science center with amazing displays, rainforest, living roof and more.
Catch the bus across the street (outbound) to take you to Golden Gate Park
816 locals recommend
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse DrA world-class science center with amazing displays, rainforest, living roof and more.
Catch the bus across the street (outbound) to take you to Golden Gate Park
Japanese Tea Garden
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrBeautiful Japanese Garden with teahouse.
Conservatory of Flowers
100 John F Kennedy DrBeautiful stroll through the greenhouse.
An art museum absolutely worth exploring. American, African, European art.
Climb the tower for some great views of the city
999 locals recommend
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrAn art museum absolutely worth exploring. American, African, European art.
Climb the tower for some great views of the city
Just steps from the house. Has great and interesting displays of graphic and poster arts and artists.
Haight Street Art Center
215 Haight StJust steps from the house. Has great and interesting displays of graphic and poster arts and artists.
Getting Around
Buses 6, 7, and 71 stop here and take you to Golden Gate Park (home of De Yong Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Japanese tea garden, miles of park, buffalo, gardens and more.
Haight St & Laguna St
Buses 6, 7, and 71 stop here and take you to Golden Gate Park (home of De Yong Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Japanese tea garden, miles of park, buffalo, gardens and more.
Buses 6, 7 and 71 stop here (inbound) and will take you within a few short blocks of Union Square, China Town, Cable Cars, Ferry Building (and ferries) and more sightseeing. Cross Market to the medium to take the F line historic streetcar which will take you to the above and then down the wharf to Fisherman's wharf.
Haight St & Gough St
Buses 6, 7 and 71 stop here (inbound) and will take you within a few short blocks of Union Square, China Town, Cable Cars, Ferry Building (and ferries) and more sightseeing. Cross Market to the medium to take the F line historic streetcar which will take you to the above and then down the wharf to Fisherman's wharf.
Catch the Historic F Line street car going up and down Market (refurbished streetcars from around the world). Inbound will take you within a few short blocks of Union Square, Chinatown, Ferry Building (ferries), Fisherman's wharf and more within 10 (Union Square) to 30 (Fisherman's Wharf). Outbound will take you to the Castro district (1 mile) and Castro Theatre.
Market St & Laguna St
Catch the Historic F Line street car going up and down Market (refurbished streetcars from around the world). Inbound will take you within a few short blocks of Union Square, Chinatown, Ferry Building (ferries), Fisherman's wharf and more within 10 (Union Square) to 30 (Fisherman's Wharf). Outbound will take you to the Castro district (1 mile) and Castro Theatre.
Parks & Nature
Really should explore Golden Gate Park! Home to the De Yong Museum (art), California Academy of Sciences (amazing exhibits and living roof) and Japanese Tea Garden (gardens and tea room). Also, lots of trails, gardens, a buffalo paddock. Rent bikes there and bike the park. Go to the west end for the beach and the Dutch windmills (gifts to the city). Easy 15 minute bus ride (catch 6, 7 or 71 across the street from house) and ask driver to tell you when you are at the park.
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
Really should explore Golden Gate Park! Home to the De Yong Museum (art), California Academy of Sciences (amazing exhibits and living roof) and Japanese Tea Garden (gardens and tea room). Also, lots of trails, gardens, a buffalo paddock. Rent bikes there and bike the park. Go to the west end for the beach and the Dutch windmills (gifts to the city). Easy 15 minute bus ride (catch 6, 7 or 71 across the street from house) and ask driver to tell you when you are at the park.
Go here to start an amazing hike, Land's End Trail. The visitors center has a cafe and souvenir shopping. The first mile or so is very level and accessible with spectacular views across the bay and of the golden gate bridge. You can turn back or go all the way up the hill to the bridge!
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
2008 Merrie WayGo here to start an amazing hike, Land's End Trail. The visitors center has a cafe and souvenir shopping. The first mile or so is very level and accessible with spectacular views across the bay and of the golden gate bridge. You can turn back or go all the way up the hill to the bridge!
Duboce Park
Scott StreetGreat place for dogs (1/2 dog park) and kids (1/2 playground )