Guidebook for San Francisco
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
3950 24th StClosest full-service grocery
Walgreens
1333 Castro StClosest drug store
California Pacific Medical Center
2340 Clay St24 hour emergency medical center
Food Scene
Neighbor's Corner
499 Douglass StHidden gem for breakfast or brunch
Philz Coffee
3101 24th StOne of 10 coffee places on 24th St, but a local favorite
Firefly
4288 24th StreetAn old standby, typical SF restaurant. Splurge.
Diamond Cafe
751 Diamond StClosest spot for breakfast
Our favorite spot for quick, healthy food. Eat in or to go. More SF than actual Mexican, but very good.
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The Little Chihuahua
292 Divisadero StOur favorite spot for quick, healthy food. Eat in or to go. More SF than actual Mexican, but very good.
Real American burgers. Not the crappy fast food variety.
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Barneys Gourmet Hamburgers
4138 24th StReal American burgers. Not the crappy fast food variety.
Gracias Madre
2211 Mission StSimple, organic, delicious.
Mama Ji's
4416 18th StThe best dim sum outside the Richmond District
Take the N Judah train out to the edge of beyond, eat brunch, then walk on the beach in the fog.
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Outerlands
4001 Judah StTake the N Judah train out to the edge of beyond, eat brunch, then walk on the beach in the fog.
Réveille Coffee Co.
4076 18th StA local favorite for coffee and brunch in the sun
Frances
3870 17th StIf you can get in, one of the best restaurants around.
Because you'll need hot chocolate after exploring this spectacular part of SF on a foggy day.
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Warming Hut at the Presidio
983 Marine DrBecause you'll need hot chocolate after exploring this spectacular part of SF on a foggy day.
The best Chinese food is in the Richmond District and suburbs. But if you must eat in Chinatown, Mr Jiu's is your best bet.
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Mister Jiu's
28 Waverly PlThe best Chinese food is in the Richmond District and suburbs. But if you must eat in Chinatown, Mr Jiu's is your best bet.
Shopping
Local Take
4122 17th StOur favorite for only-in-SF souvenirs
There are several great wine shops in both the Castro and Noe Valley, but this is our favorite for quirky California varietals.
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Castro Village Wine Co
4121 19th StThere are several great wine shops in both the Castro and Noe Valley, but this is our favorite for quirky California varietals.
The best hardware store in the entire world, and a surprisingly good place for souvenirs.
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Cliff's Variety
479 Castro StThe best hardware store in the entire world, and a surprisingly good place for souvenirs.
826 Valencia St
826 Valencia StreetIn case you've run out of pirate supplies.
Food related souvenirs for all your jealous friends and family back home.
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Ferry Building Marketplace
Food related souvenirs for all your jealous friends and family back home.
Paxton Gate
824 Valencia StBecause local taxidermy makes great souvenirs, right?
This small park is the heart of the Hayes Valley neighborhood. Something is always happening here, and it make a perfect break from one of the best shopping streets in the city.
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Patricia’s Green In Hayes Valley
50 Oak StThis small park is the heart of the Hayes Valley neighborhood. Something is always happening here, and it make a perfect break from one of the best shopping streets in the city.
Eat Japanese food, then spend an hour wandering this amazing outpost of Tokyo's Kinokuniya bookstore. Don't miss the separate manga section downstairs.
Kinokuniya Book Store
1581 Webster StEat Japanese food, then spend an hour wandering this amazing outpost of Tokyo's Kinokuniya bookstore. Don't miss the separate manga section downstairs.
Everything Else
Yoga Mayu
1501 20th StOur local yoga studio
Quirky children's nature and science museum. Climb the hill behind for one of the best views of the city.
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Randall Museum
199 Museum WayQuirky children's nature and science museum. Climb the hill behind for one of the best views of the city.
Vulcan Stairs
Vulcan StairwayPerhaps my favorite street in SF
Lands End Trail
Lands End TrailMy favorite walk within city limits
Another favorite street. Walk down here after seeing the murals at Coit Tower.
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Filbert Steps
Another favorite street. Walk down here after seeing the murals at Coit Tower.
Ina Coolbrith Park
Vallejo StreetRemarkable views, only in SF
Best place in the world to see a movie, and listen to the historic pipe organ.
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Castro Theatre
429 Castro StBest place in the world to see a movie, and listen to the historic pipe organ.
It's quite the hike, but from here you can see the entire city and understand its geography. Don't go if it's foggy!
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Twin Peaks
It's quite the hike, but from here you can see the entire city and understand its geography. Don't go if it's foggy!
Walk Valencia from 24th to 16th -- it's full of restaurants, bars, and quirky shopping.
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Valencia Street
Valencia StreetWalk Valencia from 24th to 16th -- it's full of restaurants, bars, and quirky shopping.
Walk 24th St from Diamond Street to Potrero. Between 24th and Dolores is the heart of Noe Valley. Between Valencia and Potrero is the Mission District. Take the 48 bus back up the hill.
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24th Street
24th StreetWalk 24th St from Diamond Street to Potrero. Between 24th and Dolores is the heart of Noe Valley. Between Valencia and Potrero is the Mission District. Take the 48 bus back up the hill.
Traditional Japanese baths. A great place to relax. Check their schedule for gendered and mixed days
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Kabuki Springs and Spa
1750 Geary BlvdTraditional Japanese baths. A great place to relax. Check their schedule for gendered and mixed days
Semi-traditional Russian baths. Use Uber or Lyft to get there. Check their website for gendered and mixed days
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Archimedes Banya
748 Innes AveSemi-traditional Russian baths. Use Uber or Lyft to get there. Check their website for gendered and mixed days
Sightseeing
This is where SF started. Worth the tour. Don't miss the cemetery, where you can pretend you're Kim Novak searching for Carlotta Valdes' grave.
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Misión San Francisco de Asís
3321 16th StThis is where SF started. Worth the tour. Don't miss the cemetery, where you can pretend you're Kim Novak searching for Carlotta Valdes' grave.
One of our favorite views is from the corner of Church and Dolores. Search for the golden fire hydrant!
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Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetOne of our favorite views is from the corner of Church and Dolores. Search for the golden fire hydrant!
Clarion Alley
Clarion AlleySome of our favorite murals in the Mission District
Balmy Alley
50 Balmy StSome of our favorite murals in the Mission District
San Francisco Botaniske Have
1199 9th AveOur favorite corner of Golden Gate Park
Hawk Hill
Conzelman RoadOne of the very best views in the world.
I never tire of biking across the Golden Gate. Rent a bike in Fisherman's Wharf and ride all the way to Sausalito. Take the ferry back.
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Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate BridgeI never tire of biking across the Golden Gate. Rent a bike in Fisherman's Wharf and ride all the way to Sausalito. Take the ferry back.
Harvey Milk: "Any time you come here, I want you to wear the tightest jeans possible. Never... take the elevator. Always use the stairs. You can make such a grand entrance by taking these stairs."
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San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett PlHarvey Milk: "Any time you come here, I want you to wear the tightest jeans possible. Never... take the elevator. Always use the stairs. You can make such a grand entrance by taking these stairs."
Off-the-beaten-path stairway with beautiful tile work, leading to a spectacular view (when it's not fogged in). Don't miss its sister, the 15th Avenue Steps, off Kirkham St
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16 Flise Avenue Trin
16th AvenueOff-the-beaten-path stairway with beautiful tile work, leading to a spectacular view (when it's not fogged in). Don't miss its sister, the 15th Avenue Steps, off Kirkham St
Touristy, yes, but essential. Download the JUMP bike app to access the bright orange electric bikes in our neighborhood, or anywhere in the northeast of SF. It's an easy 30 minute ride from our house. If you're crossing the bridge or going to Sausalito, make sure the battery is fully loaded. You can only stop your ride within a limited part of SF
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Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate BridgeTouristy, yes, but essential. Download the JUMP bike app to access the bright orange electric bikes in our neighborhood, or anywhere in the northeast of SF. It's an easy 30 minute ride from our house. If you're crossing the bridge or going to Sausalito, make sure the battery is fully loaded. You can only stop your ride within a limited part of SF
A quintessential SF street, and an inspiration of "Tales of the City"
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Macondray Lane
Macondray LaneA quintessential SF street, and an inspiration of "Tales of the City"
Drinks & Nightlife
El Rio
3158 Mission StPerhaps the quintessential SF bar. Check out their live music schedule.
Madrone Art Bar
500 Divisadero StOne of our favorite bars
The first gay bar in the world with clear plate glass windows. A welcoming spot with an excellent view of the chaos of the corner of Castro and Market
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Twin Peaks Tavern
401 Castro StThe first gay bar in the world with clear plate glass windows. A welcoming spot with an excellent view of the chaos of the corner of Castro and Market
Valley Tavern
4054 24th StOur nearest neighborhood pub and sports bar
Parks & Nature
The first pleasure is finding the labyrinth, one of several scattered around the city
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Lands End Labyrint
Lands End TrailThe first pleasure is finding the labyrinth, one of several scattered around the city
Bølgeorganet
83 Marina Green DrAn obscure, but magical destination
When SF's streets are too steep for cars, they're often turned into steps -- or in this case, a slide! Ask us if you want to borrow cardboard and waxed paper for better sliding.
Two Concrete Slides @ Seward Mini Park
70 Corwin StWhen SF's streets are too steep for cars, they're often turned into steps -- or in this case, a slide! Ask us if you want to borrow cardboard and waxed paper for better sliding.
If it ever reopens, the rooftop park of the Salesforce Transit Center is a spectacular respite from the rest of downtown.
Salesforce Transit Center
425 Mission StIf it ever reopens, the rooftop park of the Salesforce Transit Center is a spectacular respite from the rest of downtown.