Guidebook for San Francisco
Everything Else
Truly one of the best public parks in the United States -- well maintained with a variety of attractions and beautiful gardens and groves. Easy 18 minute walk. Closes at 11pm.
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
Truly one of the best public parks in the United States -- well maintained with a variety of attractions and beautiful gardens and groves. Easy 18 minute walk. Closes at 11pm.
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital
1975 4th StOne of the best children's hospitals in world.
Excellent views of the city. A bit of an adventure getting there, through hilly neighborhood on winding roads.
727 locals recommend
Twin Peaks
Excellent views of the city. A bit of an adventure getting there, through hilly neighborhood on winding roads.
You can walk 5 blocks to the MUNI train, which will take you to the Embarcadero stop about 15 minutes away. From there, transfer to BART to get to the Berkeley and other parts of the East Bay.
34 locals recommend
Embarcadero Station
You can walk 5 blocks to the MUNI train, which will take you to the Embarcadero stop about 15 minutes away. From there, transfer to BART to get to the Berkeley and other parts of the East Bay.
Walk 5 blocks down the hill and take the MUNI train about 20 min to the last stop. At the Caltrans station, you can transfer to go south to the Peninsula -- Palo Alto and Silicon Valley, San Jose.
161 locals recommend
San Francisco station
700 4th StWalk 5 blocks down the hill and take the MUNI train about 20 min to the last stop. At the Caltrans station, you can transfer to go south to the Peninsula -- Palo Alto and Silicon Valley, San Jose.
It is an 8 min walk downhill + a 20-24 min MUNI ride (N-Judah ride) to the convention center if you are here for a conference in Moscone Center -- such as Dreamforce, Oracle World, Apple World, etc.
131 locals recommend
Moscone Center
747 Howard StIt is an 8 min walk downhill + a 20-24 min MUNI ride (N-Judah ride) to the convention center if you are here for a conference in Moscone Center -- such as Dreamforce, Oracle World, Apple World, etc.
Sightseeing
Whether you are gay or straight, though not for the faint-hearted, this neighborhood is fun and hip. A 20 min walk (note that the return walk is up a big long hill!).
293 locals recommend
The Castro
Whether you are gay or straight, though not for the faint-hearted, this neighborhood is fun and hip. A 20 min walk (note that the return walk is up a big long hill!).
Historic, quirky and edgy district with restaurants, shops. Fun during the day. Proceed with open mind and caution after 9pm.
379 locals recommend
Haight-Ashbury
Historic, quirky and edgy district with restaurants, shops. Fun during the day. Proceed with open mind and caution after 9pm.
Strip of park that parallels Fell and Gough. A park/giant walking path that connects Golden Gate Park to the NOPA (north of panhandle) neighborhood.
43 locals recommend
The Panhandle
Strip of park that parallels Fell and Gough. A park/giant walking path that connects Golden Gate Park to the NOPA (north of panhandle) neighborhood.
Hipster central on the weekends, this is a large urban park with a large beautiful playground for kids. Impromptu DJ sessions to mimes, there's always something going on here.
1244 locals recommend
Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetHipster central on the weekends, this is a large urban park with a large beautiful playground for kids. Impromptu DJ sessions to mimes, there's always something going on here.
Hilly park with good trail system. Great for a morning walk. Note that dog walkers use this park frequently in afternoons. About a 25 minute walk away.
180 locals recommend
Corona Heights Park
Museum WayHilly park with good trail system. Great for a morning walk. Note that dog walkers use this park frequently in afternoons. About a 25 minute walk away.
Local hidden museum gem. Has a park and mountain peak good for a short walk/mini hike. About a 20 min walk from house.
59 locals recommend
Randall Museum
199 Museum WayLocal hidden museum gem. Has a park and mountain peak good for a short walk/mini hike. About a 20 min walk from house.
It is one of the most beautiful baseball ballparks in the world, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Even if you are not a baseball fan, it can be fun to take a tour.
596 locals recommend
Oracle Park
24 Willie Mays PlazaIt is one of the most beautiful baseball ballparks in the world, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Even if you are not a baseball fan, it can be fun to take a tour.
A very well organized and engaging exhibit/tour with the bonus of a ferry ride across the Bay.
503 locals recommend
Alcatraz Island
A very well organized and engaging exhibit/tour with the bonus of a ferry ride across the Bay.
Food Scene
Cute "insider neighborhood" in San Francisco. With boutiques, restaurants, outdoor cafes, wine store, sundry shops and a great ice cream bar. A four block walk.
37 locals recommend
Cole Valley
Cute "insider neighborhood" in San Francisco. With boutiques, restaurants, outdoor cafes, wine store, sundry shops and a great ice cream bar. A four block walk.
"NOPA" is an edgy fun neighborhood with wide mix of bars, restaurants, gourmet places as well as little burger storefronts -- a bit like what the Mission used to be before gentrification.
77 locals recommend
North of the Panhandle
"NOPA" is an edgy fun neighborhood with wide mix of bars, restaurants, gourmet places as well as little burger storefronts -- a bit like what the Mission used to be before gentrification.
Student neighborhood near central Golden Gate Park. Lively daytime/evening restaurants and nighttime bar scene.
23 locals recommend
Inner Sunset
Student neighborhood near central Golden Gate Park. Lively daytime/evening restaurants and nighttime bar scene.
"Little Chinatown" that is more authentic Chinese than the main one in downtown SF. Plentiful delicious bargain meals, a variety of cuisines. Highly recommend Burmese Superstar.
25 locals recommend
Clement Street
Clement Street"Little Chinatown" that is more authentic Chinese than the main one in downtown SF. Plentiful delicious bargain meals, a variety of cuisines. Highly recommend Burmese Superstar.
Trendy stores and restaurants -- becoming an extension of the Mission district, but with a more mature crowd (30's+). Gourmet microshops that serve rice pudding, bread pudding, macaroons, charcuterie.
223 locals recommend
Hayes Valley
Trendy stores and restaurants -- becoming an extension of the Mission district, but with a more mature crowd (30's+). Gourmet microshops that serve rice pudding, bread pudding, macaroons, charcuterie.
Hipster neighborhood du jour. Artisan boutiques and inventive restaurants with tasty cuisine mixed with taquerias. Proceed w/ caution when not on main strip of Valencia bet 15th & 24th -- high crime.
355 locals recommend
Mission District
Hipster neighborhood du jour. Artisan boutiques and inventive restaurants with tasty cuisine mixed with taquerias. Proceed w/ caution when not on main strip of Valencia bet 15th & 24th -- high crime.
Fantastic small plated food made from the freshest ingredients and just a very hip place in an "up and coming" area. But you need to go early and get in line by 5pm just to get a reserved time to eat later that evening...
141 locals recommend
State Bird Provisions
1529 Fillmore StFantastic small plated food made from the freshest ingredients and just a very hip place in an "up and coming" area. But you need to go early and get in line by 5pm just to get a reserved time to eat later that evening...
Very high concept gourmet. Like going to a dinner party with strangers. Expensive so save for a special occasion. And reserve early as they sell out at the beginning of each month.
33 locals recommend
Lazy Bear
3416 19th StVery high concept gourmet. Like going to a dinner party with strangers. Expensive so save for a special occasion. And reserve early as they sell out at the beginning of each month.
There's a great story behind this cafe. Google it and check it out -- definitely try the homemade cinnamon toast!
141 locals recommend
Trouble Coffee
4033 Judah StThere's a great story behind this cafe. Google it and check it out -- definitely try the homemade cinnamon toast!
The best bakery in SF -- amazing pastries and cake. Get there early -- by 1pm before things sell out.
176 locals recommend
b. patisserie
2821 California StThe best bakery in SF -- amazing pastries and cake. Get there early -- by 1pm before things sell out.
Great food, music, lovely area by the water -- only on Fridays at Fort Mason from 5pm to 9:30pm in the summers.
45 locals recommend
Off the Grid: Fort Mason Center
Great food, music, lovely area by the water -- only on Fridays at Fort Mason from 5pm to 9:30pm in the summers.
Very high quality tea and homemade boba (tapioca balls). Tasty and refreshing (if you like boba tea). There are locations all over the city but this one is right in hipster-central in the Mission.
40 locals recommend
Boba Guys Mission
3491 19th StVery high quality tea and homemade boba (tapioca balls). Tasty and refreshing (if you like boba tea). There are locations all over the city but this one is right in hipster-central in the Mission.
The best croissants in San Francisco! Was recently awarded a Bon Appetit award so the lines are usually crazy, but worth a visit if you are headed to the Presidio or visiting Little Chinatown (Clement St). Note they usually sell out of everything by 1:30pm.
77 locals recommend
Arsicault Bakery
397 Arguello BlvdThe best croissants in San Francisco! Was recently awarded a Bon Appetit award so the lines are usually crazy, but worth a visit if you are headed to the Presidio or visiting Little Chinatown (Clement St). Note they usually sell out of everything by 1:30pm.
The best sushi burrito in the SF Bay Area. Really that much better than the competition.
Sushirrito - FIDI Transamerica
388 Market StThe best sushi burrito in the SF Bay Area. Really that much better than the competition.
Restaurant bar to go to when you are visiting Fisherman's Wharf or Ghiradelli Square. It is famous for it's Irish Coffee.
105 locals recommend
Buena Vista
2765 Hyde StRestaurant bar to go to when you are visiting Fisherman's Wharf or Ghiradelli Square. It is famous for it's Irish Coffee.
Essentials
World class Hospital, Urgent Care Clinic nearby.
22 locals recommend
University of California San Francisco Parnassus Campus
505 Parnassus AveWorld class Hospital, Urgent Care Clinic nearby.
Whole Foods Market
450 Rhode Island St24-hr pharmacy and drugstore with all the essentials. Good to know when the Pharmaca and Walgreens nearby are closed (after 8/9).
293 locals recommend
Walgreens
1333 Castro St24-hr pharmacy and drugstore with all the essentials. Good to know when the Pharmaca and Walgreens nearby are closed (after 8/9).
Arts & Culture
Very modern building by famous architect (to look like a metal dog). Noted collection of American art, but in particular has great temporary exhibitions such as World of Jean-Paul Gauthier.
999 locals recommend
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrVery modern building by famous architect (to look like a metal dog). Noted collection of American art, but in particular has great temporary exhibitions such as World of Jean-Paul Gauthier.
Yerba Buena Center and the Martin Luther King Waterfall monument are here, with many restaurants with outdoor dining. Near most of the museums. It is in the better part of downtown San Francisco -- a good way to enjoy downtown with less of the "urban grittiness." Convention center is a short MUNI train ride away. Walk down Cole St about 6 blocks to Carl St. and catch the train in front of Papacita restaurant. Get off at the Powell Street Station.
131 locals recommend
Moscone Center
747 Howard StYerba Buena Center and the Martin Luther King Waterfall monument are here, with many restaurants with outdoor dining. Near most of the museums. It is in the better part of downtown San Francisco -- a good way to enjoy downtown with less of the "urban grittiness." Convention center is a short MUNI train ride away. Walk down Cole St about 6 blocks to Carl St. and catch the train in front of Papacita restaurant. Get off at the Powell Street Station.
Reasonably priced compared to other museums. Beautiful building and great exhibitions.
42 locals recommend
Contemporary Jewish Museum
736 Mission StReasonably priced compared to other museums. Beautiful building and great exhibitions.
It has a good modern art collection, though not great compared to New York or Madrid, or Paris. But it has a large beautiful rooftop cafe where you can relax outside or inside.
813 locals recommend
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd StIt has a good modern art collection, though not great compared to New York or Madrid, or Paris. But it has a large beautiful rooftop cafe where you can relax outside or inside.
Parks & Nature
Lovely hike, great views. UCSF developing it soon so won't be here for long...
29 locals recommend
Mount Sutro
Lovely hike, great views. UCSF developing it soon so won't be here for long...
Fort Funston
Fort Funston RoadEasy hiking, stunning views.
Drinks & Nightlife
Best indoor mini golf course ever. No kids after 8pm. Good restaurant and bar scene (food is 6/10 though -- OK, not great). Very fun for drinks and mini-golf.
147 locals recommend
Urban Putt
1096 S Van Ness AveBest indoor mini golf course ever. No kids after 8pm. Good restaurant and bar scene (food is 6/10 though -- OK, not great). Very fun for drinks and mini-golf.
Many great acts and parties here. Much fun. Most tourists don't know about it. But note that it is in a remote area of the city-- just Uber/Lyft there and back. Do not recommend walking around area or trying to take the MUNI after dark.
10 locals recommend
The Midway
900 Marin StMany great acts and parties here. Much fun. Most tourists don't know about it. But note that it is in a remote area of the city-- just Uber/Lyft there and back. Do not recommend walking around area or trying to take the MUNI after dark.
Old time club with good acts in the popular Mission district (where many of the young technorati of San Francisco live).
89 locals recommend
The Valencia Room
647 Valencia StOld time club with good acts in the popular Mission district (where many of the young technorati of San Francisco live).
Halcyon SF
314 11th StClassic dance club. Nice interior.
Make-Out Room
3225 22nd StSmaller music club in the popular Mission District.
Great electronica acts, DJs, dance parties here. Many of the Burning Man disco camps will have parties here.
55 locals recommend
Public Works
161 Erie StGreat electronica acts, DJs, dance parties here. Many of the Burning Man disco camps will have parties here.
Microbrewery. Nice outdoor seating or buzzy indoor atmosphere in a large former industrial factory. Hipster central. Good bar food though not a lot of healthy options (gourmet fries, wings, pancetta mac and cheese, lamb wrap, etc.).
148 locals recommend
Southern Pacific Brewing
620 Treat AveMicrobrewery. Nice outdoor seating or buzzy indoor atmosphere in a large former industrial factory. Hipster central. Good bar food though not a lot of healthy options (gourmet fries, wings, pancetta mac and cheese, lamb wrap, etc.).