Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
Royal Ground is an inexpensive coffee spot with decent food, free WiFi, cozy seating, and a sunny location.
Royal Ground Coffee
5301 Geary BoulevardRoyal Ground is an inexpensive coffee spot with decent food, free WiFi, cozy seating, and a sunny location.
Peet's is a chain of premium coffee shops. This one is a real hub of activity on Geary St.
238 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
2080 Chestnut StPeet's is a chain of premium coffee shops. This one is a real hub of activity on Geary St.
Gordo's is a small chain of taquerias around the Bay Area. Inexpensive and low ceremony, they're a great place for West Coast style burritos. The carnitas is particularly good.
48 locals recommend
Gordo Taqueria
1239 9th AveGordo's is a small chain of taquerias around the Bay Area. Inexpensive and low ceremony, they're a great place for West Coast style burritos. The carnitas is particularly good.
There are many sushi places around the City and on Geary. On this stretch of road, Kabuto is one of the best.
20 locals recommend
Kabuto Restaurant
5121 Geary BlvdThere are many sushi places around the City and on Geary. On this stretch of road, Kabuto is one of the best.
There's something comforting about knowing where the local Starbucks can be found.
512 locals recommend
Starbucks
2132 Chestnut StThere's something comforting about knowing where the local Starbucks can be found.
Cozy coffee shop with a palpable "local feel" and live music at times.
43 locals recommend
Simple Pleasures Cafe
3434 Balboa StCozy coffee shop with a palpable "local feel" and live music at times.
Very good authentic Japanese restaurant a stone's throw from my house
20 locals recommend
Kabuto Restaurant
5121 Geary BlvdVery good authentic Japanese restaurant a stone's throw from my house
Everything Else
Lou's Cafe
5017 Geary BlvdFantastic sandwiches!
Inexpensive second-run theater. It's not a stellar cinematic experience, but local theaters are hard to come by these days.
13 locals recommend
Four Star Theatre
2200 Clement StInexpensive second-run theater. It's not a stellar cinematic experience, but local theaters are hard to come by these days.
If you there's something you've forgotten and you need (e.g., swim trunks, sport coat, headphones, cell phone charger), Ross will have it, and cheap.
28 locals recommend
Ross Dress for Less
2300 16th StIf you there's something you've forgotten and you need (e.g., swim trunks, sport coat, headphones, cell phone charger), Ross will have it, and cheap.
Craft beer and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Hard to argue with.
14 locals recommend
Chomp N' Swig
5601 Geary BlvdCraft beer and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Hard to argue with.
Safeway
735 7th AveReliable grocery store a short walk from 15th Ave.
Balboa Theatre
3630 Balboa StLocal second-run movie theater.
Great community of dancers every Sunday 11 am to 2 pm, with a free swing dance lesson from noon to 12:30
11 locals recommend
lindy in the park
14 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrGreat community of dancers every Sunday 11 am to 2 pm, with a free swing dance lesson from noon to 12:30
An oasis of calm, with marble columns, oiled oak, stacks of books to get lost in, and blessed hushed silence interrupted only by the occasional rustle of newspapers and the creaking of wooden chairs
Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room
57 Post StAn oasis of calm, with marble columns, oiled oak, stacks of books to get lost in, and blessed hushed silence interrupted only by the occasional rustle of newspapers and the creaking of wooden chairs
Drinks & Nightlife
Decent Irish bar. There are better in the City, but this one is close.
15 locals recommend
The Blarney Stone Bar
5625 Geary BlvdDecent Irish bar. There are better in the City, but this one is close.
Pig and Whistle S.F.
2801 Geary BlvdGreat English pub with a pretty good jukebox.
Biscuits and Blues
401 Mason StGreat blues club
Mr. Tipple's Recording Studio
39 Fell StGreat jazz club with live music almost every night
Fun underground speakeasy with a live band and dancing on some nights
83 locals recommend
Local Edition
691 Market StFun underground speakeasy with a live band and dancing on some nights
Sightseeing
Otherworldly realm offering stunning views, hiking, biking, and quiet repose just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city
194 locals recommend
Marin Headlands
Otherworldly realm offering stunning views, hiking, biking, and quiet repose just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city
An eerie enchanted realm hidden away in the heart of the city, for walks and trail running and getting away
17 locals recommend
Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve
An eerie enchanted realm hidden away in the heart of the city, for walks and trail running and getting away
truly and amazing and oft overlooked museum. the building itself is a masterpiece, but it also houses a terrific Rodin collection
208 locals recommend
Legion of Honor
100 34th Avetruly and amazing and oft overlooked museum. the building itself is a masterpiece, but it also houses a terrific Rodin collection
Neighborhoods
Lively but family friendly nexus of food, drink, and public transportation right next to the park
23 locals recommend
Inner Sunset
Lively but family friendly nexus of food, drink, and public transportation right next to the park
A village hidden away in the city, rising out of the mists like Brigadoon, with more great food and maybe some curio shops
51 locals recommend
West Portal
A village hidden away in the city, rising out of the mists like Brigadoon, with more great food and maybe some curio shops
The presidio's great for exploring its network of trails during the day, and its food trucks on the weekend
383 locals recommend
Presidio of San Francisco
The presidio's great for exploring its network of trails during the day, and its food trucks on the weekend
Traveler advice
Getting around
Buses, trains, or Uber and Lyft
Learn to use public transportation, or walk, or take Uber or Lyft, or rent bikes. Try not to drive if you can help it, because parking is a pain.
Book before you go
Book ahead for everything you can
Especially with the pandemic, even some bars require booking ahead
What to pack
Layers and sweaters
never go out without some kind of jacket because even if it's warm in mid day, it WILL get cold by the afternoon. lose the umbrella, as it rarely rains except in the winter.