Guidebook for San Francisco
Drinks & Nightlife
A neighborhood gastro pubs, a 10-15 minute walk away. http://goo.gl/M79AXc Serves a great Sunday Brunch, including the perfect cure for a hangover, the BELT (bacon, fried egg, lettuce, tomato).
8 locals recommend
The Witch Doctor's Lounge
4826 Mission StreetA neighborhood gastro pubs, a 10-15 minute walk away. http://goo.gl/M79AXc Serves a great Sunday Brunch, including the perfect cure for a hangover, the BELT (bacon, fried egg, lettuce, tomato).
We love this place. Gastro pub masquerading as a dive bar. Yelp rating: http://goo.gl/1YSp53 Grab some friends and share a beer tower. Link to menu http://goo.gl/mwYo8d
47 locals recommend
The Broken Record
1166 Geneva AveWe love this place. Gastro pub masquerading as a dive bar. Yelp rating: http://goo.gl/1YSp53 Grab some friends and share a beer tower. Link to menu http://goo.gl/mwYo8d
This is a totally locally bar. Try the pub food at Pete's Bitchin Kitchen..the pop up inside the bar. Over 21 only!
20 locals recommend
Pissed Off Pete's
4528 Mission StThis is a totally locally bar. Try the pub food at Pete's Bitchin Kitchen..the pop up inside the bar. Over 21 only!
The Royal Cuckoo
3202 Mission StCraft Cocktails at the base of Bernal Heightts
Food Scene
A 15 minute walk to the best Neapolitan-style pizza in the city. In nearby Glen Park, a destination for locals throughout the Bay Area! http://goo.gl/9jjY2Y Make sure to try their excellent salads.
137 locals recommend
Gialina
2842 Diamond StA 15 minute walk to the best Neapolitan-style pizza in the city. In nearby Glen Park, a destination for locals throughout the Bay Area! http://goo.gl/9jjY2Y Make sure to try their excellent salads.
Roxie's is famous for their deli sandwiches. Are you up to the challenge of ordering a la carte? Or go for one of their great specials. WARNING: The sandwiches are HUGE!
24 locals recommend
Roxie Food Center
1901 San Jose AvenueRoxie's is famous for their deli sandwiches. Are you up to the challenge of ordering a la carte? Or go for one of their great specials. WARNING: The sandwiches are HUGE!
Free WiFi, terrific coffee. Our go-to for roasted beans by the pound. They grind the beans on the spot to order.
60 locals recommend
Bello Coffee & Tea
2885 Diamond StFree WiFi, terrific coffee. Our go-to for roasted beans by the pound. They grind the beans on the spot to order.
French Bistro in nearby Glen Park that offers the classics. Kid-friendly, especially when you go to dinner just after opening.
101 locals recommend
Le P'tit Laurent
689 Chenery StFrench Bistro in nearby Glen Park that offers the classics. Kid-friendly, especially when you go to dinner just after opening.
This is a classic San Francisco Burrito experience. Good, cheap and filling. Unless you are starving, order a baby burrito!
117 locals recommend
La Corneta Taqueria
2834 Diamond StThis is a classic San Francisco Burrito experience. Good, cheap and filling. Unless you are starving, order a baby burrito!
The most delicious croissants (small, delicate and packed with butter) and tarts.
48 locals recommend
Destination Baking Company
598 Chenery StThe most delicious croissants (small, delicate and packed with butter) and tarts.
Though we haven't tried it, this convenient coffee shop is well thought of on Yelp: http://goo.gl/7f7I6w
6 locals recommend
Tasty Coffee
1818 San Jose AvenueThough we haven't tried it, this convenient coffee shop is well thought of on Yelp: http://goo.gl/7f7I6w
World class restarurant famous for food and an outdoor screening space. Perhaps the best Sunday brunch in the Mission district.
343 locals recommend
Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission StWorld class restarurant famous for food and an outdoor screening space. Perhaps the best Sunday brunch in the Mission district.
American comfort food....we love the friend chicken dinner. Yelp rating: http://goo.gl/BteGbd
158 locals recommend
The Front Porch
65 29th StAmerican comfort food....we love the friend chicken dinner. Yelp rating: http://goo.gl/BteGbd
Baby Blues gets it right with their smoked ribs and brisket. http://goo.gl/zikUmL
43 locals recommend
Baby Blues BBQ
3149 Mission StBaby Blues gets it right with their smoked ribs and brisket. http://goo.gl/zikUmL
Dive bar | gastro pub. Great assortment of local beers. Link to Yelp http://goo.gl/42RBr8
37 locals recommend
The Dark Horse Inn
942 Geneva AveDive bar | gastro pub. Great assortment of local beers. Link to Yelp http://goo.gl/42RBr8
Owned by friends Liz and Chad, an amazing institution of Mission's gourmet ghetto. French bread sells out daily within 45 minutes. It's a real scene here but a lot of fun.
768 locals recommend
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero StOwned by friends Liz and Chad, an amazing institution of Mission's gourmet ghetto. French bread sells out daily within 45 minutes. It's a real scene here but a lot of fun.
Awonderful restaurant featuring an Hungarian inspired menu and known for wonderful hospitality (this has nothing to do with our friendship). http://goo.gl/rauT9Y
79 locals recommend
Bar Tartine
561 Valencia StreetAwonderful restaurant featuring an Hungarian inspired menu and known for wonderful hospitality (this has nothing to do with our friendship). http://goo.gl/rauT9Y
One of the best affordable luxuries in San Francisco....ice cream! Our secret to going often without gaining a bunch of weight is to order a kid's scoop.
476 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th StOne of the best affordable luxuries in San Francisco....ice cream! Our secret to going often without gaining a bunch of weight is to order a kid's scoop.
Just plain yummy and close by too! Large variety of ice cream, sundaes and cakes. Try one of their seasonal flavors. http://goo.gl/S1zCrI Yelp: http://goo.gl/iV7xH7
214 locals recommend
Mitchell's Ice Cream
688 San Jose AvenueJust plain yummy and close by too! Large variety of ice cream, sundaes and cakes. Try one of their seasonal flavors. http://goo.gl/S1zCrI Yelp: http://goo.gl/iV7xH7
Sushi, ramen, and other Japanese food at this trendy Glen Park eatery.
33 locals recommend
Tataki Canyon
678 Chenery StreetSushi, ramen, and other Japanese food at this trendy Glen Park eatery.
Stylish and tasty Thai food right across from the BART station in Glen Park
30 locals recommend
Osha Thai Glen Park
2922 Diamond StreetStylish and tasty Thai food right across from the BART station in Glen Park
TY Sandwiches
4829 Mission StSome of the best Bahn Mi around!
La Nebbia
Upscale Italian restaurant, and the J-Church stops right in front!
A neighborhood staple, this Sardinian restaurant is the same owners as La Nebbia and right on the J-Church line in Noe Valley
146 locals recommend
La Ciccia
291 30th StA neighborhood staple, this Sardinian restaurant is the same owners as La Nebbia and right on the J-Church line in Noe Valley
A popular place for breakfast and lunch in Noe Valley, right on the J-Church line
121 locals recommend
Toast Eatery
1748 Church StA popular place for breakfast and lunch in Noe Valley, right on the J-Church line
Tyger's Coffee Shop
2798 Diamond StA Glen Park institution, very popular for breakfast and lunch
This coffee shop is known for it's crepes and breakfast
51 locals recommend
Higher Grounds Coffee House
691 Chenery StThis coffee shop is known for it's crepes and breakfast
Quan Pho
1031 Ocean AvenueGreat cheap and cheerful Vietnamese. The chicken noodle soup is the best around!
Henry's Hunan Restaurant
4753 Mission StReally good Chinese. They are cheerful and they deliver!
Remember the broccoli pizza in "Inside Out?" This is the spot...there is another branch in the Inner Sunset. One type of pizza per day and it is amazing. Really. Take it to go, or eat it in Dolores Park before you catch the J home
320 locals recommend
Arizmendi Bakery
1331 9th AveRemember the broccoli pizza in "Inside Out?" This is the spot...there is another branch in the Inner Sunset. One type of pizza per day and it is amazing. Really. Take it to go, or eat it in Dolores Park before you catch the J home
The cumin lamb is great at this little hole in the wall Chinese steps from our place. Try the dumplings and fried rice too! Check your order before you bring it home though:)
Sungari Dumpling House
4543 Mission StreetThe cumin lamb is great at this little hole in the wall Chinese steps from our place. Try the dumplings and fried rice too! Check your order before you bring it home though:)
Getting Around
Need to use a car for a few hours? Grab a Zipcar http://goo.gl/OW853I from 3 nearby locations. This one is in nearby Glen Park, just 15 minutes away on foot.
Zipcar Location
Need to use a car for a few hours? Grab a Zipcar http://goo.gl/OW853I from 3 nearby locations. This one is in nearby Glen Park, just 15 minutes away on foot.
BART operates trains to quickly take you to downtown San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area including SFO and Oakland airports. Our most convenient stop is Glen Park, just 15 minutes away on foot.
154 locals recommend
Glen Park Station
2901 Diamond StBART operates trains to quickly take you to downtown San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area including SFO and Oakland airports. Our most convenient stop is Glen Park, just 15 minutes away on foot.
Essentials
Locally owned high quality grocery store. http://goo.gl/M1kbW3 They have it all: good wine selection, great butcher and fish market, good produce and baked goods as well as prepared foods.
156 locals recommend
Canyon Market
2815 Diamond StLocally owned high quality grocery store. http://goo.gl/M1kbW3 They have it all: good wine selection, great butcher and fish market, good produce and baked goods as well as prepared foods.
Our local corner store. Essentials like milk, beer, wine and perfect for late night pizza....delivered. The nearest post office box is located here.
17 locals recommend
Red Sea Pizza and Market
1801 San Jose AvenueOur local corner store. Essentials like milk, beer, wine and perfect for late night pizza....delivered. The nearest post office box is located here.
Whole Foods...good, reliable if expensive produce and groceries. Weekly specials are the way to go. Excellent prepared food section. Large underground parking is available.
905 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3950 24th StWhole Foods...good, reliable if expensive produce and groceries. Weekly specials are the way to go. Excellent prepared food section. Large underground parking is available.
Our favorite inexpensive spot to get lemons, limes (usually 10 for $1), pre-soaked beans of all kinds, and watermelon. Words can't express what a great value this is.
12 locals recommend
Casa Lucaz #3 Produce and Meat Market
4555 Mission StOur favorite inexpensive spot to get lemons, limes (usually 10 for $1), pre-soaked beans of all kinds, and watermelon. Words can't express what a great value this is.
Small, high quality farmer's market every Sunday in Glen Park. A great resource but can get a little $$.
6 locals recommend
Glen Park Village Farmer's Market
590 Bosworth StreetSmall, high quality farmer's market every Sunday in Glen Park. A great resource but can get a little $$.
We never miss this massive Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Go early (8am) for the largest selection. Vendors start offering deals as early as 11:30am.
104 locals recommend
Alemany Farmers Market
100 Alemany BlvdWe never miss this massive Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Go early (8am) for the largest selection. Vendors start offering deals as early as 11:30am.
The owner Sam single-handedly grew his family's market to be the anchor of Mission's gourmet ghetto. Secret: Free wine delivery if you buy a case. http://goo.gl/CXjkQM
651 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th StThe owner Sam single-handedly grew his family's market to be the anchor of Mission's gourmet ghetto. Secret: Free wine delivery if you buy a case. http://goo.gl/CXjkQM
Everything Else
Glen Park Cleaners
701 Chenery StHigh quality dry cleaning and laundry service. They do small repairs too.
What can we say...it's a large chain drug store....10 minutes away on foot.
95 locals recommend
Walgreens
4645 Mission StWhat can we say...it's a large chain drug store....10 minutes away on foot.
The closest full service post office, just 10 minutes away on foot.
8 locals recommend
United States Postal Service
15 Onondaga AveThe closest full service post office, just 10 minutes away on foot.
San Jose Coin-Op
1840 San Jose AvenueThis is the closest laundry, clean, and close by!
Flora Grubb Gardens
1634 Jerrold AveIt's a nursery, it's a coffee shop, it's one of kind!
Parks & Nature
Our largest nearby public park recently redone with a skate park, tennis courts, swimming pool, soccer and baseball fields, kid's playground (ages 3-6). Grab a sandwich at Roxie's for a picnic.
35 locals recommend
Balboa Park
Our largest nearby public park recently redone with a skate park, tennis courts, swimming pool, soccer and baseball fields, kid's playground (ages 3-6). Grab a sandwich at Roxie's for a picnic.
San Francisco's 2nd largest public park. Accessible by bike if you're reasonably fit. http://goo.gl/7L6MXf
99 locals recommend
John McLaren Park
100 John F Shelley DrSan Francisco's 2nd largest public park. Accessible by bike if you're reasonably fit. http://goo.gl/7L6MXf
You can walk from our house all the way up to Twin Peaks through this beautiful spot. The trails have recently been renovated. Great for running, walking, or climbing on rocks.
180 locals recommend
Glen Canyon Park
Chenery StreetYou can walk from our house all the way up to Twin Peaks through this beautiful spot. The trails have recently been renovated. Great for running, walking, or climbing on rocks.
You shouldn't miss the scene on a sunny day in the Dolores Park, and the J-Church will bring you straight there and home again.
1244 locals recommend
Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetYou shouldn't miss the scene on a sunny day in the Dolores Park, and the J-Church will bring you straight there and home again.
Shopping
In nearby Glen Park, great shop for a witty gift, funny card, wonderful vintage and locally designed jewelry and a smattering of gifts for toddlers. http://goo.gl/efwZys
24 locals recommend
Perch
654 Chenery StIn nearby Glen Park, great shop for a witty gift, funny card, wonderful vintage and locally designed jewelry and a smattering of gifts for toddlers. http://goo.gl/efwZys
One of the handful of tennis shops in San Francisco. Balboa Park tennis courts are nearby. Yelp rating: http://goo.gl/C9LdkP
City Racquet Shop
1836 San Jose AvenueOne of the handful of tennis shops in San Francisco. Balboa Park tennis courts are nearby. Yelp rating: http://goo.gl/C9LdkP
Local Specialized independent bike shop. Our kids went to the same pre-school together. This is a first-rate bike shop for kids and adult bike and repairs. Yelp rating: http://goo.gl/tbnRO3
Ocean Cyclery
1935 Ocean AveLocal Specialized independent bike shop. Our kids went to the same pre-school together. This is a first-rate bike shop for kids and adult bike and repairs. Yelp rating: http://goo.gl/tbnRO3
The owner, Kiya, is an old friend of ours. Focused on men, the go-to place for a wide assortment of rigid Japanese jeans.
Self Edge
569 Valencia StThe owner, Kiya, is an old friend of ours. Focused on men, the go-to place for a wide assortment of rigid Japanese jeans.
In North Beach, Christopher used to co-own this store. Now run by his former business partner, Howard Gee, it has returned to it's American heritage (chic). Yelp: http://goo.gl/77HqFY
6 locals recommend
AB Fits
1519 Grant AveIn North Beach, Christopher used to co-own this store. Now run by his former business partner, Howard Gee, it has returned to it's American heritage (chic). Yelp: http://goo.gl/77HqFY
One among many great bike shops in the Mission. Valencia is among the largest and very family friendly. Yelp: http://goo.gl/ZGeHol
7 locals recommend
Valencia Cyclery
1077 Valencia StOne among many great bike shops in the Mission. Valencia is among the largest and very family friendly. Yelp: http://goo.gl/ZGeHol
Pioneers of bike customization e-commerce, this still has a great local feel. All day rentals are currently $40. http://goo.gl/yMO58L
13 locals recommend
Mission Bicycle Company
766 Valencia StPioneers of bike customization e-commerce, this still has a great local feel. All day rentals are currently $40. http://goo.gl/yMO58L