Limit your time at Fisherman's Wharf...
With all its history and fame, it makes sense to stop by Fisherman's Wharf. Do yourself a favor, though, and don't stay too long – it’s overrun with chain stores, and holds very little of the charm that made it famous. When you're done there, stroll west along the sidewalk and if you're lucky, you'll run into The Bushman - a now famous street-dweller that hides behind a makeshift bush to scare passers-by. Finally, stop into the nearby Buena Vista Café. In addition to its great views of the water, this historic restaurant/bar lays claim to being the first place to serve Irish Coffee on American soil. They pour them with pride, and in droves (up to 2,000 a day).
Instead of waiting in a line of cars to drive down the serpentine section of Lombard Street…
Walk up the steps to the top. It’s not just the crookedest street, it’s also one of the more impressively manicured--the neighborhood goes to great lengths to keep it looking great. After you’ve taken a few pictures of the breathtaking view, stroll downhill to Polk Street and have a famed Anchor Steam Beer at local pub The Buccaneer, or stop by Swan’s Oyster Depot for some fresh oysters. You can also venture to nearby North Beach, site of former Beatnik haunt Vesuvio and Kennedy’s Irish Pub and Curry House - probably one of the only places where you can eat authentic Tandoori Chicken with a view of a foosball table.
Go to Market Street and beyond…
Take a stroll down Market Street to see a bit of everyday SF, and keep an eye out for SF eccentr-icon Frank Chu. Everyday, Frank carries a sign that warns of the conspiracy of the 12 Galaxies—he’s been around so long, and his quirkiness is so embraced by the city, that there is even a bar named in honor of his cause—12 Galaxies Bar.
If you have time, stop by Pancho Villa or Taqueria Cancun in the Mission district for a delicious burrito roughly the size of an anvil. Then, take a walk to 826 Valencia, best-selling author Dave Egger’s Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius pet project. In addition to being a writing workshop for kids, it’s also a pirate supply store. That’s right. You can find everything from ‘designer glass eyes’ to Black Bart’s flag here, and Egger’s signature sense of humor is rampant.
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