Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
A must when staying in the neighborhood. L'Ardoise is one of the best French restaurants in the city, extremely cozy and accessible, so stop by to arrange a table in advance.
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L'Ardoise
151 Noe StA must when staying in the neighborhood. L'Ardoise is one of the best French restaurants in the city, extremely cozy and accessible, so stop by to arrange a table in advance.
I'm a regular here, as is much of the neighborhood. Sit outside, en pleine air and soak up some soleil or sit in the shade under an awning. The character of the place changes from morning to night.
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Cafe du Soleil
400 Fillmore StI'm a regular here, as is much of the neighborhood. Sit outside, en pleine air and soak up some soleil or sit in the shade under an awning. The character of the place changes from morning to night.
This and The Lookout (upstairs) are my favorite places to people watch in The Castro. I sit outside (w/ heaters). Order inside and take a number. Locals know to tip a few dollars when paying.
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Squat & Gobble Cafe
3600 16th StThis and The Lookout (upstairs) are my favorite places to people watch in The Castro. I sit outside (w/ heaters). Order inside and take a number. Locals know to tip a few dollars when paying.
Starbelly
3583 16th StEnjoy a weekend brunch on the covered patio in the back.
Great French bistro, take a power walk from the apartment or the J-Muni train down Church to 24th to get to this gem. My favorite is dining on the back patio.
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Le Zinc
4063 24th StreetGreat French bistro, take a power walk from the apartment or the J-Muni train down Church to 24th to get to this gem. My favorite is dining on the back patio.
Good place to meet friends for dinner before heading out. The ginger spice cake is their signature dessert treat. Back patio seating here, too.
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Chow Food Bar
215 Church StGood place to meet friends for dinner before heading out. The ginger spice cake is their signature dessert treat. Back patio seating here, too.
One of my favorite seafood places. Small parties of 2-3 best, don't hesitate to sit bar-side. Dungeness Crab season starts in earnest in December.
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Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro StOne of my favorite seafood places. Small parties of 2-3 best, don't hesitate to sit bar-side. Dungeness Crab season starts in earnest in December.
Dine outside next to the small sculpture garden, then take the elevator to the observation tower/museum gift show for free amazing views of Golden Gate Park and glimpses of the city.
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de Young Café
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrDine outside next to the small sculpture garden, then take the elevator to the observation tower/museum gift show for free amazing views of Golden Gate Park and glimpses of the city.
Everyone wants to go here once to get the chicken for two. This restaurant plays a part in HBO's series Looking.
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Zuni Café
1658 Market StEveryone wants to go here once to get the chicken for two. This restaurant plays a part in HBO's series Looking.
Visit when in the neighborhood to enjoy a glass of great wine and/or a cafe meal. Sit at a table in the courtyard garden with a friend and relax.
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Arlequin Cafe & Food To Go
384 Hayes StreetVisit when in the neighborhood to enjoy a glass of great wine and/or a cafe meal. Sit at a table in the courtyard garden with a friend and relax.
Good value overall. Order at the cash register, take a number and a seat. I usually get the salmon crepe and find a table along the sidewalk. Locals know to tip a few dollars when paying.
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Crepevine
216 Church StreetGood value overall. Order at the cash register, take a number and a seat. I usually get the salmon crepe and find a table along the sidewalk. Locals know to tip a few dollars when paying.
This is the best Japanese/sushi restaurant in The Castro. I've lived in Japan and usually avoid sushi in the US for many reasons, but I go here from time to time.
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Takara Sushi
4243 18th StThis is the best Japanese/sushi restaurant in The Castro. I've lived in Japan and usually avoid sushi in the US for many reasons, but I go here from time to time.
Among the best restaurants in The Castro. Reservations can be difficult, so plan well ahead.
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Frances
3870 17th StAmong the best restaurants in The Castro. Reservations can be difficult, so plan well ahead.
Super close, interesting loft design with two separate experiences: ground level high top tables (airy feel) and upper level intimate fire-side lounge (great for a dinner of appetizers and wine).
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Maven
598 Haight StSuper close, interesting loft design with two separate experiences: ground level high top tables (airy feel) and upper level intimate fire-side lounge (great for a dinner of appetizers and wine).
Open 24/7, go here if you're jet-lagged, awake in the middle of the night and need a meal.
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Sparky's 24 Hours Pizza & Diner
242 Church StreetOpen 24/7, go here if you're jet-lagged, awake in the middle of the night and need a meal.
Slow food place specializing in its namesake dish. I rarely eat junk food but allow myself to get the Frito Pie, served in the bag with seasoned ground beef, pinto beans, lettuce, tomato, sour cream.
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Chile Pies
314 Church StSlow food place specializing in its namesake dish. I rarely eat junk food but allow myself to get the Frito Pie, served in the bag with seasoned ground beef, pinto beans, lettuce, tomato, sour cream.
Carnivores will enjoy the selection at this nearby sausage place. Get one to go, grab a beer at the corner store, and head to the Duboce Park hill to enjoy them both.
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Rosamunde Sausage Grill
2832 Mission StCarnivores will enjoy the selection at this nearby sausage place. Get one to go, grab a beer at the corner store, and head to the Duboce Park hill to enjoy them both.
I enjoy meeting a friend here to catch up over a small meal at a sidewalk table. Good selection of teas and the food always pairs well. Ends up being pricier than anticipated, but worth it.
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Samovar Tea Lounge
498 Sanchez StreetI enjoy meeting a friend here to catch up over a small meal at a sidewalk table. Good selection of teas and the food always pairs well. Ends up being pricier than anticipated, but worth it.
Call ahead to avoid the wait, then mention to the cashier that you called ahead to get your food order. Keep in mind that drinks are not made in advance. Steps from the apartment.
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Duboce Park Cafe
2 Sanchez StCall ahead to avoid the wait, then mention to the cashier that you called ahead to get your food order. Keep in mind that drinks are not made in advance. Steps from the apartment.
Drinks & Nightlife
Have dinner al fresco downstairs (Squat + Gobble), then head upstairs to The Lookout. Get a drink and squeeze your way to the outdoor area overlooking the corner.
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Lookout
3600 16th StHave dinner al fresco downstairs (Squat + Gobble), then head upstairs to The Lookout. Get a drink and squeeze your way to the outdoor area overlooking the corner.
Stop by this local bar for a great experience whenever it's open. Mixed crowd of all types, young, old, straight, gay, professional, student, etc. Friendly bar staff! Cash only.
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The Residence
718 14th StreetStop by this local bar for a great experience whenever it's open. Mixed crowd of all types, young, old, straight, gay, professional, student, etc. Friendly bar staff! Cash only.
Mixed straight/gay bar. Best enjoyed when not too crowded. Pool table and photo both in back. Cash only.
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Blackbird
2124 Market StMixed straight/gay bar. Best enjoyed when not too crowded. Pool table and photo both in back. Cash only.
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
3950 24th StGreat selection.
Open 24/7. Reasonably priced selection of beer, wine, and spirits. Good for staples.
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Safeway
2020 Market StOpen 24/7. Reasonably priced selection of beer, wine, and spirits. Good for staples.
Go here instead of Whole Foods for healthy, organic alternatives. There's also a fresh vegetable and fruit market on this block.
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Golden Natural Foods
130 Church StGo here instead of Whole Foods for healthy, organic alternatives. There's also a fresh vegetable and fruit market on this block.
Best place for a reasonably priced grab-and-go picnic lunch. Wide variety of fresh sandwiches (many full of fresh California produce), freshly-squeezed juices (carrot ginger is my favorite).
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Courtney's Produce
101 Castro StBest place for a reasonably priced grab-and-go picnic lunch. Wide variety of fresh sandwiches (many full of fresh California produce), freshly-squeezed juices (carrot ginger is my favorite).
Entertainment & Activities
Although the park is under major renovation, kids of all ages can enjoy time at an amazing (and recently renovated) public playground.
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Parco Mission Dolores
19th StreetAlthough the park is under major renovation, kids of all ages can enjoy time at an amazing (and recently renovated) public playground.
Sightseeing
The Spanish Mission that started what became the city of San Francisco.
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Mission Dolores
The Spanish Mission that started what became the city of San Francisco.
Walk to the top of this prominent hill for breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. Physically demanding!
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Parco Corona Heights
Museum WayWalk to the top of this prominent hill for breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. Physically demanding!
Vibrant all day, head to Valencia street early evening to check out the shops, bars, and restaurants. For a contrast, walk down Mission Street away from Market, then take Valencia Street back.
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Via Valencia
Valencia StreetVibrant all day, head to Valencia street early evening to check out the shops, bars, and restaurants. For a contrast, walk down Mission Street away from Market, then take Valencia Street back.
Best for day-time views across the North and West of the city.
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Parco Buena Vista
Best for day-time views across the North and West of the city.
Rent a row boat or foot-powered paddle boat by the hour here. An adjoining cafe has small items to satisfy hunger and thirst. For a more relaxing time, take a stroll on the path surrounding the lake.
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Lago Stow
Rent a row boat or foot-powered paddle boat by the hour here. An adjoining cafe has small items to satisfy hunger and thirst. For a more relaxing time, take a stroll on the path surrounding the lake.
From the apartment, head to Haight Street and take a walk from Lower Haight to Upper Haight. Several stores specialize in apparel and items with graphic designs by local guerrilla artists.
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Haight Street
Haight StreetFrom the apartment, head to Haight Street and take a walk from Lower Haight to Upper Haight. Several stores specialize in apparel and items with graphic designs by local guerrilla artists.
Take a walk through the Golden Gate Park Panhandle. Bikes use the north path (above the symbol on the map), so use the south one (below the symbol) to avoid them.
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Il Panhandle
Take a walk through the Golden Gate Park Panhandle. Bikes use the north path (above the symbol on the map), so use the south one (below the symbol) to avoid them.
The upper part of the park, including the hill, is best for lounging, small picnics, and people (and dog) watching. Sit at a bench along the lower part of the park to interact with frolicking dogs.
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Parco Duboce
Scott StreetThe upper part of the park, including the hill, is best for lounging, small picnics, and people (and dog) watching. Sit at a bench along the lower part of the park to interact with frolicking dogs.
The famous Castro Theater lives up to its great reputation. Stop by to get a poster of the month's movies, performances, and events. There's something for everyone.
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Castro Theatre
429 Castro StThe famous Castro Theater lives up to its great reputation. Stop by to get a poster of the month's movies, performances, and events. There's something for everyone.
Shopping
Essentially a warehouse-sized flea market with better things, spend time exploring the shifting inventory here. Great for Mid-Century Modern Americana gifts and more.
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Stuff
150 Valencia StEssentially a warehouse-sized flea market with better things, spend time exploring the shifting inventory here. Great for Mid-Century Modern Americana gifts and more.
Men's clothing store, expensive but good editorial eye. Stylish yet understated, mostly.
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Unionmade Goods
493 Sanchez StMen's clothing store, expensive but good editorial eye. Stylish yet understated, mostly.
This store is a great find for men and women. Among other things, it carries inventory remaining from boutique stores in the area. At lower prices. Some men's items come from Unionmade.
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Revolver
136 Fillmore StreetThis store is a great find for men and women. Among other things, it carries inventory remaining from boutique stores in the area. At lower prices. Some men's items come from Unionmade.
Buy graphic design apparel and items from local guerrilla artists here. The store promotes established and up-and-coming graphic design legends.
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Upper Playground
220 Fillmore StBuy graphic design apparel and items from local guerrilla artists here. The store promotes established and up-and-coming graphic design legends.
Take a stroll from the apartment to Hayes Street, which is lined with boutiques and cafes and borders the small park at Octavia.
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Hayes Valley
Take a stroll from the apartment to Hayes Street, which is lined with boutiques and cafes and borders the small park at Octavia.
Everything Else
If you don't like lines and don't mind getting soft-serve ice cream, walk past the first entrance on 18th to a smaller window that serves 2 flavors of soft-serve, alone or twisted together.
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Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th StIf you don't like lines and don't mind getting soft-serve ice cream, walk past the first entrance on 18th to a smaller window that serves 2 flavors of soft-serve, alone or twisted together.
Use this laundromat to wash clothes. 3 sizes of washing machines and dryers allows you to do all your clothes at the same time. Accepts credit cards and cash.
Sean's Laundromat
Use this laundromat to wash clothes. 3 sizes of washing machines and dryers allows you to do all your clothes at the same time. Accepts credit cards and cash.
I use this place for my dry cleaning and collared shirts. Laundry service also available. Ask for a quick turnaround if needed.
Ann's Cleaners
I use this place for my dry cleaning and collared shirts. Laundry service also available. Ask for a quick turnaround if needed.
I have often made this shop the goal of walks down Valencia. Known for varieties of vanilla ice cream (think Tahitian Vanilla, Mexican Vanilla), sample a few before deciding on one. Saffron Vanilla?
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Xanath Ice Cream
951 Valencia StI have often made this shop the goal of walks down Valencia. Known for varieties of vanilla ice cream (think Tahitian Vanilla, Mexican Vanilla), sample a few before deciding on one. Saffron Vanilla?