Glenn's San Francisco Guidebook 2022

Glenn
Glenn's San Francisco Guidebook 2022

Introduction

This guidebook is best viewed in a browser, which will show the interactive map alongside the listings. Check out each heading's description for more details before seeing the comments on each entry in that category. You can tap the entry to find the location. Some items might fit under multiple listings (like Salesforce Park, listed immediately below, which is a great park and also good for sightseeing). The categories are in the following order: Transportation; Coffee; Shopping (Groceries, Pharmacy, Hardware); Food Scene (Restaurants and Desserts); Healthcare (Hospitals/ERs and Urgent Care); Fitness; Bars/Liquor; Parks; Entertainment; Sightseeing; Museums; Neighborhoods
This is a great public park above the new Transbay Terminal. No dogs allowed. It's downtown/SoMa and similar in concept (but not length) to the NYC Highline.
31 locals recommend
Salesforce Park
425 Mission St
31 locals recommend
This is a great public park above the new Transbay Terminal. No dogs allowed. It's downtown/SoMa and similar in concept (but not length) to the NYC Highline.

Coffee

Pre-pandemic, the Castro had too many coffee shops. Now it has too few, but there are still great espresso locations throughout San Francisco. Some good locations around the city (not nearby) include Blue Bottle Coffee and Ritual Coffee Roasters, each of which have multiple locations.
Good drip coffee (no espresso drinks, though) in the Castro.
915 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
3101 24th St
915 locals recommend
Good drip coffee (no espresso drinks, though) in the Castro.
Great coffee/lattes/baked goods, as well as breakfast fare and sandwiches. Near Duboce Park Cafe/lower Haight, but not in the Castro.
42 locals recommend
Cafe Réveille
610 Long Bridge Street
42 locals recommend
Great coffee/lattes/baked goods, as well as breakfast fare and sandwiches. Near Duboce Park Cafe/lower Haight, but not in the Castro.
Amazing espresso drinks and baked goods. Lower Haight location (so it's a 15 minute walk from the Castro). You can order in advance from their website, and they have a pickup window at the sidewalk. We love their chocolate chip cookies with sea salt and many of their daily donuts.
378 locals recommend
Sightglass Coffee
270 7th St
378 locals recommend
Amazing espresso drinks and baked goods. Lower Haight location (so it's a 15 minute walk from the Castro). You can order in advance from their website, and they have a pickup window at the sidewalk. We love their chocolate chip cookies with sea salt and many of their daily donuts.
We love their espresso drinks and in-house baked goods (breads, pastries). This was a staple for us at the start of COVID shelter in place. Try their Adventure Bread (toasted, with marmalade and butter). Not near the Castro, however.
281 locals recommend
The Mill
736 Divisadero St
281 locals recommend
We love their espresso drinks and in-house baked goods (breads, pastries). This was a staple for us at the start of COVID shelter in place. Try their Adventure Bread (toasted, with marmalade and butter). Not near the Castro, however.
Good coffee/espresso, but it's a 15-20 minute walk from my place (or one MUNI stop at Church Street Station).
24 locals recommend
Verve Coffee Roasters
2101 Market St
24 locals recommend
Good coffee/espresso, but it's a 15-20 minute walk from my place (or one MUNI stop at Church Street Station).
Another local coffee place. They also have pastries.
29 locals recommend
Spike's Coffees and Teas
4117 19th St
29 locals recommend
Another local coffee place. They also have pastries.

Shopping (Groceries, Pharmacy, Hardware)

Some basics for groceries, supplies, and pharmacy needs are listed below. There are also Target stores in SoMa (one at Metreon on Mission Street and one closer on Folsom Street, with parking).
Local grocery store in the Castro. Walkable. They also have a shuttle that can take you home with your groceries. (The shuttle might not be operating these days.)
277 locals recommend
Mollie Stone's Markets
2435 California St
277 locals recommend
Local grocery store in the Castro. Walkable. They also have a shuttle that can take you home with your groceries. (The shuttle might not be operating these days.)
Standard WholeFoods groceries. One MUNI Stop away (go to Church Street). Also walkable (long walk).
905 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3950 24th St
905 locals recommend
Standard WholeFoods groceries. One MUNI Stop away (go to Church Street). Also walkable (long walk).
Walgreens that's open 24 hours a day with pharmacy. Walkable, located in the Castro.
61 locals recommend
Walgreens Pharmacy
4129 18th St
61 locals recommend
Walgreens that's open 24 hours a day with pharmacy. Walkable, located in the Castro.
Standard groceries. One MUNI stop away (Church Street) or walkable (long walk).
416 locals recommend
Safeway
2020 Market St
416 locals recommend
Standard groceries. One MUNI stop away (Church Street) or walkable (long walk).
Local small specialty grocer in the Castro
25 locals recommend
Buffalo Whole Food & Grain Co
598 Castro St
25 locals recommend
Local small specialty grocer in the Castro
Small corner store just one block away with some basics (liquor/beer, soft drinks, munchies, ice cream, etc.).
Eureka Market
4151 17th St
Small corner store just one block away with some basics (liquor/beer, soft drinks, munchies, ice cream, etc.).
Great local hardware store in the Castro. They also have a small kids toy section. And there's a companion store next door with some costume/fabric supplies and gift ideas.
69 locals recommend
Cliff's Variety
479 Castro St
69 locals recommend
Great local hardware store in the Castro. They also have a small kids toy section. And there's a companion store next door with some costume/fabric supplies and gift ideas.
Standard hardware store near Safeway (a longer walk or take the MUNI one stop to the Church Street station).
6 locals recommend
Handy Handyman Hardware
2075 Market St
6 locals recommend
Standard hardware store near Safeway (a longer walk or take the MUNI one stop to the Church Street station).
This is a fun place for costumes. They have off-the-rack designs--short-shorts, pants, vests, etc. for all genders-- in many sizes plus can do custom-fitted pieces (usually a few weeks to turn around) with most of their fabrics. Great for Burning Man, dance parties, cruises, etc.
Piedmont Boutique
1452 Haight St
This is a fun place for costumes. They have off-the-rack designs--short-shorts, pants, vests, etc. for all genders-- in many sizes plus can do custom-fitted pieces (usually a few weeks to turn around) with most of their fabrics. Great for Burning Man, dance parties, cruises, etc.

Food scene

Here are some favorite restaurants. I list which are nearby/in the Castro and which are not, along with some hits for reservations or food delivery services. There are so many great restaurants in the City, I can't get close to doing them justice.
Great local Italian restaurant with nice cocktails in the Castro. On OpenTable (for reservations).
38 locals recommend
Poesia
4072 18th St
38 locals recommend
Great local Italian restaurant with nice cocktails in the Castro. On OpenTable (for reservations).
Cute Mediterranean restaurant in the Castro.
104 locals recommend
La Mediterranee
2936 College Ave
104 locals recommend
Cute Mediterranean restaurant in the Castro.
Amazing, high-end, cozy dining. This is our favorite in the neighborhood, but you often have to get a table months in advance (like on OpenTable). Try the bacon beignets to start!
149 locals recommend
Frances
3870 17th St
149 locals recommend
Amazing, high-end, cozy dining. This is our favorite in the neighborhood, but you often have to get a table months in advance (like on OpenTable). Try the bacon beignets to start!
Amazing local fresh seafood in the Castro. It's a small (SMALL) location, no reservations. Walk up to the door and put your name on the list. It can take an hour to get a table. We love the salad with crab meat after a cup of chowder, but we haven't had anything bad here. Go across the street to Swirl for a glass of wine while you wait.
148 locals recommend
Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro St
148 locals recommend
Amazing local fresh seafood in the Castro. It's a small (SMALL) location, no reservations. Walk up to the door and put your name on the list. It can take an hour to get a table. We love the salad with crab meat after a cup of chowder, but we haven't had anything bad here. Go across the street to Swirl for a glass of wine while you wait.
You can get a slice here in the Castro during the day or at night after going out. Thin, NY-style pizza. It's decent for what it is.
24 locals recommend
Marcello's Pizza
420 Castro St
24 locals recommend
You can get a slice here in the Castro during the day or at night after going out. Thin, NY-style pizza. It's decent for what it is.
Good California cuisine, nice outdoor patio in back. Also good for brunch on weekends. Check OpenTable for reservations.
47 locals recommend
Fable
558 Castro St
47 locals recommend
Good California cuisine, nice outdoor patio in back. Also good for brunch on weekends. Check OpenTable for reservations.
Great desserts (ice cream and pies/cakes). Not open every day. In the Castro. We often get to-go pints of the dark chocolate gelato and the creme fraiche to mix at home.
The Castro Fountain
554 Castro St
Great desserts (ice cream and pies/cakes). Not open every day. In the Castro. We often get to-go pints of the dark chocolate gelato and the creme fraiche to mix at home.
Great local restaurant with a covered outdoor patio in back. Good cocktails, good food. California/Americana. Reservations should be doable on OpenTable.
135 locals recommend
Starbelly
3583 16th St
135 locals recommend
Great local restaurant with a covered outdoor patio in back. Good cocktails, good food. California/Americana. Reservations should be doable on OpenTable.
Great local Italian restaurant with good wine, nice appetizers/salads, and pasta/pizzas. A bit of a walk (between the Castro and the Haight) but worth it. We love the Amitriciana pizza with an extra egg on it (two egg yolks for dipping the crust).
117 locals recommend
Ragazza
311 Divisadero St
117 locals recommend
Great local Italian restaurant with good wine, nice appetizers/salads, and pasta/pizzas. A bit of a walk (between the Castro and the Haight) but worth it. We love the Amitriciana pizza with an extra egg on it (two egg yolks for dipping the crust).
Great seafood. Higher end. A bit of a walk (near the Haight).
159 locals recommend
Bar Crudo
655 Divisadero St
159 locals recommend
Great seafood. Higher end. A bit of a walk (near the Haight).
Our favorite deep-dish pizza with salad. It's not walkable, but you can get it delivered on Caviar or other apps. Try the Italian deep dish and get the mixed salad (with both dressings - blue cheese and balsamic, and mix them!).
362 locals recommend
Little Star Pizza
846 Divisadero St
362 locals recommend
Our favorite deep-dish pizza with salad. It's not walkable, but you can get it delivered on Caviar or other apps. Try the Italian deep dish and get the mixed salad (with both dressings - blue cheese and balsamic, and mix them!).
Sister restaurant to Frances. Also high-end. Also need reservations in advance (on OpenTable). Not walkable from the Castro.
16 locals recommend
Octavia
1701 Octavia St
16 locals recommend
Sister restaurant to Frances. Also high-end. Also need reservations in advance (on OpenTable). Not walkable from the Castro.
Great takeout/delivery Mexican in the Lower Haight. It's Castro-adjacent but a bit of a walk. We love the enchiladas with the chile verde chicken.
187 locals recommend
The Little Chihuahua
292 Divisadero St
187 locals recommend
Great takeout/delivery Mexican in the Lower Haight. It's Castro-adjacent but a bit of a walk. We love the enchiladas with the chile verde chicken.
Tiny dessert/cookie pickup window in the Castro.
36 locals recommend
Hot Cookie
1817 Castro St
36 locals recommend
Tiny dessert/cookie pickup window in the Castro.
Decent Chinese just across Market Street.
88 locals recommend
Mama Ji's
4416 18th St
88 locals recommend
Decent Chinese just across Market Street.
Great Chinese food, but it's up the hill a ways. They are on many delivery apps.
10 locals recommend
Xiao Loong Restaurant
250 W Portal Ave
10 locals recommend
Great Chinese food, but it's up the hill a ways. They are on many delivery apps.
Fun nearby restaurant. Good mezcal drinks. Nice brunch options. And dinner too.
Copas
2223 Market Street
Fun nearby restaurant. Good mezcal drinks. Nice brunch options. And dinner too.
Great brunch here, but it can be a wait. Decently walkable from the house (a little farther away).
12 locals recommend
Wooden Spoon
2172 Market St
12 locals recommend
Great brunch here, but it can be a wait. Decently walkable from the house (a little farther away).
Brewery and German food. We haven't been, but it's nearby and a cute venue.
7 locals recommend
Willkommen
2198 Market St
7 locals recommend
Brewery and German food. We haven't been, but it's nearby and a cute venue.
Fun place for sandwiches and breakfast fare. Closer to the lower Haight, but just off Duboce Park if you're there.
88 locals recommend
Duboce Park Cafe
2 Sanchez St
88 locals recommend
Fun place for sandwiches and breakfast fare. Closer to the lower Haight, but just off Duboce Park if you're there.
Very nice modern cuisine on the Embarcadero (waterfront near the Ferry Building). Not cheap, but it's a fun venue for a fancy/urban night out.
82 locals recommend
Waterbar Restaurant
399 The Embarcadero
82 locals recommend
Very nice modern cuisine on the Embarcadero (waterfront near the Ferry Building). Not cheap, but it's a fun venue for a fancy/urban night out.
Great food. Lower Haight (a long walk from the Castro).
504 locals recommend
Nopa
560 Divisadero St
504 locals recommend
Great food. Lower Haight (a long walk from the Castro).
A great modern take on Italian dining. Che Fico upstairs is more upscale, Che Fico Alimentari downstairs is more relaxed. Not walkable from the Castro.
44 locals recommend
Che Fico
838 Divisadero St
44 locals recommend
A great modern take on Italian dining. Che Fico upstairs is more upscale, Che Fico Alimentari downstairs is more relaxed. Not walkable from the Castro.
Nice Spanish tapas in the Castro.
24 locals recommend
Canela Bistro & Wine Bar
2272 Market St
24 locals recommend
Nice Spanish tapas in the Castro.
This is a San Francisco staple. Great for brunch or dinner. Not walkable from the Castro. Reservations on OpenTable. Get the Roast Chicken for Two (must order in advance) or the bread salad.
166 locals recommend
Zuni Café
1658 Market St
166 locals recommend
This is a San Francisco staple. Great for brunch or dinner. Not walkable from the Castro. Reservations on OpenTable. Get the Roast Chicken for Two (must order in advance) or the bread salad.
Amazing artisanal ice cream. You can get delivery of pints using DoorDash/Caviar. Multiple locations in SF. Not walkable from the Castro.
54 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
2201 Fillmore St
54 locals recommend
Amazing artisanal ice cream. You can get delivery of pints using DoorDash/Caviar. Multiple locations in SF. Not walkable from the Castro.
Another fantastic artisanal ice cream place. SF owned and operated. In the Mission (with other locations around the Bay Area).
224 locals recommend
Humphry Slocombe
224 locals recommend
Another fantastic artisanal ice cream place. SF owned and operated. In the Mission (with other locations around the Bay Area).
This is a weekend breakfast staple for us. We get it to go (it's in Cole Valley), but it's also on some delivery apps. We love the 'Porky Breakfast Burrito.'
29 locals recommend
Bacon Bacon
205A Frederick St
29 locals recommend
This is a weekend breakfast staple for us. We get it to go (it's in Cole Valley), but it's also on some delivery apps. We love the 'Porky Breakfast Burrito.'
Fantastic new sandwich shop in the Castro. Artisan pastrami smoked in-house. Cute patio in back. Great sandwiches and onion rings. The burger and chicken sandwich are popular. And they have a vegan reuben.
HOT JOHNNIE'S
4077 18th Street
Fantastic new sandwich shop in the Castro. Artisan pastrami smoked in-house. Cute patio in back. Great sandwiches and onion rings. The burger and chicken sandwich are popular. And they have a vegan reuben.

Healthcare

Nearby hospitals/ERs and urgent care are listed.
Nearby hospital and 24/7 Emergency Room
CPMC Davies Campus | 45 Castro Street
45 Castro Street
Nearby hospital and 24/7 Emergency Room
Hospital and 24/7 Emergency Room
22 locals recommend
University of California San Francisco Parnassus Campus
505 Parnassus Ave
22 locals recommend
Hospital and 24/7 Emergency Room
Nearby urgent care clinic (not open 24 hours).
Dignity Health-GoHealth Urgent Care
2288 Market Street
Nearby urgent care clinic (not open 24 hours).
LGBTQ+ health center in the Castro. You can do a walk-in or get an appointment for STI testing.
Strut
470 Castro Street
LGBTQ+ health center in the Castro. You can do a walk-in or get an appointment for STI testing.
Another urgent care location that's not too far away. Log on to their website for appointments, too.
Carbon Health
411 Grand Ave
Another urgent care location that's not too far away. Log on to their website for appointments, too.

Fitness

Great local gym, very gay friendly.
19 locals recommend
Fitness SF Castro
2301 Market St
19 locals recommend
Great local gym, very gay friendly.
Local fitness center
12 locals recommend
Barry's Bootcamp
2246 Lombard St
12 locals recommend
Local fitness center
Local gay-owned gym.
MX3 Fitness
2336 Market St
Local gay-owned gym.