Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
This is my go-to coffee place in the neighborhood. No frills, down-to-earth and friendly. Adam, Sandra and Jasmine will take good care of you.
41 locals recommend
Momi Toby's Revolution Cafe
528 Laguna StThis is my go-to coffee place in the neighborhood. No frills, down-to-earth and friendly. Adam, Sandra and Jasmine will take good care of you.
We usually stop in here for a casual dinner on a Sunday night. It's popular--expect a fair number of kids dining with parents. Nice corner location across from Precita Park.
260 locals recommend
Precita Park Cafe & Grill
500 Precita AvenueWe usually stop in here for a casual dinner on a Sunday night. It's popular--expect a fair number of kids dining with parents. Nice corner location across from Precita Park.
This is one of our favorite breakfast spots. Very popular-expect a line. Good food, good prices and quite a few vegetarian/ vegan options. They also serve lunch and again the menu options are many.
58 locals recommend
Boogaloos
3296 22nd StThis is one of our favorite breakfast spots. Very popular-expect a line. Good food, good prices and quite a few vegetarian/ vegan options. They also serve lunch and again the menu options are many.
The BEST pizza. Seriously huge slices. You've got to try the garlic potato pesto. That's all there is to be said!
47 locals recommend
Escape From New York Pizza
1737 Haight StThe BEST pizza. Seriously huge slices. You've got to try the garlic potato pesto. That's all there is to be said!
Our favorite Indian restaurant. You don't go there for the atmosphere or the décor--it's pretty generic--but the food is excellent. I always get the same thing: Paneer Bhuna (mild)!
11 locals recommend
Spicy Bite
3501 Mission StreetOur favorite Indian restaurant. You don't go there for the atmosphere or the décor--it's pretty generic--but the food is excellent. I always get the same thing: Paneer Bhuna (mild)!
The most delicious coffee in the city. My order is always the same--Short Decaf Americano. So smooth and sweet--delicious! A bit loud and cavernous inside but sweet little sitting area out front.
348 locals recommend
Four Barrel Coffee
375 Valencia StThe most delicious coffee in the city. My order is always the same--Short Decaf Americano. So smooth and sweet--delicious! A bit loud and cavernous inside but sweet little sitting area out front.
Fairly unpretentious restaurant/bar with good food and a good vibe. Not inexpensive (this is SF after all), but not too crazy pricey. Outside table or window seat allows for good people watching.
19 locals recommend
Luna Park
694 Valencia StreetFairly unpretentious restaurant/bar with good food and a good vibe. Not inexpensive (this is SF after all), but not too crazy pricey. Outside table or window seat allows for good people watching.
THE place to eat in Chinatown. The service is bad, but the food is outstanding. DO NOT tell them this is your first visit, or they will try to order for you. If they ask, say you've been there before
41 locals recommend
House of Nanking
919 Kearny StTHE place to eat in Chinatown. The service is bad, but the food is outstanding. DO NOT tell them this is your first visit, or they will try to order for you. If they ask, say you've been there before
The only place I know that makes Indian pizza. It's deliciously out-of-the-ordinary. They have a meat version and a veggie version. The rest of their menu is nothing special--go for the pizza!
39 locals recommend
Zante Pizza & Indian Cuisine
3489 Mission StThe only place I know that makes Indian pizza. It's deliciously out-of-the-ordinary. They have a meat version and a veggie version. The rest of their menu is nothing special--go for the pizza!
Philz Coffee has a loyal following. I was a little overwhelmed by all the choices the first time I went, but if you're coffee savvy, you'll be fine. They take their coffee seriously.
913 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
3101 24th StPhilz Coffee has a loyal following. I was a little overwhelmed by all the choices the first time I went, but if you're coffee savvy, you'll be fine. They take their coffee seriously.
Three favorite things about this place: it's right next to the 24th Street BART station, it's open late, and they make a mighty good burrito. Gets busy at night, especially on weekends.
169 locals recommend
Taquería El Farolito
2779 Mission StThree favorite things about this place: it's right next to the 24th Street BART station, it's open late, and they make a mighty good burrito. Gets busy at night, especially on weekends.
If you're an adventurous foodie and/or love ice cream, you have to check out Humphry Slocombe. The ice cream is utterly delicious and the flavors range from fairly traditional to downright outlandish
224 locals recommend
Humphry Slocombe
If you're an adventurous foodie and/or love ice cream, you have to check out Humphry Slocombe. The ice cream is utterly delicious and the flavors range from fairly traditional to downright outlandish
Shopping
This particular Walgreens is only a couple of years old, so it's big and bright and generally well-stocked. It opens early, too (8 a.m. I think) which can come in handy.
116 locals recommend
Walgreens
1496 Market StThis particular Walgreens is only a couple of years old, so it's big and bright and generally well-stocked. It opens early, too (8 a.m. I think) which can come in handy.
Delicious ice cream made by an SF family that's been in the biz for more than 60 years. On warm days, there's a line, and you need to get a number inside. Solid, unpretentious neighborhood place.
214 locals recommend
Mitchell's Ice Cream
688 San Jose AvenueDelicious ice cream made by an SF family that's been in the biz for more than 60 years. On warm days, there's a line, and you need to get a number inside. Solid, unpretentious neighborhood place.
If you're in Dolores Park, you might want to walk over to this ice cream shop that is a favorite with the hipster crowd. Always a line on a warm day. My top picks: chocolate and sea salt caramel
476 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th StIf you're in Dolores Park, you might want to walk over to this ice cream shop that is a favorite with the hipster crowd. Always a line on a warm day. My top picks: chocolate and sea salt caramel
If you like your pastrami and pickles house-made and served with a side of hipster authenticity, you'll love Wise Sons. Plus they cater to vegetarians with a Smoked Trumpet Mushroom Reuben--yum!
146 locals recommend
Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
3150 24th StIf you like your pastrami and pickles house-made and served with a side of hipster authenticity, you'll love Wise Sons. Plus they cater to vegetarians with a Smoked Trumpet Mushroom Reuben--yum!
Everything Else
A small, mellow park to hang out in. Lots of folks bring their dogs here, and there's a small playground at one end. Great place to have your own informal picnic lunch and catch some rays.
95 locals recommend
Precita Park
3200 Folsom StA small, mellow park to hang out in. Lots of folks bring their dogs here, and there's a small playground at one end. Great place to have your own informal picnic lunch and catch some rays.
Some of the best people watching in the city. Take a blanket, a book and a lunch and soak in all the San Francisco character--there's lots of it here!
1244 locals recommend
Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetSome of the best people watching in the city. Take a blanket, a book and a lunch and soak in all the San Francisco character--there's lots of it here!
Getting around the city is so easy on BART. I love that were just an 8-10 minute walk to this station. Or take the 67 bus from our neighborhood for a 4 minute ride to this BART. Super convenient!
227 locals recommend
24th St Mission station
Getting around the city is so easy on BART. I love that were just an 8-10 minute walk to this station. Or take the 67 bus from our neighborhood for a 4 minute ride to this BART. Super convenient!
This lesbian bar welcomes all. It's best feature is the "garden" out back--benches and mismatched furniture are scattered throughout. It's really like hanging out in your backyard. Very chill.
121 locals recommend
Wild Side West
424 Cortland AveThis lesbian bar welcomes all. It's best feature is the "garden" out back--benches and mismatched furniture are scattered throughout. It's really like hanging out in your backyard. Very chill.
This is a beautiful, old Art Deco movie theater that shows a mix of first-run & classic movies. Most evening shows begin w/a live pipe organ performance-so fun. And have the popcorn--it's the best.
332 locals recommend
Castro Theatre
429 Castro StThis is a beautiful, old Art Deco movie theater that shows a mix of first-run & classic movies. Most evening shows begin w/a live pipe organ performance-so fun. And have the popcorn--it's the best.
Beautiful, easy-to-walk trail above the Pacific. The view is unbeatable. You can take it all the way from Lands End to the Golden Gate Bridge--about a 6-mile hike.
694 locals recommend
Lands End Trail
Lands End TrailBeautiful, easy-to-walk trail above the Pacific. The view is unbeatable. You can take it all the way from Lands End to the Golden Gate Bridge--about a 6-mile hike.
Sightseeing
An arcade full of amusements & games from the 18th & 19th centuries. Old mechanical contraptions that you won't see anywhere else. Get $5 worth of quarters from the change machine and have fun!
87 locals recommend
Musée Mécanique
Fishermans WharfAn arcade full of amusements & games from the 18th & 19th centuries. Old mechanical contraptions that you won't see anywhere else. Get $5 worth of quarters from the change machine and have fun!
On the second floor of this big bakery/café is a little museum that takes you through the history of San Francisco and this iconic bakery. I found it fascinating. Best $5 I ever spent on a tour.
39 locals recommend
Boudin at the Wharf
160 Jefferson StOn the second floor of this big bakery/café is a little museum that takes you through the history of San Francisco and this iconic bakery. I found it fascinating. Best $5 I ever spent on a tour.
Drinks & Nightlife
The oldest bar in San Francisco; it survived the 1906 earthquake and fire. It is a classic dive bar best known for its blues music and the collection of characters who frequent it.
31 locals recommend
The Saloon
1232 Grant AveThe oldest bar in San Francisco; it survived the 1906 earthquake and fire. It is a classic dive bar best known for its blues music and the collection of characters who frequent it.
Why I love Martuni's piano bar: large, delicious martinis ($11), unpretentious vibe & rousing sing-a-longs! Totally mixed crowd--gay/straight, young/old, locals/visitors, etc. I always have fun here
80 locals recommend
Martuni's
4 Valencia StreetWhy I love Martuni's piano bar: large, delicious martinis ($11), unpretentious vibe & rousing sing-a-longs! Totally mixed crowd--gay/straight, young/old, locals/visitors, etc. I always have fun here
Essentials
This little corner store is packed full of organic produce, specialty sodas, cheeses, breads, etc. Can be a little pricey, but I'm a fan of Panorama Bread, and local produce is often a bargain.
76 locals recommend
Harvest Hills Market
3216 Folsom StThis little corner store is packed full of organic produce, specialty sodas, cheeses, breads, etc. Can be a little pricey, but I'm a fan of Panorama Bread, and local produce is often a bargain.
This is a worker-owned co-op so points for righteousness. They have daily loaf specials plus rolls, croissants, scones. I suggest walking back & forth in front of the place just enjoying the aromas.
320 locals recommend
Arizmendi Bakery
1331 9th AveThis is a worker-owned co-op so points for righteousness. They have daily loaf specials plus rolls, croissants, scones. I suggest walking back & forth in front of the place just enjoying the aromas.