Guidebook for San Francisco

Lance
Guidebook for San Francisco

Food scene

Superb dining pairing Peruvian fusion small plates with wines in a bright, colorful setting. There are several good restaurants on this street close by.
7 locals recommend
Piqueo's
830 Cortland Avenue
7 locals recommend
Superb dining pairing Peruvian fusion small plates with wines in a bright, colorful setting. There are several good restaurants on this street close by.
Closeby, yummy American comfort food, baked goods & wine in a simple space with a patio. Great breakfast.
138 locals recommend
Bernal Star
410 Cortland Ave
138 locals recommend
Closeby, yummy American comfort food, baked goods & wine in a simple space with a patio. Great breakfast.
A great place to pick up quality Chinese take out.
2546 Cafe
2546 San Bruno Ave
A great place to pick up quality Chinese take out.
My favorite place. A bit pricey, but superb food and views of the SF Bay. You can often walk in and eat at the bar, but a reservation is recommended.
37 locals recommend
EPIC Steak
369 The Embarcadero
37 locals recommend
My favorite place. A bit pricey, but superb food and views of the SF Bay. You can often walk in and eat at the bar, but a reservation is recommended.
Stylish neighborhood gathering spot serving Californian & New American mains for dinner.
26 locals recommend
3rd Cousin
919 Cortland Ave
26 locals recommend
Stylish neighborhood gathering spot serving Californian & New American mains for dinner.
Sample the best of SF's food offerings at this high-end farmer's market. Walk along the waterfront or to Union Square from here.
189 locals recommend
Ferry Building
189 locals recommend
Sample the best of SF's food offerings at this high-end farmer's market. Walk along the waterfront or to Union Square from here.
Celeb chef Gastón Acurio serves Peruvian seafood in a large, partially outdoor space on the pier.
41 locals recommend
La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
PIER 1 1/2 2
41 locals recommend
Celeb chef Gastón Acurio serves Peruvian seafood in a large, partially outdoor space on the pier.
Best place around for coffee and 5 minutes away. Served with a lot of love.
Mission Blue
144 Leland Ave
Best place around for coffee and 5 minutes away. Served with a lot of love.
Like beer and American food in a huge outdoor dining space? Get it in this historic sport in Golden Gate Park, with ocean views, and a museum upstairs. Stop by for a drink or dinner. But it may get foggy on this side of town.
236 locals recommend
Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant
1000 Great Hwy
236 locals recommend
Like beer and American food in a huge outdoor dining space? Get it in this historic sport in Golden Gate Park, with ocean views, and a museum upstairs. Stop by for a drink or dinner. But it may get foggy on this side of town.
Creative dishes in a fun atmosphere.
117 locals recommend
Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine
710 Florida St
117 locals recommend
Creative dishes in a fun atmosphere.
Closeby, classic cafe for a solid breakfast or lunch. Take the KT Muni line from here to the game.
Bayside Cafe
2011 Bayshore Blvd
Closeby, classic cafe for a solid breakfast or lunch. Take the KT Muni line from here to the game.
Just a few minutes from the house, first rate sushi & soba are among the classic eats at this low-key Japanese eatery with an outdoor patio. Everything is presented in style.
43 locals recommend
Moshi Moshi
2092 3rd St
43 locals recommend
Just a few minutes from the house, first rate sushi & soba are among the classic eats at this low-key Japanese eatery with an outdoor patio. Everything is presented in style.
Ritzy seafood-focused restaurant in a modern room with leather booths & large windows to the ocean. Great place to watch the sunset. Check the Mori Point live cam to see if it's foggy. Just 20 minutes from the house.
37 locals recommend
Moonraker
105 Rockaway Beach Ave
37 locals recommend
Ritzy seafood-focused restaurant in a modern room with leather booths & large windows to the ocean. Great place to watch the sunset. Check the Mori Point live cam to see if it's foggy. Just 20 minutes from the house.
You can't go wrong with the world class food here. Superb. Near the ballpark and Chase Center.
Miller & Lux Restaurant
700 Terry A Francois Boulevard
You can't go wrong with the world class food here. Superb. Near the ballpark and Chase Center.
This massive five-story gallery and restaurant taking over 80,000-square-feet of space at Pier 70 not only includes a retail store where RH (the company ditched its full “Restoration Hardware” name in 2012) fans can ogle at the company’s luxury home furnishings, but it also encompasses the Palm Court Restaurant. In the Historic Bethlehem Steel Building, visitors can stroll through the hand-forged iron doors, grab a glass of Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé from one of two wine bars, wander along the painstakingly restored 1917 landmark building's original rose-marble floors, and sink into a cloud-like sofa. The Neoclassical estate by prominent SF architectural designer Frederick H. Meyer overlooks not only the downtown city skyline but offers panoramas of landmarks including the Bay Bridge and San Francisco Bay.
The Palm Court at RH San Francisco
590 20th Street
This massive five-story gallery and restaurant taking over 80,000-square-feet of space at Pier 70 not only includes a retail store where RH (the company ditched its full “Restoration Hardware” name in 2012) fans can ogle at the company’s luxury home furnishings, but it also encompasses the Palm Court Restaurant. In the Historic Bethlehem Steel Building, visitors can stroll through the hand-forged iron doors, grab a glass of Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé from one of two wine bars, wander along the painstakingly restored 1917 landmark building's original rose-marble floors, and sink into a cloud-like sofa. The Neoclassical estate by prominent SF architectural designer Frederick H. Meyer overlooks not only the downtown city skyline but offers panoramas of landmarks including the Bay Bridge and San Francisco Bay.
This first class pasta place can be your first stop for a dine-around or bar hopping. There are many great places within walking distance of here.
82 locals recommend
Central Kitchen
3000 20th St
82 locals recommend
This first class pasta place can be your first stop for a dine-around or bar hopping. There are many great places within walking distance of here.
if you love dessert, try this place for some of the most unique, delicious desserts you'll find in SF.
9 locals recommend
U:Dessert Story
3489 16th St
9 locals recommend
if you love dessert, try this place for some of the most unique, delicious desserts you'll find in SF.
First-class modern American cuisine from Michelin-starred chef Dustin Falcon. The freshest ingredients sourced from Bay Area farmers and purveyors. Get a massage at Suchada and then walk here.
Rosemary & Pine
First-class modern American cuisine from Michelin-starred chef Dustin Falcon. The freshest ingredients sourced from Bay Area farmers and purveyors. Get a massage at Suchada and then walk here.
If you can't make it to Pier 39, this modest place's clam chowder is superb, as is everything on the menu. And they have the best cheeseburger in town.
Seafood Station
If you can't make it to Pier 39, this modest place's clam chowder is superb, as is everything on the menu. And they have the best cheeseburger in town.

Drinks & Nightlife

A chic place for happy hour with good service, apetizers, beer, and wine.
38 locals recommend
Press Club
20 Yerba Buena Ln
38 locals recommend
A chic place for happy hour with good service, apetizers, beer, and wine.
Sprawling tiki-themed lounge in the Fairmont Hotel featuring Pacific Rim cuisine & umbrella drinks. Get there before it opens to get in for happy hour.
93 locals recommend
Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
950 Mason St
93 locals recommend
Sprawling tiki-themed lounge in the Fairmont Hotel featuring Pacific Rim cuisine & umbrella drinks. Get there before it opens to get in for happy hour.
A City-view rooftop cocktail lounge & kitchen with highbrow bar bites and drinks. If there's a line, ask how long it will take since they have to bring you up in an elevator.
32 locals recommend
Charmaine's
45 McAllister St
32 locals recommend
A City-view rooftop cocktail lounge & kitchen with highbrow bar bites and drinks. If there's a line, ask how long it will take since they have to bring you up in an elevator.
Great sports bar for watching any game you want.
BuzzWorks
365 11th St
Great sports bar for watching any game you want.
Cozy little watering hole with craft cocktails.
120 locals recommend
Holy Water
309 Cortland Ave
120 locals recommend
Cozy little watering hole with craft cocktails.
Dramatic red lighting & burlesque art set the mood at this swanky lounge & late-night dance club.
9 locals recommend
Harlot
46 Minna St
9 locals recommend
Dramatic red lighting & burlesque art set the mood at this swanky lounge & late-night dance club.
it doesn't get more authentic SF than this. A classic bar with a a throwback vibe, patio, live music every night, a Hammond organ, and a huge vinyl record collection.
137 locals recommend
The Royal Cuckoo
3202 Mission St
137 locals recommend
it doesn't get more authentic SF than this. A classic bar with a a throwback vibe, patio, live music every night, a Hammond organ, and a huge vinyl record collection.
Adorable place for drinks, oysters, and yummy food. Great for brunch. Walk to the Mission from here. Great service.
11 locals recommend
Lost Resort
2736 20th Street
11 locals recommend
Adorable place for drinks, oysters, and yummy food. Great for brunch. Walk to the Mission from here. Great service.
Enjoy cocktails while you watch an acrobatic love letter to San Francisco. Takes the acrobatic circus genre to dizzying new heights.
6 locals recommend
Club Fugazi
678 Green St
6 locals recommend
Enjoy cocktails while you watch an acrobatic love letter to San Francisco. Takes the acrobatic circus genre to dizzying new heights.
Awesome craft cocktails, yummy gourmet food bites, and late night dance parties.
62 locals recommend
Asiento
2730 21st St
62 locals recommend
Awesome craft cocktails, yummy gourmet food bites, and late night dance parties.
On a nice day come checkout the scene on this rooftop bar. Venture out into the dozens of restaurants in Mission/Delores from here.
224 locals recommend
El Techo
2516 Mission St
224 locals recommend
On a nice day come checkout the scene on this rooftop bar. Venture out into the dozens of restaurants in Mission/Delores from here.
Fun place to come enjoy some locally made beer, play games, and try one of SF's famous food trucks.
94 locals recommend
Barebottle Brewing Company
1525 Cortland Ave
94 locals recommend
Fun place to come enjoy some locally made beer, play games, and try one of SF's famous food trucks.
Stop here for a drink (not the food). It's got the best beach front patio in Northern California.
59 locals recommend
Taco Bell
5200 CA-1
59 locals recommend
Stop here for a drink (not the food). It's got the best beach front patio in Northern California.
Ranked one of the best bars in America, a large-scale mural sets the stage at this trendy spot for cocktails, beer & wine plus upscale eats.
89 locals recommend
ABV
3174 16th St
89 locals recommend
Ranked one of the best bars in America, a large-scale mural sets the stage at this trendy spot for cocktails, beer & wine plus upscale eats.
Imagine your plane has crashed on remote island in the Pacific. Fortunately there's a tiki bar there!
14 locals recommend
Last Rites
718 14th St
14 locals recommend
Imagine your plane has crashed on remote island in the Pacific. Fortunately there's a tiki bar there!
About 15 minutes from the house by car, traffic permitting, you can get a drink and a snack in this hip new rooftop bar, 200 feet above Moscone Center. Expansive views of the SF skyline. Great service.
Shelby’s Rooftop
About 15 minutes from the house by car, traffic permitting, you can get a drink and a snack in this hip new rooftop bar, 200 feet above Moscone Center. Expansive views of the SF skyline. Great service.

Parks & Nature

SF's 2nd biggest park is great for hiking and picnics and only 4 blocks away. Get views of downtown. Find the secret Artesian spring.
99 locals recommend
John McLaren Park
100 John F Shelley Dr
99 locals recommend
SF's 2nd biggest park is great for hiking and picnics and only 4 blocks away. Get views of downtown. Find the secret Artesian spring.
Drive 20 minutes to one of the best beaches in Northern California to get wet and watch some surfing! You can even book some surfing lessons. No promises it will be sunny though.
109 locals recommend
Pacifica State Beach
5000 California 1
109 locals recommend
Drive 20 minutes to one of the best beaches in Northern California to get wet and watch some surfing! You can even book some surfing lessons. No promises it will be sunny though.
Take a romantic walk along the waterfront here. Walk West to the Golden Gate, or East to Fisherman's Wharf. It may be sunny or it may be chilly, especially if it's windy.
10 locals recommend
Black Point Cafe
882 North Point St
10 locals recommend
Take a romantic walk along the waterfront here. Walk West to the Golden Gate, or East to Fisherman's Wharf. It may be sunny or it may be chilly, especially if it's windy.
Renowned views of the Bay Area are offered at this 64-acre park with hiking trails. Hike to the highest point in SF. Don't go if it's foggy.
727 locals recommend
Twin Peaks
727 locals recommend
Renowned views of the Bay Area are offered at this 64-acre park with hiking trails. Hike to the highest point in SF. Don't go if it's foggy.
If the weather is warm, take the 29 bus to the beach! Just make sure it's warm at the beach and not just here.
349 locals recommend
Baker Beach
349 locals recommend
If the weather is warm, take the 29 bus to the beach! Just make sure it's warm at the beach and not just here.
If you eat in Bernal Heights, walk up to the top of this hill to get a great view of SF's skyline.
363 locals recommend
Bernal Heights Park
3400-3416 Folsom St
363 locals recommend
If you eat in Bernal Heights, walk up to the top of this hill to get a great view of SF's skyline.
You can hike from the Cliff House to the Palace of the Legion of Honor. Don't miss the walk down to the Sutro Baths ruins and stop in the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center and Cafe for a bowl of clam chowder.
694 locals recommend
Lands End Trail
Lands End Trail
694 locals recommend
You can hike from the Cliff House to the Palace of the Legion of Honor. Don't miss the walk down to the Sutro Baths ruins and stop in the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center and Cafe for a bowl of clam chowder.
If the weather is nice, drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to this secret beach. Hike about 1 mile down to the beach. Bring a picnic. You'll get a stunning view of the bridge, and you might have the beach to yourself on a weekday.
10 locals recommend
Kirby Cove Beach
10 locals recommend
If the weather is nice, drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to this secret beach. Hike about 1 mile down to the beach. Bring a picnic. You'll get a stunning view of the bridge, and you might have the beach to yourself on a weekday.
Escape to a unique urban oasis of extraordinary beauty at San Francisco Botanical Garden, showcasing more than 9,000 different kinds of plants from around the world.
182 locals recommend
San Francisco Botanical Garden
1199 9th Ave
182 locals recommend
Escape to a unique urban oasis of extraordinary beauty at San Francisco Botanical Garden, showcasing more than 9,000 different kinds of plants from around the world.
A park in the sky, this place is a living roof where a curved walking trail lined with benches surrounds grassy lawns, dancing fountains, a children’s play area, and an amphitheater. Home to 600 trees and 16,000 plants arranged in 13 different botanical feature areas. There’s nothing else like it anywhere.
31 locals recommend
Salesforce Park
425 Mission St
31 locals recommend
A park in the sky, this place is a living roof where a curved walking trail lined with benches surrounds grassy lawns, dancing fountains, a children’s play area, and an amphitheater. Home to 600 trees and 16,000 plants arranged in 13 different botanical feature areas. There’s nothing else like it anywhere.
Once nothing but a giant sand dune, this huge park is often compared to Central Park in New York. Rent bikes. Around every turn is something magical to discover. Ride out to the Beach Chalet for lunch or dinner.
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
1721 locals recommend
Once nothing but a giant sand dune, this huge park is often compared to Central Park in New York. Rent bikes. Around every turn is something magical to discover. Ride out to the Beach Chalet for lunch or dinner.
Connecting the Marina district to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Golden Gate Promenade is the northern part of the regional Bay Trail. It stretches along the San Francisco Bay shoreline, so it’s a guaranteed stunner. You’ll have front-row views of the city skyline, the Marin Headlands, and of course, that famous bridge.
Golden Gate Promenade
Golden Gate Promenade
Connecting the Marina district to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Golden Gate Promenade is the northern part of the regional Bay Trail. It stretches along the San Francisco Bay shoreline, so it’s a guaranteed stunner. You’ll have front-row views of the city skyline, the Marin Headlands, and of course, that famous bridge.

Arts & Culture

Check for open days and hours before you go.
Small but interesting contemporary museum. Superb store for gifts. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants nearby. This district (Dogpatch) is ranked one of the most up and coming and hip in America.
31 locals recommend
Museum of Craft and Design
2569 3rd St
31 locals recommend
Small but interesting contemporary museum. Superb store for gifts. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants nearby. This district (Dogpatch) is ranked one of the most up and coming and hip in America.
SF's premier museum. Ride to the top of the Hamon Observation Tower for a 360 degree view of SF. Free first Tuesday of the month, otherwise you have to pay to get into the museum but not to go up in the tower. Check for special programs.
1000 locals recommend
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr
1000 locals recommend
SF's premier museum. Ride to the top of the Hamon Observation Tower for a 360 degree view of SF. Free first Tuesday of the month, otherwise you have to pay to get into the museum but not to go up in the tower. Check for special programs.
An exceptional museum. Go during organ performances...the entire building is a pipe organ. Close to the Golden Gate bridge.
176 locals recommend
Legion of Honor station
176 locals recommend
An exceptional museum. Go during organ performances...the entire building is a pipe organ. Close to the Golden Gate bridge.
Check out the campus of the school with more Nobel Prizes than most countries.
427 locals recommend
University of California, Berkeley
Oxford Street
427 locals recommend
Check out the campus of the school with more Nobel Prizes than most countries.
A vibrant collection of modern art. Walk through Yerba Buena Gardens next door.
813 locals recommend
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd St
813 locals recommend
A vibrant collection of modern art. Walk through Yerba Buena Gardens next door.
An outstanding collection of Asian art from all periods of human history. Walk across the sreet to City Hall and see one of the tallest domes in the world.
286 locals recommend
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin St
286 locals recommend
An outstanding collection of Asian art from all periods of human history. Walk across the sreet to City Hall and see one of the tallest domes in the world.
On certain days museums are free in SF. Here's a guide, but check with the museum to confirm. www.sftourismtips.com/free-museum-admission-days.html
42 locals recommend
Contemporary Jewish Museum
736 Mission St
42 locals recommend
On certain days museums are free in SF. Here's a guide, but check with the museum to confirm. www.sftourismtips.com/free-museum-admission-days.html

Essentials

24 hour store for essentials and snacks.
7 locals recommend
7-Eleven
2200 Bayshore Blvd
7 locals recommend
24 hour store for essentials and snacks.
Get all your laundry done.
Vip Coin-Op Laundry
2556 San Bruno Ave
Get all your laundry done.

Entertainment & Activities

Check ahead of time for days and hours of operation.
An incredible museum of nature with a huge aquarium. Go early. The world's only aquarium, rain forest, planetarium, and natural history museum. A big line forms after about 10am.
816 locals recommend
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr
816 locals recommend
An incredible museum of nature with a huge aquarium. Go early. The world's only aquarium, rain forest, planetarium, and natural history museum. A big line forms after about 10am.
Love this place. A great place for couples to let their fun side come out! The Exploratorium is a hands-on museum in San Francisco that allows visitors to play with science, nature, art, and human perception.
432 locals recommend
Exploratorium
Green Street
432 locals recommend
Love this place. A great place for couples to let their fun side come out! The Exploratorium is a hands-on museum in San Francisco that allows visitors to play with science, nature, art, and human perception.
This Greco-Roman palace & architectural attraction hosts an ever-changing roster of performing arts. Palaceoffinearts.org for more information. About 35 minute drive in light traffic.
463 locals recommend
Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon St
463 locals recommend
This Greco-Roman palace & architectural attraction hosts an ever-changing roster of performing arts. Palaceoffinearts.org for more information. About 35 minute drive in light traffic.
The San Francisco Dungeon is NOT your usual visitor attraction! An exciting mix of 9 live actor shows, 200 years of history, 360° sets, 1 dark boat ride and authentic storytelling. Being scared has never been more fun. Filled with intrigue and colorful characters.
The San Francisco Dungeon
145 Jefferson St
The San Francisco Dungeon is NOT your usual visitor attraction! An exciting mix of 9 live actor shows, 200 years of history, 360° sets, 1 dark boat ride and authentic storytelling. Being scared has never been more fun. Filled with intrigue and colorful characters.
Fisherman’s Wharf, on the northern waterfront, is one of the city's busiest tourist areas. Stalls selling crab and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls appear at every turn, as do postcard views of the bay, Golden Gate and Alcatraz. There’s also a colony of sea lions to see and historic ships to tour. At Ghirardelli Square, boutiques and eateries reside in the famed former chocolate factory.
713 locals recommend
Fisherman's Wharf
2801 Leavenworth St
713 locals recommend
Fisherman’s Wharf, on the northern waterfront, is one of the city's busiest tourist areas. Stalls selling crab and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls appear at every turn, as do postcard views of the bay, Golden Gate and Alcatraz. There’s also a colony of sea lions to see and historic ships to tour. At Ghirardelli Square, boutiques and eateries reside in the famed former chocolate factory.
Get a tour of the SF bay in a high-speed jet boat!
RocketBoat
Get a tour of the SF bay in a high-speed jet boat!
This relaxed day spa offers both familiar & Asian treatments, plus Japanese-style communal baths. Plan your entire day around this place. Eat, rejuvenate, bath, and come home.
90 locals recommend
Kabuki Springs and Spa
1750 Geary Blvd
90 locals recommend
This relaxed day spa offers both familiar & Asian treatments, plus Japanese-style communal baths. Plan your entire day around this place. Eat, rejuvenate, bath, and come home.
Pier 39 is a shopping center and popular tourist attraction built on a pier in San Francisco, California. At Pier 39, there are shops, restaurants, a video arcade, street performances, the Aquarium of the Bay, virtual 3D rides, and views of California sea lions hauled out on docks on Pier 39's marina.
416 locals recommend
Pier 39
The Embarcadero
416 locals recommend
Pier 39 is a shopping center and popular tourist attraction built on a pier in San Francisco, California. At Pier 39, there are shops, restaurants, a video arcade, street performances, the Aquarium of the Bay, virtual 3D rides, and views of California sea lions hauled out on docks on Pier 39's marina.

Shopping

Great spot for boutique shopping. Also try Union St. at Fillmore.
223 locals recommend
Hayes Valley
223 locals recommend
Great spot for boutique shopping. Also try Union St. at Fillmore.
An iconic SF spot for shopping. Also surrounded by historic hotels and theaters.
817 locals recommend
Union Square
333 Post St
817 locals recommend
An iconic SF spot for shopping. Also surrounded by historic hotels and theaters.
This upscale street is lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. Fun to explore, have lunch, and make friends.
84 locals recommend
Union Street
Union Street
84 locals recommend
This upscale street is lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. Fun to explore, have lunch, and make friends.
Get anything. www.westfield.com/sanfrancisco
402 locals recommend
Westfield San Francisco Centre
865 Market St
402 locals recommend
Get anything. www.westfield.com/sanfrancisco