Guidebook for San Francisco
Sightseeing
Largest gothic cathedral West of the Mississippi
**Tuesdays at 6pm: Free Yoga inside the cathedral! (Apt has two yoga mats you can use)
165 locals recommend
Grace Cathedral
1100 California StLargest gothic cathedral West of the Mississippi
**Tuesdays at 6pm: Free Yoga inside the cathedral! (Apt has two yoga mats you can use)
Free museum. This is where all the cables that pull the trolleys are housed. Along the trolley route, so why the heck not?
207 locals recommend
San Francisco Cable Car Museum
1201 Mason StFree museum. This is where all the cables that pull the trolleys are housed. Along the trolley route, so why the heck not?
Best place for a picnic with a killer view of the city + warmer weather. Grab blanket at the apt, take the outbound Muni which will drop you off at the top. Bi-Rite nearby for everything you need.
1244 locals recommend
Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetBest place for a picnic with a killer view of the city + warmer weather. Grab blanket at the apt, take the outbound Muni which will drop you off at the top. Bi-Rite nearby for everything you need.
Lands End is a gorgeous national park that allows you to hike the Pacific coastal trail with views of Golden Gate in the distance.
694 locals recommend
Lands End Trail
Lands End TrailLands End is a gorgeous national park that allows you to hike the Pacific coastal trail with views of Golden Gate in the distance.
This is the tower that you'll see from the apartment windows. It's free to enter and has socialist murals inside. There's a line and small fee to go to the top. Not a "must see" but still cool.
545 locals recommend
Coit Tower
This is the tower that you'll see from the apartment windows. It's free to enter and has socialist murals inside. There's a line and small fee to go to the top. Not a "must see" but still cool.
Old growth trees and birthplace of the United Nations. National parks are the US's greatest treasure and this one is really well maintained. Not far from the city and bonus: you drive over GG Bridge.
134 locals recommend
Muir Woods Visitor Center
1 Muir Woods RdOld growth trees and birthplace of the United Nations. National parks are the US's greatest treasure and this one is really well maintained. Not far from the city and bonus: you drive over GG Bridge.
Everything Else
This is an iconic upscale hotel. There's a public open space inside, gym, stores, their Tonga room is a Tikki bar on steroids -$18 drink served in a pineapple, a band & dance floor
67 locals recommend
San Francisco Badlands
4121 18th StThis is an iconic upscale hotel. There's a public open space inside, gym, stores, their Tonga room is a Tikki bar on steroids -$18 drink served in a pineapple, a band & dance floor
Novelty. This used to be where people would watch for ships to come in. One of the best views & highest points in SF. They have free wine tastings + a movie on Tuesday nights.
104 locals recommend
Top of the Mark
999 California StNovelty. This used to be where people would watch for ships to come in. One of the best views & highest points in SF. They have free wine tastings + a movie on Tuesday nights.
The Chinatown Gate & "entrance" is located on Grant & Pine, a very short walk away. Alternatively you can walk Stockton to get less touristy Chinatown and end up in North Beach
551 locals recommend
Chinatown
The Chinatown Gate & "entrance" is located on Grant & Pine, a very short walk away. Alternatively you can walk Stockton to get less touristy Chinatown and end up in North Beach
The home of the 1950's Beat Generation (Ginsberg, Kerouac, et al). Iconic book store. If you buy something, ask the cashier to stamp it with their store logo.
86 locals recommend
City Lights Booksellers
261 Columbus AveThe home of the 1950's Beat Generation (Ginsberg, Kerouac, et al). Iconic book store. If you buy something, ask the cashier to stamp it with their store logo.
Really good ice cream. Cash Only. On the trolley line and very short walk from Elephant Sushi.
61 locals recommend
The First Swensen's Ice Cream Store
1999 Hyde StReally good ice cream. Cash Only. On the trolley line and very short walk from Elephant Sushi.
Another of the best sandwich spots in SF. Pick up supplies here for a picnic at Mission Dolores park. The park is being renovated, but the best spots on the hill are still open for use
38 locals recommend
Rhea's Deli & Market
800 Valencia StAnother of the best sandwich spots in SF. Pick up supplies here for a picnic at Mission Dolores park. The park is being renovated, but the best spots on the hill are still open for use
The best beach in my opinion. Golden Gate bridge is the backdrop to this beautiful beach. Check Sunset district weather before going, it can be foggy/colder than the city.
349 locals recommend
Baker Beach
The best beach in my opinion. Golden Gate bridge is the backdrop to this beautiful beach. Check Sunset district weather before going, it can be foggy/colder than the city.
Essentials
Iconic. Stores, artisan marketplace, restaurants, tourist rentals, Ferries to Angel Isl, Sausalito, Alcatraz, etc. They have a great farmers market on TTh 10am-2pm Sat 8am-2pm
679 locals recommend
Ferry Building Marketplace
Iconic. Stores, artisan marketplace, restaurants, tourist rentals, Ferries to Angel Isl, Sausalito, Alcatraz, etc. They have a great farmers market on TTh 10am-2pm Sat 8am-2pm
Grocery store that specializes in local products. Lots of organic & frozen food options. Deli is okay, sandwiches are pretty good. The walk here from Huntington Park is very nice, upscale apts, etc
60 locals recommend
Le Beau Market
1263 Leavenworth StGrocery store that specializes in local products. Lots of organic & frozen food options. Deli is okay, sandwiches are pretty good. The walk here from Huntington Park is very nice, upscale apts, etc
Small grocery store where you can pickup most essentials. I like that it's woman owned/run, they have good taste in products & things aren't expired like at other convenient stores nearby.
J & W Market
723 Pine StSmall grocery store where you can pickup most essentials. I like that it's woman owned/run, they have good taste in products & things aren't expired like at other convenient stores nearby.
Closest decent sized grocery store. Fresh fruit and veggies are best from the ferry market (stores open 7days/week) and the nearest Whole Foods is just past Van Ness on California. Go here otherwise.
Food Fair Market Liquors
611 Bush StClosest decent sized grocery store. Fresh fruit and veggies are best from the ferry market (stores open 7days/week) and the nearest Whole Foods is just past Van Ness on California. Go here otherwise.
Upscale grocery store. Their deli has great sandwiches. Good spot to pickup gear for a picnic at nearby Mission Dolores park.
651 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th StUpscale grocery store. Their deli has great sandwiches. Good spot to pickup gear for a picnic at nearby Mission Dolores park.
Drinks & Nightlife
Very nice French restaurant that uses fresh, local produce to create daily menu. Hip bar next door (cash only)
23 locals recommend
Bouche
603 Bush StVery nice French restaurant that uses fresh, local produce to create daily menu. Hip bar next door (cash only)
This is where the Beat Generation authors liked to hang out. I think it's cash only. Very nice stained glass windows, cool upstairs and mural wall outside.
57 locals recommend
Vesuvio Cafe
255 Columbus AveThis is where the Beat Generation authors liked to hang out. I think it's cash only. Very nice stained glass windows, cool upstairs and mural wall outside.
Do you like beer? Go here. 31 brews on tap, most (if not all) are from the Bay Area. They have a small menu that is bar food with some flare (menus are at register FYI). Highly recommend for beer.
41 locals recommend
Hopwater Distribution
850 Bush StDo you like beer? Go here. 31 brews on tap, most (if not all) are from the Bay Area. They have a small menu that is bar food with some flare (menus are at register FYI). Highly recommend for beer.
Hip lounge with full bar, no food. Pretty sure it's cash only. There's a dive, Chelsea's Place almost next door that you can hop to as well as a spattering of bars as you go West on Bush.
15 locals recommend
Tunnel Top Lounge and Bar
601 Bush StHip lounge with full bar, no food. Pretty sure it's cash only. There's a dive, Chelsea's Place almost next door that you can hop to as well as a spattering of bars as you go West on Bush.
Fun bar (cash only) they make good cocktails and they stock some of the most sought after beer in CA (Pliney the Elder). Artsy movie theater next door + nearby nightlife all along Valencia St.
36 locals recommend
The Hideout
3121 16th StFun bar (cash only) they make good cocktails and they stock some of the most sought after beer in CA (Pliney the Elder). Artsy movie theater next door + nearby nightlife all along Valencia St.
Hipster bar with dance floor upstairs. They have a photo booth + old arcade games and pinball. Cash only. The staff isn't friendly, but whatcanyoudo.
89 locals recommend
The Valencia Room
647 Valencia StHipster bar with dance floor upstairs. They have a photo booth + old arcade games and pinball. Cash only. The staff isn't friendly, but whatcanyoudo.
Oldest bar in SF! They have fantastic live music. On Saturdays its a $5 cover for Blues.
31 locals recommend
The Saloon
1232 Grant AveOldest bar in SF! They have fantastic live music. On Saturdays its a $5 cover for Blues.
Food Scene
Family owned Italian restaurant with rotating menu. There's a lot of love that goes into the food here. Authentic Italians, the owners take care of you from beginning to end. Very friendly.
Caffè Macaroni
59 Columbus AvenueFamily owned Italian restaurant with rotating menu. There's a lot of love that goes into the food here. Authentic Italians, the owners take care of you from beginning to end. Very friendly.
The best breakfast/lunch in Nob Hill! They're open until 2:30pm daily. Hashbrowns are dynamite, everything here is made from quality ingredients.
67 locals recommend
Mymy
1500 California StThe best breakfast/lunch in Nob Hill! They're open until 2:30pm daily. Hashbrowns are dynamite, everything here is made from quality ingredients.
California's answer to McDonald's. This West Coast burger chain with simplistic menu is kind of a big deal if you've never had it before. It's the only one in SF.
52 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
333 Jefferson StCalifornia's answer to McDonald's. This West Coast burger chain with simplistic menu is kind of a big deal if you've never had it before. It's the only one in SF.
Drip coffee made 'one cup at a time'. It's a SF staple. I like the Jacobs Wonderbar roast + they have great danishes. (There's a location on Van Ness that's closer/smaller + original in the mission)
913 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
3101 24th StDrip coffee made 'one cup at a time'. It's a SF staple. I like the Jacobs Wonderbar roast + they have great danishes. (There's a location on Van Ness that's closer/smaller + original in the mission)
Regarded as the best sushi in SF. Take the Hyde & Powell trolley right to it! There's usually a wait, so make reservations. Limited hours. New lunch location in Civic Center as well.
75 locals recommend
Elephant Sushi
1916 Hyde StRegarded as the best sushi in SF. Take the Hyde & Powell trolley right to it! There's usually a wait, so make reservations. Limited hours. New lunch location in Civic Center as well.
My favorite Japanese spot. 98/100 health score! Incredible sushi, service, small plates and beer. The location is cute with scenic views of the city from afar. Highly recommend!
72 locals recommend
Umi
1328 18th StMy favorite Japanese spot. 98/100 health score! Incredible sushi, service, small plates and beer. The location is cute with scenic views of the city from afar. Highly recommend!
One of the best sandwich places in SF. Near to the Castro district. No place to sit. Very vegan/vegetarian friendly.
87 locals recommend
Ike's Place
2239 Market StreetOne of the best sandwich places in SF. Near to the Castro district. No place to sit. Very vegan/vegetarian friendly.
City Chopsticks
883 Bush StMy go-to for Chinese take out and delivery.
Pizzelle di North Beach
314 Columbus AveMy go-to for pizza delivery.
Lers Ros
730 Larkin StMy go-to for Thai food (+ they deliver!)
Taquería El Farolito
2779 Mission StBest burrito in the mission. (Esp. the super veggie)
Great take-out Mexican food with small eatery that makes you feel like you're in Mexico.
115 locals recommend
El Metate
2406 Bryant StGreat take-out Mexican food with small eatery that makes you feel like you're in Mexico.
New York style pizza. Pretty good place to get a slice while out bar hopping in the Mission.
25 locals recommend
Arinell Pizza
509 Valencia StNew York style pizza. Pretty good place to get a slice while out bar hopping in the Mission.
Shopping
There is a lot of boutique shopping along the Union/Grant/Green St. area. North Beach has many small streets, this is one such area with quirky shopping.
38 locals recommend
Therapy Stores
545 Valencia StThere is a lot of boutique shopping along the Union/Grant/Green St. area. North Beach has many small streets, this is one such area with quirky shopping.
Grant Avenue has great shopping almost its whole length. This is North Beach area of Grant, but it continues thru Chinatown, and the nice shopping goes all the way to Market street.
Grant Avenue
Grant AvenueGrant Avenue has great shopping almost its whole length. This is North Beach area of Grant, but it continues thru Chinatown, and the nice shopping goes all the way to Market street.
Arts & Culture
The old world's faire ruins. Large than you'd expect! Near the Marina which is a very popular area for shopping and dining. I find the Marina to be a little contrived.
463 locals recommend
Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon StThe old world's faire ruins. Large than you'd expect! Near the Marina which is a very popular area for shopping and dining. I find the Marina to be a little contrived.
Fine Arts museum home of The Thinker (out front, so it's free to see! ;) The Godmother of SF donated this museum. Excellent area to putter around in a GoCar (self-guided, tiny orange car rental).
208 locals recommend
Legion of Honor
100 34th AveFine Arts museum home of The Thinker (out front, so it's free to see! ;) The Godmother of SF donated this museum. Excellent area to putter around in a GoCar (self-guided, tiny orange car rental).
If you go, do it on a Thursday night during "nightlife" so you can drink booze and avoid the kiddies while still seeing all the science exhibits for less than regular admission!
816 locals recommend
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse DrIf you go, do it on a Thursday night during "nightlife" so you can drink booze and avoid the kiddies while still seeing all the science exhibits for less than regular admission!