Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
You won't have to go far from our house if you want to eat out. There are many more restaurants on Divisidero St than I can attest to. Then there is Haight St and Hayes Valley, about a 15 minute walk away, which have another bunch of dining choices. Bon a petit.
Terrific French cooking. Covered and heated dining on the sidewalk or inside. Closed Monday's.
60 locals recommend
Bistro Central Parc
560 Central AveTerrific French cooking. Covered and heated dining on the sidewalk or inside. Closed Monday's.
Cozy spot where neighbors get their daily dose of coffee/tea, sandwiches and baked goods. Nice place to sit and read while doing laundry next door.
37 locals recommend
Central Coffee Tea & Spice
1696 Hayes StCozy spot where neighbors get their daily dose of coffee/tea, sandwiches and baked goods. Nice place to sit and read while doing laundry next door.
This is an open and airy place with lots of seating. We love the selection of rye breads and other baked goods. This is a coffee shop, restaurant and bakery all wrapped into one. Too noisy to sit and read but a great meeting place to sit, eat and drink coffee.
**Tip: if there is a line (sometimes out the door) and all you want is to buy a loaf of bread, grab your bread from the shelf and head to the "honor box" toward the back of the kitchen area where you can put your payment and be on your way.
281 locals recommend
The Mill
736 Divisadero StThis is an open and airy place with lots of seating. We love the selection of rye breads and other baked goods. This is a coffee shop, restaurant and bakery all wrapped into one. Too noisy to sit and read but a great meeting place to sit, eat and drink coffee.
**Tip: if there is a line (sometimes out the door) and all you want is to buy a loaf of bread, grab your bread from the shelf and head to the "honor box" toward the back of the kitchen area where you can put your payment and be on your way.
Restaurant and bar, with a decent selection of beer on tap. I cannot vouch for the food yet.
46 locals recommend
Horsefeather
528 Divisadero StRestaurant and bar, with a decent selection of beer on tap. I cannot vouch for the food yet.
Souvla
517 Hayes StGreek food without visiting Athens.
Little Star Pizza
846 Divisadero StFantastic thin crust and delicious deep dish pizzas.
This is an old holdover from the era of Western Addition diners. Reasonable prices for conventional breakfasts and endless cups of coffee in kitchy mugs. Very crowed on weekend mornings. No reservations or credit cards. No internet. Tables turn over quickly.
42 locals recommend
Eddie's Cafe
800 Divisadero StThis is an old holdover from the era of Western Addition diners. Reasonable prices for conventional breakfasts and endless cups of coffee in kitchy mugs. Very crowed on weekend mornings. No reservations or credit cards. No internet. Tables turn over quickly.
Deliciously presented Middle Eastern menu and reasonable prices. One of our family's favorites.
9 locals recommend
Jannah
1775 Fulton StDeliciously presented Middle Eastern menu and reasonable prices. One of our family's favorites.
Barrel Head Brewhouse
1785 Fulton StBrew pub and burgers. What more does one need?
Bistro Gambrinus
1813 Fulton StCozy place. Great beer selection. Casual.
Magnolia Brewing - Haight
1398 Haight StNot just another brew pub. Great food.
Parks & Nature
Playground with a view of downtown. Get your picture postcard photo of the Painted Ladies here. This is an excellent spot to picnic and take in the views.
**Tip: tourist busses drop crowds off here to get their photo of the Painted Ladies so it gets busy on sunny days.
84 locals recommend
Alamo Square Park
Hayes StreetPlayground with a view of downtown. Get your picture postcard photo of the Painted Ladies here. This is an excellent spot to picnic and take in the views.
**Tip: tourist busses drop crowds off here to get their photo of the Painted Ladies so it gets busy on sunny days.
Climb trees, ride your bike, take a walk, just sit and enjoy. There is something for everyone. The Panhandle playground is a fun spot, with sand, slides and swings. Continue walking west for 10 minutes and you will find yourself in Golden Gate Park.
43 locals recommend
The Panhandle
Climb trees, ride your bike, take a walk, just sit and enjoy. There is something for everyone. The Panhandle playground is a fun spot, with sand, slides and swings. Continue walking west for 10 minutes and you will find yourself in Golden Gate Park.
Hike to the top and you will be rewarded with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean. Tennis players get one of the best views of downtown. Lots of wildlife here as well; we had two coyote sightings on our walks.
205 locals recommend
Buena Vista Park
Hike to the top and you will be rewarded with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean. Tennis players get one of the best views of downtown. Lots of wildlife here as well; we had two coyote sightings on our walks.
Hiking, biking, rowing, walking, horseback riding, running, Academy of Sciences, De Young Museum, Stow Lake....You can spend weeks here and see something new each time. Kids love the Carousel and playground. Bring a picnic and spend the day.
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
Hiking, biking, rowing, walking, horseback riding, running, Academy of Sciences, De Young Museum, Stow Lake....You can spend weeks here and see something new each time. Kids love the Carousel and playground. Bring a picnic and spend the day.
Essentials
Lucky
1750 Fulton St Fully stocked grocery store. Open until 8 pm.
Trader Joe's
3 Masonic AveWorth the 15 minute walk up Masonic.
Best salted caramel ice cream in the world. There is a special walk up window where you can get cones.
651 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th StBest salted caramel ice cream in the world. There is a special walk up window where you can get cones.
Sightseeing
Some say that Haight Street has changed little since its heyday. I have watched the shops change but the random musicians, hippie wannabes and tourists have not. Lots of good restaurants and unique shops.
37 locals recommend
Haight Street
Haight StreetSome say that Haight Street has changed little since its heyday. I have watched the shops change but the random musicians, hippie wannabes and tourists have not. Lots of good restaurants and unique shops.
Shopping
In addition to Haight Street, Divisadero (just a few blocks east) is continually introducing new shops, restaurants, and even entertainment locations. The main concentration of shops is some 6 blocks long, so it's easy to stroll up and down the street in one go.
24 locals recommend
Divisadero Street
Divisadero StreetIn addition to Haight Street, Divisadero (just a few blocks east) is continually introducing new shops, restaurants, and even entertainment locations. The main concentration of shops is some 6 blocks long, so it's easy to stroll up and down the street in one go.