The City by the Bay is the epicentre of all things geeky. Net and biotech entrepreneurs galore mingle with vibrant gay and (ageing) hippie communities. Steer clear of the Fisherman's Wharf tourist trap and explore the hilly neighbourhoods from Russian Hill to Noe Valley with their many boutiques and own microclimates.
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
Dress in layers, or the fog and cold will get you, even in summer. |
| 02 |
Don't say "Frisco" - it gives you away as a visitor. |
| 03 |
Suit and tie are de rigeur. Locals love their smart outdoor outfits. |
| 04 |
Get ready to step over plenty of homeless people - this is a liberal city. |
| 05 |
Need to go the East Bay? Beat bridge traffic with BART trains. |
| 06 |
It's touristy, but buy a good loaf of sourdough bread. It goes well with the Pacific fog. |
| 07 |
Need to get to Silicon Valley fast? Choose Interstate 280 instead of clogged 101 - less traffic and stunning views. |
| 08 |
Walk through the Mission district; try a taco and a glass of horchata for some Latin flavour. |
| 09 |
Weekends are made for Golden Gate Park - the country's largest urban green space, stretching all the way to the Pacific. |
| 10 |
Skip the queues for dinner: check availability and reserve city-wide at opentable.com. |
02
Hotels
Independent and easy
Hotel Vitale
8 Mission Street
+ 1 415 278 3700
hotelvitale.com
Dependable chain
W San Francisco
181 Third Street
+ 1 415 777 5300
whotels.com
Premium
St Regis
125 Third Street
+ 1 415 284 4000
stregis.com
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero Street
+ 1 415 487 2600
tartinebakery.com
Business breakfast
Laurel Court Restaurant
Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason Street
+ 1 415 772 5260
fairmont.com
Mid-morning coffee
Blue Bottle Coffee Kiosk
315 Linden Street
+1 415 252 7537
bluebottlecoffee.net
Working lunch with colleagues
Tadich Grill
240 California Street
+ 1 415 391 1849
Need-to-impress-clients lunch
Perbacco
230 California Street
+ 1 415 955 0663
perbaccosf.com
Lunch on your own
Boulette's Larder
1 Ferry Building Marketplace
+ 1 415 399 1155
bouletteslarder.com
Afternoon tea/drink
Citizen Cake
399 Grove Street
+ 1 415 861 2228
citizencake.com
Dinner with colleagues
Nopa
560 Divisadero Street
+ 1 415 864 8643
nopasf.com
Private dinner
Presidio Social Club
Building 563 Ruger Street
+ 1 415 885 1888
presidiosocialclub.com
Big dinner with partner clients
Zuni Café
1658 Market Street
+ 1 415 552 2522
zunicafe.com
Drink after dinner
The rooftop lounge at Medjool
2522 Mission Street
+ 1 415 550 9055
medjoolsf.com
Late drinks
Matrix Fillmore
3138 Fillmore Street
+ 1 415 563 4180
plumpjack.com
Late bite
Salt House
545 Mission Street
+ 1 415 543 8900
salthousesf.com
On the tiles
Drinks at speakeasy Bix
56 Gold Street
+ 1 415 433 6300
bixrestaurant.com
Taking in the crowd at Tonic Bar
2360 Polk Street
+ 1 415 771 5535
tonic-bar.com
04
Reading
News
Café de la Presse
352 Grant Avenue
+ 1 415 395 2680
aqua-sf.com
Bookstore
City Lights
261 Columbus Avenue
+ 1 415 362 8193
citylights.com
05
Thank yous
Designer goods
Dandelion
55 Potrero Avenue
+ 1 415 436 9500
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Old Potrero Rye by San Francisco's Anchor Distilling Company
Sold only in California, from around $80 in select drinks stores
Lost luggage - where to buy dress shirts, socks and undies
Bloomingdale's
845 Market Street
+1 415 856 5300
bloomingdales.com
Something for the kids
Science stuff from Exploratorium
3601 Lyon Street
+ 1 415 353 0390
exploratorium.edu
Something for someone you love
Tuberose-scented travel kit by local perfumier Elizabeth W
Available in upmarket shops.
Something for yourself
Loft Bar Case cocktail kit by Gumps
135 Post Street
gumps.com
07
Two hour tour
Herzog & de Meuron's stunning new De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, or the SF MOMA.
08
Limousine/car
Cabs
De Soto
+ 1 415 970 1300
Limousine
Carey
+ 1 415 468 7550
09
Transport
Driving can be slow, parking rare. Take Muni trams or BART trains instead.
Buy a passMuni sells 1, 3, and 7-day passes ($11, $18, $24) plus a 7-day CityPass ($54), which includes the cable cars and admission to six sights.
Rent a bikeBlazing Saddles
+ 1 415 202 8888
blazingsaddles.com
10
Fitness
Good Gym
Equinox
301 Pine Street
+ 1 415 593 4000
equinoxfitness.com
Good running route
Golden Gate Park's Inner Loop.