San Francisco

If you're like me, you get to know a place through its desserts. In particular, I'm partial to ice cream. I have high standards, so consider these premium recs. Enjoy!

Found your way into Noe Valley and don't have a dog or kid to keep you occupied? Check out these places around Noe and Upper Noe.

A short, not very comprehensive list of my favorite spots in SF.

Rating: Must Do
We only went for a drink, so I can't comment on the food, but it was an amazing spot that you would never find without knowing it's there. The views are amazing and the story behind the place is awesome. Absolutely loved it and can't wait to go back!

Rating: Do
Delicious, authentic, neapolitan pizza. Cool atmosphere.

Fun things to do with the kids to get them out of the house and bouncing off the walls

My tips for maximizing your time in San Francisco with only 48 hours on the watch.

Rating: Must Do
Best crispy tacos in existence. It's cash only and there's always a line, but ask for crispy tacos and prepare for deliciousness.

Rating: Must Do
Best ramen in the city. Usually a wait, but worth it. They add MSG, so be ready for some salty goodness.

Here are some of my favorite places in SF to pick up a capp.

Here are some of my favorite places in San Francisco.

This is a broad list of places I end up at, and unsorted. Use the map view to find one near you and Yelp to see if it's a place you want to end up at.

Just a few of my favorite spots in town.

Rating: Must Do
Tiny cookie store in the mission with PHENOMENAL cookies. A trip to get a cookies & creme and chocolate chip is one of the way we celebrated launching TipList.

I always take my Canadian friends to these places for a full frontal blast of booze

This is where i live, eat and enjoy

Rating: Do
Favorite place for runs, hikes, ocean vistas and history. Right here in SF.

Our go-to list of lunch locations within walking distance of the office.

TASTE ALL THE THINGS

Forget the high-brow eateries and gastropubs; here's a list of unusual and fun tips that generally only the locals know about.

Sip, drink, cheers your way through SF

I've been a long time show goer in this rockin' city I call home. These are a few of my favorite venues. Go see some live music - it's healing to the soul!

My favorite spots in the city

Rating: Do
We love this place, but the wait is usually unbearable. If you can get in, do it. It's fun.

Here are the places I go to...and I'm a local :)

Hidden spots. Local faves. Tips from a 30 year old female living in SF who works hard and plays hard.

Soak it up and fall in love.

I ask everyone I meet what their favorite places are. Then I go and see for myself.

Rating: Must Do
The line moves quick and oh is it worth it. Bring a friend or 5, so you can order more and share it all!

Rating: Do
Best fried chicken in San Francisco.

Rating: Do
A great modern art museum with a lovely roof coffee shop. Check http://www.sfmoma.org/ for current exhibits.

Rating: Do
An indoor rainforest and amazing underground aquarium in the middle of Golden Gate Park. Well, ok!

Rating: Do
An outdoor oasis of leather and liquor in the sea of non-offensive eco-urbanism that is SF, Zeitgeist has a solid beer list and strong cocktails. Taking photos is inacceptable here, as well as standing on benches/tables but indulging in cigarettes of all kinds encouraged.

Rating: Must Do
Saturday morning. Just go. Be sure to not eat or drink beforehand as there is no better place in the city to graze.

Tried and true places to have a delicious meal with good friends.

All the (vegan, organic, etc) food you could ever want, with all of the attitude

Zach's tips for San Francisco

Rating: Do
This is a great place with an oldtime speakeasy feel. They have an amazing cocktail list and always have a good crowd.

Rating: Must Do
If you have an opportunity, take a tour at Anchor Brewery. It's amazing. You need to make your reservations about a month in advance though, and it's only open on weekdays.

Things I think are unique and interesting in San Francisco, even though all my hipster friends tell me they were "SOOO last year".

Rating: Must Do
Hipster central and fun on a nice Sunday afternoon. A real flavor of the bohemian mission.

Rating: Must Do
One of the most beautiful natural settings in the world. Can be done in a half day. Go during the week if possible to avoid crowds. Even if weather is crappy this place is magical, but odds are if it's foggy in SF, it's sunny in Marin. Afterwards, go to the Buckeye Roadhouse on the way back to SF. Best ribs, wings in Marin and great "upscale classic" vibe.

Rating: Do
For old-school Italian SF style, this place is a classic. You could shoot a remake of the Godfather in here. Huge portions and colorful waitstaff help the vibe.

Rating: Do
Great space, good flavor of the SF scene and excellent food at a fair price. Place kind of embodies the more progressive SF dining experience.

Rating: Must Do
Best breakfast/brunch in SF. Fresh, local food. Great staff and cozy place that's very bright and clean. Mimosas and wine too - be prepared to wait 30 mins or so on the weekends as this place packs in people from all over the city.

Rating: Do
If you are going to spend time in Dolores Park, stop here first and pick up some snacks and beverages. Alcohol is ok in the park, just be sure to go screw top for wine!

Rating: Must Do
Now open for brunch, NoPa has managed to stay relevant in an oft-changing restaurant scene. I recommend going late night however; one of the few restaurants where food is served until 1am. And get the pork chop, it will change your life.

Rating: Must Do
The best place to catch up and comer and established musical acts in San Francisco. Tickets are generally $15-25 dollars, but be sure to buy them early as shows often sell out.

Rating: Do
There are multiple locations of this tea mecca, but this one comes with killer views. Get adventurous with your tasting, everything on the menu is great - the servers are happy to help if you aren't sure what to try. Relax and be present while you sip.

Rating: Must Do
Ground zero for hipster coffee culture in SF. Ritual and Blue Bottle were first, but Four Barrel perfected it with a specific drip tasting line, Dynamo Donuts and no outlets or wifi. Leave your laptop at home.

Rating: Must Do
Stop by for a breakfast grilled cheese - more affordable than lunch. Or, for lunch, order the special and marvel at the startup founders inevitably dining at the next table.

Rating: Must Do
If it's sunny and warm, this is a must stop for anyone. Stop by Bi-Rite for local fare to enjoy while people-watching. Be sure to ask before buying any treats in the park as many include a bit of magic.

These are favorite San Francisco spots I recommend as an imported local. With a healthy mix of tourist stops.

Rating: Do
Very small, tucked away bar that's got a great wine and beer list.

Rating: Do
My favorite coffee in the city. They have shops all over, so make sure to have a cup somewhere while you are here. New Orleans Iced is my favorite.

Rating: Do
Wonderful brunch spot in the heart of Noe Valley. We've spent many sunday mornings here.

Rating: Do
Awesome, awesome beer bar in Soma. Awesome.

Rating: Do
It's touristy, but worth doing. Get tickets in advance, and plan to spend about 3-4 hours waiting for the ferry, exploring the island, and coming back. Audio tour is included with the price of the ticket and highly recommended.

Rating: Do
If there's a game going on when you're in town and it's a nice day, definitely spend a few hours at a Giants game. The park is beautiful and right on the water.

Rating: Must Do
HUGE beer list. If you are a beer lover, this place isn't to be missed.

Rating: Do
If you're in union square and parched, stop in this very divy bar for a drink. It's a great place to start or end the night. One of my favorite dives in the city.

Rating: Do
Great pizza, better beer selections. This place usually gets small batch craft brews from local breweries.

Rating: Do
Ritual is one of the best coffee shops in the city.

Rating: Do
Strongest margaritas in the mission. Seriously, be careful. They're delicious, and the place is fun, but don't have more than 2.

Rating: Do
Holds the title for the best quesadilla I've ever had. Get either the chicken or carne asada super suiza with everything.

Rating: Do
If it's a nice day, spending a bit of time at Mission Dolores park is fun. Massive park that's full of a random set of people. Good for a rest. You can get a bottle of wine, beer, etc... and enjoy it (illegally but accepted) in the park. You'll be asked several times if you want "happy brownies" or jello shots. Ahh, entrepreneurs.

Rating: Do
Golden Gate park is massive. I haven't spent as much time there as I'd like, but there's a ton to do and if the day is nice, it's a great place to stroll through

Rating: Do
If it's a nice day, their outdoor patio/beer garden is one of the best in the city.

Rating: Do
Great local brewpub in Soma

Rating: Do
Haight/Ashbury is the old hippie area but there are fun bars and restaurants around it. I lived there for a week and think it's fun if you're over in that direction

Rating: Do
If you like Grilled Cheese, this place is dedicated to it. It's great. It's down the road from South Park, which is a small park in Soma that's kinda a techie hangout.

Rating: Must Do
The Ferry Building on the Embarcadero is a dont-miss. Might seem touristy, but the place is full of local food shops with the most eclectic of shops. One only sells mushrooms. One just olive oil. If you go on a saturday, you'll see the ferry building farmers market. Recommended highly. If you like coffee, while you're there, get Blue Bottle Coffee.

Rating: Must Do
Down the street from Tartine and usually also has a line. People love it here. Salted Carmel is their speciality but it's all sweet and good

Rating: Must Do
One of the most phenomenal places to get breakfast / pastries / lunch .. It's incredible. Usually a line around the corner, but the most rich, delicious food ever

Rating: Must Do
Usually a hit. It's a restaurant in an old movie theatre converted to have an outdoor patio, etc... $$-$$$ but good for a splurge meal. Great setting

There is so much to do, so I'm not even sure where to start .. here are some things I'd recommend.