San Francisco, CA

experience

Amoeba Music

for albums you forgot existed. Several modern boutiques mix in luring hipster enough varieties.

San Francisco, CA

experience

Love on Haight

for custom tie-dyed rompers and sweatshirts . Eastern philosophy stores are stockpiled with Nepalese flags and incense.

San Francisco, CA

experience

Gus's Community Market

and grab a few locally made snacks to keep at the Airbnb. Street kids and varying degrees of vagrants bustle along with dogs. Words are whispered and hands exchange goods. On a hot day, the street can have a tinge of pee. At night, it can get quite gritty.

San Francisco, CA

experience

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

There are over 100 vendors surrounding and within the Ferry Plaza building. There’s coffee, pastries, vegetables, and even fresh lavender. There’s granola, fruits, flowers, and more mushrooms than I can name. You’ll find organic signs everywhere. After stall hopping head over to Namu Street Food for their okonomiyaki, a pancake topped with kimchi, veggies, and housemade sauces.

San Francisco, CA

experience

Musée Mécanique

at pier 45. It’s an antique penny arcade with games dating as far back as the 1920’s. Everything comes to life at the drop of a coin. There’s puppets, ferris wheels, and even mini boxing matches. It’s free to enter and look around but I guarantee you won’t leave without making one of these wonderful machines play for you.

San Francisco, CA

experience

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

overlooking the bay. There is beach access and a grassy lawn for lounging. A short walk from here takes you to the infamous crooked Lombard Street. And, by short walk I mean you will be going up a few steep hills to get there. This is also the perfect location to hop on one of San Francisco’s cable cars. The Powell-Hyde route will take you right to Lombard Street.

San Francisco, CA

experience

Chinatown

Hop back on the Powell-Hyde cable car to Chinatown! As the oldest Chinatown outside the mainland, it’s worth a visit! Filled with sights, sounds, and smells that intrigue the senses whether familiar or not. There’s so much to catch your attention here. Store windows are stacked with silky robes, smiling cats, and dried bits of everything. The wave of people walking the streets is nonstop. Fortune cookies are made in windows down alleyways and tea houses are on every street.

San Francisco, CA

bar

Bruno's

This landmark turned nightclub has been in the Mission for over 60 years. It mirrors the diverse street outside with four different rooms and bars to choose from. They offer a weekly line up of entertainment and DJ’s spinning the latest and greatest dance songs. Depending on the DJ there might be a cover charge. Get there around 10 – 10:30pm to skip the long line that forms later in the night.

San Francisco, CA

outdoors

Mission Dolores Park

The park offers sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline. Bi-Rite Market paper bags sit on picnic blankets everywhere. Music blares from boom boxes being rolled around. A few yogis get their afternoon practice on in the sunshine. A family plays uno as their dog prances right in the middle of the game. Bearded hipsters and girls in floppy hats lay on top of one another. Beer bottles clink and puffs of smoke float nearby.

San Francisco, CA

experience

826 Valencia Pirate Supply Store

may sound like one you’d just walk by. However, with hidden floorboards to discover and “mermaid bait” signs I’m sure you can find some booty to leave with. Proceeds from the store benefit community writing workshops for kids in the city.

San Francisco, CA

experience

Electric Blanket

for all that is San Francisco squeezed into a store. Vintage clothing and books are organized by color creating a cheerful rainbow effect.

San Francisco, CA

experience

Clarion Alley

connecting Mission and Valencia between 17th and 18th street. Trust me. It’s not sketchy. Well, it was before the sketches got painted in. Murals charged with socially engaged themes make this alley one you’ll actually want to go down.

San Francisco, CA

outdoors

Lands End Lookout

for a sunset hike in a short few minutes. There are several easy-moderate hikes along the beach with stunning views

San Francisco, CA

bar

Teeth

aka Teeth. No, the Muppets aren’t performing. It’s past their bedtime anyway. Teeth is open until 2 a.m. serving crafty cocktails and edgy eats. After dancing and a few drinks their tater tots bar is all you will need in your life. Besides, you don’t want to wake up hungry for your travel day tomorrow!