Kevin and Serene's brief guide to SF, the Outer Richmond and Wine Country
Neighborhoods
Welcome to the Outer Richmond neighborhood! A hidden gem in the city located just north of Golden Gate Park, and in some ways a suburban neighborhood amidst a big city. Surrounding the neighborhood:
• To the West is the Pacific Ocean
• To the North the Legion of Honor, Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge
• To the East is the downtown area of SF
• To the South is the fantastic Golden Gate Park
While there is a ton to do and see in San Francisco, allow us to highlight some of the local favorites in our neighborhood. We hope you will have a chance to visit some of these.
Golden Gate Park – The world famous and absolutely massive park (seriously, it isn’t difficult to get lost) is an incredible treasure. Just down the hill from us is Spreckels lake which is great for a brief walk. Other highlights to consider visiting are Stow Lake, De Young Museum, Academy of Sciences, and Conservatory of Flowers to name just a few.
Legion of Honor / Lands End – Beautiful walking hikes and grounds. You can take a brief walk to the entrance of Lands End or drive over. The brief hike has spectacular views of the Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge
The Presidio - Located at the Golden Gate, the Presidio is a national park site like no other, with surprising adventures for everyone. Get away from it all on a trail and enjoy the view from a scenic overlook. Or grab a great meal, visit a museum, browse in a store, or rest your head in a historic lodge. There’s always something new to discover!
Balboa Corridor – Right around the block, this short commercial stretch from roughly 34th Ave to 39th Ave has a collection of cute restaurants and coffee shops. For anyone looking for coffee or beer, Simple Pleasures Café and La Promenade are local favorites to check-in on.
Clement Street – A few blocks North, Clement has a vibrant restaurant, shop and bar scene to explore. The main stretches to explore are from 27th Ave to 23rd Ave and from 11th Ave to Arguello Blvd (which would be 1st Avenue). Fiorella Pizza, Tia Margarita’s, Burma Superstar, B-Star, Arsicault Bakery, and Green Apple Books are highlights.
Geary Blvd – Geary boulevard is the heart of the Richmond and runs right through the middle of the neighborhood. There are a lot of different restaurants, shops and bars along the wide street. Lou’s sandwiches, House of Bagels and Bella Trattoria are a few of our favorite spots.
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Richmond District
Welcome to the Outer Richmond neighborhood! A hidden gem in the city located just north of Golden Gate Park, and in some ways a suburban neighborhood amidst a big city. Surrounding the neighborhood:
• To the West is the Pacific Ocean
• To the North the Legion of Honor, Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge
• To the East is the downtown area of SF
• To the South is the fantastic Golden Gate Park
While there is a ton to do and see in San Francisco, allow us to highlight some of the local favorites in our neighborhood. We hope you will have a chance to visit some of these.
Golden Gate Park – The world famous and absolutely massive park (seriously, it isn’t difficult to get lost) is an incredible treasure. Just down the hill from us is Spreckels lake which is great for a brief walk. Other highlights to consider visiting are Stow Lake, De Young Museum, Academy of Sciences, and Conservatory of Flowers to name just a few.
Legion of Honor / Lands End – Beautiful walking hikes and grounds. You can take a brief walk to the entrance of Lands End or drive over. The brief hike has spectacular views of the Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge
The Presidio - Located at the Golden Gate, the Presidio is a national park site like no other, with surprising adventures for everyone. Get away from it all on a trail and enjoy the view from a scenic overlook. Or grab a great meal, visit a museum, browse in a store, or rest your head in a historic lodge. There’s always something new to discover!
Balboa Corridor – Right around the block, this short commercial stretch from roughly 34th Ave to 39th Ave has a collection of cute restaurants and coffee shops. For anyone looking for coffee or beer, Simple Pleasures Café and La Promenade are local favorites to check-in on.
Clement Street – A few blocks North, Clement has a vibrant restaurant, shop and bar scene to explore. The main stretches to explore are from 27th Ave to 23rd Ave and from 11th Ave to Arguello Blvd (which would be 1st Avenue). Fiorella Pizza, Tia Margarita’s, Burma Superstar, B-Star, Arsicault Bakery, and Green Apple Books are highlights.
Geary Blvd – Geary boulevard is the heart of the Richmond and runs right through the middle of the neighborhood. There are a lot of different restaurants, shops and bars along the wide street. Lou’s sandwiches, House of Bagels and Bella Trattoria are a few of our favorite spots.
Multiple great restaurants and Dolores park is a great spot for a sunny picnic. If you want to experience classic SF Mexican food and the original Mission burrito this is the neighborhood to visit. Great burrito spots include La Tacquerria, El Farolito and Tacqueria Cancun.
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Mission Dolores
Multiple great restaurants and Dolores park is a great spot for a sunny picnic. If you want to experience classic SF Mexican food and the original Mission burrito this is the neighborhood to visit. Great burrito spots include La Tacquerria, El Farolito and Tacqueria Cancun.
Amazing for hikes and views of the bay and the ocean. The Presidio is massive, and is also home to unexpected features like several playgrounds, a bowling alley and at times a farmers market. A great space to explore and also nice for photos.
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Presidio di San Francisco
Amazing for hikes and views of the bay and the ocean. The Presidio is massive, and is also home to unexpected features like several playgrounds, a bowling alley and at times a farmers market. A great space to explore and also nice for photos.
Food scene
One of our personal favorites. Amazing fusion Sushi and Sashimi, and the owner Dave is seriously one of the nicest people you'll meet. A gem in the neighborhood!
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Sushi Bistro
452 Balboa StOne of our personal favorites. Amazing fusion Sushi and Sashimi, and the owner Dave is seriously one of the nicest people you'll meet. A gem in the neighborhood!
Cielito Lindo
3440 Balboa StreetGreat tortas, breakfast burritos and birria tacos (tacos with a dipping sauce)!
Awesome outdoor food and bar on Treasure Island with bocci ball and live music. Great for sunny days and an unexpected gem with amazing views of Sam Francisco and the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges.
Mersea
699 Avenue of the PalmsAwesome outdoor food and bar on Treasure Island with bocci ball and live music. Great for sunny days and an unexpected gem with amazing views of Sam Francisco and the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges.
Amazing mexican food and what many call the best spot in the city. They are known for not including Rice in their burritos. Just know there can be long lines. If you order a burrito, we recommend you get it "Dorado style" (grilled).
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La Taqueria
2889 Mission StAmazing mexican food and what many call the best spot in the city. They are known for not including Rice in their burritos. Just know there can be long lines. If you order a burrito, we recommend you get it "Dorado style" (grilled).
For a fancier night out, this 1-star Michelin restaurant doesn't feel overly stuffy. Great food and cocktails, and a good option for more vegetarian focused cuisine (this isn't a vegetarian restaurant, they are just known for having a range of non-meat oriented items in addition to traditional protein dishes).
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AL's Place
1499 Valencia StreetFor a fancier night out, this 1-star Michelin restaurant doesn't feel overly stuffy. Great food and cocktails, and a good option for more vegetarian focused cuisine (this isn't a vegetarian restaurant, they are just known for having a range of non-meat oriented items in addition to traditional protein dishes).
The food is just ok, but this little spot at the end of Golden Gate Park has a nice outdoor seating area and often has live music on weekends. They brew their own beers, and during nice weather is a great place to spend a few hours outdoors having a drink (they have a full bar) and snack.
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Park Chalet Coastal Beer Garden
1000 Great HwyThe food is just ok, but this little spot at the end of Golden Gate Park has a nice outdoor seating area and often has live music on weekends. They brew their own beers, and during nice weather is a great place to spend a few hours outdoors having a drink (they have a full bar) and snack.
Cute little restaurant that we have loved to go back to over the years. Food has been excellent, and it strikes a great balance of food and ambiance in a way that isn't too pricey but makes for a great night out.
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Heirloom Café
2500 Folsom StCute little restaurant that we have loved to go back to over the years. Food has been excellent, and it strikes a great balance of food and ambiance in a way that isn't too pricey but makes for a great night out.
Awesome seafood. This place is well known for their sashimi fish burritos. Great quality. They have an amazing orange hot sauce, and make good poke and guacamole as well. Highly recommended!
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Hook Fish Co
4542 Irving StAwesome seafood. This place is well known for their sashimi fish burritos. Great quality. They have an amazing orange hot sauce, and make good poke and guacamole as well. Highly recommended!
The expansion spot for Hook Fish just north of the city. This has an outdoor beer garden as well. Perfect for a bite and beer either right before or after a hike in the amazing Marin Headlands or various North Bay recreation areas.
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Hook Fish Co. at Proof Lab Beer Garden
254 Shoreline HighwayThe expansion spot for Hook Fish just north of the city. This has an outdoor beer garden as well. Perfect for a bite and beer either right before or after a hike in the amazing Marin Headlands or various North Bay recreation areas.
Delicious Sushi right in the neighborhood. Second only to our favorite, Sushi Bistro. Great eats!
Little Sushi Bar
200 23rd AvenueDelicious Sushi right in the neighborhood. Second only to our favorite, Sushi Bistro. Great eats!
A cute little Italian spot with great pasta. We used to live right down the street and it was always a favorite!
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Bella Trattoria
3854 Geary BlvdA cute little Italian spot with great pasta. We used to live right down the street and it was always a favorite!
Great little bakery just down Balboa. Well known for their breakfast sandwiches!
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Devil's Teeth Baking Company
3876 Noriega StGreat little bakery just down Balboa. Well known for their breakfast sandwiches!
Want a bit of old school San Francisco? HOPR (affectionately referred to as ‘Hopper’) is an SF staple. Fantastic prime rib dinners (and not much else… don’t go if you don’t want prime rib). They will serve you a second slice and tons of great included sides. A classic ‘treat’ dinner, and a long time city favorite.
We both love HOPR, and just this little wrote-up is making me think it’s time for another visit…
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House of Prime Rib
1906 Van Ness AveWant a bit of old school San Francisco? HOPR (affectionately referred to as ‘Hopper’) is an SF staple. Fantastic prime rib dinners (and not much else… don’t go if you don’t want prime rib). They will serve you a second slice and tons of great included sides. A classic ‘treat’ dinner, and a long time city favorite.
We both love HOPR, and just this little wrote-up is making me think it’s time for another visit…
Spectacular northern Vietnamese style cuisine. It is a bit different than traditional pho with wider noodles, but it is well worth the trip. Particularly well known for their Pho Gao.
Pho Huong Viet
Spectacular northern Vietnamese style cuisine. It is a bit different than traditional pho with wider noodles, but it is well worth the trip. Particularly well known for their Pho Gao.
Amazing bagels! On Wednesdays Ty do smash burgers for dinners and they do pizza for dinners. Great spot, but watch out for the lines!
The Laundromat SF
Amazing bagels! On Wednesdays Ty do smash burgers for dinners and they do pizza for dinners. Great spot, but watch out for the lines!
Hook Fish Co
4542 Irving StTruly great Indian food (they deliver!). Consistent quality, and never too greasy. The lamb Korma is a favorite.
If you are looking for a hearty delivery meal this is almost certainly your best option.
Great India Restaurant
6127 Geary BlvdTruly great Indian food (they deliver!). Consistent quality, and never too greasy. The lamb Korma is a favorite.
If you are looking for a hearty delivery meal this is almost certainly your best option.
Sightseeing
An incredible natural history museum right in Golden Gate Park. Fantastic for a few hours of site seeing. You can visit the Tropical Rainforest Bio-Dome, multi-floor aquarium or meet Claude, the rare albino alligator!
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Academy Of Sciences station
An incredible natural history museum right in Golden Gate Park. Fantastic for a few hours of site seeing. You can visit the Tropical Rainforest Bio-Dome, multi-floor aquarium or meet Claude, the rare albino alligator!
Fantastic views on a brief hike. Best view of the Golden Gate Bridge in the city.
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Sentiero di Lands End
Lands End TrailFantastic views on a brief hike. Best view of the Golden Gate Bridge in the city.
An absolute must visit while in San Francisco. Absolutely massive, GGP is kinda of a more rugged and rural take on New York's Central Park. Just 2 blocks down the hill from the unit, we strongly recommend you take some time to explore. Spreckles lake is right next to us, but visiting the Academy of Sciences, De Young Museum, or the Conservatory of Flowers are always good options.
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Parco di Golden Gate
An absolute must visit while in San Francisco. Absolutely massive, GGP is kinda of a more rugged and rural take on New York's Central Park. Just 2 blocks down the hill from the unit, we strongly recommend you take some time to explore. Spreckles lake is right next to us, but visiting the Academy of Sciences, De Young Museum, or the Conservatory of Flowers are always good options.
A cute little lake right down the hill from the unit. Great for brief walks, and also right next to the Bison paddock. Don't miss the cute little turtles and the radio controlled motorboats :)
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Spreckels Lake
A cute little lake right down the hill from the unit. Great for brief walks, and also right next to the Bison paddock. Don't miss the cute little turtles and the radio controlled motorboats :)
Wine Country
Our favorite spot up in wine country! This family run gem is just ~1.5 hours north of the city, and if you are planning to visit wine country while you stay we can't recommend it strongly enough! It's also one of the last remaining places that has a free tasting option.
Ok, full disclosure: this is actually our family's winery. Kevin's parents started it in the 70's, and his brother's run the show today. All that said, it's still an amazing place that has an incredible bang-for-the-buck Cabernet.
If you do decide to go visit wine country, let us know and we can help get you a discount in the tasting room as well.
Alexander Valley Vineyards
8644 CA-128Our favorite spot up in wine country! This family run gem is just ~1.5 hours north of the city, and if you are planning to visit wine country while you stay we can't recommend it strongly enough! It's also one of the last remaining places that has a free tasting option.
Ok, full disclosure: this is actually our family's winery. Kevin's parents started it in the 70's, and his brother's run the show today. All that said, it's still an amazing place that has an incredible bang-for-the-buck Cabernet.
If you do decide to go visit wine country, let us know and we can help get you a discount in the tasting room as well.
If you enjoy Sparkling Wines, this spot is one of our favorites.
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J Vineyards & Winery
11447 Old Redwood HwyIf you enjoy Sparkling Wines, this spot is one of our favorites.
A great gem that has been around since before Prohibition. Kevin's god parents, Louis and Helaine Foppiano have take great care of this historical spot. They also have started making a fantastic sparkling Rose (which was actually the wine we celebrated with when we moved into this house!).
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Foppiano Vineyard
12707 Old Redwood HwyA great gem that has been around since before Prohibition. Kevin's god parents, Louis and Helaine Foppiano have take great care of this historical spot. They also have started making a fantastic sparkling Rose (which was actually the wine we celebrated with when we moved into this house!).
An amazing Italian restaurant that our family has been going to for decades. They have a ton of great options, but some family favorites include: Raviolis, Lasagna, the Kale salad and their Burrata plate appetizer.
Be sure to call ahead as they do get busy.
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Catelli's Restaurant
21047 Geyserville AveAn amazing Italian restaurant that our family has been going to for decades. They have a ton of great options, but some family favorites include: Raviolis, Lasagna, the Kale salad and their Burrata plate appetizer.
Be sure to call ahead as they do get busy.
Our favorite Mexican spot! The Al Pastor is amazing (especially the tacos), and if you're feeling adventurous the Lengua (Cow Tongue) is great as well.
Note: like most California mexican spots, they are heavy on Cilantro. If you aren't a fan of Cilantro this may not be the right spot for you.
El Sombrero
245 Center StOur favorite Mexican spot! The Al Pastor is amazing (especially the tacos), and if you're feeling adventurous the Lengua (Cow Tongue) is great as well.
Note: like most California mexican spots, they are heavy on Cilantro. If you aren't a fan of Cilantro this may not be the right spot for you.
Bars and Nightlife
A classic SF Dive bar if ever there was one. This place has a great outdoor patio area and amazing Bloody Mary's
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Zeitgeist
199 Valencia StA classic SF Dive bar if ever there was one. This place has a great outdoor patio area and amazing Bloody Mary's
A fantastic little wine bar not too far from our place. They also serve small plate food items as well.
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High Treason
443 Clement StA fantastic little wine bar not too far from our place. They also serve small plate food items as well.
Little Shamrock
807 Lincoln WayClassic neighborhood dive bar.
Violet's
2301 Clement StGreat spot for cocktails and bites in the neighborhood.
If you are a beer lover this spot should be on your list. A great selection of beers in a fun neighborhood.
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Toronado
547 Haight StIf you are a beer lover this spot should be on your list. A great selection of beers in a fun neighborhood.
Classic San Francisco bar in the heart of the North Beach neighborhood.
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Vesuvio Cafe
255 Columbus AveClassic San Francisco bar in the heart of the North Beach neighborhood.
If you are looking for a movie night this place is the best spot in SF. Featuring in-eat dining and drinks with a full bar, Alamo Drafthouse is the best way to see movies in theaters!
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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
2550 Mission StIf you are looking for a movie night this place is the best spot in SF. Featuring in-eat dining and drinks with a full bar, Alamo Drafthouse is the best way to see movies in theaters!
City/town information
An amazing an adorable town ~1.5 hours north of the city right in the heart of wine country. Great for an extended day trip. Amazing food, wine and scenery!
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Healdsburg
An amazing an adorable town ~1.5 hours north of the city right in the heart of wine country. Great for an extended day trip. Amazing food, wine and scenery!
Consigli per viaggiatori
Cosa portare
Bring Layers when out and about in the city and Bay.
It's always a good idea to have a few light layers when heading out. San Francisco is much cooler than the surrounding Bay Area, and even within the city there are micro-climates. Generally speaking, the further east you are, the warmer and sunnier it will be. Be prepared for both cloudy and sunny weather.
Also, the warmest months for SF often can be the summer "shoulder" months of April, May, September and October. SF is notorious for amazing Indian Summers. It's hard to beat sunny outdoor days in SF and GGP.
Da non perdere
The Clement Street Farmer's market on Sundays is great!
Happening on Sundays from 2nd to 4th Avenue, this is a great local farmer's market with amazing food, produce, meats and cheeses. A lovely tradition of the neighborhood!
Muoversi in zona
Drivers: San Francisco is a unique city for those in cars.
There are really aren't any freeways in the vast majority of San Francisco.
This city has a lot of one-way streets, and some intense hills.
Parking can be challenging in the city, and you should be comfortable parallel parking if you aren't planning to pay to stay in a parking lot.
That said, driving is a great way to get around the city and get a feel for the many unique neighborhoods.