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

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Financial District

Towers rise along Montgomery Street where the West built its financial empire, and while tech has shifted power…

3 restaurants 2 things to do
SoMa

SoMa refuses easy definition.

3 restaurants 13 things to do
Fisherman’s Wharf

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

2 restaurants 5 things to do
Japantown

The Peace Pagoda rises above the Japan Center plaza, a gift from Osaka that anchors one of only…

4 restaurants 4 things to do
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Where to Eat

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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

R&G Lounge

The salt and pepper crab is what to order. Bring four people so you can get it plus three or four other dishes family-style. The downstairs room has tablecloths, the upstairs has energy. Same kitchen.

$$$ Chinatown Chinese, Cantonese, Seafood

Cotogna

The pasta changes daily and it's always the right order. Lunch is easier to get into than dinner. Book through SevenRooms.

$$$ Italian

Papalote Mexican Grill

Get the Triple Threat burrito smothered in roasted tomato salsa. Buy a jar of that salsa to take home. The 24th Street location at Valencia is the original, opened March 1999.

$ The Mission District Mexican
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Things to Do

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Classic

Fillmore Farmers Market

Saturday mornings behind the Fillmore Center. Smaller and more neighborhood-focused than the big markets. Easy street parking nearby. A quick stop if you're in the Western Addition on a Saturday.

30 minutes - 1 hour Free entry
Classic

Heart of the City Farmers Market

Sundays and Wednesdays at United Nations Plaza near Civic Center BART. Lower prices than Ferry Plaza and more diverse produce. The best budget farmers market in the city.

30 minutes - 1 hour Free entry
Classic

Tenderloin National Forest

Two minutes to walk through but a genuine surprise. Off Ellis Street between Leavenworth and Jones in the Tenderloin. Open during daylight hours. Combine it with a visit to the nearby Great American Music Hall.

free
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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

The answers you're looking for

Insider Tips

What the locals know

Coming Up

Full events calendar →
MAY
6
All Day

SF’s GLBT History Museum: Free First Wednesday

Get into SF's GLBT History Museum for free on the first Wednesday…
MAY
6
All Day

Black Hammer’s Free Hopped Up Trivia Night

Test your knowledge at Black Hammer's weekly trivia night. Free to play,…
MAY
6
All Day

Dance Outdoors with Rhythm & Motion at Yerba Buena Gardens

Free outdoor dance session at Yerba Buena Gardens' Crepe Myrtle Garden. Wednesdays…
MAY
6
All Day

Cobb’s Free Comedy Nights

Catch free comedy at Cobb's with secret guest performers. This showcase night…
MAY
6
All Day

Free Admission Day at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

YBCA opens its doors free to the public for a day of…
MAY
6
All Day

Drink & Draw Art Event & Raffle at The Knockout

Free art and drinks night with a raffle at The Knockout. Bring…
MAY
6
All Day

Wiener Wednesday: Free Hot Dog Night at Rye

Free hot dogs every Wednesday night at Rye. Show up at 6pm…
MAY
6
All Day

Hook-Up Horror Stories Stand-Up Comedy Show

Free stand-up comedy night featuring "Tindervention" — come hear hilarious tales of…
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