Guidebook for Cole Valley and San Francisco
Food Scene
Crepes On Cole
100 Carl StGood food and value--great with kids.
French bistro--nice lunch, dinner, and especially known for their weekend brunch. Line up early on Saturday/Sunday AMs if you want a table without much wait--no reservations.
286 locals recommend
Zazie
941 Cole StFrench bistro--nice lunch, dinner, and especially known for their weekend brunch. Line up early on Saturday/Sunday AMs if you want a table without much wait--no reservations.
Okay--we really moved to the neighborhood because of this place. Best ice cream around, and the banana splits are worth the splurge.
109 locals recommend
The Ice Cream Bar
815 Cole StOkay--we really moved to the neighborhood because of this place. Best ice cream around, and the banana splits are worth the splurge.
Great location across from the beach...also good for brunch.
236 locals recommend
Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant
1000 Great HwyGreat location across from the beach...also good for brunch.
Great seafood for a reasonable price, and great for kids. You can walk one way, and take the N-Judah back home.
111 locals recommend
Pacific Catch
1200 9th AveGreat seafood for a reasonable price, and great for kids. You can walk one way, and take the N-Judah back home.
The original Philz Coffee--all over the city now, and beyond. Enjoy Turkish style coffee.
913 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
3101 24th StThe original Philz Coffee--all over the city now, and beyond. Enjoy Turkish style coffee.
Run 3 1/2 miles to the beach, enjoy some coffee and a baggie and take the N-Judah home.
131 locals recommend
Java Beach Café
1396 La Playa StRun 3 1/2 miles to the beach, enjoy some coffee and a baggie and take the N-Judah home.
Yes, another wonderful cafe in Cole Valley--depending on your mood you have lots of options. Wooden is notable for great coffee and WiFi.
10 locals recommend
Wooden Cafe
862 Cole StYes, another wonderful cafe in Cole Valley--depending on your mood you have lots of options. Wooden is notable for great coffee and WiFi.
About a 15-minute walk away are some of the best bagels in town...only open in the morning 7:30 and usually bought out by noon.
Schlok's
1263 Fell StreetAbout a 15-minute walk away are some of the best bagels in town...only open in the morning 7:30 and usually bought out by noon.
Peet's started the coffee scene in the US back in the 70's--pre Starbucks. Right down the street, fresh beans (this is where I buy our beans), and nice staff to take care of you.
238 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
2080 Chestnut StPeet's started the coffee scene in the US back in the 70's--pre Starbucks. Right down the street, fresh beans (this is where I buy our beans), and nice staff to take care of you.
Drinks & Nightlife
Newly opened wine bar--if the wind isn't blowing too much, grab an outside table
37 locals recommend
InoVino
108-B Carl StNewly opened wine bar--if the wind isn't blowing too much, grab an outside table
Great place to hang out with friends and family...good beer too.
177 locals recommend
Magnolia Brewing - Haight
1398 Haight StGreat place to hang out with friends and family...good beer too.
Shopping
Forgot something--besides hardware, their staff are extremely friendly. You can buy MUNI fastpass at this location.
52 locals recommend
Cole Hardware
956 Cole StForgot something--besides hardware, their staff are extremely friendly. You can buy MUNI fastpass at this location.
I bought an electric-assist bike 6 years ago, and it changed my life. Great staff. Also interesting neighborhood (Bernal Heights) off the beat and path.
16 locals recommend
The New Wheel Electric Bikes
420 Cortland AveI bought an electric-assist bike 6 years ago, and it changed my life. Great staff. Also interesting neighborhood (Bernal Heights) off the beat and path.
Essentials
This is our favorite place to shop--grab our grocery wheel cart in closet. Great deals on local produce.
140 locals recommend
Haight Street Natural Food
1621 Haight StThis is our favorite place to shop--grab our grocery wheel cart in closet. Great deals on local produce.
Not our favorite market (see Haight Ashbury Market--local stsore), but Whole Foods does have everything you might need during your stay.
664 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
450 Rhode Island StNot our favorite market (see Haight Ashbury Market--local stsore), but Whole Foods does have everything you might need during your stay.
Great local find with fresh produce (sometimes a bit pricey) and prepared food. Good for picking up a few items or enough for an entire meal.
28 locals recommend
Luke's Local
960 Cole StGreat local find with fresh produce (sometimes a bit pricey) and prepared food. Good for picking up a few items or enough for an entire meal.
Just a block away for some staples, like ice cream, milk, cereal and of course beer.
14 locals recommend
Ashbury Market
205 Frederick StJust a block away for some staples, like ice cream, milk, cereal and of course beer.
Entertainment & Activities
Well, just a few blocks from our door. Worth every moment just to relax, and play in the park. Also great for running--my short (5 miles/8 kms run is around Stow Lake).
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
Well, just a few blocks from our door. Worth every moment just to relax, and play in the park. Also great for running--my short (5 miles/8 kms run is around Stow Lake).
Go for the view, walking in Crissy Field, picnic, or just the view. Arguably one of the best urban views in the US.
383 locals recommend
Presidio of San Francisco
Go for the view, walking in Crissy Field, picnic, or just the view. Arguably one of the best urban views in the US.
Great science exhibits for the whole family--planetarium is one of the largest in the world.
816 locals recommend
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse DrGreat science exhibits for the whole family--planetarium is one of the largest in the world.
I grew up going to this hands-one science museum. It recently moved to one of the piers on the Embarcadero.
432 locals recommend
Exploratorium
Green StreetI grew up going to this hands-one science museum. It recently moved to one of the piers on the Embarcadero.
Go to one of the World Champion San Francisco Giants games--bring a jacket/sweater.
Willie Mays Plaza
Go to one of the World Champion San Francisco Giants games--bring a jacket/sweater.
Closest park and playground to our home...lots of neighborhood kids, soccer field, basketball hoops, and a tennis court.
Grattan Playground
201 Alma StClosest park and playground to our home...lots of neighborhood kids, soccer field, basketball hoops, and a tennis court.
There are trails all the way to the top. Pick up trail across from Grattan Playground on Stanyan Street. Watch out for poison oak (three leaves usually green with some red, and no thorns).
29 locals recommend
Mount Sutro
There are trails all the way to the top. Pick up trail across from Grattan Playground on Stanyan Street. Watch out for poison oak (three leaves usually green with some red, and no thorns).
Crissy Field
Bring a picnic, rent bikes, go for a nice walk along the Bay.
Stow Lake
Rent a row paddle boat, or just enjoy a stroll around the lake.
Fort Funston
Fort Funston RoadAmazing sand dunes, right in the City.
Lands End Trail
Lands End TrailBeautiful short hike west of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Our favorite beach in San Francisco--a bit protected from the elements, and incredible views of the bridge and Marin Headlands.
349 locals recommend
Baker Beach
Our favorite beach in San Francisco--a bit protected from the elements, and incredible views of the bridge and Marin Headlands.
Sightseeing
This street is going through a Renaissance, and has some of the hottest new restaurants in the city. Definitely worth a stroll.
163 locals recommend
Valencia Street
Valencia StreetThis street is going through a Renaissance, and has some of the hottest new restaurants in the city. Definitely worth a stroll.
Short drive from the City. Enjoy the 2 mile/3 kms hike each way to the beach. Relatively flat, so good for most ages.
103 locals recommend
Tennessee Valley Trailhead
591 Tennessee Valley RoadShort drive from the City. Enjoy the 2 mile/3 kms hike each way to the beach. Relatively flat, so good for most ages.
Take the cable car and get off at the museum--note, you will need to purchase another cable car ticket if you want to continue down the hill.
207 locals recommend
San Francisco Cable Car Museum
1201 Mason StTake the cable car and get off at the museum--note, you will need to purchase another cable car ticket if you want to continue down the hill.
Probably my favorite place on earth (really!). Excellent hikes, viewing of whales and other wildlife, backpacking, etc.
273 locals recommend
Point Reyes National Seashore
Probably my favorite place on earth (really!). Excellent hikes, viewing of whales and other wildlife, backpacking, etc.
Coit Tower
Quintessential views of the city, and great murals inside if open.
Historically hispanic neighborhood that is rapidly changing. Has lots of charm, and history. If you have time look up the MIssion murals--many in the area.
355 locals recommend
Mission District
Historically hispanic neighborhood that is rapidly changing. Has lots of charm, and history. If you have time look up the MIssion murals--many in the area.
Take the day to go out to Angel Island--hike around the island, learn about the history (Ellis Island of the West).
51 locals recommend
Angel Island State Park
Take the day to go out to Angel Island--hike around the island, learn about the history (Ellis Island of the West).
Great location, with lots of arts and restaurants on the grounds. Can easily take a stroll on the Marina.
161 locals recommend
Fort Mason
2 Marina BlvdGreat location, with lots of arts and restaurants on the grounds. Can easily take a stroll on the Marina.
Arts & Culture
Check out their regular art, and see if you time it right for one of the special exhibitions. 1/3rd of museum is open to public without charge--including climbing the tower.
999 locals recommend
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrCheck out their regular art, and see if you time it right for one of the special exhibitions. 1/3rd of museum is open to public without charge--including climbing the tower.