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.
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Taman Salesforce
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.
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.
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Philz Coffee
3101 24th StGood 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.
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Cafe Réveille
610 Long Bridge StreetGreat 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.
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Sightglass Coffee
270 7th 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.
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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).
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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).
Another local coffee place. They also have pastries.
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Spike's Coffees and Teas
4117 19th StAnother local coffee place. They also have pastries.
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.)
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Mollie Stone's Markets
2435 California StLocal 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).
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Whole Foods Market
3950 24th StStandard 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.
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Walgreens Pharmacy
4129 18th 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).
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Safeway
2020 Market StStandard groceries. One MUNI stop away (Church Street) or walkable (long walk).
Local small specialty grocer in the Castro
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Buffalo Whole Food & Grain Co
598 Castro StLocal 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 StSmall 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.
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Cliff's Variety
479 Castro StGreat 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 StStandard 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).
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Poesia
4072 18th StGreat local Italian restaurant with nice cocktails in the Castro. On OpenTable (for reservations).
La Mediterranee
2936 College AveCute 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!
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Frances
3870 17th StAmazing, 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.
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Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro StAmazing 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.
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Marcello's Pizza
420 Castro StYou 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.
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Fable
558 Castro StGood 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.
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Starbelly
3583 16th StGreat 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).
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Ragazza
311 Divisadero StGreat 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).
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Bar Crudo
655 Divisadero StGreat 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!).
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Little Star Pizza
846 Divisadero StOur 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.
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Octavia
1701 Octavia StSister 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.
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The Little Chihuahua
292 Divisadero StGreat 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
1817 Castro StTiny dessert/cookie pickup window in the Castro.
Mama Ji's
4416 18th StDecent Chinese just across Market Street.
Great Chinese food, but it's up the hill a ways. They are on many delivery apps.
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Xiao Loong Restaurant
250 W Portal AveGreat 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).
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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.
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Willkommen
2198 Market StBrewery 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.
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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.
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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 StGreat 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.
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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 StNice 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.
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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.
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Salt & Straw
2201 Fillmore 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).
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Humphry Slocombe
Another 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.'
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Bacon Bacon
205A Frederick StThis 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
Duboce AvenueNearby hospital and 24/7 Emergency Room
Hospital and 24/7 Emergency Room
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University of California San Francisco Parnassus Campus
505 Parnassus AveHospital 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
411 Grand AveAnother urgent care location that's not too far away. Log on to their website for appointments, too.
Fitness
Fitness SF Castro
2301 Market StGreat local gym, very gay friendly.
Barry's Bootcamp
2246 Lombard StLocal fitness center
MX3 Fitness
2336 Market StLocal gay-owned gym.