Check out this map!

Red and orange areas are usually best avoided after dark, daytime too unless needed, avoid hotels in these areas if you can. Most places worthy of a visit are found in the green zones.

SF is a huge mix of hills, valleys, parks and neighborhoods, each with a different flavor, downtown shopping/dining district, and vibe. SF is (too) casual, but some places you’ll want to dress up for better service (like Union Square, Performing Arts or Fine Dining), and other places, leave your diamonds and labels and backpacks behind to avoid being targeted.

It’s cool to cold and foggy here (45-65) most months of the year, with sunshine most afternoons. A packable windbreaker, medium wool sweater, scarf are your best layering friends as weather changes frequently during the day. September and October have reliably sunny warm weather (70’s to 90’s) most days. Different neighborhoods have many microclimates resulting in large temperature swings and amounts of sunshine/fog.

SF is liberal to a fault, compassionate to the homeless, reckless with city financial accountability, and open-minded to just about all non-violent forms of personal freedom. Cannabis, boozy picnics in the park, minority and LGBT+ equality and protections; you’ll see it everywhere you go. The weird, and funky are often celebrated here, but plenty of beautiful things too. Progressive experiments with bike lanes and roads happen a lot. While it’s clear our city has problems like all cities, try to keep an open mind about who you might encounter on your visit.

SF is not the most kid-friendly town, but a good, safe time can be had with some planning. Items marked K are kid-friendly.

Watch where you step! There are more dogs than children in SF, and their parents are often untidy. Needles are a less common sighting these days.

Bathrooms, especially Downtown/Union Square are hard to find, and many of them are locked to prevent vandalism. Plan to buy a beverage at Starbucks or a bar in a pinch to use their bathroom. Or hunt for one in a larger department store.

Use LYFT and UBER for transport, parking is a nightmare and $$$

Public Transit: BART (intercity trains), MUNI trams (City Metro/Trains), And MUNI buses are about $3 (exact change or use the Clipper App) per ride if they are going where you are without a transfer, but can be sometimes be crowded or unpleasant.

You can use google maps for public transport, but if your time is limited, this will use up a lot of it.

Yelp.com is king in terms of finding restaurants, bars, etc.

Also helpful….

-SF.Eater.com

-sfbucketlist.com

-SFist.com

-Thrillist.com

Goldstar.com and Travelzoo.com have lots of good offers and discount tickets

SFGate.com is a good place to find nightlife and local events

TOCK, OpenTable, RESY are good apps to secure your restaurants, good ones do book up most nights of the week, some weeks or months in advance. Many restaurants are closed Mondays. You may be able to squeeze into a great restaurant by showing up 15+ before opening and grabbing a spot at the bar until a table opens up.

SF is 7x7miles, so nothing is ever truly far, but always plan a minimum of 30-45 minutes driving time (by cab) to any location, walking the (safer) neighborhoods is the best way to explore the city if you are able-bodied.

SF is expensive as NYC or worse: basic to mid-end dinner for two without drinks will run $100 or more by the time you pay all the taxes, fees, tip, $100-500/person for better to fine dining. A sit-down lunch will usually run $20-$50 per person. Wine or a cocktails typically run $15-20. If you are on a budget of any kind- don’t be shy- we know where to go- and eat at home often. Pick up a sandwich and a drink at a grocery store if you must. SFfuncheap.com is a good place to find inexpensive or free, local events. Use public transit if you need to control cost.

We have a homeless population of several thousand people. Many are mentally ill or addicted to hard drugs, lying in doorways, in tents or shooting up on the sidewalk. You can give them food but don’t give them money, they receive nearly 2K per month in cash from the city already and you know where it goes. It’s best to not engage them with conversation, a simple smile or “not today, thank you” lets them know they are seen as people. They are usually harmless, but ready to scam you with any story for money for more drugs. You can donate money to the SF food bank, or a shelter or other nonprofit if you want to help.

Unless you know where you are going, avoid the Tenderloin district, which is north of Market, between Jones and Polk Streets, and South of Post. Try to walk on Post St or higher on the hill for safety. When lost or in doubt- walk uphill!

SOMA (South of Market) between 5th and 12th Street, should also be generally avoided, although there is a COSTCO there and other places if you know where you are going.

Bayview / Hunter’s Point, this area, at the most Southeast end of town has the most gang/gun violence, don’t even think about going there, there’s nothing to see but warehouses.

Driving: If you are crazy enough to drive around SF - triple-check all parking signs and curbs, feed the meter extra (or use the Park to Pay app), and never park in the red zones or curbs of anyone’s driveway- you may be towed. Never leave ANYTHING visible inside the car when parked- window break-ins can happen anywhere, anytime.

Parks are great in the daytime, but even in the safest neighborhoods, don’t go walking through the parks after dark.

1. Map neighborhoods or attractions you like and WALK between them, you never know what you might spot along the way in terms of architecture, shops, cafés or views.

2. Splurge on a great restaurant that interests you and really enjoy it- we’ve got some of the best restaurants here, Michelin stars, Bib Gourmand, Mom and Pop, or not.

3. Try something you’ve never eaten before, even if it’s vegan!Find a bar or cafe you like and camp out in the sunshine when you can- the people-watching is amazing here, it’s so diverse, and we have some pretty entertaining and colorful characters.

4. Find a bar or cafe you like and camp out in the sunshine when you can- the people-watching is amazing here, it’s so diverse, and we have some pretty entertaining and colorful characters.

5. If the weather is warm (70+), plan a picnic at Delores Park, Golden Gate Park, or one of our beaches.

6. Eat ice cream from BiRite, Salt & Straw, or Mitchell’s, all local.

7. Get a great coffee from some of our best cafes - Blue Bottle, Four Barrel, COFFEEBAR, Reveille, and others.

8. Hike or drive to the top of one of our hills, especially Twin Peaks on a clear day for incredible views.

9. Explore beautiful Victorian and other residential architecture in neighborhoods like: The Marina, Alamo Square, Ashbury Heights, Seacliff, Presidio Heights, St. Francis Wood, or Nob Hill.

10. Check out some of our best museums: DeYoung Museum and Legion of Honor, or the MOMA downtown. Many art galleries around Union Square and Geary Street.

11. Explore Golden Gate Park: Especially the museums, Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Garden, and Conservatory of Flowers.

12. Rent a(n electric) bike and ride the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, grab lunch, then take the ferry back to SF Ferry Building and ride along the Embarcadero (waterfront) back.

13. Do some retail therapy at Union Square boutiques or explore second-hand stores and thrift shops in the mission and Haight neighborhoods to create your next costume.

14. Go Rollerskating at Church of 8 Wheels.

15. Have high tea at the Fairmont or Maison Damel.

16. Brunch at the Palace Hotel or Rotunda Neiman Marcus - get a cocktail too!

17. Go for good Dim Sum at Palette Tea House, Yank Sing, or Dragon Beaux.

18. If nightlife is your jam- find a great bar, speakeasy, or club to spend your night out or hop around.

1. Stay out of the tenderloin or SOMA 6th-12th street and don’t book a hotel there unless you really know where you are going.

2. Skip Alcatraz and take a bay cruise instead.

3. Skip Pier 39 and go watch the sea lions instead on the left of the pier.

4. Consider our seriously steep hills, a straight line is not always the best path, wear the right shoes if you plan to walk a lot.

5. Don’t give homeless people drug money, give them a sandwich, boxed lunch, or donate to a shelter/food bank. they receive up to 2k per month in cash from the city already.

6. Don’t assume the weather won’t change hour to hour, block to block; unless you are from Minnesota, dress in layers, this is not LA.

7. The beaches are cold, currents can be very strong, bring a wetsuit or stick to the sand!

8. Watch where you step, this is not Disneyland!

9. If you must drive and park, don’t leave anything visible in your car, smash and grabs happen everywhere.

10. Check both Uber and Lyft and Flywheel (taxi) before booking a ride to avoid surge pricing!

11. Don’t wait in long lines for the cable car, you might wait for HOURS. If you can’t get on right away, just know, it is a slow, bumpy, loud and cold ride. You will likely pass a few cable cars if walking up Hyde Street or California Street East of Van Ness Avenue.

12. Don’t leave your bike unattended/outside if you rent/ride. Best to use LYFT bikes that lock up at their return stations. Nice bikes outside get stolen within minutes.

This popular shopping district has just about any Mid to High-End International Luxury retailer found here for clothing, jewelry and homewares. Be aware- this area is only 1-2 blocks east of the Tenderloin, so best to stay west of Mason Street if you don’t know where you are going. This neighborhood has just gone through a MAJOR cleanup in 2023 and lots more security/police. Best parking is at the Stockton/Sutter Garage.

$$$ Rotunda at Neiman Marcus is not to be missed for brunch/lunch- needs reservations, dress well!

K $$ The view from the Cheesecake Factory atop MACY’s can’t be beat, touristy, but great for the money.

K $$ Café de la Press - Cute French Bistro- great for brunch/ coffee, whatever.

$$$-$$$$ The Cavalier - Restaurant designed by local Ken Fulk. London-inspired brasserie with great decor.

$$$-$$$$ *new* Chotto Matte - Japanese rooftop dining and lounge.

$$ Harlan Records / The Irish Bank - both great “local” bars in this area.

Art galleries along Geary west of Union Square and closer to the Financial District (East).

$$$ Beacon Grand Hotel (Recently Remodeled Sir Francis Drake Hotel) including the next two places:

$$$ Starlight Room bar/lounge at the top, new ownership, remodeled.

$$$ Post Room- Restaurant/Lounge with live piano music many nights.

$$$ Westin St. Francis Hotel (Old, grand, ready to remodel)

$$$ Clift Hotel (Once a Phillipe Starck Hotel, trendy lobby/lounge, Redwood Room Bar).

Macys Building - open until a new owner purchases it- 5-6 stories of shopping.

$$$ Burke - Williams Spa (top floor of the Westfield Mall) Large Spa complex- full service and facilities.

Nieman Marcus

Saks 5th Avenue

Bloomingdale’s

Apple Flagship Store

Williams Sonoma Flagship Store

Chanel/Burberry/Louis Vuitton/Bvlgari/Loro Piana/Prada/Hermes/Dior/Cartier, etc…

Westfield Mall- Upscale Renovated Mall with Bloomingdale’s is open and in transition to new ownership. Some shops are closed.

This is “old money” San Francisco at the top of the hill above Union Square. While this neighborhood is mostly residential, top-end traditional hotels are here with good restaurants and amenities, mostly surrounding Huntington Park.

K Grace Cathedral - Giant gothic cathedral now used for pan-religious purposes, events, yoga, and musical performances. Open to the public.

Huntington Park - Beautiful neighborhood park with a manicured square and fountain.

Pacific Union Club - Beautiful, large brownstone mansion park-adjacent. This is closed to the public and is a private club The only structure on Nob Hill to survive the 1906 earthquake/fires.

$$$$ Fairmont Hotel - old-school luxury hotel. Rooftop garden with bees/honey.

Tea service at Laurel Court, Tonga Room Tikibar restaurant underground.

$$$$ Johns Hopkins Hotel - another traditional hotel.

$$$ Top of the Mark is a famous bar/club at the top level with city views, although famous, is very tired and ready for renovation.

$$$$ Huntington Hotel - The Big 4- Very old SF restaurant/bar recently redone, not sure if reopened.

$$$$ Ritz Carlton Hotel - Level 37 Restaurant- good food, L’Occitane Spa may be open?

Neighborhood restaurants and a few shops are found along Hyde and Taylor Streets.

Chinatown is nearby through the Grant Street Gate (Touristy, mostly bad restaurants, not our favorite, but could be interesting if shopping for Asian souvenirs/photos). Other than some restaurants and bars, it’s a ghost town after dinner time.

K $$-$$$ China Live - this modern Chinese restaurant complex is great and so is the food.

$$$$ Mr Jiu’s - Upscale modern Chinese fine dining with a cool retro bar upstairs

$$$$ Empress by Boon - Upscale modern Chinese with a city view

K $$-$$$ R&G Lounge- Excellent traditional Chinese food without the flair.

Many high end restaurants, bars and lounges- just ask. Business and residential skyscrapers, notably are the Transamerica Pyramid and SalesForce Tower, amongst many others.

K $$-$$$ Ferry Building – Gourmet marketplaces and farmer’s market (Tues, Thurs, Sat 10-2pm)

Skyscrapers, Urban Architecture

K (Salesforce) Transbay Terminal park (an elevated large green space 3 stories off the ground.

K MOMA - Modern Art Museum, *Newly renovated annex!*

K Moscone Center – Gardens, etc- Restaurants and teahouse (Samovar) at the top of the steps, nice downtown view.

K Metreon - AMC Movie Theater, Target, Food court etc.

$$$ Boulevard- High End French-Californian

$$$$ Quince - Amazing Californian High End

$$$$$ Saison - Possibly the best restaurant in town- Japanese / Californian, beautiful restaurant

$$$-$$$$ Kokkari - best Greek food- possibly in the world. ;)

$$$ Waterbar- amazing Bay Bridge views, weekend brunch, Oysters and champagne specials.

$$$ Jay Hotel- new hotel and amenities designed by Avroko.

$$$$ Four Seasons Hotel (2 of them)

$$$$ One Hotel Embarfcadero (New hotel, waterfront views)

$$$$ St. Regis Hotel (great lobby bar, upscale hotel)

$$$ W Hotel (Trendy, younger hotel with a bar scene downstairs on the main level)

$$$$ The Battery Club (if you can get in- private club)

This is the main boulevard that spans diagonally from the Ferry Building, Financial District, Union Square, Tenderloin, City Hall, Hayes Valley to the Castro at Upper Market Street Neighborhoods.

$$$$ Palace Hotel- A San Francisco original, beautiful and old fashioned, fancy brunch is to die for.

$$$ Proper Hotel - Charmaine’s is the rooftop hotspot bar, views and sunsets, Villain is the restaurant on the main level, also a new tapas bar/restaurant at the ground level- all good.

$$$ The Line Hotel - *New* hotspot with another rooftop bar, and an experimental Asian-California Fusion restaurant on the main level Tenderheart. *New* Dark Bar on the main Level. Rise and Run Rooftop restaurant and bar.

This area begins downtown and stretches south along the eastern waterfront areas and 3rd Street and tends to be more industrial beyond the newly constructed mid rise developments. Lots of new development here.

K Giants Stadium- Giants baseball stadium

K Chase Center Arena / Golden State Warriors-Basketball / Concert hall

Furniture Shops

Newer high rises and restaurants

$$ The Ramp- Casual / outdoor waterfront divey place for drinks and American food

$$ Mission Rock -Casual industrial seafood bar and grill, drinks on the waterfront.

$$$ LUSK 25 - Amazing restaurant, beautiful lounge, great interior architecture, see and be seen.

$$$ Movida - *New* Persian-Mexican fusion restaurant we are dying to try!

K Mission Bay Commons - Multiblock greenbelt park with food trucks, playgrounds, social spaces.

$$$ New Restoration Hardware flagship furniture gallery with Palm Court American restaurant. Grab a glass of wine at the bar and take it up to the roof for great views of the Bay.

$$ Archimedes Banya - Russian/Ukrainian multilevel spa with a utilitarian vibe, casual restaurant, many kinds of saunas, cold plunge, and a sunny rooftop to cool off and view the Bay.

An industrial neighborhood with lots of more recent redevelopment, nightlife, Furniture Stores /Design Center /Nightclubs /LGBT…. Nightlife / Drag Shows.

$$$$$ Design Center Furniture Galleries

Costco

K $-$$ Rainbow Grocery – Vegan, Organic grocery store and health food run by hipsters. Fun place. Lots of natural products, bulk herbs, spices, teas, etc.

San Francisco Herb Company- Check the hours first! This place is such a great secret- excellent herbs, spices and teas, sold by the POUND at rock bottom prices.

$$$ Bergerac - Bohemian Lounge style bar with great cocktails and vibe. Nightclub upstairs.

$$$ Bar Agricole - Contemporary restaurant- great cocktails and brunch.

$$$$ Californio’s - We hear this place is amazing- never been.

$$$ Flour+Water - handmade gourmet pastas.

$$True Laurel - mixology bar - I think there’s food too. Lots of great little restaurants here on this block.

Tip: Most bars close at or before last call at 2am, most dancing doesn’t really get going until 11-midnight.

Nightlife:

DNA Lounge-Dancing

Oasis - bar/club complex with DJ’s and Drag Shows

Public Works-Dancing/Warehouse nightclub

1015 Folsom-Dancing/Nightclub

Cat Club- 80’s/90’s / Goth Dancing

The Endup-All-night Dancing

City Nights- (18 and over?) Dancing

Halcyon-Dancing/warehouse nightclub

The Great Northern-Dancing

Slim’s- Long-time rock concert venue

Powerhouse- Gay Dive Bar

The Eagle-Leather Bar

Driftwood- *Newer Place* Less gritty!

Lone Star- Bear Bar

This is a fun, down to earth, traditionally Latin/hipster neighborhood, but also very gritty, you need to know where you are going or avoid. Valencia and Guerrero Streets are the cleanest and more upscale for visitors. Hipster city, very popular! The Mission is being gentrified by younger, wealthier, new money, and many longtime residents displaced. If you are white and well-dressed, please understand why some locals might not like you being there. The golden rule goes a long way here, as does a little Spanish.

- Café’s, etc Mission, Valencia, and Guerrero, 16th through 21th St.

-Murals on Clarion Alley

-Mexican food galore

-Lots of vintage shops, furniture, and Mexican/Latin stores

-Many less expensive, trendy and great restaurants of all kinds

K Mission Dolores - Church and Basilica- oldest building in SF, so much history, including a graveyard.

K-Mission Dolores Park – an urban beach and favorite picnic spot, if you are open to a diverse group of picnicking activities, this park is very kid friendly near the (HUGE) playgrounds.

K $$ BiRite ice cream - Quality! Lines around the block, bypass by walking in the back door and buying a pint at a time.

$$ Four Barrel Coffee, Mission Cheese, Mission Chinese, Mission Seafood (shellfish, etc).

$$ Mission Cheese

$$ Dandelion Chocolate

Lots of Divey bars, and hip vegan and other restaurants.

$$-$$$ El Techo de Lolinda has Mexican food with a great rooftop view- great chicharrones and margaritas.

$$$ Lolinda - Argentinian Steakhouse

Paxton Gate - Crazy Taxidermy shop- worth a look

$$$ Lolinda - Argentine Steakhouse with a beautiful bar

$$$-$$$$ Foreign Cinema - upscale restaurant with open courtyard and projected films- now a SF institution

$$$-$$$$ Lazy Bear - Fixed innovative menu. Must buy “tickets” in advance of your meal. Interested in trying this.

“The Real Mission”/24th street - Is a latino neighborhood, mostly humbler shops along Mission Street, and along 24th Street and beyond. Our Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead Nov 1?2?) and Cinco de Mayo (May 5 Independence Day) celebration is not to be missed.

Latin Dancing - Salsa at El Rio, Roccapulco, etc. check online.

K - large sunny park, often warm- great for boozy picnics and sunbathing, great views of downtown. VERY popular. Lots of cannabis and mushrooms and cocktails being sold by carts and vendors. The “fruit shelf” at the uppermost corner of the park is one big gay beach. The rest of the park welcomes everyone, families, friends, dogs, picnics, sports, and an occasional DJ or outdoor movie.

Very cute neighborhood VERY near Haight-Ashbury.

K $ Reverie Café - a favorite brunch spot with a sunny garden terrace, possibly my favorite

$ Boulange Café

$$$ Zazie

Birthplace of the Hippie Movement and Summer of 1969. It’s more of an attraction these days. Vintage Clothes, Funky Shops, Hippy Stuff, Tibetan & Indian imports, Army Surplus store, Weed, Second-Hand Shops. Amoeba Records! Beware of the gutter punks! These often homeless and high kids are aggressive at times and don’t hesitate to pickpocket anybody. DO NOT ENGAGE. Great place to pull together your Burning Man or oh-so-necessary SF party costume.

Many great and notable restaurants, bars, high and low, all along this major boulevard.

$$$ NOPA restaurant - open late, great dinner and brunches, a little hard to get in.

$$$ Routier - Modern French Bistro with great cocktails and food. Renovated 2023?

$-$$ B-Patisserie - Excellent pastries, bites, coffee, etc.

VERY Family friendly neighborhood with small shops and restaurants along 24Th street.

$$$ Firefly - pre-fixe menu Sun-Thurs cozy restaurant, excellent.

$$ Noe Valley Bakery - Famous for their beautiful cakes and pies, there may be a line!

Architecture- mansions, gardens, etc

Inspiration Point- View from the top of Presidio, etc

$$$-$$$$ Sacramento Street - High-end designer clothing consignment shops, boutique interior design retailers

$$$$ SPRUCE - pricey, beautiful restaurant designed by W-S Home designer.

$$$ Garibaldi’s - American Italian Resto with amazing Chicken Milanese

Lake Street –Jewish Temple Emanu-el, beautiful homes, architecture.

K Clement Street- New Chinatown meets a collection of amazing mom and pop restaurants, dim sum shops, vegetable and Asian markets, and much cleaner. Many many exotic restaurants- East Asian, Russian, Turkish, you name it.

K $$ Arsicault- Takeaway-only French patisserie- the chocolate almond croissant is worth the long line, just as good as the Marais in Paris. Life-changing. Order 1 dozen pastries (one kind,I think) in advance by phone for pickup and skip the massive line.

$$$ Lily- upscale Vietnamese Fusion, delicious!

$$-$$$ Burma Superstar- legendary Burmese food and wait times

$ Dishes, etc- KAMEI cheap beautiful restaurant supply and Asian dishes

$$ Le Soleil – Vietnamese (excellent imperial rolls)

$ Blue Danube Café- light meals and all kinds of beverages, great vibe, Chinese Food, Dim-sum, etc, etc

$Mei-Hwa- Chinese supermarket, good prices, lots of weird stuff to see

$$$ El Mansour- (OUTER RICHMOND) Moroccan 5 course prixe fixe Belly dancing fun.

$$$ Aziza- upscale modern Moroccan

This is a rather large, boring, and foggy residential neighborhood south of Golden Gate Park all the way to the Ocean. Some good restaurants.

$$$-$$$$ Thanh Long- This rather unassuming restaurant is the sister restaurant to Crustacean ($$$$ California@Polk) The claim to fame is their top-secret family recipe roast crab with garlic butter. It is insanely good, and a bit less than Crustacean. All the food here is top notch.

Stonestown Mall- Large shopping mall, typical stuff.

Lake Merced Park- large lake and park with golf.

Stern Grove Park- large wood park famous for its summertime music festivals.

The Tenderloin “TL” is one of the poorest neighborhoods in town, you’ll see a ocean of homeless, drug addicts, trans prostitution, etc. It’s sketchy but be especially careful at night, and always be aware of your surroundings, valuables, and jewelry. Sixth Street and parts of SOMA are the same. This said, there are some great places if you know where you are going.

Little Saigon (Larkin Street) – Vietnamese stuff, Pho and other tasty bites, $ Vietnamese Sandwiches (Saigon Sandwich- most famous)

Mensho Tokyo- Debatably the best Ramen in the… US? No reservations, tiny place, get in line and arrive early!

City Hall, Opera House, turn of the century buildings, architecture

SF Symphony, Opera, and Ballet Performances- same day discounted tix at the ticket office.

Concerts and events at Bill Graham Center

Asian Art Museum (beautiful building) Artwork from all over the Asian continent.

Phoenix Hotel- Haven from the Tenderloin, huge bar/lounge complex and poolside parties.

American Music Hall- Smaller, old venue for more intimate concerts and shows

Regency Ballroom- Large, multilevel concert and club/DJ venue.

Major Broadway-Style Theaters: Curran Theater, American Conservatory Theater, Orpheum Theater, Golden Gate Theater.

Runs through Tenderloin, to Nob Hill to Russian Hill heading north (uphill)

$$$ Son and Garden / Secret Bar- Thai/French fusion- great food and creative drinks- love the “Alice in Wonderland” style bar if you can get in for a meal.

$$-$$$ Café Maison Danel- WOW! A real French café and teahouse. Amazing pastries, High-tea service, Traditional French brunch/lunch items, owners are lovely and very French.

$$$ Hoi An 1608- Upscale, but not formal Vietnamese restaurant, excellent food.

$The Cinch- the only remaining gay dive bar on Polk

Bars and Restaurants all up and down Polk Street

Bob’s Donut- open all night if you must eat a donut.

Polk Street north of Post tends to be less sketchy, and once north of California street, you are getting into the more upscale Russian Hill neighborhood. A few good restaurants and café’s here, and the famous crooked portion of…

Lombard street- World’s most crooked street. DO NOT ATTEMPT to drive this- it is a total traffic jam and not fun. Start at the bottom, (Lombard @ Leavenworth) take pictures there, and walk to the top. Walking is the way to go.

Very cute neighborhood with a park full of rotating Burning Man sculptures centered at Octavia and Hayes Street. Small Shops and cute boutiques, designer eyewear, small, chocolate shops and bakeries. Newer buildings mixed in with contemporary housing above trendy restaurants below. LOVE this neighborhood, but be aware it is sandwiched between the Tenderloin(east), and government housing (west)

$$$-$$$$ Absinthe (French) San Francisco Classic Resto

$$$-$$$$ Monsieur Benjamin (French-Cal)

$$ Suppenkuche (German) Rustic Tavern setting, real German food

$$-$$$ Chez Maman- Casual French-American Bistro

$ Boulange Café, pastries, sandwiches, etc

$$ Biergarten- Just like it sounds, casual outdoor Biergarten over asphalt, great on a sunny day. Usually some basic german food/sausages/pickles, etc.

$$ Salt and Straw- trendy local gourmet ice cream chain- amazing.

$$ Blue Bottle Coffee- This is the original location on Linden Alley where they still serve THE BEST coffee out of a rollup garage door.

$$ Brass Tacks / Anina- local bars, good cocktails.

This stepped brick complex near Fisherman’s Wharf has been entirely revived over the past several years with new shops, restaurants, and a hotel. Formerly the grounds of the famous Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory. Many seafood options around Fisherman’s Wharf, most are very old and tourist-oriented, so check reviews first.

K-$$Ghiradelli Chocolate shops- we’d recommend the ice cream here over the chocolate- just’ sayin’.

$$$ Palette Tea House- Upscale Chinese / Dim Sum restaurant

$$$$ Fairmont Hotel and Residences

$$$ Abacá- Upscale Filipino Fusion restaurant- excellent!

Waterfront joggers, Mediterranean and Art Deco Architecture, quiet streets. The Marina Nightlife is a total meat market for yuppie straight girls and boys- men that never grew up, and hot cougars! Shops, Bars, and Restaurants run along Chestnut and Union Streets. Marina Green and Chrissy Field are large green spaces running along the northern shoreline. Fort Mason is a retired military complex now full of restaurants, art galleries and large events and art shows are held in the rented-out halls. Sunday Farmer’s Market.

Watch this for a gist of the Marina girls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srGdSCQ2fkw

K Palace of Fine Arts- Manicured park with small lake and European “ruins” built for the 1915 World Fair.

K Marina Green / Crissy Field- Waterfront walks/runs, grassy parks and a sizable beach with GG bridge views, see and be seen with yoga pants or stroller. Shirtless or not.

K Union Street and Chestnut Street- Clothing boutiques and lots of great restaurants and cafés- SO MANY RESTAURANTS AND BARS

$$$ L’Mida- *New Moroccan restaurant- great food!

$$ Causewell- A favorite spot, Cal-American, great wine, great burger, and nicer food too.

$$$-$$$$ Ristobar- More expensive upscale Italian, small plates, nice restaurant and great outdoor patio spot, Aperol Spritz, etc.

$$-$$$ Roma Antica- American Italian restaurant- more casual and moderately priced

$$-$$$ Norcina- handmade fresh pastas- very hard to get in for dinner

$$$ Tacolicious- trendy gourmet taco place- POPULAR!

$$ Pacific Catch- Rice Bowls are awesome here, restaurant is crowded

$$-$$$ Cote Ouest- casual French bistro, affordable

$$$ Terzo- Med. Tapas

$$$ Mamanoko- Japanese, Contemporary interior

$$-$$$ Wago- Sushi, casual

$$$ A-16- Northern Italian food, wines, and thin crust pizzas

$$ Naked Fish Sushi

$$$ ILCHA- Expensive Korean Fusion, great Ramen/Hot Pot

$$$ Greens Vegetarian Restaurant

$$-$$$ Radhaus- Modern Industrial German beerhouse and restaurant

$$$$$ Atelier Crenn- our fanciest Michelin-starred restaurant in the neighborhood, an art experience with food. Dominique Crenn- executive chef.

$$$ The Dorian- Popular renovated large bar and restaurant- Californian food

$$$ Balboa Café- San Francisco classic American Bistro, cocktails and cougars! See and be seen.

$$ Del Mar- bar and nightclub on Lombard- tropical theme, crowded at night.

$$$ The White Rabbit (Formerly The Matrix) - Upscale bar with DJ’s/dancing/musicians.

$$$ Roaming Goat- *new* Wine bar with mediterranean food. Portions are smaller, but everything was well executed and tasty.

$$$-$$$$ *new* Left Door cocktail lounge above The Bus Stop. Converted apartment made into multi room lounges. Cocktails $20+ Food served as well. Dress up- reservations likely needed.

The Wave Organ- Honestly the wave organ itself is not cool, but the pedestrian-only narrow sliver of land gives you an amazing view of the bay, bridge, Marin county, and a view back at the Marina neighborhood and its colorful mediterranean homes.

K***new*** Tunnel Tops Park Parallel to and on top of the freeway with amazing bay and bridge views, playgrounds, picnicking, food trucks, weekend summer performances, you name it.

K Disney (history) Museum- more about Walt and history than Disneyland.

$$$ Presidio Social Club restaurant

$-$$ Presidio Bowl - Remodeled bowling alley.

$$$ Dalida- Hot and New- Mediterranean Fusion Restaurant- pray for a reservation.

$$ Arguello Cal-Mex Restaurant

$$$ Sessions Restaurant- gourmet Californian, farm to table, etc.

Friday Nights have free performances in the evening at the newly renovated Presidio Arts Center

Hiking

Historic Cemetery and Military buildings

Baker Beach- typically warmer than others, completely true: some nudists at north (bridge) end! No suit required.

Saturday & Sunday - Off the grid foodtrucks line the park for a giant open picnic. Lots of variety and a crowd pleaser, but we’ve found it’s gotten a bit expensive you could spend the same money for table service at a nicer restaurant.

$$$ Lodge at the Presidio - recently renovated historic military housing now a small boutique hotel, quiet and relaxing.

Highest Point in SF, incredible views of Market Street, the ocean and entire Bay day or night only when there’s a clear sky. Can be cold and windy anytime, jacket required.

All along the diagonal Columbus Street and Washington Square Park- Italian Restaurants, Italian Cafés, a few strip clubs and Tourists. So many great little restaurants, especially American Italian, but a few tourist traps with bad food too, so ask first. Hike up to Coit Tower for the view and to see murals by Diego Rivera.

K$ Café Greco- Get the Greco grande latte and people watch for days!

K$$ Stella Bakery- pastries- great tiramisu- a favorite!

$$ The Stinking Rose- Garlic oriented Italian Restaurant

$-$$ Café Trieste- old fashioned Italian espresso cafe

$$ Tosca- bar/restaurant popular with actors and film people and a secret back room.

$$-$$$ The Devil’s Acre- great cocktails, bigger bar.

$$-$$$ Comstock Saloon- great classic saloon vibe, excellent cocktails

$$ Vesuvio Café- An eccentric SF bar with upstairs seating.

$$-$$$ Maison Nico- French Larder with foie gras, terrines of all types, pastries sold by the slice- with champagne! Phenominal. This is more of a café with limited seating.

$$-$$$ Original Joe’s- excellent Italian-American food and drinks

$-$$ Tony’s Pizzeria- Famous SF Pizza, sit-down restaurant, life changing.

$$$ Sotto Mare- Best Cioppino- maybe ever, Italian Diner / seafood restaurant, sit outside if you can, it’s cramped.

$$-$$$San Francisco Seafood Restaurant- Affordable, fresh seafood, grilled octopus and seafood platter are great!

$ Golden Boy- Pizza to go by the slice in rectangles- the clam pizza is garlicy good!

$$$-$$$$ Park Tavern- Great restaurant across from the park.

Japantown Mall and Neighborhood- Japanese stores, great restaurants, karaoke, etc

K$-$$ Izumi Sushi - Conveyer belt sushi bar- Manuel is our favorite chef here. This is our go-to for fresh (affordable) sushi.

$$-$$$ Momofuku Ramen- Long lines but excellent ramen and other dishes. Join the waitlist on Yelp.com.

Kabuki Springs and Spa - Excellent and very clean Japanese baths and (reasonably affordable) massage Soaking Bath Steam, Sauna and Spa Access- always a treat (MThSat- Men, W-Coed with bathing suits, otherwise women only in the spa area)

Kabuki AMC Movie Theater

$$$ 7 Adams - California/Asian/Seafood fusion restaurant excellent and well priced!

This area can be sketchy at times and includes government housing and some crime.

Southern Fried food galore

Jazz shows at Yoshi’s and 1300 on Fillmore

$$ Sheba Lounge- Excellent Ethiopian restaurant with live jazz/Motown/soul after 8:30

$$$Yoshi’s- Sushi and Jazz- we found this place too big and kind of a trap.

1300 on Fillmore- Friday night live jazz at 8:30, Modern Southern Cooking- beautiful restaurant, love the owners.

$$$-$$$$ State Bird Provisions- experimental California cuisine- dim-sum style servings- very creative

Shopping, boutiques and restaurants, café’s, High-end fashion boutiques

Alta Plaza / Lafayette Square- 2 large city parks at the top of the hill

$$$-$$$$ Copra- *new* upscale Indian- dying to try it!

$$$$ SPQR- great Italian / modern

$$ Harry’s Bar / Palmers Tavern- great old-fashioned neighborhood bar / restaurants, especially on a sunny day, outdoor and indoor seating bar food too.

$$-$$$ La Mediterranee- Lebanese-mediterranean restaurant, rustic, popular.

$$$ Choquette- neighborhood French bistro

$$-$$$ Jackson-Fillmore Trattoria- Old school Italian restaurant with an amazing sit-up antipasti bar.

K Academy of Sciences ($20-$25 entry) Rooftop garden, aquarium, stuffed animals, Terrarium, Planetarium, etc. ($12 nightlife tickets 21 and over only)

K Botanical Gardens- free to SF residents

K DeYoung Museum- Friday nights free music and cocktail party, Contemporary Art Museum- probably the best in town, I have a membership here.

K Japanese Tea Gardens- Must see! 8:30-5 or 6pm, free before 9am I believe http://www.sfgov.org/site/recpark_page.asp?id=17796

K Pavilion of Flowers- Victorian-style large greenhouse building with exotic and tropical plants and flowers.

Many gardens, parks, and areas

Nearby- Seacliff Neighborhood- Nice homes, architecture, small beaches.

Nearby- Legion of Honor Art Museum-beautiful museum focused on classical art and antiquities, interesting traveling exhibits

This is a massive beach on the west coast of town, there is room for everyone. It is generally very cold and windy except on the hottest days in September and October. The water is always cold. Sunsets can be amazing here when the sky is not fogged over.

K$$$ Beach Chalet- get a window seat to watch the sunset here over a meal and avoid freezing to death. The backyard area is sheltered from the wind and has a bar.

$$$-$$$$ Clift House- Sadly closed but beautiful Sutro Baths and other sites to see.

K$$ San Francisco Zoo- we have never been, cannot report.

Colorful gay neighborhood- for young and old. Cheaper strong drinks, less expensive restaurants and shops, many bars and cafes. Tip- The Castro is a very *friendly* neighborhood, so expect to be hit on. Since the 70’s the Castro has been a gay mecca welcoming gay (mostly men) people to be accepted, politically heard, and sense of community. Younger gay visitors looking for something more gritty/underground may like SOMA more. While everyone is welcome and generally friendly, visitors will have a better time with gay friends in their group. Bars and restaurants are all along Market Street from Octavia to Castro, Castro to 19th, and along 18th Streets, each one has a different vibe and crowd- just ask or check them out. Don’t be too surprised to see an elderly nudist or someone in leather gear or drag walking down the sidewalk; Halloween is everyday.

Historic Castro Theatre – independent films, singalongs- sometimes K kid-friendly.

$$$$ Frances- high-end California cuisine, farm to table, etc. They make their own excellent house wine blends which you can buy a carafe by the ounce. Reservations can be tough- sometimes you can get in at the bar if you are there at opening time.

$$$Fable- Great Californian / American food, large outdoor patio popular for brunch.

$$-$$$ Anchor Oyster- Affordable, tasty seafood, get your name on the list- it’s popular.

$$$Starbelly- American casual dining

$$$Mama Ji’s- Sichuan Chinese

$$$Wooden Spoon- Scandinavian Californian Restaurant

$$$L’Ardoise- French Bistro

$$Kitchen Story- Asian Fusion- popular brunch

$$Warakabune- Casual Japanese sushi bar

$$$Santeria- Elevated Mexican and Margaritas

$Hot Cookie- naughty baked goods.

Nightlife:

High Tops- Sports Bar

Martuni’s- Martini Piano Bar, show tunes and sing alongs

Beaux- Large, popular and nicer bar for dancing and drinks. Pretty people. Weekend drag brunches. A bit more “LA” in style.

Lobby Bar- Upscale bar with table service downstairs from the Hotel Castro.

Blackbird- Mixed straight bar with great cocktails

Twin Peaks (AKA Glass Coffin)- Old fashioned bar with hot drinks, popular with the seniors.

440- Daddy Dive Bar

The Mix- Dive bar with outdoor smoking patio

The Edge- Dive bar

Midnight Sun- Renovated Bar with large projection screens for movies and singalongs

Moby Dick- Dive Bar, Video Bar with fish tanks and pool.

Badlands- Recently reopened bar with small dance floor

Toad Hall- Bar with small dance floor and small outdoor patio

Lookout- Large upstairs corner bar with lookout over market street, great on a sunny afternoon on the balcony.

Last Call- Quiet neighborhood bar, strong drinks

North Bay

K Golden Gate Bridge / Sausalito - This bridge can easily be walked (it takes a few hours), or rent bikes and ride to Sausalito and take the ferry back to town. Great views on a clear afternoon, usually it’s cold and very windy. Plan for half a day. E-bikes may help with a few major hills to climb getting up to the bridge, or if you need to climb back up the hill from Sausalito on the waterfront.

Marin County:
10-20 minute drive

Stinson Beach- generally very warm and clean- up to 1-hour drive

Tomales Bay- Oysters and oyster/seafood restaurants, or shuck your own!

Mount Tamalpias- drive to the top or hike for great views.

Muir Woods- Redwoods (you need advance tickets online)

Sausalito & Tiburon- lots of waterfront restaurants and scenery, Antique Shops

Mill Valley- Cute forested town near Mount Tam with shops and restaurants.

Wine Country:
Napa/Sonoma/Russian River Areas - About a 1-1.5 hour drive

Gorgeous countryside, excellent bed and breakfasts, restaurants galore, wine, art and quaint small towns, friendly people. Many local farms with excellent produce, meat and local cheeses.

So many wineries and great restaurants- just ask us. A good rule of thumb is that Napa tends to be more upscale and Chardonnay/Cabernet Sauvignon-oriented. Sonoma is more casual and Pinot Noir/White Wine oriented. Both have excellent wine, food and views.

Best towns to visit- Healdsburg, Sonoma, Napa, Yountville, St Helena, Calistoga

Guerneville (Russian River)
This friendly run-down river town is like gay summer camp. Lots of camping, river activities, a few gay bars and cheaper accommodations. R3 is where the big pool parties and events are at and it’s packed when the weather is warm. Wine country and redwoods adjacent.

Peninsula (South of SF):
Peninsula / Silicon Valley / Palo Alto:

Stanford Shopping Center

Stanford Campus and Contemporary Art Museum

Downtown Palo Alto shopping and excellent restaurants along University Avenue

Stanford Theater – Black and white old films

Nearby Sunset Gardens in Menlo Park

Nearby Filoli Mansion gardens in Redwood City

Concerts at nearby Shoreline Amphitheater

Downtown Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Mateo, and San Carlos are all lovely if you are in the area.

South Bay
San Jose

Most upscale shopping at Santana Row or Valley Fair Mall

K Winchester Mystery House

Downtown San Jose has many shops and restaurants

K Great America amusement park in nearby Santa Clara

HP Pavillion- Sharks Hockey Games and Large-Scale Concerts

East Bay
Oakland- Oakland has major gang violence, street crime and homeless encampment problems, many neighborhoods in the flat part of Oakland, particularly West Oakland/MacArthur/Fruitvale areas should be generally avoided for safety. More recently gentrified and very popular- especially in the Lake Merritt and Fox Theater Areas, good restaurants and bars.

We LOVE Pho Ao Sen Restaurant- some of the best Vietnamese we’ve had.

$$$-$$$$ Claremont (Fairmont) Hotel & Spa- Recently renovated historic hotel- we’ve heard only good things!

$-$$$ Alameda Flea Market - First Sunday morning every month. One of a kind finds.

Berkeley- University Town with a very strong hippy/liberal vibe. EXCELLENT Californian restaurants, cultural events, plays, jazz, food, and just amazing people watching.

Berkeley Campus and Botanical Gardens

California/Mission/Craftsman architecture

IKEA (Emeryville)

Gourmet Ghetto neighborhood- Try Cheese Board for excellent pizza and jazz

Berkeley Bowl- Two locations- A gourmet’s expansive supermarket with unusual exotic and local produce

Telegraph Avenue/University Avenue/Shattuck Avenue- most of the great shops and restaurants are here- really a wonderful stroll, lots of hippie shops.

Great ethnic restaurants here- Thai, Indian, Indonesian, etc.

$$$$Chez Panisse- Alice Water’s famous restaurant where “farm to table” organic Californian cooking began. Upscale Cal-American “home cooking” tasty but pricey.

$$Angeline’s- The best Southern restaurant I’ve been to in the Bay- everything is good that we tried.

4th Street Shops- “outlet” and designer shops, some great restaurants too. Away from Downtown Berkeley

Walnut Creek- Beautiful upscale suburban town, quaint downtown, great shopping and restaurants, good place to meet friends in the area. Lots of pretty smaller towns in this area, but mostly residential housing. Hiking at nearby Mount Diablo.

Livermore:
San Francisco Premium Outlets (Livermore, CA- 1hr drive+)

This is THE BEST Outlet mall in Northern California. Gucci, Prada, Burberry, and many many high-end fashion labels at closer to affordable prices you’ll never see at Union Square. Absolutely worth the trip if you are looking for fashion bargains. This place is popular, so prepare to spend some time parking if you don’t go right when it opens. Holiday weekends are a complete nightmare here.

Downtown Livermore / Downtown Pleasanton Two adjacent towns with beautiful downtown areas, lots of mom and pop restaurants and shops.

Livermore Wine Country- While not as famous as Napa, there are many low-key wineries (and growing) in this area to try, and Wente, a large winery with a lot of history and live concert events.

South of the Bay Area-Central Coast
Santa Cruz, Monterey and Carmel

2-3 hour or more drive

Beautiful seaside towns, cold beaches most of the year. Great seafood and restaurants

K Santa Cruz is more rustic/hippie/boardwalk type of beach town.

K Monterey is very fish and restaurant-oriented and features the impressive Monterey Bay Aquarium. The famous Lone Cypress is still alive (I think) along the scenic 49 Mile Drive/ Monterey Peninsula/Pebble Beach.

Carmel is upscale and has many antique and art galleries, a pleasure to stroll. Good restaurants and boutique hotels. White sand beach is imported, beautiful “Snow White Cottage” architecture.

Carmel Valley (inland) is much warmer with a cute town and wine country, golf and country clubs.

Paso Robles / San Luis Obispo/Morro Bay/Pebble Beach/San Simeon/Cambria This Central Coast area is about 3-4 hours drive away. Hearst Castle, Beaches, Wine Country, beautiful small towns on the way to Santa Barbara.

East of the Bay Area:

K Sacramento is the state capital, large downtown with lots of shops, and “Old Sacramento” Gold-rush era western buildings with restaurants and shops. 1.5-3hrs (traffic).

K Yosemite National Park- 3+ hour drive- Absolutely beautiful year round, giant, sheer granite mountains, lakes, waterfalls, short and challenging hikes. Camping/cabins/Ohwanee Hotel accommodations possible.

K Lake Tahoe Stunningly beautiful and enormous; largest freshwater lake in California- clean, clear and blue. Late summer warms up the beach areas, hiking, boating and fishing. Wintertime boasts many well-known ski resorts. Small towns dot the lake, but most of the action takes place around South Lake Tahoe, if you are looking for more of a town/things to do. 4 hour drive+ depending traffic.