SF
Guide

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

Neighborhoods

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Chinatown

San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest in North America and one of the largest outside Asia.
The Tenderloin

The Tenderloin is one of the densest neighborhoods in San Francisco.
The Sunset

The Sunset is the residential grid south of Golden Gate Park, running from Stanyan Street out to the…
Financial District

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

Where to Eat

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Swan Oyster Depot

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

Nob Hill Seafood

Butter & Crumble

Great bakery in North Beach but very long lines.

North Beach Bakery

Sotto Mare

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

North Beach Italian Seafood

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

Things to Do

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Classic

Mission Dolores Cemetery

The cemetery beside the 1776 Mission Dolores basilica at 3321 16th Street, the oldest in San Francisco. Hitchcock filmed Madeleine visiting Carlotta Valdes's grave here in Vertigo (1958); the prop headstone is gone but the location is unchanged. $7 adults, daily 9am to 4:30pm.
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.
Classic

Wave Organ

Wave-activated sound sculpture built in May 1986 by Peter Richards (Exploratorium) and stone mason George Gonzales, with 25 PVC and concrete pipes set into rocks salvaged from the demolished Laurel Hill Cemetery. Free, open 24 hours, on a jetty at 83 Marina Green Drive next to the St. Francis Yacht Club. Loudest at high tide; check NOAA before you go.