San Francisco/Golden Gate

Pacific Heights, located 370 feet above sea-level and overlooking the Bay, was little more than a sandy hill until 1870, when the Cable Car line was extended and connected the area to downtown. Considered today to be the home of "old money" families, young urban professionals and politicians, it was first settled by the "nouveau riche" of the late 1800s. The neighborhood is predominantly peaceful and residential with most of its activities centered around Fillmore St. It was also the backdrop for the 1990 movie "Pacific Heights" starring Melanie Griffith.

While not particularly welcoming unless you're made of money, today it's favored by visitors for its impressive panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and the Presidio, its abundance of opulent Victorian mansions, historic chateaus, foreign consulates, and finally its many upscale restaurants. The three blocks on Broadway St between Lyon St and Divisadero St have particularly good vistas and are known as the "Gold Coast." Some of the buildings date back as far as 1853, with the majority being constructed after the 1906 earthquake.

Cow Hollow is something of a transition zone between Pacific Heights and The Marina. The district derived its name from the many dairy farms that were established there in the mid-1800s. However, with the advent of the Gold Rush, the neighborhood flourished. Prominent San Franciscans began to settle the area and erected grandiose well-appointed Victorian, and then later Edwardian mansions. By 1891, the area had become so popular that all the dairy farms were closed down. Today, this once luscious grazing land is more renowned for its impressive mansions and its eclectic mix of antique stores, art galleries, bars, and restaurants. Union St is the main drag, where the Union St. Festival is held annually.

The Marina district was built on landfill — some of it wreckage of the 1906 earthquake — in the early 20th century to provide a fairgrounds for the 1915 World's Fair (also called the Panama-Pacific Exhibition). Consequently, its poor foundation made it the focus of most of the damage (and media attention) in the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989, and the next earthquake will likely be similarly damaging.

Today it is an affluent, residential neighborhood with well trimmed hedges and colorful flower window boxes. By the 1980s, the Marina was—and is—stereotyped as the district for yuppies that are unashamed to be yuppies. Bounded by the Bay, the neighborhood actually has an impressive marina, which is home to a couple of prestigious yacht clubs. Marina Green, an 8 block stretch of grass running along the edge of the bay, is a favorite place for jogging, strolling, picnicking, and kite flying. Only a few blocks away, Chestnut St. is where shoppers can peruse boutiques or people watch while sipping on a latte.

Fort Mason and the Presidio are two former military posts on the northern tip of the San Francisco peninsula that were closed down and returned to civilian control in the 1990s. Today, both are national historic landmarks and come under the remit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Fort Mason is smaller and has a world class youth hostel as well as several museums and theaters, and the converted piers often host conventions, trade shows, and the annual library book sale. The Presidio is huge, with 1,480 acres of rolling hills, forests, hiking trails, historic buildings, architecture, beaches, and marsh lands. It has one of the most intact natural environments you will find on the peninsula and is a must for every itinerary.

The main entryways are Van Ness Ave from the south and Bay St from the east. From the north and west, take Highway 101 through the Presidio to Lombard St. Chestnut St, one of the main shopping and restaurant streets, is one block north of Lombard St — parking is scarce and can sometimes take up to an hour to find. The best choice for parking may be the free area in Fort Mason, at Beach and Buchanan Sts, another 4 short blocks north of Chestnut. Union St, being Cow Hollow's main street, is three blocks south of Lombard St.

Public transportation, provided by MUNI, is plentiful and frequent.

Cross town routes: The 28-19th Avenue bus travels along Lombard St to Fisherman's Wharf from the Daly City BART station, traveling first a long way up 19th Ave and stopping at the Golden Gate Bridge. Buses 29-Sunset and 43-Masonic traverse much of the western part of San Francisco before terminating in the area, with the 29 stopping at Baker Beach and the 43 running through the Presidio before stopping in the Marina district. The 22-Fillmore bus (24-hour service) from the 16th St BART Station goes north on Fillmore St all the way to the Marina Green.

From Downtown: From the Caltrain station, traveling through Downtown past the Montgomery St BART station (outbound) or the Powell St BART station (inbound), the 30-Stockton bus (which runs about every 6 minutes during the day, until 1AM) gets you to Chestnut St and near the Palace of Fine Arts. You can also take the 41-Union or 45-Union/Stockton, which both serve Union St. Routes 1-California and 2-Clement serve Pacific Heights and Lower Pacific Heights.

In addition to the many MUNI routes, there is also the free Presidio Go shuttle service.

Presidio Go Shuttle (PresidiGo Shuttle). The Presidio Go Shuttle has two main routes: a Downtown route that runs directly between Transbay Terminal in Downtown to the Presidio and a South Hills Route that runs from the Presidio Transit Center to Baker Beach. Rides are generally free and open to all, but some trips on the Downtown route during weekday commute times are restricted to Presidio residents and employees. Free (except for restricted weekday commute trips to and from downtown). (updated Aug 2023)

If you enjoy walking, you can take the Historic F-line streetcar from downtown along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf, and walk along San Francisco Bay past Fort Mason — it's a bit of hill — to the Marina Green. If you're downtown, simply follow Van Ness Ave all the way north and take a left anywhere from California St to Lombard St.

The two largest parks in this area are listed separately under the Fort Mason section and The Presidio section below. The Marina Green Park is listed under the Do section below as it's primarily used as a recreational area. Other parks include:

5 Alta Plaza Park (between Jackson St and Steiner St, Clay St and Scott St), ☏ +1-415 -67-1265. A charming and immaculately manicured Pacific Heights park with great vistas over the Bay. It has tennis courts and a playground, and is a pretty good place for a picnic, or even just a rest if you've just scaled the hill.

6 Lafayette Park (between Sacramento St and Washington St, Laguna St and Gough St), ☏ +1-415-321-4342. Another little oasis park in the heart of Pacific Heights — like its neighbor Alta Plaza Park, it is pristinely kept by local residents and it also has excellent views over the Bay.

Many of the galleries and museums are listed separately under the Fort Mason section and The Presidio section below. Here are some others:

7 Images of the North, 2036 Union St (between Buchanan St and Webster St), ☏ +1-415-673-1273, fax: +1-415-673-1272, gallery@ImagesNorth.com. Tu-Sa 11AM-5:30PM and by appt. Features an eclectic collection of prints, sculpture, and jewelry from Alaskan and Canadian Inuit artists. The artwork sold here is an interpretation of Arctic life and culture. Free.

8 Wonders of Tibet, 1771 Union St (between Gough St and Octavia St), ☏ +1-415-409-2994, fax: +1-415-409-2995, wot@wondersoftibet.com. M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. A Tibetan inspired gallery where you will find all kind of original Buddhist treasures like; jewelry and beads, rugs, Dharma, antiques, artifacts, and gifts. Free.

Architecture buffs will definitely enjoy taking a stroll through the Pacific Heights and Cow Hollow neighborhoods, where ornate (and huge!) Edwardian and Victorian mansions are on display. Most are privately owned and inhabited so be respectful, but some are open to the public. If you are a fan of the Spanish Colonial Revival-style, continue your tour through The Presidio section below where you will find many fine examples.

9 Atherton House, 1990 California St (at Octavia St). An 1881 Victorian mansion that was built for Mrs. Doming de Goni Atherton by an unknown architect. It was one of the first Queen Anne residences in San Francisco. It is reported to be haunted, and is a stop on the haunted tour of San Francisco. Free.

10 Haas Lilienthal House, 2007 Franklin St (at Washington St), ☏ +1-415-441-3004, fax: +1-415-441-3015, hrkraft@sfheritage.org. Tours: Su 11AM-4PM, W and Sa noon-3PM. Tours leave every 20 to 30 minutes and last about 1 hour. This is an 11,500 ft² (1,070 m2) Queen Anne Victorian, built solely out of redwood in 1886 for William Haas. It has been fully preserved to its original design. It houses the San Francisco Architectural Heritage which offer tours inside the house and around the grounds. General admission $8, seniors and children 12 and under $5. (updated Apr 2015)

11 The Leale House, 2475 Pacific Ave (between Steiner St and Fillmore St). This house was built in 1853 and as such it is one of the city's oldest residences. A ferry-boat captain known as Captain Leale bought the house three decades later and remodeled it in the popular "Italianate" style.

12 Nancy Pelosi's house, 2640 Broadway. The home of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, one of the big names in the Democratic Party, at least when she is not in Washington, D.C. Not open to the public.

13 The Octagon House, 2645 Gough St (at Union St), ☏ +1-415-441-7512. Open to the public on the second Sunday of every month, and the second and fourth Thursday of every month, from noon-3PM. Dating from 1861, this eight-sided house with its cupola top, dormer windows, and roof lanterns was built in the belief that such octagonally shaped houses promote healthier living. Today, the building is an American Colonial museum. It has many artifacts on display including antique furniture and historical documents. It is run by the National Society of the Colonial Dames. Free.

14 San Francisco Public Library — Golden Gate Valley Branch, 1801 Green St (at Octavia St), ☏ +1 415-355-5666, ggvmgr@sfpl.org. M-F 10AM-5:30PM. Built in 1917 by architect Ernest Coxhead, this unique "Beaux-Arts" library was modeled on a Roman basilica. It has free internet facilities. (updated Oct 2021)

Fort Mason was a U.S. Military coastal defense post and port for over 100 years. In 1985, it was ordained as a National Historic Landmark, primarily for its vital logistical role during World War II and then later the Korean War. Today, it is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is under the remit of the National Park Service. Situated on a headland, Upper Fort Mason has great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and of Alcatraz. Lower Fort Mason, which comprises approximately 13 acres, is the site of the former military port and today houses the Fort Mason Center, which is committed to nonprofit and cultural activities with an emphasis on entertainment, recreation, and education in the fields of; the visual/performing arts, humanities, and ecology/environment. It has three museums and six theaters and hosts nearly 20,000 events each year. Most of the activities are provided at nominal or sometimes no cost to the public. The small, specialized museums in Fort Mason include:

17 Museo ItaloAmericano, Fort Mason Center, Building C, ☏ +1-415-673-2200, fax: +1-415-673-2292, sfmuseo@sbcglobal.net. Tu-Su noon-4PM, M by appointment. Hosts photo exhibits and the work of modern Italian artists. Free.

18 San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art — Artists Gallery, Fort Mason Center, Landmark Building A, ☏ +1-415-441-4777, artistsgallery@sfmoma.org. Tu-Sa 10:30AM-5PM. Housed over two floors, the SFMOMA displays the art — in a variety of styles and media — of over 1,000 emerging and established Northern Californian artists. Free.

19 The Long Now Foundation Museum, Landmark Building A, ☏ +1-415-561-6582, fax: +1-415-561-6297, services@longnow.org. M-F 10:30AM-5PM, Sa Su 11AM-6PM. The Long Now foundation was established to foster a better understanding of a "slower/better" mind set — as opposed to "faster/cheaper" one. As well as holding many seminars and talks, they also have a museum and store at their premises. Free.

The Presidio was founded in 1776 and was the longest-running military post in the U.S. before closing as a base in 1994. It is now a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Congress has designated it a National Historic Landmark District, which is the highest historic designation that can be given in the U.S. The park is a beautiful 3 square miles of mostly hilly and wooded areas.

The Presidio has around 800 buildings within its perimeter, many of which are of historical significance. Some of the buildings have residential tenants, others commercial ones. At the end of 2005, about 2,500 people lived in the Presidio and it is home to the headquarters of Lucasfilm (owned by George Lucas, the creator of "Star Wars"), a unique situation for a national park. Part of their drinking water comes from Lobos Creek (Rio de los Lobos), the last free-flowing creek in San Francisco. The Presidio Trust, that manages the majority of the park, is renovating the remainder of the buildings, with a view to increasing its list of residents to 5,000.

The Presidio contains 11 miles of hiking trails, including the Golden Gate Promenade, the Coastal Trail, an ecology trail, and portions of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the Bay Trail, and the Anza National Historic Trail. Cyclists can explore the area on 14 miles of paved roads and along some unpaved parts of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. A world-class board-sailing area borders Crissy Field, while fishing and crabbing opportunities abound from the nearby rocks and pier. Along the way there are also many historical and architectural points of interest as well as some fantastic vistas and natural scenery.

20 Arion Press, 1802 Hays St (at Belles St), ☏ +1-415-668-2542, fax: +1-415-668-2550, arionpress@arionpress.com. Gallery: M-F 10AM-5PM. Tours: Th 3:30PM. Arion Press is considered the best publisher of fine press books in the nation. A gallery on-site has a large collection of limited edition books and prints, and they offer tours of their production facility, including the pressroom and the typefoundary that contains the oldest hot metal type foundry in the country. Gallery: free. Tours: $10. (updated Apr 2015)

21 Battery Chamberlin, Battery Chamberlin Rd, ☏ +1-415-561-4323. On the first full weekend of each month, between 11AM-3PM, you can take part in demonstrations of the gun and visit a small seacoast defense museum at the battery. Battery Chamberlin, built near Baker Beach in 1904, was constructed as part of a modernization effort to accommodate the lighter, stronger, more powerful coastal defense weapons developed in the 1880s. Today Battery Chamberlin holds the last 6-inch "disappearing gun" of its type on the West Coast. Free.

22 Crissy Field Center, 1199 East Beach, ☏ +1-415-561-7690, fax: +1-415-561-7695, tellmemore@parksconservancy.org. 9AM-5PM daily. The Crissy Field Center includes an activity area, learning and computer labs, a teaching kitchen, library, and an information area and bookstore. The center offers a rich array of education programs that serve the entire San Francisco community. Focusing on the convergence of Urban and Natural Environments, educational programs and activities promote multicultural perspectives, environmental stewardship, and community service. They also have a small cafe inside the premises serving up organic, locally sourced food. Free.

23 Fort Point National Historic Site, Marine Dr (Long Ave and Marine Dr), ☏ +1-415-556-1693. Video orientations, guided tours, self-guiding materials, exhibits, and publication sales are offered F-Su 10AM-5PM. From its vantage point overlooking the spectacular Golden Gate, Fort Point protected San Francisco harbor from Confederate and foreign attack during and after the U.S. Civil War. Its beautifully arched casemates display the art of the master brick masons of the Civil War period. It is best approached from the Marina District along the water through the kites and bay-views of the connected Crissy Field Park. Free. (updated Apr 2015)

24 Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, 991 Marine Dr, ☏ +1-415-561-6622, fax: +1-415-561-6616, farallones@noaa.gov. W-Su 10AM-4PM. The Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center provides information on the sanctuary and features hands-on educational exhibits on local marine life. The visitor center is housed in the historic Coast Guard Station at the west end of Crissy Field. The Life Saving Service and Coast Guard were housed here from 1890 to 1990, providing a variety of services ranging from search and rescue operations to navigational assistance. Free.

27 Battery East (off Marina Dr). This fortification was built in the 1870s, to withstand newer and heavier ordinance. You can view the earthen works and brick-lined magazines built to protect large Rodman guns and their ammunition. Free.

28 Cavalry Stables and Pet Cemetery, Cowles St (between Lincoln Blvd and McDowell Ave), ☏ +1-415-561-4323. Five brick cavalry stables were built in 1914. Each stable could house 102 horses, enough for a cavalry company. A paddock stood between the stables and the cavalry barracks on the hill behind, and a blacksmith shop was in front. After the cavalry left the stables, they were adapted to other uses — the Pet Cemetery was started and also a veterinary hospital. Free.

29 Crissy Airfield, Crissy Field, 603 Mason St, ☏ +1-415-561-7690, tellmemore@parksconservancy.org. From 1921 to 1936 Crissy Army Airfield was the center of West Coast military aviation. During these years of explosive advances in air power, pilots from Crissy performed maneuvers and mock battles, flew endurance flights, surveyed the west by air, and scouted for forest fires. Free.

30 Fort Winfield Scott, Ruckman Ave (near Appleton St). Situated near the gun batteries of the coastal bluffs, Fort Scott was established in 1912 to serve as headquarters for the Coastal Artillery Corps of the San Francisco Bay area. Spanish Revival style buildings, the first of this style to be built on the Presidio, characterize the post, and the U-shaped parade ground breaks from traditional quadrangular design. The post was eventually converted to an Army Education Center. Free.

31 Infantry Row, Infantry Terrace (near Moraga Ave). Buildings 101 through 105, known as "Infantry Row," were constructed to accommodate troops consolidated at the Presidio after the Indian Wars. These were some of the first brick barracks constructed in the west, showing that the Presidio was to be a permanent post. Built in the late 1890s, these barracks display Colonial Revival style architecture with Romanesque elements. Free.

32 Letterman Complex, Letterman Dr (between Lombard St and Presidio Blvd), ☏ +1-415-561-4323. Established in 1898 to care for sick and wounded soldiers, it is the Army's oldest named general hospital and during WWII it became the largest Army hospital in the country. Today the complex is home to Lucasfilm and lots of Star Wars fans make the pilgrimage there each year. You won't get inside unless you know someone. Free.

33 Yoda Fountain. You can practice your "Jedi" skills outside the Letterman Complex with this statue of Yoda on a fountain. Free.

39 The Golden Gate Club, 135 Fisher Loop (at Infantry Terrace), ☏ +1-415-561-5444, events@presidiotrust.gov. With its beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival-style exterior, it was dedicated in 1949 as a first-class service club for enlisted men and women and was the site of several historic treaty signings during the early days of the Korean War. Stylishly remodeled, the club is now a full-service conference and events center. Free.

40 Officers Club, 50 Moraga Ave (at Graham St), ☏ +1-415-561-5444, events@presidiotrust.gov. Tu-Su 10AM-6PM. It was built by the Spanish with adobe walls, and was remodeled in the 1930s in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style adorned with rustic Spanish-tile gable roofs, heavy, rough timber lintels and beams, and decorative ironwork. Free.

41 Old Post Hospital, Funston Ave (at Lincoln Blvd). Built in 1864, it displays Italianate and Greek Revival architectural styles. Constructed during the Civil War, it is one of the oldest standing buildings on the Presidio. The original structure was modified by adding wings and enclosing the porches. In 1897, an octagonal surgical tower with windows on all sides was added to provide a well-lit operating room. Free.

42 Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St (at Bay St), ☏ +1-415-567-6642, fax: +1-415-567-4062, info@palaceoffinearts.org. 6AM-9PM daily. The only structure remaining from the 1915 World's Fair, it features a classical Roman rotunda (1,100 feet wide, 162 feet high) with curved colonnades (30 Corinthian columns frame a wide walkway in the colonnade) situated in an idyllic park setting with a classical European-Style lagoon. It's a great place to unwind, have a picnic, and watch the swans float elegantly by. It also has a theater offering a variety of shows, musical and cultural events. Free.

43 Interfaith Center at the Presidio, Fisher Loop, Building 130 (near Infantry Terrace), ☏ +1-415-561-3930. M-Th 10AM-2PM, Su 10AM-1PM. Built in the early 1930s, this cruciform-shaped sanctuary is a fine example of Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture, with features that embellished early mission churches. Stained glass windows depict virtues of military character, and a large wall mural by Victor Arnautoff (famed Coit Tower muralist) depicts the peacetime activities of the Army. Free.

Nature lovers will adore the Presidio. Its geology, climate, and geography — combined with the Army's decision not to overdevelop the Park — mean that it has some of the most intact natural habitats on the San Francisco peninsula. It is home to many rare species of flowers including Raven's manzanita and Franciscan thistle as well as mammals like the coyote, gray fox, and the Fox Squirrel. Bird lovers will be pleased to know that there are a great variety of birds milling about including Gulls, Sandpipers, Plovers, Ducks, Herons, Loons, Pelecans, and Kingfishers.

44 Baker Beach, Gibson Rd (along Lincoln Blvd and Bowley St), ☏ +1-415-831-2750. A beautiful, immaculately kept 1-mile stretch of beach, set just behind the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, due to strong currents, the beach is not very safe for swimming, but for "land-lovers" it does have many outdoor barbeques and designated picnic areas to eat and relax at. Toward the northern end of the beach there is also an unofficial nude section that mainly seems to attract gay men. It has free parking and clean restrooms.

45 Coastal Bluffs. Beaches and rocky shoreline lie at the base of the coastal bluffs, while their tops provide expansive views of the Pacific coastline. The Coastal Trail extends along the wind-swept coastal bluffs, where some of the most intact natural habitat in the Presidio harbors rare plants adapted to serpentine soil and cool foggy conditions.

46 Crissy Field Marsh and Beach, 1199 East Beach, ☏ +1-415-561-7690, tellmemore@parksconservancy.org. Known by many names — "The city's front yard" and "The Golden Gate promenade" — this used to be one of the country's most active and strategic military airstrips. Today, under the care the Golden Gate National Parks Association, the 28 acre site has been transformed into recreational space for joggers, cyclists, walkers, and picnickers. There is also a significant project underway to return 18 acres back to its original tidal marshlands. With this effort, Crissy Field is fast becoming a great place to see local wildlife such as migrating long-billed curlews, semipalmated plovers and western sandpipers.

47 El Polin Spring, El Polin Loop (at the end of MacArthur Ave), ☏ +1-415-561-4323. El Polin spring water bubbles from a rock wall at the head of this riparian valley. The spring provided a source of fresh water for the Spanish Presidio, and Spanish and Mexican families built their homes in this sheltered valley. Today, you can picnic in the bucolic meadows near the spring or explore the surrounding forest and grasslands.

56 Golden Gate Bridge, US 101 (from Park-Presidio or Lombard St entrance), ☏ +1 415-921-5858 (general info), toll-free: +1-877-229-8655 (toll payment inquiries), bridgecomments@goldengate.org. Open 24 hours, occasionally closed Sunday morning for events. Welcome Center: daily, 9AM-6PM. $10.50 Pay-By-Plate, $10.25 w/ FasTrak account, more for vehicles over 2 axles (toll driving south into San Francisco; free on foot or bike). (updated May 2019)

Vehicular traffic in both directions share a single deck; a movable barrier (operated on by a zipper machine) used to allot lanes to one direction or the other depending on traffic conditions. Observation areas and parking lots are provided on both the north and south sides of the bridge; the best way to enjoy the bridge is to park and walk across, not least because you don't have to pay a toll. Winds are high and it can be cold and foggy; dress appropriately. Bikes can also be difficult to navigate in the high winds and narrow pathway.

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in the United States, and has been called one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The bridge spans the Golden Gate, a strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north, and is one of the major road routes into and out of the city.

The masterwork of architect Joseph B. Strauss, whose statue graces the southern observation deck, the bridge took four years to build, and was completed on May 27, 1937. It managed to survive a major earthquake in 1989. The bridge is painted a deep red-orange color known as "International Orange," also known as "Orange Vermillion," which was specifically chosen to make the bridge more easily visible through the thick fog that frequently shrouds the bridge. Erroneous legend has it that the bridge is continuously painted, with crews starting at one end and, on getting to the other end, turning around and starting over again. In fact, the bridge is only painted once every few years, but touch up work is done continuously by a team of 40 painters.

57 Joseph Strauss Legacy Circle (Joseph B. Strauss Memorial) (Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza — northeast side). Sculpture of bridge architect Joseph B. Strauss. Free. (updated Jul 2023)

The San Francisco end of the bridge is accessible by the Muni 28 bus line from Fisherman's Wharf. The fastest way to reach it from downtown is to take the 38 or 38R up Geary to "Park Presidio" (after 12th Ave) and transfer to a Fisherman's Wharf bound 28. Golden Gate Transit buses serve the bridge on request, but buses are very infrequent and unpredictable except at afternoon commute times, when they are crowded.

4 BATS Improv at Bayfront Theater, Fort Mason Center, Bldg B, 3rd floor (Lower Fort Mason), ☏ +1-415-474-6776, fax: +1-415-474-9385, bats@improv.org. Shows usually start at 7PM/8PM. BATS is a performing arts theater company that focuses on all forms of improvisational format, including theatersports. They also provide classes for anyone interested. $8-20.

5 Blue Bear Performance Hall, Fort Mason Center, Bldg D, 2nd floor (Lower Fort Mason), ☏ +1-415-673-3600, contact@bluebearmusic.org. The Blue Bear Performance Hall is used mostly for school musical performances. They have a music school that teaches all kind of music from Jazz to rock-n-roll to musicians of all ages. The hall also hosts some independent stage productions.

6 Clay Theater, 2261 Fillmore St (between Clay St and Sacramento St), ☏ +1-415-561-9921. The Art Deco/Neo-Classical Clay Theater was built in 1910 and is one of the oldest movie theaters in the city. It specializes in indie and international films. It's a small little theater, with smallish seats and an even smaller screen; but its got a cozy atmosphere, its popcorn comes laden with butter, and overall it's a great place to catch an art house film. The Clay was closed in 2020, shortly before COVID, but the local community rallied to preserve the theater, with it being designated as a city landmark in 2022. As of 2026, the theater has not yet reopened, but an investor has purchased the building with the intention to reopen it. General: $10.50, Bargain Matinee: $8 (M-Th before 6PM, F-Su 1st showing). (updated Apr 2015)

7 Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center, Middle Pier (behind Herbst Pavilion), ☏ +1-415-441-3400. See website for schedule and times. Hosts theater, dance, talks, and film festival productions among other things. $0-60.

8 Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Bldg D, 3rd floor (Lower Fort Mason), ☏ +1-415-441-8822, fax: +1-415-771-5505, info@magictheatre.org. W–Sa 8PM, Su 2:30PM and 7PM. The Magic Theater is where you can go if you are interested in seeing productions from new and established American playwrights such as the Pulitzer Prize-winner, Sam Shepard. $25-75.

9 Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon St, ☏ +1-415-567-6642, fax: +1-415-567-4062, info@palaceoffinearts.org. See website for schedule and times. This 1,000 seat theater hosts concerts, comedy shoes, film events, and lectures. $20-150.

10 Young Performers Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Bldg C, 3rd floor (Lower Fort Mason), ☏ +1-415-346-5550, sf_ypt@hotmail.com. Sa 1PM, Su 1PM and 3:30PM. Shows do not run every week, see website for exact dates. The Young Performers Theatre is a professional children's theater. It hosts a dozen or so shows each year and also offers classes in the dramatic arts, creative drama, comedy and musical theater. Adults: $10, Children under 13: $7.

Ethnic Dance Festival, Palace of Fine Arts, ☏ +1-415-474-3914, fax: +1-415-474-3922, info@worldartswest.org. June — Sa 2PM and 8PM, Su 2PM. The festival is held over four weekends in June and celebrates traditional ethnic dances like Flamenco, Balinese, Fuego Nuevo, Irish, and YaoYong. It's colorful, energetic, and exciting... and you might actually learn a thing or two for the dance floor! Opening Night Gala: $175, Single ticket: $22-44, All four weekends ticket: $80-158.

Easter Parade and Spring Celebration, Union St (Gough St to Fillmore St), toll-free: +1-800-310-6563. Easter Su 10AM-5PM. The kid-friendly but diverse festivities include; a petting zoo, pony rides, live music, train rides, alfresco dining, and a parade. It attracts about 35,000 attendees annually. Good family fun for all!. Free.

Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, ☏ +1-424-653-1883, lisa.jenkins@imgworld.com. Second Su in June. Ok, hands up who can swim 1.5 miles through chilly waters, jump on a bike and cycle 18 miles, and then polish it all off with a mere 8 mile run... any takers? Well every year this event attracts 2,000 people who can, including world champions and Olympic medalists. The course winds its way through Fort Mason, along Marina Green and through the demanding trails of the Presidio and beyond. Anywhere along the route is good from a spectators point of view, but the transition area and the finish is at Marina Green. Free.

Fantasy of Lights, Union St and Fillmore St (Union St — between Van Ness Ave and Steiner, Fillmore St — between Union St and Lombard St), toll-free: +1-800-310-6563. First Sa in December, 6PM-9PM. This is a month long celebration that sees local shop owners adorning their windows with the prettiest of lights, in an attempt to capture the coveted prize of "Best Lighting Effect." It all starts with an opening night parade when the lights are officially turned on and is followed by a month of programs and events. Although it's certainly pretty, it's probably not going to help with the global warming problem!. Free.

San Francisco Blues Festival, Great Meadow, Fort Mason (Marina Blvd and Laguna St), ☏ +1-415-979-5588, info@sfblues.com. Last weekend in Sept: F-Su. This is the oldest continually running blues fest in the world and it attracts some great Blues performers every year. Previous performers included B.B. King, Carlos Santana, and Little Richard among others. For the famished, they also have some flavorful New Orleans style barbeques to compliment the music. Advance: $35 per day, At the gate: $40 per day, Two-day ticket: $55, Single-day reserved lawn seating: $50, Two-day reserved lawn seating: $80, Children under 10 free.

1 Ace Wasabi's Rock-N-Roll Sushi, 3339 Steiner St (just north of Lombard St), ☏ +1-415-567-4903, fax: +1-415-749-1873. M-Th 5:30PM-10:30PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-11PM, Su 5PM-10PM. This sushi place is popular with the locals, offering good sushi with a rock and roll theme. Quirky and a bit of fun. $5-14.50.

2 Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers, 3344 Steiner St (between Chestnut St and Lombard St), ☏ +1-415-563-0307. M-Th 11AM-10:30PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9:30PM. Great gourmet burgers here at a very affordable price. They have a great selection of burgers including some interesting vegetarian options like "tofu burgers," and fyi, all their burgers can be wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun... give it a try! They also serve salads and sandwiches. $8-12.

3 Home Plate, 2274 Lombard St (between Pierce St and Steiner St), ☏ +1-415-922-4663. M-Su 7AM-4PM. Wonderful breakfast/brunch place on Lombard St. It's always busy on weekends and it can feel a tad cramped but the food is worth it — delicious homemade scones with homemade jam and preserves, omelettes, pancakes/waffles, and eggs benedict. This is certainly one of the best breakfast places in the city. $5-10. (updated Sep 2021)

4 Pluto's Fresh Food for a Hungry Universe, 3258 Scott St (at Chesnut St), ☏ +1-415-775-8867. M–F 11AM–10PM, Sa–Su 10:30AM–10PM. Fun American restaurant that's part of a chain. It's mostly green salads and sandwiches here — custom made to your discerning specifications! $7-12.

5 Alegrias, 2018 Lombard St (between Webster St and Fillmore St), ☏ +1-415-929-8888, fax: +1-415-929-9215. W-M 5:30PM-10PM. Alegrias is a colorful, friendly, and romantic little Tapas bar in the Marina. Like many other Tapas bars, it's a great place to go if you want to sample many flavors and tastes from small plates. If you're still hungry after that, they have a more substantial main menu with plates like grilled lamb, paellas, and stewed rabbit. $8-23.

6 Bistro Aix, 3340 Steiner St (between Lombard St and Chestnut St), ☏ +1-415-202-0100, fax: +1-415-202-0153. W-Th 6PM-10PM, F-Sa 6PM-11PM, Su 5:30PM-9:30PM. A great dating restaurant with intimate, comfortable seating, and a romantic decor. They use fresh seasonal, local ingredients in their dishes. $14-22.

7 Dragon Well Restaurant, 2142 Chestnut St (between Steiner and Pierce St), ☏ +1-415-474-6888, fax: +1-415-775-9888. 11:30AM-10PM daily. Light but satisfying modern Chinese food — not your typical oily dishes here! $11-14.

8 Greens Restaurant, Building A, Fort Mason Center (Lower Fort Mason), ☏ +1-415-771-6222, fax: +1-415-771-3472, info@greensrestaurant.com. M 5:30PM-9PM, Tu-Sa noon-2:30PM, 5:30PM-9PM, Su 10:30AM-2PM, 5:30PM-9PM. Located in Fort Mason, Greens organic vegetarian restaurant is a firm favorite among veggies and the health conscious. They have fresh, tasty international food that appeases all appetites (except for carnivorous ones of course!). Over the years it has become a bit of a local institution as its views over the water are hard to beat. $16-23.

9 La Mediterranee, 2210 Fillmore St (at Sacramento St), ☏ +1-415-921-2956, fax: +1-415-921-4061, information@cafelamed.com. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM. Serving up affordable Middle Eastern classics like quiche, hummos, pita bread, and kebabs. $10-15.

10 Pacific Catch, 2027 Chestnut St (at Fillmore St), ☏ +1-415-440-1950, fax: +1-415-873-1315, michael@pacificcatc.com. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM. There isn't much seating in this place, but that doesn't seem to matter for the patrons that come here to taste Asian/Pacific cuisine. The tuna bowl comes highly recommended. $11-15.

11 A16, 2355 Chestnut St (between Scott St and Divisadero St), ☏ +1-415-771-2216. Dinner: Su-Th 5PM-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-11PM Lunch: W-F 11:30AM-2:30PM. This is part wine bar part restaurant; they serve simple Italian favorites (pizza, pastas, salumi) from the Campania region of Italy. They also have traditional wood-burning ovens to perfect your pizza. $15-30.

12 Boboquivari's, 1450 Lombard St (between Franklin St and Van Ness Ave), ☏ +1-415-441-8880, fax: +1-415-441-8805, comments@boboquivaris.com. Su-Th 5PM-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-11PM. Popular steakhouse in the Marina, Bobo's is a "surf-n-turfers" dream. The menu boasts excellent steaks (porterhouse, fillet mignon, New York bone-in) combined with mussels, shrimp, lobster, and Dungeness crab... yummy! Bobo's is a colorful, if upscale restaurant, that is very popular and almost always busy. $30-65.

13 Brazen Head, 3166 Buchanan St (at Greenwich St), ☏ +1-415-921-7600, fax: +1-415-921-0164. Bar Hours: 4PM-2AM Dinner: 5PM-1AM. Serving wholesome American cuisine including their signature dish "Certified Angus Beef NY Pepper Steak" — this restaurant is a very well kept local secret. $18-30.

14 Capannina, 1809 Union St (at Octavia St), ☏ +1-415-409-8001, fax: +1-415-409-8004, info@capannina.us. Su-Th 5PM-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-10:30PM. An Italian restaurant that focuses on the familiar and tempting classics of Italian cuisine. They have a "prix-fixe" as well as an "à la carte" menu. $25-75.

15 Eastside West Restaurant and Raw Bar, 3154 Fillmore St (at Greenwich St), ☏ +1-415-885-4000, fax: +1-415-885-4001, info@eastsidewestsf.com. Dinner: Tu-Sa 4PM-10PM, Su 5PM-8PM, Brunch: Sa 11AM-3PM, Su 11AM-5PM. They have excellent seafood here — shrimp, mussels, crabs, lobsters, and oysters. It's perfect for appetizers and drinks on a weekend afternoon; or how about their happy hour M-F 4PM-7PM, with $1 oysters and $2 draft beers... the perfect combination! $14-40.

16 Isa, 3324 Steiner St (just off of Chestnut St), ☏ +1-415-567-9588, fax: +1-415-409-1879. M-Th 5:30PM-10PM, F-Sa 5:30-10:30PM. Comfortable environment with an innovative fusion menu made up of small plates that blend French style with Asian flavors. Owner Luke Sung is one of San Francisco's most celebrated young chefs. $10-30.

17 Izzy's Steaks & Chops, 3345 Steiner St (between Lombard St and Chestnut St), ☏ +1-415-563-0487. Su-Th 5PM-10PM, F-Sa 5:30-10:30PM. Classic steak restaurant with wood floors, saw dust, comfortable booths, steak sauces, and the requisite cowboy hat to boot! Their pricing is affordable and their steaks big and tasty. $17-37.

1 Black Horse London Pub, 1514 Union St (at Van Ness Ave), ☏ +1-415-928-2414. 5PM-midnight. They advertise this place as the smallest bar in San Francisco... "Small Pub, Big Heart." It is exactly 7 wide and 19 foot long... not for the claustrophobic! It may be small but this is a fun little bar with a list of "Tenets" on the wall; including "Thou Shall give priority seating to all Women in the Bar. (If you need further explication, please see "Exit.")" and "Thou Shall have one pub and one pub only. (Ours...)."

2 Blue Light, 1979 Union St (between Buchanan St and Charlton Ct), ☏ +1-415-922-5510, fax: +1-415-922-5852, lcossey@sbcglobal.net. Bar: M-F 4PM-2AM, Sa-Su 11AM-2AM Kitchen: Kitchen M-F 5PM-10PM, Sa noon-10PM, Sunday 11AM-10PM. Their "Taco Tuesday" is a long standing favorite among locals and features $3 margaritas for the ladies. Guys are equally well served with $2 Coronas, and with $1.50 tacos, who could go hungry?

3 Bus Stop, 1901 Union St (between Charlton Ct and Laguna St), ☏ +1-415-567-6905. M-F 10AM-2AM, Sa-Su 9AM-2AM. The Bus Stop has a comfortable "homey" atmosphere with 17 TVs and sports memorabilia on the walls. It attracts a twenty-something/thirty-something crowd. Happy Hour (M-F 4PM-6PM has $1.50 domestic beers and half price cocktails).

4 Mauna Loa Club, 3009 Fillmore St (between Filbert St and Union St), ☏ +1-415-563-5137. M-F 2PM-2AM, Sa-Su noon-2AM. Pretty cool little Hawaiian bar decked out in island regalia. They have a nice circular bar, open windows that peer out over Fillmore St, and lots of games inside to keep you occupied. They have a pretty decent happy hour M-F 4PM-7PM, to get your night started.

5 Monaghan's, 3259 Pierce St (at Chestnut St), ☏ +1-415-567-4466, info@monaghanssf.com. M 4:30PM-2AM, Tu-F 2PM-2AM, Sa-Su noon-2AM. Another Irish bar turned sports bar in the Marina district which draws an eclectic crowd. They have a long happy hour that runs M-F 4PM-7PM; and nightly specials including "Ladies Night" on Thursdays where cocktails are half price.

6 California Wine Merchant, 2113 Chestnut St (at Steiner St), ☏ +1-415-567-0646, fax: +1-415-567-1639, greg@californiawinemerchant.com. M-W 10AM-midnight, Th-Sa 10AM-1:30AM, Su 11AM-11PM. Formerly just a wine retail shop, the California Wine Merchant is now a hip little spot where you can enjoy a few glasses of wine, watch people walk by on Chestnut St, or pick up a few bottles to bring home.

7 Ottimista Enoteca Cafe, 1838 Union St (between Octavia St and Laguna St), ☏ +1-415-674-8400, fax: +1-415-674-8333, info@OttimistaSF.com. Tu-Th 2PM-11PM, F noon-2AM, Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 11AM-10PM. Nice little upscale Italian wine bar that has mostly Italian and Californian wines in their exposed cellar. They have a decent selection of circa 40 wines by the glass; 250 by the bottle. They also serve small plates of food to compliment your wine.

8 The Comet Club, 3111 Fillmore St (at Filbert St), ☏ +1-415-567-5589. Su, Tu-W 7PM-2AM, Th-Sa 5:30PM-2AM. Good place to go if you like to boogie-on-down to the sounds of the 70s and 80s! It's a bit of a cramped space though and can get crowded as a result.

9 The HiFi Lounge, 2125 Lombard St (between Fillmore St and Steiner St), ☏ +1-415-933-6299, nick@maximumproductions.com. W-Th 8PM-2AM, F 5PM-2AM, Sa 8PM-2AM. The HiFi Lounge is where people come to dance the night away. It also features live DJs, games, and big screen TVs. Happy hour begins at 5PM and they offer $2 Budweisers and $3 well Drinks. Their "Girls of Taste" (wine tasting for women) is not to be missed and is held once a month.

This area has a great "cafe culture," with lots of good Americana-style cafes. It's a great place to sit down and unwind at a curbside table, sipping away on latte, after a hard day trekking around. Not listed here are the more ubiquitous coffee chains like Starbucks, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Peet's Coffee; although these are very well represented here too, particularly along Union St, Chestnut St, and Fillmore St.

10 Judy's Cafe, 2268 Chestnut St (between Scott St and Pierce St), ☏ +1-415-922-4588, fax: +1-415-922-4588. M-F 7:45AM-2:15PM, Sa-Su 7:45AM-3PM. Quaint European style Marina cafe serving healthy portions of food.

11 La Boulangerie de San Francisco, 1909 Union St (at Laguna St), ☏ +1-415-440-4450, fax: +1-415-928-3701. 7AM-6PM daily. Traditional French bakery and cafe. The owner was born in Bordeaux France and has a lifetime of baking experience. The cafe sells bread made of organic flour from their very own wheat mill.

12 Tully's Coffee House, 2455 Fillmore St (between Jackson St and Washington St), ☏ +1-415-929-8808, fax: +1-206-233-2077, customer.comments@tullys.com. M-F 5:30AM-9PM, Sa 6AM-9PM, Su 6AM-8PM. Cozy cafe with decent coffee and wi-fi available. They also have a flat screen in store to keep you up to date with the news. The outdoor seating is also a nice touch.

13 Union Street Coffee Roastery, 2191 Union St (at Fillmore St), ☏ +1-415-922-9559. 6:30AM-10PM daily. Decent coffee, an excellent location, plenty of seating, and very friendly staff are what attract patrons here.

1 Greenwich Inn, 3201 Steiner St (at Greenwich St), ☏ +1-415-921-5162, fax: +1-415-921-3602, info@greenwichinn.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Budget hotel with free parking one block from Union St. It has 32 renovated guest rooms and offers an in-room coffee service and a complimentary newspaper daily. $54-104.

2 Hostelling International-Fisherman's Wharf Hostel, Fort Mason, Building 240 (Upper Fort Mason), ☏ +1-415-771-7277, SFFishermansWharf@hiusa.org. Check-in: 2:30PM, check-out: 11PM. Even if you're unsure about hostels, you should still consider this place; the location alone makes it worth your while, as it is in a park-like setting with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz and is within easy walking distance of Fisherman's Wharf. It has a total of 150 Beds in dormitory style rooms. Quite clean and safe, with wi-fi, laundry facilities, lockers, free breakfast, and a cafe. Dorms: $26-30, private family rooms: $65-100. (updated Feb 2026)

3 Buena Vista Motor Inn, 1599 Lombard St (between Franklin St and gough St), ☏ +1-415-923-9600, toll-free: +1-800-835-4980, fax: +1-415-441-4775, info@buenavistamotorinn.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Another standard motor inn, this one offers free parking and a complimentary continental breakfast to get you going in the morning. $80-140.

4 Chelsea Motor Inn, 2095 Lombard St (at Fillmore St), ☏ +1-415-563-5600, fax: +1-415-567-6475, Reservations@ChelseaMotorInn.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Features an English Tudor style building with an antique roof. Clean, good quality rooms at a reasonable price. Nothing too special, but it is centrally located. $77-145.

5 Cow Hollow Motor Inn & Suites, 2190 Lombard St (at Steiner), ☏ +1-415-921-5800, fax: +1-415-922-8515, reservations@cowhollowmotorinn.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Centrally located in the Cow Hollow neighborhood, this motel offers 112 standard and reasonably priced rooms. The decor is definitely dated and will not suit everyone — they have floral wallpaper that might just keep you up at night! However, the rooms are comfortable and they do offer free parking. $79-145.

6 Hotel del Sol, 3100 Webster St (at Greenwich St), ☏ +1-415-921-5520, fax: +1-415-931-4137, del@communehotels.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Voted CitySearch San Francisco's "Best Budget Hotel", "Best Family-Friendly Hotel," and "Best Hotel Pool" in 2006. Part of the fancy Joie de Vivre hotel group, this formerly nondescript motor lodge was rejuvenated with some cool colors, interior design, and upgraded management. $119-199.

7 La Luna Inn, 2599 Lombard St (between Broderick St and Divisadero St), ☏ +1-415-346-4664, toll-free: +1-800-536-8446, fax: +1-415-346-4665, reservations@lalunainn.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A rejuvenated 1960s Motor Inn. The bespoke furniture and colorful decor creates a bright, fun, and fanciful atmosphere here. $79-129.

8 Laurel Inn, 444 Presidio Ave (between California St and Sacramento St), ☏ +1-415-567-8467, toll-free: +1-800-552-8735, fax: +1-415-928-1866, thelaurelinn@communehotels.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Built in 1963, this renovated hotel has a comfortable yet fashionable interior. Each room is spacious and similar in size to a studio apartment with some even having kitchenettes. $159-209.

9 Marina Inn, 3110 Octavia St (at Lombard St), ☏ +1-415-928-1000, fax: +1-415-928-5909, info@marinainn.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Comfortable and traditional style inn with a quiet B&B atmosphere. They have 40 guest rooms and offer complimentary continental breakfast and free newspapers. $69-159.

14 Francisco Bay Inn, 1501 Lombard St (at Franklin St), ☏ +1-415-474-3030, toll-free: +1-800-410-7007, fax: +1-415-567-7082, franciscobay@staysf.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. All of the rooms and hallways are 100% non-smoking. Free parking. $149-214.

15 Hotel Drisco, 2901 Pacific Ave (at Broderick St), ☏ +1-415-346-2880, toll-free: +1-800-634-7277, fax: +1-415-567-5537, reservations@hoteldrisco.com. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Built in 1903, this is a higher-end, boutique hotel right in the heart of Pacific Heights. $189-259.

16 Jackson Court Hotel, 2198 Jackson St (at Buchanan St), ☏ +1-415-929-7670, fax: +1-415-929-1405, ej@jacksoncourt.com. Check-in: 2PM-7PM, check-out: 11AM. This is an opulent three-story brownstone Victorian mansion set in upscale Pacific Heights. With only 10 rooms, it's more of a B&B than a hotel. The price includes a continental breakfast and afternoon tea. $160-230.

17 Union Street Inn, 2299 Union St (at Steiner St), ☏ +1-415-346-0424, fax: +1-415-922-8046. Check-in: 2PM-7PM or by special arrangement, check-out: noon. Edwardian home with spacious airy rooms and a quaint cottage garden in the back. $190-330.