San Francisco, United States

After 5 Years in SF...

Tim Cheadle

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

Tips

Must Do Little Star Pizza , Seriously, the best pizza I've ever had. Corn meal crust! This is what the Mission is all about. The deep dish is highly recommended, as is the caprese salad.
Must Do Ferry Building , This is still the ferry building, but it also houses some absolutely amazing food markets, butchers and bakeries. If you like food, you will love this. Be sure to go on a Saturday morning during the completely lush farmer's market.
Must Do Mission Dolores Park , The center of the Mission, SF's hipster and "arts" district. Really great views of the city and its (freaky) people.
Must Do Alcatraz , This is the one super touristy thing I think is completely worth it. You get a boat ride out to the famous island, a walk around to see the sites and plants, and an amazing view of our fair city. ...
Must Do Four Barrel Coffee , While Ritual down the street is the hipster hangout, Four Barrel has the best coffee in SF and a better environment.
Must Do Ike's Place , Best sandwiches in SF, bar none. I get the #82 "Not Tonight I Have A Headache".
Must Do The Blue Plate , A bit noisy but delicious home-style American food. The rabbit pot pie is fantastic, as is the meatloaf. That said, if they have the pork ossobuco, order it.
Must Do California Academy of Sciences , Right across from the de Young, probably the most amazing building in SF. This just opened in late 2008. The entire roof is a wild garden! Also make sure to check out the planetarium.
Must Do Mission Beach Cafe , One of our favorite restaurants in the Mission. Stunning mains and killer desserts.
Must Do Anthony's Cookies , A friend of mine, best cookies in the city. Anthony is a super nice guy; tell him I sent you.
Must Do Bi-Rite Creamery , Arguably the best ice cream in SF. Made with delicious milk from a local dairy (Strauss). Perfect after a day in the Mission (and a Little Star pizza!)
Must Do Brenda's French Soul Food , The most amazing breakfast you will ever eat. Plan on waiting 30+ mins if you're there on a weekend.
Must Do Olea , Our favorite dinner spot. California cuisine done right, new menus every week. Tell Gabriel (the chef and co-owner) that I sent you! If you want to get together for dinner here, we're definitely down.
Must Do Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop , Best donuts in SF.
Must Do Swan Oyster Depot , There's always a line out the door for a reason: seafood, oysters and Belgian beer. Awesome lunch spot.
Must Do Grace Cathedral , Gorgeous church at the top of Nob Hill.
Must Do In-N-Out Burger , The only place I'd eat in the Wharf. In fact, this is the only reason I go down there. This fast food place is famous, much better than McDonald's. You need to try a Double-Double.
Must Do Blue Bottle Coffee , This is where coffee is taken seriously. It's in a place called Mint Plaza; the signage is bad but it's on a little corner tucked into Mint Plaza. If you ask around you'll find it. Take my advice and order ...
Must Do Coit Tower , At the top of Telegraph Hill, a wonderful and famous icon of SF. Great views of North Beach and the Bay. You should walk to the top, as parking is tight. You can approach from Grant & Greenwich Streets; it's ...
Must Do Mitchell's Ice Cream , My favorite ice cream in the city. Try the Peanut Butter Indulgence.
Must Do Castro Theater , Very famous movie theater in the heart of the neighborhood. Even if you don't go inside, you should see the sign.
Must Do That Takes the Cake , My favorite cupcake in SF, the red velvet, is made here.
Must Do Golden Gate Bridge , No comment necessary! If you visit on a weekend, you can even walk across!
Must Do Marin Headlands , Drive across the Golden Gate and you'll arrive here. Amazing land, amazing views.
Must Do Incanto , Insanely delicious American/Italian food with a unique twist. Chef Chris Cosentino, who sometimes is on the Food Network, is simply a master with meat. If you have one dinner in SF, make it here.
Must Do How to Avoid Tourists If you want to avoid tourists, stay away from almost everything on Columbus St. in North Beach, all of Fisherman's Wharf, and most everything Union Square. This is not the real San Francisco.
Do Universal Cafe , This tiny little place is my favorite getaway spot in the Inner Mission. Great wine list and changing menu. Good vibe in this part of the city, also known as "Media Gulch" during the dot-com era.
Do Buena Vista Cafe , This is where the Irish Coffee was introduced to the United States. They are the best I've had. Note, I've only had drinks here.
Do Café de la Presse , Really fantastic French place with delicious light lunch and wine selection. Perfect after a day of shopping.
Do Akiko's Restaurant & Sushi Bar , Fantastic sushi, tiny place. Make sure you order the green salad.
Do Kennedy's Irish Pub & Indian Curry House , What can I say... It's an Irish pub that serves ridiculously good Indian food.
Do Mission Pie , They make and sell nothing but pie. Sweet, sweet pie.
Do Mama's On Washington Square , Another totally famous breakfast place; be prepared for long lines that are worth it. They are famous for their benedicts.
Do La Boulange Cafe & Bakery , These french boulangeries are all over SF, but this is the original. Excellent pastries and savory foods.
Do Blue Barn Gourmet , Decent sandwiches and salads, good quick lunch spot.
Do Goorin Bros. Hat Shop - North Beach , It's nothing but a hat shop! They've been in business for over 100 years.
Do Nook , Fantastic little hidden place on the Powell/Hyde cable car line. Great salads and sandwiches. I love getting one with a glass of white wine for lunch.
Do Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers , My favorite burger in SF. If you're up to it, try their famous Turkish Coffee milkshake.
Do Street , Really good vibe, awesome American dishes. Not your typical burger joint.
Do Columbini Cafe , Super tiny, solid Italian food. This place is great on a cool night.
Do Amelie , Super hip but totally comfortable wine bar, very exotic and affordable selection. This place is REALLY busy on weekends.
Do Delfina , Probably the best Italian-style pizza in the area. You should make reservations.
Do Lupa Trattoria , Another great Italian restaurant, decent value. Great lasagna.
Do Acquerello , Very high end Italian dining, reservations required. This is one great place to splurge.
Do Chai-Yo , Low key but delicious Thai food, with a fantastic dessert shop attached that serves Mitchell's Ice Cream (my SF favorite).
Do Cable Car Museum , Sounds super boring, but actually a really cool (and free) thing to see. You can stand right next to the engine room that powers the entire cable car system.
Do Zinc Details , My favorite home decor shop in the city; most of the employees are friends. This store is quirky and awesome, especially for design-minded people.
Do De Young Museum , In the middle of Golden Gate Park, this museum is world famous. The architecture is wonderful and designed by the same people (Herzog & de Meuron) who did the Bird's Nest for the olympics in China.