Your SF Guide

Curated by a local tour guide. No ads, no fluff—just honest recommendations from someone who shows people around this city every day.

First Time? Eat & Drink Neighborhoods This Week Day Trips

Neighborhoods

All 35 neighborhoods →
Fisherman’s Wharf

a classic tourist trap, but still worth it for the seafood & views

2 restaurants 5 things to do
Nob Hill

Cable cars clatter up California Street toward the summit where railroad barons built their mansions, and even though…

4 restaurants 4 things to do
Dogpatch

Dogpatch rose from the bones of shipyards and factories, keeping the warehouse architecture while filling those massive spaces…

0 restaurants 2 things to do
Potrero Hill

Potrero Hill catches sun when the rest of San Francisco disappears in fog.

0 restaurants 2 things to do
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Where to Eat

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Chotto Matte

Go before 8pm for the food experience. After 9pm on weekends it becomes more of a scene. The robata grill is the strongest part of the menu. Reservations are a must.

$$$ Japanese

Good Mong Kok Bakery

Get the char siu bao and egg tarts. Bring cash and be ready to point at what you want. Best before 10 AM on weekdays when the cases are fully stocked.

$ Chinatown Chinese Bakery

Butter & Crumble

Preorder on Tuesday at 9am through Hotplate if you want a guaranteed selection. Otherwise, Thursday morning is the easiest in-person visit. Saturday lines start before 8am.

$$ Bakery

The Pawn Shop

A solid date spot with better-than-expected tapas. The speakeasy setting works without trying too hard. Friday evening before 7pm is the sweet spot for getting a table without a wait.

$$ Spanish
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Things to Do

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Classic

Indigo Vintage Cooperative

$$
Classic

Spark Social SF

About a dozen rotating food trucks, fire pits, and lawn games near Chase Center in Mission Bay. The default pregame spot for Warriors games. Weekday lunches are calmer. Free to enter, truck prices vary.

$
Classic

Coit Tower

Take the Filbert Steps up from Levi's Plaza for the full experience. The WPA murals inside are free to see on the ground floor. The elevator to the top costs $10 and is worth it on clear days.

$
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Written by someone who actually does this every day

I've been a San Francisco tour guide for years. These aren't hot takes from a travel writer who flew in for a weekend—they're the answers I give people every single day.

About this guide

Tourist Traps Worth It

Honest take on the famous spots

Skip These

Save your time and money

Questions I Get Daily

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Insider Tips

What the locals know

Coming Up

Full events calendar →
MAY
3
All Day

Elmwood Music Fest

Free live music festival in Berkeley with three stages of performances and…
MAY
3
All Day

Gilman Jazz Festival

Three amazing jazz bands in one afternoon at Gilman Brewing Company in…
MAY
3
All Day

Alice in Wonderland Family Math Quest

A whimsical family adventure at Salesforce Park where kids explore the curious…
MAY
3
All Day

Beltane Magical Marketplace May Day Festival

The Bay Area magical community gathers to celebrate Beltane and May Day…
MAY
3
All Day

Bank of America Museums On Us Free Museum Weekend

Bank of America cardholders get free admission to participating Bay Area museums…
MAY
3
All Day

The Smuggler’s Stash Star Wars Mystery Pack Market

The Force arrives early at Four Fools Winery for a galactic pre-May…
MAY
3
All Day

Head West Marketplace at the Ferry Building

SF's Head West Marketplace sets up the first Sunday of every month…
MAY
3
All Day

Free DIY Mini Succulent Potting Party at Dolores Park

Spring's here and it's time to get your hands dirty. Create your…
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