Lots of Kids / Familes out for BalBOOA Fright Fest on Balboa Street in the Outer Richmond San…read moreFrancisco, it was nice seeing the involvement of numerous merchants and the ministry Full Life Christian Center.

Balboa Ave is a residential stretch from the end of Turk Street to the ocean. You may find yourself…read morehere if attending films at Balboa Theatre or scoping out an excellent, especially Asian, restaurant. On your way to the ocean, Fulton is faster, but Balboa more interesting if you're not in a hurry. There are stop signs almost every block serving as great traffic calming, & allowing time to check out the area stores & restaurants. The weather can be colder & foggier than east of 10th Avenue, but thanks to global warming there's a lot more sunshine.

An industrial area transforms from mainly factories to a mix of great restaurants and apartments…read more Fascinating to come to the neighborhood here and see how it is transforming into an up an coming super cool area. A cocktail of restaurants, cafes, apartments and art galleries have made this an attractive destination for city folk (and even humble visitors like yours truly). Over the years this place has evolved into the super cool. I love the meat places, saloons and the proximity to the discoveries that remain to be uncovered on nearby Potrero Hill.

The first time I met someone who told me they're from The Dogpatch, I pictured a torn-up abandoned…read moresandlot with junkyard dogs running amok. I later came to know it as a blank slate between "SF proper" and Hunters Point. My trips here are always for food along 3rd Street. Sometimes I find random art, and sometimes I find myself way off 3rd St aka middle of nowhere.

This 'hood isn't one I frequent very often when I'm in town, but I'm in town pretty frequently so…read morewe've spent some time together. Obviously, the first thing that most people think about here is UCSF and yes, that does tend to take a big role in the neighborhood, but I like the think of this part of town as a little nugget tucked away. It's not quite th Outer Sunset, so you still get a lot more diversity in architecture, but with some real suburban residential appeal. And you get those big ol' hills that makes for interesting driving, parking, and business setup. Plus, any neighborhood that borders Golden Gate Park is really high on my list of faves. I do love that park, and it does sort of seem to act as a buffer between you and the rest of that side of the city. Parking is tricky, but um, this is SF so I really dunno where that's not the case. But do brave that parking because coming out here for food has become pretty cool--if you don't have to be so close to the city, this is a prime place to put down some roots and explore those eats and shops near you. Transit is okay, but it's probably not a spot that many people from all over the city are going to come as a destination--in my mind, that's a big plus, too.

Some nice favorite gems at the Inner Sunset [San Francisco]…read more I don't come to the Inner Sunset often except for one thing... mainly FOOD. Inner Sunset is located south of Golden Gate Park next to the UCSF campus. Many of the businesses are clustered on Irving Street and 9th Avenue... there are a lot of amazing places to eat at the Inner Sunset, maybe not as hoity-toity as the Marina District but the following are some of the places we've enjoyed and visited: * Tartine Inner Sunset [Irving Street] - this Tartine location is open for delivery and takeout only. Online ordering was easy and my bag of goodies was ready in 30 minutes (notifying me by text). My daughter enjoyed both the Lemon Cream Tart and the Lemon Cranberry Pistachio Teacake. I was also happy to see the Pain Au Chocolat Croissant available. Fresh and yummy... but pricey. * Mahalo [9th Avenue] - we ordered the Hawaiian macaroni salad. It's a favorite in our household. Delicious and authentic! * 16th Avenue Tiled Steps - we stopped by this beautiful tiled steps just west of Grand View Park. This popular steps is popular among tourists. There are 163 steps... heading up has a nice view of stars and sea design. There are a few landings in between sections (to catch your breath). The plants alongside the steps are well maintained by the community. Street parking. * Hidden Garden Steps - beautifully tiled stairway. The stairway is between a Kirkham and Lawton Streets. It's easy to miss these steps because the stairs are narrow and very steep. We got lucky at the time... no tourists! I love these steps! The ceramic tiles are colorful with beautiful designs and once we reached the midpoint of the steps there were some great views to be seen of the city. Truly a hidden gem. Next on my list to visit (not necessarily in this order): Arizmendi Bakery Hometown Creamery San Tung "Jobs fill your pockets, but adventures fill your soul." - Jaime Lyn Review #2061

I always think of the Western Addition as this huge part of San Francisco west of Van Ness Avenue…read more In my head, where I live (the Panhandle), Hayes Valley, Anza Vista, Alamo Square, Cathedral Hill, and even Japantown are sub-neighborhoods of the larger Western Addition, kind of like South Beach seems like a part of SOMA, rather than a distinct neighborhood. I know I'm not right, but it is interesting and telling that what used to be the larger Western Addition got carved into these smaller neighborhoods, probably for real-estate purposes--and by "real-estate purposes," I mean racism, because the Western Addition has long had a reputation as a Black neighborhood, and one of the things that the real-estate industry has traditionally done is segregate potential homebuyers by race. You probably know the story. Through the 1950s, the Western Addition was home to many of San Francisco's jazz clubs and to a larger Black community of business- and homeowners. This Black neighborhood was destroyed, like many Black and minority neighborhoods across the country in the mid-twentieth century, by redevelopment. The Central Freeway was rammed through the middle of the neighborhood, and by 1970, more than 10,000 people had been displaced, 60 entire city blocks of homes and businesses having been razed. What replaced those homes were the widened Geary Street (now Geary Boulevard) and the collection of mostly shoddily constructed housing projects that dot the Western Addition today. It's still an interesting neighborhood with a slightly higher Black population than most of the rest of the city (excluding Bayview and Hunters Point, which are losing their Black populations as well), but it is a shell of its former self, especially when it comes to nightlife. It recently lost is Safeway, but there is a new Trader Joe's. The city is also redoing the Buchanan Street Mall, which is the no-cars greenway, including multiple playgrounds, that replaced Buchanan Street between roughly Page and Eddy Streets in the heart of the Western Addition. The blocks and blocks of fenced-in housing projects can feel scary to walk by, especially at night, when the east-west streets in the neighborhood are desolate except for people waiting for the 5-Fulton or 31-Balboa at bus stops. Sadly, there's still more crime here than in surrounding neighborhoods, including drive-by shootings near Jefferson Square Park that killed a child at a sleepover party. The Western Addition is also home to The Fillmore, Kimbell Park, the the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center, and quite a few churches. I also think it's funny that it's called the Western Addition even though it's on the eastern side of San Francisco. And its police station, in front of which cars are broken into regularly, is called Northern Station, even though three other police stations are farther north than it, including, again hilariously, Central Station.

I can't even tell you. You've gotta live here to understand…read more update: and goddamnit stop calling it NOPA. NOPA is a restaurant that used to be a laundromat, that's all.

This is pretty much my favorite neighborhood in SF. I also live here…read more If you like chill vibes, nice people, low noise, and beautiful scenery then make your way to the Outer Sunset. So many people act like it is "SOOO FARR" but in reality it takes me 20 minutes to drive from my downtown office to my place on Ocean Beach. I have the ocean as my backyard view, Devil's Teeth baking company around the corner, and host of other great shops and restaurants (Outerlands, Trouble coffee, Toyose, TJ cups, Polly Ann Ice cream, Good Mong Kok Dim Sum... I could go on) What we don't have out here is all the city noise, crime, and trash filled streets. Just fresh ocean air, and a nice breeze. Golden Gate park, Land's end, Fort Funston are all easily accessible. So perfect if you enjoy the outdoors.

Ultimately, it couldn't be lower than four stars because of Polly Ann…read more I've found other gems here, some of which I am not yet prepared to reveal. It's so big and unconfusing! It doesn't have enough bus lines! It doesn't have any of the quirky charm of the Richmond, whether Inner or Outer (or Central?--I don't believe in Central Richmonds; I just believe in me). It has lots of places to eat and shop, but mile-for-mile, it pales in comparison to its tiny but powerful sister the Inner Sunset. But it dominates in a way with its repetitive blocks and downhill-to-the-ocean game. The only real question I have is Is Parkside part of the Outer Sunset, or are they two separate neighborhoods? I used to be heavily on the former side, but I may be persuadable to the dark side. Give me your best arguments. And astounding Safeway parking lots; and hardware stores that could (and couldn't); and disgraced former, current, and would-be supervisors. It's also sad and not cool that Bradley Nowell died here. (I don't know why it still makes me so sad.)

In the 70's, when I was in the service, stationed in Sacramento, I often drove down to San…read moreFrancisco for the weekend, staying for about $10 per night in the Montgomery Street Barracks which are set alongside the parade grounds, which have since been converted to The Lodge at the Presidio. I spent many of those days in North Beach, regularly visiting City Lights, where the staff taught me how to choose from amidst the mass of books they offered. RIP founder Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who managed to squeeze charm and pleasantness into the few minutes we spoke, the one time we met. I'd pick one or two books, then head over to Caffe Trieste, where, in my late teens, I tasted my first espresso and first heard operatic music performed live. I'd spend hours, reading and watching people. Later, when I'd get hungry, I'd walk down to Mario's Cigar Shop for a sandwich, or to Stella Pastry for a sfogliatella or (well, plus) a slice of sacripantina cake. Other times, I'd wander the city, learning about architecture and Chinese food and latter-day hippie culture, but when I was on Columbus Avenue, I stayed put. It was home base, and, for me, a comfort zone.

Met here for a networking dinner. Staff was welcoming and polite. Food was delicious and…read moresatisfying. Yummy Gorgonzola and pear salad. Handmade raviolis with amazing bolognese sauce. The waiter said the chef is known for his sauce! The entire entree was superb

This little road down the hill from my house is where I like to jog on sunny days. It's exactly a…read moremile from start to finish, which is convenient. Pretty houses, also :)

Urbano drive in the Ingleside terraces neighborhood is a beautiful historic area. The homes are…read morekept very well and the street encompasses approximately a mile long known formally as a racetrack. If you plan to buy here , please follow the rules and guidelines as part of the homeowners association, in keeping the character of this neighborhood. Beware, we have some sharp eyes around that will report any one that is not obiding by the specification and codes in this area, or you will be asked by the city planning to cease and follow all guidelines. I do wish that some neighbors would do more to keep up the appearance of their landscapes and front lawns - Otherwise, you won't find a better neighborhood with good public transportation, and homes with beautiful lawns and plenty of street parking. .

It's always fun getting to visit San Francisco and it was such a gorgeous day to be there…read more We were in town to visit the DeYoung Museum and have a picnic lunch in Golden Gate Park. I love looking at all the colorful houses all stuck together. It's nice to see the residents taking pride in their homes and keeping everything so beautiful. We passed by a nice flower stand on a corner street that's been there forever. There are many hidden gems within these neighborhoods like this flower stand and mom and pop eateries and markets. Golden Gate Park was so lovely. We enjoyed our lunch sitting at one of the park benches under a tree, people watching and enjoying the water fountains. The DeYoung museum was amazing as usual. We had the best time. San Francisco is always a good time. There is so much to do and see. I feel really lucky to live in the South Bay, which is about 90 minute drive into the city. It works perfectly for visiting and having fun for the day.

1 of 2 Yelp reviews…read more Quality/Quantity - Writing this update as I just noticed that there are more than one SF Yelp review... What can I say, we still have a love/hate relationship... I miss the days when kids can play in the streets and you can leave your doors unlocked or open... I miss the days when all the tourist locations were fun and we did not have to worry about all the current crime and problems. I miss the days when we rarely had car break-ins. I miss the days when the city was cool, hip, old $$, new $$, etc. I miss... I am starting to feel I should give an extra star to local good small businesses that are able to last 50+ years in this environment. Adapting to all the changes, challenges, etc. Some positives - Very diverse city. So much culture. The food scene! Still a great city to entertain our guests. Still nice to do all the tourist stuff, but more cautiously now. Still a beautiful city, well parts of it. See previous review for better details. No need to repeat. Most popular tourist stuff to do here: Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, Alcatraz Island, Cable Cars, Japan Town, China Town, Walt Disney Family Museum, Lombard Street, Exploratorium, Oracle Park (ATT park), Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, Palace of Fine Arts, SF Zoo, etc. Other attractions time permitting: Ferry Building, Twin Peaks, beaches, Coit Tower, Presidio, Union Square, Embarcadero, "Painted Ladies," Castro, SF City Hall, etc. Atmosphere - See above and previous reviews. See pictures. Approximately 47 square miles. City and county 232 square miles. Population: Approximately 874,000 people (2020). Service - Depends on what you do, eat, or drink. Personally, I think service has decreased. Businesses have to "tough up" due to the current environment. Price - Expensive, especially for what you get! I am glad most restaurants have finally got away from all those additional fees and "taxes;" see my previous reviews/rants from years ago. Owner Comment - 1850 incorporated. 1776 Mission established.