Emily’s Guide to San Francisco
Local Food Scene
Takara Sushi
4243 18th StMama Ji's
4416 18th StVico Cavone
Zazie
941 Cole St
Poesia
4072 18th St
Lark
4068 18th StSightseeing
My favorite thing to do in San Francisco is to just explore the wonderfully diverse neighborhoods, and the best way to do so (in my opinion) is on foot!
Fillmore Street
Fillmore StreetGreat boutique shopping and restaurants.
be sure to check out the magical garden of good and evil just down the street from my house.
Corbin Steps
be sure to check out the magical garden of good and evil just down the street from my house.
Upper Haight can be a bit touristy, but it's the epicenter of SF's Hippie culture. And both Uppper and Lower Haight offer great bars and restaurants.
10 locals recommend
Haight Street
Haight StreetUpper Haight can be a bit touristy, but it's the epicenter of SF's Hippie culture. And both Uppper and Lower Haight offer great bars and restaurants.
Golden Gate Park
One of the most diverse streets in San Francisco, as it carves through the waterfront, Russian Hill, Polk Gulch and the Tenderloin. Great Bars and Restaurants!
Polk Street
Polk StreetOne of the most diverse streets in San Francisco, as it carves through the waterfront, Russian Hill, Polk Gulch and the Tenderloin. Great Bars and Restaurants!
Great boutique shopping. The 17th/18th block with Therapy, Mission Cheese, Mau, Thread Lounge, Tacolicious, Dandelion chocolate, and Craftsman and Wolves is my all-time fave.
163 locals recommend
Valencia Street
Valencia StreetGreat boutique shopping. The 17th/18th block with Therapy, Mission Cheese, Mau, Thread Lounge, Tacolicious, Dandelion chocolate, and Craftsman and Wolves is my all-time fave.
Billy Goat Hill Park
2442 Castro StThere's a swing!
•My favorite city "hike" is Randall Park. Google maps will likely call it Corona Heights. It's 10 times better than the view and experience of Twin Peaks (and way less touristy). The nearby Sutro Open space is also a nice, short hike.
180 locals recommend
Corona Heights Park
Museum Way•My favorite city "hike" is Randall Park. Google maps will likely call it Corona Heights. It's 10 times better than the view and experience of Twin Peaks (and way less touristy). The nearby Sutro Open space is also a nice, short hike.
You can walk, run or bike through Chrissy Field, visiting the bridge and/or Fort Point.
Crissy Field Marsh
Golden Gate PromenadeYou can walk, run or bike through Chrissy Field, visiting the bridge and/or Fort Point.
Great for running, walking and forgetting you are in a major city!
The 2-mile Andy Goldsworthy art loop is definitely worth checking out.
383 locals recommend
Presidio of San Francisco
Great for running, walking and forgetting you are in a major city!
The 2-mile Andy Goldsworthy art loop is definitely worth checking out.
Day Trips
The City is amazing, but the surrounding areas are worth exploring.
My all-time favorite Bay Area hike is to Alamere Falls. You can take the Palomarin Trail in Point Reyes to the falls, which dump into the ocean. The hike includes a little bit of everything: coastal walk, glens, forest, swimmable lake, etc.
It's around 4 hours in and out.
Point Reyes Station, Cowgirl Cremery and the farmhouse restaurant in Olema are definitely worth a post or pre-hike stop.
18 locals recommend
Alamere Falls
My all-time favorite Bay Area hike is to Alamere Falls. You can take the Palomarin Trail in Point Reyes to the falls, which dump into the ocean. The hike includes a little bit of everything: coastal walk, glens, forest, swimmable lake, etc.
It's around 4 hours in and out.
Point Reyes Station, Cowgirl Cremery and the farmhouse restaurant in Olema are definitely worth a post or pre-hike stop.
Take a ferry or bike to Sausalito and check out the marina, shops, and restaurants.
Bar Bocce is one of my favorites!
317 locals recommend
Sausalito
Take a ferry or bike to Sausalito and check out the marina, shops, and restaurants.
Bar Bocce is one of my favorites!
Take the ferry to Angel Island for a picnic and/or day of hiking.
107 locals recommend
Angel Island Café
Main StreetTake the ferry to Angel Island for a picnic and/or day of hiking.
Take the ferry to Jack London Square to check out the shops and restaurants.
Rosenblum cellars and Heinholds Last Chance (a bar so old and settled that it's slanted) my favorites.
127 locals recommend
Jack London Square station
245 2nd StTake the ferry to Jack London Square to check out the shops and restaurants.
Rosenblum cellars and Heinholds Last Chance (a bar so old and settled that it's slanted) my favorites.
I don't spend is much time in Napa these days in favor of more mellow Dry Creek and West Dry Creek in Sonoma. I can give you oodles of restaurant and bar recommendations in downtown Healdsburg. Favorite Healdsburg wineries are Bella, Cast, and Delormier.
166 locals recommend
Sonoma
I don't spend is much time in Napa these days in favor of more mellow Dry Creek and West Dry Creek in Sonoma. I can give you oodles of restaurant and bar recommendations in downtown Healdsburg. Favorite Healdsburg wineries are Bella, Cast, and Delormier.
In Napa, I prefer St Helena, Calistoga and Yountville:
My favorite hotel in that area for the price is the Villagio Inn and Spa. Super relaxing suites and cottages with an amazing brunch (included) and poolside cabanas. They also have an epic spa suite experience. Other hotel options (in order of price low to high) are Mount View, Meadowlands, Indian Springs or Solage.
Napa is littered with wineries, but ones I wouldn't miss are Peju, Domaine Carneros, and Chandon for the ambiance. If you are serious about wine, I would make an appointment with Behren's Family Winery.
You can't go wrong with any restaurants, but I highly recommend Bouchon, Ninebark (amazing rooftop dining), Goose and Gander (patio seating), and Archetype. Serious foodies will want to make reservations to French Laundry and Meadowlands far in advance if they don't want to miss these Michelin star options.
240 locals recommend
Napa
In Napa, I prefer St Helena, Calistoga and Yountville:
My favorite hotel in that area for the price is the Villagio Inn and Spa. Super relaxing suites and cottages with an amazing brunch (included) and poolside cabanas. They also have an epic spa suite experience. Other hotel options (in order of price low to high) are Mount View, Meadowlands, Indian Springs or Solage.
Napa is littered with wineries, but ones I wouldn't miss are Peju, Domaine Carneros, and Chandon for the ambiance. If you are serious about wine, I would make an appointment with Behren's Family Winery.
You can't go wrong with any restaurants, but I highly recommend Bouchon, Ninebark (amazing rooftop dining), Goose and Gander (patio seating), and Archetype. Serious foodies will want to make reservations to French Laundry and Meadowlands far in advance if they don't want to miss these Michelin star options.
Sooooo many areas to explore here, but my favorite hikes are the Dipsea Trail, Mount David Steep Ravine, and Rodeo Beach.
,You can hike to Tennessee Valley Beach, Muir Beach, and/or Stinson. There is also decent bus service from the city.
194 locals recommend
Marin Headlands
Sooooo many areas to explore here, but my favorite hikes are the Dipsea Trail, Mount David Steep Ravine, and Rodeo Beach.
,You can hike to Tennessee Valley Beach, Muir Beach, and/or Stinson. There is also decent bus service from the city.
Breweries and Distilleries
San Frnacisco has some amazing beer, wine and spirit makers.
The SF Brewers Guild runs free shuttles on the 3rd Wednesday of the month to featured neighborhood breweries.
Southern Pacific Brewing
620 Treat AveGreat indoor/outdoor space!
Barebottle Brewing Company
1525 Cortland Ave
Black Hammer Brewing
544 Bryant StSay hi to Growler, the official mascot of BHB.
Cellarmaker Brewing Company
1150 Howard StTake the ferrry to Alameda to enjoy their extensive beer list and food trucks. Great outdoor space!
62 locals recommend
Faction Brewing
2501 Monarch StTake the ferrry to Alameda to enjoy their extensive beer list and food trucks. Great outdoor space!
Take the ferry to Alameda and try and catch one of their free tours!
65 locals recommend
St. George Spirits
2601 Monarch StTake the ferry to Alameda and try and catch one of their free tours!
Willkommen
2198 Market StIndoor beer garden!
Dive Bars
Spec's
270 Columbus AveRed Jack Saloon
131 Bay StMark and Laurie's Boston Bar.
Mr. Bing's
201 Columbus Ave
Zeitgeist
199 Valencia StHigh End Restaurants and Bars
The Devil's Acre
256 Columbus AveOne of my favorite places in North Beach for cocktails.
15 Romolo Pl
15 Romolo PlaceGreat food too!
Rickhouse
246 Kearny St
Charmaine's
45 McAllister St
Local Edition
691 Market StTry to get one of the booth rooms!
One of the most inventive bar menus, they also have great food! Don't miss the kale salad of burger (served on a hot dog bun).
280 locals recommend
Trick Dog
3010 20th StOne of the most inventive bar menus, they also have great food! Don't miss the kale salad of burger (served on a hot dog bun).
Saison
178 Townsend StThe Saratoga
1000 Larkin StNightbird
330 Gough St
Rich Table
199 Gough StTrue Laurel
753 Alabama St
Flour + Water
2401 Harrison Sta Mano
450 Hayes StLobby Bar
Dancing / Clubs
Le Colonial
20 Cosmo Pl
The Great Northern
119 Utah StF8
1192 Folsom StreetThe Midway
900 Marin St
Monarch
101 6th StCheck out the secret pawn shop restaurant next door.