One of the founding principals at OMFGstyle.com is that all the cool people we know have great things to share. And we know cool people all over the place. So we got to thinking, and put out a call to all the cool kids we know all over the world asking them to tell us about their city, as if we were coming for a visit (i.e. “give us the real scoop, not the Fodor’s Guide version”). We’re collecting all the tips and recommendations and sharing them with you, one city at a time…
City: San Francisco
Why it rocks: Its city full of young passionate people. You can walk everywhere. Its really green (lots of trees) Its near Marin, which has beautiful hiking and beaches. Bike friendly and every body actually uses and rides their bikes. It’s politically charged and passionate, it harbors some of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met!
Interesting factoid: There are 49 hills and they all have a name.
Best time to visit: Summer. April thru August
Why: You might catch some warm clear sunny days. When the sun is out the city is so beautiful its unreal.
Our Insider: Rhiannon
Profession: Non-Profit management/Media design
Age: 26
Hometown: Marin County/ Bay Area
Tell us a bit more about yourself: I am a 26 year old female who loves to travel. I have lived in NYC, Panama, San Francisco (which I told everyone was where I was going to settle down…) and now I live in Los Angeles, the city of constant sunshine.
I lived in San Francisco, Lower Haight, For two years. During of which I sat in parks with tall boys, read in cafes, worked, attended local neighborhood meetings about bike paths, tried to eat at every great restaurant, listened to music at every SF Venue and drink over-rated hipster coffee. I call San Francisco the city for 20 somethings.
How long have you been living/did you live in San Francisco?: 2 years, Bay Area 18 years
Calendar year(s): December 2008 thru January 2010
Where to stay, cheap: A friends couch or a friend of a friends couch
Website: Lower Haight, Mission
Why it rocks: Maybe you’ll get some free PBRs and a shot of whiskey, get taken to a house party and meet your future husband/wife
Where to stay, bigger budget: The Clift Hotel
Website: http://www.clifthotel.com/#/home/
Why it rocks: Trendy, amazing brunch, great elegant rooms
Where to eat, breakfast: Boogaloos. It’s the best for breakfast in the mission. Get there early on the weekends because the line can be insanely long, even the Mission hipsters wake up before noon to get to this place to eat. Lots of options for Vegetarians. The used to have a vegan menu as well.
Website: http://www.boogaloossf.com/menu.html
Why it rocks: Its in an old Pharmacy, you can’t beat that. The music is awesome, coffee is strong and the people who work there are super nice. Plus they have great art on the walls that you can purchase for super cheap.
Where to eat, brunch: Absinthe in Hayes Valley
Website: http://www.absinthe.com/
Why it rocks: Well, I usually splurge on dinner here once and awhile but a friend suggested brunch and I was blown away. Great mimosas, amazing buffet with everything your body needs on a lazy Sunday. Plus, when you’re done you are in Hayes Valley which has great shopping!
Where to eat, lunch: If the Sun is out I suggest going to Dolores Park in the Mission and stopping by the most amazing Deli on 16th for a Sandwich, fruit and a bottle of white wine. But if not go to Zeitgeist order a burger and from the outside grill, find yourself a spot on the picnic tables which you will share with many strangers and order a bloodymary ( which are the best in town) OH, the tamale lady is always there serving fresh tamales if you prefer.
Website: http://www.myspace.com/zeitgeistsf
Why it rocks: Everybody in San Francisco loves it here. It’s a great place to meet people. Seriously I met two of my best friends here after randomly sitting at their picnic table. I also met my first SF roommates here. They have a grill serving veggie burgers, fries, real burgers and more.
More Lunch places you ask? Try Ikes Place! Best secret you’ll every know. I will expect fan mail for sharing this spot. If you are a fan of sandwiches, even if you’re not, eat here. Line is out the door but it moves fast. More options then you can imagine. YUM, I am hungry just thinking about it. A word of advice, study the online menu before you go, so you know what to order once they get to you.
Website: http://www.ilikeikesplace.com/
Where to eat, dinner: Bar Tartine
Website: http://www.bartartine.com/
Why it rocks: Great atmosphere, amazing wine list and the food is seriously some of the best tasting food I have had in San Fran. They have a cheese selection with different honeys that is to die for. Plus you’re in the heart of the mission when your done eating… near all the best bars.
Favorite bar, cheap: The Uptown Bar
Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/uptown-san-francisco
Why it rocks: Music is great, Whiskey never runs out, good beer on tap, Couches, pool table and booths. What more can you ask for?
Favorite bar, splurge: NOPA
Website: http://www.nopasf.com/
Why it rocks: Best cocktails. Try the blue bottle martini. Blue Bottle Coffee is one of the best coffees in San Francisco. It will get your night jump kicked.
Shopping, clothing and jewelry: I always suggest walking around the mission and discovering the vintage clothes and tiny little shops on each block. But there is one store that stands out downtown called Shotwell. It has everything. Great finds whenever I go into that store.
Website: http://www.shotwellsf.com/
Why it rocks: You never leave empty handed.
Shopping, music: First off, find an SF gaurden newspaper. They are in every cafe in the entire city. Look up who is playing. San Francisco has some great venues, festivals and music. I have seriously had weeks where I went to a show every single night. Not joking. Favorite venues include: The Independent, Great American Music Hall and Bimbos. See a show at all three. If by chance you hear of a show at The Fox Theater in Oakland. Buy a ticket and take the Bart there, it will blow your mind away.
Website: http://www.thefoxoakland.com/
Things you MUST do:
- Walk: Go for a walk at Yerba Buena Gardens. I suggest taking the walk under the waterfall and make sure its a sunny day!
- Drink Blue Bottle Coffee at the rooftop cafe at SFMOMA. Rain or shine… its a must. Afterwards check out the art!
- Buy bags of Four Barrel Coffee for friends and family who need that kick!
- Walk the Golden Gate Bridge. Twice. Its that beautiful.
- Rent bikes, and bike everywhere.
- Go dancing at the Stud in SoMa.
- Watch a film at the Castro Theater
- Sit in Dolores Park on a warm Sunday. With Beer or booze of choice.
- Go to the independent bookstore Green Apple Books!
Sights/Walks/Neighborhoods not to be missed (and why):
- Golden Gate Bridge is a must. You can bike, walk, run, crawl across that bridge. Be prepared for wind. On your way back, check out Crissy Field in the Marina. I would suggest buying a kite before hand and flying one there.
- Take a Trolly…. come on! Its San Francisco.
- Eat Clam Chowder out of a bread-bowl.
- GO to lower haight and upper haight… again its San Francisco and we all know the history of Haight Asbury.
- While you are in the upper Haight, drink an old fashioned at the Alembic Bar.
- Find a map and walk everywhere.
- Sit in Alamo Square Park and remember the opening scene of Full house… Thats THE park. The view is also worth seeing.
- Walk around the Castro it’s a lovely part of town full of great food and lots of flowers.
- Dolores park is a must do, said that about six times but you will never get the real SF experience until you have brought a tall can to that park and people watched. We call it the hipster hamptons.
- Also, you must go to a San Francisco house party. Even if you are not formally invited and you hear a party going on in a random house… ring the doorbell most likely you’ll be invited up!
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