Guidebook for San Francisco

Clive
Guidebook for San Francisco

Drinks & Nightlife

Local bars (some with live music) & Restaurants on 24th St & Valencia St area.
Bar & bar food with great stage & balcony views
135 locals recommend
The Chapel
777 Valencia Street
135 locals recommend
Bar & bar food with great stage & balcony views
Unique decor! You've never seen anything like it. Most references famous writers, artists, and musicians. Cuba tapas and Sangria. Great place. Keeps unusual hours.
17 locals recommend
Radio Habana Social Club
1109 Valencia St
17 locals recommend
Unique decor! You've never seen anything like it. Most references famous writers, artists, and musicians. Cuba tapas and Sangria. Great place. Keeps unusual hours.
Outdoor, relaxed friendly setting with live music. Drinks & food. Great meeting spot for locals.
Ivory & Vine SF
3248 22nd Street
Outdoor, relaxed friendly setting with live music. Drinks & food. Great meeting spot for locals.
Bissap Baobab SF is a fun West African Restaurant with live music in the Mission District! They feature local musicians they play songs from around the world. Live bands playing Afro beats & Latin American music. DJ playing salsa! Large area for lots of people to get up to dance. Good food to order in other sit down adjacent area.
51 locals recommend
Little Baobab SF
2243 19th St
51 locals recommend
Bissap Baobab SF is a fun West African Restaurant with live music in the Mission District! They feature local musicians they play songs from around the world. Live bands playing Afro beats & Latin American music. DJ playing salsa! Large area for lots of people to get up to dance. Good food to order in other sit down adjacent area.
Drinks, outside seating, live, vigorous Latin American bands.
Arcana
2512 Mission Street
Drinks, outside seating, live, vigorous Latin American bands.
Hip bar for drinks. They also have food upstairs. If it's too crowded for you, go around the corner for a glass of wine at The Tradesman.
281 locals recommend
Trick Dog
3010 20th St
281 locals recommend
Hip bar for drinks. They also have food upstairs. If it's too crowded for you, go around the corner for a glass of wine at The Tradesman.
This dive bar in the Mission has everything: cheap beer, pool, live music most nights, karaoke on Wednesdays, ping pong on (most) Thursdays, a huge back patio, and is very LGBTQ friendly. Some nights they have a food vendor on the patio. This place has some great vibes and really awesome people.
196 locals recommend
El Rio
3158 Mission St
196 locals recommend
This dive bar in the Mission has everything: cheap beer, pool, live music most nights, karaoke on Wednesdays, ping pong on (most) Thursdays, a huge back patio, and is very LGBTQ friendly. Some nights they have a food vendor on the patio. This place has some great vibes and really awesome people.
SF classic - wonderful neighborhood bar with a beautiful outside garden in the back. One of the first and last remaining lesbian bars, it is open to all and definitely worth sitting out back or playing a game of pool.
121 locals recommend
Wild Side West
424 Cortland Ave
121 locals recommend
SF classic - wonderful neighborhood bar with a beautiful outside garden in the back. One of the first and last remaining lesbian bars, it is open to all and definitely worth sitting out back or playing a game of pool.

Parks & Nature

Dolores Park is every reason to come to The Mission. Whether it’s cloudy or sunny, weekend or weekday, you’ll always find people relaxing in this park. With a $20.6 million renovation recently completed, San Francisco’s favorite park is completely reopened with new restrooms, renovated tennis and basketball courts, improved disability access, and a new overlook in the southwest corner. Locals of all ages gather at this outdoor hot spot for picnics, tanning, and people-watching. Enjoy an ice cream at the ever popular Bi-Rite Creamery or nearby Bi Rite Grocery to grab a picnic!
1244 locals recommend
Mission Dolores Park
19th Street
1244 locals recommend
Dolores Park is every reason to come to The Mission. Whether it’s cloudy or sunny, weekend or weekday, you’ll always find people relaxing in this park. With a $20.6 million renovation recently completed, San Francisco’s favorite park is completely reopened with new restrooms, renovated tennis and basketball courts, improved disability access, and a new overlook in the southwest corner. Locals of all ages gather at this outdoor hot spot for picnics, tanning, and people-watching. Enjoy an ice cream at the ever popular Bi-Rite Creamery or nearby Bi Rite Grocery to grab a picnic!
Playground & heated indoor swimming pool 100 yds away from flat.
10 locals recommend
Garfield Square
3100 26th St
10 locals recommend
Playground & heated indoor swimming pool 100 yds away from flat.
Short 4 block walk to beautiful, dog friendly park with local cafes & playground next to the Precita cafe & grill.
95 locals recommend
Precita Park
3200 Folsom St
95 locals recommend
Short 4 block walk to beautiful, dog friendly park with local cafes & playground next to the Precita cafe & grill.
Mesmerizing, must, must visit to a zen park. Absolutely gorgeous the heights & size of the beautiful trees or the fresh smell of the forest, streams flowing & birds chirping. There are easy walk, hike loops with wheelchair accessibility. This is a small paradise very close to SF across the bay. The scenery is unique you'll come away with an obscene amount of beautiful photos. It is necessary to book a slot for parking a car or a spot on the shuttle bus to get to Muir Woods. The parking lot costs $9. You can book tickets online to avoid wait times! NOTE. There is NO internet service in the park. Screen shot your tickets before arriving.
660 locals recommend
Muir Woods National Monument
660 locals recommend
Mesmerizing, must, must visit to a zen park. Absolutely gorgeous the heights & size of the beautiful trees or the fresh smell of the forest, streams flowing & birds chirping. There are easy walk, hike loops with wheelchair accessibility. This is a small paradise very close to SF across the bay. The scenery is unique you'll come away with an obscene amount of beautiful photos. It is necessary to book a slot for parking a car or a spot on the shuttle bus to get to Muir Woods. The parking lot costs $9. You can book tickets online to avoid wait times! NOTE. There is NO internet service in the park. Screen shot your tickets before arriving.

Sightseeing

Unbelievably fantastic views of Bay Area, Pacific Ocean, Sierras, easy trails & nature. Highest point closest to San Francisco always above the fog.
19 locals recommend
Mount Tamalpais East Peak
Old Railroad Grade Trail
19 locals recommend
Unbelievably fantastic views of Bay Area, Pacific Ocean, Sierras, easy trails & nature. Highest point closest to San Francisco always above the fog.
360 views of city & bay. Can be windy & cold sometimes. Great place to walk with constant views of whole area. Favourite place for dog walkers & dogs.
363 locals recommend
Bernal Heights Park
3400-3416 Folsom St
363 locals recommend
360 views of city & bay. Can be windy & cold sometimes. Great place to walk with constant views of whole area. Favourite place for dog walkers & dogs.
Views of city. Close to Castro area, favourite place for exercise & walking.
180 locals recommend
Corona Heights Park
Museum Way
180 locals recommend
Views of city. Close to Castro area, favourite place for exercise & walking.
Great place to see the whole city of San Francisco. This place is great for hiking, picnic, pictures. Steep Folsom St hill to Bernal Heights for a good workout rewarded with stunning views. Favorite place for dogs & dog walkers.
Bernal Heights
Great place to see the whole city of San Francisco. This place is great for hiking, picnic, pictures. Steep Folsom St hill to Bernal Heights for a good workout rewarded with stunning views. Favorite place for dogs & dog walkers.
A ferry ride across the bay from San Francisco ferry building & weekend farmers market sets a gem of a town, Sausalito. Well worth the minor cost of the ferry ride ($16 RT) to quaint shops and restaurants. Make it a must journey while visiting San Francisco. You will see Alcatraz Island & Golden Gate Bridge during the crossing of the bay.
Downtown Sausalito
Bridgeway
A ferry ride across the bay from San Francisco ferry building & weekend farmers market sets a gem of a town, Sausalito. Well worth the minor cost of the ferry ride ($16 RT) to quaint shops and restaurants. Make it a must journey while visiting San Francisco. You will see Alcatraz Island & Golden Gate Bridge during the crossing of the bay.

Food Scene

Good restaurants that I have regularly gone to & recommend at different price levels. Mission district is known for its diversity in people, food & live music.
A modern Nepali restaurant with beautiful decor in the Mission, 5 blocks away. Food is authentic, diverse with Indian flavors at an affordable price that you won't find anywhere. Food is amazing, affordable, generous, and quick. Lots of good vegetarian options. Particular highlights are the momos, onion fritters, kale d palek chaats, mushroom chili, cashew curry, butter chicken, and goat curry with garlic naans & steamed buns.
Base Camp
A modern Nepali restaurant with beautiful decor in the Mission, 5 blocks away. Food is authentic, diverse with Indian flavors at an affordable price that you won't find anywhere. Food is amazing, affordable, generous, and quick. Lots of good vegetarian options. Particular highlights are the momos, onion fritters, kale d palek chaats, mushroom chili, cashew curry, butter chicken, and goat curry with garlic naans & steamed buns.
Excellent local Thai restaurant, quick over the phone orders, sit down or take away.
21 locals recommend
Chili Cha Cha 2
3166 24th St
21 locals recommend
Excellent local Thai restaurant, quick over the phone orders, sit down or take away.
Tartine bakery a legend & an institution of epic renown.!! It is an absolute must if you are in the neighborhood. A little expensive but quality is amazing. love all the options. I liked the almond croissant, strawberry rhubarb pie, and the rye bread. Located in a good corner and in walking distance to valencia street and dandelion chocolate! Had free water and restrooms as well.
768 locals recommend
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero St
768 locals recommend
Tartine bakery a legend & an institution of epic renown.!! It is an absolute must if you are in the neighborhood. A little expensive but quality is amazing. love all the options. I liked the almond croissant, strawberry rhubarb pie, and the rye bread. Located in a good corner and in walking distance to valencia street and dandelion chocolate! Had free water and restrooms as well.
Tartine Manufactory is a must-visit brunch spot for anyone looking for delicious baked goods and hearty breakfast dishes. Baked bread fills the air, tempting you to indulge in all of the pastry offerings. I highly recommend their croissants, which are flaky and buttery. But the star is definitely their bread, which is baked fresh every day and has a crispy crust with a soft and chewy interior. You can even purchase a loaf to take home with you. Savory dishes, the smoked salmon was a standout, perfectly balanced flavor thats paired well with the cream cheese and bagel. The brisket hash with steak is also a crowd-pleaser. Great ambience for breakfast or brunch.
155 locals recommend
Tartine Manufactory
595 Alabama St
155 locals recommend
Tartine Manufactory is a must-visit brunch spot for anyone looking for delicious baked goods and hearty breakfast dishes. Baked bread fills the air, tempting you to indulge in all of the pastry offerings. I highly recommend their croissants, which are flaky and buttery. But the star is definitely their bread, which is baked fresh every day and has a crispy crust with a soft and chewy interior. You can even purchase a loaf to take home with you. Savory dishes, the smoked salmon was a standout, perfectly balanced flavor thats paired well with the cream cheese and bagel. The brisket hash with steak is also a crowd-pleaser. Great ambience for breakfast or brunch.
Udupi Palace is one of the "rare" South Indian Vegetarian restaurant in SF. Offering South Indian meals, such as fried idli (highly recommend), thali, malabar parotta and tiffin combo with Mysore masala dosa. Excellent flavors. Filter coffee is available. $. Very affordable.
101 locals recommend
Udupi Palace
1007 Valencia St
101 locals recommend
Udupi Palace is one of the "rare" South Indian Vegetarian restaurant in SF. Offering South Indian meals, such as fried idli (highly recommend), thali, malabar parotta and tiffin combo with Mysore masala dosa. Excellent flavors. Filter coffee is available. $. Very affordable.
Fabulous Spanish, Mexican restaurant. Breakfast, lunch or dinner. Beautiful setting by Precita Park - few minutes walk away.
10 locals recommend
Los Yaquis
3214 Folsom St
10 locals recommend
Fabulous Spanish, Mexican restaurant. Breakfast, lunch or dinner. Beautiful setting by Precita Park - few minutes walk away.
Fabulous Spanish tapas, meat & fish, outside heated patio seating available.
Destapas SF
2708 24th Street
Fabulous Spanish tapas, meat & fish, outside heated patio seating available.
This is a great casual place! Mission Rock Resort is a restaurant right on the water with views!! . It's got two floors, seating inside and outside and probably close to 100 total tables. Would recommend making a reservation since this is a very popular spot. The staff are friendly and fresh seafood, delicious calamari, tasty chowders.The salmon is delicious and their drinks are heavy pours Happy Hour is Tues - Friday, 3 - 6pm. $1 fresh oysters (good size) & $1 off beers & cocktails. See menu.
62 locals recommend
Mission Rock Resort
817 Terry A Francois Blvd
62 locals recommend
This is a great casual place! Mission Rock Resort is a restaurant right on the water with views!! . It's got two floors, seating inside and outside and probably close to 100 total tables. Would recommend making a reservation since this is a very popular spot. The staff are friendly and fresh seafood, delicious calamari, tasty chowders.The salmon is delicious and their drinks are heavy pours Happy Hour is Tues - Friday, 3 - 6pm. $1 fresh oysters (good size) & $1 off beers & cocktails. See menu.
Great views and seats on the water. One of the only places in San Francisco with water-front seating. Standard bar/pub food and beer with average SF prices. Fish & chips, salmon, calamari and clam chowder in a bread bowl & french toast. The best bloody Mary's in SF. Gets busy with the brunch crowd.
113 locals recommend
The Ramp
855 Terry A Francois Blvd
113 locals recommend
Great views and seats on the water. One of the only places in San Francisco with water-front seating. Standard bar/pub food and beer with average SF prices. Fish & chips, salmon, calamari and clam chowder in a bread bowl & french toast. The best bloody Mary's in SF. Gets busy with the brunch crowd.
Colorful venue serving very delicious Asian fusion and very creative cocktails that make you keep wanting more. They have both indoor and rooftop (open air out door) seating with a nice view of the Women's Building. Chicken wings, whole fried fish - petrale sole, beef carpaccio
Good Good Culture Club
Colorful venue serving very delicious Asian fusion and very creative cocktails that make you keep wanting more. They have both indoor and rooftop (open air out door) seating with a nice view of the Women's Building. Chicken wings, whole fried fish - petrale sole, beef carpaccio
Incredible flavorful and authentic Burmese food. Favorites are the Shah Noodles or Superstar fried rice. Green beans are spicy and the wok tossed broccoli is super fresh. Notable items are the samosa soup, tea leaf salad, garlic noodles and Nan Pia Dok
115 locals recommend
Burma Love
211 Valencia St
115 locals recommend
Incredible flavorful and authentic Burmese food. Favorites are the Shah Noodles or Superstar fried rice. Green beans are spicy and the wok tossed broccoli is super fresh. Notable items are the samosa soup, tea leaf salad, garlic noodles and Nan Pia Dok
Great local corner Asian fusion menu.
51 locals recommend
The Spice Jar
2500 Bryant St
51 locals recommend
Great local corner Asian fusion menu.
Menu is designed for all types of dietary needs.
Healthyish Republic
2990 24th Street
Menu is designed for all types of dietary needs.
Great affordable family Mexican food with fabulous drinks. Basic , no frills setting. Top rated
Tio Chilo's Grill
2872 24th Street
Great affordable family Mexican food with fabulous drinks. Basic , no frills setting. Top rated
Rooftop dining with fabulous views of city. Great atmosphere.
63 locals recommend
Lolinda
2518 Mission St
63 locals recommend
Rooftop dining with fabulous views of city. Great atmosphere.
One of the best Sushi/Nigiri experiences ever. Very creative techniques to bring out bold and unique flavors. Favorites were the Wagyu, Soy Cured Fatty Tuna, Amberjack and Soy Cured Salmon. Miso soup as well. Very pricey but worth the experience. Expensive, but fantastic quality! Easily some of the best fish in any context, hands down. $$$ 100$ per person
15 locals recommend
Ju-Ni
1335 Fulton St
15 locals recommend
One of the best Sushi/Nigiri experiences ever. Very creative techniques to bring out bold and unique flavors. Favorites were the Wagyu, Soy Cured Fatty Tuna, Amberjack and Soy Cured Salmon. Miso soup as well. Very pricey but worth the experience. Expensive, but fantastic quality! Easily some of the best fish in any context, hands down. $$$ 100$ per person
Upscale, pricey restaurant with specialized menu. Fabulous food, brunch & evening menu. Watch a classic movie in the evening while you drink & eat. $$$
343 locals recommend
Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St
343 locals recommend
Upscale, pricey restaurant with specialized menu. Fabulous food, brunch & evening menu. Watch a classic movie in the evening while you drink & eat. $$$