Guidebook for San Francisco

Brian
Guidebook for San Francisco

Food Scene

West Portal is packed with coffee shops, restaurants (our faves: Peets, Fresca), movie theater, bookstore, pharmacy, and the very handy MUNI train station. It's a leisurely 15-minute walk downhill.
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West Portal
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West Portal is packed with coffee shops, restaurants (our faves: Peets, Fresca), movie theater, bookstore, pharmacy, and the very handy MUNI train station. It's a leisurely 15-minute walk downhill.
Shanghai dumplings are special Chinese treats! Savory soup-filled meat dumplings steamed to perfection. Also try the spicy chive dumplings, tofu salad and steamed spinach. Great for a family or group.
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Shanghai Dumpling King
696 Monterey Blvd
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Shanghai dumplings are special Chinese treats! Savory soup-filled meat dumplings steamed to perfection. Also try the spicy chive dumplings, tofu salad and steamed spinach. Great for a family or group.
Delicious Peruvian food - grilled meats, fresh seafood, generous portions, terrific wine and beer selection. Incredible ceviche - fresh, fresh, fresh like its name. Make reservations!
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Bursa Restaurant
60 W Portal Ave
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Delicious Peruvian food - grilled meats, fresh seafood, generous portions, terrific wine and beer selection. Incredible ceviche - fresh, fresh, fresh like its name. Make reservations!
More than a pizza joint, 'though the pizza is good too! We love the Brazilian dishes such as grilled steak with garlic, halibut poached in coconut milk. Friendly staff, and they deliver to our house!
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Mozzarella Di Bufala
69 W Portal Ave
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More than a pizza joint, 'though the pizza is good too! We love the Brazilian dishes such as grilled steak with garlic, halibut poached in coconut milk. Friendly staff, and they deliver to our house!
Lovely, small and authentic. Vega and her husband serve Roman dishes such as fresh pasta, braised meats, grilled seafood - and always a smile. Parking can be tough in Bernal Heights, but worth it.
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Vega
419 Cortland Ave
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Lovely, small and authentic. Vega and her husband serve Roman dishes such as fresh pasta, braised meats, grilled seafood - and always a smile. Parking can be tough in Bernal Heights, but worth it.
Your host Brian lived in Japan, and this is one of his faves. Fresh traditional, inventive sushi, dishes that might be served at home in Japan. Take 43 bus, or park car in GG Park. Make reservations!
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Ebisu Restaurant
1283 9th Ave
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Your host Brian lived in Japan, and this is one of his faves. Fresh traditional, inventive sushi, dishes that might be served at home in Japan. Take 43 bus, or park car in GG Park. Make reservations!
Similar to Thai, Laotian food is full of flavor. Our faves: Rice Ball Salad, any of the fish curries and noodles. They don't take reservations so get there early. Inexpensive, plentiful, fresh!
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Champa Garden Restaurant
613 Faxon Ave
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Similar to Thai, Laotian food is full of flavor. Our faves: Rice Ball Salad, any of the fish curries and noodles. They don't take reservations so get there early. Inexpensive, plentiful, fresh!
Named one of San Francisco's Top 100 Restaurants. Artisan pizza with inventive flavors. For a cozy night in, order a half-baked pizza and finish it at home with your wine or drink of choice!
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Gialina
2842 Diamond St
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Named one of San Francisco's Top 100 Restaurants. Artisan pizza with inventive flavors. For a cozy night in, order a half-baked pizza and finish it at home with your wine or drink of choice!

Essentials

Grocery shopping, organic produce and great meats.
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Mollie Stone's Markets
2435 California St
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Grocery shopping, organic produce and great meats.
Grocery shopping: organic produce, responsibly-raised meats and harvested seafood. Nice service staff. A self-serve yogurt shop just opened next door!
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Whole Foods Market
3950 24th St
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Grocery shopping: organic produce, responsibly-raised meats and harvested seafood. Nice service staff. A self-serve yogurt shop just opened next door!

Sightseeing

Great hike among cliffs and beach, just 10 minutes' drive away. Marvel at the spectacular views of the Pacific, and at the hang-gliders that launch here. It's also a giant dog park. Pack a jacket!
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Fort Funston
Fort Funston Road
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Great hike among cliffs and beach, just 10 minutes' drive away. Marvel at the spectacular views of the Pacific, and at the hang-gliders that launch here. It's also a giant dog park. Pack a jacket!
A great park in the midst of the City, with spectacular views from the top. We walk here from home to get the heart rate going! Remember the movie Dirty Harry? One fight scene was filmed here.
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Mount Davidson
Myra Way
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A great park in the midst of the City, with spectacular views from the top. We walk here from home to get the heart rate going! Remember the movie Dirty Harry? One fight scene was filmed here.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area is not to be missed! In sun or fog, SF's beach is a lovely, rejuvenating place to walk or bike. Enjoy the views from our house, but get out to Ocean Beach!
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Ocean Beach
La Playa St
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Golden Gate National Recreation Area is not to be missed! In sun or fog, SF's beach is a lovely, rejuvenating place to walk or bike. Enjoy the views from our house, but get out to Ocean Beach!
Spectacular views of the Ocean: waves, birds, cliffs, surfers. From here, hike to the remains of Sutro Baths and the USS warship San Francisco, and take in panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Lands End Trail
Lands End Trail
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Spectacular views of the Ocean: waves, birds, cliffs, surfers. From here, hike to the remains of Sutro Baths and the USS warship San Francisco, and take in panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
So much to enjoy here: California Academy of Sciences, de Young art museum, Japanese Tea Garden, Conservatory of Flowers. Get off the paved roads and walk on the side trails. Pack a picnic and enjoy!
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Ipharki ye-Golden Gate
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So much to enjoy here: California Academy of Sciences, de Young art museum, Japanese Tea Garden, Conservatory of Flowers. Get off the paved roads and walk on the side trails. Pack a picnic and enjoy!
Walk, hike, bike, play, relax: Crissy Field is an awesome way to spend the afternoon. With the Golden Gate Bridge looming to the west, visit Fort Point, Crissy Field Center, or simply linger!
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Crissy Field
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Walk, hike, bike, play, relax: Crissy Field is an awesome way to spend the afternoon. With the Golden Gate Bridge looming to the west, visit Fort Point, Crissy Field Center, or simply linger!
A lovely neighborhood with beautiful homes and gorgeous gardens. We walk here often for exercise and home & garden ideas. Take a stroll through SFW on your way to West Portal or just because.
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Saint Francis Wood
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A lovely neighborhood with beautiful homes and gorgeous gardens. We walk here often for exercise and home & garden ideas. Take a stroll through SFW on your way to West Portal or just because.

Everything Else

World-famous Iyengar studio run by one of BKS Iyengar's proteges, and teachers here all travel and train in Pune, India. Take the 43 bus or walk. I consider Abode one of my gifts for living here!
Abode of Yoga
765 Monterey Blvd
World-famous Iyengar studio run by one of BKS Iyengar's proteges, and teachers here all travel and train in Pune, India. Take the 43 bus or walk. I consider Abode one of my gifts for living here!