Visiting San Francisco: where do the locals go? (park, tourists)

[johnathanc]

Thanks for everyone's input as this is really good stuff. Sounds like I will see and do things that I might not have otherwise stumbled upon. I'm getting excited already. I love to eat out so good restaurant recs are always appreciated. Any good restaurants that specialize in Californian cuisine? Is Berkeley worth visiting?

[ccm123]

Visit Crissy Field for some beautiful views. Also, visit the Ferry Plaza and take a ferry to Sausalito (worth it).

I also recommend that tourists visit SF Japantown (Geary and Laguna) if you enjoy Japanese culture and food.

Downtown Berkeley has a nice mix of restaurants and a freethinking, progressive environment/feeling about it. Worth a visit.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Ceece

Oh yeah! I heard about the parrots!

There's a film about them, and a local guy who befriended them.

[CousinMaynard]

where the locals go

Barney's
The End Up
golden eagle
Marijuana dispensary of choice
Therapists office

[California Vagabond]

I'd better defer to Yelp for restaurant recommendations, but I'll put in a good words for two parks: Sutro Heights and Lands End. They're next to each other; you can visit one, then the other. I still marvel at the Lands End views looking in at the Golden Gate Bridge.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by California Vagabond

I'd better defer to Yelp for restaurant recommendations, but I'll put in a good words for two parks: Sutro Heights and Lands End. They're next to each other; you can visit one, then the other. I still marvel at the Lands End views looking in at the Golden Gate Bridge.

What's really cool is to park the car at Fort Point during high tide. Huge waves smash against the point and create a spectacular show, sometimes drenching the car. Very dramatic.

[mr bolo]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

What's really cool is to park the car at Fort Point during high tide. Huge waves smash against the point and create a spectacular show, sometimes drenching the car. Very dramatic.

a famous movie scene from Hitchcock's classic VERTIGO [1958] was filmed at Fort Point

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8cWjLMuJgo


Vertigo - Fort Point - Reel SF

[GroveSF]

A couple unmentioned neighborhood areas:
-Divisidero between Fell and MacAllister (easy to check out along with the touristy but worthwhile painted ladies of Alamo Square)
-Haight around Fillmore--the fun part of Haight street also close to the lovely Duboce Park
-Castro around Market

You mention that you enjoy dining out. I too will direct you to Yelp, and also to Opentable. Be forewarned: popular places fill up early--if you see a place you like, book a reservation pronto. California cuisine is widespread, and many non-Californian restaurants serve dishes with a California twist. In addition to Yelp, you might check out the Michelin guide, Zagat, and 7x7 magazine.

You should also check for any local events that are going on during your visit, because those events can give you a good feel for the local atmosphere.

Finally, just go see the Golden Gate Bridge. There is one must-see attraction in San Francisco, and it is worth it.

[beb0p]

Below is just a very small snapshot of good places that locals go, the real list can easily be over two hundreds. I'll leave you to yelp it for the location and what not. Expect at least 20-30 mins wait for most of these places if you go during peak hours.

Flour + Water (pasta)
Statebird Provision
San Tung (noodles and dry-fried chicken)
So (similar to San Tung)
Papalote (they were on Showdown with Bobby Fray)
Namu Gaji (must order that big pot dish thing, forgot what it's called. Bonus - it's next to Bi-Rite!)
The Richmond (steak)
Pakwan (Pakistani n Indian. Self serve)
Limon (the one on Valencia St)
Turtle Tower (northern Vietnamese, don't confuse them with the usual southern ones)
Hakka Restaurant (way out in the Richmond. Hakka is an indigenous Chinese tribe)
Ichi Sushi
Katana-Ya (ramen. Opens late)
Hong Kong Lounge (dim sum. Go to the bigger one in the Central Richmond.)
Ike's Sandwich
Pacific Catch
Nicagragua Restaurant (a real hole in the wall, slow service)
Pluto (sandwiches)
Slow Club (brunch)
Serpentine (brunch)
Plow (brunch)
Chez Maman
Chez Pappa
Umi
Blowfish Sushi to Die for

[beb0p]

Also check out this link, although I don't agree with some of the selection (like Mission Chinese Food - yuck! Btw, it's not Chinese food.)

The Big Eat 2012 List | 7x7