The insider’s guide to What to do when you’re in “The City.” (Tip #1: We don’t call it “Frisco.” Or “San Fran.”)

If you’re arriving early, staying a few days after, or just want to occupy your free time, here’s the inside scoop on the best SF has to offer.

For foodies

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar Belden Place

Southern French and Italian, traditional yet modern. Also known as SF’s French Quarter, this cobblestone Famous for its coq au vin. street is closed to traffic and filled with wicker tables, chairs, heat lamps, and umbrellas. French, Italian, and Address: 398 Hayes St at Gough Mediterranean restaurants line this European-style District: Hayes Valley alleyway. Phone: (415) 551-1590 Takes reservations: Yes Address: Belden Pl District: Financial Alegrias Takes reservations: Yes

Authentic Spanish tapas perfect for sharing. Cozy Chambers Eat + Drink and romantic ambiance, with an extensive wine list featuring a host of Spanish vintages. Restaurant and lounge inside the iconic Phoenix Hotel. The seasonal menu marries its origin with Address: 2018 Lombard St at Webster Japanese, Mediterranean, and French influences. District: Marina Phone: (415) 929-8888 Address: 601 Eddy St between Larkin St & Polk St Takes reservations: Yes District: Tenderloin Phone: (415) 496-5178 Takes reservations: Yes

1 Elephant Sushi SOMA StrEat Food Park

Hole-in-the-wall sushi restaurant with unique, high- Different food trucks every day. Walk around, check quality options. Order the monkfish appetizer! out the menus, and grab a spot at an outside table or inside a bus decked out with tables and chairs. Address: 1916 Hyde St between Green St & Delgado Pl Address: 428 11th St between US Highway District: Russian Hill 101 & Harrison St Phone: (415) 440-1905 District: SOMA Takes reservations: Yes Takes reservations: No

La Taqueria Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

The Mission boasts some of the best Mexican food in Located in the heart of San Francisco’s , the city, and La Taqueria is the place to see why. Get specializing in Neapolitan pizza. An array of antipasti, the carne asada dorado-style with guacamole and an pastas, and ensalatas are also available at this agua fresca. authentic Italian eatery.

Address: 2889 Mission St between 24th St & 25th St Address: 1570 Stockton St at Union St District: Mission District: North Beach Phone: (415) 285-7117 Phone: (415) 835-9888 Takes reservations: No Takes reservations: No Ramen Underground Umami Tiny Japanese noodle shop a few blocks from Union Square. Go for the spicy miso broth! Japanese tavern with a great selection of izakaya, nigiri, and house sushi rolls. The chef works closely Address: 355 Kearny St at Pine St with Tokyo’s Kyushu market to provide unique and rare District: Financial fish for weekend specials. Phone: (415) 765-9909 Takes reservations: No Address: 2909 Webster St between Union St & Filbert St District: Cow Hollow Phone: (415) 346-3431 Takes reservations: Yes

2 For serious shoppers

Fillmore St Sacramento St

One of the city’s most vibrant shopping streets. If you’re looking for something a little more chic, head Leisurely peruse one of the vintage clothing stores or down to tree-lined Sacramento St. Browse upscale people-watch at a quiet sidewalk cafe. With its variety boutiques and unique novelty shops and check out the of boutiques, galleries, and dining, you could spend the Victorian and French architecture from Broderick St. to whole day exploring here! Spruce St.

Address: Fillmore St at California St Address: Sacramento St at Presidio Ave District: Pac Heights District: Presidio Heights

Haight-Ashbury Union St

Once the epicenter of hippie culture, this eclectic Arguably the best street in the city to window-shop the neighborhood still boasts vintage boutiques and one-of- hours away. Top off your day of shopping with a casual a-kind costume shops alongside urban clothing stores. lunch and a glass of wine in one of the numerous Don’t forget to stop by for a pint and picnic chicken restaurants lining the street. sandwich at Magnolia’s Gastropub along the way! Address: Union St at Fillmore St Address: Haight St at Ashbury St District: Cow Hollow District: The Haight

3 For fitness fanatics

Hopper’s Hands Mission Cliffs Climbing & Fitness

Park at Crissy Field and run the path along the water There’s something for everyone at this indoor rock to the base of the bridge at Fort Point, where you’ll see climbing facility. Choose from a 50-foot lead wall, this famous set of black and orange hands. Here you’ll 23,000 square feet of climbing terrain, 2,000 square turn around and retrace your steps, but don’t forget to feet of bouldering, and over 100 top and lead ropes. high-five Hopper’s Hands! If you’re looking for something more grounded, they also offer kickboxing, yoga, and bootcamp. Address: Marine Dr District: Presidio Address: 2295 Harrison St between 18th St & 19th St District: Mission House of Air Phone: (415) 550-0515

Go airborne in this converted Presidio air hangar. Come practice your trampoline tricks during open air SenSpa time or join a hourly trampoline dodgeball session. Reservations are recommended. Gorgeous spa in a renovated barrack in the Presidio. Great place to unwind and rejuvinate after a Address: 926 Old Mason St long week. District: Presidio Phone: (415) 345-9675 Address: 1161 Gorgas Ave District: Presidio Phone: (415) 441-1777 Lyon Street Steps

Historical stairway that consists of 288 steps. Great Yoga to the People workout to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city. Located in the heart of the Mission, this studio welcomes all levels of yogis. Classes are power Address: 2450 Lyon St between vinyasa flow based. The suggested donation is a mere St & Green St $10 and there’s no need to pre-register. District: Pac Heights Address: 2973 16th St District: Mission Phone: (917) 573-9642

4 For bar hoppers, pub crawlers, and clubbers

15 Romolo Little Shamrock

Prohibition-style bar tucked in a secluded alleyway Old Irish bar with board games and darts right across that in previous lives has been a speakeasy, brothel, from . Head over after a visit to and Basque Hotel. Now known as 15 Romolo, this the De Young Museum or the California Academy of historic building has great drinks, good food, and Sciences. plenty of seating. Address: 807 Lincoln Wy between 10th Ave & 9th Ave Address: 15 Romolo Pl between Broadway St District: Inner Sunset & Fresno St Phone: (415) 661-0060 District: North Beach Phone: (415) 398-1359 Smuggler’s Cove

Bourbon & Branch Pirate-themed tiki bar. The puka punch and smuggler’s rum barrel are house favorites. Exquisitely crafted cocktails by master mixologists. There’s a secret bar in the library that requires a Address: 650 Gough St between McAllister St & password to get in (it’s “books”). Reservations required Ash St on weekend nights. District: Fillmore Phone: (415) 869-1900 Address: 501 Jones St between O’Farrell St & Geary St District: Tenderloin Soda Popinski’s Phone: (415) 346-1735 Fully stocked bar with an interior that looks like a Siberian hunting lodge. Spin the roulette wheel or Butter play old-school Nintendo games on a giant projector screen. Head here for a 40 in a paper bag, tater tots, deep fried twinkies, and jello shots. Need we say more? Address: 1548 California St between Polk St & Larkin St Address: 354 11th St between Folsom St & Harrison St District: Nob Hill District: SOMA Phone: (415) 857-1548 Phone: (415) 863-5964 Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum Jones Cafe A perfect rooftop place to enjoy drinks on an Indian- summer evening. Get the cheese wheel and the warm draft beer in this old sailor bar. It’s a dive, but it’s got character. Address: 620 Jones St between Colin Pl & Geary St District: Tenderloin Address: 12 Saroyan Pl Phone: (415) 496-6858 District: Phone: (415) 421-4112

5 For the offbeat and adventurous

Balmy Musee Mecanique

Take a stroll down this block-long alley to see the As one of the world’s largest privately owned most concentrated collection of murals in the city. The collections of coin-operated machines, this museum murals began in the mid-1980s as an expression of takes you back in time amongst the dusty antique artists’ outrage over human rights and political abuses arcade games and stop-motion attractions. Be sure in Central America. The artwork changes regularly to to grab a cup of chowder or a lobster roll from the reflect current issues around the world. seafood market right outside when you’re done.

Address: between 24th St & 25th St Address: Pier 45 at the end of Taylor St District: Mission District: Fisherman’s Wharf

Cartoon Art Museum Stow Lake Boathouse

This museum houses 6,000 pieces of original cartoon See Golden Gate Park in a different way. Rent a and animation art. You’ll find everything from editorial paddleboat and glide across the lake’s calm waters. cartoons to comic books, graphic novels to anime, Keep an eye out for birds, turtles, and waterfalls. and Sunday funnies to Saturday morning cartoons on display. Address: 50 Stow Lake Dr District: Golden Gate Park Address: 655 Mission St between New Montgomery Phone: (415) 386-2531 St & Annie St District: SOMA Phone: (415) 227-8666 Sutro Baths

Here stand the ruins of a 25,000-person swimming Maritime National Historic Park facility engineered to be open to the tides, but destroyed by a fire in 1966. Now its a landmark along Scope out the docked historic vessels and enjoy the a beautiful hike on the ocean. Grab a bite to eat at the breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay. Free to famous Cliff House and check out the giant Camera wander outside the ships, $5 to board. Obscura afterwards.

Address: 499 Jefferson St at Hyde St Address: Point Lobos Ave District: Fisherman’s Wharf District: Sea Cliff Phone: (415) 447-5000

6 For the true tourist

Alcatraz Island Golden Gate Bridge

Rich in history, this island houses the infamous What would a trip to San Francisco be without a federal penitentiary – not to mention the ruins of visit to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge? Park at the the West Coast’s first lighthouse and U.S.-built fort. neighboring Presidio Institute and walk the lush Feeling brave? Take a night tour of the abandoned grounds down to the Golden Gate visitor center with penitentiary. Save some time and book your tickets prime viewing spots of the spectacular landmark. ahead. Address: Golden Gate Bridge Address: 1398 The Embarcadero District: Presidio District: Fisherman’s Wharf Phone: (415) 981-7625 Japanese Tea Garden

California Academy of Sciences This serene park-within-a-park is the perfect place to gather your thoughts, take in the beautiful scenery, One of the largest national history museums in the and enjoy a pot of Japanese tea. world. See an aquarium, planetarium, historic exhibits, engaging technology, and a rainforest all under one Address: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr (living) roof. District: Golden Gate Park

Address: 55 Music Concourse Dr District: Golden Gate Park San Francisco Cable Cars Phone: (415) 379-8000 The cable car is the only moving national historic monument in the world. Built in 1873, the cable cars Ferry Building transport 9.7 million people around the city annually. Tip: For fewer lines, take the California Street line This historic building is a hub for ferry transit, artisans, from the Ferry Building to Pacific Heights and back and world-class food. Come for the local farmer’s again. It runs east-west through the Financial District market on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings. and Chinatown, over Nob Hill, and stops at . Address: 1 Sausalito - San Francisco Ferry Bldg District: Embarcadero

7 For coffee connoisseurs

Blue Bottle Coffee Saint Frank Coffee

Modern coffee shop that serves a variety of espresso Saint Frank Coffee is an independent and locally drinks, drip coffee, and iced coffees. Organic treats, owned venture that finds beauty and significance not light breakfast, and lunch are also available. only in the sensory experience of coffee, but also in its social aspects. It’s a modern space and they specialize Address: 66 Mint Plaza between Jessie St in drip coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos with an artistic & Mission St touch. District: SOMA Address: 2340 Polk St between Union St & Russian Hill Flywheel Coffee Roasters District: Russian Hill Phone: (415) 775-1619 Independent and family owned, all coffee is hand roasted on-site to ensure freshness. Great place to get some work done or hang out with a good book. The Buena Vista Cafe

Address: 672 Stanyan St between Haight St & Page St A favorite of San Francisco! Take a cable car down to District: The Haight this historic cafe and try their famous Irish coffee. Phone: (415) 682-4023 Address: 2765 Hyde St between North Pt St & Beach St Four Barrel Coffee District: Fisherman’s Wharf Phone: (415) 474-5044 Smooth, flavorful lattes. Open floor plan great for people watching or checking out the roastery at the back of the shop.

Address: 375 Valencia St at 15th St District: Mission Phone: (415) 896-4289

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