Glenn's San Francisco Guidebook 2022
Introduction
This guidebook is best viewed in a browser, which will show the interactive map alongside the listings. Check out each heading's description for more details before seeing the comments on each entry in that category. You can tap the entry to find the location. Some items might fit under multiple listings (like Salesforce Park, listed immediately below, which is a great park and also good for sightseeing). The categories are in the following order:
Transportation;
Coffee;
Shopping (Groceries, Pharmacy, Hardware);
Food Scene (Restaurants and Desserts);
Healthcare (Hospitals/ERs and Urgent Care);
Fitness;
Bars/Liquor;
Parks;
Entertainment;
Sightseeing;
Museums;
Neighborhoods
This is a great public park above the new Transbay Terminal. No dogs allowed. It's downtown/SoMa and similar in concept (but not length) to the NYC Highline.
18 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Salesforce Park
425 Mission StThis is a great public park above the new Transbay Terminal. No dogs allowed. It's downtown/SoMa and similar in concept (but not length) to the NYC Highline.
Transportation
Between the City's MUNI system (buses, trains, street cars, and cable cars), the Bay Area BART (which goes to San Francisco and Oakland International Airports), CalTrain (which you can take south to Palo Alto, San Jose, and beyond), taxis, drive share services like Uber/Lyft, and city bikeshare rentals (baywheels, operated by Lyft), it's easy to get around the City. There are dedicated bike lanes on many streets.
Just blocks away is the MUNI station at Castro Street. From the underground station you can take the K/T, L, M, or S trains downtown from here (with transfer to the BART subway at Civic Center). You can also catch MUNI busses on the street going north/south and across the City. You can also hop on the historic street car that goes down Market Street all the way to the Ferry Building and the Embarcadero/Fisherman's Wharf. Use the new MuniMobile app (Apple and Google apps stores - look for the red logo with the 70s-style "MUNI" logo) to buy single ride passes, day passes, or longer passes. Be sure you use your pass each time you ride to avoid getting a ticket!
Metro Castro Station/Downtown
Just blocks away is the MUNI station at Castro Street. From the underground station you can take the K/T, L, M, or S trains downtown from here (with transfer to the BART subway at Civic Center). You can also catch MUNI busses on the street going north/south and across the City. You can also hop on the historic street car that goes down Market Street all the way to the Ferry Building and the Embarcadero/Fisherman's Wharf. Use the new MuniMobile app (Apple and Google apps stores - look for the red logo with the 70s-style "MUNI" logo) to buy single ride passes, day passes, or longer passes. Be sure you use your pass each time you ride to avoid getting a ticket!
Coffee
Pre-pandemic, the Castro had too many coffee shops. Now it has too few, but there are still great espresso locations throughout San Francisco. Some good locations around the city (not nearby) include Blue Bottle Coffee and Ritual Coffee Roasters, each of which have multiple locations.
Good drip coffee (no espresso drinks, though) in the Castro.
8 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Philz Coffee
549 Castro StreetGood drip coffee (no espresso drinks, though) in the Castro.
Great coffee/lattes/baked goods, as well as breakfast fare and sandwiches. Near Duboce Park Cafe/lower Haight, but not in the Castro.
18 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Cafe RĂ©veille
201 Steiner StGreat coffee/lattes/baked goods, as well as breakfast fare and sandwiches. Near Duboce Park Cafe/lower Haight, but not in the Castro.
Amazing espresso drinks and baked goods. Lower Haight location (so it's a 15 minute walk from the Castro). You can order in advance from their website, and they have a pickup window at the sidewalk. We love their chocolate chip cookies with sea salt and many of their daily donuts.
14 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Sightglass Coffee
301 Divisadero StAmazing espresso drinks and baked goods. Lower Haight location (so it's a 15 minute walk from the Castro). You can order in advance from their website, and they have a pickup window at the sidewalk. We love their chocolate chip cookies with sea salt and many of their daily donuts.
We love their espresso drinks and in-house baked goods (breads, pastries). This was a staple for us at the start of COVID shelter in place. Try their Adventure Bread (toasted, with marmalade and butter). Not near the Castro, however.
202 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
The Mill
736 Divisadero StWe love their espresso drinks and in-house baked goods (breads, pastries). This was a staple for us at the start of COVID shelter in place. Try their Adventure Bread (toasted, with marmalade and butter). Not near the Castro, however.
Good coffee/espresso, but it's a 15-20 minute walk from my place (or one MUNI stop at Church Street Station).
6 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Verve Coffee Roasters
2101 Market StGood coffee/espresso, but it's a 15-20 minute walk from my place (or one MUNI stop at Church Street Station).
Shopping (Groceries, Pharmacy, Hardware)
Some basics for groceries, supplies, and pharmacy needs are listed below. There are also Target stores in SoMa (one at Metreon on Mission Street and one closer on Folsom Street, with parking).
Local grocery store in the Castro. Walkable. They also have a shuttle that can take you home with your groceries. (The shuttle might not be operating these days.)
57 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Mollie Stone's Markets
4201 18th StreetLocal grocery store in the Castro. Walkable. They also have a shuttle that can take you home with your groceries. (The shuttle might not be operating these days.)
Standard WholeFoods groceries. One MUNI Stop away (go to Church Street). Also walkable (long walk).
124 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Whole Foods Market
2001 Market StreetStandard WholeFoods groceries. One MUNI Stop away (go to Church Street). Also walkable (long walk).
Walgreens that's open 24 hours a day with pharmacy. Walkable, located in the Castro.
Walgreens Pharmacy
498 Castro StWalgreens that's open 24 hours a day with pharmacy. Walkable, located in the Castro.
Standard groceries. One MUNI stop away (Church Street) or walkable (long walk).
125 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Safeway
2020 Market StreetStandard groceries. One MUNI stop away (Church Street) or walkable (long walk).
Local small specialty grocer in the Castro
19 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Buffalo Whole Food & Grain Co
598 Castro StreetLocal small specialty grocer in the Castro
Small corner store just one block away with some basics (liquor/beer, soft drinks, munchies, ice cream, etc.).
Eureka Market
4151 17th StreetSmall corner store just one block away with some basics (liquor/beer, soft drinks, munchies, ice cream, etc.).
Great local hardware store in the Castro. They also have a small kids toy section. And there's a companion store next door with some costume/fabric supplies and gift ideas.
59 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Cliff's Variety
479 Castro StreetGreat local hardware store in the Castro. They also have a small kids toy section. And there's a companion store next door with some costume/fabric supplies and gift ideas.
Standard hardware store near Safeway (a longer walk or take the MUNI one stop to the Church Street station).
Handy Handyman Hardware
2075 Market StreetStandard hardware store near Safeway (a longer walk or take the MUNI one stop to the Church Street station).
This is a fun place for costumes. They have off-the-rack designs--short-shorts, pants, vests, etc. for all genders-- in many sizes plus can do custom-fitted pieces (usually a few weeks to turn around) with most of their fabrics. Great for Burning Man, dance parties, cruises, etc.
Piedmont Boutique
1452 Haight StThis is a fun place for costumes. They have off-the-rack designs--short-shorts, pants, vests, etc. for all genders-- in many sizes plus can do custom-fitted pieces (usually a few weeks to turn around) with most of their fabrics. Great for Burning Man, dance parties, cruises, etc.
Food scene
Here are some favorite restaurants. I list which are nearby/in the Castro and which are not, along with some hits for reservations or food delivery services. There are so many great restaurants in the City, I can't get close to doing them justice.
Great local Italian restaurant with nice cocktails in the Castro. On OpenTable (for reservations).
23 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Poesia
4072 18th StreetGreat local Italian restaurant with nice cocktails in the Castro. On OpenTable (for reservations).
La Mediterranee
288 Noe StreetCute Mediterranean restaurant in the Castro.
Amazing, high-end, cozy dining. This is our favorite in the neighborhood, but you often have to get a table months in advance (like on OpenTable). Try the bacon beignets to start!
95 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Frances
3870 17th StreetAmazing, high-end, cozy dining. This is our favorite in the neighborhood, but you often have to get a table months in advance (like on OpenTable). Try the bacon beignets to start!
Amazing local fresh seafood in the Castro. It's a small (SMALL) location, no reservations. Walk up to the door and put your name on the list. It can take an hour to get a table. We love the salad with crab meat after a cup of chowder, but we haven't had anything bad here. Go across the street to Swirl for a glass of wine while you wait.
93 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro StreetAmazing local fresh seafood in the Castro. It's a small (SMALL) location, no reservations. Walk up to the door and put your name on the list. It can take an hour to get a table. We love the salad with crab meat after a cup of chowder, but we haven't had anything bad here. Go across the street to Swirl for a glass of wine while you wait.
You can get a slice here in the Castro during the day or at night after going out. Thin, NY-style pizza. It's decent for what it is.
13 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Marcello's Pizza
420 Castro StreetYou can get a slice here in the Castro during the day or at night after going out. Thin, NY-style pizza. It's decent for what it is.
Good California cuisine, nice outdoor patio in back. Also good for brunch on weekends. Check OpenTable for reservations.
28 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Fable
558 Castro StreetGood California cuisine, nice outdoor patio in back. Also good for brunch on weekends. Check OpenTable for reservations.
Great desserts (ice cream and pies/cakes). Not open every day. In the Castro. We often get to-go pints of the dark chocolate gelato and the creme fraiche to mix at home.
The Castro Fountain
554 Castro StGreat desserts (ice cream and pies/cakes). Not open every day. In the Castro. We often get to-go pints of the dark chocolate gelato and the creme fraiche to mix at home.
Great local restaurant with a covered outdoor patio in back. Good cocktails, good food. California/Americana. Reservations should be doable on OpenTable.
88 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Starbelly
3583 16th StreetGreat local restaurant with a covered outdoor patio in back. Good cocktails, good food. California/Americana. Reservations should be doable on OpenTable.
Great local Italian restaurant with good wine, nice appetizers/salads, and pasta/pizzas. A bit of a walk (between the Castro and the Haight) but worth it. We love the Amitriciana pizza with an extra egg on it (two egg yolks for dipping the crust).
86 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Ragazza
311 Divisadero StreetGreat local Italian restaurant with good wine, nice appetizers/salads, and pasta/pizzas. A bit of a walk (between the Castro and the Haight) but worth it. We love the Amitriciana pizza with an extra egg on it (two egg yolks for dipping the crust).
Great seafood. Higher end. A bit of a walk (near the Haight).
104 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Bar Crudo
655 Divisadero StreetGreat seafood. Higher end. A bit of a walk (near the Haight).
Our favorite deep-dish pizza with salad. It's not walkable, but you can get it delivered on Caviar or other apps. Try the Italian deep dish and get the mixed salad (with both dressings - blue cheese and balsamic, and mix them!).
140 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Little Star Pizza
846 Divisadero StreetOur favorite deep-dish pizza with salad. It's not walkable, but you can get it delivered on Caviar or other apps. Try the Italian deep dish and get the mixed salad (with both dressings - blue cheese and balsamic, and mix them!).
Sister restaurant to Frances. Also high-end. Also need reservations in advance (on OpenTable). Not walkable from the Castro.
9 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Octavia
1701 Octavia StreetSister restaurant to Frances. Also high-end. Also need reservations in advance (on OpenTable). Not walkable from the Castro.
Great takeout/delivery Mexican in the Lower Haight. It's Castro-adjacent but a bit of a walk. We love the enchiladas with the chile verde chicken.
93 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
The Little Chihuahua
292 Divisadero StreetGreat takeout/delivery Mexican in the Lower Haight. It's Castro-adjacent but a bit of a walk. We love the enchiladas with the chile verde chicken.
Hot Cookie
407 Castro StreetTiny dessert/cookie pickup window in the Castro.
Mama Ji's
4416 18th StreetDecent Chinese just across Market Street.
Great Chinese food, but it's up the hill a ways. They are on many delivery apps.
7 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Xiao Loong Restaurant
250 West Portal AvenueGreat Chinese food, but it's up the hill a ways. They are on many delivery apps.
Copas
2223 Market StreetFun nearby restaurant. Good mezcal drinks. Nice brunch options. And dinner too.
Great brunch here, but it can be a wait. Decently walkable from the house (a little farther away).
7 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Wooden Spoon
2172 Market StGreat brunch here, but it can be a wait. Decently walkable from the house (a little farther away).
Brewery and German food. We haven't been, but it's nearby and a cute venue.
6 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Willkommen by Black Hammer Brewing
2198 Market StreetBrewery and German food. We haven't been, but it's nearby and a cute venue.
Fun place for sandwiches and breakfast fare. Closer to the lower Haight, but just off Duboce Park if you're there.
60 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Duboce Park Cafe
2 Sanchez StFun place for sandwiches and breakfast fare. Closer to the lower Haight, but just off Duboce Park if you're there.
Very nice modern cuisine on the Embarcadero (waterfront near the Ferry Building). Not cheap, but it's a fun venue for a fancy/urban night out.
45 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Waterbar Restaurant
399 The EmbarcaderoVery nice modern cuisine on the Embarcadero (waterfront near the Ferry Building). Not cheap, but it's a fun venue for a fancy/urban night out.
Nopa
560 Divisadero StreetGreat food. Lower Haight (a long walk from the Castro).
A great modern take on Italian dining. Che Fico upstairs is more upscale, Che Fico Alimentari downstairs is more relaxed. Not walkable from the Castro.
28 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Che Fico
838 Divisadero StA great modern take on Italian dining. Che Fico upstairs is more upscale, Che Fico Alimentari downstairs is more relaxed. Not walkable from the Castro.
Canela Bistro & Wine Bar
2272 Market StreetNice Spanish tapas in the Castro.
This is a San Francisco staple. Great for brunch or dinner. Not walkable from the Castro. Reservations on OpenTable. Get the Roast Chicken for Two (must order in advance) or the bread salad.
113 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Zuni Café
1658 Market StThis is a San Francisco staple. Great for brunch or dinner. Not walkable from the Castro. Reservations on OpenTable. Get the Roast Chicken for Two (must order in advance) or the bread salad.
Amazing artisanal ice cream. You can get delivery of pints using DoorDash/Caviar. Multiple locations in SF. Not walkable from the Castro.
14 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Salt & Straw
586 Hayes StAmazing artisanal ice cream. You can get delivery of pints using DoorDash/Caviar. Multiple locations in SF. Not walkable from the Castro.
Another fantastic artisanal ice cream place. SF owned and operated. In the Mission (with other locations around the Bay Area).
50 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Humphry Slocombe
2790a Harrison StreetAnother fantastic artisanal ice cream place. SF owned and operated. In the Mission (with other locations around the Bay Area).
This is a weekend breakfast staple for us. We get it to go (it's in Cole Valley), but it's also on some delivery apps. We love the 'Porky Breakfast Burrito.'
19 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
Bacon Bacon
205A Frederick StreetThis is a weekend breakfast staple for us. We get it to go (it's in Cole Valley), but it's also on some delivery apps. We love the 'Porky Breakfast Burrito.'
Fantastic new sandwich shop in the Castro. Artisan pastrami smoked in-house. Cute patio in back. Great sandwiches and onion rings. The burger and chicken sandwich are popular. And they have a vegan reuben.
HOT JOHNNIE'S
4077 18th StreetFantastic new sandwich shop in the Castro. Artisan pastrami smoked in-house. Cute patio in back. Great sandwiches and onion rings. The burger and chicken sandwich are popular. And they have a vegan reuben.
Healthcare
Nearby hospitals/ERs and urgent care are listed.
CPMC Davies Campus | 45 Castro Street
45 Castro StreetNearby hospital and 24/7 Emergency Room
Hospital and 24/7 Emergency Room
14 lokalinvÄnare rekommenderar
University of California San Francisco Parnassus Campus
505 Parnassus AvenueHospital and 24/7 Emergency Room
Dignity Health-GoHealth Urgent Care
2288 Market StreetNearby urgent care clinic (not open 24 hours).
LGBTQ+ health center in the Castro. You can do a walk-in or get an appointment for STI testing.
Strut
470 Castro StreetLGBTQ+ health center in the Castro. You can do a walk-in or get an appointment for STI testing.
Another urgent care location that's not too far away. Log on to their website for appointments, too.
Carbon Health
1998 Market StreetAnother urgent care location that's not too far away. Log on to their website for appointments, too.
Fitness
FITNESS SF - Castro
2301 Market StreetGreat local gym, very gay friendly.
Barry's Bootcamp
2280 Market StLocal fitness center
MX3 Fitness
2336 Market StLocal gay-owned gym.