Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
Amazing Sushi spot with fresh-made tofu! Small, intimate space, so it does fill up quickly in the evening.
35 locals raden deze aan
Eiji
317 Sanchez StAmazing Sushi spot with fresh-made tofu! Small, intimate space, so it does fill up quickly in the evening.
One of our favorite Mexican restaurants on lively Valencia Street. Every table will probably have a margarita pitcher on it-- they are that good!
69 locals raden deze aan
Puerto Alegre
546 Valencia StOne of our favorite Mexican restaurants on lively Valencia Street. Every table will probably have a margarita pitcher on it-- they are that good!
Two words: Plantain Burrito. In the heart of the Mission is this great burrito spot. The combination of plantains and traditional burrito fillings are to die for.
187 locals raden deze aan
The Little Chihuahua
292 Divisadero StTwo words: Plantain Burrito. In the heart of the Mission is this great burrito spot. The combination of plantains and traditional burrito fillings are to die for.
If you're going to stay-in and want something to order, we recommend Patxi's. Although there are several restaurants, the Hayes Valley location delivers to our apartment. Chicago pizza at its best!
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Patxi's Pizza
511 Hayes StIf you're going to stay-in and want something to order, we recommend Patxi's. Although there are several restaurants, the Hayes Valley location delivers to our apartment. Chicago pizza at its best!
Delicious Italian food in the Mission. No reservations, but call ahead to put your name on the list. Roasted veggies are a great start before diving into one of their thin-crust pizzas.
282 locals raden deze aan
Beretta
1199 Valencia StDelicious Italian food in the Mission. No reservations, but call ahead to put your name on the list. Roasted veggies are a great start before diving into one of their thin-crust pizzas.
Great seafood joint with a slightly classy atmosphere (check out the piano player in high above in the corner). Great wines and cocktails, too! (Of course, they have great brunch and veg options!)
37 locals raden deze aan
Catch
2362 Market StGreat seafood joint with a slightly classy atmosphere (check out the piano player in high above in the corner). Great wines and cocktails, too! (Of course, they have great brunch and veg options!)
Harvey's is an institution: named after a gay rights icon, and located in the heart of the Castro. It has been called the "Gay Chili's" but the service is cute and drinks are strong.
46 locals raden deze aan
Pauline's Pizza
260 Valencia StHarvey's is an institution: named after a gay rights icon, and located in the heart of the Castro. It has been called the "Gay Chili's" but the service is cute and drinks are strong.
Shopping
The sandwiches at Ike's Place are pretty much an SF institution. The menu is extensive (www.ilikeikesplace.com) but has something for everyone. We recommend calling ahead as the line can be very long!
87 locals raden deze aan
Ike's Place
2239 Market StreetThe sandwiches at Ike's Place are pretty much an SF institution. The menu is extensive (www.ilikeikesplace.com) but has something for everyone. We recommend calling ahead as the line can be very long!
Drinks & Nightlife
Blondies is famous for their martinis and they prove that size is everything. All the martinis are huge-- you get the shaker to give yourself a few refills. There are a few window seats as well!
55 locals raden deze aan
Bond Bar
3079 16th StBlondies is famous for their martinis and they prove that size is everything. All the martinis are huge-- you get the shaker to give yourself a few refills. There are a few window seats as well!
One of our favorite gay bars in the Castro. Small, but the place packs it in nightly. Events vary by night, but Booty Call Wednesdays is one of the more popular nights.
10 locals raden deze aan
QBar
456 Castro StOne of our favorite gay bars in the Castro. Small, but the place packs it in nightly. Events vary by night, but Booty Call Wednesdays is one of the more popular nights.
The epitome of the Castro Gay Bar-- if you want to dance, Badlands is the spot. The drinks are cheap and strong-- we've found we need a few in order to endure a night here. ;)
67 locals raden deze aan
San Francisco Badlands
4121 18th StThe epitome of the Castro Gay Bar-- if you want to dance, Badlands is the spot. The drinks are cheap and strong-- we've found we need a few in order to endure a night here. ;)
A craft cocktail bar with a great neighborhood feel. Vibe changes with the time of day, and can get crowded at night. Try the Bee's Knees! Pool table and jukebox also keep it lively.
89 locals raden deze aan
Churchill
198 Church StA craft cocktail bar with a great neighborhood feel. Vibe changes with the time of day, and can get crowded at night. Try the Bee's Knees! Pool table and jukebox also keep it lively.
A noteworthy cocktail bar that also has an extensive wine and beer list. Snagging one of the two window seats is a plus for people-watching. Pool table and photo booth in the back!
118 locals raden deze aan
Blackbird
2124 Market StA noteworthy cocktail bar that also has an extensive wine and beer list. Snagging one of the two window seats is a plus for people-watching. Pool table and photo booth in the back!
A newish bar that is the only gay-sports bar in the Castro. Lots of TVs to watch any sport imaginable. Trivia on Tuesdays, Bingo on Wednesdays, food served all week, including Brunch!
54 locals raden deze aan
Hi Tops
2247 Market StA newish bar that is the only gay-sports bar in the Castro. Lots of TVs to watch any sport imaginable. Trivia on Tuesdays, Bingo on Wednesdays, food served all week, including Brunch!
For the ladies who love ladies! This long-standing lesbian bar is right in the Mission, perfect for drinks before/after dinner, or an all night affair!
10 locals raden deze aan
Lexington Club
3464 19th StreetFor the ladies who love ladies! This long-standing lesbian bar is right in the Mission, perfect for drinks before/after dinner, or an all night affair!
Lookout is on the second-story of the building and has a large, wrap-around patio, hence giving the bar its name. It's a pretty mellow place to people watch on weekday evenings, but Sundays are busy!
49 locals raden deze aan
Lookout
3600 16th StLookout is on the second-story of the building and has a large, wrap-around patio, hence giving the bar its name. It's a pretty mellow place to people watch on weekday evenings, but Sundays are busy!
Sightseeing
If you fancy an urban hike, Corona Heights is a great place to go (and less busy than Twin Peaks!) You can see the crest from our apartment, and the hike rewards you with great downtown views.
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Corona Heights Park
Museum WayIf you fancy an urban hike, Corona Heights is a great place to go (and less busy than Twin Peaks!) You can see the crest from our apartment, and the hike rewards you with great downtown views.
Entertainment & Activities
For those with kids (or want to pretend to be one) the slides at Seward Mini Park are a delightful surprise in the Castro. It's a hilly walk, but once there, grab some cardboard and relive your youth!
25 locals raden deze aan
Seward Mini Park
70 Corwin StFor those with kids (or want to pretend to be one) the slides at Seward Mini Park are a delightful surprise in the Castro. It's a hilly walk, but once there, grab some cardboard and relive your youth!
Everything Else
One of our favorite spots to see live music in the city. Acts vary by night. Located in up-trending NoPa, it's easy to grab a bite/drink before and after the show!
200 locals raden deze aan
The Independent
628 Divisadero StOne of our favorite spots to see live music in the city. Acts vary by night. Located in up-trending NoPa, it's easy to grab a bite/drink before and after the show!
If you are in town for baseball season, you should definitely make it to see the Giants at AT&T Park. Just hop on the N-Judah to take you straight there. Warning that night games can get VERY COLD!
596 locals raden deze aan
Oracle Park
24 Willie Mays PlazaIf you are in town for baseball season, you should definitely make it to see the Giants at AT&T Park. Just hop on the N-Judah to take you straight there. Warning that night games can get VERY COLD!
A new music venue and bar on Valencia St. Acts vary by night, but the bar is always open!
135 locals raden deze aan
The Chapel
777 Valencia StreetA new music venue and bar on Valencia St. Acts vary by night, but the bar is always open!
If it's a warm day in the city, expect Dolores Park to be full of people. (Even if it's a Monday.) The bottom portion of the park is "hipster hill" while the top corner (with the view) is "gay beach."
1244 locals raden deze aan
Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetIf it's a warm day in the city, expect Dolores Park to be full of people. (Even if it's a Monday.) The bottom portion of the park is "hipster hill" while the top corner (with the view) is "gay beach."