The Avenues
Lush Golden Gate Park, foggy Sunset, hilly Richmond, and the steep cliffs of Lands End make up The Avenues of western San Francisco. A mostly residential area, this is where you will find one of the most ethnically-diverse populations of the city, San Francisco's main beach, charming shops and restaurants, spectacular coastline scenery, and the massive Golden Gate Park with its many gardens, lakes, pastures, and forests. The area is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west, Lake Street on the north, Arguello Blvd and Stanyan Street (from Lake to Frederick Street) and 7th Avenue (from Lincoln to around Golden Gate Heights Park, or about Quintara) and 19th Avenue (from Quintara to Sloat) on the east, and Sloat Blvd on the south.
Understand
[edit]The Richmond is a neighborhood bordered on the north by Lincoln Park and the Presidio, Arguello Boulevard on the east, Golden Gate Park on the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. The Richmond is divided into the eastern Inner Richmond and western Outer Richmond by CA Highway 1 (Park Presidio/13th Avenue), which runs north-south. The Richmond District is not to be confused with the city of Richmond and Point Richmond, which are located in the East Bay.
San Francisco's Sunset District covers a large, mostly residential area on the west side of San Francisco. It is bordered on the west by Ocean Beach, on the north by Golden Gate Park, on the south by Sloat Boulevard, and on the east by a vague boundary roughly around 7th Avenue. It was built on a grid pattern and the vast majority of the housing in the area was constructed between 1920 and 1950. Most of this housing was constructed by the Doelger Company, and the majority of houses in the neighborhood follow one of two floorplans that the Doelger company offered. There are exceptions to this, such as a pocket of houses nearby Sunset Boulevard that were designed instead by Oliver Rousseau, which have a curiously fairytale feel to them.
The Sunset is divided into the eastern Inner Sunset and the western Outer Sunset by CA Highway 1 (19th Avenue). Sometimes this two-part division is abandoned however, with residents referring to the Middle Sunset, in between 19th Avenue and Sunset Boulevard. These three neighborhoods are fairly distinct, with the Inner Sunset being a more culturally mixed area, the Middle Sunset being much more culturally Chinese, and the Outer Sunset more oriented around Ocean Beach and activities there.
The Sunset's majority population is Asian-American, and this increases west of 19th Avenue in the Outer Sunset, where Chinese and Chinese-Americans make up a little bit less than 40% of residents. The Chinese community in the Sunset dates from the middle 20th century, when restrictive covenants opened up housing stock for Chinese Americans outside of Chinatown. A sizable Irish and Irish-American population also exists in the Sunset, with several Irish bars that are actually owned by Irish proprietors. Much of the housing stock in the neighborhood is owned by Irish families that have been there for generations.
On clear days you will see many locals and tourists watching the sunset at Ocean Beach; still, the name "Sunset" is a bit of a misnomer as the area is often covered in fog due to its proximity to the cold Pacific Ocean. However, whether or not the sun is shining, it is a charming neighborhood to visit.
Get in
[edit]
By Muni
[edit]Richmond's central east-west artery is Geary Boulevard. Frequent bus service from downtown via Union Square is provided by the 38-Geary and the 38R-Geary Rapid buses. Even though the district only spans eight blocks from north to south, there are also parallel bus lines 1-California and 2-Clement north of Geary and lines 31-Balboa, 5-Fulton and 5R-Fulton Rapid south of Geary Boulevard.
Much of the Sunset neighborhood is accessible via the N-Judah and L-Taraval Muni Metro light rail lines. East-west bus lines through Sunset include the 23-Monterey, 48-Quintara/24th St, 66-Quintara and 7-Haight/Noreiga.
North-south bus lines which connect Richmond and Sunset through Golden Gate Park include 18-46th Ave, 28-19th Ave and 29-Sunset. Additionally, the 44-O'Shaughnessy runs up from Twin Peaks to the southeast and through Golden Gate Park past the de Young Museum, continuing up 6th Avenue into the Richmond neighborhood. The 18 Bus is notoriously unreliable and at best comes infrequently, while the 28, 29, and 44 are some of the most reliable busses in the city.
By car
[edit]Running north/south through the area and serving as the major traffic artery is Highway 1 (19th Avenue). In Sunset is another major road called Sunset Boulevard, located between 36th and 37th Avenues and running north/south from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard. Geary Street is the central east/west artery through Richmond. Fulton Street runs east-west, marking the northern edge of Golden Gate Park while Lincoln Way runs east/west along the southern edge of Golden Gate Park. The southern border is marked by Sloat Boulevard which runs east/west.
The Great Highway used to be open at the edge of the city, bordering Ocean Beach. However, it was closed by a ballot initiative in 2025, and has become a park.
See
[edit]- 1 Grand View Park, surrounded by 14th and 15th Avenues along Noriega Street in the Sunset district. Worth visiting because of the stupendous views it offers over downtown San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, the Pacific Ocean, Marin headlands, and across to the Sutro Tower.
- 2 16th Avenue Tiled Steps (on a steep pedestrian only section of Moraga Street between 15th and 16th Avenue). Stair risers comprise a colorful mosaic added during a 2005 renovation of the stairs. Climb to the top then go left or right to find a way into Grand View Park.
- 3 Sigmund Stern Grove, along Sloat Boulevard between 19th and 34th Avenues. Home to many concerts and performances during the summer months which are free to the public, including the Stern Grove Festival.
Golden Gate Park
[edit]
4 Golden Gate Park (between Fulton Street on the north, Lincoln Way on the south, Stanyan Street on the east and Ocean Beach on the west). 5AM-midnight. Once an area of sand dunes, Golden Gate Park is an urban oasis, roughly half a mile wide and four miles long, with windmills, bison, museums, lakes and a carousel hidden among its charms. At 1,017 acres, it is 174 acres larger than New York's Central Park, so unless you have a bike, you'll want to plan which area you want to visit, especially along the east (Stanyan Street) to west (the Ocean) axis. A free shuttle bus circulates through the eastern half of the park. JFK Promenade between Transverse and Kezar is closed to vehicular traffic; this car-free zone is popular with walkers, cyclists, and runners. The number 5 trolleybus runs along the park's north boundary (Fulton Street), and offers the most frequent service across the park and to downtown. The N streetcar runs two blocks south of the park's southern boundary, with service similar to the 5 bus. Free.
- 5 AIDS Memorial Grove, at the intersection of Bowling Green and Middle Drive East, ☏ +1-415-765-0497. A national memorial to AIDS victims. Free.
- 6 Beach Chalet and Park Chalet, 1000 Great Hwy (at John F Kennedy Dr south of Fulton), ☏ +1-415-386-8439. A beautiful 1930s building, the Beach Chalet is open for lunch, drinks, or dinner overlooking Ocean Beach and its brave surfers. Inside the Park Chalet are some exhibits with artifacts related to the history of the Golden Gate Park and San Francisco.
- 7 Buffalo Paddock, John F Kennedy Drive (between 36th Avenue and Chain of Lakes Drive). An unusual attraction is the herd of buffalo which have been here for over a century after being presented as a gift from the government of Texas. Free.
- 8 California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr., ☏ +1-415-379-8000, info@calacademy.org. M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM; Su 11AM-5PM. An absolutely stunning museum and an excellent place to take the children. Among the many highlights of this museum is the building itself; ride the elevator to the top to see the Living Roof, a literal green roof and marvel of architecture with soft hills covered in grass and flowers. On the ground floor are numerous interactive science exhibits, outdoor gardens, an aviary, and towering over the massive exhibit halls is the sphere-like Planetarium on one side of the building, while the other side is overshadowed by the domed Rainforests of the World exhibit, a massive transparent dome which contains a winding pathway that takes you to the top, past towering trees and animal displays. As if all that wasn't enough, the building also contains a fantastic aquarium on the bottom floor, which showcases the more unusual sea life such as octopus, jellyfish, sea dragons, and sea stars among its displays of coral reefs, kelp forests, and tidepools. It's a big museum; be sure to give yourself at least a few hours to see it all. $34.95 adults, $29.95 seniors/students/teens, $24.95 children 4-11, free for ages 3 and under.
- 9 Children's Playground (Koret Playground) (just off Bowling Green Drive north of MLK Drive), ☏ +1-415-831-2700. A large and unique kid's play area. Next door is a historic Carousel, which runs 10AM-4:30PM daily from Memorial Day-Labor Day and Saturdays and Sundays the rest of the year. Carousel rides $1.50 adults, $0.50 children.
- 10 Conservatory of Flowers, 100 John F Kennedy Dr, ☏ +1-415-666-7001. Tu–Su 10AM–4:30PM. This antique palatial greenhouse, one of the first structures of its kind in the county, is filled with a huge variety of beautiful and exotic plant species. Pay special attention if the Titan Arum is blooming, as it only does every few years. Adult tickets go down to $11 for weekdays in December and January, and up to $15 for all weekends. Free on first Tuesday of every month. $13 adults, $7 teens/seniors/students, $3 children, free for children 4 and under, free on the first Tuesday of each month.
- 11 de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, ☏ +1-415-750-3600. Tu-Th, Sa-Su 9:30AM-5:15PM, F 9:30AM-8:45PM. A modern and ethnic art focused museum, with three levels of fascinating exhibits with contemporary and historical pieces from America as well as art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas in a uniquely-designed building with courtyards and sculpture gardens. One corner of the building has a large tower which offers a lovely 360-degree view of the park and surroundings. $15 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students, free for 17 and under; includes same-day admission to the Legion of Honor. Special exhibits may require extra admission; first Tuesday of each month free.
- 12 Dutch Windmill (next to the Beach Chalet). Once used for park irrigation in the past, now a scenic oddity at the western end of the park. A lesser-known windmill, the Murphy Windmill, is located at the southwestern corner of the park, but is under restoration. Near the windmills is the lovely Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden. Free.
- 13 Japanese Tea Garden (on Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive just north of MLK Drive), ☏ +1-415-752-4227. March–October daily 9AM-5:45PM, November–February daily 9AM-4:45PM. The oldest public Japanese garden in the country, with beautiful plants, ponds, bridges, and Japanese-style structures including a tea house. Tours are available every Wednesday and Sunday at 1PM starting at the main gate. $12 adults ($10 Oct–Feb), $7 seniors/teens, $3 children 5-11, free for children 4 and under; free admission M, W, F before 10AM.
- 14 Rose Garden (between John F. Kennedy Drive and Park Presidio Drive, just west of the de Young Museum). A wide variety of roses on display. Free.
- 15 San Francisco Botanical Garden (formerly the Strybing Arboretum), main entrance on 9th Avenue just north of Lincoln Way, secondary entrance at the Friend Gate at MLK Drive and Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, ☏ +1-415-564-3239. M-F 8AM-4:30PM, Sa-Su and Holidays 10AM-5PM. One of the largest botanical gardens on the west coast, the Botanical Gardens cover 55 acres with thousands of varieties of plants from around the world and multiple specialized gardens and miles of trails (seriously, the place is huge). One of the most unique attractions is the Redwood Trail, which runs through a naturalistic redwood forest reminiscent of the ones north of San Francisco along the Californian coast. There is also a bookstore and library on the premises, near the main entrance. Free guided tours of the gardens depart from the bookstore daily at 1:30PM with an extra tour on the weekends at 10:30AM. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays another free tour departs from the Friend Gate at 2PM. $15.
- 16 Hippie Hill. Near the district's eastern border is the entrance to Golden Gate Park. Walking into the park and through a small tunnel beneath the Alvord Lake Bridge, the first large field and adjacent hill are known as Hippie Hill. In dry weather, Hippie Hill is a popular destination for locals and offers a glimpse at the Haight's hippie culture. There visitors will find a large and popular drum circle, amateur performers of many types from jugglers to musicians, frisbee enthusiasts, picnickers, and psychedelic drug users, all mingling happily. Don't be surprised to find locals lighting up a joint of marijuana at Hippie Hill. Though marijuana use is still illegal in the US, California has decriminalized medical marijuana. A note from your doctor suffices to obtain a card enabling one to reliably check quantity and quality and purchase in a civilized manner over a counter. Hippie Hill is a relatively safe place to purchase marijuana, but law enforcement patrols Haight Street at the urging of merchants in order to maintain a teen- and tourist-friendly environment.
- 17 Shakespeare Garden, at Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Middle Drive East. With roses and other flowers mentioned in his plays. A bust of Shakespeare sits at the opposite end from the entrance. Free.
- 18 Spreckels Lake (on the northern side of the park near 36th Avenue). As the home of the San Francisco Model Yacht Club, one is likely to see model yachts sailing on the lake.
- 19 Blue Heron Lake, ☏ +1-415-702-1390. Previously known as Stow Lake, and renamed in 2024, though many locals still use the old name. This pleasant lake surrounding Strawberry Hill, a scenic island with excellent views and great picnic spots, is an excellent place to relax. Boating (several types for rent) is available from a boathouse, which is open daily from 11AM-5PM. The ruins of the Sweeny Observatory are on the top of the hill, which was destroyed in the 1906 Earthquake. A Chinese pagoda sits on the edge of the island, which was donated by Taiwan in 1973, nearby the artificial waterfall. Boat rentals $22.50-38.50 per hour.
Lands End
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A component of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Lands End defines the extreme northwestern corner of San Francisco, with majestic views of the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge from the ocean side, and the Pacific Ocean itself. A portion of the Coastal Trail runs along the steep, rocky coastline of the area, from the Cliff House north to the Golden Gate, providing a spectacular hike with views of shipwrecks and jagged coastline. Atop the hill overlooking the coast is the famed Legion of Honor art museum, surrounded by the spacious lawns and the golf course of Lincoln Park, so named because it was the end point of the transcontinental Lincoln Highway.
The #18 Muni bus terminates at the Legion of Honor museum at the center of the park, traveling south through Richmond and past Golden Gate Park, while frequent service to downtown is offered by the #38R Geary Rapid buses, which terminate at Point Lobos Avenue and 48th, next to Sutro Heights Park and right around the corner from the Lands End Lookout and the Cliff House. Drivers will want to take the El Camino del Mar Drive through the small Seacliff area on the northwest side to view some fancy mansions between Lincoln Park and the Presidio.
- 20 Lands End Lookout, 680 Point Lobos Ave, ☏ +1-415-426-5240. 9AM-5PM daily. Overlooking the Cliff House and the Sutro Baths is this new visitor center, where you can find information about the Land Ends area as well as a pretty decent gift shop and cafe. The lookout also contains the statue of Diana that once stood in neighboring Sutro Heights, which was relocated inside of the lookout after it was extensively vandalized.
- 21 Cliff House, 1090 Point Lobos Ave. The Cliff House, a well known landmark at the extreme western end of San Francisco, provides fantastic views of the coastline and the jagged Seal Rocks just off-shore and also contains the Camera Obscura, a fascinating room-sized device which projects an image of the surrounding scenery inside.
- 22 Sutro Baths (just below Cliff House). Wedged in a small beach inlet between the Cliff House and Point Lobos, these stone ruins were once a massive 19th century-era public bath house that held multiple swimming pools, which fell into disrepair before being destroyed by fire in 1966, leaving only the concrete foundations and a pool flooded with seawater. The crumbling ruins make for some fun exploration, with a long tunnel into the cliff that leads to a view of a cove. Mind your step: the trails that descend to the site are steep and the ruins themselves pose hazards if you're careless. Free.
- 23 Sutro Heights Park (between the Cliff House and 48th Avenue). On the hill above the Cliff House is the former grounds of the estate of Adolph Sutro, the wealthy landowner who built the Cliff House and Sutro Baths. Today the mansion is gone, but the beautifully landscaped grounds remain as a public park, with splendid views over the coastline and down to Golden Gate Park. Nestled within the foundations of the old mansion is a WW2 era bunker. Free.
- 24 USS San Francisco Memorial (at the end of El Camino del Mar). Perched above the Coastal Trail is this longtime WWII memorial crafted out of pieces of the USS San Francisco, a heavy cruiser that sustained heavy damage in the Battle of Guadalcanal and was scrapped after the war. The memorial contains a section of the ship's shell-ridden hull. Free.
- 25 Legion of Honor Museum, 34th Avenue and El Camino del Mar, ☏ +1-415-750-3600. Tu-Su 9:30AM–5:15PM. Inside this building, a model of the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris, is an incredible collection of mainly European art, with works of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Impressionist periods, with art from some of the fundamental artists of their times, as well as some works from the 20th century from the likes of Picasso. One of the highlights of the collection is a collection of sculptures by Rodin, including The Thinker at the front entrance. $15 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students, 17 and under free; includes same-day admission to the de Young Museum. Special exhibits may require extra admission; first Tuesday of each month free.
Do
[edit]- 1 Ocean Beach, along Great Highway between Point Lobos Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. A good place to walk, surf (or watch surfers), or just look at the ocean. If you're expecting a warm California beach like you saw on Baywatch, you'll be in for a surprise. The water will be chilly all year round. You won't be able to stay in the water long without a wetsuit. But if you do brave the water, be careful of riptides: the beach has an unusual riptide which claims several lives (usually tourists) each year. If you want to ocean swim, head to China Beach. Bonfires often line Ocean Beach on warmer days. Permits are legally required for bonfires (so be forewarned), but often spur of the moment bonfires happen on weekends. Local grocery stores usually sell cords of wood for this very purpose. Please remember to clean up after yourself, and don't leave any broken glass on the beach!
- 2 China Beach, at the end of Sea Cliff Avenue just off El Camino del Mar. A small, secluded beach at the bottom of a steep slope, with beautiful views to the north towards the Golden Gate Bridge. You can swim here, but the water is quite brisk.
- Golden Gate Park Segway Tours, 70 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr (Behind Band Stage in Music Concourse across from entrance to Japanese Tea Garden), ☏ +1-415-474-1944. 9AM-5PM. A narrated 2.5 hour segway tour through the park. Advance reservations suggested. Ages 12 and up. $70 per person.
Movie theaters
[edit]- 3 4 Star Theatre, 2200 Clement St (at 23rd), ☏ +1-415-666-3488. Independently-owned theatre showing Hong Kong and alternative world cinema.
- 4 Balboa Theatre, 3630 Balboa St (at 38th), ☏ +1-415-221-8184. Catch a feature at this historic independent movie house. Notable for being a site of repeated screenings of The Room, with appearances by director Tommy Wisseau.
Buy
[edit]- 1 6th Avenue Aquarium, 425 Clement St (at 6th Ave), ☏ +1-415-668-7190. M-F 11AM-10PM, Sa-Su 10AM-10PM. Small store selling aquarium supplies and fishes, but its small scale beats many public exhibits for fun and colorful fish.
- 2 Amazing Fantasy, 650 Irving St (between 7th and 8th), ☏ +1-415-681-4344. A comic book store, owned by a guy named Frank. Friendly staff. They have a small collection of back issues, and will order anything for you by request.
- 3 Green Apple Books & Music, 506 Clement St (at 6th Ave), ☏ +1-415-387-2272. Su-Th 10AM-10:30PM, F-Sa 10AM-11:15PM. Renowned independent book and record store dating back to before the Beat Era. Both used and new books.
- 4 Mollusk Surf Shop, 4500 Irving St, ☏ +1-415-564-6300, info@mollusksurfshop.com. M–Sa 10AM–6:30PM, Su 10AM–6PM. Cheery local shop with easy to wear California clothes, colorful surf boards and surf gear, and an art gallery. Sometimes they host fun music shows and art opening parties. Medium pricing.
- 5 Blackbird Bookstore and Cafe, 4541 Irving St. Cafe and bookshop with a patio in the back. Highly curated (read: limited) book selection and lots of non-book gift options. Great for kids.
Eat
[edit]| This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink: | |
| Budget | $10 or less |
| Mid-range | $10–20 |
| Splurge | $20 or more |
A thriving restaurant area is to be found in the Inner Sunset around 9th Avenue and Irving Street. There is also a major Asian shopping district in the Outer Sunset on Irving from 19th to 27th Avenues with restaurants, supermarkets, a Taiwanese bakery, and tapioca drink places. Another small restaurant and shopping district in the Outer Sunset is located along Noriega Street.
In the Richmond district there is a major Asian shopping district on Clement Street from 2nd to 12th Avenues with restaurants, markets, a number of dim sum (Cantonese snacks, literally `touch-the-heart') vendors, Hong Kong style bakeries, as well as Japanese, Thai, Burmese, and Korean restaurants, and tapioca drink places. Most other ethnic cuisines are represented as well. Not many tourists here.
Budget
[edit]- 1 Arizmendi Bakery, 1331 9th Ave (between Irving St and Judah St), ☏ +1-415-566-3117. Tu-F 7AM-7PM, Sa 7:30AM-6PM, Su 7:30AM-5PM. This is a great, popular co-op bakery and pizzeria. One kind of pizza per day, which is almost always delicious. The bakery includes traditional items like muffins, scones, and crumb cake (in a home-made style) as well as off-beat items like "chocolate things."
- 2 Art's Cafe, 747 Irving St (between 8th and 9th), ☏ +1-415-665-7440. Tu-Sa 7AM-2:30PM, Su 7:30AM-2:30PM. Local neighborhood diner run by a Korean couple, with classic American breakfast dishes, as well as some Korean dishes. Best known for their hash brown sandwich, in which the bread is replaced with a potato hash brown, and you can opt for Korean fillings like bulgogi (Korean barbecued beef). $4-7.
- 3 Chabaa Thai Cuisine, 2123 Irving St (between 22nd Ave and 23rd Ave), ☏ +1-415-753-3347. 11AM-1AM daily.
- 4 Cheung Hing Chinese Restaurant, 2339 Noriega St (between 30th Ave and 31st Ave), ☏ +1-415-665-3271. Cantonese BBQ classics and the best roast duck in the city. $4–8.
- Gordo's. 10AM-10PM daily. Cheap, reliable, rapid burritos and tacos.
- 5 Gordo's, 2252 Clement St (between 23rd and 24th), ☏ +1-415-387-4484.
- 6 Gordo's, 5450 Geary Blvd (between 18th and 19th), ☏ +1-415-668-8226.
- 7 Gordo's, 1239 9th Ave (between Lincoln and Irving near Golden Gate Park), ☏ +1-415-566-6011.
- 8 Joe's Ice Cream, 5420 Geary Blvd (between 18th Ave and 19th), ☏ +1-415-751-1950. Su, Tu-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, closed Mondays (grill closes at 9PM). A classic American ice cream parlor with an Asian twist. Serves burgers and ice cream, including some fun flavors like lychee and black sesame.
- 9 Khan Toke Thai House, 5937 Geary Blvd (between 23rd and 24th), ☏ +1-415-668-6654. An excellent and reasonably priced Thai restaurant with much better ambiance than your average Thai place.
- King's Thai Cuisine (King of Thai Noodle House). Cheap and consistently good.
- 10 King's Thai Cuisine #1, 639 Clement St (between 7th and 8th), ☏ +1-415-752-5198.
- 11 King's Thai Cuisine #2, 346 Clement St (between 4th and 5th), ☏ +1-415-831-9953.
- 12 Le Soleil, 133 Clement St (between 3rd and 4th Avenues), ☏ +1-415-668-4848. Su-M 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-10:30PM. Gourmet Vietnamese cuisine. Try the soft shell crabs and the appetizer platter - yum!
- 13 Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle, 2455 Noriega St (between 31st Ave and 32nd Ave), ☏ +1-415-681-0430. Huge shrimp wontons/shui gow/shrimp dumplings.
- 14 Pho Phu Quoc (PPQ Beef), 1816 Irving St (between 19th and 20th Ave), ☏ +1-415-661-8869. M-Sa 10:30AM-11PM, Su 10:30AM-10:30PM. A neighborhood favorite. Savory and affordable Vietnamese dishes in a crowded, bustling atmosphere. Excellent rice and noodle dishes.
- 15 Polly Ann Ice Cream, 3138 Noriega St (between 38th Ave and 39th Ave), ☏ +1-415-664-2472. Boasts a collection of over 500 homemade flavors. Fifty-four flavors are available daily.
- 16 Quan Ngon, 2511 Noriega St (between 32nd and 33rd Ave), ☏ +1-415-566-3275. Northern Vietnamese.
- 17 Sunrise Deli and Cafe, 2115 Irving St (between 22nd Ave and 23rd Ave), ☏ +1-415-664-8210. M-Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 10AM-5PM. Awesome falafel. $6-10.
- 18 Taiwan Restaurant, 445 Clement St (at 6th Ave), ☏ +1-415-387-1789. Famous for their dumplings. Cheap.
- 19 Toy Boat Dessert Cafe, 401 Clement St (at 5th), ☏ +1-415-751-7505. M-Th 7:30AM-11PM, F-Sa 8:30AM-midngiht, Su 8:30AM-11PM. Filled with vintage toys and a lively atmosphere, this fun restaurant serves ice cream, cakes, tortes, muffins and more. You can grab a breakfast or lunch there, but really just come for the treats.
Mid-range
[edit]- 20 Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant, 1000 Great Hwy (on the western side of Golden Gate Park south of Fulton St), ☏ +1-415-386-8439. Su-Th 9AM-10PM, F Sa 9AM-11PM. Brewery and restaurant featuring live music, American bistro cuisine, hand crafted ales, and a panoramic view of the ocean.
- 21 Burma Superstar, 309 Clement St (at 4th Ave), ☏ +1-415-387-2147. Su-Th 11AM-3:30PM, 5-9:30PM; F Sa 11AM-3:30PM, 5-10PM. Outstanding Burmese restaurant that draws people from all over the city. Get there early; it will be crowded--the line will be huge.
- 22 Crepevine, 624 Irving St (between 9th Ave and 10th Ave), ☏ +1-415-681-5858. M-Sa 7:30AM-11PM, Su 7:30AM-10PM. A laid back California-style eatery with a largely Brazilian staff. Scrambles, omelettes, sandwiches, soups, and, of course, crêpes, fill the chalkboard menu. The chicken vegetable soup is a favorite. Free refills on coffee. No reservations necessary.
- 23 Ebisu, 1283 9th Ave (between Irving St and Lincoln Way), ☏ +1-415-566-1770. M-Th 11:30AM-2PM, 5PM-10PM, F 11:30AM-2PM, 5PM-11PM, Sa 11:30AM-11PM. Often cited as the best sushi on the West Coast of the United States. $10-16.
- 24 Giorgio's Pizza, 151 Clement St (at 3rd), ☏ +1-415-668-1266. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Fun Family style pizza and Italian restaurant. Great authentic Italian pizza and pasta dishes in a warm and cozy environment. Can get busy during peak dinner hours, also has pizza by the slice for fast take-out.
- 25 Golden Gate Pizza, 1388 46th Ave (at Judah St), ☏ +1-415-564-5514. 11:30AM-11PM daily. Italian and Indian favorites, delivery available.
- 26 Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant, 2578 Noriega St (between 32nd Ave and 33rd Ave), ☏ +1-415-665-8338. Sit-down dim sum. $6–16.
- 27 Mandalay Restaurant, 4348 California St (at 6th Ave one block north of Clement), ☏ +1-415-386-3895. M-Th 11:30AM-9:30PM (closed 3:30PM-5PM), F 11:30AM-10PM (closed 3:30PM-5PM), Sa-Su 11:30AM-10PM. Burmese/Chinese, a friendly, local favorite. $9-12.
- Marnee Thai. 11:30AM-10PM daily. $6-12.
- 28 Marnee Thai, 1243 9th Ave (between Irving St and Lincoln Way), ☏ +1-415-731-9999.
- 29 Marnee Thai, 2225 Irving St (between 23rd Ave and 24th Ave), ☏ +1-415-665-9500.
- 30 New Eritrea, 907 Irving St (between 9th Ave and 10th Ave), ☏ +1-415-681-1288. Tu-Th 5PM-10:30PM, F-Sa 5PM-11PM, Su 5PM-10PM. Huge platters of Eritrean (Ethiopian) food are served up here, along with native beers and lots of injera bread. Portions are not for the timid. The staff is very friendly. Don't miss the sauteed mushrooms. $20.
- 31 Nizario's Pizza, 3840 Geary Blvd (at 3rd Ave), ☏ +1-415-752-7777. Sa-Th 11AM-2AM, F 3PM-2AM. Pizza by the slice.
- 32 San Tung, 1031 Irving St (between 11th Ave and 12th Ave), ☏ +1-415-242-0828. Th-Tu 11AM-9:30PM. Lines form down the block to eat at this classic Cantonese joint. Locally famous for their fried chicken.
- 33 Schubert's Bakery, 521 Clement St (at 7th Ave), ☏ +1-415-752-1580. M-Sa 7AM-6PM, Su 9AM-5PM. Cakes, pastries, cookies, and more; Opened in 1911 by a German immigrant.
- 34 Spices, 294 8th Ave (at Clement Street), ☏ +1-415-752-8884. 11AM-9:45PM daily. One of the best and most popular Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood. Try one of the many varieties of "stinky tofu", a popular street food in Taiwan. The name identifies the dominant flavor.
- 35 Tay Giang Restaurant, 2543 Noriega St (between 32nd Ave and 33rd Ave), ☏ +1-415-682-8886. A great Vietnamese restaurant with an extensive menu. $5–15.
- 36 Ton Kiang, 5821 Geary Blvd (at 22nd Ave), ☏ +1-415-752-4440. M-Th 10AM-9PM, F 10AM-9:30PM, Sa 9:30AM-9:30PM, Su 9AM-9PM. Arguably the best dim sum outside of Chinatown, this restaurant serves moderately priced Hakka cuisine, but make sure to go there between the hours of 10AM and 4PM where they serve a traditional dim sum with servers that walk around and proffer dishes and tea. Make sure to come early on the weekends, as many locals and tourists line up to have a dim sum lunch. $10-24.
- 37 Troya, 349 Clement St (at 5th Ave), ☏ +1-415-379-6000. M-Th 5PM-9:30PM, F-Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-9PM. Turkish/Mediterranean cafe with occasional live music and some outdoor seating.
- 38 Galinette, 3554 Taraval Street, ☏ +1-415-463-6250. 11:30AM-9:30PM. A classic French bistro right by the beach.
Splurge
[edit]- 39 Aziza, 5800 Geary Blvd (at 22nd Ave), ☏ +1-415-752-2222. W-M 5:30PM-10:30PM. Unique Moroccan cuisine made with local organic ingredients. Reservations recommended. $15-25.
- 40 Thanh Long, 4101 Judah St (between 46th Ave and 47th Ave), ☏ +1-415-665-1146. Su, Tu-Th 4:30PM-10PM, F-Sa 4:30PM-11PM. Vietnamese restaurant featuring roasted crab. Dinner only. $10-25.
Food Markets
[edit]- 41 4th and Geary Farmer's Market, 3931 Geary Blvd (at 4th), ☏ +1-415-831-1067. Inexpensive fresh fruits and vegetables, and a decent selection of your basic grocery needs which might not be covered as well by the local Asian groceries. Only takes cash and check.
- 42 New May Wah Supermarket, 707 Clement St (at 8th), ☏ +1-415-221-9826. 7:30AM-7:30PM daily. Huge (compared to others in the area) authentic Asian supermarket. They have just about everything for making cuisines from all over East Asia.
- Safeway. A large chain grocery store with a decent selection. The one on Noriega Street has a parking lot on top. The one on La Playa Street is one of the largest Safeway stores in San Francisco proper -- Don't go there on a Sunday evening, as they only get deliveries on weekdays, and often the beach crowds will deplete inventory until restocking on Monday morning. A nice tip is to get to Ocean Beach, and get a picnic of your choice at the Safeway, then go enjoy it at the beach.
- 43 Safeway, 735 7th Ave (between Cabrillo and Fulton), ☏ +1-415-752-4073.
- 44 Safeway, 2350 Noriega St (between 30th Ave and 31st Ave), ☏ +1-415-665-4565.
- 45 Safeway, 850 La Playa St (right by Ocean Beach), ☏ +1-415-387-4664.
- 46 Village Market, 4555 California St (at 8th), ☏ +1-415-221-0445. Small, inviting food market featuring organic produce, wine, beer, and coffee to-go.
Drink
[edit]Bars
[edit]- 1 540 Club, 540 Clement St (at 7th Ave), ☏ +1-415-752-7276. 10AM-2AM daily. Friendly bar with cool art, above-average beer selection, free wi-fi, and a great Sunday trivia night.
- 2 The Bitter End, 441 Clement St (at 6th Ave), ☏ +1-415-221-9538. M-F 3PM-2AM, Sa-Su 10AM-2AM. Two-level Irish bar with billiards, darts, pub food, and Tuesday night trivia.
- 3 Durty Nelly's, 2328 Irving St (between 24th Ave and 25th Ave), ☏ +1-415-664-2555. 11AM-2AM daily. One of the last authentic Irish pubs in the city, from the fantastic bar food to the Irish laborers that drink there every night.
- 4 The Little Shamrock, 807 Lincoln Way (between 9th Ave and 10th Ave), ☏ +1-415-661-0060. M-Th 3PM-2AM, F 2PM-2AM, Sa-Su 1PM-2AM. The oldest Irish pub in San Francisco. Here you will find free popcorn for patrons, a few TVs tuned into all manner of sports, eclectic but cozy furniture, a shelf full of games at the back, and a fireplace. With very kind bartenders (and regulars), the Little Shamrock feels like a safe cozy den on any weeknight. Due to the fact that it serves Irish Coffee, it's also got coffee all night.
- 5 Park Chalet, 1000 Great Hwy (at John F Kennedy Dr), ☏ +1-415-386-8439. A pleasant bar with outdoor seating next to Golden Gate park and offering delicious appetizers. Adjacent to the Beach Chalet restaurant.
- 6 The Plough & Stars, 116 Clement St (at 2nd Ave), ☏ +1-415-751-1122. M-Th 3PM-2AM, F-Sa 2PM-2AM. One of the best Irish bars in San Francisco. Traditional live music almost every night.
- 7 Tommy's Mexican Restaurant, 5929 Geary Blvd (at 23rd Ave), ☏ +1-415-387-4747. W-M Noon-11PM. Self-proclaimed "Premier Tequila Bar on Earth". A must-visit for tequila and margarita enthusiasts. Arrive early to avoid the (drunken) crowd.
- 8 Trad'r Sam, 6150 Geary Blvd (at 26th Ave), ☏ +1-415-221-0773. Popular tiki bar featuring specialty blender drinks. Gets loud and crowded on weekends. On weeknights a group of regulars congregates.
- 9 Yancy's Saloon, 734 Irving St (between 8th Ave and 9th Ave), ☏ +1-415-665-6551. Lots of seating (wooden tables & chairs), with darts at the back, and also several large screen TVs. They have a nice happy hour (which many grad students from UCSF take advantage of).
Coffee
[edit]- 10 Blue Danube, 306 Clement St (at 4th Ave), ☏ +1-415-221-9041. M-Th, Su 7AM-10PM, F-Sa 7AM-11PM. Small coffee shop with good sandwiches and a few sidewalk tables. Paid wi-fi available.
- 11 Henry's House of Coffee, 1618 Noriega St (between 23rd Ave and 24th Ave), ☏ +1-415-681-9363. A good local coffee shop.
- 12 Java Beach Cafe, 1396 La Playa St (at Judah St), ☏ +1-415-665-5282. M-F 5:30AM-10PM, Sa-Su 6AM-10PM. Offers coffee, beer and wine, pastries, sandwiches, and the like. Outdoor seating, as well as tables, chairs and couches inside. You will find both locals and tourists filling the chairs on any given night.
- Royal Ground Coffee. Local chain serving good coffee and sandwiches.
- 13 Royal Ground Coffee, 5301 Geary Blvd (at 17th Ave), ☏ +1-415-751-5282.
- 14 Royal Ground Coffee, 2342 Clement St (between 24th and 25th), ☏ +1-415-387-5282.
- 15 Simple Pleasures, 3434 Balboa St (at 36th Ave), ☏ +1-415-387-4022. Small, crowded cafe with very rich coffee and decent snacks, but the reason to go here are the plethora of San Francisco locals who come to hang out and chat. It's a great place to strike up a conversation with someone who you just met, and on weekend evenings they have free live jazz to boot, call them for dates/times.
- 16 Andytown Coffee Roasters, 3655 Lawton St, ☏ +1-415-753-9775. 7AM–5PM. Andytown is a hipster coffee shop with great coffee, tea, and Irish pastries and soda bread. Their signature drink is the Snowy Plover, which is espresso, soda water, and whipped cream. There is often a long line, but it's worth the wait.
- Pixlcat, 519 Clement Street. Good artisan coffee and boba.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Geary Parkway Motel, 4750 Geary Blvd (at 12th Ave), ☏ +1-415-752-4406. This former dive has been completely remodeled with clean rooms, nice televisions, microwaves, blowdryers, irons, and mini fridges. Reasonable prices, safe and neat - the owners have put a lot of effort into making this motel quiet and nice.
- 2 Seal Rock Inn, 545 Point Lobos Ave (between 47th and 48th), ☏ +1-415-752-8000, fax: +1-415-752-6034. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 11AM. Front Desk hours: 7:30AM-11PM. Nestled at the westernmost edge of the city overlooking The Cliff House and The Sutro Baths' ruins, this hotel has a small pool, volleyball court, and restaurant. You're a bit out of the way from downtown (about a 30 minute drive/bus), but a great location for someone who enjoys San Francisco's nature, or who will be heading to Marin or down to the peninsula, as you are on the other side of most of the clogged commuting routes. Hunter S. Thompson wrote Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas here in a drug fueled haze. $114-152 Summer, $99-137 Winter.
- 3 Ocean Park Motel, 2690 46th Ave (at Wawona), ☏ +1-415-566-7020, fax: +1-415-665-8959, ocnprk36@aol.com. 1930s 'Art Deco' motel. Just a short stroll to the beach and San Francisco Zoo. $100+.
Connect
[edit]- 1 San Francisco Public Library - Sunset Branch, 1305 18th Ave (at Irving), ☏ +1-415-355-2808. M 1PM-6PM, Tu-Th 10AM-9PM, F 1PM-6PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 1PM-5PM.
- 2 San Francisco Public Library - Richmond Branch, 351 9th Ave (between Clement and Geary), ☏ +1-415-355-5600. M 1PM-6PM, Tu-Th 10AM-9PM, F 1PM-6PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 1PM-5PM.
- 3 San Francisco Public Library - Anza Branch, 550 37th Ave (between Geary and Anza), ☏ +1-415-355-5717. M noon-6PM, Tu 10AM-9PM, W noon-9PM, Th 10AM-6PM, F 1PM-6PM, Sa noon-6PM, Su closed.
- 4 San Francisco Public Library - Ortega Branch, 3223 Ortega St (at 39th), ☏ +1-415-355-5700. M-Tu 10AM-6PM, W 1PM-9PM, Th noon-9PM, F 1PM-6PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 1PM-5PM.
- 5 San Francisco Public Library - Parkside Branch, 1200 Taraval St (at 22nd), ☏ +1-415-355-5770. M 1PM-6PM, Tu 10AM-9PM, W 1PM-9PM, Th 10AM-6PM, F 1PM-6PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su closed.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through The Avenues |
| END ← | W  E |
→ West Portal → Financial District |
| END ← | W  E |
→ Haight → Financial District |