Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
Great wine bar - feels like you stepped into Paris. Doesn't hurt that most of the servers there are from France as well. $10 happy hour flights of wine from 5-7 PM is a great deal! Snacks available.
102 locals recommend
Amelie San Francisco
1754 Polk StGreat wine bar - feels like you stepped into Paris. Doesn't hurt that most of the servers there are from France as well. $10 happy hour flights of wine from 5-7 PM is a great deal! Snacks available.
You can surely visit this Michelin starred restaurant, but I prefer heading next door to La Folie Lounge for sexy cocktails and a smaller food menu to snack on. Hip and upscale vibe.
40 locals recommend
La Folie Lounge
2316 Polk StYou can surely visit this Michelin starred restaurant, but I prefer heading next door to La Folie Lounge for sexy cocktails and a smaller food menu to snack on. Hip and upscale vibe.
Quiet and cozy coffee shop on Polk, stop in on your walk down to Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Mason, Ghiradelli Square. Featuring made to order locally sourced coffee. Free WiFi and couches to lounge in.
9 locals recommend
The Brew
2436 Polk StQuiet and cozy coffee shop on Polk, stop in on your walk down to Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Mason, Ghiradelli Square. Featuring made to order locally sourced coffee. Free WiFi and couches to lounge in.
Delicious (if not *slightly* pretentious) coffee and free wifi. Right along the cable car on Hyde.
80 locals recommend
Contraband Coffee Bar
1415 Larkin StDelicious (if not *slightly* pretentious) coffee and free wifi. Right along the cable car on Hyde.
While this is a restaurant, the food is fairly average. I recommend stopping here for the Irish Coffee that originated here. It's fun to watch the pro's make them at the bar if you can grab a seat.
105 locals recommend
Buena Vista
2765 Hyde StWhile this is a restaurant, the food is fairly average. I recommend stopping here for the Irish Coffee that originated here. It's fun to watch the pro's make them at the bar if you can grab a seat.
Sandwiches, salads, pastries, and coffee. Visit this charming local chain for breakfast, lunch, early dinner, coffee or a light snack. Sit outside and enjoy people watching on Polk. FYI - no WiFi.
30 locals recommend
La Boulange
2300 Polk StreetSandwiches, salads, pastries, and coffee. Visit this charming local chain for breakfast, lunch, early dinner, coffee or a light snack. Sit outside and enjoy people watching on Polk. FYI - no WiFi.
Mouth watering thin crust pizza, but the other menu offerings are just as delightful and organically/locally sourced. Great brunch spot for brunch as well with outdoor seating for people watching.
35 locals recommend
Gioia Pizzeria
2240 Polk StreetMouth watering thin crust pizza, but the other menu offerings are just as delightful and organically/locally sourced. Great brunch spot for brunch as well with outdoor seating for people watching.
Charming French bistro food. Get the Coq au Vin and the rotisserie chicken with some good wine...and possibly banana creme bruelee for dessert.
11 locals recommend
Cocotte
1521 Hyde StCharming French bistro food. Get the Coq au Vin and the rotisserie chicken with some good wine...and possibly banana creme bruelee for dessert.
Great Thai food right around the corner. Also do takeout and delivery.
13 locals recommend
Thai Spice Restaurant
1730 Polk StGreat Thai food right around the corner. Also do takeout and delivery.
Coffee, restaurant, wine and beer with free wifi. Grab a seat and enjoy watching the cable cars roll by.
56 locals recommend
NOOK
1500 Hyde StCoffee, restaurant, wine and beer with free wifi. Grab a seat and enjoy watching the cable cars roll by.
Delicious tacos, huge actually. Beware of Taco Tuesday's...the $2 tacos are not worth the craziness that ensures. Or maybe it is...
86 locals recommend
Nick's Crispy Tacos
3200 BroadwayDelicious tacos, huge actually. Beware of Taco Tuesday's...the $2 tacos are not worth the craziness that ensures. Or maybe it is...
Tucked away in Russian Hill, this charming Italian restaurant has a FREE buffet style happy hour on Thursdays with drink purchase. I have been told their regular menus is good as well...
6 locals recommend
Amarena
2162 Larkin StTucked away in Russian Hill, this charming Italian restaurant has a FREE buffet style happy hour on Thursdays with drink purchase. I have been told their regular menus is good as well...
Delicious California/American styled food in a modern and stylish relaxed setting. Great cocktails as well. Right near Washington Square Park in North Beach.
95 locals recommend
Park Tavern
1652 Stockton StDelicious California/American styled food in a modern and stylish relaxed setting. Great cocktails as well. Right near Washington Square Park in North Beach.
Hands down, my favorite brunch in the city. And they take reservations. Gorgeous outdoor patio and delicious food. Dinner is excellent as well. Enjoy the foreign film being projected on the wall
343 locals recommend
Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission StHands down, my favorite brunch in the city. And they take reservations. Gorgeous outdoor patio and delicious food. Dinner is excellent as well. Enjoy the foreign film being projected on the wall
An SF institution, a must stop if you love seafood or Anthony Bourdain. Get there early if you can. Regardless,the line is worth it, trust me. Cash only!
144 locals recommend
Swan Oyster Depot
1517 Polk StAn SF institution, a must stop if you love seafood or Anthony Bourdain. Get there early if you can. Regardless,the line is worth it, trust me. Cash only!
Great brunch spot around the corner. Try the eggs cazuela or the french toast.
49 locals recommend
Olea
1494 California StGreat brunch spot around the corner. Try the eggs cazuela or the french toast.
Huge slices of pizza, tiny dining area, but a great place to refuel with a slice and some beer/wine after a day of climbing the hills of SF.
59 locals recommend
Za Pizza
1919 Hyde StHuge slices of pizza, tiny dining area, but a great place to refuel with a slice and some beer/wine after a day of climbing the hills of SF.
This is a restaurant and bar, I usually skip the bar nights here and hit them up for $1 oysters, which is ongoing all nights. Live music as well on Sunday nights.
13 locals recommend
Mayes Oyster House
1233 Polk StThis is a restaurant and bar, I usually skip the bar nights here and hit them up for $1 oysters, which is ongoing all nights. Live music as well on Sunday nights.
Delicious and dependable, practically an SF classic. On bustling Divisadero Street and a block from famous Alamo Square and the pained ladies and ''Full House" house.
504 locals recommend
Nopa
560 Divisadero StDelicious and dependable, practically an SF classic. On bustling Divisadero Street and a block from famous Alamo Square and the pained ladies and ''Full House" house.
Sleek and modern decor with food to match. Expect American/California style food served small plate style. Must get the duck burger.
12 locals recommend
1760
1760 Polk StSleek and modern decor with food to match. Expect American/California style food served small plate style. Must get the duck burger.
Walk up to the counter and enjoy whatever was just freshly fried. Comes in handy as a snack after a few cocktails or while you wait in line for Swan's
71 locals recommend
Bob's Donuts and Pastries
1621 Polk StWalk up to the counter and enjoy whatever was just freshly fried. Comes in handy as a snack after a few cocktails or while you wait in line for Swan's
Conveniently located right on the corner, lots of seating and a great spot to get your caffeine fix
41 locals recommend
It's A Grind Coffee House
1800 Polk StConveniently located right on the corner, lots of seating and a great spot to get your caffeine fix
Right on the corner, convenient and charming crepe house serving sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches, and salads with outdoor seating as well.
21 locals recommend
The Crepe House
1755 Polk StRight on the corner, convenient and charming crepe house serving sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches, and salads with outdoor seating as well.
The new cool kid on the block, serving delicious and hip single origin pour overs, and a homemade almond and macadamia milk blend for the dairy averse
71 locals recommend
Saint Frank Coffee
2340 Polk StThe new cool kid on the block, serving delicious and hip single origin pour overs, and a homemade almond and macadamia milk blend for the dairy averse
Great brunch spot, across from Olea, which is also fabulous. If both are busy, hop over to Contraband for a coffee and a treat instead.
67 locals recommend
Mymy
1500 California StGreat brunch spot, across from Olea, which is also fabulous. If both are busy, hop over to Contraband for a coffee and a treat instead.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great place to grab a hand crafted cocktail. Has that prohibition era type of vibe.
21 locals recommend
Hi-Lo Club
1423 Polk StGreat place to grab a hand crafted cocktail. Has that prohibition era type of vibe.
Hand crafted cocktails with care. Fun relaxed vibe and atmosphere with a small outdoor area as well.
66 locals recommend
Rye
688 Geary StHand crafted cocktails with care. Fun relaxed vibe and atmosphere with a small outdoor area as well.
Best outdoor bar and snacks in SF. They also provide blankets for when it gets chilly at night. If the line is too long, there are plenty of other cute places nearby in Hayes Valley to drop in.
114 locals recommend
Biergarten
424 Octavia St
Best outdoor bar and snacks in SF. They also provide blankets for when it gets chilly at night. If the line is too long, there are plenty of other cute places nearby in Hayes Valley to drop in.
Charming small bar with great cocktails and bar snacks. Bring a date or a good friend.
37 locals recommend
Two Sisters Bar and Books
579 Hayes StreetCharming small bar with great cocktails and bar snacks. Bring a date or a good friend.
It's an "experience." Be prepared for cheesy 70's porn on the walls and spliced into some of the TV shows. It's a kitschy good time of a dive bar, if only for one drink.
22 locals recommend
Kozy Kar
1548 Polk StIt's an "experience." Be prepared for cheesy 70's porn on the walls and spliced into some of the TV shows. It's a kitschy good time of a dive bar, if only for one drink.
Come have a martini with a view in this San Francisco landmark hotel bar on the top floor with impressive views of the city.
104 locals recommend
Top of the Mark
999 California StCome have a martini with a view in this San Francisco landmark hotel bar on the top floor with impressive views of the city.
This 3 level tiki bar is a swashbuckling good time...don't let the fruity drinks deceive you, they definitely pack a punch.
100 locals recommend
Smuggler's Cove
650 Gough StThis 3 level tiki bar is a swashbuckling good time...don't let the fruity drinks deceive you, they definitely pack a punch.
This speakeasy requires a reservation for a table, but if you only want to sit in the main bar area, the password "books" will get you in. Just don't tell them I told you...
161 locals recommend
Bourbon & Branch
501 Jones StThis speakeasy requires a reservation for a table, but if you only want to sit in the main bar area, the password "books" will get you in. Just don't tell them I told you...
Entertainment & Activities
Famous old ice cream parlour with endless flavours to choose from. Right next to the cable car on Hyde.
61 locals recommend
The First Swensen's Ice Cream Store
1999 Hyde StFamous old ice cream parlour with endless flavours to choose from. Right next to the cable car on Hyde.
Sightseeing
A great park to take in the view of the Golden Gate Bridge and relax. Also come here on Sunday mornings for the farmer's market.
161 locals recommend
Fort Mason
2 Marina BlvdA great park to take in the view of the Golden Gate Bridge and relax. Also come here on Sunday mornings for the farmer's market.
If you have not yet been to San Francisco, then you will undoubtedly make a stop here. It's very touristy and not the "real San Francisco", but worth a brief stop for some clam chowder and souvenires
416 locals recommend
Pier 39
The EmbarcaderoIf you have not yet been to San Francisco, then you will undoubtedly make a stop here. It's very touristy and not the "real San Francisco", but worth a brief stop for some clam chowder and souvenires
Shopping mecca. Designer goods galore. As well as moderately priced items. Near downtown. Can take the cable car or walk.
817 locals recommend
Union Square
333 Post StShopping mecca. Designer goods galore. As well as moderately priced items. Near downtown. Can take the cable car or walk.
An easy trail, used to be an old railroad line that got washed out and now is a gorgeous paved walkway. Amazing views and right between the ocean and bay side of San Francisco. Bring your camera :)
694 locals recommend
Lands End Trail
Lands End TrailAn easy trail, used to be an old railroad line that got washed out and now is a gorgeous paved walkway. Amazing views and right between the ocean and bay side of San Francisco. Bring your camera :)
This is a must see on a trip to San Francisco Views of the bay bridge, amazing food and vendors Farmer's market on Tues, Thurs, and Saturday is the largest.
679 locals recommend
Ferry Building Marketplace
This is a must see on a trip to San Francisco Views of the bay bridge, amazing food and vendors Farmer's market on Tues, Thurs, and Saturday is the largest.
Great local park, good spot to take a break and enjoy the views. Or play some tennis.
17 locals recommend
Alice Marble Tennis Courts
1200 Greenwich StGreat local park, good spot to take a break and enjoy the views. Or play some tennis.
Enjoy the Painted Ladies (these are houses, not humans) and ''Full House" house. Nice park and a great spot to relax. Near the hub of Divisadero and hip and trendy Hayes Valley.
390 locals recommend
Alamo Square
Enjoy the Painted Ladies (these are houses, not humans) and ''Full House" house. Nice park and a great spot to relax. Near the hub of Divisadero and hip and trendy Hayes Valley.
If you haven't been to SF, you will surely be seeking this out. Head out early if you care to cross the bridge. Be aware of weary bikers who may or may not run you over.
1321 locals recommend
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate BridgeIf you haven't been to SF, you will surely be seeking this out. Head out early if you care to cross the bridge. Be aware of weary bikers who may or may not run you over.
Kick back and check out a more "alternative" park. If drinking a beer in the park, people watching, and enjoying a special brownie is your thing, you will love Dolores Park on a sunny day
1244 locals recommend
Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetKick back and check out a more "alternative" park. If drinking a beer in the park, people watching, and enjoying a special brownie is your thing, you will love Dolores Park on a sunny day
Massive park with multiple museums, walking and bike trails, and large recreational areas. Can easily spend a day here, or at the minimum an afternoon.
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
Massive park with multiple museums, walking and bike trails, and large recreational areas. Can easily spend a day here, or at the minimum an afternoon.
Visit Haight Street and the famous intersection of Haight Ashbury. Definitely a different vibe than back in the 60s but still plenty of tie dye, vintage, and "herbs" here.
37 locals recommend
Haight Street
Haight StreetVisit Haight Street and the famous intersection of Haight Ashbury. Definitely a different vibe than back in the 60s but still plenty of tie dye, vintage, and "herbs" here.
Lombard Street
Lombard StreetThe famous "Crooked Street" - Lombard Street
Shopping
Trendy and tastefully curated boutique. Website as well if you choose to purchase after you leave.
Capulet
6225 Hwy 9Trendy and tastefully curated boutique. Website as well if you choose to purchase after you leave.
Boutique with lots of locally made goods and great little knick knacks to take home with you or to give as gifts.
17 locals recommend
Picnic
1808 Polk StBoutique with lots of locally made goods and great little knick knacks to take home with you or to give as gifts.
Essentials
Real Food Company
2140 Polk StNatural foods grocery store
Affordable and many organic food options, along with a large refrigerated prepared foods section.
395 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
401 Bay StAffordable and many organic food options, along with a large refrigerated prepared foods section.
CVS
1059 Hyde StClosest CVS drug store
Walgreens
1496 Market StNearest Walgreens drug store
Cheese mecca! Sample local cheeses, as well as a myriad of others. Olive oil, bread, wine, and snacks too. Sandwiches and salads with in/outdoor seating or togo.Great stop before a picnic in the park.
43 locals recommend
Cheese Plus
2001 Polk StCheese mecca! Sample local cheeses, as well as a myriad of others. Olive oil, bread, wine, and snacks too. Sandwiches and salads with in/outdoor seating or togo.Great stop before a picnic in the park.
Whole Foods Market with many options of organic groceries and prepared food items, including a cafe.
905 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3950 24th StWhole Foods Market with many options of organic groceries and prepared food items, including a cafe.
Everything Else
If you need to exercise on your trip, grab a day pass and check out this old theater converted into a gym
16 locals recommend
Crunch Fitness - Polk Street
2330 Polk StIf you need to exercise on your trip, grab a day pass and check out this old theater converted into a gym