san francisco top 50

In honor of my 50th post, I've put together a list of my San Francisco top 50.  And here it is, in no particular order:

Restaurants:

1.  Sit outside, sip wine, people watch, and eat the Panna pizza at Pizza Delfina.  (Mission)

2.  Grab some friends and some beer and head over to SOMA StreatFood.  (SOMA)

3.  Ike's Place has the best sandwiches.  Order ahead.  My favorite is the Captain Kirk.  Ryan likes the Love Triangle.  (Mission)

4.  Papalote might have the best Salsa on planet Earth, but not the best burrito.  That spot is reserved for the next item on the list.  (Mission)

5.  El Metate has the best, and cheapest burritos in town.  With outdoor seating, salsa bar, and delicious tortillas, they can't be beat.  (Mission Flats)

6.  There's something amazing about the thickness of the crust, and the grittiness of the restaurant at Golden Boy Pizza.  (North Beach)

7.  It always feels like autumn, in a good way, at Duboce Park Cafe.  Another of the few places to sit outside in the city.  This franchise has other locations at Precita Park and Dolores Park, but Duboce is my favskies.  Also, they offer a discount to members of the Bicycle Coalition.  (Duboce Triangle)

8  B-Star is far superior to it's big sister restaurant Burma Superstar.  Not only does it have a better/hipper atmosphere and an outdoor patio, it's also easier to get a table.  The wild rice salad is amazing, as is the samusa soup.  (Richmond)

9.  Herbivore, although most of the menu is lacking, has the best salad, and you can pair it with a carrot, apple, ginger juice.  It's not my favorite, but Ryan loves the Pad Thai.  (NOPA and Mission)

10.  Mission Beach Cafe has great brunch, if you don't mind a 45 minute wait and a $60 tab.  (Mission)


Bars:

11.  Mission Cheese has good wine, yummy salumi, and CHEESE!    It's great for a ladies afternoon.  And the best part, you can sit outside.  (Mission)

12.  Happy Hour at Nook.  Grab a $3.50 glass of wine, sit outside, and watch the cable cars go past.  (Nob Hill)

13.  Manhattans at Two Sisters.  Nuff said.  (Hayes Valley)

14.  Make a reservation to get the password to the Bourbon and Branch speakeasy.  Or, just say "books," at the door and grab a drink in the library, no reservation necessary.  (Tenderloin)

15.  The basil gimlet at Rye makes me swoon.  (Tenderloin)

16.  The Latin American Club has margaritas that will level you.  Just one will do the trick.  Plus they have a festive, but divey, atmosphere.  (Mission)

17.  Churchill's makes a mean Moscow Mule, and they serve them in mason jars, so it's trendy and cute.  (Castro/Duboce Triangle)

18.  Mission Bowling Club has surprisingly good food and some good, old fashioned bowling (for an inflated city price.)  (Mission)

Treats:

19.  Smitten Ice Cream uses science to make their ice cream super creamy.  (Hayes Valley)

20.  Fraiche's frozen yogurt offers a healthier alternative to ice cream.  Plus, you can choose from a variety of yummy toppings.  (Fillmore)

21.  Hot Cookie has... hot cookies.  And if you are feeling adventurous, you can model in a pair of hot cookie underpants, and have your picture hung on the wall for posterity.  Probably the best chocolate chip cookie I've ever eaten.  (Castro)

22.  The Ice Cream Bar.  The dairy free coconut ice cream will blow your mind.  They also make soda drinks and serve food.  (Cole Valley)

23.  The ham and cheese croissant at Tartine is crispy, savory, perfection.  It's worth the wait in the line that sometimes curls around the corner.  (Mission)

Coffee:

24.  Four Barrel Coffee offers good coffee and a parklet.  (Mission)

I must digress for a moment:  Where are all the cozy coffee shops in San Francisco?  Where can I sit down with a good book and a delicious, well crafted caffeinated beverage?  I've been here for 8 years, and I still don't have the answer.  

Stores:

25.  Aldea is my favorite store for the home.  Great gifts.  (Mission)

26.  Cliff's Variety has never failed me.  If I need a hammer, they can do that.  A feather boa?  No problem. A new toilet seat?  Please, that's not even a challenge.  Le Creuset?  Yup, they've got that too.  Handerpants?  Done.  (Castro)

27.  Browser Books on Fillmore has a great collection of new and used titles.  Books are crammed in here giving the store a cramped, but cozy feeling.  This is what book stores should look like.  (Fillmore)

Activities:

28.  Bike to Ocean Beach.  It's the best way to get there.  

29.  Castro Theatre Sing-a-Longs, the best so far has been The Little Mermaid.  Although, Beauty and the Beast was a close second.  I will add that any movie experience here is pretty awesome.  They start each show with an organ player who descends into the stage at the end of his set.  It's so old-timey.  (Castro)

30.  One of the best lazy weekend activities is walking by Wags on Polk and watching the herd of dogs mingle as they wait for a bath.  Make sure to bring a coffee, you could be there for a while.  (Polk Gulch)

Indoor Places:

31.  Kabuki Bath House is so, so relaxing.  Tuesday is the only coed (bathing suit mandatory) day, otherwise the days are split up by gender, and clothing is definitely optional.  Steam room, sauna, cold bath, hot bath.  Ultimate relaxation.  (Japan Town)

32.  Musee Mechanique has a collection of vintage arcade games.  Bring quarters.  (Fisherman's Wharf)

33.  The Ferry Building in the morning is amazing.  It's empty and smells of coziness.  (Embarcadero)

34.  The Tactile Dome at the Exploratorium is not for the faint of heart.  Get squeamish in tight and dark places? This is not for you.  Definitely worth the extra entrance fee.  (Embarcadero)

Outdoor Places:

35.  For sweeping views of San Francisco, without the crowds of Twin Peaks, Kite Hill is the place.  It's so beautiful we even had our engagement photos taken here.  (Castro)

36.  Mount Sutro is some of the best hiking in the city.  When I'm here, it's hard to imagine that I am actually in the dead center of San Francisco.  Eucalyptus trees, muddy trails, misty fog.  It's another world here.  The entrance is on Stanyan at 17th.  (Inner Sunset)

37.  Hopper's Hands is located at the end of the trail that runs along Crissy Field to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge.  There's something so satisfying about giving Hopper ten.  Pet's don't have to feel left out, there are paw-tens for the furry hiker.  (Presidio)

38.  Speaking of the trail along Crissy Field, the Warming Hut is such a cozy place to take a break, learn about the area, and grab a coffee.  Let's face it, it's usually pretty damn cold and windy out there.  The Warming Hut is necessary.  (Presidio)

39.  Baker Beach, this clothing optional beach is just the ticket on a hot day.  Parking is impossible, so better just bike or transit.  Glorious view of the bridge while sunbathing.  (Presidio)

40.  Dolores Park is the Mission's answer to the beach.  On a sunny day this park resembles a Where's Waldo of San Francisco hipsters.  The best place to have a cheap beer and people watch with friends.  (Mission)

41.  The Bernal Slides are such a hidden gem.  They run down the hill in this great mini-park.  They are steep, and metal, and crazy fast.  I went shooting out the end so fast I landed on my hands and knees.  F-U-N.  (Bernal Heights)

42.  Frisbee Golf in Golden Gate Park, is not necessarily for me, but I do enjoy walking with Ryan as he plays.  It's in the park, in a forest, and it's free.  It's pretty nice.  (Golden Gate Park)

Hikes and Camping:

43.  Hawk Camp is easily accessible from the city and has views of the city. (Headlands)

44.  Bicentennial Camp is another easily accessible campground.  No car necessary to get here.  Make sure to make a reservation, it definitely books up.  (Headlands)

45.  The Tourist Club is a fun way to spend the day with friends.  This Bavarian looking bar is set in the redwoods for some seriously scenic day drinking.  Hiking in is the best option, but driving is also possible.  (Headlands)

46.  Sweeney Ridge offers views of the Bay and the ocean.  Make sure to go on a fog free day to make the most of the hike and scenery.  (San Bruno)

Events:

47.  The Easter Sunday Big Wheel Races involve grown-ups cramming their costumed, grown-up sized bodies, onto child-sized big wheels, then barreling down the actual curviest street in San Francisco and breakneck speeds.  It's amazing.  Just go.  (Potrero)

48.  During the first weekend in October, Hardly Strictly Blue Grass festival has free blue grass in Golden Gate Park.  Best.Weekend.Ever.  Get there early to grab some real estate.  Then stop drinking so you don't have to fight hordes of people to get to the port-o-potty.  (Golden Gate Park)

49.  Macy's Christmas Window Display.  There are cats and puppies.  Do I need to say more?  (Union Square)

50.  Pop-Up Magazine is an ephemeral, live magazine.  You sit, you listen to hilarious and thought provoking presenters, you drink a signature cocktail, you leave.  No photographs, no recordings, just your own memories.  Tickets sell out within seconds.  (Davies Symphony Hall, Hayes Valley)

Check out 50 more things to do in San Francisco on my new blog, One Plus Me.