Being a local probably means that you’ve successfully avoided Fisherman’s Wharf and Lombard Street for years, and have found much better ways to spend your weekends. With out of towners visiting, you might be tempted to give in to their requests and take them to the classic tourist spots. That’s where we come in, especially if you’re really trying to convince them to move to San Francisco. Use this guide and we promise you they’ll enjoy their trip…all without having to set one foot in Union Square.
This article will cover the following:
- Explore the Haight
- See a Concert
- Brunch spots
- Get to know Golden Gate Park
- Touristic day
- Where to eat
- Dolores Park
- Neighborhood walk
- Nightlife
- Hills
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1. Explore the Haight
If your friends are music lovers, like graffiti, or just want to see some funky street art (like the famous woman hanging out the apartment window), take them straight to the Haight. The real gem here is Amoeba Records, where you’ll step into a music lover’s paradise. Music posters adorn every wall, free live music shows take place regularly, and old school CDs and records are yours for the taking. Plus, there’s only one other Amoeba — in Los Angeles on Sunset Boulevard — so you’re really showing the out of towners something unique.
When you’re finished fulfilling your music dreams, stop by Cha Cha Cha for some Caribbean grub or Magnolia Brewery for a cold beer; their Kolsch is a fan favorite. Wherever you go, a walk up (or down) Haight Street will be entertaining, to say the least.
2. See a concert
San Francisco is home to some of the best music venues in the Bay Area, and Bottom of the Hill is among them. This spot in Potrero Hill is where you can see up and coming local bands and well-established ones play the same stage. It’s complete with a bar, outdoor deck, and pool tables, so when you’re not jamming out you can hang outside or play a round of pool.
Looking for a bigger venue? Try the Warfield. With its red velvet carpets and crystal chandeliers, you’ll feel like you stepped into a different era. Or, you can always check out The Fillmore, The Independent, and The Boom Boom Room for more up and coming artists. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium usually hosts the larger names in music, so head there to see artists like Lizzo, Tyler, the Creator, and Lady Gaga.
3. Brunch it
Start you morning off right at one of SF’s charming — not to mention absolutely delicious — eateries. If you’re okay with chatting for a while to pass the time standing in line, try Tartine. Their newest location opens Summer 2019, so you can count on long lines at the Inner Sunset location, as well. The wait is worth it, though, for their quiche, bread pudding, morning buns, and grilled sandwiches.
More in the mood for brunch at a sunny, neighborhood café? Try Zazie in Cole Valley. Zazie serves brunch every day of the week, so don’t worry about hitting it on the weekend. Treat yourself (and your visitors) to their Caramelized Banana and Walnut French Toast, gingerbread pancakes, and a mimosa to balance it all out.
While we’re on the mimosa train, you can also head to Chloe’s Cafe in Noe Valley for a sparkling morning beverage and a giant breakfast to feed your soul (and stomach). Just get there early — long lines form during peak brunch hours at this tiny corner spot.
4. Get to know Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is one of the best areas in San Francisco to simply explore. Go on a Sunday and bike the closed-down-to-vehicles JFK Drive. Start at the Conservatory of Flowers and bike along JFK to Stow Lake. Here, you can hop in a pedal boat with your out of town friends and get a unique view of the park from the water. After your boat ride, hop back on your bike and head west to explore the rest of the park. Check out Elk Glen Picnic Area, East Meadow, and Marx Meadow if you want a place to relax.
Continue soaking up the sunshine at the park and head to San Francisco Botanical Garden or the Japanese Tea Garden. If the weather is a bit unforgiving, you can also go to the California Academy of Sciences or the de Young Museum.
5. Be a ‘Tourist’ for the day
Having friends in town is the perfect reason to strap on that fanny pack and see the city from a different point of view; you might be surprised at how fun it is to play tourist (as long as you take them to some fun spots, that is). To start, head to the Marina Green and grab a coffee at the Philz truck located there. Then, walk the length of Crissy Field for an up close look at the Golden Gate Bridge.
If your friends are history buffs, opt for a self-guided tour of the Fort Point National Historic Site. The Civil War fortress is free to the public, and is literally located under the Golden Gate Bridge. If you still have some energy left, rent bikes and head up into the Presidio, or bike to Baker Beach for yet another unique and stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
6. Food, food, food
San Francisco has an incredible food scene, that’s a cold, hard fact. While out of towners get suckered into eating at Boudin or Ghirardelli, your job as a local is to show them just how much they’d be missing out on if they went that route. If your friends visit in the spring and summer, Off The Grid in the Presidio (or Fort Mason on a Friday night) is where to take them. Views and food? We’re in.
You can also head to North Beach and grab authentic Napolitan pizzas at Il Casaro; hit up the Richmond District for Dim Sum at Good Luck Dim Sum; or, get a classic Mission-style burrito in (you guessed it) the Mission at Taqueria Cancun. Whatever your visitors’ favorite food is, San Francisco has a spot that does it justice.
7. Dolores Park
Yes, during Pride weekend this place gets pretty wild (see: incredibly crowded), but on a normal weekend or during the week, it’s the perfect place to catch some rays, drink a beverage, and take in the city’s skyline. Bring that Mission burrito and head to the top of the park. Whether it’s crowded or not, your visitors will still get to enjoy the view and will be entertained by the eclectic mix of park-goers who happen to be there that day.
8. Do a neighborhood walk
San Francisco is known for its neighborhoods, and what better way to see the city than to walk through them? Show your out of towners the sunny charm of Noe Valley, take in the art and culture of the Mission District, and experience the sights and smells of Chinatown. Or, hit the shops on Divisadero Street, then walk down to the Castro and spend the rest of the day at one of the many bars with outdoor patios.
9. Keep the party going
If bar hopping is what you’re after, look no further than these unique spots. Smuggler’s Cove is a little pirate paradise behind an unmarked glass facade with three floors and a rum based cocktail list that spans two pages. Grab your out of towners and go early to get a seat. Li Po is one of the city’s oldest bars, and also one of its most interesting, that serves up delicious Chinese Mai Tais.
If the bar scene isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, try the Thursday Nightlife at the Cal Academy of Sciences. With ticket prices less than half that of the normal admission price, pop-up bars spanning the museum, and interactive stations with fun activities, it’s a great group outing where you can explore one of the city’s best museums after dark.
10. Hit the hills
We know as well as anyone that San Francisco hills can be the death of you after a night out at the bars or a long day of work. But on the weekend, after a short hike up, the hills give way to some great views of the Bay. Take your visitors to Bernal Heights, Twin Peaks, or Mt. Davidson and give them a whole different perspective on the city and its surroundings.
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