Joh & Gian's SF Guidebook
Food Scene
In the heart of Hayes Valley, one of the best french pastries in town. 10 minutes walking from the apartment, in front of a lovely square full of bars, restaurants and cool shops.
206 locals recommend
La Boulangerie de San Francisco
1000 Cole StIn the heart of Hayes Valley, one of the best french pastries in town. 10 minutes walking from the apartment, in front of a lovely square full of bars, restaurants and cool shops.
Chez Maman West
401 Gough StFrench bistro
Smitten Ice Cream
432 Octavia StOn-demand ice cream. It's fun and it tastes good! :)
Informal and fun atmosphere for this greek restaurant. We love the salads and the fries there. Yumi!
You’ll find several locations, all in very cool locations and neighborhood: Hayes Valley, Divisadero and the latest one: Mission. Our favorite: The fries and the Snake river farms pork shoulder salad or sandwich are oh so delicious!
196 locals recommend
Souvla
517 Hayes StInformal and fun atmosphere for this greek restaurant. We love the salads and the fries there. Yumi!
You’ll find several locations, all in very cool locations and neighborhood: Hayes Valley, Divisadero and the latest one: Mission. Our favorite: The fries and the Snake river farms pork shoulder salad or sandwich are oh so delicious!
Hungry for brunch? Have you thought of donuts with cheese burger? What about waffle with chicken? Think again. Gotta try!
43 locals recommend
Straw
203 Octavia BoulevardHungry for brunch? Have you thought of donuts with cheese burger? What about waffle with chicken? Think again. Gotta try!
Vegan sushi. Yes! And incredibly delicious. YES!! It has limited seats so book here: www.shizensf.com/reservations-waitlist
Try the mushrooms and garlic edamame to start, and then some of their specialties like Proud peacock, Mistaken identity, Hidden agenda.
63 locals recommend
Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar and Izakaya
370 14th StreetVegan sushi. Yes! And incredibly delicious. YES!! It has limited seats so book here: www.shizensf.com/reservations-waitlist
Try the mushrooms and garlic edamame to start, and then some of their specialties like Proud peacock, Mistaken identity, Hidden agenda.
Sandwiches. The best ones ever! Around $15 a piece though. Open at lunch time only.
63 locals recommend
Deli Board
1058 Folsom StSandwiches. The best ones ever! Around $15 a piece though. Open at lunch time only.
Italian. Very good restaurant in the Mission district. Better to book before. Abbastanza buono!
112 locals recommend
Locanda
557 Valencia StItalian. Very good restaurant in the Mission district. Better to book before. Abbastanza buono!
Do you like bacon? Well, Blackwood has the best bacon dishes ever! Hands down.
33 locals recommend
Blackwood
2150 Chestnut StDo you like bacon? Well, Blackwood has the best bacon dishes ever! Hands down.
Nopa
560 Divisadero StOh man! That's really good stuff there. Only if it wasn't so busy, always!
On the weekend, go for a walk at the Embarcadero farmers market and taste some yummi samples inside the building.
95 locals recommend
Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market
1 Ferry Plaza On the weekend, go for a walk at the Embarcadero farmers market and taste some yummi samples inside the building.
Sightglass Coffee
270 7th StOne of the nicest coffeeshop in SF, just a few blocks away :)
Delicious italian food in a cute neighborhood, just 10 minutes walk from the listing. Go early though as they don't take bookings so you have to put your name on a list. You can walk around beautiful Hayes Valley while waiting!
Our favorite: the menu changes constantly, so hard to tell you, ah! Any kind of pasta they make, we love! Gian also likes the pizza there. It’s closer to traditional italian pizza - don’t expect US style pizza ;)
25 locals recommend
a Mano
450 Hayes StDelicious italian food in a cute neighborhood, just 10 minutes walk from the listing. Go early though as they don't take bookings so you have to put your name on a list. You can walk around beautiful Hayes Valley while waiting!
Our favorite: the menu changes constantly, so hard to tell you, ah! Any kind of pasta they make, we love! Gian also likes the pizza there. It’s closer to traditional italian pizza - don’t expect US style pizza ;)
Another delicious ice-cream place close by. There's often a line, but it's worth it.
54 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
2201 Fillmore StAnother delicious ice-cream place close by. There's often a line, but it's worth it.
Yes, we love ice-cream and know all the best spots. This is one of them: frozen yogurt with whatever topping you're dreaming of. They mix it for you. My favorite is Nutella + cookie dough.
48 locals recommend
Loving Cup
2043 Polk StYes, we love ice-cream and know all the best spots. This is one of them: frozen yogurt with whatever topping you're dreaming of. They mix it for you. My favorite is Nutella + cookie dough.
Delicious burgers. They have the BEST vegetarian burger ever: the impossible burger. It tastes better than meat, really!
43 locals recommend
Umami Burger Marina
2184 Union StDelicious burgers. They have the BEST vegetarian burger ever: the impossible burger. It tastes better than meat, really!
Our favorite ice cream in the city. Try the Secret breakfast flavor and take a walk in the Ferry building. On Saturday mornings they have a farmers market.
224 locals recommend
Humphry Slocombe
Our favorite ice cream in the city. Try the Secret breakfast flavor and take a walk in the Ferry building. On Saturday mornings they have a farmers market.
Basil
1175 Folsom StGood Thai restaurant in the neighborhood, walking distance from home
If you're in the mood for good ramen, you're lucky, because one of the best is walking distance from the listing. Try the iza ramen, their specialty.
https://izaramen.com/portfolio/soma-dinner/
23 locals recommend
Iza Ramen SOMA
1155 Folsom StIf you're in the mood for good ramen, you're lucky, because one of the best is walking distance from the listing. Try the iza ramen, their specialty.
https://izaramen.com/portfolio/soma-dinner/
Small and cheap vietnamese restaurant. The area is not great, but if you feel like good asian food, this might be the place for you. They're closed on Sunday night. http://www.tinsf.com/
41 locals recommend
Tin
937 Howard StSmall and cheap vietnamese restaurant. The area is not great, but if you feel like good asian food, this might be the place for you. They're closed on Sunday night. http://www.tinsf.com/
Lively Mexican eatery. Our favorite: the Quesadilla Roja con Chicharrón - Mulato chile-corn tortilla, crispy pork belly, salsa cascabel, jack cheese, queso fresco, onion and cilantro. It’s heavy though, you’re warned ;) Their housemade strawberry-limon beverage is great with that.
306 locals recommend
Nopalito
306 Broderick StLively Mexican eatery. Our favorite: the Quesadilla Roja con Chicharrón - Mulato chile-corn tortilla, crispy pork belly, salsa cascabel, jack cheese, queso fresco, onion and cilantro. It’s heavy though, you’re warned ;) Their housemade strawberry-limon beverage is great with that.
Mexican restaurant with a twist in the Mission district. Expect long lines without a reservation.
171 locals recommend
Loló
974 Valencia StMexican restaurant with a twist in the Mission district. Expect long lines without a reservation.
We love to go there for breakfast/brunch. It gets packed in the weekend but it's quite spacious.
Our favorite: the pizza/foccacia, the advocado toast and their pastries.
45 locals recommend
Vive la tarte
1160 Howard StWe love to go there for breakfast/brunch. It gets packed in the weekend but it's quite spacious.
Our favorite: the pizza/foccacia, the advocado toast and their pastries.
This is a delicious place, their pastries are excellent! Go early though, there's often a line, especially the weekend.
768 locals recommend
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero StThis is a delicious place, their pastries are excellent! Go early though, there's often a line, especially the weekend.
Parks & Nature
It's enormous! Beautiful! SF's own central park, but in a larger scale. 1000 acres altogether. In it you find tons of things to do and visit like the De young museum, Academy of Science, Japanese tea garden among many other things.
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
It's enormous! Beautiful! SF's own central park, but in a larger scale. 1000 acres altogether. In it you find tons of things to do and visit like the De young museum, Academy of Science, Japanese tea garden among many other things.
SF's own urban canyon. Great for hikes and quiet time in nature. You feel you are far away from the city, when actually you are in the middle of it.
51 locals recommend
Glen Park
SF's own urban canyon. Great for hikes and quiet time in nature. You feel you are far away from the city, when actually you are in the middle of it.
Baker Beach
Gorgeous views of the Golden Gate bridge
Hiking trails with beautiful views, enjoy the quiet nature looking at the Ocean. Sutro baths is a must-see if you go all the way there.
694 locals recommend
Lands End Trail
Lands End TrailHiking trails with beautiful views, enjoy the quiet nature looking at the Ocean. Sutro baths is a must-see if you go all the way there.
Old military side of the city. Now a beautiful neighborhood with in the middle of a gorgeous park. Food trucks gather at the main square every Sunday. Delicious food!
383 locals recommend
Presidio of San Francisco
Old military side of the city. Now a beautiful neighborhood with in the middle of a gorgeous park. Food trucks gather at the main square every Sunday. Delicious food!
The Little Italy of the East Coast. A tone of good Italian restaurants and cafes around the square.
104 locals recommend
Washington Square
The Little Italy of the East Coast. A tone of good Italian restaurants and cafes around the square.
Sightseeing
On a clear day (without fog, that is) is by far the best view of the city.
727 locals recommend
Twin Peaks
On a clear day (without fog, that is) is by far the best view of the city.
OMG! Must go! Locals hang out there during the weekend. There is a beautiful view of the city skyline from the top corner of the park.
1244 locals recommend
Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetOMG! Must go! Locals hang out there during the weekend. There is a beautiful view of the city skyline from the top corner of the park.
Beautiful view of the city. Close to Filmore Street, which is full of bars, good restaurants and small shops
114 locals recommend
Alta Plaza Park
Steiner StreetBeautiful view of the city. Close to Filmore Street, which is full of bars, good restaurants and small shops
Worth walking. Anywhere between the 14th Street and the 24th you will find nice shops, rests, bars, night life, brunches, you name it.
163 locals recommend
Valencia Street
Valencia StreetWorth walking. Anywhere between the 14th Street and the 24th you will find nice shops, rests, bars, night life, brunches, you name it.
Think of Jazz. Now think of good food. High end boutiques. You have it all there - specially between Bush and Jackson Street
129 locals recommend
Fillmore Street
Fillmore StreetThink of Jazz. Now think of good food. High end boutiques. You have it all there - specially between Bush and Jackson Street
Between Filmore and Divisadero, nice food, bars, shops and probably the highest number of yoga pants in the whole city in any given day.
58 locals recommend
Chestnut Street
Chestnut StreetBetween Filmore and Divisadero, nice food, bars, shops and probably the highest number of yoga pants in the whole city in any given day.
Close to the "Painted Ladies" square. Great for fooding and drinking (and shopping). Nice to explore between Fell St. and Golden Gate St.
24 locals recommend
Divisadero Street
Divisadero StreetClose to the "Painted Ladies" square. Great for fooding and drinking (and shopping). Nice to explore between Fell St. and Golden Gate St.
Beautiful old houses lined-up make up the Painted Ladies. If you were a fan of the Full House show back in last century, you will know it.
Gorgeous views of the city from there too. Nice neighborhood!
300 locals recommend
Painted Ladies
Hayes StreetBeautiful old houses lined-up make up the Painted Ladies. If you were a fan of the Full House show back in last century, you will know it.
Gorgeous views of the city from there too. Nice neighborhood!
The hippie and civil rights movement were born here. It was a beautiful neighborhood then and it's just as beautiful now. However, now it's much more expensive to live there.
Stroll along Haight Street and find all sorts of bars, exotic clothing shops, places to eat, Jimmi Hendrix' very own Red House and tons of other cool places.
379 locals recommend
Haight-Ashbury
The hippie and civil rights movement were born here. It was a beautiful neighborhood then and it's just as beautiful now. However, now it's much more expensive to live there.
Stroll along Haight Street and find all sorts of bars, exotic clothing shops, places to eat, Jimmi Hendrix' very own Red House and tons of other cool places.
Lombard Street
Lombard StreetBeautiful! Touristy though. Very!
Fisherman's Wharf
2801 Leavenworth StVery touristy! But worth going if you have spare time.
Coit Tower
Beautiful view of Alcatraz and the whole bay!
Go. It's beautiful. And you might recognize a Starwars character by looking at the building.
463 locals recommend
Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon StGo. It's beautiful. And you might recognize a Starwars character by looking at the building.
The heart of downtown. You'll find a lot of shops around: Apple, Nike, Department stores.
817 locals recommend
Union Square
333 Post StThe heart of downtown. You'll find a lot of shops around: Apple, Nike, Department stores.
A stone's throw from the Golden Gate bridge, this little city will win your heart. Very touristy on Summer time tho.
It's possible to bike there and take the ferry back to SF.
317 locals recommend
Sausalito
A stone's throw from the Golden Gate bridge, this little city will win your heart. Very touristy on Summer time tho.
It's possible to bike there and take the ferry back to SF.
Japan written all over the place. Great food and a famous japanese market.
246 locals recommend
Japan Town
Japan written all over the place. Great food and a famous japanese market.
Chinatown
China is here!
Very nice experience. You have to take to audioguide to live it fully. Tours must be booked in advance. Sometimes months in advance.
503 locals recommend
Alcatraz Island
Very nice experience. You have to take to audioguide to live it fully. Tours must be booked in advance. Sometimes months in advance.
Getting Around
Zipcar location. If you are a subscriber, rent by the hour of full day. There is also one location in the garage of our building.
Zipcar
1355 Market StZipcar location. If you are a subscriber, rent by the hour of full day. There is also one location in the garage of our building.
Underground public transportation. Including to/from the airport SFO.
141 locals recommend
Civic Center station
1150 Market StUnderground public transportation. Including to/from the airport SFO.
San Francisco station
700 4th StTrains to/from all south of the bay area.
Essentials
Groceries and the like. Cheaper than The Market. 10 minutes walk down 9 St. (4 blocks), our go-to place for weekly grocery shopping.
218 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
555 9th StGroceries and the like. Cheaper than The Market. 10 minutes walk down 9 St. (4 blocks), our go-to place for weekly grocery shopping.
1390 Polk St
1390 Polk StreetUS Post Office
A little bit of everything there and just around the corner. From snacks to photos, from pharmacy to beauty products.
263 locals recommend
Walgreens
1363 Divisadero StA little bit of everything there and just around the corner. From snacks to photos, from pharmacy to beauty products.
It's a block away from our apartment. You can find everything there: from groceries (fresh and great produce) to different options for lunch/diner serving from 8 am up until 10 pm.
59 locals recommend
The Market
1355 Market StIt's a block away from our apartment. You can find everything there: from groceries (fresh and great produce) to different options for lunch/diner serving from 8 am up until 10 pm.
Entertainment & Activities
Oracle Park
24 Willie Mays PlazaHome of the Giants
Wonderful! And a short walk from the apartment.
Book in advance.
150 locals recommend
San Francisco Opera
301 Van Ness AveWonderful! And a short walk from the apartment.
Book in advance.
San Francisco Symphony
201 Van Ness AveClose to the apartment. Like 5 minutes walking.
Arts & Culture
Beatnick fan? Visit the one and only... City Lights library!
86 locals recommend
City Lights Booksellers
261 Columbus AveBeatnick fan? Visit the one and only... City Lights library!
The Beat Museum
540 Broadway
SFJAZZ
201 Franklin StJazz fan? Don't think twice.
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrThis place is amazing, kids love it, and we do too! In the middle of the Golden Gate park.
816 locals recommend
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr This place is amazing, kids love it, and we do too! In the middle of the Golden Gate park.