Important Reminder:The City Guide app will be sunsetting on December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more or to download our Swarm app.
Created by Aaron Cruz Updated On: October 16, 2014
Coffee shops, restaurants, parks, neighborhoods, beaches, touristy things and scenic spots I have enjoyed and would recommend from my favorite city to travel to! Still need to ride the cable car!
270 7th St (btwn Howard & Folsom St), San Francisco, CA
Coffee Shop · SoMa · 600 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: A SoMa neighborhood gem. A Kiawamururu, Kenya Pour Over worked great for me. Enjoyed the non-uniform seating while watching the roaster in action. Checkout the unique bathroom sink/mirror setup.
Aaron Cruz: Enjoy a great coffee outside on the lounge chairs from the kiosk that sits right in the heart of the Hayes Valley neighborhood. Friendly and knowledgeable baristas. Get a pour over or a Macchiato.
Pier 17 (btwn Embarcadero & Green), San Francisco, CA
Dessert Shop · Northern Waterfront · 62 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: A chocolate haven located along the Embarcadero. I went the caffeinated drink route experiencing an iced TCHOchocolate mocha with Blue Bottle espresso yum.
Aaron Cruz: The home of the Irish Coffee! You gotta get at least one. Waiting a while to get a seat at the bar to watch them made by the dozen is well worth the wait.
Aaron Cruz: Always the first place I head when I get to SF. Walk along the Pacific. Walk up to nearby Cliff House. Make sure to bring warm clothes, much colder and windy then the heart of the city.
2 Beach St (at The Embarcadero), San Francisco, CA
Pier · Fishermans Wharf · 387 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: Lots of shopping and foodie fun within this Embarcadero institution. Checkout the sea lions. Some of the biggest strawberries I've ever seen in the outdoor market. Chocolate Heaven is worth a look.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Sausalito, CA
Park · 63 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: Just across the Golden Gate Bridge, get panoramic, romantic views of the bridge, San Francisco skyline, the Bay, the ocean and beyond. Beautiful whether clear or fogged over.
Aaron Cruz: Make sure to drive, bike and walk the iconic International Orange painted bridge to see the beauty from different perspectives. Much easier to park @ the vista point just north of the bridge, off 101.
600 Montgomery St (at Washington St), San Francisco, CA
Structure · Financial District · 28 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: You can't go up-top but make sure to checkout the unique skyscraper from all angles, all over town. Photo-friendly. It does dominate the skyline in a great way. :)
Aaron Cruz: San Francisco's oldest neighborhood. Known as "The Mission". Grab a coffee as my favorite shop in the city, Four Barrel. Walk around and checkout the murals.
2801 Leavenworth St (at Bay St), San Francisco, CA
Pier · Fishermans Wharf · 337 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: Grab some seafood, hit up the touristy shops, get the original Irish Coffee at Buena Vista, checkout Hyde Street Pier, ride the iconic cable car, something for everyone in this neighborhood.
Aaron Cruz: A scenic neighborhood filled with boutiques, greenery, cafes & restaurants. Hang out in Patricia’s Green, grab a coffee at the Ritual Coffee or Blue Bottle kiosks. How about some breakfast at Stacks.
Breakfast Spot · Hayes Valley · 142 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: A great place to grab breakfast in the boutique filled Hayes Valley neighborhood. Don't grab coffee here though. Head across the street to the nearby Ritual Coffee or Blue Bottle kiosk for that. :)
Moraga St (btwn 15th & 16th Ave), San Francisco, CA
Scenic Lookout · Golden Gate Heights · 50 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: An off the beaten spot in the Inner Sunset neighborhood. You’ll find handmade animals, birds, flowers & fish themed tiles on the mosaic steps. Great panoramic views up-top. Greenery lines both sides.
Marina Green (at Marina Green Dr), San Francisco, CA
Park · Marina District · 46 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: Great place to just soak in SF. You’ll find people walking their dogs, flying kites, running & just relaxing on the grass. Historic homes lie alongside. Great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and bay.
100 Christmas Tree Point Rd (at Twin Peaks Blvd), San Francisco, CA
Hill · 274 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: One of those spots you see in the movies. Great romantic, panoramic views of SF when it's not foggy. Checkout the colorful houses on the windy Twin Peaks Boulevard. Parking sometimes an issue up-top.
Steiner St (btwn Fulton & Hayes St), San Francisco, CA
Park · 168 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: Neighborhood and park up-top a hill providing great views of the city. Checkout the Victorian homes that surround the park. Great spot if your a dog lover.
1 Telegraph Hill Blvd (btwn Lombard & Union St), San Francisco, CA
Monument · Telegraph Hill · 327 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: 360 degree views of San Fran up-top the tower on Telegraph Hill. Parking, traffic issues at peak times so walking the Greenwich or Filbert stairs to get to is popular.
22 Merrie Way (at Point Lobos Ave), San Francisco, CA
Scenic Lookout · 43 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: A part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. A romantic and scenic spot to capture the Golden Gate Bridge and watch the bay and ocean come together.
1 Ferry Building (at The Embarcadero), San Francisco, CA
Market · Financial District · 468 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: On The Embarcadero, checkout the marketplace, Blue Bottle Coffee and Pepples Donuts. People watch as workers come and go on the ferries and rush hour time. Great bay views and outdoor dining fun.
Grocery Store · Outer Sunset · 20 tips and reviews
Aaron Cruz: Fresh, cheap produce at this off the beaten path neighborhood and market. Felt like I lived as was a part of SF when walking around this area. :)