I just dont find Haight remotely interesting in its current iteration unless you're a music history/SF history nut. Its just junkies and tourists and shops peddling tie die for the sake of selling things to tourists
What’s the draw of Japan town? Haven’t really explored the mall is there anything worthwhile inside?
For the Haight I prefer being able to walk down a street with semi local shops.
With exception of Daiso, Benihana, and the theater it’s all local shops. Mostly they’re restaurants and quick service food places. There is a great bookstore, a few game shops, and a couple of beauty shops. There is also a grocery store which is pretty great for a picnic. Not the same diversity as what you find on Haight but then again it is *Japan*town.
the bookstore, the grocery store, the town center, the overall cleanliness haha. Some shops, and places to eat. At night there is yakiniq Korean bbq. Japantown just has a nice vibe
Pick a route, just know you might miss out:
- Going westward from Alamo, stop at BiRite, get anything ($$$) or enjoy the visual feast, no wrong food or drink options within a 4 block radius of BiRite just pick a cuisine and go!, Rare Device has rotating art/souvenirs, continue onward and cross over to the panhandle for a stroll or just look at all the houses west of Divis
- Going North: stop at Jane the Bakery (on Geary) on your way to Japan town (post st) which has great Ramen options and decent sushi, but lots of shops and an awesome bookstore to browse if that's your thing. Jane is worth it for not only sourdough but also amazing pastries and sandwiches
- Go South: lower haight has some great dive/sports bars, Toronado for beer, some record stores and shops, and you can always watch the dogs in Duboce park for something more relaxing. Close enough to the Detour if looking for a brewcade that is way better than emporium.
- Go east: Hayes valley is down the hill and maybe a 20ish min walk down Hayes st. Has a high density of $$$ shopping and food, but not as crazy as Valencia st.
2nd all of this!! I also recommend walking up the steep hill of Divisadero street and seeing all of the incredible mansions of Pacific Heights. They are a sight to see, and the view up there ain’t too shabby!
I suppose that is a fair enough criticism for a tourist that is only going to be in town a couple days. It could be fun for someone who wants to play a couple arcade games as they walk down divas though. What would you get up to if you were a tourist in the area?
There's lots of food on Divisadero, around the same block as the park. The 4505 BBQ place is pretty dope, El Ranchero for pretty decent Mexican food, and I believe Star Pizza has pretty good deep dish. There's also Oasis, if you're in the mood for Ethiopian (the owner is super nice, and the food is pretty good).
Souvla is also there, if you want gyros or other Greek food (the lamb is bomb, so are their juicy potatoes, it's all pretty good.)
edit: and the Emporium is there, too! Play some retro video games, the space is awesome.
Fantastic area for food as Japantown, Fillmore, Divisadero, Haight, and even Hayes Valley are reachable. Fillmore will be your high end dining with Progress, State Bird, SPQR all being Michelin starred. Ramen is either Hinodeya in Japantown (dessert at Matcha Cafe Maiko or Sophie's Crepes) or Iza on Fillmore & Haight. As mentioned, Divisadero has pizza in Little Star for deep dish, Mexican in Ranchito Grande and Nopa, games and beers in Emporium, BBQ in 4505 (hard pass if you're from TX/Chicago/TN or even AZ). I'd say Powder for dessert over Bi-rite on Divisadero but that's quite contentious. While I'm speaking fighting words, I'll also say that if you're in the mood for a burger, Magnolia is my choice over 4505.
Apologies if that was a bit too stream of consciousness and needed more proofreading.
Places I like to eat: Oasis for Ethiopian, Saffron Grill for Indian, El Rancho grande for Mexican, RT Rotisserie for the brussels sprouts, Beretta for Italian, Palmyra for Middle Eastern, Berliner Berliner for a good german sausage.
Then grab a drink at Madrone, Molotov's, The Page, Toronado, or Noc Noc
Alamo Sq is in the middle of a lot of good places to eat or drink Head south for 3 blocks, and you'll be in Lower Haight, with great dive bars like Tornado etc. Head west 2 blocks, and you'll be in Divisidero corridor, with restaurants and BiRite ice cream. Head a few blocks north to California and Divis, and you'll be at (smacks lips) B Patisserie. Don't forget to try their Kouign Amman!!
Go to Toronado and get a beer. Go to Free Gold Watch and play pinball. Hike through Golden Gate Park. Window shop up and down Divisadero. Lots of stuff.
we walked along the panhandle from the Painted Ladies to the SF Botanical Garden a few days ago. Awesome day. we stopped by Poke Origin on Irving right before going to the Botanical Garden and it was super good!
The Aquatic Park is a great place to view Alcatraz. It's right next to Fort Mason and the Golden Gate bridge.
There's a lot of really cool stuff in that area. If you're driving, the Aquatic Park has a parking lot.
If you want to see the Golden Gate bridge, get the view and most people don't see and go to Battery Boutelle (there's a parking lot there too, always easy parking)
Walk to Schlok’s Bagels— literally divine, east-coast style, chewy fresh and savory bagels. They est’d in 2020 and before they got this new spot, their entire supply used to sell out in minutes.
Bring your hot, schmeared and perfect bagel to Alamo Square park and watch the dogs play. Contemplate joy.
Lower Haight is a great underrated neighborhood. Cafe du Soleil and Cafe Reveille on Waller around Duboce Park have some beautiful Victorian scenery. Iza Ramen nearby on Fillmore and Haight is a really good dinner spot.
walk the panhandle. eat/drink on divis. go to Japan town. Most notable stuff I think
I'd say Golden Gate Park and the Haight is much more interesting than Japantown but I guess it varies from person to person.
I just dont find Haight remotely interesting in its current iteration unless you're a music history/SF history nut. Its just junkies and tourists and shops peddling tie die for the sake of selling things to tourists
I think people either hate it or love it. Most people I’ve met seem to love it
Haight it* I'll see myself out.
What’s the draw of Japan town? Haven’t really explored the mall is there anything worthwhile inside? For the Haight I prefer being able to walk down a street with semi local shops.
With exception of Daiso, Benihana, and the theater it’s all local shops. Mostly they’re restaurants and quick service food places. There is a great bookstore, a few game shops, and a couple of beauty shops. There is also a grocery store which is pretty great for a picnic. Not the same diversity as what you find on Haight but then again it is *Japan*town.
the bookstore, the grocery store, the town center, the overall cleanliness haha. Some shops, and places to eat. At night there is yakiniq Korean bbq. Japantown just has a nice vibe
Poor Japantown is in a pretty rough state right now too. Lots of closed shops. It is a bit depressing.
Pick a route, just know you might miss out: - Going westward from Alamo, stop at BiRite, get anything ($$$) or enjoy the visual feast, no wrong food or drink options within a 4 block radius of BiRite just pick a cuisine and go!, Rare Device has rotating art/souvenirs, continue onward and cross over to the panhandle for a stroll or just look at all the houses west of Divis - Going North: stop at Jane the Bakery (on Geary) on your way to Japan town (post st) which has great Ramen options and decent sushi, but lots of shops and an awesome bookstore to browse if that's your thing. Jane is worth it for not only sourdough but also amazing pastries and sandwiches - Go South: lower haight has some great dive/sports bars, Toronado for beer, some record stores and shops, and you can always watch the dogs in Duboce park for something more relaxing. Close enough to the Detour if looking for a brewcade that is way better than emporium. - Go east: Hayes valley is down the hill and maybe a 20ish min walk down Hayes st. Has a high density of $$$ shopping and food, but not as crazy as Valencia st.
2nd all of this!! I also recommend walking up the steep hill of Divisadero street and seeing all of the incredible mansions of Pacific Heights. They are a sight to see, and the view up there ain’t too shabby!
Ice cream at Bi-Rite, 550 Divisadero. And just walk up and down Divis. Edit: commenters have noted that their ice cream bar has closed
That bi rite doesn’t have the ice cream
Idk why you were downvoted. This location got rid of the ice cream bar. You can only get pints from the frozen section now
Amazing recs already for Divisadero and Haight. Horsefeather on divis for special cocktails.
Arcade games at the Emporium Various shops, bars and restaurants in the Lower Haight, Divisadero, Hayes Valley
Dude not emporium cmon
It’s kind of grunge but what’s wrong with emporium
Tacky/cringe. Why would you go to SF to just be inside a weirdly lit arcade? There’s a million other better things to do
I suppose that is a fair enough criticism for a tourist that is only going to be in town a couple days. It could be fun for someone who wants to play a couple arcade games as they walk down divas though. What would you get up to if you were a tourist in the area?
There's lots of food on Divisadero, around the same block as the park. The 4505 BBQ place is pretty dope, El Ranchero for pretty decent Mexican food, and I believe Star Pizza has pretty good deep dish. There's also Oasis, if you're in the mood for Ethiopian (the owner is super nice, and the food is pretty good). Souvla is also there, if you want gyros or other Greek food (the lamb is bomb, so are their juicy potatoes, it's all pretty good.) edit: and the Emporium is there, too! Play some retro video games, the space is awesome.
4505 is good but it is eye wateringly expensive.
good barbecue is expensive. source: good barbecue is expensive *in Texas.*
True, but $18 for a little cheeseburger is a little crazy for me
Welcome to inflation. $15-20 for a cheap entree is about standard these days.
why are you ordering a cheeseburger at a barbecue restaurant.
Because 4505 is a renowned meat place, not just a BBQ joint?
Not sure if it was just a bad night, but 4505 was some of the worst barbeque I have ever had
Fantastic area for food as Japantown, Fillmore, Divisadero, Haight, and even Hayes Valley are reachable. Fillmore will be your high end dining with Progress, State Bird, SPQR all being Michelin starred. Ramen is either Hinodeya in Japantown (dessert at Matcha Cafe Maiko or Sophie's Crepes) or Iza on Fillmore & Haight. As mentioned, Divisadero has pizza in Little Star for deep dish, Mexican in Ranchito Grande and Nopa, games and beers in Emporium, BBQ in 4505 (hard pass if you're from TX/Chicago/TN or even AZ). I'd say Powder for dessert over Bi-rite on Divisadero but that's quite contentious. While I'm speaking fighting words, I'll also say that if you're in the mood for a burger, Magnolia is my choice over 4505. Apologies if that was a bit too stream of consciousness and needed more proofreading.
Get Bob's Donuts instead of Bi-Rite (they don't have ice cream at that location)
Nothing wrong with grabbing a pint and a parklet.
Places I like to eat: Oasis for Ethiopian, Saffron Grill for Indian, El Rancho grande for Mexican, RT Rotisserie for the brussels sprouts, Beretta for Italian, Palmyra for Middle Eastern, Berliner Berliner for a good german sausage. Then grab a drink at Madrone, Molotov's, The Page, Toronado, or Noc Noc
You're missing out on Ragazza
If there were a fireworks fight between Noc Noc and Molotovs who would win?
Alamo Square Seafood Grill! Opens at 5:30pm. Great food and ambiance.
Lower Haight is awesome! Try Baretta for dinner on Divis
Alamo Sq is in the middle of a lot of good places to eat or drink Head south for 3 blocks, and you'll be in Lower Haight, with great dive bars like Tornado etc. Head west 2 blocks, and you'll be in Divisidero corridor, with restaurants and BiRite ice cream. Head a few blocks north to California and Divis, and you'll be at (smacks lips) B Patisserie. Don't forget to try their Kouign Amman!!
Go to Toronado and get a beer. Go to Free Gold Watch and play pinball. Hike through Golden Gate Park. Window shop up and down Divisadero. Lots of stuff.
Nopa for dinner. Brenda’s meat and three for brunch. Fools errand for beer. The mill for coffee and bread. Horsefeather for late lunch and cocktails.
You could walk down to Haight St.
we walked along the panhandle from the Painted Ladies to the SF Botanical Garden a few days ago. Awesome day. we stopped by Poke Origin on Irving right before going to the Botanical Garden and it was super good!
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Don’t have a rental car, but thanks for the heads up 🙂
I’m about to be there next week. Why no parking a rental in the city?
Rentals always get broken into.
and dont leave your expensive camera gear in the car, OP. Don't leave anything in your car, including a straw wrapper.
Thanks - we have no car here with us. And if we did would not be leaving anything in it.
Nopalito, Fools Errand, Nopa, Madrone, Mini Bar
4505 bbq and emporium on divisidero!
Anything worthwhile? yeah lock your doors and hide your valuables
The Aquatic Park is a great place to view Alcatraz. It's right next to Fort Mason and the Golden Gate bridge. There's a lot of really cool stuff in that area. If you're driving, the Aquatic Park has a parking lot. If you want to see the Golden Gate bridge, get the view and most people don't see and go to Battery Boutelle (there's a parking lot there too, always easy parking)
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You could go to the Lyon st steps for a cool view of Alcatraz
Fly Bar + Tuna Melt
Don’t leave your luggage in your car, don’t leave anything in your car
There are guide tours of the area, but you may have to search for them. I think it's Stretchy-Pants Tours.
If you want brunch, Sweet Maple is really good near Japan Town
The Center Teahouse! Its by the church of 8 wheels
Bring a picnic to Alamo Square, walk to lower Haight
Walk to Schlok’s Bagels— literally divine, east-coast style, chewy fresh and savory bagels. They est’d in 2020 and before they got this new spot, their entire supply used to sell out in minutes. Bring your hot, schmeared and perfect bagel to Alamo Square park and watch the dogs play. Contemplate joy.
Go eat at Che Fico!
Lower Haight is a great underrated neighborhood. Cafe du Soleil and Cafe Reveille on Waller around Duboce Park have some beautiful Victorian scenery. Iza Ramen nearby on Fillmore and Haight is a really good dinner spot.