San Francisco my love
Sightseeing
I’m mostly listing destinations that are walking distance from my place or easily accessible by public transportation. I mention a couple of my favorite spots that are a little farther away.
Walkable (about 9 minutes). One more of our neighborhood’s tiled steps, located not far from Hidden Garden Steps. These steps are another amazing piece of collaborative neighborhood art. There is a tile celebrating our son Nicholas, can you find it?
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Amathuba Wokuphila Okufihliweyo
1520 16th AvenueWalkable (about 9 minutes). One more of our neighborhood’s tiled steps, located not far from Hidden Garden Steps. These steps are another amazing piece of collaborative neighborhood art. There is a tile celebrating our son Nicholas, can you find it?
Hot Cookie
Take N-Judah to the heart of Castro 🌈
Walkable (about 15 minutes) Spectacular views and amazing mosaic by local artist funded by the neighborhood residents, it’s one of the secret gems of San Francisco although lately it’s getting more popular with tourists. One of the tiles is celebrating Dasha, can you find it?
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16 Avenue Tiled Steps
16th AvenueWalkable (about 15 minutes) Spectacular views and amazing mosaic by local artist funded by the neighborhood residents, it’s one of the secret gems of San Francisco although lately it’s getting more popular with tourists. One of the tiles is celebrating Dasha, can you find it?
May need to do a ride share or drive to this one. Many locals don’t even know about this place! Try to go on a sunny day (if you’re lucky) This is a cool place to take photos with the city of San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop. Also watch dudes on wing foils fly across the Bay as if it’s easy!
Wave organ doesn’t really work as intended, so don’t expect any heavenly music but listening to the waves is pretty awesome anyway. You may see a sea lion or two and many gorgeous yachts.
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I-Wave Organ
83 Marina Green DrMay need to do a ride share or drive to this one. Many locals don’t even know about this place! Try to go on a sunny day (if you’re lucky) This is a cool place to take photos with the city of San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop. Also watch dudes on wing foils fly across the Bay as if it’s easy!
Wave organ doesn’t really work as intended, so don’t expect any heavenly music but listening to the waves is pretty awesome anyway. You may see a sea lion or two and many gorgeous yachts.
May need to do a ride share or drive to this one. The most beautiful trail starts here called Lands End. The views are breathtaking. It could be a bit crowded on a nice weekend day, it’s a popular destination with locals as well as tourists.
Fort Miley
4150 Clement StMay need to do a ride share or drive to this one. The most beautiful trail starts here called Lands End. The views are breathtaking. It could be a bit crowded on a nice weekend day, it’s a popular destination with locals as well as tourists.
San Francisco Botanical Gardens North Entrance
I-Conservatory of Flowers
100 John F Kennedy DrFood Scene
Ebisu Restaurant
1283 9th AveWalkable (about 6 minutes)
Best sushi in the world!
Snowbird Coffee
1352 9th AveFriends don't let friends go to Starbucks.
Marnee Thai
1243 Lincoln WayThey make the best pumpkin curry.
Delicious salads and drinks. My favorite is Spicy Pacific. Also, try sweet potato fries instead of regular.
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Pacific Catch
1200 9th AveDelicious salads and drinks. My favorite is Spicy Pacific. Also, try sweet potato fries instead of regular.
Crepevine
624 Irving StGood breakfast option, great value, family friendly place
Great coffee, bagels and scones. Or you can get coffee and head over to Arizmendi for baked goods, it’s just few doors up the street. There are two locations, one on 9th and another on Irving. My favorite is on 9th Ave.
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The Beanery
602 Irving StGreat coffee, bagels and scones. Or you can get coffee and head over to Arizmendi for baked goods, it’s just few doors up the street. There are two locations, one on 9th and another on Irving. My favorite is on 9th Ave.
This restaurant has a great selection of vegan sushi in addition to wonderful raw fish options of nigiri and rolls.
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Sushi Kazu
841 Irving StThis restaurant has a great selection of vegan sushi in addition to wonderful raw fish options of nigiri and rolls.
A favorite with the locals, this bakery is a worker-owned co-op. Fresh baked goods every day and pizza by the slice. There’s usually a line in front of it but it moves fast.
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Arizmendi Bakery
1331 9th AveA favorite with the locals, this bakery is a worker-owned co-op. Fresh baked goods every day and pizza by the slice. There’s usually a line in front of it but it moves fast.
Tartine Inner Sunset
1226 9th AvePricey but delicious food and baked goods
Everything is delicious! Good place for lunch and to order take out.
Sunflower Garden Authentic Vietnamese Food
1368 9th AveEverything is delicious! Good place for lunch and to order take out.
If you’re feeling adventurous, this is an exotic place to dine. Tip - ask for a fork if you can’t figure out how to eat with your hands. Good luck!
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New Eritrea Restaurant
907 Irving StIf you’re feeling adventurous, this is an exotic place to dine. Tip - ask for a fork if you can’t figure out how to eat with your hands. Good luck!
This place is a bit far but so worth it. Delicious food and belly dancing performance every night.
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El Mansour
3119 Clement StThis place is a bit far but so worth it. Delicious food and belly dancing performance every night.
Holy Gelato!
1392 9th AveEasy Breezy Frozen Yogurt
San Francisco's Hometown Creamery
1290 9th AveEvery Sunday! Local produce, honey, yogurt, hummus and many other goods.
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Inner Sunset Farmers' Market
1315 8th AveEvery Sunday! Local produce, honey, yogurt, hummus and many other goods.
Everything Else
Iziko lede Young
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr
Iziko Lomuzi Wamazwe Asiya
200 Larkin StCombine your visit with a walk to Sutro Baths and dinner at El Mansour Moroccan restaurant!
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Legion of Honor
100 34th AveCombine your visit with a walk to Sutro Baths and dinner at El Mansour Moroccan restaurant!
I-Academy yaseCalifornia yezoBuchwepheshe
55 Music Concourse DrEssentials
This is the closest corner store to my place which will probably have most essentials.
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Roxie Market & Deli
500 Kirkham StThis is the closest corner store to my place which will probably have most essentials.
Eight-Twenty-Eight Irving Market
828 Irving StAnother grocery store nearby
Drinks & Nightlife
Live music Thursday through Sunday and great selection of artisan beers. Very neighborhoodie.
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Ocean Ale House
1314 Ocean AveLive music Thursday through Sunday and great selection of artisan beers. Very neighborhoodie.
Shopping
Women's fashion boutique with something unique for any budget.
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Ambiance San Francisco
756 Irving StWomen's fashion boutique with something unique for any budget.
Crossroads Trading
Thrifting!
San Franpsycho
1256 9th AveDon’t call it Frisco but San Franpsycho is okay
Cary Lane
Performances to see
SFJAZZ
201 Franklin StIf you feel like going to a concert, check out SF Jazz Center
Ballet season is upon us and SF Ballet is one of the worlds greatest companies. Tip - you can see any ballet for about $30 with a standing room ticket that you can purchase from the box office right before the show!
War Memorial Opera House theater is a spectacular building.
Tip - combine with early dinner at either Chez Maman West or Absinthe restaurant, both might require a reservation.
San Francisco Ballet
Ballet season is upon us and SF Ballet is one of the worlds greatest companies. Tip - you can see any ballet for about $30 with a standing room ticket that you can purchase from the box office right before the show!
War Memorial Opera House theater is a spectacular building.
Tip - combine with early dinner at either Chez Maman West or Absinthe restaurant, both might require a reservation.
Hidden neighbourhoodie place for live music, check their calendar before going.
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Bird & Beckett Books & Records
653 Chenery StHidden neighbourhoodie place for live music, check their calendar before going.