SF
Guide

Curated by a local tour guide.
What I recommend on tour, collected in one place.

Neighborhoods

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Marina District

The Marina spreads along the northern waterfront.
Financial District

The Financial District is built on the filled-in Yerba Buena Cove, with Gold Rush ships still buried beneath…
Nob Hill

Nob Hill is a residential and hotel district at the summit of the hill.
Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf runs along the northern waterfront from Pier 39 west to Aquatic Park and Ghirardelli Square.

Where to Eat

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Sam’s Burgers

Anthony Bourdain ate here on The Layover and called it "top three in the world." plus It's great for late night food after the bar.

North Beach Hamburgers

Sotto Mare

Great Italian seafood in North Beach. Known for their Cioppino.

North Beach Italian Seafood

Arsicault Bakery

Bon Appétit named it the Best New Bakery in America. Best Croissant in USA.

The Richmond Bakery

Swan Oyster Depot

Anthony Bourdain called this his favorite seafood spot in America on No Reservations.

Nob Hill Seafood

Things to Do

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Classic

Musée Mécanique

Private collection of 300+ antique coin-operated arcade machines at Pier 45, including Laffing Sal, the automaton that originally laughed inside the funhouse at Playland at the Beach (1928-1972). Ed Zelinsky started collecting as a kid; his son Dan runs it now. Free entry; machines run $0.25 to $1.00. Bring quarters.
Classic

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company

A Chinatown shop hand-folding fortune cookies on motorized griddles since August 1962. Owner Franklin Yee runs the place, designated a SF Legacy Business in 2016. Free to watch the workers slip paper fortunes onto warm discs before folding; $0.50 per photo, $17 a box of cookies, $10 a bag of flat unfolded ones. 56 Ross Alley.
Classic

Conservatory of Flowers

Victorian wood-and-glass greenhouse that opened in April 1879, the oldest wood-and-glass conservatory in North America still open to the public. James Lick bought the kit materials in 1876 from Lord & Burnham in New York. Five galleries of tropical and aquatic plants; 16,800 window panes. 100 JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park; $12 adults, free first Tuesdays.