Google Maps Link Here!

2. Go on a stairway hike

San Francisco is known for its hills and beautiful views, and throughout the city you’ll find stairways to help you navigate it all. Going on a stairway hike is of one of my favorite ways to explore the city. You can find 12 sample trails here. You can save our bookmarks map so you see if anything is recommended near the hike in the neighborhood you choose.

3. Visit Tartine Manufactory and other things in the Mission/Dogpatch area.

Tartine Manufactory is such a vibe, and the bread/pastries are great. Recommend going for brunch, and then after brunch there are a ton of cute things to explore in this area. Visit Heath Ceramics (celebrated Bay Area based ceramics company) and Heath Newsstand around the corner for some trendy magazines and goods. Then I would head over to Sightglass Coffee to people watch and chill. If you’re looking for dinner in the area, I like Farmhouse Thai, and if you’re looking for a drink I recommend Southern Pacific Brewing Company (for beers) or Trick Dog (for cocktails).

Nearby you’ll also find Mission Cliffs which is a climbing gym—consider getting a day pass to people watch and work out!

4. Dinner at Rintaro

As of late, Rintaro is my favorite spot in San Francisco and when I took Musashi, it became his. In fact, I think this place is representative of a spot I could totally see Musashi opening. The head chef, Sylvan Mishima Brackett, worked at Chez Panisse and many acclaimed restaurants abroad in Japan. You can feel the care for food in the team’s work, and they make their own tofu, pickles, umeshu, and umeboshi in house. Famously, Sylvan’s dad (who apprenticed as a temple carpenter in Kyoto) had a heavy hand in building the space so appreciate the woodwork that make the vibe of this space so lovely. Reservation recommended, so plan ahead!

5. Pick a nice restaurant

In addition to Rintaro, there are a bunch of great spots in San Francisco for a nice occasion. The ones I have on my list are: Cotogna (Italian and by the team of Quince), Verjus (wine bar also by the team of Quince), Angler (1-Michelin open fire seafood), San Ho Wan (1-Michelin neo-Korean by the team of Benu), and Four Kings (neo-Chinese by the chef of Mister Jiu’s).

If you want fine dining, the people in Musashi’s network really love Benu (3-Michelin neo-Korean) and Musashi staged at Californios (2-Michelin neo-Mexican) and had great things to say.

6. Croissants at Arsicault

Arsicault is a SF household name, made famous for their croissants. I’ve heard some friends say it’s the best croissant they’ve ever had. The original location is out in Inner Richmond but they have since expanded to a bunch of places more downtown. Musashi loved these croissants—he said he could eat multiple and not feel heavy or weighed down. Butter and Crumble is another winner in SF but be prepared to wait >1 hour on weekends.

7. Philz Coffee cart on the Marina Green

I love Philz Coffee—I always grab a mint mojito when I’m back in the Bay. There are locations all around the city but if you’re visiting on a nice sunny day, I think the most iconic location is the Philz Coffee cart that rolls out onto the Marina Green (usually only out when the weather is nice). The Marina Green gives you a nice view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

8. Get Mexican food and hang out in the Mission

My nostalgic favorite is El Faralito, but some other highly recommended spots include El Buen Comer, La Taqueria, and La Palma. The Mexican food in New York just doesn’t hit like this!!

While you’re in the area, grab a scoop of ice cream at Bi-Rite and visit Mission Dolores Park for people watching and visit Bernal Cutlery for kitchenware (this is a go-to shop if you like cooking!)

9. Eat in Chinatown

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest in North America and the largest outside Asia [source]. Some favorite spots of mine are Z&Y for Sichuanese, R&G Lounge for Hong Kong banquet style, and Hon’s Wun Tun House. IMO the dimsum in Chinatown is okay—not the best in the Bay Area so wouldn’t prioritize stomach space on this but if you really have a craving, I usually go to Lai Hong Lounge. While you’re in the area, visit City Lights Booksellers & Publishers for a cozy bookstore.

10. Have Burmese food

The New York Times calls the Bay Area the “mecca” of Burmese food [source] and there is a very rich history of the cuisine in San Francisco. If you’re not acquainted, the cuisine of Myanmar (formerly known has Burma) is a familiar combination of flavors from India, Thailand, and China while having its own distinct flair. Popular restaurants include Mandalay, Burma Superstar, and Burma Love.

11. Take a Waymo (self driving car)

Lol depending on your stance on technology, this may or may not be fun for you. While Waymo’s are in multiple US cities, riding in one feels so San Francisco. I love taking people for their first spin—sit in the passenger seat for the full experience. Download the app to call a car. They can be around the same price as a rideshare (Uber/Lyft) but depends on what time of day you’re riding.

12. Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is like the Central Park of SF—it might not be as iconic but it’s a great place to run or chill on the lawn for a picnic and there are also some fun attractions within the park like the deYoung Museum for fine arts, the Japanese Tea Garden, or the California Academy of Sciences.

13. Sutro Baths or Baker Beach

Sutro Baths is a well-known lookout point (and photo location) to see the surrounding oceans, and Baker Beach gives you a nice view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Be warned though: SF waters are very cold.

14. Take a Cablecar or visit the Painted Ladies

Riding a cablecar and visiting the Painted Ladies are classic tourist activities when visiting San Francisco. I personally wouldn’t label them as “must do” things but if you’re looking for something to do in between meals that helps you enjoy the city, these activities will definitely fit the bill. The viewing spot for the Painted Ladies is Alamo Square Park which, similar to Mission Dolores Park, is a nice spot for a picnic or people watching.

Honorable Mentions

Places that are solid that didn’t make the top list above.

Restaurants

• My Tofu House in Inner Richmond — This was my go to Korean place when I was living here (there honestly aren’t too many in SF). Big fan of their soft tofu soup.

• Mensho Tokyo SF in Tenderloin — When I’m craving ramen, this is usually where I end up. Be warned: it’s pretty heavy and there’s usually a line (but goes pretty quickly).

• Daeho Kalbijim & Beef Soup in Japantown — Very popular place for Korean beef stew and soup. The lines can definitely be long here so best to have an activity planned nearby while you wait.

• Nippon Curry San Francisco in the Marina — This is where I go when I’m craving Japanese curry.

• Udon Mugizo in Japantown — This is where I would go when I’m craving udon in SF. It’s not the best udon you’ll ever have but the noodles are handmade and it’s a solid place to fill a craving and meet up with a friend.

• Golden Boy Pizza in North Beach — Popular SF pizza joint (grab and go)

• Pizzeria Delfina in Fillmore — Where I go when I’m craving sit-down pizza in SF.

• A16 in the Marina — Nice Bib Gourmand more upscale Italian spot, good for a date night or celebration.

• A mano in Hayes Valley — This was a go-to spot for a weekend night with a friend. Good pastas (IMO).

• La Mediterranee on Fillmore — Used to go to the one in Berkeley, go-to spot for Mediterranean.

• The Stinking Rose in North Beach — The theme of this restaurant is garlic. My dad loves garlic so I took him here once for a Father’s Day and it was a huge hit—unique experience!

• Souvla — This is a go-to casual restaurant for a lot of people in SF serving Greek food (there are a few locations). Personally, I think it’s okay, but if you want to do as some locals do, check it out.

• Suppenkuche in Hayes Valley - Serves German food, nice for a night with friends.

• Dumpling Home in Hayes Valley - Popular spot for dumplings (has a Bib Gourmand).

• Shizen in the Mission — Hear me out: vegan sushi (you can taste the difference but not as much as you would think!). Good spot when eating with vegetarian friends and when you’re craving something light.

• The Progress on Fillmore — The more casual joint from the team that opened State Bird Provisions next door.

• The Anchovy Bar near Japantown — Seafood spot opened by the same State Bird Provisions team. Haven’t visited but it’s on my list!

• The Tailor’s Son on Fillmore — Solid option if you’re looking for a nicer night out (not a casual spot but not a crazy price point). Serves northern Italian.

• Octavia in Pac Heights — I haven’t been here but I’ve always wanted to try it. Upscale new American restaurant.

• Merchant Roots in Soma — This has been listed as a favorite spot by some friends in SF, especially those who are vegetarian. It’s a creative fine dining restaurant, I haven’t been but also on my list!

• Rich Table in Hayes Valley — Also haven’t been here, but a popular spot amongst people I know in SF for special occasions.

Cafes

• The Mill on Divisadero — Love this spot, especially for their bread and toast.

• Sightglass — All of their locations (Divisadero, Dogpatch, Soma) are great and a cozy spot to read or work.

• Ritual Roasters — They have 2 locations (a stand in Hayes Valley, and one in the Mission). Both of them are on my cafe rotation, especially when I need to recommend a spot to meet with a friend!

• Verve near Castro — Also on my regular cafe rotation.

• Four Barrel in the Mission — Another regular spot for me (this list is roughly ranked so far lol).

• Andytown — Originally a spot farther out in Inner Richmond and Outer Sunset and they have since expanded more into the downtown area. Solid coffee!

• Vive le Tarte in Noe Valley - Nice spot for pastries and hanging out with friends.

• b.patisserie in Pac Heights — Another SF favorite for croissants.

• HI NRG in Inner Richmond — A bit far out but the space has great lighting and lots of care for their espresso.

Bars

• Third Rail in Dogpatch — They have good drinks and homemade (I think?) beef jerky to snack on.

• The Snug on Fillmore — Cute neighborhood vibe for drinks.

• Biergarten in Hayes Valley — Had my birthday here one year, really nice on a sunny afternoon!

• Zeitgeist in the Mission — Another fun beer garden, a nice Friday happy hour spot.

Desserts

• Bob’s Donuts on Polk Street — SF fixture open since 1960. Very fluffy, eat while fresh.

• Salt & Straw — There are a bunch of locations and also this isn’t a SF-based place but it’s a fun place to visit. They have very creative flavors!

The Full List

Contains everything listed above and more!