Renee’s guidebook
Neighborhoods
This is where our apartment is located. It's a vibrant, culturally diverse neighborhood with a ton of history. Two main streets are at the heart of this area--Valencia Street, which contains many hip and trendy restaurants, shops and coffee stops, and Mission Street, which hosts some of the same, but has a more down-to-earth, Latin-influenced feel to it.
355 locals recommend
Mission District
This is where our apartment is located. It's a vibrant, culturally diverse neighborhood with a ton of history. Two main streets are at the heart of this area--Valencia Street, which contains many hip and trendy restaurants, shops and coffee stops, and Mission Street, which hosts some of the same, but has a more down-to-earth, Latin-influenced feel to it.
Rainbow flags and rainbow street crossings, shops with names like "Rock Hard" and "Slurp" and "Hand Job," what else can you ask for? This is the heart of San Francisco's vibrant LBGQT scene.
293 locals recommend
The Castro
Rainbow flags and rainbow street crossings, shops with names like "Rock Hard" and "Slurp" and "Hand Job," what else can you ask for? This is the heart of San Francisco's vibrant LBGQT scene.
Health & Wellness
Donation-based yoga studio in a beautiful loft space with great natural light.
47 locals recommend
Yoga to the People
64 Shattuck SquareDonation-based yoga studio in a beautiful loft space with great natural light.
For the serious yogi, this is where some of the city's best yoga instructors teach.
12 locals recommend
Love Story Yoga
473 Valencia StFor the serious yogi, this is where some of the city's best yoga instructors teach.
Want to sweat it out with a good indoor spin session? Take a class with Rachael Brooke!
39 locals recommend
SoulCycle
2095 Union StreetWant to sweat it out with a good indoor spin session? Take a class with Rachael Brooke!
Favorite Quick & Casual Bites
We're biased because Jeff is one of the owners of this fast-casual restaurant, but everything is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and delicious. Great for people on niche diets. Order the General Tso's Chicken with Brussel Sprouts (instead of broccoli)--you won't regret it!
Kitava
2011 Mission StWe're biased because Jeff is one of the owners of this fast-casual restaurant, but everything is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and delicious. Great for people on niche diets. Order the General Tso's Chicken with Brussel Sprouts (instead of broccoli)--you won't regret it!
Hip Mediterranean joint featuring roasted meat and vegetarian sandwiches, wraps and salads, plus tasty frozen Greek yogurts, beer and wine. Try the lamb salad, vegetarian salad, juicy potatoes, olive oil & salt frozen yogurt or Baklava frozen yogurt!
196 locals recommend
Souvla
517 Hayes StHip Mediterranean joint featuring roasted meat and vegetarian sandwiches, wraps and salads, plus tasty frozen Greek yogurts, beer and wine. Try the lamb salad, vegetarian salad, juicy potatoes, olive oil & salt frozen yogurt or Baklava frozen yogurt!
Stylish fast-casual corner spot for Cuban sandwiches, bowls and snacks, plus beer and wine.
9 locals recommend
Media Noche
3465 19th StStylish fast-casual corner spot for Cuban sandwiches, bowls and snacks, plus beer and wine.
Wine Spots
Live jazz on Tuesday and Sunday nights, plus a great selection of wine and plenty of tapas in a cozy environment. what else do you need?
29 locals recommend
Etcetera Wine Bar
795 Valencia StLive jazz on Tuesday and Sunday nights, plus a great selection of wine and plenty of tapas in a cozy environment. what else do you need?
Coffee, Tea & Pastries
Sometimes you just want a big cup of brewed coffee at a good price, and if that's the case, this is your spot. Good breakfast options as well.
260 locals recommend
Precita Park Cafe & Grill
500 Precita AvenueSometimes you just want a big cup of brewed coffee at a good price, and if that's the case, this is your spot. Good breakfast options as well.
Head here on your way to Dolores Park for some of the best pastries in the city. Usually a long line on the weekends (and some weekday mornings). Order the chocolate croissant and morning bun! But really, everything there is delicious.
768 locals recommend
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero StHead here on your way to Dolores Park for some of the best pastries in the city. Usually a long line on the weekends (and some weekday mornings). Order the chocolate croissant and morning bun! But really, everything there is delicious.
Good coffee, pastries and place to meet a friend or work from. Debatable as to whether their morning bun is better than Tartine's?
137 locals recommend
Craftsman and Wolves
746 Valencia StGood coffee, pastries and place to meet a friend or work from. Debatable as to whether their morning bun is better than Tartine's?
A very trendy spot in the city with a variety of matcha teas and serving styles, plus some light food options.
19 locals recommend
Stonemill Matcha
561 Valencia StA very trendy spot in the city with a variety of matcha teas and serving styles, plus some light food options.
Signature San Francisco spot serving boba tea with high quality ingredients and tons of options for customization.
40 locals recommend
Boba Guys Mission
3491 19th StSignature San Francisco spot serving boba tea with high quality ingredients and tons of options for customization.
Beautiful indoor and outdoor cafe space with good coffee and breakfasts; also a good place to work from. Probably one of my favorite coffee shops in the city.
50 locals recommend
Stable Cafe
2128 Folsom StBeautiful indoor and outdoor cafe space with good coffee and breakfasts; also a good place to work from. Probably one of my favorite coffee shops in the city.
Groceries
High quality, famous local market where you can get most things you need for breakfast, lunch and dinner though at a higher price point. Also has a cold and hot section for sandwiches, soups, salads, and the like.
651 locals recommend
Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th StHigh quality, famous local market where you can get most things you need for breakfast, lunch and dinner though at a higher price point. Also has a cold and hot section for sandwiches, soups, salads, and the like.
Corner store where you can buy some organic and vegan food and eco-friendly toiletries.
60 locals recommend
Valencia Whole Foods
999 Valencia StCorner store where you can buy some organic and vegan food and eco-friendly toiletries.
Sightseeing
Not to be missed if you're looking for a local and classic San Franciscan experience. Great place to run or play tennis and a sight for the eyes on a nice, warm weekend day.
46 locals recommend
Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetNot to be missed if you're looking for a local and classic San Franciscan experience. Great place to run or play tennis and a sight for the eyes on a nice, warm weekend day.