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A San Francisco guide

July 17, 2026

For someone new to San Francisco or just visiting!

Neighborhoods

  • North Beach (Little Italy)Where I live, though it leans touristy.
  • The MissionThe blocks around 16th and Mission can feel rough, but Valencia Street is lovely and Mission Dolores is one of the best parks in the city.
  • Inner SunsetOne of my favorites.
  • Ocean Beach ★Best on a clear, wind-free day.

Parks

  • Mission Dolores
  • Presidio
    • Crissy Field
    • Sutro Baths & Lands End Trail ★
  • Golden Gate Park ★Despite the name, it isn't near the Golden Gate Bridge. Hellman Hollow is great for a picnic, and don't miss the Conservatory of Flowers.
  • Marina Green
  • Fort Mason

Day Trips

  • Marin
    • SausalitoYou can take the ferry here from the SF Ferry Building.
    • Bolinas Ridge ★
    • Point Reyes ★
    • Mill ValleyVisit the Mill Valley Library and Muir Woods National Monument, a stunning redwood forest.
    • HikingThe Dipsea Trail and Mount Tamalpais are both worth it if you're into hiking.
    • TiburonAlso reachable by ferry.
  • Tilden Regional ParkBerkeleyBeautiful hikes — Berkeley has plenty of them.
  • NapaWorth going once for the name, but it gets repetitive.
  • Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur ★
  • Lake TahoeA gorgeous lake in the summer and skiing in the winter.
  • Yosemite
  • Santa Cruz
  • PacificaThere's a Taco Bell Cantina right on the beach.

Restaurants

Sushi

  • Saru Handroll BarNob HillPolished casualWalk-in only
  • Sushi RanSausalitoPolished casualReservations
  • Izumi Kaiten SushiJapantownCasualWalk-inConveyor-belt sushi — I really enjoyed it.

Korean

  • MannaSunsetCasualWalk-in
  • OlleiNob HillCasualWalk-in

Seafood

  • Hook Fish Co. ★Outer SunsetCasual, seat yourselfA super-fresh seafood market serving burritos, fish sandwiches, fish and chips, and poke. Long waits, but you can order ahead online — a must if you're heading to Ocean Beach.
  • Woodhouse Fish CompanyPacific HeightsCasualWalk-inLobster rolls and seafood.
  • Scoma'sSausalito & SFUpscaleReservationsA classic SF seafood institution.

Chinese

  • Z & YChinatownSichuanPolished casualTakes reservations for parties of four or more.
  • Four KingsChinatownHong Kong–inspiredPolished casualHard reservation
  • Sichuan HomeOuter RichmondCasualWalk-in

Other Asian

  • Burma LoveBurmeseSeveral locations
  • Khao TiewThaiPolished casualLong Yelp waitlist.
  • Thai SpiceThaiNob HillWalk-in

Mediterranean

  • Beit RimaDuboce Triangle & Haight-AshburyCasualLong Yelp waitlist.

Brunch

  • MymyNob HillCasualWalk-in onlyExpect a long line.
  • Plain JaneMissionCasualWalk-in only
  • Tartine ManufactoryMissionCasualTartines and coffee — I like it (my boyfriend doesn't, but he also has celiac).

Indian

  • CopraJapantown / Lower Pac HeightsUpscaleReservations
  • KolapasiMissionVery casualWalk-in
  • AahaMissionVery casualWalk-in

Mexican

  • Elena's ★West PortalUpscaleHard reservationA gorgeous room with great vibes.
  • Casual MexicanSF is famous for its Cal-Mexican burritos. These are the classic spots — I haven't been to all of them.
    • Taqueria El FarolitoNorth BeachMission
    • Taqueria El Buen SaborMission
    • La TaqueriaMission
    • Taqueria CancúnMission
    • El Gallo Giro Food TruckMission

Bakeries

  • ArsicaultRated the best chocolate croissant in the country.
  • Café NicoThe best quiche I've had — ask for it heated up.
  • Butter & CrumbleArrive early; the line gets long.
  • JuniperHaven't been, but it's well known.

Italian

  • Flour + WaterMission
  • ItriaMission
  • Original Joe'sNorth BeachUpscaleHard reservation
  • Tony's Pizza NapoletanaNorth BeachPolished casualLong wait, but you can join the waitlist by phone.

Matcha

  • Komeyo no Bento ★MarinaMy favorite. Get the strawberry matcha with mochi. They also have sushi, though I haven't tried it.
  • Stonemill MatchaMission
  • TadaimaMission & Marina
  • Motoring CoffeeRussian Hill
  • ShojiFiDi / SoMa

Other

  • Zuni Café ★Hayes ValleyAmericanUpscaleBook well in advance. I've heard the roast chicken is incredible, and I love their pile of fries.
  • Chez MamanHayes Valley & Potrero HillPolished casualWalk-in only
  • Chez Panisse CaféBerkeleyUpscaleHard reservationAn institution — Alice Waters' restaurant and the birthplace of California cuisine. I've only been to the more casual upstairs café, which was excellent. There's a bar now that I'm dying to try.

Bars

Cocktail Bars

  • Pacific Cocktail Haven ★FiDiInventive, delicious drinks. Highly recommend the Tut Tut Tea and the Pandan Champagne Coco.
  • Frankie'sMarinaPolished casualWalk-inGorgeous interior, though service can be hit or miss.
  • True LaurelMissionPolished casualReservationsOften a long wait.
  • Trick DogMissionPolished casual

Wine Bars

  • Bar GeminiMissionPolished casualReservations
  • Amélie Wine BarNob HillTurns dancey at night.
  • Union LarderRussian Hill / Nob Hill

Going Out

  • MonroeClub
  • EmporiumArcade bar

Shopping

  • ThriftingHaight-Ashbury
  • Farmers MarketFort MasonSunday mornings.

My Perfect Day

  • Start the morning at Café Nico for a quiche (heated up).
  • Head to Golden Gate Park
    • Read a book at the Hellman Hollow picnic area.
    • See the Conservatory of Flowers or the Monet exhibit at the de Young Museum.
  • Lunch at Manna in the Inner Sunset, then froyo at Easy Breezy.
  • Bike JFK Drive to the beach, connecting to the Upper Great Highway along Ocean Beach.
  • If it's not too windy, relax on the beach.
  • Pick up Hook Fish Co. for dinner.
  • Watch the sunset from Sutro Baths and walk the Lands End coastal trail.
  • Finish with drinks at Pacific Cocktail Haven.

Long Waits I Haven't Braved Yet

  • Swan Oyster DepotThe wait looks like an hour or more.
  • Butter and CrumbleI need to get there earlier so I can try their popular pastries.