Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
Basil
1175 Folsom StJust down the street, fabulous, fresh Thai food
Just down the street and really good Japanese food for a reasonable price
31 locals recommend
Kama Sushi Soma
294 9th StJust down the street and really good Japanese food for a reasonable price
It is in every guide book, and is walking distance. Get there early for a great breakfast
58 locals recommend
Dottie's True Blue Cafe
28 6th StIt is in every guide book, and is walking distance. Get there early for a great breakfast
One of my favorite spots for breakfast, but they don't take reservations of get there early. Their Eggs Benedict are to die for!
24 locals recommend
The Butler And The Chef Bistro
155 South Park StreetOne of my favorite spots for breakfast, but they don't take reservations of get there early. Their Eggs Benedict are to die for!
This is in Chinatown, but my favorite spot for Dim Sum in all of the city. Commercial street is one of the oldest streets in San Francisco
15 locals recommend
City View Restaurant
33 Commercial StThis is in Chinatown, but my favorite spot for Dim Sum in all of the city. Commercial street is one of the oldest streets in San Francisco
If you are craving authentic Indian food, this is the spot to head for. Near Moscone center, good, fresh and affordable.
21 locals recommend
Amber
25 Yerba Buena LnIf you are craving authentic Indian food, this is the spot to head for. Near Moscone center, good, fresh and affordable.
Pricey, but so worth it. Very close to Moscone Center if that is where you are headed while in town.
Ame Restaurant
689 Mission StreetPricey, but so worth it. Very close to Moscone Center if that is where you are headed while in town.
Pazzia Ristorante Italiano
337 3rd StI LOVE their pizzas.
This is the place to go for fresh fish. Beautifully presented, and always unique.
34 locals recommend
Skool
1725 Alameda StThis is the place to go for fresh fish. Beautifully presented, and always unique.
The Cavalier
360 Jessie StServes a great breakfast!
You could not ask for a better place for oysters and fresh fish. Sit at the bar and watch your food being prepared
8 locals recommend
Anchor & Hope
83 Minna StYou could not ask for a better place for oysters and fresh fish. Sit at the bar and watch your food being prepared
In the ferry building, the best oysters anywhere. Be prepared for a line, unless you indulge with a glass of champagne during the deader times of most restaurants.
58 locals recommend
Hog Island Oyster Co.
In the ferry building, the best oysters anywhere. Be prepared for a line, unless you indulge with a glass of champagne during the deader times of most restaurants.
This has been a fixture for over 25 years, and it is well deserved. Despite sounding plebeian, the chicken and roasted potatoes are fabulous.
165 locals recommend
Zuni Café
1658 Market StThis has been a fixture for over 25 years, and it is well deserved. Despite sounding plebeian, the chicken and roasted potatoes are fabulous.
A funky spot that has been around for 40 years. Good burgers, cheap drinks and music on Sundays
113 locals recommend
The Ramp
855 Terry A Francois BlvdA funky spot that has been around for 40 years. Good burgers, cheap drinks and music on Sundays
Up a bit on the hill above The Ramp and Kelly's sits STEM, the outside garden is gorgeous and the drinks, while not cheap are fascinating. Locally grown organic food on the menu
14 locals recommend
STEM Kitchen & Garden
499 Illinois StUp a bit on the hill above The Ramp and Kelly's sits STEM, the outside garden is gorgeous and the drinks, while not cheap are fascinating. Locally grown organic food on the menu
This is almost next door, but I really don't recommend it. The food is basic, and cheap, but not on my list of places to dine.
46 locals recommend
Rocco's Cafe
8th StreetThis is almost next door, but I really don't recommend it. The food is basic, and cheap, but not on my list of places to dine.
They have a sausage and a cheese fondue, basically snacks to eat at the bar. The place is cool, but pricey.
25 locals recommend
Fondue Cowboy Restaurant
1052 Folsom StThey have a sausage and a cheese fondue, basically snacks to eat at the bar. The place is cool, but pricey.
Discussing Burritos in San Francisco can start an all out war, so I hesitate to suggest just one. However, the policy of no rice in these burritos make them my favorites.
347 locals recommend
La Taqueria
2889 Mission StDiscussing Burritos in San Francisco can start an all out war, so I hesitate to suggest just one. However, the policy of no rice in these burritos make them my favorites.
Great Beer - Great Food - it is PACKED on game days so be aware.
65 locals recommend
21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant
563 2nd StGreat Beer - Great Food - it is PACKED on game days so be aware.
Like many spots in San Francisco, I prefer lunch here to dinner. They have a mussel plate that is fabulous, so is their chicken and pizzas.
12 locals recommend
Restaurant Lulu
816 Folsom StreetLike many spots in San Francisco, I prefer lunch here to dinner. They have a mussel plate that is fabulous, so is their chicken and pizzas.
One of the better places to grab coffee and a pastry. OK it is expensive, it is an investment by a bunch of Twitter execs & it is full of people that are full of themselves, but still good coffee
378 locals recommend
Sightglass Coffee
270 7th StOne of the better places to grab coffee and a pastry. OK it is expensive, it is an investment by a bunch of Twitter execs & it is full of people that are full of themselves, but still good coffee
This is so authentic and such a fun scene. The food is incredible and watching the restaurant fill with steam as the night goes on is an incredible site.
6 locals recommend
Happy Lamb Hot Pot, San Francisco
405 Mason StreetThis is so authentic and such a fun scene. The food is incredible and watching the restaurant fill with steam as the night goes on is an incredible site.
El Capitan Taqueria
1198 Folsom StGood burritos and good cheap Mexican Food all around
The only breakfast place in the area closed at the end of 2017. This is a good substitute and is fairly close by.
K-Oz
121 7th StThe only breakfast place in the area closed at the end of 2017. This is a good substitute and is fairly close by.
A quick place to drop in and catch a small breakfast or lunch. Their name says it all
45 locals recommend
Vive la tarte
1160 Howard StA quick place to drop in and catch a small breakfast or lunch. Their name says it all
Drinks & Nightlife
Despite its name, a fabulous place to grab a flight of beer and learn more about our local brews.
27 locals recommend
Jamber Wine Pub
858 Folsom StDespite its name, a fabulous place to grab a flight of beer and learn more about our local brews.
If you want to experience the SOMA nightlife, this is the spot to do it! Burgers at the restaurant are great, but the place is usually too packed to get one.
40 locals recommend
Box Kitchen
2940 431 Natoma StreetIf you want to experience the SOMA nightlife, this is the spot to do it! Burgers at the restaurant are great, but the place is usually too packed to get one.
If you are wandering the mission, this is worth a stop. The margaritas are cheap and STRONG. The decor will keep you laughing for hours.
46 locals recommend
Latin American Club
3286 22nd StIf you are wandering the mission, this is worth a stop. The margaritas are cheap and STRONG. The decor will keep you laughing for hours.
Bloodhound
1145 Folsom StGreat drinks, great crowd, and it is across the street
Very trendy, they only take cash and have tables in the backyard under the stars.
222 locals recommend
Zeitgeist
199 Valencia StVery trendy, they only take cash and have tables in the backyard under the stars.
An ultimate San Francisco restaurant. Who doesn't love Tiki bars and drinks with umbrellas. The food is nothing to write home about, but the atmosphere is a blast. Reservations highly recommended if you are hoping to dine.
93 locals recommend
Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
950 Mason StAn ultimate San Francisco restaurant. Who doesn't love Tiki bars and drinks with umbrellas. The food is nothing to write home about, but the atmosphere is a blast. Reservations highly recommended if you are hoping to dine.
Everything Else
This is just one of several alleys in the Mission district filled with murals. Clarion has hit all the guide books, and is the best maintained, but there are other hidden gems out there too.
96 locals recommend
Clarion Alley
Clarion AlleyThis is just one of several alleys in the Mission district filled with murals. Clarion has hit all the guide books, and is the best maintained, but there are other hidden gems out there too.
This is one of the mural alleys that most do not find, it is not as clean, but much edgier in its art than Clarion
Lilac Street
Lilac StreetThis is one of the mural alleys that most do not find, it is not as clean, but much edgier in its art than Clarion
Near Clarion Alley, this is another of the more well known mural alleys in the Mission District
124 locals recommend
Balmy Alley
50 Balmy StNear Clarion Alley, this is another of the more well known mural alleys in the Mission District
The Ferry Building is a must for everyone, but don't miss the Farmer's Market. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting at 10:00
679 locals recommend
Ferry Building Marketplace
The Ferry Building is a must for everyone, but don't miss the Farmer's Market. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting at 10:00
If you are clever enough to read this BEFORE you come to San Francisco. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW. The Alcatraz tours sell out, sometimes, months in advance.
49 locals recommend
Alcatraz Cruises station
If you are clever enough to read this BEFORE you come to San Francisco. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW. The Alcatraz tours sell out, sometimes, months in advance.
An interesting spot to buy and discuss wines from around the world. Very knowledgeable folks.
The Wine Club
1555 Burke AvenueAn interesting spot to buy and discuss wines from around the world. Very knowledgeable folks.
Essentials
It is a hike, and much smaller than most, but if you need a Trader Joe's fix, you know where it is
218 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
555 9th StIt is a hike, and much smaller than most, but if you need a Trader Joe's fix, you know where it is
If you find yourself in North Beach, make sure you stop in and try XOX truffles, bet you can't eat just one.
7 locals recommend
XOX Truffles
754 Columbus AveIf you find yourself in North Beach, make sure you stop in and try XOX truffles, bet you can't eat just one.
Arts & Culture
Seriously who doesn't love a cartoon museum? Sadly it is temporarily closed, I will update when they have re-opened
15 locals recommend
Cartoon Art Museum
781 Beach StSeriously who doesn't love a cartoon museum? Sadly it is temporarily closed, I will update when they have re-opened
Museum of the African Diaspora
685 Mission StA unique find in San Francisco
There is more than meets the eye in this large park. Look for the MLK Fountain, the Indian Oche Wat Te Ou Reflection area, and some splendid Public Art.
124 locals recommend
Yerba Buena Gardens
750 Howard StThere is more than meets the eye in this large park. Look for the MLK Fountain, the Indian Oche Wat Te Ou Reflection area, and some splendid Public Art.
This is one of the larger parks in San Francisco, and will be fuller than comfortable on sunny days, but if you are in the Mission District, check it out.
107 locals recommend
Helen Diller Playground
This is one of the larger parks in San Francisco, and will be fuller than comfortable on sunny days, but if you are in the Mission District, check it out.
Beach Blanket Babylon
678 Beach Blanket Babylon BlvdThe Quintessential San Francisco experience.
The largest contemporary art museum in the United States, built in two stages by two starchitects. Advance tickets are recommended and at least one to two hours as well.
813 locals recommend
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd StThe largest contemporary art museum in the United States, built in two stages by two starchitects. Advance tickets are recommended and at least one to two hours as well.
Sightseeing
San Francisco was a beer haven before the '06 quake and then prohibition, and we are fast getting there again. Speakeasy brews my favorites, but there are lots of breweries to explore.
33 locals recommend
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
1195 Evans AveSan Francisco was a beer haven before the '06 quake and then prohibition, and we are fast getting there again. Speakeasy brews my favorites, but there are lots of breweries to explore.
If you like hoppy beers like I do - you will enjoy this spot, and the bonus is, it is just around the block.
50 locals recommend
Cellarmaker Brewing Company
1150 Howard StIf you like hoppy beers like I do - you will enjoy this spot, and the bonus is, it is just around the block.
Yep, we have a winery in San Francisco, actually we once had over 100. They make their own wine, enjoy telling you about it, and if you are here during crush, you can join in.
24 locals recommend
Bluxome Street Winery
53 Bluxome StreetYep, we have a winery in San Francisco, actually we once had over 100. They make their own wine, enjoy telling you about it, and if you are here during crush, you can join in.
This neighborhood was based on an old English street and goes back to the beginning of San Francisco. There are lots of great restaurants, a beautiful park, and a great place to people watch.
22 locals recommend
South Park
This neighborhood was based on an old English street and goes back to the beginning of San Francisco. There are lots of great restaurants, a beautiful park, and a great place to people watch.
Missions are very unique to the west and especially California. This is where San Francisco began. It is worth the price of admission to stroll the small chapel and the cemetery.
65 locals recommend
Mission San Francisco de Asis
3321 16th StMissions are very unique to the west and especially California. This is where San Francisco began. It is worth the price of admission to stroll the small chapel and the cemetery.
If you have the time, walk the three miles over to Sausalito and back. If not, the landing has great education vignettes and some shopping.
1321 locals recommend
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate BridgeIf you have the time, walk the three miles over to Sausalito and back. If not, the landing has great education vignettes and some shopping.
Larger than Central Park and full of things to do. You could spend a week there and not see it all. Ask me about my favorite things.
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
Larger than Central Park and full of things to do. You could spend a week there and not see it all. Ask me about my favorite things.
Without a doubt, one of my all time favorite places in San Francisco!!!!!
348 locals recommend
Japanese Tea Garden
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrWithout a doubt, one of my all time favorite places in San Francisco!!!!!
Start at the ball park and simply walk along Mission Creek, a great way to take in some of the wildlife
10 locals recommend
Mission Creek Park
Channel StreetStart at the ball park and simply walk along Mission Creek, a great way to take in some of the wildlife
Entertainment & Activities
Smack in the middle of the most touristy spot of all San Francisco is this divine little ode to the old time carnival. The games are fun and don't you dare miss Laughing Sal, say hi to her for me.
87 locals recommend
Musée Mécanique
Fishermans WharfSmack in the middle of the most touristy spot of all San Francisco is this divine little ode to the old time carnival. The games are fun and don't you dare miss Laughing Sal, say hi to her for me.