Charles & Krissy’s Guidebook
Food scene
Taqueria El Farolito
2950 24th StGreat food and generous portions. Our go to local taqueria.
Coffee and a bacon donut? Yes you can get it here. Enjoy the garden seating in back with full sun.
199 locals recommend
Dynamo Donut and Coffee
2760 24th StCoffee and a bacon donut? Yes you can get it here. Enjoy the garden seating in back with full sun.
The “Original” Puerto Alegre is next to our house but it isn’t currently open but you’re in luck because the Valencia street Puerto Alegre is thriving. It has a fun atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. Willie makes the best margaritas and the food is delicious.
69 locals recommend
Puerto Alegre
546 Valencia StThe “Original” Puerto Alegre is next to our house but it isn’t currently open but you’re in luck because the Valencia street Puerto Alegre is thriving. It has a fun atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. Willie makes the best margaritas and the food is delicious.
Roosevelt Tamale Parlor
2817 24th StBasa Seafood Express
3064 24th StGreat variety of very fresh seafood.
Kazan
2809 24th StGreat sushi restaurant 2 blocks from our house.
St. Francis Fountain
2801 24th StThe Spice Jar
2500 Bryant StCellarmaker House of Pizza
3193 Mission St
Humphry Slocombe
This shop has really unique flavors and classics.
San Francisco’s Chinatown boasts the largest Chinese population in the western hemisphere, and the city’s culinary palette has been enriched by authentic Chinese cuisine for over 100 years. One of the best places to taste a blend of modern techniques and traditional Chinese recipes is at China Live. The menu at this chic marketplace-style eatery changes daily based on the freshest ingredients available. You can never go wrong with the dumplings—whether you like soupy Xiao Long Bao or crispy fried Sheng Jian Bao, these are some of the best in town. If you’re dining in, score a seat facing one of the four different kitchens to see chefs baking, frying, and glazing your dishes. Or head upstairs to Cold Drinks, a hidden bar that serves up some of San Francisco’s best cocktails.
31 locals recommend
China Live
644 BroadwaySan Francisco’s Chinatown boasts the largest Chinese population in the western hemisphere, and the city’s culinary palette has been enriched by authentic Chinese cuisine for over 100 years. One of the best places to taste a blend of modern techniques and traditional Chinese recipes is at China Live. The menu at this chic marketplace-style eatery changes daily based on the freshest ingredients available. You can never go wrong with the dumplings—whether you like soupy Xiao Long Bao or crispy fried Sheng Jian Bao, these are some of the best in town. If you’re dining in, score a seat facing one of the four different kitchens to see chefs baking, frying, and glazing your dishes. Or head upstairs to Cold Drinks, a hidden bar that serves up some of San Francisco’s best cocktails.
Sake Bomb
Another great sushi restaurant 2 blocks from our house.
Neighborhood Park
A great local park for the kids to play. Garfield has a playground, mini basketball court, soccer field and a recently renovated indoor swimming pool!
10 locals recommend
Garfield Square
3100 26th StA great local park for the kids to play. Garfield has a playground, mini basketball court, soccer field and a recently renovated indoor swimming pool!
One of our favorite parks with lots of space to hang out. It’s an 8 min walk from the house in North Bernal. Precita park is a community oriented neighborhood with a playground for the kids as well.
95 locals recommend
Precita Park
3200 Folsom StOne of our favorite parks with lots of space to hang out. It’s an 8 min walk from the house in North Bernal. Precita park is a community oriented neighborhood with a playground for the kids as well.
Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetGolden Gate Park opened in 1870 and offers 1,017 acres of public urban park. There is truly something for everyone at GGP, from large grassy fields, rowing on Stow Lake, Botanical gardens, museums, car fee bike riding and much more!! It’s a must see when visiting San Francisco. Visit the San Francisco Rec and Park web page for more info.
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park opened in 1870 and offers 1,017 acres of public urban park. There is truly something for everyone at GGP, from large grassy fields, rowing on Stow Lake, Botanical gardens, museums, car fee bike riding and much more!! It’s a must see when visiting San Francisco. Visit the San Francisco Rec and Park web page for more info.
It’s really beautiful and peaceful walking around the lake and up to the top of the waterfall. Rent a pedal boat or a row boat. Get a bite to eat at the rental area. There are turtles, ducks and other wildlife that call stow lake home.
152 locals recommend
Stow Lake
It’s really beautiful and peaceful walking around the lake and up to the top of the waterfall. Rent a pedal boat or a row boat. Get a bite to eat at the rental area. There are turtles, ducks and other wildlife that call stow lake home.
Bar scene
Hop Oast Pub & Brewery
2887 Bryant St2 blocks from the house with great craft beers and brats.
Super fun place with outdoor garden seating. They have a great album collection and will often play an entire album otherwise there’s live organ music. Enjoy a great cocktail with friends.
137 locals recommend
The Royal Cuckoo
3202 Mission StSuper fun place with outdoor garden seating. They have a great album collection and will often play an entire album otherwise there’s live organ music. Enjoy a great cocktail with friends.
El Rio
3158 Mission StGreat social bar with large outdoor space to hang with friends.
The Napper Tandy
3200 24th StOur favorite local Irish pub. Need we say more?
Local Art
Balmy Alley
50 Balmy StEnjoy local artist murals just a couple of blocks from the house
Just a block an a half from our house, Brava offers many artistic/
creative events. Movies, Plays, Guest speakers, comedy, and more. Check their calendar!
27 locals recommend
Brava Theater Center
2781 24th StJust a block an a half from our house, Brava offers many artistic/
creative events. Movies, Plays, Guest speakers, comedy, and more. Check their calendar!
Sightseeing
15-20 min walk from our house, Bernal Hill has the best views of the city.
17 locals recommend
Bernal Heights
15-20 min walk from our house, Bernal Hill has the best views of the city.
Great location for a spectacular view of San Francisco on the east side of the hill or watch the sunset from the west side.
727 locals recommend
Twin Peaks
Great location for a spectacular view of San Francisco on the east side of the hill or watch the sunset from the west side.
Lands End Trail
Lands End TrailGorgeous views and gentle hiking trails for all ages.
Sandy cliffs drop 200 feet to a beautiful beach at the southernmost edge of San Francisco. This is the wildest of the San Francisco beaches and the views are gorgeous!! You can follow the trail down to the beach for a gorgeous walk along the shore (coming back up can be a bit hard for some) or stay on the more gentle paved and sandy trails up top. This is not a swimming beach as the undertow and current are very strong.
162 locals recommend
Fort Funston
Fort Funston RoadSandy cliffs drop 200 feet to a beautiful beach at the southernmost edge of San Francisco. This is the wildest of the San Francisco beaches and the views are gorgeous!! You can follow the trail down to the beach for a gorgeous walk along the shore (coming back up can be a bit hard for some) or stay on the more gentle paved and sandy trails up top. This is not a swimming beach as the undertow and current are very strong.
Art Museums
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd St
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrFamily fun
This is classic San Francisco and a must see for first timers. Tons of vintage arcade machines and oddities!
87 locals recommend
Musée Mécanique
Fishermans WharfThis is classic San Francisco and a must see for first timers. Tons of vintage arcade machines and oddities!
Walt Disney Family Museum
104 Montgomery StWith $15 entry fee (kids 15 and under are free) you have access to board the ships and other areas. It’s really fun and informational.
11 locals recommend
Maritime Museum
900 Beach StWith $15 entry fee (kids 15 and under are free) you have access to board the ships and other areas. It’s really fun and informational.