Visiting San Francisco: Looking for non-touristy advice

Parent Cafe
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<p>I’m going to San Francisco for a couple days next week. I’ve been many times before, so I don’t need to go to any of the touristy places. I’m interested in:</p>

<ol>
<li>Any good museum exhibits in town?</li>
<li>Suggestions for interesting neighborhoods to explore? Especially ones with locally owned boutiques (I enjoy shopping) and interesting architecture. </li>
<li>Any tourist suggestions that are off beat — for someone who’s already seen Alcatraz and Coit Tower, etc., etc.? Or anything new in the last 4 years, which I think is when I last visited.</li>
</ol>

<p>And … packing suggestions? My friend tells me I should bring my down coat — and I’m sorry, but as chilly as it gets there, I am not bringing a winter coat in August. I’m hoping a fleece and sweater will suffice if it gets cold. Right now the weather forecast for next week says highs in the mid 60s and lows in the high 50s, which is not winter coat weather. </p>

<p>And — any favorite restaurants?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>Museums:
<a href=“http://deyoung.famsf.org/exhibitions/current”>Events;
<a href=“Events”>https://legionofhonor.famsf.org/exhibitions&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“Exhibitions - Asian Art Museum”>http://www.asianart.org/exhibitions_index/exhibitions&lt;/a&gt; (Gorgeous, in particular)
<a href=“http://www.museemechanique.org/”>http://www.museemechanique.org/&lt;/a&gt; :)</p>

<p>Neighborhoods:
Union Street (not Union Square)
The Fillmore
Glen Park
Cole Valley (near the Haight)</p>

<p>Attractions:
Chrissy Field
Wave Organ
Exploratorium
Ferry Plaza
Land’s End</p>

<p>Clothing:
LAYERS. August weather can vary quite a bit. A fleece, scarf if fog is in. Has been shirtsleeve weather in afternoons, lately. Go shopping if you need more. ;)</p>

<p>Restaurants:
Too many favs to list…</p>

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<p>IMO, San Francisco requires you pack your best layering outfits.</p>

<p>There is an incredible mosaic tiled step project (tiled panels on the risers of 163 steps) on Moraga between 15th and 16th that is well worth a visit. <a href=“http://www.tiledsteps.org/”>http://www.tiledsteps.org/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Some restaurant suggestions:
American Grilled Cheese Kitchen at 20th and Harrison
Cotogna on Pacific
Slow Club on Mariposa</p>

<p>Have fun!</p>

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<p>If you haven’t already walked the Filbert Steps, I highly recommend it. </p>

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<p>I second a number of the previously made suggestions.</p>

<p>If you’re ambitious, the walk from Lands End to Crissy Field (or if you’re really ambitious all the way to the Ferry Building) is great fun. When you’re done you can take a cab back to your car. Just plan it for the afternoon when the fog has burned off!</p>

<p>If you get to Cole Valley on a sunny day walk up to Tank Hill, at the east end of Belgrave Av, for a great view of the Marin Headlands, East Bay and City. </p>

<p>For a fun, slightly under the radar shopping/restaurant street check out Clement between Arguello and Park Presidio in the Richmond. Burma Superstar is a great place. </p>

<p>Take the ferry to Angel Island and check out the Immigration Station….known as the Ellis Island of the West. Here’s info:</p>

<p><a href=“http://angelisland.org/history/united-states-immigration-station-usis/”>http://angelisland.org/history/united-states-immigration-station-usis/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>The steps on Moraga are next on my list.
Last time we walked the Lyon St steps on the edge of the Presidio. The views are amazing. The steps are leg killing. We started at the bottom, once we reached the top we walked the neighborhood and looked at the beautiful homes. Though also agree the Filbert Steps are nice.
I know it isn’t local shopping but I love Athleta which I don’t have in my area. The store on Filmore is very nice.
My D thought she was putting away her puffy Northface jacket when she moved to SF from Indiana. She tells me she thinks she wears it more in SF then she ever did in the Midwest. Granted she walks her dog in the early Am and at night.
Have fun.</p>

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<p>Just got back from San Francisco. Used Uberx instead of taxi,(need to download app) 25% off promotion for summer
$28.65 to airport from Nob Hill. Don’t use during surge pricing. Good experience every time we used.</p>

<p>Escape from NY Pizza in Union Square
Slanted Door
Lands End for a nice hike great views if not cloudy
La Taqueria- burritos in the Mission</p>

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<p>Head over to the East Bay to explore Berkeley and Oakland. </p>

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<p>My H is in SF for business often and I’ve gone with him many times. We walk a lot and one of my favorites was walking in the Presidio. Great views and interesting scenery with lots of variety. Saw a cool Andy Goldsworthy installation there. Also liked hiking in the Marin Headlands. </p>

<p>Agree that the Lyon Street steps were killers. Friend of my D works for Sidewalk Food Tours. She took us to a tour the Mission area, which we loved. Food was excellent! If you like jazz check out the San Francisco Jazz Center.</p>

<p>Discovered Uber in SF–I love it! You don’t need to rent a car.</p>

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<p>I have only been there once but we ate at Aziza on the recommendation of a relative. Not cheap but we enjoyed the food very much.</p>

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<p>Go to Napa for a day! It will be warmer and I heard there might be some wine there!</p>

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<p>Or if you need to cool off, drive to Muir Woods! Beautiful area. </p>

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<p>Or, Calistoga for a mudbath, etc. </p>

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<p>Have you already done The Mission district? Great food , amazing murals and graffiti, Delores park, ice cream shops, many boutiques, and of course, the mission. Let me know if you want details. Lots of options, but starting on Valencia Street and with Pizzeria Delfina a good start.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60713-d220163-Reviews-Mission_District-San_Francisco_California.html”>http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60713-d220163-Reviews-Mission_District-San_Francisco_California.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>PS It’s a little…“gritty”.</p>

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<p>Are you going for Outsidelands at Golden Gate park?</p>

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<p>The real “Chinatown” up Stockton, etc. not Grant. The Design District for shopping. </p>

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<p>Some great suggestions, I’ll google some of them. </p>

<p>There’s a store I want to go to in the Mission district, so that seems like one place I’ll go. I’d love more details. From looking at a map, I don’t think I’ve been there before. Ditto with the Design District.</p>

<p>I’ve got an Athleta near me, so I don’t need to go in SF. Done the wine country – not renting a car – so staying in SF except for one day, when I’m hiking with a friend in Marin. I’ve been to Berkeley several times already. Have climbed the Filbert steps, been to Lands End, walked along Marina Blvd, etc. I think this is my 7th visit to San Francisco. I love it – I could go back to every place I’ve been already and be happy! </p>

<p>mominva: Those tiled steps look amazing. Hoping I can do those.
gosmom: The Gorgeous exhibit sounds interesting.</p>

<p>emerald: Nope, not doing Outsidelands. Leaving before it starts. </p>

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<p>For restaurants, you might want to define what you look for and the budget. There are plenty of great places and plenty of tourist traps. </p>

<p>I’ll throw one about a favorite in SF, the bakeries. </p>

<p>Forget Boudin and Acme. Tartine gets the press and rightfully so. CW is pretty. La Boulange is Sbux new darling and has remained pretty good. </p>

<p>But for a real gem, head to <a href=“http://joseybakerbread.■■■■■■■■■■■■■”>http://joseybakerbread.■■■■■■■■■■■■■</a>. Actually run ! </p>

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<p>Restaurant budget: entrees between $20 and $40. Our hotel is in the financial district.</p>

<p>I have fond memories of the days when I would visit bakeries on vacation. I do my best to avoid them now. </p>

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<p>Shrinkrap-We are breezing through Sunday afternoon evening and Pizzeria Delfina is where we are going to have dinner. We haven’t tried it yet.</p>