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San Francisco

A short guide to a weekend in SF including the Mission, Outer Sunset, and a day trip to Marin County.

We've been living in San Francisco since the Summer of 2018, so it's the place we've spent the least amount of time in so far. But before that we've visited a bit mostly for business trips, so some of these suggestions are from that perspective: the things that are nice to do that you can really only do here. It's a combination of city walking, beach walking and of course getting out the city.

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Friday evening

Mission

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Start your evening in Mission Dolores Park for a very quintessential SF afternoon - people watching, city views, snacks in the park etc. Afterwards head down to

Birite⁠

for an ice cream, or further down to

Tartine⁠

for a snack — very good and crowded bakery, but the cinnamon buns are great. Take a left on Valencia and now you're in peak gentrified but still fun Mission. Here you have a variety of options for dinner and drinks.

Another great part of the Mission is 24th street. There's less dining options here, but more vibes and trees. You can have a snack at our favorite taqueria,

La Palma⁠

If you're in a car or can handle a walk, then head up to

Bernal Heights⁠

for more amazing views.

🍻 Other options for drinks include:

Asiento⁠

— it’s one of my standard bars, even though it’s a bit out of the way and not super special, but they have awesome juicy burgers and other small plates.

Evil Eye⁠

is good for cocktails and they have a photo booth.

🍲 For dinner, you're spoiled. We like:

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Foreign Cinema⁠

in Mission — very good modern american, kinda european also

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Pizza Hacker⁠

in Mission — another great Pizza spot

Go for Tacos in Mission around Mission St/24th— Taquerias El Farolito and La Taqueria are both great

If you want to dance try Pops or

El Rio⁠

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Saturday

Outer & Inner Sunset

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Start your Saturday at Trouble Coffee on Judah & 46th Street. They sell great coffee here and this cinnamon toast that's simple and tasty and definitely overpriced. Next door are a few shops worth looking at if you want to feel like you're in a Kinfolk magazine. Once you've had your fix, head down Judah street towards the beach. At the beach take a left so you're following the coast towards Golden Gate. Make your way up until you reach

Sutro Baths⁠

, old bath ruins.

For lunch head over to the Inner Richmond, a residential neighborhood filled with lots of cute spots. Check out

Burma Superstar⁠

although there might be a queue, or if you're feeling like a low key pasta try

Giorgio's Pizzeria⁠

. After lunch take a walk on Clement st, and browse

Park Life⁠

a book shop / art gallery type place. Or go to

Green Apple Books⁠

, an amazing book store selling old and new books.

Alternatively you can go to Inner Sunset and try

Nopalito⁠

for Tacos. While you're here check out

Oriental Art Gallery⁠

, a funny little shop with an impressive collection of pins. If it's still light out, you can go to Golden Gate Park from here. The view from the DeYoung Museum tower (free) is good, then you can continue to the Conservatory of Flowers. From there you can walk towards Haight St. which has Amoeba Music (record store) and the general hippie vibe which can be fun to see.

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Else! Maybe you're ready for dinner. If you're feeling a bit classier then we love

Zuni Café⁠

. on Market St. Great vibe, and an amazing chicken salad. Also nice is

Anchor Oyster Bar⁠

on Castro. Also on Castro and Market is

Starbelly⁠

, a solid place for Californian food, whatever that is.

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Sunday

Tartine & Marin County

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Begin your Sunday with breakfast at

Tartine Manufactory⁠

. It's not on the way to the headlands, but it's really nice and the bread pudding is amazing. Ok once you've had that, you can properly begin your day.

The best way to spend one of your weekend days in San Francisco, is right past the bridge in the Marin Headlands. Rent a car and drive past the Golden Gate Bridge and begin your day with a light hike at

Rodeo Beach⁠

. It's very close but has amazing views and steep enough to get your heart racing. If you feel like going a bit further you can try

Muir Beach Trailhead⁠

, and then stop for a snack at the

Pelican Inn⁠

a British pub type spot.

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Afterwards head for lunch at

Fish.⁠

near Sausalito. It's a seafood spot right on the water. Prices are a bit high for what it is, but we've still found it the best seafood spot at a not ridiculous price in this area.

On your way back from Sausalito check out

Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture⁠

in San Francisco. It's nice to park here and then have a walk to Chrissy Field. Or there's often events going on here like arts and crafts fair. If not, it's the perfect spot for an evening chill out, with a beer at

Radhaus⁠

or a drink at

The Long Now Foundation⁠

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SF Places

SF Places

Blue Bottle at Mint Plaza

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Map

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Ozumo and Ryoko — have good sushi

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Map

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Linea Caffe in Mission — has waffles and good coffee for a light breakfast on the weekend

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Map

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Mama Ji’s in Castro — has awesome chinese

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Map

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NOPA - The must go place in SF. Californian style. Both brunch and dinner are good.

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Map

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Park Tavern - best brunch in North Beach. Try their grapefruit brulee and avocado toast.

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Map

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Terra Cotta Warriors - very authentic Chinese food(spicy) - Sunset

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Map

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Marlowe - Stylish & lively option serving Californian comfort food - SOMA

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Map

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Ijji Sushi - Their sushi is amazing, place is cozy - Hayes Valley

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Map

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Bar Crudo - THE place to go for seafood - Divisadero St

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Map

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Starbelly - Californian, has a very nice outdoor patio - Castro

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Map

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The Slanted Door - Vietnamese, I would claim this as the best vietnamese in SF. Very special, it’s right by the bay. Make a reservation!

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Map

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Cotogna - Italian. Try their pizza, top notch. - North Beach

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Map

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The Royal Cuckoo in Mission

Asiento — it’s one of my standard bars, even though it’s a bit out of the way and not super special, but they have awesome juicy burgers and other small plates

Bourbon & Branch

Thirsty Bear - across the street from the W, a decent an unpretentious bar with tasty craft beers and okay food

White Chapel Gin Bar - If you like gin this is the place to go, victorian theme - Polk street

Two sisters bars and books - quaint, interesting pub - Hayes Valley

Fig&Thistle - Wine&Beer bar, cozy&rustic, Hayes Valley

Stonemill Matcha

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Link

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Cover photo by

Sam Ellis⁠

Unsplash⁠

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