Jamie’s San Francisco guidebook
Bars
Vesuvio Cafe
255 Columbus AveReally fun beat-era bar that is steeped in San Francisco history.
Smuggler's Cove
650 Gough StFantastic tiki bar with incredible ambiance.
True Laurel
753 Alabama StThe best cocktail bar in the city, in my educated opinion.
Another top-notch cocktail bar that has rotating themes and a surprisingly great kale salad.
280 locals recommend
Trick Dog
3010 20th StAnother top-notch cocktail bar that has rotating themes and a surprisingly great kale salad.
Basically a perfect neighborhood bar, with excellent, inventive cocktails, great food, a pool table, and sofas.
32 locals recommend
Evil Eye
2937 Mission StBasically a perfect neighborhood bar, with excellent, inventive cocktails, great food, a pool table, and sofas.
The Interval at Long Now
2 Marina BlvdA fascinating, unique bar in the cool Ft. Mason area.
If you want to sip on a beverage and take in the city lights at night this is the place! If you can nab a table by the epic windows it really is special.
51 locals recommend
The View Lounge
780 Mission StIf you want to sip on a beverage and take in the city lights at night this is the place! If you can nab a table by the epic windows it really is special.
Piano bar where highly skilled patrons get up and sing. Lots of broadway stars on their night off. Great on a Monday!
80 locals recommend
Martuni's
4 Valencia StreetPiano bar where highly skilled patrons get up and sing. Lots of broadway stars on their night off. Great on a Monday!
Charmaine's
45 McAllister StBuzzy rooftop spot with great views and decor
Sightseeing
A gorgeous, one-hour roundtrip coastal walk in the city with views of the Golden Gate bridge. Free parking lot.
694 locals recommend
Lands End Trail
Lands End TrailA gorgeous, one-hour roundtrip coastal walk in the city with views of the Golden Gate bridge. Free parking lot.
Many great restaurants and shops within- go for lunch or have a wander.
189 locals recommend
Ferry Building
Many great restaurants and shops within- go for lunch or have a wander.
Church Of 8 Wheels
554 Fillmore StRoller skating in an old church.
Very small museum that often has interesting exhibitions.
31 locals recommend
Museum of Craft and Design
2569 3rd StVery small museum that often has interesting exhibitions.
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrGreat art museum in Golden Gate Park.
I suggest you prioritize which areas to visit first so you don't tucker out before you get to them!
813 locals recommend
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd StI suggest you prioritize which areas to visit first so you don't tucker out before you get to them!
Food scene
Good Good Culture Club
3560 18th StreetHip, modern Asian fare.
Mijoté
2400 Harrison StreetVery good, relaxed prix fixe dining. Top notch.
Delicious non-traditional Chinese food in a lively environment.
153 locals recommend
Mission Chinese Food
2234 Mission StDelicious non-traditional Chinese food in a lively environment.
Trestle
531 Jackson StAlways good- affordable prix fixe dinner.
Loló
974 Valencia StVery popular modern Mexican restaurant. Go early!
Go for a pastry, to buy a loaf, or for sit-down dining. Hip space right next to Heath ceramics.
155 locals recommend
Tartine Manufactory
595 Alabama StGo for a pastry, to buy a loaf, or for sit-down dining. Hip space right next to Heath ceramics.
Blue Plate
3218 Mission StClassic American dishes done well- with a lovely patio out back!
Breakfast Little
3275 22nd StreetPerfect breakfast burritos + interesting oatmeal.
Liliana
2875 18th StreetReally fun modern restaurant/bar with contemporary nibbles and great cocktails.
Saru Sushi Bar
3856 24th StGreat sushi.
State Bird Provisions
1529 Fillmore StHigh end small plates. Has a Michelin star.
Great soul food- a favorite for brunch. It’s in a gritty neighborhood.
185 locals recommend
Brenda's French Soul Food
652 Polk StGreat soul food- a favorite for brunch. It’s in a gritty neighborhood.
Il cilentano
579 Columbus AvenueGreat homemade pasta in a fun neighborhood.
Best bakery in the city! They have really interesting pastries on offer.
85 locals recommend
Neighbor Bakehouse
2343 3rd StBest bakery in the city! They have really interesting pastries on offer.
Arsicault Bakery
397 Arguello BlvdPerfect croissants. PERFECT.
Shops
Wasteland
1660 Haight StSuper fun shop on upper Haight for vintage and curated second hand.
Gorgeous shop for curated liquor + wine, gourmet grocery items.
40 locals recommend
The Epicurean Trader
401 Cortland AveGorgeous shop for curated liquor + wine, gourmet grocery items.
Traveler advice
Ways to save
Check Goldstar.com for discounted theater tickets
There are some great scores, including opera tickets.
Getting around
Be careful with parking!
Always check what zone and time limit you are parked in. I find it helpful to set an alarm on my phone to get back in time. NEVER leave valuables in your car, break-ins are common in San Francisco.
What to pack
Layers, layers, layers.
San Francisco varies a lot temperature and weather-wise by neighborhood and time of day. Always bring layers.