Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
One of our favorite dinner spots in the city. Everything we've tried on the menu, we've enjoyed. Request seating in the back terrace. Food style is American/Californian.
35 locals recommend
Isa Restaurant
3324 Steiner StOne of our favorite dinner spots in the city. Everything we've tried on the menu, we've enjoyed. Request seating in the back terrace. Food style is American/Californian.
Great brunch/coffee spot. Sit down or to go. Delicious croissants. Same company as the one we recommend on Union street.
30 locals recommend
La Boulange
2300 Polk StreetGreat brunch/coffee spot. Sit down or to go. Delicious croissants. Same company as the one we recommend on Union street.
Great brunch/coffee spot. Sit down or to go. Delicious croissants. Same company as the one we recommend on Polk street.
50 locals recommend
Perry's on Union
1944 Union StGreat brunch/coffee spot. Sit down or to go. Delicious croissants. Same company as the one we recommend on Polk street.
Aux Delices
2327 Polk StOur favorite Vietnamese spot in the area!
Hate it or love it, we had to include this Starbucks (it's also newly renovated!)
512 locals recommend
Starbucks
2132 Chestnut StHate it or love it, we had to include this Starbucks (it's also newly renovated!)
Hipster new coffee place that offers cold brew coffee (not often found elsewhere). Offers a really laid back and cool vibe. Check out upstairs seating.
71 locals recommend
Saint Frank Coffee
2340 Polk StHipster new coffee place that offers cold brew coffee (not often found elsewhere). Offers a really laid back and cool vibe. Check out upstairs seating.
A bit more hole in the wall, shabby-chic, but great for a quick coffee or tea, and they have great wraps and sandwiches.
Notes From Underground
2399 Van Ness AveA bit more hole in the wall, shabby-chic, but great for a quick coffee or tea, and they have great wraps and sandwiches.
Lemongrass Thai Cuisine
2348 Polk StDependable Thai cuisine that's reasonably priced.
Capannina
1809 Union StGreat Italian cuisine
Osha Thai Restaurant
2033 Union StreetSlightly overpriced for Thai food, but a fun modern vibe.
Umami Burger Marina
2184 Union StGreat burger joint.
Roam Artisan Burgers
1785 Union StA favorite burger joint of ours. Good for a quick burger.
Great taco place. On Tuesday they are only $2 each. Always order them Nick's Way!
86 locals recommend
Nick's Crispy Tacos
3200 BroadwayGreat taco place. On Tuesday they are only $2 each. Always order them Nick's Way!
Hands down best burritos in the city. Great post-drinks spot to prevent a hangover for the next day, but be prepared to wait in a long line.
169 locals recommend
Taquería El Farolito
2779 Mission StHands down best burritos in the city. Great post-drinks spot to prevent a hangover for the next day, but be prepared to wait in a long line.
Our favorite Thai spot in the city. One (and perhaps the only) redeeming thing about the Tenderloin is that it is full of amazing food. Get the pork belly and 5 spice duck!
90 locals recommend
Lers Ros
730 Larkin StOur favorite Thai spot in the city. One (and perhaps the only) redeeming thing about the Tenderloin is that it is full of amazing food. Get the pork belly and 5 spice duck!
Saigon Sandwich
560 Larkin StQuick and cheap banh mi sandwiches.
One of the best Indian places in the city. Cheap, but no quick - relatively slow service, but it's BYOB so bring a 6 pack and enjoy some great Indian food.
23 locals recommend
Lahore Karahi
612 O'Farrell StOne of the best Indian places in the city. Cheap, but no quick - relatively slow service, but it's BYOB so bring a 6 pack and enjoy some great Indian food.
Great ramen in the city. Small and long lines, but worth it in our opinion.
14 locals recommend
Ramen Underground
356 Kearny StGreat ramen in the city. Small and long lines, but worth it in our opinion.
More ramen in the city. If the line is long, ask if you can sit downstairs, which has plenty of seating, but isn't always open.
16 locals recommend
Katana Ya
422 Geary StMore ramen in the city. If the line is long, ask if you can sit downstairs, which has plenty of seating, but isn't always open.
Ottimista Restaurant & Bar
1838 Union StreetGreat Italian with great wine. Intimate ambience.
A great Japanese restaurant - not to be mistaken by the similarly named Umami Burger next door!
33 locals recommend
Umami
2909 Webster StreetA great Japanese restaurant - not to be mistaken by the similarly named Umami Burger next door!
Really good and surprisingly affordable sushi in the Marina. Ambience leaves much to be desired, but the food makes up for it.
38 locals recommend
Zushi Puzzle
1910 Lombard StReally good and surprisingly affordable sushi in the Marina. Ambience leaves much to be desired, but the food makes up for it.
Alegrias
2018 Webster StGreat tapas place.
Elephant Sushi
1916 Hyde StAmazing sushi, but be prepared to wait. Make a reservation!
Pacific Catch
1200 9th AveGreat Mexican - tacos and seafood here.
Tacolicious
741 Valencia StSlightly overpriced, but great tacos.
Bob's Donuts and Pastries
1621 Polk StGreat donut shop. Ask for whatever's hot!
It's A Grind Coffee House
1800 Polk StGreat coffee shop on Polk.
Leopold's
2400 Polk StGreat German food.
Drinks & Nightlife
Lots of dive bars line this street from Union all the way down to Sutter. Staying out late and hungry? Try to find the infamous SF bacon wrapped hot dogs being sold on the street after hours!
61 locals recommend
Polk Street
Polk StreetLots of dive bars line this street from Union all the way down to Sutter. Staying out late and hungry? Try to find the infamous SF bacon wrapped hot dogs being sold on the street after hours!
The Brick Yard
1787 Union StSpacious bar/restaurant in the area.
Come here for a drink and watch whatever game might be playing tonight.
25 locals recommend
Greens Sports Bar
2239 Polk StCome here for a drink and watch whatever game might be playing tonight.
Great pirate themed bar - grab a table and get their famous group drink - the Volcano, which is set on fire!
100 locals recommend
Smuggler's Cove
650 Gough StGreat pirate themed bar - grab a table and get their famous group drink - the Volcano, which is set on fire!
Great whisky bar - ask to go to the library for a more relaxed ambience to sip your drink.
161 locals recommend
Bourbon & Branch
501 Jones StGreat whisky bar - ask to go to the library for a more relaxed ambience to sip your drink.
Rye
688 Geary StLow key bar with a lounge area. Great for groups.
Fun Hawaiian themed bar. There's a basketball shooting game in the back which is a lot of fun.
8 locals recommend
Mauna Loa Club
3009 Fillmore StFun Hawaiian themed bar. There's a basketball shooting game in the back which is a lot of fun.
A favorite of people who live in the Marina - lots of bros playing beer pong if that's your scene.
13 locals recommend
Bar None
1980 Union StA favorite of people who live in the Marina - lots of bros playing beer pong if that's your scene.
Bullitt
2209 Polk StBar with some finger foods. Get the totchos...disgustingly good
Club that people either love or hate. Music and clientele heavily varied depending on the night.
37 locals recommend
Ruby Skye
420 Mason StreetClub that people either love or hate. Music and clientele heavily varied depending on the night.
Everything Else
A staple of SF's tourist attractions. We recommend not driving on Lombard to get here, instead take Larkin to avoid the crazy lines that last all day.
345 locals recommend
Lombard Street
Lombard StreetA staple of SF's tourist attractions. We recommend not driving on Lombard to get here, instead take Larkin to avoid the crazy lines that last all day.
Play tennis or basketball with a beautiful view of the city. It's a small but very steep walk to the top, but well worth the views
17 locals recommend
Alice Marble Tennis Courts
1200 Greenwich StPlay tennis or basketball with a beautiful view of the city. It's a small but very steep walk to the top, but well worth the views
Historical event center in SF. On Friday's in the summer they have tons of food trucks here, a weekly event called Off the Grid.
There's a great farmer's market on Sundays.
161 locals recommend
Fort Mason
2 Marina BlvdHistorical event center in SF. On Friday's in the summer they have tons of food trucks here, a weekly event called Off the Grid.
There's a great farmer's market on Sundays.
Sightseeing
Marina Green Triangle
Great open grassy area that is perfect for a morning run.
Huge open field with plenty of space to throw frisbees, have a football game, or picnic.
426 locals recommend
Crissy Field
Huge open field with plenty of space to throw frisbees, have a football game, or picnic.
A super touristy area that has lots of souvenirs and overpriced restaurants.
713 locals recommend
Fisherman's Wharf
2801 Leavenworth StA super touristy area that has lots of souvenirs and overpriced restaurants.
You won't believe that you are in San Francisco when you come across this picturesque dome. Bring a picnic and get ready for a serene setting. Worth coming back at night because it glows red!
463 locals recommend
Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon StYou won't believe that you are in San Francisco when you come across this picturesque dome. Bring a picnic and get ready for a serene setting. Worth coming back at night because it glows red!
Take an elevator to the top of Coit Tower for a beautiful view of the city.
545 locals recommend
Coit Tower
Take an elevator to the top of Coit Tower for a beautiful view of the city.
Come take a few pictures with the buildings that Full House made famous.
300 locals recommend
Painted Ladies
Hayes StreetCome take a few pictures with the buildings that Full House made famous.
Do not leave SF without coming to take a few pictures here. Bike or walk across to soak it all in.
1321 locals recommend
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate BridgeDo not leave SF without coming to take a few pictures here. Bike or walk across to soak it all in.
Great views of the bridge here. Huge swaths of tourists though. We recommend going to the Alexander exit and turning onto Battery. There are a few stops on the hill. Very different, but awesome view.
15 locals recommend
Vista Point
Great views of the bridge here. Huge swaths of tourists though. We recommend going to the Alexander exit and turning onto Battery. There are a few stops on the hill. Very different, but awesome view.
Great hike if you don't want to leave SF. Reserve about 3-4 hours.
694 locals recommend
Lands End Trail
Lands End TrailGreat hike if you don't want to leave SF. Reserve about 3-4 hours.
George R. Moscone Recreation Center
1800 Chestnut StSmall playground
Allyne Park
2609 Gough StCute park that you can walk through during daytime hours.
Arts & Culture
Our favorite karaoke spot in the city. It's private room style, so bring a group of friends and get ready to sing your heart out. The ground level is also a sushi bar, but we've only been for karaoke.
YamaSho
1161 Post StOur favorite karaoke spot in the city. It's private room style, so bring a group of friends and get ready to sing your heart out. The ground level is also a sushi bar, but we've only been for karaoke.
Shopping
Our local laundry place! What time zone is it in? GREENWICH CLEAN TIME!
6 locals recommend
Greenwich Clean Time
1720 Greenwich StOur local laundry place! What time zone is it in? GREENWICH CLEAN TIME!
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
3950 24th StClosest whole foods to us
Sherman Market
1598 Union StNearby market with liquor and other snacks
Rutily's Market
1700 Filbert StNearby market with liquor, small groceries, and other snacks.
Safeway
15 Marina BlvdClosest major supermarket to us. Also known as "Singles Safeway".