Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
Great coffee, nice to sit on weekday mornings (otherwise, it's a bit busy), fun people watching.
281 locals recommend
The Mill
736 Divisadero StGreat coffee, nice to sit on weekday mornings (otherwise, it's a bit busy), fun people watching.
Repose Coffee
262 Divisadero StreetGreat to grab a cup! Friendly baristas. Not much place to sit. Say "hi" to James!
This is one of the best cafes in San Francisco. It's my secret spot! It's quiet and lovely, but a bit far to reach. Great backyard to sit in.
12 locals recommend
Bazaar Café
5927 California StThis is one of the best cafes in San Francisco. It's my secret spot! It's quiet and lovely, but a bit far to reach. Great backyard to sit in.
Also a cute cafe that I adore. Great backyard as well!
108 locals recommend
Progressive Grounds Coffee shop and Eatery
400 Cortland AveAlso a cute cafe that I adore. Great backyard as well!
One of my favorite things to do. Just hop on the "N" MUNI Outbound at Duboce Park and take it all the way to the beach. Bring a book or hand out on the sand, and then go in for a coffee!
49 locals recommend
Beachside Coffee Bar & Kitchen
One of my favorite things to do. Just hop on the "N" MUNI Outbound at Duboce Park and take it all the way to the beach. Bring a book or hand out on the sand, and then go in for a coffee!
Cha-Ya
762 Valencia StExcellent vegan Japanese food. An all-time favorite. Cash only
Udupi Palace
1007 Valencia StPretty good south Indian food! Cash only.
Atlas Cafe
3049 20th StA great cafe that sometimes has music in the evenings!
Matching Half
1799 McAllister StA lovely cafe that can get a bit full. Get their chai!
Burma Superstar
309 Clement StI really enjoy the food here!
Metate is my favorite place for a burrito. Get it in spinach tortilla (espinaca!)
115 locals recommend
El Metate
2406 Bryant StMetate is my favorite place for a burrito. Get it in spinach tortilla (espinaca!)
You have to get a pupusa before leaving San Francisco. My favorite is Loroco & Queso.
15 locals recommend
Balompié Cafe
3349 18th StYou have to get a pupusa before leaving San Francisco. My favorite is Loroco & Queso.
Drinks & Nightlife
Cafe and music venue. You'll see all sorts of wonderful people and music here.
80 locals recommend
Revolution Cafe
3248 22nd StCafe and music venue. You'll see all sorts of wonderful people and music here.
Go there for Monday night bluegrass (favorite bands: Windy Hill or Earl Brothers) or Wednesday night Gypsy Jazz. You won't be disappointed.
85 locals recommend
Amnesia
853 Valencia StGo there for Monday night bluegrass (favorite bands: Windy Hill or Earl Brothers) or Wednesday night Gypsy Jazz. You won't be disappointed.
Great international bands come play here. A gorgeous small venue.
32 locals recommend
Red Poppy Art House
2698 Folsom StGreat international bands come play here. A gorgeous small venue.
One of the best places to see jazz. Go there on a late afternoon or early evening! It's so close to home, it'd be a pity not to go! Goooo!
101 locals recommend
Club Deluxe
1511 Haight StOne of the best places to see jazz. Go there on a late afternoon or early evening! It's so close to home, it'd be a pity not to go! Goooo!
Smuggler's Cove
650 Gough StIt's a pirate-themed bar. Sort of fun ;)
Elixir
3200 16th StIt's a quieter bar to sit and chat!
Kilowatt
3160 16th StIf you want a louder bar to watch a sporting event, head here.
I head here when I want to dance a bit. Music tends to be a bit louder.
69 locals recommend
Make-Out Room
3225 22nd StI head here when I want to dance a bit. Music tends to be a bit louder.
Bottom of the Hill
1233 17th StIt can get louder in here, but it's a fun scene
Specs' 12 Adler Museum Cafe
12 William Saroyan PlaceIt's a small special scene at Specs
Essentials
For your basic groceries, go up the hill to Haight St Market. There are closer markets to home (Falletti's or Bi-Rite), but they're overpriced. Okay, Bi-rite has good ice cream.
140 locals recommend
Haight Street Natural Food
1621 Haight StFor your basic groceries, go up the hill to Haight St Market. There are closer markets to home (Falletti's or Bi-Rite), but they're overpriced. Okay, Bi-rite has good ice cream.
A good place to get your produce. The people who work there are gems. Give them a smile! Also, give them cash. They don't accept credit card. (I know, is this the '70s?)
26 locals recommend
Courtney's Produce
101 Castro StA good place to get your produce. The people who work there are gems. Give them a smile! Also, give them cash. They don't accept credit card. (I know, is this the '70s?)
Okay, clearly I love to buy produce and groceries. A great place to get them is on Clement Street. Indulge in California-grown clementines, kiwis, and root vegetables in winter, stone fruits and avocados in the spring and summer.
12 locals recommend
Richmond New May Wah Supermarket
707 Clement StOkay, clearly I love to buy produce and groceries. A great place to get them is on Clement Street. Indulge in California-grown clementines, kiwis, and root vegetables in winter, stone fruits and avocados in the spring and summer.
Rainbow Grocery
1745 Folsom StGoing to Rainbow is its own cultural experience. You must go.
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon StThe most incredible grocery store I've been to.
Parks & Nature
I head up to Buena Vista for a brisk morning walk or jog and follow trails to the top. It's a lovely place to be. I'd only suggest it during the daytime, as its a bit more isolated.
205 locals recommend
Buena Vista Park
I head up to Buena Vista for a brisk morning walk or jog and follow trails to the top. It's a lovely place to be. I'd only suggest it during the daytime, as its a bit more isolated.
As of writing (Nov 2016), it's still under renovation. But when it's open, I do most of my reading in Alamo Square. It's beautiful in the mornings, windy in the evenings. See the Painted Ladies!
390 locals recommend
Alamo Square
As of writing (Nov 2016), it's still under renovation. But when it's open, I do most of my reading in Alamo Square. It's beautiful in the mornings, windy in the evenings. See the Painted Ladies!
Glen Canyon Park
Chenery StreetA trail and park. Lovely at dusk.
If you're up for an ambitious run, head up to the cross at the top of Mount Davidson Park. Also the scene in one of Clint Eastwood's films (he doesn't talk to a chair ... get it?)
96 locals recommend
Mount Davidson
Myra WayIf you're up for an ambitious run, head up to the cross at the top of Mount Davidson Park. Also the scene in one of Clint Eastwood's films (he doesn't talk to a chair ... get it?)
Bolinas Beach
One of my favorite calm beaches
Arts & Culture
Great photography exhibits at the Milk Center! Enter from Duboce Park.
Harvey Milk Center for the Arts
50 Scott StGreat photography exhibits at the Milk Center! Enter from Duboce Park.
All kinds of great art. Bring your pre-rolled joint and take a stroll through incredible art.
999 locals recommend
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrAll kinds of great art. Bring your pre-rolled joint and take a stroll through incredible art.
Sightseeing
16 Avenue Tiled Steps
16th Avenue
Balmy Alley
50 Balmy StGreat art adorns all walls in Balmy Alley.
Everything Else
A great place to refresh your body and soul! A lovely and affordable spa. They have alternating mens and womens days.
90 locals recommend
Kabuki Springs and Spa
1750 Geary BlvdA great place to refresh your body and soul! A lovely and affordable spa. They have alternating mens and womens days.
I aim to volunteer at Glide 2-3 times per month. You can serve a meal to people who don't have homes while you're in town: https://www.glide.org/serveameal
19 locals recommend
Glide Memorial United Methodist Church
330 Ellis StI aim to volunteer at Glide 2-3 times per month. You can serve a meal to people who don't have homes while you're in town: https://www.glide.org/serveameal