Sounds like a perfect first trip! I lived 2 blocks from the Painted Ladies...miss it every day*

Posted by Desert on November 18, 2025, 9:53:04, in reply to "Packed a lot into 4 days. Appreciate all the recs. Having some friends in town helped."

Previous Message We did Ferry Building on Thursday and walked to a needlepoint store for my wife. Alcatraz and North Beach on Friday (the Italian at Freddie's Sandwiches was great). Then friends of ours took over on Saturday. Took a cable car ride all the way up Powell to Buena Vista and did brunch and Irish coffees. Ghirardelli square then to Fisherman's wharf and Musee Mechanique. Took a Waymo to Cable Car museum (which was super interesting) and walked to the Fairmont. Then a few cocktails to end the evening. Sunday we took the J to the Mission District, walked through Delores and went to Tartine Bakery. Walked from there to the Painted ladies and on to Fillmore District. Friends picked us up in the afternoon and we went to Fort Point, drove across the bridge and back, went to the Presidio, stopped at the Legion of Honor, past Golden Gate Park and back to Woodhouse in Fillmore for dinner, the Hotel Kabuki for a few cocktails after. Great few days, didn't see much that was shocking, though skirting the Tenderloin on Friday night had me on edge. Overall a beautiful city, amazing time, and we will definitely be back. Wife is a VT grad and they play @ Cal next year and she also works for a company that is about to be acquired by Salesforce, so easy to assume she'll be back once a year (and I will beg to join her).

Also, check out the website.

Posted by complainant on November 7, 2025, 20:34:39, in reply to "if you're in the vicinity of the Ferry Building, Lunette is a must for lunch* "

I would say the ferry building is a must in general*

Posted by Sounder on November 7, 2025, 19:50:39, in reply to "if you're in the vicinity of the Ferry Building, Lunette is a must for lunch* "

Previous Message Previous Message Gonna be there next Wednesday night through the following Monday AM. Staying a little closer to the Tenderloin than I would like, but my wife has a conference the following week and so to make it easy, we are just staying at the hotel her employer portal told her to choose. Interested in any restaurants or activities people have enjoyed.

I cannot recommend China Live in Chinatown enough (ooo)

Posted by Desert on November 7, 2025, 17:10:21, in reply to "A few recs that will be within super easy reach (and a few more further)..."

My son and I ate there on a whim when we were there last month...just walked in off the street...and it was one of my favorite meals ever. More of a high-class foodie place than a grungy greasy spoon restaurant. Here's a couple pics...the last one is described as "Sesame Soft Serve with Mango Shaved Ice" and it does not do it justice. No joke, best desert I've ever had.

Where is the sprezzatura? Must you all look so pained?*

Posted by gvibes on November 7, 2025, 14:09:15, in reply to "A few recs that will be within super easy reach (and a few more further)..."

Previous Message 1. Take a weekend stroll through the Ferry Plaza. It's absolutely packed with finer end food, drink and things to take away. Oysters, burgers, steaks, bakeries, etc. 2. Chinatown. There's tons of places here but two very good, very old school spots: https://samworestaurant.com/ https://honswuntunhouse-sf.com/ 3. A few blocks down from where you're staying is one of our best accounts for cocktails. PCH. Heres a few more bars also: https://www.pacificcocktailsf.com/ https://www.konastreetmarket.com/ https://www.thehouseofshields.com/ 4. A really really nice meal: https://www.barsprezzatura.com/ 5. Walking up Columbus through North Beach is cool...get an espresso and a cannoli but I really enjoy walking up Grant Street instead. Grant Street is the main thoroughfare through Chinatown and north of Broadway transitions into North Beach. Over the past year, Grant in North Beach has become one of my favorite strolls as it's full of bars, little shops, record shops, etc. 6. The Haight. I dunno...it's the haight. It's like intentionally touristy. I get pizza slices, Amoeba Records and Free Gold Watch (pinball) there. 7. If you REALLY want to venture out to the Avenues holla...there's the Sunset and the Richmond and they're cool but if you just have a few days most people don't venture out our way...there's plenty else to see closer. Previous Message Gonna be there next Wednesday night through the following Monday AM. Staying a little closer to the Tenderloin than I would like, but my wife has a conference the following week and so to make it easy, we are just staying at the hotel her employer portal told her to choose. Interested in any restaurants or activities people have enjoyed.

Do you have an opinion on House of Nanking or Yank Sing?*

Posted by Sounder on November 7, 2025, 12:49:56, in reply to "A few recs that will be within super easy reach (and a few more further)..."

Previous Message 1. Take a weekend stroll through the Ferry Plaza. It's absolutely packed with finer end food, drink and things to take away. Oysters, burgers, steaks, bakeries, etc. 2. Chinatown. There's tons of places here but two very good, very old school spots: https://samworestaurant.com/ https://honswuntunhouse-sf.com/ 3. A few blocks down from where you're staying is one of our best accounts for cocktails. PCH. Heres a few more bars also: https://www.pacificcocktailsf.com/ https://www.konastreetmarket.com/ https://www.thehouseofshields.com/ 4. A really really nice meal: https://www.barsprezzatura.com/ 5. Walking up Columbus through North Beach is cool...get an espresso and a cannoli but I really enjoy walking up Grant Street instead. Grant Street is the main thoroughfare through Chinatown and north of Broadway transitions into North Beach. Over the past year, Grant in North Beach has become one of my favorite strolls as it's full of bars, little shops, record shops, etc. 6. The Haight. I dunno...it's the haight. It's like intentionally touristy. I get pizza slices, Amoeba Records and Free Gold Watch (pinball) there. 7. If you REALLY want to venture out to the Avenues holla...there's the Sunset and the Richmond and they're cool but if you just have a few days most people don't venture out our way...there's plenty else to see closer. Previous Message Gonna be there next Wednesday night through the following Monday AM. Staying a little closer to the Tenderloin than I would like, but my wife has a conference the following week and so to make it easy, we are just staying at the hotel her employer portal told her to choose. Interested in any restaurants or activities people have enjoyed.

And yea...the Presidio is beautiful. Pac Heights. Billionaires Row, etc...

Posted by haighter on November 7, 2025, 12:46:42, in reply to "A few recs that will be within super easy reach (and a few more further)..."

...I just can't offer much in the way of suggestions other than take a stroll and see how the .1% live. Previous Message 1. Take a weekend stroll through the Ferry Plaza. It's absolutely packed with finer end food, drink and things to take away. Oysters, burgers, steaks, bakeries, etc. 2. Chinatown. There's tons of places here but two very good, very old school spots: https://samworestaurant.com/ https://honswuntunhouse-sf.com/ 3. A few blocks down from where you're staying is one of our best accounts for cocktails. PCH. Heres a few more bars also: https://www.pacificcocktailsf.com/ https://www.konastreetmarket.com/ https://www.thehouseofshields.com/ 4. A really really nice meal: https://www.barsprezzatura.com/ 5. Walking up Columbus through North Beach is cool...get an espresso and a cannoli but I really enjoy walking up Grant Street instead. Grant Street is the main thoroughfare through Chinatown and north of Broadway transitions into North Beach. Over the past year, Grant in North Beach has become one of my favorite strolls as it's full of bars, little shops, record shops, etc. 6. The Haight. I dunno...it's the haight. It's like intentionally touristy. I get pizza slices, Amoeba Records and Free Gold Watch (pinball) there. 7. If you REALLY want to venture out to the Avenues holla...there's the Sunset and the Richmond and they're cool but if you just have a few days most people don't venture out our way...there's plenty else to see closer. Previous Message Gonna be there next Wednesday night through the following Monday AM. Staying a little closer to the Tenderloin than I would like, but my wife has a conference the following week and so to make it easy, we are just staying at the hotel her employer portal told her to choose. Interested in any restaurants or activities people have enjoyed.

If you do go to the Haight, strongly recommend Cha Cha Cha for dinner*

Posted by Sounder on November 7, 2025, 12:45:23, in reply to "A few recs that will be within super easy reach (and a few more further)..."

Previous Message 1. Take a weekend stroll through the Ferry Plaza. It's absolutely packed with finer end food, drink and things to take away. Oysters, burgers, steaks, bakeries, etc. 2. Chinatown. There's tons of places here but two very good, very old school spots: https://samworestaurant.com/ https://honswuntunhouse-sf.com/ 3. A few blocks down from where you're staying is one of our best accounts for cocktails. PCH. Heres a few more bars also: https://www.pacificcocktailsf.com/ https://www.konastreetmarket.com/ https://www.thehouseofshields.com/ 4. A really really nice meal: https://www.barsprezzatura.com/ 5. Walking up Columbus through North Beach is cool...get an espresso and a cannoli but I really enjoy walking up Grant Street instead. Grant Street is the main thoroughfare through Chinatown and north of Broadway transitions into North Beach. Over the past year, Grant in North Beach has become one of my favorite strolls as it's full of bars, little shops, record shops, etc. 6. The Haight. I dunno...it's the haight. It's like intentionally touristy. I get pizza slices, Amoeba Records and Free Gold Watch (pinball) there. 7. If you REALLY want to venture out to the Avenues holla...there's the Sunset and the Richmond and they're cool but if you just have a few days most people don't venture out our way...there's plenty else to see closer. Previous Message Gonna be there next Wednesday night through the following Monday AM. Staying a little closer to the Tenderloin than I would like, but my wife has a conference the following week and so to make it easy, we are just staying at the hotel her employer portal told her to choose. Interested in any restaurants or activities people have enjoyed.

Coit Tower tip: You can enjoy the view without going inside.

Posted by complainant on November 7, 2025, 20:29:56, in reply to "I'll go touristy stuff...GG Bridge @ Fort Point, Coit Tower, Pier 39 Lombard Street, Cable Cars..."

Is there a definitive Cioppino spot?*

Posted by Sounder on November 7, 2025, 12:45:55, in reply to "I'll go touristy stuff...GG Bridge @ Fort Point, Coit Tower, Pier 39 Lombard Street, Cable Cars..."

Previous Message Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista, Scoma's for expensive seafood at the Wharf

I as there last month too and Tenderloin was as bad as I've ever seen, the rest was totally fine*

Posted by Desert on November 7, 2025, 17:16:29, in reply to "I think a great day is starting in the marina district, walking by the palace of fine arts"

Previous Message Can walk down to Crissy field for great views of the bridge (fog permitting). Then heading up Fillmore street in pac heights (shopping and eating), heading over to Alta plaza park, then walking up Broadway to the Lyon steps for some incredible views of the bay. The Castro, Dolores park, and a walk over to the mission is great (avoid the area directly around the 16th street bart stop). Tons of top restaurants in the mission and Valencia is a great stroll. The Castro is the gay area, so up to you whether that’s interesting to you, but it’s in a great part of town. Haight Ashbury/golden gate park is a good duo to do together. North beach is always good. Tenderloin was pretty bad when I was there a month ago. Lotta fent zombies either tweaking or literally passed out in the middle of the sidewalk. It’s not unsafe, but I’m not gonna lie it’s not great over there right now. But if you cab out of there to the neighborhoods, there’s nowhere better than SF. Previous Message Gonna be there next Wednesday night through the following Monday AM. Staying a little closer to the Tenderloin than I would like, but my wife has a conference the following week and so to make it easy, we are just staying at the hotel her employer portal told her to choose. Interested in any restaurants or activities people have enjoyed.

Sorry, meant to include some of that in my original post and ended up getting a call

Posted by GrandmotherPearlsJam on November 7, 2025, 11:19:07, in reply to "On a serious note, I probably have a few recs. Could you expand a bit more..."

well, it is no-nut November*

Posted by Sammich on November 7, 2025, 11:12:41, in reply to "Skip it...place sucks. No one comes here anymore. *"

Previous Message Previous Message Gonna be there next Wednesday night through the following Monday AM. Staying a little closer to the Tenderloin than I would like, but my wife has a conference the following week and so to make it easy, we are just staying at the hotel her employer portal told her to choose. Interested in any restaurants or activities people have enjoyed. strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime