5/28 I don't know what it is with me and darkly lit spaces. I can find myself in a dark room and be at peace. Palio gave me that exact feeling, though not pitch dark, the dimly lit interior evokes a sense of instant calmness. Where: I've always seen this restaurant from the outside but have only ever had a bookmark to try in the future. Well the future has come and gone. You can find Palio on Sacramento street and intersecting Montgomery street. The 1 California line runs directly up Sacramento street and the nearest Bart/Muni light rail stations (Montgomery & Embarcadero) are roughly 10 minutes away by foot. Interior: as I've described in my introduction, the restaurant is dimly lit. Not at all is the lighting a hinderance, but instead intimate. Modern and minimal yet elegant. Leather booths against the wall, black wooden chairs, crisp white linens, and glass shelving featuring wine frame the dining room. Service: our waiter was warm, inviting, kind, and provided a humorous stance each and every time at our table. My friends even said that this is how restaurant staff in Italy are as well. For the table: freshly baked focaccia was crispy, pillowy soft and paired well with an olive oil pesto dip - we asked for seconds. -Cocktails: Stargazer: herbaceous and refreshing. Butterfly Island: refreshing and coconut forward. Love on the rocks: I did not have this drink, but that my friend wasn't entirely a fan. It was a pretty drunk to look at. -Appetizer: arancini ragu were crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. Perfect touch of beef to give just enough savoriness. Pizza funghi was ever so light and crispy crust with mushrooms topped with arugula. -Mains: --I myself had the braised rabbit and I basically licked the plate clean. Never thought that rabbit can be so tender and juicy. --The other two mains were: ravioli con menta e ricotta and rotolo con ragu. Portions were generous, which my friends brought home their leftovers. -Something Sweet: --Chocolate Pavlova: this was my personal favorite. I've never had anything other than classic white pavlova and this chocolate version was divine. Crisp and airy pavlova paired with candied squash was mere perfection. --Tiramisu: light, moist and perfectly executed. --We paired our desserts with Moscato; chefs kiss. If you're in the mood for fantastic Italian food, definitely give Palio a try. read more

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Sometimes you crave a little bit of carbs and that's ok. There is nothing wrong with the a good old plate of pasta for the evening especially when it comes with crab. The sauce was beyond delicious. My only complaint was that I wish it had a bit more sauce to soak it on the bread. The bread was also a highlight for me because it was a little bit crunchy. Let's talk about the ambiance! I would say that it's open - clean and crisp. The staff was super friendly and recommended our plates. I actually had a thought that this place would be great for an office party since it's close to the financial district. read more

Palio - Pasta Pomodoro - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Solid offering. Staff is attentive and friendly. Vibes are dark and broody. Food was delicious and portions are great!

Interiors had this white and black contrasts from the ceilings, tables and chairs. The WC sign gives it that European edge. It fits between casual dining to fine dining. Service was ok. Server knew the food well. My friend had a cross-contamination shell fish allergy. He forgot to mention this allergy to the server. He ordered a nonshellfish pasta. Make sure you mention your allergies before you order. Friend ended up being ok. They ended up giving us 2 complimentary tiramisu for 3 of my friend's birthday celebration for the inconvenience. I ordered the Gamberi Alfredo. Pasta had a good chew. Prawns and mushrooms absorb the white sauce flavors but the sauce was a little too salty. read more

Palio - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Classic Italian Spot! First time here and tried a bit of everything. Solid Italian spot. I'm giving it 4/5 because I enjoyed everything but nothing really stood out for me. If I remember one thing is that the tiramisu was really good here and tasted homemade. However like all Italian dishes, it's very carb heavy and you can get full fast. Whether that's good or bad is up for interpretation. But overall, nice spot. read more

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Came here for a friends birthday and overall had a great experience! I ordered a cocktail that had sorbet in it, and it was one of the best Italian cocktails I've had! We split some apps which were alright. And for my main I got a pizza with arrabbiata sauce, which was soooo good. The flavors were unique and it was cooked perfectly. I finished the meal with a hazelnut gelato affogato, which was PERFECT! Can't recommend the hazelnut gelato enough. Service was good, prices are reasonable, and this place has a classic Italian vibe. Would recommend! read more

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Stopped in after an October tour of the latest at SFMOMA and Kara Walker's "Fortuna and the Immortality Garden", feeling a bit nibbly for something warm and relaxing. An old friend once mentioned Palio as one of the best pizzas he could remember. Intrigued, we decided to make the walk to give us time to talk about the art we saw that afternoon. Likely named after the Palio di Siena held a couple times per year in the Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy. Contrary to the boisterous and exciting Palio event, Palio the Trattoria was a very warm and quiet space as we sat admiring the sleek design edges. We took two at the bar. The staff were extremely pleasant and the bartender particularly so. A large wood fired oven greets one at the entry, a light hint of smokiness pleasantly fills the dining room. The menu is filled with an appealing list of italian plates making final choices a challenge. The wine list is broad yet brief with an attractive collection of labels. Over a glass of the Scarpetta Friuli Grave Prosecco that was very refreshing, we started with the end-of season heirloom tomatoes and burrata with olives. Tomatoes sweet and very juicy, burrata so creamy and a briny spark of the olives got us going. Despite the bartender's urging we must try one of their renowned pizzas, I jst couldn't ignore a pasta jones that filled my head all morning. I chose the Tagliolini con Granchio. Pasta with fresh crab, spicy tomato sauce that was reduced to its very brick-red essence and a dusting of fresh bread crumbs for a lovely textural contrast. At the time of my review, I couldn't remember the dinner special my wife enjoyed but can't forget the purrs of "yummm" next to me. At the end of the meal we were quite pleased and comfortably full of some great italian takes in a classical spirit. Prices are good in our estimation and quite the norm around the financial district. We will definitely return come our next foray into the city. Joe-Bob says bring your pals to Palio. read more

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I recently dined at Palio for a team dinner and overall, had a really great meal. The menu has a ton of variety that can accommodate a wide variety of food restrictions if you're stopping by with such a group. The drink menu is pretty extensive as well, with beers, wines and cocktails. To start, I ordered their Tamayo Old Fashioned -- "Verdes momentos mezcal, nixta corn liquor, mole bitters, tajin tipped orange". Flavor was good, but I wish the drink was more spirit forward. Although there is no free table bread, foccacia is available at $8 an order. It's sliced a bit too thin for my liking, but I enjoyed the herbed oil that was served with the bread. For my entree, I ordered "Pappardelle con Cinghiale" -- wide cut pasta, 18 hour braised wild boar, roasting jus, pecorino toscano. For $33, it's not exactly cheap, but it is a really great tasting bowl of pasta. The meat is incredibly tender, and the pasta is cooked to perfectly al dente. If you're in charge of scheduling a team dinner, Palio is a good option. read more

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Good spot for client lunch or dinner. This was my first time here for lunch and it was great. Service was attentive, food was yummy, and ambiance was sophisticated. The focaccia bread was amazing. The soup special looked yummy. My steak salad was good and others got the two different tuna salads, pasta, and eggplant parmigiana and everyone was happy. We will be coming back for sure! read more

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Really pretty/well appointed restaurant with great service and good lunch specials. The bread with the olive oil was really good! My octopus was cooked very well but the sauce was on the sweeter side which I didn't love. I would go back and try something else. read more

Palio - Bread with really good olive oil. - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

What an amazing experience at Palio! Started with great drinks at the bar with our group of 5 that the friendly owner made for us. Our meal was perfect! We had great recommendations for starters, a salad and for our meals. We all loved the amazing salad w the dates, nuts and cheese. The dressing was the best! We ordered some pasta and pizzas and shared it all. The server was very attentive always. And the TIRAMISU! Wow, just perfect! We all continued to say it was one of our best meals we had in town. It wasn't loud and noisy and we could hear each other. We felt bad we were the last people there and didn't feel rushed to leave. Would highly recommend this gem! read more

I came here for a team dinner after work. If your office is downtown, this is definitely a safe spot for a nice team dinner. The food was solid, the service was excellent, and the ambiance was elevated and inviting. There's plenty on the menu for pasta, pizza, and meat lovers alike. All of the food had a good flavor. Although I think they slightly overdo the sauces and dressings. The sauce on my chicken, octopus, and side salad were slightly overpowering. Maybe scale back the ratios there. Don't get me wrong though, I still enjoyed my food and happily finished everything on my plate. This is a can't-go-wrong option if you're downtown and looking for an elevated Italian meal. read more

Really excellent Christmas dinner at Palio. Super great service and really excellent branzino and osso bucco entrees. Highlight was a thinly-cut octopus appetizer. Really excellent fruit tart dessert as well. read more

Palio - Osso bucco - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here for a large group dinner. There was only a couple tables eating in the rest of the restaurant the whole time. It was a decent space for our group and service was good. We started with the insalata Romana. It was fresh and liked the dates in the salad. It was something different from most salads and added good texture and flavor. The crispy skin salmon wasn't crispy at all but the salmon, mashed potatoes, and green beans were pretty good. The tiramisu everyone got for dessert was a good portion and nice and light. Good flavor and a nice way to end dinner. read more

Palio - Insalata Romana - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I had the pleasure of dining at Palio for lunch a few days ago. How lucky! Palio is an all around elevated dining experience that I highly recommend. As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by the owner, Martino "Son of Vince" DiGrande. I thought he was simply the host, but it was slow and we ended up chatting quite a bit. We talked about the restaurant, travel, his fondness for Mexico City and just all kinds of things. A very down-to-Earth and charming guy. Martino comes from a restaurant family and has been at the helm of Palio for twenty years. It shows. The decor is warm and comforting. The fire from the pizza oven adds to the ambience and the bar is a gorgeous, sparkling temptation. The interior design is elegant without being stuffy. Welcome. The bathroom situation is likewise refined and clean with nice design touches. I started off with the Fritto Misto (see photo). Calamari, prawns, fish, and vegetables fried in a light batter and garnished with red bell pepper sauce and lemon. This was a generous serving and would make a fine appetizer for four people. Or you could just eat it yourself and call it a lunch. It was absolutely delicious! If it were not for the apocalyptic sadness of Dry January (why did I do this?) it would have paired nicely with an ice cold beer. For my main course I had the daily special; a risotto with spinach and mushroom. Perfect comfort food. Creamy, savory, and just everything you want. This would go nicely with a buttery chardonnay or a chenin blanc. I've only had risotto a few times, but this was the best I have had so far. The service at Palio is welcoming and refined. Attentive without being obtrusive. The staff is nothing short of charming and take their craft seriously. They made me feel right at home and taken care of. After the meal, my dining companion enjoyed an Irish cofee while I had straight black. Sadly, the coffee was the one thing that did not measure up. It tasted like yesterday's coffee warmed up. Not enough to cost a star when you consider all else, but a bit of a disappointment. Now I know how my parents feel. Pricewise, this is not a place to go on a budget. Rents in this area are no joke and you are paying for food that does measure up to the price tag. However, you could certainly enjoy the Fritto Misto mentioned earlier for under $20, which I consider a great deal. I will definitely return to Palio to pre-game the cigar nights at the Amador Club and try more of their menu. I highly recommend that you stop in and say hello to Martino and the crew. Bon Appétit! read more

Palio - Fritto Misto - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Amazing Italian food and steak! Came here with a few colleagues. The steak was really well done (med rare). And nicely plated. One of the best restaurants during our work trip! Will be back Pro tip: you must try their tiramisu .... Even better than the steak :) read more

Palio - Steak - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

We were looking for a restaurant to hold our SF City Hall reception and decided to try Palio since we both love Italian food. We reserved the main dining room and the bar/lounge area and it was the perfect space to hold our guest count. Leading up to the wedding day Valeria (Event Coordinator) was amazing. She was kind and answered all the questions we had. The team also allowed us to drop off the cake the night before. The Valeria, staff, bartender, and the team at Palio were amazing day of too. They were attentive and made our guests feel welcome. Not only that but we received compliments from everyone about how delicious the food was. We appreciated that they were able to accommodate our guest dietary restrictions as well. Palio made our day truly extra wonderful. We love dining here, so whether you are looking for a place to eat or host an event we highly recommend it. read more

Palio - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Went here for lunch with colleagues and it was an amazing experience. The food quality and taste was really good and the wait staff paid lot of attention to our group. They definitely have a lot of options for vegetarians too. read more

The restaurant has nice ambiance is located close to the center of SF and the service is great. I was here for a team event and they were able to seat a party of around 50. The pasta with pork sausage was surprisingly yummy and I really enjoyed the steak. Come give it a try! read more

Palio - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We've been there as a party of ten for a friend's birthday. The place is pretty quiet despite being on a very busy street in San Francisco. Being busy in s sign if good food, but ai do appreciate of a nice cozy place to eat dinner, which this place indeed is. We ordered pizza, pasta, fish and chicken. I ordered Funghi Pizza which was amazingly delish (好吃). My wife's risotto was not that good unfortunately. The rice was undercooked. The birthday's lady was also disappointed about the fish, since it was pretty small. As far as the food go, I think their pizza is their specialty. We have also asked them to serve a birthday cake for us, which they kindly did. They did charge $35 for that service, which I think other places do not. Not a big deal, but just an abnormality. The staff are SO very nice. I mean they are at a different level. Whatever you ask would be there yesterday. I will go there again, but will make sure to order from pizza menu only ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ read more

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Such a hidden gem! The restaurant is on a very quiet street on the outskirts of Chinatown, we went on a Friday night and the restaurant was pretty empty. However the food was really good! The burrata is great for sharing, taste of pear and meat mixes really well with bread, and the server brought us extra bread which was warm and tasty. Many yelp reviews highlighted their crab pasta, but I tried the pasta of the day which was black ink with seafood and it was also very good! It came with great portion, plenty of shrimp and calamari, and the pasta itself tasted fresh (not sure if they are freshly made but they do have a pasta making station). Tiramisu at an Italian restaurant is always good. $60 per person post tax and fees read more

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I'm genuinely disappointed and frustrated by the service my work team and I received at Palio today (12/9/25) during what was supposed to be our annual holiday admin dinner--a night we all really look forward to each year. From the moment we sat down, the experience started off poorly. Many of us were excited for Palio's firewood pizza, only to be met with an almost angry and dismissive response when we asked about it. We were told they had run out and didn't have any dough, which was disappointing but understandable--what wasn't acceptable was the attitude that came with it. When the manager arrived, the tone remained snarky, condescending, and very much "oh well, too bad." Unfortunately, our waiter matched that same energy throughout the evening. He seemed genuinely inconvenienced by our presence, rushed through our orders, and was visibly bothered any time someone asked a question. At one point, he even got into an argument with one of my coworkers for simply asking about the menu--and then walked away mid-sentence. The negative attitude continued the entire dinner and made everyone at the table uncomfortable. We were honestly close to walking out because it felt like we were being treated as a problem rather than paying customers trying to enjoy a special work outing. What makes this even more frustrating is that the food itself was decent, and the location is convenient since it's close to our workplace--which makes it all the more disappointing that the service ruined what should have been an enjoyable evening together. This dinner is one of the few times we get to relax, unwind, and enjoy each other's company outside of the office. We shouldn't have to deal with combative or disrespectful service while doing so. To make matters worse, as we were leaving the restaurant, we saw pizzas being served to other tables, which felt like a final slap in the face after being told they had no dough earlier in the night--without any explanation or acknowledgment. At the very end of the evening, the waiter did bring out cookies and offered an apology, saying he was sorry if he had offended anyone. While that gesture was appreciated, it didn't fully make up for the overall experience and how the situation was handled throughout the night. I want future customers to know that the service at this location was deeply disappointing, and that while an apology was eventually offered, the lack of professionalism from both management and staff significantly overshadowed what should have been a positive evening. read more

Im very disappointed with a couple staff from Palio . Dont get me wrong the food was good , but an incident happen were the staff was rude to me for asking for the rest of the food i ordered and a plastic bag . She was very rude and called me a racist for no reason / NO REASON ! I got loud and I left the restaurant. I will not be called a racist or eat at a establishment that doesn't care about their customer . I'm writing to let you know what happen to me and it ruined my entire day.. I will NEVER eat at Palio again !! RUDE read more

We always have wonderful service Some of the best Italian food in town. Great cocktails and wine List. It's not a noisy restaurant, which is very nice so you can have a conversation read more

Food (5/5): Delicious pasta and appetizers. I particularly liked the mushroom pizza, crab pasta and calamari. I also enjoyed their drinks. I got a sweet cocktail and a Moscato. Both were great. Service (5/5): Very friendly and helpful service. They were extremely attentive, checked up on us frequently, and were knowledgeable about the menu. Ambiance (5/5): Beautifully laid out restaurant with plenty of seating. Very clean with plenty of well maintained bathrooms. read more

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Came here and had lunch at the bar. I was off the carbs but the seafood pasta special was hard to pass up. Spaghetti with tomato sauce, prawns, mussels and yellowtail was tasty. Bartender's service was professional and friendly. Good drinks too! The house-made Aperol Spritz on draft nice! Manager was sure to say hello and inviting. Great spot for lunch at the bar or happy hour. The restaurant is roomy and modern. Seems like a local spot with regulars. read more

Extremely overpriced for the quality. Had the Taglioni con granchio - extremely salty, tomato flavor missing, and the crab didn't even feel fresh. Would have been palatable had the price not been 38$ read more

Best pasta I've had in my life. I had the trenne with pomodori. It was very flavorful, light, and absolutely perfect. My husband had a seafood pasta special. Owner and staff were very friendly. We also had two desserts- the pistachio and the tiramisu. Fantastic. Ambiance was modern and hip with the best bathrooms in SF. Definitely give it a try! read more

The food was amazing. We've got calamari, prosciutto with pear and grilled octopus. All 3 was delicious. Had to wait about 40 min for our main dishes, but the restaurant was packed. The main dishes haven't disappointed as well. read more

We had a company Christmas get together at 3:30 for 20 people. Bartender was rude, they said they were out of pizza but as we were finishing around 5pm there was pizza all of a sudden. Waiter was rude to one of our party rushing her when she had a question about the menu. Staff was a bit condescending. All in all not a pleasant experience, will not go back. read more

Great Italian food in downtown SF. Went here for a team lunch and the service was prompt and they offered some great suggestions. I thought the bursts was soft and smooth and I loved that it came with prosciutto. I though the crab pasta was nicely flavored and they used a good amount of crab. Would go again. read more

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The service was excellent. I highly recommend the Branzino the fish potatoes, the spinach so good the beef carpaccio excellent the peach tea so refreshing. The only thing I wouldn't order again was the Bolognese. It is a little unappealing and it had like a very weird cheese sauce that I didn't expect. read more

Palio - This is the bolognese - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I went to Palio for lunch. My sweetheart and I both thought that the space was really inviting and well decorated. Service was also on point. I had a Travelzoo voucher for two entrees. I ordered the Chicken Parmesan and my sweetheart ordered Melanzane alla Parmigiana (eggplant Parm). We were both really happy with our meals. I thought the eggplant Parmesan was especially divine. It was perfectly cooked and presented beautifully. The staff went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable & had everything we needed. . My partner had a house special spritzer suggested by our server, which was delightful. I will be going back! read more

Palio - Chicken Parm with roasted veggies - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Wow! Delicious! No wait, parking available and excellent service. The owner very hands on and made me feel like I was with family. I highly recommend the Tagliolini con Granchio and tiramisu. read more

OMG! I cannot recommend this restaurant enough! Absolutely delicious interesting food, great ambience, amazing service! Try the Insalata Romana - their signature salad! Fantastic! read more

Loved this fine dinning experience with my girlfriends! The service was fantastic - let's start by saying (Martino & Martini rocked it). My Rigatoni al Ragu was perfectly cooked and tastes beautifully. In the appetiser list, my favourites were the carpaccio and the insalata Romana. The tiramisu for dessert closed the deal! Thanks guys for an amazing night. read more

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This restaurant has it all! Classic Italian cuisine, a mixture of fantastic main courses and tasty apps and elegant style. We arrived before the dinner rush, when only a few devoted diners were seated. The entrance led us to a gathering spot next to the well-stocked bar. This area is welcoming and perfect for an after-work imbibe. Next you can see the bustling, well-lit kitchen and the high ceilings in the lovely dining large room. Spectacular- a mix of art, industrial pillars and open spaces large and small. We were seated promptly for dinner and the menus had a great selection of everything- essentials, seasonal, and treats! We picked: seafood linguine with prawns and mushrooms in cream sauce. Fantastic! Also the classic chicken piccata w lemon and capers. The aromas were intoxicating. So very good- half way through we switched plates (so we didn't miss anything) that was a good idea. However, my Sweet Mother would have scolded me, I know! The portions were ample and the garlicky spinach and delicate roasted potatoes were perfect. What a meal! What a place! It seemed like the perfect place for a late supper or an engagement party with separate large group spaces and smaller 4-6 person tables. Maybe an after work holiday group mixer. Whatever the occasion- - we will be back! . read more

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We were celebrating my parent's 50th anniversary, and the service and food were above and beyond to provide an amazing experience for our group. Everything was perfect, and we cannot recommend this establishment enough. The drinks were delicious, and the food was cooked to perfection. Everyone left stuffed and happy. Please go and try this restaurant, and please add the arancini to your order, you won't be disappointed. Thank you for an amazing evening, my parents were so happy after our meal. read more

Why 5 stars? Because this venue was perfect. --- --- --- Palio was one of about 10 venues I contacted in search of an event I was hosting for my company in SF. I wish I could go back in time and save myself the trouble of dealing with other venues, because Palio was exactly what I was hoping for. I was unable to visit the venue in advance, so I walked in 90 minutes before my event started. Everyone was incredibly helpful and service-oriented here. Setup was a breeze because every time I needed something, it was done in moments. And the event itself was executed flawlessly. The food was excellent. The service was as good as it gets. And the space for ideal for exactly what we needed: a room for standing/mingling, and another room for a sit-down presentation. While we wouldn't be coming back to San Francisco for a while for one of these events, I will not hesitate to reach back out to Palio next time for round two. There will be no search because I've found the ideal setting. read more

I found this place in Yelp, offering pizza and Italian cuisine- of course! First time and what a treat! Walking distance from Montgomery Bart station near Kearny Street. When we arrived, it was much larger than I had imagined, with exquisite facilities. The personalized and knowledgeable service was refreshing... it made the dinner an event! My meal of seafood linguine was flavorful and well presented. Be sure to request the buttery toasted garlic bread. It had been a long day so I didn't have wine with dinner but there was a full bar and great wine selection. Loved the Palio theme and artwork. Family owned and operated. read more

Palio - Great Italian Food. - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California