Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
This is the original location of this gourmet burger chain. Great burgers and shakes!
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Super Duper Burgers
721 Market StThis is the original location of this gourmet burger chain. Great burgers and shakes!
The closest of several Thai restaurants in the Castro, this also happens to be your co-host's favorite. Try the Pad Thai or the Yellow Curry Chicken, or go for something hot and spicy!
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Thai House Express Restaurant
599 Castro StThe closest of several Thai restaurants in the Castro, this also happens to be your co-host's favorite. Try the Pad Thai or the Yellow Curry Chicken, or go for something hot and spicy!
Just over the hill in Noe Valley is the local outpost of this venerable Bay Area burger chain. Great burgers!
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Barneys Gourmet Hamburgers
4138 24th StJust over the hill in Noe Valley is the local outpost of this venerable Bay Area burger chain. Great burgers!
The best dim sum in the Castro is only a few blocks away.
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Mama Ji's
4416 18th StThe best dim sum in the Castro is only a few blocks away.
This is old-school San Francisco. Hearty pasta with heavy sauce served in a cozy environment of dark wood and red leather seats. The antidote to those cold, foggy San Francisco nights.
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The Sausage Factory
517 Castro StThis is old-school San Francisco. Hearty pasta with heavy sauce served in a cozy environment of dark wood and red leather seats. The antidote to those cold, foggy San Francisco nights.
Highly recommended. Excellent California cuisine at approachable prices. Reservations required.
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Frances
3870 17th StHighly recommended. Excellent California cuisine at approachable prices. Reservations required.
A venerable Noe Valley institution. Delicious local food.
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Firefly
4288 24th StreetA venerable Noe Valley institution. Delicious local food.
California comfort food in a relaxing contemporary atmosphere.
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Starbelly
3583 16th StCalifornia comfort food in a relaxing contemporary atmosphere.
Orphan Andy's
3991 17th StThe only 24 hour diner left in the Castro.
Tacorgasmico
2337 Market StCreative Mexican food.
Poesia
4072 18th StYour co-host's favorite Italian restaurant in the Castro.
Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro StGreat oysters -- often local!
Beso Bistronomia
4058 18th StSpanish Tapas!
The closest location of this local gourmet coffee chain.
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Philz Coffee
3101 24th StThe closest location of this local gourmet coffee chain.
Delicious Mediterranean food. Favorites include the Pomegranate Chicken and the Filo specials.
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La Mediterranee
2936 College AveDelicious Mediterranean food. Favorites include the Pomegranate Chicken and the Filo specials.
Le Marais Bakery
2066 Chestnut StOutstanding baked goods and brunch offerings.
Bonita Taqueria Y Rotisserie
Great for brunch.
U:Dessert Story
3489 16th StAsian dessert cafe. Highly recommended!
Often considered the best bakery in the US. Not to be missed!
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Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero StOften considered the best bakery in the US. Not to be missed!
Delfina Restaurant
A top choice for foodies. Now reopened after an extensive remodel.
An urban bier garden, featuring great local beers and sausages.
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Willkommen
2198 Market StAn urban bier garden, featuring great local beers and sausages.
The closest ramen. Great for a quick and easy dinner.
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Ramen Izakaya Goku
3232 16th StThe closest ramen. Great for a quick and easy dinner.
Dolores Park Cafe
Great cafe adjacent to Dolores Park.
Drinks & Nightlife
Possibly the most popular dance bar in the Castro. Busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.
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The Cafe
2369 Market StPossibly the most popular dance bar in the Castro. Busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.
Lookout
3600 16th StPopular bar with a balcony overlooking Market Street.
Hi Tops
2247 Market StSports bar with good bar food too.
Beaux
2344 Market StPopular bar on Market Street.
The Edge
4149 18th StPopular bar.
Toad Hall
4146 18th StAnother popular bar.
440 Castro St
440 Castro StreetDance bar on Castro Street.
Midnight Sun
4067 18th StPopular video bar.
Moby Dick
4049 18th StKind of a neighborhoody bar.
Blackbird
2124 Market StExcellent local cocktail bar.
Last Rites
718 14th StGreat local Tiki Bar. Can you figure out the theme?
Fun video game bar featuring nightly events like drag bingo. Also yummy Philippines - inspired food.
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Brewcade
2200A Market StFun video game bar featuring nightly events like drag bingo. Also yummy Philippines - inspired food.
Parks & Nature
Maybe the most popular park in San Francisco. A great place to see the skyline and to people-watch. It's also home to the "golden fire hydrant" that kept working during the earthquake of 1906 and enabled firefighters to stop the fire in the Mission.
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Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetMaybe the most popular park in San Francisco. A great place to see the skyline and to people-watch. It's also home to the "golden fire hydrant" that kept working during the earthquake of 1906 and enabled firefighters to stop the fire in the Mission.
A bit of a climb, but worth it for the view of the area.
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Ipharki ye-Corona Heights
Museum WayA bit of a climb, but worth it for the view of the area.
A hidden park nearby. See if you can find the slide...
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Kite Hill Open Space
A hidden park nearby. See if you can find the slide...
Great views of the city and of the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Buena Vista Park
Great views of the city and of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Entertainment & Activities
Great mix of first-run and classic movies and live events.
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Castro Theatre
429 Castro StGreat mix of first-run and classic movies and live events.
Essentials
Mollie Stone's Markets
2435 California StA little pricey, but conveniently close.
Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th StThe best local grocery store.
Getting Around
Castro Station
Nearby MUNI underground station.
This is the turnaround spot for the F-Market historic street cars. You can hop on here and go all the way down Market Street and along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf.
Jane Warner Plaza
Jane Warner PlazaThis is the turnaround spot for the F-Market historic street cars. You can hop on here and go all the way down Market Street and along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf.
16th St Mission BART Station
2000 Mission StThis is the closest BART station.