Catherine & Christian's SF Guidebook

Catherine & Christian
Catherine & Christian
Catherine & Christian's SF Guidebook

Food Scene

Our go to local cafe...friendly, family-run neighborhood gathering spot open early mornings through late afternoons, and sometimes later. Live music in their parklet many weekends (check out their Facebook page or stop by the cafe for details.) Delicious homemade Mediterranean specialties including baba ganouj, hummus, mezze, as well as a full breakfast and lunch menu, coffee, smoothies, and specialty groceries.
41 locals recommend
Momi Toby's Revolution Cafe
528 Laguna St
41 locals recommend
Our go to local cafe...friendly, family-run neighborhood gathering spot open early mornings through late afternoons, and sometimes later. Live music in their parklet many weekends (check out their Facebook page or stop by the cafe for details.) Delicious homemade Mediterranean specialties including baba ganouj, hummus, mezze, as well as a full breakfast and lunch menu, coffee, smoothies, and specialty groceries.
Local cafe chain with outdoor sidewalk seating serving coffee, breakfast and lunch, fresh juices, ice cream, beer and wine (dinner has yet to come back post-pandemic). Indoors there is a mix of long tables, counter and small table seating (it's a family favorite so space can be a bit loud sometimes.) Outdoors they have sidewalk cafe tables, and a parklet added during the pandemic.
260 locals recommend
Precita Park Cafe & Grill
500 Precita Avenue
260 locals recommend
Local cafe chain with outdoor sidewalk seating serving coffee, breakfast and lunch, fresh juices, ice cream, beer and wine (dinner has yet to come back post-pandemic). Indoors there is a mix of long tables, counter and small table seating (it's a family favorite so space can be a bit loud sometimes.) Outdoors they have sidewalk cafe tables, and a parklet added during the pandemic.
local ice creamery with inventive flavors
224 locals recommend
Humphry Slocombe
224 locals recommend
local ice creamery with inventive flavors
Out-of-this-world donuts, in flavors you never imagined, and excellent coffee. Gluten free options are as good or better than the rest!
199 locals recommend
Dynamo Donut and Coffee
2760 24th St
199 locals recommend
Out-of-this-world donuts, in flavors you never imagined, and excellent coffee. Gluten free options are as good or better than the rest!
light-filled cafe serving Ritual Roasters espresso
65 locals recommend
Haus Coffee
3086 24th St
65 locals recommend
light-filled cafe serving Ritual Roasters espresso
Neighborhood Nepalese restaurant
61 locals recommend
Little Nepal
925 Cortland Ave
61 locals recommend
Neighborhood Nepalese restaurant
Our Bernal location... In a town of much ado about coffee, there are many fine versions to try, but we always come back to family-owned Martha's for the friendly staff, excellent selection of baked goods and grab-and-go, and, coffee!
105 locals recommend
Martha & Bros. Coffee Co.
745 Cortland Ave
105 locals recommend
Our Bernal location... In a town of much ado about coffee, there are many fine versions to try, but we always come back to family-owned Martha's for the friendly staff, excellent selection of baked goods and grab-and-go, and, coffee!
the original one-cup-at-a-time caffeinated goodness, tailor made just for you with creative specialties like cardamom
913 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
3101 24th St
913 locals recommend
the original one-cup-at-a-time caffeinated goodness, tailor made just for you with creative specialties like cardamom
great ambiance, casual southern-inspired fare
158 locals recommend
The Front Porch
65 29th St
158 locals recommend
great ambiance, casual southern-inspired fare
Intimate atmosphere, yummy Italian food, friendly owners.
137 locals recommend
Vega
419 Cortland Ave
137 locals recommend
Intimate atmosphere, yummy Italian food, friendly owners.
Quiet back deck, cozy interior seating, great Mediterranean inspired sandwiches and salads, good coffee, smoothies, Mitchell's Ice Cream, a locally made favorite, etc!
108 locals recommend
Progressive Grounds Coffee shop and Eatery
400 Cortland Ave
108 locals recommend
Quiet back deck, cozy interior seating, great Mediterranean inspired sandwiches and salads, good coffee, smoothies, Mitchell's Ice Cream, a locally made favorite, etc!
Local spanish-influenced restaurant
69 locals recommend
Piqueo's
830 Cortland Ave
69 locals recommend
Local spanish-influenced restaurant
Excellent baked goods, savory and sweet
320 locals recommend
Arizmendi Bakery
1331 9th Ave
320 locals recommend
Excellent baked goods, savory and sweet
Great restaurant in an industrial setting with films screening on the outdoor wall and warm fireplace-lit ambiance inside
343 locals recommend
Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St
343 locals recommend
Great restaurant in an industrial setting with films screening on the outdoor wall and warm fireplace-lit ambiance inside
Local favorite, with exotic tropical flavors and specialties including Mexican Chocolate and Mango
214 locals recommend
Mitchell's Ice Cream
688 San Jose Avenue
214 locals recommend
Local favorite, with exotic tropical flavors and specialties including Mexican Chocolate and Mango
Old school soda fountain revived, with great ice cream concoctions and full menu. Great for a big hearty brunch
138 locals recommend
St. Francis Fountain
2801 24th St
138 locals recommend
Old school soda fountain revived, with great ice cream concoctions and full menu. Great for a big hearty brunch
A longtime favorite, with warm atmosphere and lovely food. Prix fixe menu available. Gluten free and vegetarian options. Reservations recommended.
120 locals recommend
Firefly
4288 24th Street
120 locals recommend
A longtime favorite, with warm atmosphere and lovely food. Prix fixe menu available. Gluten free and vegetarian options. Reservations recommended.
Excellent local burritos, tacos and Mexican food - they grill their tortillas and use cilantro, and yummy aguas frescas! Inexpensive; with other locations on outer Mission and mid-Market.
141 locals recommend
Taqueria Cancun
2288 Mission Street
141 locals recommend
Excellent local burritos, tacos and Mexican food - they grill their tortillas and use cilantro, and yummy aguas frescas! Inexpensive; with other locations on outer Mission and mid-Market.
Juicy rotisserie chicken, Peruvian purple corn juice…yum (hint: if the restaurant's packed get food to go)
203 locals recommend
Limón Rotisserie
524 Valencia St
203 locals recommend
Juicy rotisserie chicken, Peruvian purple corn juice…yum (hint: if the restaurant's packed get food to go)
Comfortable restaurant and pub with good American and Irish fare
36 locals recommend
The Liberties Bar & Grill
998 Guerrero St
36 locals recommend
Comfortable restaurant and pub with good American and Irish fare
Exceptional sushi; friendly locals
115 locals recommend
ICHI Sushi
3369 Mission St
115 locals recommend
Exceptional sushi; friendly locals
Longtime Mission restaurant serving yummy casual Italian
115 locals recommend
Emmy's Spaghetti Shack
3230 Mission St
115 locals recommend
Longtime Mission restaurant serving yummy casual Italian
One of two Noe Valley locations... In a town of much ado about coffee, there are many fine versions to try, but I always come back to Martha's.
57 locals recommend
Martha & Brothers Coffee Company
3868 24th St
57 locals recommend
One of two Noe Valley locations... In a town of much ado about coffee, there are many fine versions to try, but I always come back to Martha's.
One of two Noe Valley locations... In a town of much ado about coffee, there are many fine versions to try, but I always come back to Martha's.
105 locals recommend
Martha & Bros. Coffee Co.
745 Cortland Ave
105 locals recommend
One of two Noe Valley locations... In a town of much ado about coffee, there are many fine versions to try, but I always come back to Martha's.
Lauded fine vegetarian cuisine and nice ambience
105 locals recommend
AL's Place
1499 Valencia Street
105 locals recommend
Lauded fine vegetarian cuisine and nice ambience
Our favorite local Thai
45 locals recommend
Regent Thai
1700 Church St
45 locals recommend
Our favorite local Thai
Delicious. Famous Tartine Bread, a full restaurant, a Patisserie that includes gluten free options, an ice creamery, and proprietary coffee roasters all in one. Make a reservation!
155 locals recommend
Tartine Manufactory
595 Alabama St
155 locals recommend
Delicious. Famous Tartine Bread, a full restaurant, a Patisserie that includes gluten free options, an ice creamery, and proprietary coffee roasters all in one. Make a reservation!
Well-known bakery with yummy savory and sweet options, good coffee and long lines
768 locals recommend
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero St
768 locals recommend
Well-known bakery with yummy savory and sweet options, good coffee and long lines
A true gem...not to be missed. The couple puts great care into the delicious food and overall experience with outstanding service. The peaceful atmosphere feels like a secret.
12 locals recommend
Doma Sushi
433 Precita Ave
12 locals recommend
A true gem...not to be missed. The couple puts great care into the delicious food and overall experience with outstanding service. The peaceful atmosphere feels like a secret.
Awesome food in this longtime local spot with remodeled interior
46 locals recommend
Roosevelt Tamale Parlor
2817 24th St
46 locals recommend
Awesome food in this longtime local spot with remodeled interior
Friendly owners, nice menu and often festive sidewalk scene.
10 locals recommend
Los Yaquis
3214 Folsom St
10 locals recommend
Friendly owners, nice menu and often festive sidewalk scene.
KAZAN Sushi! Great sushi, creative options, friendly staff...the music can be a bit loud sometimes but otherwise love this neighborhood spot!
30 locals recommend
Kazan
2809 24th St
30 locals recommend
KAZAN Sushi! Great sushi, creative options, friendly staff...the music can be a bit loud sometimes but otherwise love this neighborhood spot!
Hip and classic homemade Jewish deli deliciousness
146 locals recommend
Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
3150 24th St
146 locals recommend
Hip and classic homemade Jewish deli deliciousness
East Coast style pizza by the slice or pie
44 locals recommend
The Pizza Shop
3104 24th St
44 locals recommend
East Coast style pizza by the slice or pie
Mission classic
77 locals recommend
Taqueria El Farolito
2950 24th St
77 locals recommend
Mission classic
Great sandwich shop in a nice little neighborhood strip of cafes and shops.
25 locals recommend
Hazel's Kitchen
1319 18th St
25 locals recommend
Great sandwich shop in a nice little neighborhood strip of cafes and shops.
Delicious ice cream using organic Strauss Creamery dairy, run by Bi-Rite Grocery.
476 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th St
476 locals recommend
Delicious ice cream using organic Strauss Creamery dairy, run by Bi-Rite Grocery.
A longtime favorite, Boogaloo serves delicious breakfast and strong coffee in a brightly lit corner space in the Mission, where art from the local Creativity Explored program is featured.
58 locals recommend
Boogaloos
3296 22nd St
58 locals recommend
A longtime favorite, Boogaloo serves delicious breakfast and strong coffee in a brightly lit corner space in the Mission, where art from the local Creativity Explored program is featured.
Good ingredients, large portions and veg and gluten free options make this local spot a go-to.
11 locals recommend
Big Mouth Burgers
3392 24th St
11 locals recommend
Good ingredients, large portions and veg and gluten free options make this local spot a go-to.
Right on the Bay with views to the East and the shipyards, Mission Rock is an awesome spot with 2-level outdoor deck seating. Especially love the full bar, oysters, and excellent burgers.
62 locals recommend
Mission Rock Resort
817 Terry A Francois Blvd
62 locals recommend
Right on the Bay with views to the East and the shipyards, Mission Rock is an awesome spot with 2-level outdoor deck seating. Especially love the full bar, oysters, and excellent burgers.
Scrumptious, creative Mexican food
196 locals recommend
Papalote Mexican Grill
1777 Fulton St
196 locals recommend
Scrumptious, creative Mexican food
A San Francisco classic and favorite, Anthony and crew make the best cookies!
47 locals recommend
Anthony's Cookies
1417 Valencia St
47 locals recommend
A San Francisco classic and favorite, Anthony and crew make the best cookies!
Excellent, fast pizza for pick-up or delivery from this permanent food truck location.
7 locals recommend
Firepie
3228 Cesar Chavez
7 locals recommend
Excellent, fast pizza for pick-up or delivery from this permanent food truck location.
Our favorite restaurant, Blue Plate serves delicious dinners and is located in a classic San Francisco space with lovely back garden. The staff is fantastic. An absolute must.
156 locals recommend
Blue Plate
3218 Mission St
156 locals recommend
Our favorite restaurant, Blue Plate serves delicious dinners and is located in a classic San Francisco space with lovely back garden. The staff is fantastic. An absolute must.
Michelin star dining and gourmet right on Precita Park
11 locals recommend
Marlena Restaurant
300 Precita Ave
11 locals recommend
Michelin star dining and gourmet right on Precita Park
Excellent local burritos, tacos and Mexican food - they grill their tortillas and use cilantro, and yummy aguas frescas! Inexpensive; with other locations on inner Mission and mid-Market.
141 locals recommend
Taqueria Cancun
2288 Mission Street
141 locals recommend
Excellent local burritos, tacos and Mexican food - they grill their tortillas and use cilantro, and yummy aguas frescas! Inexpensive; with other locations on inner Mission and mid-Market.
Great ambiance with three seating areas: storefront, rear courtyard and back cottage. They screen films in the courtyard while you dine. Solid menu. Owned by local restauranteur Vega who has a yummy Italian place across the street.
137 locals recommend
Bernal Star
410 Cortland Ave
137 locals recommend
Great ambiance with three seating areas: storefront, rear courtyard and back cottage. They screen films in the courtyard while you dine. Solid menu. Owned by local restauranteur Vega who has a yummy Italian place across the street.
Savory crepes, salads, hot dogs, coffee, breakfast and more.
34 locals recommend
Moonlight Cafe
634 Cortland Ave
34 locals recommend
Savory crepes, salads, hot dogs, coffee, breakfast and more.
Local favorite
83 locals recommend
Pinhole Coffee
231 Cortland Ave
83 locals recommend
Local favorite
Nice cozy restaurant
26 locals recommend
3rd Cousin
919 Cortland Ave
26 locals recommend
Nice cozy restaurant
Lines out the door for these local baked goods and pies
28 locals recommend
Black Jet Baking Co.
833 Cortland Ave
28 locals recommend
Lines out the door for these local baked goods and pies

Shopping

10 locals recommend
Secession Art & Design
3235 Mission St
10 locals recommend
Well-curated local store with artful and useful objects
Industrious Life
1095 Tennessee St
Well-curated local store with artful and useful objects
Store of curiosities and eccentricities
133 locals recommend
Paxton Gate
824 Valencia St
133 locals recommend
Store of curiosities and eccentricities
The famous Sausalito-based ceramics studio opened this San Francisco flagship to feature their architectural tile, with production area on view and a full line of their tasteful objects for sale
107 locals recommend
Heath Ceramics
2900 18th St
107 locals recommend
The famous Sausalito-based ceramics studio opened this San Francisco flagship to feature their architectural tile, with production area on view and a full line of their tasteful objects for sale
41 locals recommend
Dog Eared Books
900 Valencia St
41 locals recommend
34 locals recommend
Crossroads Trading
1901 Fillmore St
34 locals recommend
Great local resale clothing shop with vintage and newer fashion
26 locals recommend
Buffalo Exchange
1210 Valencia St
26 locals recommend
Great local resale clothing shop with vintage and newer fashion
38 locals recommend
Alley Cat Books
3036 24th St
38 locals recommend
Community go-to with an art gallery in the back
Adobe Books & Arts Cooperative
3130 24th Street
Community go-to with an art gallery in the back
RECORD STORE!
Stranded SF
1055 Valencia St
RECORD STORE!
9 locals recommend
Needles & Pens
1173 Valencia St
9 locals recommend
17 locals recommend
The Scarlet Sage Herb Co.
1903 Valencia St
17 locals recommend

Entertainment & Activities

Great local cinema showing independent films
87 locals recommend
Roxie Cinema
3117 16th St
87 locals recommend
Great local cinema showing independent films
Gorgeous historic theatre with a program of independent and classic films and live organ performances
332 locals recommend
Castro Theatre
429 Castro St
332 locals recommend
Gorgeous historic theatre with a program of independent and classic films and live organ performances
33 locals recommend
The Marsh
1062 Valencia St
33 locals recommend
27 locals recommend
Brava Theater Center
2781 24th St
27 locals recommend

Groceries

Bernal's neighborhood grocery with deli, meat counter, wine and beer, good produce
282 locals recommend
The Good Life Grocery
448 Cortland Ave
282 locals recommend
Bernal's neighborhood grocery with deli, meat counter, wine and beer, good produce
amazing butcher focused on locally sourced meats; also offers sandwiches and soup/stew
60 locals recommend
Avedano's Meats
235 Cortland Ave
60 locals recommend
amazing butcher focused on locally sourced meats; also offers sandwiches and soup/stew
Great local grocery store with an exceptional meat counter, full grocery and produce selection featuring lots of local foodstuffs, and a cafe serving baked goods, bagesl, coffee, smoothies, Humphrey Slocombe Ice Cream and more. AND IT HAS A PARKING GARAGE!
96 locals recommend
Gus's Community Market
1101 4th St
96 locals recommend
Great local grocery store with an exceptional meat counter, full grocery and produce selection featuring lots of local foodstuffs, and a cafe serving baked goods, bagesl, coffee, smoothies, Humphrey Slocombe Ice Cream and more. AND IT HAS A PARKING GARAGE!
Potrero Hill location of our local grocery
282 locals recommend
The Good Life Grocery
448 Cortland Ave
282 locals recommend
Potrero Hill location of our local grocery
Market right on the park with good produce, staples, wine, beer and liquor
76 locals recommend
Harvest Hills Market
3216 Folsom St
76 locals recommend
Market right on the park with good produce, staples, wine, beer and liquor
905 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3950 24th St
905 locals recommend
Nice location of this California grocery store chain, in a small mall with cafes that's next to Christopher park.
357 locals recommend
Safeway
298 King St
357 locals recommend
Nice location of this California grocery store chain, in a small mall with cafes that's next to Christopher park.
Great local latino grocer with some prepared foods
56 locals recommend
Casa Lucas Market
2934 24th St
56 locals recommend
Great local latino grocer with some prepared foods
Bargain market chain with decent selection and great deals
80 locals recommend
Grocery Outlet
401 Marin St
80 locals recommend
Bargain market chain with decent selection and great deals
Excellent market with gourmet selection of meats, cheeses, produce, prepared foods
651 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th St
651 locals recommend
Excellent market with gourmet selection of meats, cheeses, produce, prepared foods
Small family-run, corner market with good produce and fresh squeezed OJ
33 locals recommend
Valencia Farmers Market
1299 Valencia St
33 locals recommend
Small family-run, corner market with good produce and fresh squeezed OJ
Awesome Saturday AM market with great organic and local produce, flowers, bread, and other foodstuffs. Reasonable prices.
104 locals recommend
Alemany Farmers Market
100 Alemany Blvd
104 locals recommend
Awesome Saturday AM market with great organic and local produce, flowers, bread, and other foodstuffs. Reasonable prices.

Drinks & Nightlife

"Your Dive" with outdoor patio and live music room
196 locals recommend
El Rio
3158 Mission St
196 locals recommend
"Your Dive" with outdoor patio and live music room
Great, dimly lit atmosphere, excellent cocktails
57 locals recommend
Lone Palm
3394 22nd St
57 locals recommend
Great, dimly lit atmosphere, excellent cocktails
My favorite bar! Great outdoor patio; excellent cocktails. Many nights the owner is in situ playing his Hammond organ or hosting live music...otherwise they're spinning from a great LP collection.
137 locals recommend
The Royal Cuckoo
3202 Mission St
137 locals recommend
My favorite bar! Great outdoor patio; excellent cocktails. Many nights the owner is in situ playing his Hammond organ or hosting live music...otherwise they're spinning from a great LP collection.
Intimate music venue in former chapel with good adjacent restaurant that has indoor and outdoor seating
135 locals recommend
The Chapel
777 Valencia Street
135 locals recommend
Intimate music venue in former chapel with good adjacent restaurant that has indoor and outdoor seating
Storied music venue
119 locals recommend
The Fillmore
1805 Geary Blvd
119 locals recommend
Storied music venue
Excellent music venue with gorgeous historic interior and fantastic sound system
56 locals recommend
Great American Music Hall
859 O'Farrell St
56 locals recommend
Excellent music venue with gorgeous historic interior and fantastic sound system
Intimate music venue
200 locals recommend
The Independent
628 Divisadero St
200 locals recommend
Intimate music venue
Mission classic
46 locals recommend
Latin American Club
3286 22nd St
46 locals recommend
Mission classic
Short walk from Precita Park for this small beer pub
6 locals recommend
Hop Oast Pub & Brewery
2887 Bryant St
6 locals recommend
Short walk from Precita Park for this small beer pub
27 locals recommend
Virgil's Sea Room
3152 Mission St
27 locals recommend
69 locals recommend
Make-Out Room
3225 22nd St
69 locals recommend
Beer garden!
222 locals recommend
Zeitgeist
199 Valencia St
222 locals recommend
Beer garden!
26 locals recommend
Thee Parkside
1600 17th St
26 locals recommend

Everything Else

Swimming! Just a 4-5 block walk from our place... Look at the SF Rec & Park website for information.
16 locals recommend
Garfield Pool
1271 Treat Ave
16 locals recommend
Swimming! Just a 4-5 block walk from our place... Look at the SF Rec & Park website for information.

Parks & Nature

our very own local park, with green space and popular childrens playground
95 locals recommend
Precita Park
3200 Folsom St
95 locals recommend
our very own local park, with green space and popular childrens playground
The tourist websites can give you more info than me, but our large city park has much to see!
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
1721 locals recommend
The tourist websites can give you more info than me, but our large city park has much to see!
Dramatic coastal views rom a lookout, trails atop the ridge, and long beach (requires going down/up a steep stair)...mostly populated by locals and you can watch hang gliders take off and land.
162 locals recommend
Fort Funston
Fort Funston Road
162 locals recommend
Dramatic coastal views rom a lookout, trails atop the ridge, and long beach (requires going down/up a steep stair)...mostly populated by locals and you can watch hang gliders take off and land.
The road in gives you an epic view of the Golden Gate bridge, then you can drive over the top down a breathtaking ocean view road. The Headlands has trails, Rodeo Beach and Black Sands beach, and a Visitors Center, as well as Headlands Center for the Arts and the Marine Mammal Center.
194 locals recommend
Marin Headlands
194 locals recommend
The road in gives you an epic view of the Golden Gate bridge, then you can drive over the top down a breathtaking ocean view road. The Headlands has trails, Rodeo Beach and Black Sands beach, and a Visitors Center, as well as Headlands Center for the Arts and the Marine Mammal Center.
426 locals recommend
Crissy Field
426 locals recommend
our hill, with panoramic views of San Francisco in all its glory, pedestrian road to walk/bike, hiking trails...and coyotes!
363 locals recommend
Bernal Heights Park
3400-3416 Folsom St
363 locals recommend
our hill, with panoramic views of San Francisco in all its glory, pedestrian road to walk/bike, hiking trails...and coyotes!
San Francisco's Pacific Ocean beach, along the Great Highway
553 locals recommend
Ocean Beach
La Playa St
553 locals recommend
San Francisco's Pacific Ocean beach, along the Great Highway
Opened in 2020, this is a great new park - along the industrial waterfront in Dogpatch. Near Chase Center, light rail and restaurants.
10 locals recommend
Crane Cove Park
Illinois Street
10 locals recommend
Opened in 2020, this is a great new park - along the industrial waterfront in Dogpatch. Near Chase Center, light rail and restaurants.
Nice neighborhood park in the middle of a circular drive
59 locals recommend
Holly Park
625 Holly Park Cir
59 locals recommend
Nice neighborhood park in the middle of a circular drive