Guidebook for San Francisco
Parks & Nature
If you’re a hiker, hike up to the top of Mount Davidson from your doorstep. Unique 360 views of the city while experiencing an urban forest. It’s a hidden gem.
http://bit.ly/1sodTe5
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Mount Davidson
Myra WayIf you’re a hiker, hike up to the top of Mount Davidson from your doorstep. Unique 360 views of the city while experiencing an urban forest. It’s a hidden gem.
http://bit.ly/1sodTe5
A must visit if you have a dog. There are hiking trails on the cliffs above the beach and access to the beach. It's an off leash dog destination, with hundreds of dogs running around at any time.
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Fort Funston
Fort Funston RoadA must visit if you have a dog. There are hiking trails on the cliffs above the beach and access to the beach. It's an off leash dog destination, with hundreds of dogs running around at any time.
Glen Canyon Park
Chenery StreetThis is a big dirt mound during the day, and one of the most expansive views of the city at night. If it's a clear and calm night, it's a good place to walk up (there are a few different wide concrete pathways) and take in the view. There will be a few other groups of locals up there with you.
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Bernal Heights Park
3400-3416 Folsom StThis is a big dirt mound during the day, and one of the most expansive views of the city at night. If it's a clear and calm night, it's a good place to walk up (there are a few different wide concrete pathways) and take in the view. There will be a few other groups of locals up there with you.
Essentials
Safeway
625 Monterey BlvdGood for the basics.
This is actually "Glen Park Market" (the system keeps changing it to liquor). Great deli with full meals, holistic health area, great cheeses and other nibbles. Includes a coffee shop and large flower section.
Glen Park Market
2900 Diamond StThis is actually "Glen Park Market" (the system keeps changing it to liquor). Great deli with full meals, holistic health area, great cheeses and other nibbles. Includes a coffee shop and large flower section.
Walgreens
216 Westlake CenterEverything Else
Dance classes all day every day - from modern, hip hop, belly dancing, salsa and more. If you're a dancer in for a unique exercise experience, check it out.
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ODC Dance Commons
351 Shotwell StDance classes all day every day - from modern, hip hop, belly dancing, salsa and more. If you're a dancer in for a unique exercise experience, check it out.
This yoga center is 2 blocks away and has daily classes. I've never gone, but it's walking distance and the owner is big in the Inyegar world.
http://www.manouso.com/
https://www.yelp.com/biz/abode-of-iyengar-yoga-san-francisco
Abode of Yoga
765 Monterey BlvdThis yoga center is 2 blocks away and has daily classes. I've never gone, but it's walking distance and the owner is big in the Inyegar world.
http://www.manouso.com/
https://www.yelp.com/biz/abode-of-iyengar-yoga-san-francisco
Definitely check out groupon.com before you come. You can get good deals on spas, attractions, even restaurants and classes. It's worth checking out!
https://www.groupon.com/local/san-francisco/things-to-do
Groupon
Definitely check out groupon.com before you come. You can get good deals on spas, attractions, even restaurants and classes. It's worth checking out!
https://www.groupon.com/local/san-francisco/things-to-do
Potrero Hill - parking available. Take a couples dance class - tango, salsa. Drop in classes daily, no experience necessary. http://metronomesf.com/group-classes.php
Metronome Dance in Potrero Hill
136 Missouri StPotrero Hill - parking available. Take a couples dance class - tango, salsa. Drop in classes daily, no experience necessary. http://metronomesf.com/group-classes.php
1 mile away. West Portal has small locals bars, restaurants, some shops, Starbucks and Pete's. If you're looking for a more low key experience, this might be an option. You'll also be going thru this area to get to MUNI trains, so you might walk the mile thru a beautiful exclusive residential neighborhood (St. Francisc Woods) to Sloat / West Portal and walk the 4 blocks to the MUNI station on the other end. All things West Portal here: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=west+portal&find_loc=94127
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West Portal
1 mile away. West Portal has small locals bars, restaurants, some shops, Starbucks and Pete's. If you're looking for a more low key experience, this might be an option. You'll also be going thru this area to get to MUNI trains, so you might walk the mile thru a beautiful exclusive residential neighborhood (St. Francisc Woods) to Sloat / West Portal and walk the 4 blocks to the MUNI station on the other end. All things West Portal here: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=west+portal&find_loc=94127
Ocean Ave - 1 mile away. Yoga Flow heated yoga (not as hot as Bikram). http://yogaflowsf.com/ocean/
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Yoga Flow SF OCEAN
385 Ashton AveOcean Ave - 1 mile away. Yoga Flow heated yoga (not as hot as Bikram). http://yogaflowsf.com/ocean/
Presidio / Fort Mason area. Indoor rock climbing.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/planet-granite-san-francisco-2
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Planet Granite San Francisco
924 Mason StPresidio / Fort Mason area. Indoor rock climbing.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/planet-granite-san-francisco-2
Chrissy Field / Presidio area. Trampoline and dodge ball! https://www.yelp.com/biz/house-of-air-san-francisco
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House of Air Trampoline Park
926 Mason StChrissy Field / Presidio area. Trampoline and dodge ball! https://www.yelp.com/biz/house-of-air-san-francisco
Food Scene
Downtown. Indoor/outdoor restaurant in an alley way with other restaurants. Feels like a touch of Europe. Great ambiance and mussels. Drive or take uber. http://ploufsf.com/
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Plouf
40 Belden PlDowntown. Indoor/outdoor restaurant in an alley way with other restaurants. Feels like a touch of Europe. Great ambiance and mussels. Drive or take uber. http://ploufsf.com/
Mission District. High end Taqueria with one of the best selections of tequila nationally, Tacolicious puts a high end Mission district spin on classic Mexico City tacos. Good, open ambiance, opportunity to meet locals.
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Tacolicious
741 Valencia St Mission District. High end Taqueria with one of the best selections of tequila nationally, Tacolicious puts a high end Mission district spin on classic Mexico City tacos. Good, open ambiance, opportunity to meet locals.
Glen Park, 1 mile away, can walk. Authentically french, small, usually packed, with a lot of energy. .
http://leptitlaurent.net/
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Le P'tit Laurent
689 Chenery StGlen Park, 1 mile away, can walk. Authentically french, small, usually packed, with a lot of energy. .
http://leptitlaurent.net/
Mission District. Ice cream is very big with adults in SF. This is just one of the many great ice cream places. This place will usually have a line out the door, as do most of the others. The ice creams are hand made on site, and usually worth the wait.
mitchellsicecream.com
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Mitchell's Ice Cream
688 San Jose AvenueMission District. Ice cream is very big with adults in SF. This is just one of the many great ice cream places. This place will usually have a line out the door, as do most of the others. The ice creams are hand made on site, and usually worth the wait.
mitchellsicecream.com
Mission Bay. This is a really casual locals place on the water with a large outdoor deck and live music on the weekends. You'll want to drive and park here, or uber. This is the area where the Warrior's stadium will be built. http://www.theramprestaurant.com/
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The Ramp
855 Terry A Francois BlvdMission Bay. This is a really casual locals place on the water with a large outdoor deck and live music on the weekends. You'll want to drive and park here, or uber. This is the area where the Warrior's stadium will be built. http://www.theramprestaurant.com/
Mission District. Southern home cooking. Always packed.
http://thefrontporchsf.com/
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The Front Porch
65 29th StMission District. Southern home cooking. Always packed.
http://thefrontporchsf.com/
Presidio. There are a number of different "off the grid" food truck locations in the city. The Presidio is the prettiest. It has a large expansive lawn with amazing views of the bay and Sausalito, and *gourmet* food trucks surrounding it. Sample many different cuisines in one place, while having a beer, wine or coffee on the lawn.
https://www.facebook.com/presidiopicnic/
Main Parade Ground Lawn, The Presidio
San Francisco, CA
Food Trucks
Presidio. There are a number of different "off the grid" food truck locations in the city. The Presidio is the prettiest. It has a large expansive lawn with amazing views of the bay and Sausalito, and *gourmet* food trucks surrounding it. Sample many different cuisines in one place, while having a beer, wine or coffee on the lawn.
https://www.facebook.com/presidiopicnic/
Main Parade Ground Lawn, The Presidio
San Francisco, CA
Haight St. A very lively cuban restaurant with great food and sangria. If you sit at the bar eating area you'll meet many locals and have a great time.
(FYI - it's in the Haight - which is usually a bit grimy and has a lot of street kids.)
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Cha Cha Cha
1801 Haight StHaight St. A very lively cuban restaurant with great food and sangria. If you sit at the bar eating area you'll meet many locals and have a great time.
(FYI - it's in the Haight - which is usually a bit grimy and has a lot of street kids.)
Polk St. You'll have to wait in line, but it's worth it. If you love fresh seafood (there's more than oysters) and are willing to forgo some ambiance, this is your place.
http://sfswanoysterdepot.com/
"Swan Oyster Depot is larger than life and arguably, the best seafood restaurant in San Francisco. For locals, this is an institution that epitomizes the best of San Francisco. For tourists, it's a required visit as part of one's itinerary. "
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Swan Oyster Depot
1517 Polk StPolk St. You'll have to wait in line, but it's worth it. If you love fresh seafood (there's more than oysters) and are willing to forgo some ambiance, this is your place.
http://sfswanoysterdepot.com/
"Swan Oyster Depot is larger than life and arguably, the best seafood restaurant in San Francisco. For locals, this is an institution that epitomizes the best of San Francisco. For tourists, it's a required visit as part of one's itinerary. "
Van Ness Ave. I don't even eat meat, and I love this place. People who eat meat adore it. It's old school San Francisco, with traditional / professional serving staff, and always packed.
Yelp Reviews: https://www.yelp.com/biz/house-of-prime-rib-san-francisco
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House of Prime Rib
1906 Van Ness AveVan Ness Ave. I don't even eat meat, and I love this place. People who eat meat adore it. It's old school San Francisco, with traditional / professional serving staff, and always packed.
Yelp Reviews: https://www.yelp.com/biz/house-of-prime-rib-san-francisco
Irving St near GG Park. Cozy Indian / Peruvian restaurant. Tightly packed, but warm and inviting.
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Lavash
511 Irving StreetIrving St near GG Park. Cozy Indian / Peruvian restaurant. Tightly packed, but warm and inviting.
If you're in Union Square it's worth it to pop by Farallon just to have a drink / appetizer in the lounge and see the amazing decor. (check out their website below for a preview). I've had many special occasion dinners here (it can sometimes be a little loud and hectic - you can ask to be seated in one of the quieter rooms, there are several).
Here's their description:
The perfect date night restaurant for seafood lovers, Farallon's Jellyfish Lounge is whimsically representative of the restaurant's underwater theme. The "Jelly Bar" invites you into the restaurant, where custom-made jellyfish chandeliers float overhead and octopus stools sit next to glowing columns of kelp. Follow the "sandy ocean floor" to the caviar staircase covered with 50,000 iridescent indigo-blue marbles as it sweeps up to the balcony.
http://www.farallonrestaurant.com/
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Farallon
If you're in Union Square it's worth it to pop by Farallon just to have a drink / appetizer in the lounge and see the amazing decor. (check out their website below for a preview). I've had many special occasion dinners here (it can sometimes be a little loud and hectic - you can ask to be seated in one of the quieter rooms, there are several).
Here's their description:
The perfect date night restaurant for seafood lovers, Farallon's Jellyfish Lounge is whimsically representative of the restaurant's underwater theme. The "Jelly Bar" invites you into the restaurant, where custom-made jellyfish chandeliers float overhead and octopus stools sit next to glowing columns of kelp. Follow the "sandy ocean floor" to the caviar staircase covered with 50,000 iridescent indigo-blue marbles as it sweeps up to the balcony.
http://www.farallonrestaurant.com/
1 mile away in West Portal. Accessible Indian food. Walk thru St. Francis Wood neighborhood. https://www.yelp.com/biz/roti-indian-bistro-san-francisco
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Roti Indian Bistro
53 W Portal Ave1 mile away in West Portal. Accessible Indian food. Walk thru St. Francis Wood neighborhood. https://www.yelp.com/biz/roti-indian-bistro-san-francisco
Barbacco
220 California St Financial District, near Union Square.
Flour + Water
2401 Harrison St Mission District.
Pizzeria Delfina
3621 18th StMission district.
54 Mint Ristorante Italiano
16 Mint PlazaDowntown. Across from 5th / Mission Garage.
Locanda
557 Valencia StMission District.
Farina
3560 18th StreetMission District.
SOMA. Indoor / outdoor restaurant. Fixed menu. Great place to stop if you're going to clubs on 11th / 10th Streets. (Park in the Costco parking lot on 10th Street)
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Bar Agricole
1540 11th StSOMA. Indoor / outdoor restaurant. Fixed menu. Great place to stop if you're going to clubs on 11th / 10th Streets. (Park in the Costco parking lot on 10th Street)
Bix
56 Gold StFinancial District.
Rich Table
199 Gough StHayes Valley.
Mission District. One of the staple taquerias on 16th street, people flock here in numbers as they provide a consistent quality and variety of menu options in a pretty effective made to order assembly line. If it's a nice day, grab your lunch, and eat it at Dolores Park on 18th St.
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Pancho Villa Taqueria
3071 16th StMission District. One of the staple taquerias on 16th street, people flock here in numbers as they provide a consistent quality and variety of menu options in a pretty effective made to order assembly line. If it's a nice day, grab your lunch, and eat it at Dolores Park on 18th St.
2 blocks away on Monterey Blvd. Small, locals, greasy spoon breakfast / lunch joint. Clean & affordable ~$10. 8am-3pm.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/big-joes-san-francisco
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Big Joe's
717 Monterey Blvd2 blocks away on Monterey Blvd. Small, locals, greasy spoon breakfast / lunch joint. Clean & affordable ~$10. 8am-3pm.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/big-joes-san-francisco
Fishermans Wharf area. You should experience one Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista. Traditional SF.
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Buena Vista
2765 Hyde StFishermans Wharf area. You should experience one Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista. Traditional SF.
Anywhere. San Franciscans are serious about their coffee. Seek out Philz, Blue Bottle, Four Barrel, Sightglass, Ritual Coffee, more here: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=best+coffee&find_loc=San+Francisco%2C+CA
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Coffee Bar
1890 Bryant StreetAnywhere. San Franciscans are serious about their coffee. Seek out Philz, Blue Bottle, Four Barrel, Sightglass, Ritual Coffee, more here: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=best+coffee&find_loc=San+Francisco%2C+CA
Embarcadero. Great place to watch the bay bridge lights from your table (ask for the enclosed patio area)
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Waterfront Restaurant
7 The EmbarcaderoEmbarcadero. Great place to watch the bay bridge lights from your table (ask for the enclosed patio area)
Outerlands
4001 Judah StBy the Beach.
Presidio area. Old School San Francisco restaurant.
http://www.presidiosocialclub.com/
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Presidio Social Club
563 Ruger StPresidio area. Old School San Francisco restaurant.
http://www.presidiosocialclub.com/
Mission District. Dinner and a movie from your table. Outdoor ambiance. http://www.foreigncinema.com/
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Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission StMission District. Dinner and a movie from your table. Outdoor ambiance. http://www.foreigncinema.com/
State Bird Provisions
1529 Fillmore StFillmore District. Very trendy, need reservations.
Embarcadero. Traditional stop on any SF tour, especially if you're touring the Embarcadero.
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Fog City
1300 Battery StEmbarcadero. Traditional stop on any SF tour, especially if you're touring the Embarcadero.
By the Beach. Right on the cliffs of the ocean, also wander the Sutro Baths and Lands End hiking trails. Eat at the lower level restaurant. http://www.cliffhouse.com/home/index.html
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Cliff House
1090 Point Lobos AveBy the Beach. Right on the cliffs of the ocean, also wander the Sutro Baths and Lands End hiking trails. Eat at the lower level restaurant. http://www.cliffhouse.com/home/index.html
Sausalito. If you want to drive 20 minutes, hit Sausalito and have great views of the city across the water.
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Cavallo Point Lodge
601 Murray CirSausalito. If you want to drive 20 minutes, hit Sausalito and have great views of the city across the water.
Gary Danko
800 North Point StFabulous food. Shee - shee. http://garydanko.com/
Arts & Culture
Just re-opened in May 2016. Large, open. Museum store also has great gift ideas.
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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd StJust re-opened in May 2016. Large, open. Museum store also has great gift ideas.
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrGolden Gate Park. Thursday evenings they have special Nightlife and wine/beer events.
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California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr Golden Gate Park. Thursday evenings they have special Nightlife and wine/beer events.
Shopping
Hayes Valley has it all. It's a centralized neighborhood with shopping, restaurants, outdoor food trucks, the SF Jazz Center, and more. It encompasses the current local vibe of SF, right now.
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Hayes Valley
Hayes Valley has it all. It's a centralized neighborhood with shopping, restaurants, outdoor food trucks, the SF Jazz Center, and more. It encompasses the current local vibe of SF, right now.
This is just a fun store to explore. It includes hardware, kids toys, kitchen gadgets. It seems like what a variety store used to be. You'll find unique items here and it's sister store nextdoor.
It's in the Castro, and you can checkout the neighborhood. This neighborhood still had gay bars, but is transitioning to include many couples with young children.
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Cliff's Variety
479 Castro StThis is just a fun store to explore. It includes hardware, kids toys, kitchen gadgets. It seems like what a variety store used to be. You'll find unique items here and it's sister store nextdoor.
It's in the Castro, and you can checkout the neighborhood. This neighborhood still had gay bars, but is transitioning to include many couples with young children.
The filmore district has a lot of unique boutiques and shops. One of my favorite neighborhoods to wander.
http://fillmoreshop.com/
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The Fillmore
1805 Geary BlvdThe filmore district has a lot of unique boutiques and shops. One of my favorite neighborhoods to wander.
http://fillmoreshop.com/
Noe Valley is another neighborhood with shops, restaurants, small bars. It's cleaner than the Mission District and typically 30s / 40s crowd.
http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/noevalley/
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Noe Valley
Noe Valley is another neighborhood with shops, restaurants, small bars. It's cleaner than the Mission District and typically 30s / 40s crowd.
http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/noevalley/
Valencia St. between 16th and 24th - you'll find a lot of hipster stores, used books and funky clothes and furniture, It's a very lively neighborhood. Typically a 20s / 30s crowd, but it's SF so you'll find everything here. You can walk from here up 18th St. to Dolores Park (amazing city views) and up to Noe Valley or the Castro.
http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/mission/
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Mission District
Valencia St. between 16th and 24th - you'll find a lot of hipster stores, used books and funky clothes and furniture, It's a very lively neighborhood. Typically a 20s / 30s crowd, but it's SF so you'll find everything here. You can walk from here up 18th St. to Dolores Park (amazing city views) and up to Noe Valley or the Castro.
http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/mission/
Powell St. Station is the MUNI / BART stop that will take you to Union Square - includes Macys, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus and more...
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Powell Street
Powell StreetPowell St. Station is the MUNI / BART stop that will take you to Union Square - includes Macys, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus and more...
Sightseeing
Take the steps up to Coit Tower, from North Beach, and maybe you'll see the wild parrots of SF flying.
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Coit Tower
Take the steps up to Coit Tower, from North Beach, and maybe you'll see the wild parrots of SF flying.
Great area to be out in nature while seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the entire bay.
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Crissy Field
Great area to be out in nature while seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the entire bay.
Begin a walk at AT&T park and head towards Fisherman's wharf. This is a 2-3 mile walk and will include the ferry building, exploratorium, pier 39, fisherman's wharf, ghiradelli square and several piers you can walk out on and take in the view of the bay. Take a bike cab back to the beginning.
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Embarcadero
Begin a walk at AT&T park and head towards Fisherman's wharf. This is a 2-3 mile walk and will include the ferry building, exploratorium, pier 39, fisherman's wharf, ghiradelli square and several piers you can walk out on and take in the view of the bay. Take a bike cab back to the beginning.
The lights on the bay bridge are back on. Take them in from the top of twin peaks at night (it's less crowded to get up there than during the day.); or stroll along the embarcadero at night and walk out any of the piers to see it from the water.
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San Francisco Bay Bridge
San Francisco – Oakland Bay BridgeThe lights on the bay bridge are back on. Take them in from the top of twin peaks at night (it's less crowded to get up there than during the day.); or stroll along the embarcadero at night and walk out any of the piers to see it from the water.
There's usually a line of cars waiting to go down the street. If you're ok with not driving down it. You can walk it, or take a look from the bottom of the street looking up.
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Lombard Street
Lombard StreetThere's usually a line of cars waiting to go down the street. If you're ok with not driving down it. You can walk it, or take a look from the bottom of the street looking up.