And maybe, just maybe, if you hit all these places, perhaps you'll end up with enough pearls to make a necklace as my friend and illustrator Carrie Campbell depicts below (thanks, Carrie!).

Hog Island Oyster

A beloved spot for tourists and locals alike, Hog Island Oyster is popular for a reason. They offer local (and regional) sustainable oysters with delicious wines and beer to wash them down. The vast majority of their oyster come from their oyster farm in Marshall, on Tomales Bay, and they even have farm tours. Check them out in the Ferry Building (go early to avoid lines) or in Napa at the Oxbo Market if you are out in wine country.

P.S. If you've got a non-oyster-loving friend in your dining group, they make a killer grilled cheese sandwich.

Water Bar

I confess, I go to the Waterbar for their lobster roll, fried pickles, and fabulous martinis, but they also have a fantastic oyster bar. You can not find a better view of the Bay Bridge (they're located right on the Embarcadero), they've got a great terrace for outdoor dining as well, but I love to sit at the zinc bar and fill up on delicious oysters, especially during happy hour (more on those later).

Swan Oyster Depot

People either love or hate the Swan Oyster Depot. The most common description of the counter in the 100+-year-old fish market is “no-frills.” Personally, with the quality of oysters they serve, I don't care about the frills! I will say that, given the size of the counter, it is extremely tough to get into, but it's so worth it. Go early to the Nob Hill location (1517 Polk St) and make friends, the service is excellent (all family), and please note it is CASH only!

Anchor and Hope (now closed)

I am not sure if I love Anchor and Hope for its oysters or their housemade potato chips! Paired with a beer, sometimes I never want to leave. Besides the fresh oysters, which are always amazing, they have a dish called ‘Angels on Horseback', which are smoked bacon-wrapped oysters served with a remoulade sauce, worth every bite! I know you are here for oysters, but they also have one of the best fish and chips in town.

Anchor Oyster Bar

Serving out of its Castro Street location since 1977, the Anchor Oyster Bar has a loyal following and was recently added to the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand list. They focus on sustainably harvested seafood, including succulently fresh oysters. The staff is very knowledgeable, and they know the perfect oysters for beginners to try, should you find yourself with newbies.

Oyster Happy Hours

San Francisco has dozens of spots for oyster happy hours! You can get fresh, inexpensive oysters after work in nearly any part of town. 7×7 has a guide that gives you 36 oyster happy hour spots, and Eater's has their favorite oyster deals heat-mapped.

Not your Mama's Oyster

I had to share two oyster dishes that are a little unique.

Tadich Grill's Hangtown Fry with eggs, bacon, and fresh oysters is a classic hangover meal for many San Francisco natives. You can get fresh oysters as well from the city's oldest restaurant ,along with their famous cioppino.

How about you? Are you a fan of oysters? Do you have a favorite spot you go to get them? A favorite way of serving or cooking them? Do tell!

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Today I'd like to introduce you to Paroma of Year of the Monkey, a travel blogger and San Francisco resident passionate about food and pets. She lives in the Western Addition section of the city which is largely residential but also adopts the Japantown area, which is not technically a neighborhood. So we get a bonus today, Western Addition AND Japantown!

Let's meet Paroma and tour Western Addition and Japantown.

[1] Favorite thing about Western Addition/Japantown.

The beautiful Japan Town Mall featuring Japanese stores, the famous Kinokuniya book store, and the nearby Japanese Nijiya Market.

[2] Least favorite thing about Western Addition/Japantown.

Being an indoor mall, Japan Town mall is not dog-friendly and I so wish it were. Western Addition is not as safe as the more affluent neighborhoods of Lower Pacific Heights and Hayes Valley and this is something that I am not super proud of as a resident.

[3] What differentiates your neighborhood from all the other parts of the city?

Western Addition, my neighborhood has the only other Japantown in Northern California (the other being in San Jose). Plus, the super famous Fillmore Theatre is right here and we have our own farmer's market every Saturday, with a live jazz band to accompany it!

Finally, this used to be the erstwhile jazz district of San Francisco and although almost all the jazz clubs are long gone, the neighborhood springs to life during the Fillmore Jazz Festival or any Japantown street fairs such as the Nihon Machi or the Cherry blossom festival.

[4] Favorite coffee spot in Western Addition/Japantown.

YakiniQ cafe on Post Street. Their sweet potato latte is unique and a must-have!

[5] Favorite spot for drinks in Western Addition/Japantown.

Dosa on Fillmore. They have a pretty good happy hour where drinks and bar bites are 50% off.

[6] Favorite local hangout in Western Addition/Japantown.

The peace plaza and the Buchanan Mall in Japan Town are two good places for people watching and hanging out. The nearby Jefferson Park is our little patch of green to walk our dog. The Sundance Kabuki theatre is also another favorite theatre to watch movies.

[7] Favorite breakfast spot in Western Addition/Japantown.

For breakfast, I simply grab a bagel from Wise Sons Deli which is absolutely delicious. Dosa on Fillmore and 1300 are two other favorites for getting Indian or Southern-inspired brunch.

[8] Favorite lunch spot in Western Addition/Japantown.

My vote goes to NOPA, on Divisadero street (the westernmost border of Western Addition). Although tough to get a seat, their Californian-American brunch/lunch is my favorite. (MWA Note: One of the best cheeseburgers in San Francisco!)

[9] Favorite dinner spot in Western Addition/Japantown.

That will be either Progress or it's sister restaurant State Bird Provisions, which was voted the best new restaurant in North America in 2013. Again, super difficult to snag a reservation at the latter, but if you do manage to get in, then be prepared to be blown away by their food served in dim-sum style carts.

[10] One thing you always do/spot you always take friends from out of town to do/see.

Give them a tour of the Japan town mall, have crepes at Belly Good Cafe and Crepes (inside the mall) and take them to YakiniQ for some sweet potato latte!

Thanks Paroma!

Check out Paroma's blog Year of the Monkey and keep up with her adventures on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Here are other great spots in San Francisco's Western Addition/Japantown:

EAT – Breakfast/Brunch:

> Herbivore 9531 Divisadero St, b/t Fell St & Hayes St) Vegetarian resto with a nice patio.
> 1300 on Filmore (1300 Fillmore St b/t Ellis St & Eddy St) $12 unlimited pomosas (sparkling wine, PAMA liqueur, and a splash of juice).
> YakiniQ Cafe (1640 Post St, b/t Laguna St & Buchanan St) As Paroma mentioned, sweet potato latte!

EAT – Lunch:

> Marufuku Ramen (1581 Webster St, b/t Post St & Geary Blvd) Good ramen shop, get the chicken paitan with sweet corn.
> Tanpopo (1740 Buchanan St, b/t Post St & Sutter St) Old school Yakisoba.
> Waraku (1638 Post St, b/t Laguna St & Buchanan St) Get the pork tonkatsu or Tsukemen ramen.
> Nijiya Market ( 1737 Post St, b/t Webster St & Buchanan St) THE place for bento boxes.

EAT – Dinner:

> State Bird Provisions (1529 Fillmore St, b/t Ofarrell St & Geary Blvd). Make a reservation as soon as you think you are coming to SF! Award-winning dimsum style small plates.
> The Progress (1525 Fillmore St, b/t Ofarrell St & Geary Blvd). Same owners as State Bird, family-style meals.
> Udon Mugizo (1581 Webster St, b/t Post St & Geary Blvd) Kobe beef udon.
> Pizza Inferno (1800 Fillmore St, b/t Bush St & Sutter St) Don't miss the inferno special with ground beef, basil, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. Simply perfect.

EAT – Dessert:

> Benkyodo Co. (1747 Buchanan St, b/t Post St & Sutter St) Japanese bakery with delicious mochi and other treats.
> Miyako Old Fashioned Ice Cream (1470 Fillmore St) cash only scooped by the beloved Tom, Japanese flavors.

DRINK – Bars:

> Fat Angel (1740 O'Farrell St, b/t Fillmore St & Steiner St) They've got food, but go for the massive beer menu.
> Festa (1825A Post St, Kinokuniya Building, b/t Webster St & Fillmore St) Karaoke bar! Amazing saketinis or go for the lychee martini.
> Dimples (1700 Post St, b/t Webster St & Buchanan St) Neighborhood dive bar.

DRINK – Coffee:

> Mitsu Teahouse (22 Peace Plz) Japanese teahouse with boba as well!
> Social Study (1795 Geary Blvd) Four Barrel and bar bites, a great place to work.

SHOP:

> Daiso (22 Peace Plz) All things Japanese for cheap!
> New People (1746 Post St, b/t Buchanan St & Webster St) Tea, food, art, clothing, and games
> Soko Hardware (1698 Post St, b/t Laguna St & Buchanan St) Quirky household goods.

THINGS TO DO:

> The Fillmore (1805 Geary Blvd) Great bands and free apples!
> Kabuki Springs & Spa (1750 Geary Blvd at Webster St) Spa with communal baths, steam rooms, and saunas.
> Northern California Cherry Blossom, largest in the U.S. held every April.
> J-Pop Summit – Japanese art and food festival, September every year.
> Fillmore Jazz Festival – every July.

LODGING:

> Hotel Kabuki (1625 Post Street, b/t Laguna St & Buchanan St) Eastern-influenced boutique hotel.
> Kimpton Buchanan Hotel (1800 Sutter St, b/t Webster St & Buchanan St) Trendy Japanese style rooms, some with anime!
> Both Western Addition and Japantown are mainly residential areas with limited commercial lodging however there are a couple of properties available for rent on Airbnb.

How about you? Do you have any Western Addition/Japantown additions? Have you been to this area of San Francisco? Did you find this post helpful for a future trip?

If you live in San Francisco and would like to share your favorite spots in your neighborhood, reach out to me, I'd love to have you!

See my entire collection of San Francisco post in my San Francisco Guide. Also, you can save 42% off admission to the best San Francisco attractions with a San Francisco CityPASS. PLUS, skip most tickets lines!

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San Francisco is small but mighty. 7 miles by 7 miles but packed with great things to eat, drink and do. It is an awesome place to come for the weekend and this post is intended to convince you!

San Francisco Weekend – Your Friday Night

Start your weekend by flying in Friday afternoon, either SFO or OAK will work, both now have BART (the subway) directly from the airport so you can get into the city fairly quickly. If you rent a car be prepared to sit in a little Friday night traffic, but don’t worry you will be rewarded, just think of it as building up your appetite for the evening!

When you get in the city, head directly to Fort Mason in the Marina/Presidio area for the Friday night version of Off the Grid. Food trucks are a big deal in San Francisco and there is no better way to test them out than at this massive weekly food truck event. There are over 30 trucks; pace yourself there are way too many delicious dishes out there!

Work off your dinner (it is impossible not to overeat) by walking back through the Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf to the Embarcadero and stop for a nightcap at any one of the restaurants along the water. Or head into the city a couple of blocks and check out one of the bourbon bars in the Financial District.

Warning, don’t drink too many, you’ve got an early morning – you can sleep in a bit on Sunday!

San Francisco Weekend – All Day Saturday

Wake up bright and early and head to the farmer's market at the Ferry Building. There are close to 100 food stalls. You can grab breakfast at Acme, Craftsman & Wolves, or Della Fattoria while you do some picnic shopping for lunch.

Alternatively, also waking up bright and early, get yourself in line at Bar Tartine, the best bakery in the city for amazing pastries, coffee, and sandwiches made with bread that tastes as if came straight from heaven.

Whichever spot you choose, once you’ve got all your lunch goodies packed, you’ve digested your breakfast and finished your Blue Bottle coffee, head over to Dolores Park for a picnic with an amazing view of the city. This park embodies San Francisco's spirit, people-watching is the best activity you can do here, and there is not a shortage of interesting.

For dessert while leaving the park head to Bi-Rite Creamery. Rich, creamy, cold ice cream in unique flavors, it is a San Francisco institution.

You’ve been outside all day, take a load off at any one of the amazing restaurants that the city has to offer. You can literally throw a rock (please don’t) in any direction and find a great place. You cannot go wrong, trust me! Here are some of my posts that include San Francisco restaurants to help you out.

San Francisco Weekend – Sunday Morning

You had a big food day yesterday! Sleep in because for breakfast I am recommending dimsum and that starts at 10:00. My favorite spot is Yank Sing, but there are many great options in the Richmond or Sunset Districts. My San Francisco Bay Area Dimsum Guide will give you the highlights.

If dimsum is not your thing, head back to the Marina. I swear they have more brunch spots than any other neighborhood in the city! You’ll have a leisurely meal with a great view, which is perfect for saying farewell before you have to catch your flight home.

See. Wasn’t that fun? That is *just* one weekend, I could create dozens around food!

If you are visiting in the winter, don't miss crab and oyster season. And if you are visiting the city by the bay solo, don't fret! Here are some awesome solo travel experiences you can have in San Francisco!

How about you? Do you have a recommendation for this foodie itinerary?

More of my San Francisco food stories and guides:

Not everyone's taste buds are the same, so I've got a whole bunch more San Francisco food options for you!

• Where to go for Coffee in San Francisco
• Great Mexican Restaurants in San Francisco
• 5 Places to Eat Oysters in San Francisco
• Best Burmese Food in San Francisco
• Burgers in San Francisco
• San Francisco’s Best Cheeseburgers
• Hawaiian in San Francisco
• Great Grilled Cheese in San Francisco
• San Francisco Bay Area Dimsum Guide
• San Francisco for Vegetarians
• Baked Bear in San Francisco – Custom-made Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Classic San Francisco Food Treats
• Eating in San Francisco’s Financial District – Around the World in 24 Hours

Highlighted Restaurants in San Francisco

• San Francisco’s Sushirrito
• Liba San Francisco
• Bacon Bacon San Francisco
• Fried Chicken and Waffles in San Francisco
• Water Bar San Francisco

See my entire collection of San Francisco post in my San Francisco Guide. Also, you can save 42% off admission to the best San Francisco attractions with a San Francisco CityPASS. PLUS, skip most tickets lines!

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San Francisco Neighborhood Guides

In my San Francisco Profile series, I interviewed locals from some of the most famous neighborhoods. At the bottom of each interview is my little black book of spots to eat, drink, stay and visit.
Financial District
Hayes Valley
Lower Haight
Marina District
Miraloma Park
Mission District
Nob Hill
North Beach
Pacific Heights
Portola
Portrero Hill
Richmond District
Sunset District
SoMa (South of Market)
Western Addition/Japantown

For a guide on living in San Francisco that brings all the neighborhoods together, check out this City Guide to Living in San Francisco and Its Neighborhoods. An all-in-one spot to find the neighborhood you are interested in exploring further.

San Francisco Food Guides

San Franciso is one of the BEST cities in the world to eat and I put in a lot of (ahem) researching so that I could bring you my guides on the best food in the city.
A San Francisco Weekend for Foodies
San Francisco Bay Area Dimsum Guide
Burgers in San Francisco
San Francisco’s Best Cheeseburgers
A Sampling of Some of SF's Best Burgers (writing on the Groupon blog)
Great Mexican Restaurants in San Francisco
Best Burmese Food in San Francisco
Hawaiian in San Francisco
San Francisco for Vegetarians
5 Places to Eat Oysters in San Francisco
Where to go for Coffee in San Francisco
A San Francisco Weekend for Foodies
Baked Bear in San Francisco – Custom-made Ice Cream Sandwiches
San Francisco's Primo Patio – A Caribbean Escape with Great Food
Fried Chicken and Waffles in San Francisco
San Francisco's Top Salted Caramel Treats (writing on the Groupon blog)
Landmark Dishes From San Francisco Legends (writing on the Groupon blog)
San Francisco's Ultimate Juice Guide (writing on the Groupon blog)
Eating in San Francisco’s Financial District – Around the World in 24 Hours
Liba San Francisco
San Francisco's Sushirrito
Classic San Francisco Food Treats

Things to do in San Francisco

No matter what time of the year, or what the weather is, there is always something to do in San Francisco.
San Francisco Coastal Trail
Great Spots to Photograph the City
4 Fun, Funky, and Freaky Places to See in San Francisco
San Francisco Cable Cars
Things To Do on a Cold Day in the City (writing on the Groupon blog)
Nighttime Photography Spots in the City (writing on the Groupon blog)
Wine Tasting in San Francisco (writing on the Groupon blog)
San Francisco’s Chinatown Part 1
San Francisco’s Chinatown Part 2
San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury
Four Activities for Out-of-Town Guests that Are Better than Sending Them to Fisherman’s Wharf
Things To Do in San Francisco in the Winter
San Francisco for the Holidays
New to SF Bay – First Day Things to Do and See
See 3 Stunning Mosaic Steps of San Francisco in One Day

Miscellaneous San Francisco Stories

And because I truly love Sa Francisco, I've written lots of posts on various aspects of the City by the Bay.
My It’s-IT Story
San Francisco’s Coffee Cultures
San Francisco Bites – Roli Roti Porchetta Sandwich and Happy Birthday Ferry Building
San Francisco Ferry Building Attraction – Biscuit Bender
Kara of Kara’s Cupcakes Isn’t Afraid to Think Bigger (writing on the Groupon blog)
An Interview with Cotogna Chef Michael Tusk – Taste of the Nation San Francisco
Dine on Time App at Westfield San Francisco Centre
Westfield Food Tastemaker
How to be Parisian in San Francisco Part 1
How to be Parisian in San Francisco Part 2

Hopefully, on your next trip to San Francisco, you'll be able to enjoy this guide and the fruits of my labor!

How about you? Have you been to San Francisco? Do you have a favorite spot? Do tell!

You can save 42% off of admission to the best San Francisco attractions with a San Francisco CityPASS. PLUS, skip most ticket lines!

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And while there is a large abundance of Mexican restaurants in San Francisco, especially in the Mission District, you can find really great Mexican food anywhere in the city! Even for vegetarians!

You will definitely have food coma after eating at any of these places! I've broken them into three categories: General Mexican, The Mission (because hey, it deserves its own category!) and Breakfast Burritos (because in San Francisco the breakfast burrito it's its own food group!):

General Mexican:

Arguello (50 Moraga Ave in the Presidio Officers Club, Presidio) Traci des Jardins is a fixture on San Francisco's restaurant scene (plus I really love her restaurant in the Ritz Carlton in Lake Tahoe!). Her restaurant Mijita in the Ferry Building has one of my favorite burritos – chile verde that in my opinion, is to die for! Now she has added Arguello, an upscale Mexican with a nice heated patio (it can get cold in San Francisco) where you can also watch tortillas being made!

Nopalito (1224 9th Ave, b/t Lincoln Way & Irving St) Where to start? One of my absolute favorites. I like the Panucho de Pollo al Pibil which is a masa/black bean cake with chicken on top; the pork belly quesadilla, the grass-fed shredded beef Empanada the carne asada with nopales and delicious pork carnitas braised in orange, bay leaf, milk, cinnamon, and beer!

Colibri Mexican Bistro (438 Geary St at Mason St., Nob Hill) Great regional dishes and made-to-order guacamole plus creative cocktails from an extensive tequila collection, my favorite is the jalapeño margarita. The carnitas are a big hit here, but I am a sucker for sopes, check out the Sopes Surtidos (an assortment of meats with beans and sautéed vegetables with crumbled queso fresco.

Mamacita (2317 Chestnut St, b/t Divisadero St & Scott St)
I know it is weird, but they've got the creamiest guacamole in the city! I like their short rib flautas, but they also have delicious beef gorditas, and pork meatball enchiladas, something I haven't seen anywhere else! If they have lamb tacos on the menu…get them!

Azucar Lounge (299 9th St, b/t Folsom St & Clementina St) This is the place for Taco Tuesday for vegetarians and carnivores alike! But also check out the queso blanco and cactus fries and get a tamarind margarita.

Padrecito (901 Cole St, b/t Parnassus Ave & Carl St) Duck chilaquiles? Yes, please! Duck tacos too! Their pork-belly chilaquiles are equally good. A good place to try goat barbacoa.

Mission District

El Metate (2406 Bryant St, b/t 22nd St & 23rd)  I ate at this spot a lot when I worked at Dolby and besides their awesome aqua frescas, they have some pretty amazing burritos including a veggie burrito that will knock your socks off. I am also a sucker for homemade tortilla chips and salsa bar!

La Torta Gorda (2833 24th St, b/t York St & Bryant St)
It is all about the torta here. If you aren't familiar, it is a Mexican sandwich. At La Torta Gorda, theirs features meat and queso fresco, refried beans, accompanied by avocado, onions, mayo, and jalapeño on a torta roll. Great vegetarian option as well. If you don't think you are up for a sandwich, check out the pierna enchilada torta with pork in enchilada sauce served on a crispy bun – trust me!

El Techo de Lolinda (2518 Mission St, b/t 21st St & 22nd St) Besides the cool rooftop bar make sure to get the skewers. Whether it's the chorizo, steak or veggie one, it will be enjoyable.

Gracias Madre (2211 Mission St, b/t 19th St & 18th St) Mentioned in my San Francisco for Vegetarians post, this is a great spot for vegetarians and vegans alike. Their menu is sustainable and packed full of flavor which you will enjoy even if you are a meat lover!

La Palma (2884 24th St, b/t Florida St & Bryant St)  It is all about the tortillas here. Made fresh all day for themselves and for other Mexican restaurants all over the city, don't miss their carne asada burrito.

Breakfast Burritos

There are a TON of spots with really good breakfast burritos (especially in the Financial District where I work) but I stuck with restaurants that are Mexican as opposed to the many other types of restaurants that serve great burritos but aren't technically Mexican restaurants.

Green Chile Kitchen (1801 McAllister St) an excellent burrito with roasted potatoes, pico de gallo, cheese, chile, and eggs of course. You can also add steak which will really get your morning off to a good start.

El Faro (82 1st St, b/t Elim St & Mission St ) A popular FiDi spot (so it's only open during the week) that is favorite amongst young professionals who need a cheap, fully loaded breakfast burrito, perfect for those who are recovery from the previous evening. Not known for their service, but praised for the fact that the burrito has bacon, ham, and chorizo!

Don Pisto (510 Union St, b/t Bannam Pl & Grant Ave, North Beach) The breakfast burrito is dynamite with eggs, housemade chorizo, queso oaxaca, sliced avocado, salsa fresco, and pickled jalapeno. [At lunch check out the tacos, both carne asada, and carnitas, as well as the tamales. If the lobster special is going on, don't pass it up!]

Little Chihuahua (292 Divisadero Street, b/t Haight St & Page St) They serve a wet-style breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, jack cheese, salsa, beans, Mexican potatoes, roasted poblano chiles, cilantro and onions, and choice of meat (bacon or chorizo or mushrooms).

Bonus: Mexican Food Trucks

San Francisco is a great food truck town there are lots of new trucks and parks popping up all over the city. But the OG of food trucks in San Francisco has got to be the taco trucks! And I wanted to mention my two favorites, which get listed as the best in write-ups all the time.

The first is El Tonyaense truck on Carrol Street (at the Best Buy parking lot). They have amazing $1 tacos that I ate at least once a week when I was working in Potrero Hill. They are known for their offal tacos, I love the beef tongue. If that gives you the heebie-jeebies, their barbacoa tacos are the best!

The other truck is El Norteno at 801 Bryant. Their shrimp burritos and tacos are the bomb!

Well, that's a few of my favorite Mexican restaurants in San Francisco (as you can tell, I am a BIG fan of Mexican food!) where are some of your favorites? What's your favorite Mexican dish?

See my entire collection of San Francisco post in my San Francisco Guide. Also, you can save 42% off admission to the best San Francisco attractions with a San Francisco CityPASS. PLUS, skip most tickets lines!

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San Francisco Bay Cruises

I think one of the most important things to mention is that there just aren't as many tourists, so lots of the places that locals and tourists like to visit are less crowded in the winter. Catching a boat to Alcatraz and general sightseeing cruises on the bay run year-round, but the crazy lines that you find most of the year are far shorter in the winter.

Museums

We have amazing museums in San Francisco, but when the wind chill drops they are the perfect way to spend an afternoon or an entire day! Getting into the California Academy of Sciences or the Exploratorium, can be seriously depressing during good weather, but are thankfully less crowded in the winter – these are must-stops, two great museums!

For the classics, we've got the de Young Museum, the Legion of Honor, and SFMOMA. All world-class museums that will knock your socks off. [TIP: If you buy a San Francisco City Pass bundle, the admission to some of these museums plus others like the Aquarium of the Bay (on Pier 39) are one low price and it even includes a seven-day Cable Car and Muni pass, check their site for more info.]

Starting mid-November, there is a special seasonal installation at The Walt Disney Family Museum called, Home for the Holidays at Carolwood. Walt’s family had a particular love for trains and this new temporary exhibit will be fabulous!

Walking Tours

If you don't mind the chill and are properly dressed in layers, there is nothing better than a walking tour. While the tour capacities are generally the same all-year-round, what is different during the winter is that there are fewer locals crowding the scene than when the weather is nice and everyone is outside. Check out tours in the Mission District from Edible Excursions, they have some of the best tours in the city!

I also like the Wok Wiz Chinatown tours (I had a great time on the one I did!). For a tour that is held partially indoors, our World Series Giants AT& T Park is open for behind the scenes tours where you can stand on the field, sit in the dugout, and more! This is a must-do for any baseball fan! During the off-season, tickets for public tours aren’t as always to sell out, in fact, it is the best time to try.

Shopping

Of course, we have great shopping in San Francisco! I have mentioned Westfield Centre many times over the last six months, but besides the restaurants, they have one of the largest selection of brands, stores, and clothing items in town. It is a beautiful mall and you can get lost for hours shopping, eating, or even seeing a movie! For more boutique shopping there is Chestnut Street, Hayes Valley, the Haight, and the Mission (see some of my guides below).

Cooking classes

San Francisco is chock full of cooking, wine, and cheese tasting classes. If it is super cold outside, this is my choice! There are so many out there, but three I like are the San Francisco Cooking School, Tante Marie's with the amazing Mary Risley, and the Cheese School of San Francisco.

Food and Drink

As I already mentioned in my San Francisco for the Holidays post, one of the best things about winter is Dungeness crab! The season is from November through March and you should not miss an opportunity to eat it as often as possible! I have also written about where to go for coffee in San Francisco, we have an amazing coffee scene and what could be better on a cold day than hanging out at a local coffee shop?

Well, there might be one thing….hot chocolate! The chocolate makers in this town could make a girl increase her waist-size on a constant basis! I suggest moderation in trying out these must-try hot chocolate spots:

• Recchiuti Confections also known as the Chocolate Lab in the Ferry Building
• Caffé Pascussi n South Beach
• Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates in Hayes Valley
• Dandelion Chocolate in the Mission District

In addition, San Francisco Restaurant Week takes place during the second half of January. There are an insane amount of restaurants that participate, ten days is not enough! You can choose from a $25 two-course lunch, a $40 three-course dinner,  an $85 tasting menu. Oh, the choices! It is a great way to explore San Francisco restaurants without breaking the bank.

Beer

I know beer seems like it belongs squarely in the summer, but in San Francisco, we take beer seriously in the WINTER (hence its own category). In January there is the Bay Area Brew Fest, a one-day event that offers unlimited international and domestic beers for just $40. In addition, there are always several food trucks on hand. San Francisco food trucks rock!

For more serious beer drinkers there is Beer Week which takes place in February. If you are a beer lover, this is the week to be in San Francisco! There are over 100 beer-related events! We close the beer festivities with the one-day SF Craft Beer Festival which takes place in March. There are 75 breweries and 150 beers. This event focuses on limited release and seasonal beers and offers unlimited tastings!

Chinese New Year Parade

Lastly, the annual Chinese New Year parade is the biggest parade in San Francisco (except when the Giants win the World Series!) and it takes place at the end of February or the first part of March. There are elaborate floats, crazy costumes, lions, dragons, firecrackers, you name it!

More Resources

If you are visiting San Francisco in the winter, I think I’ve provided you plenty to do, see, drink and eat, but just in case you need more, here are a few more posts that will help you out:

• Dimsum is a great winter meal, here is my San Francisco Bay Area Dimsum Guide.
• Visiting the Sunset District, here’s my guide.
• Visiting the Mission District, here’s my guide.
• Visiting Nob Hill, here’s my guide.
• Visiting the Financial District, here’s my guide.
• Visiting the Richmond District, here’s my guide.
• Visiting Lower Haight, here’s my guide.
• Visiting SoMa, here’s my guide.
• Visiting the Marina, here’s my guide.
• Visiting North Beach, here’s my guide.
• Visiting Hayes Valley, here’s my guide.

How about you? What would you add?

See my entire collection of San Francisco posts in my San Francisco Guide. Also, you can save 42% off admission to the best San Francisco attractions with a San Francisco CityPASS. PLUS, skip most tickets lines!

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Things to Do

The [usually] mild weather lends the opportunity to do a lot more outdoor things and take in more of the gorgeous city!

Illuminate SF Festival of Light

2017 marks the 5th year for the Illuminate SF Festival of Light. The festival includes artist talks, museum tours, and light art activations throughout the city between Thanksgiving and New Year's. For more specific dates, locations, and activities, check out their website.

Winter Walk SF

Winter Walk SF is an open plaza in the heart of Union Square. Until New Year's Day, two blocks of Stockton Street are open for winter merriment including a nightly light art show, caroling, Ghirardelli chocolate samples, and Off the Grid food trucks.

Ice Skating

> San Francisco has three downtown ice skating rinks (Union Square, Embarcadero Center, and Yerba Buena Gardens) and they are open during the holiday season and on Christmas Day!

Parks

San Francisco Zoo hosts the Reindeer Romp through New Year, open on Christmas Day as well. Golden Gate Park’s Botanical Gardens is free to the public on Christmas Day. You can visit the 55 acres taking in over 8,000 species of plants and the wild San Franciscans!

Hotel Happenings

San Francisco has numerous hotels that are historically fascinating and visually stunning. Add in the holidays and not only are they great places to stay but destinations to visit!

Holiday Wonderland at the Palace Hotel

> Go for the giant gingerbread house and tea with Santa but stay for one of the Palace Hotel's six brunch seatings on Christmas Day, in either the Grand Ballroom or the fabulous 19th century Garden Court.

Gingerbread Houses at The Fairmont Hotel

> The Fairmont in Nob Hill has a giant gingerbread house made with thousands of ginger bricks baked by the hotel and displayed in the main lobby.

Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Nob Hill

> This holiday show at the Ritz-Carlton stars an entertaining elf and his animated helper. And includes a giant teddy bear that every child can have a photo with! The show is for a good cause as a portion of the proceeds goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

What To Eat

The best part! San Francisco is a city for food lovers – eating here any time of year is a joy. But there are two seasonal delights that you shouldn't miss!

Crab Season

By far this time is my favorite time of year. I eat fresh crab nearly every weekend and San Francisco's Dungeness crab is not to be missed! There are many places to indulge, here are some I really like:

• At Fisherman’s Wharf check out the Franciscan Crab Restaurant, which serves crab with a garlicky, buttery sauce. Or the Crab House at Pier 39, where the crab is served on a hot skillet.
• A little outside the wharf is Scoma’s family-owned that has been around for 50 years. They are known for their Crab Louis salad.
• On the Embarcadero, head to The Waterbar which has fantastic seafood platters with fresh crab and oysters!
• In the Financial District, you have to visit San Francisco's oldest restaurant, Tadich Grill which has amazing cioppino with big chunks of delicious crab – add a classic martini and you are golden!
• Lastly, in Chinatown don't miss R&G Lounge which whips up an excellent salt and pepper crab.

Oysters

San Francisco has an amazing variety of oysters available at this time of year. The French love oysters for the holidays and its a habit I picked up when Mr. Misadventures and I lived in France. There are a ton of places that have oyster happy hours as well as full meals, I've shared my 5 favorite oyster spots in another post you can find here.

Tamales

A Hispanic heritage tradition that has proliferated throughout San Francisco, the holidays are the perfect time to enjoy this comforting dish. Throw a stone anywhere in the Mission and you will be satisfied, but here are some top picks:

• La Palma Mexica-tessen, 2884 24th Street at Bryant.
• La Espiga de Oro, 2916 24th Street at Alabama.
• La Oaxaqueña, 2128 Mission Street, between 17th and 18th.

There are a few other spots around the city with good tamales. I like the ones at Traci Des Jardins' Mijita in The Ferry Building. And Alicia's Tamales Los Mayas in Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero.

What To Drink

Given San Francisco’s weather, the holiday season can be pretty mild but you should always be wary of fog and winds, which can quickly put a chill in the air. Here are a few places to seek warm refuge and unique drinks in case a cold front hits.

Irish Coffee

The Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Café is a San Francisco classic. The cafe has a special method of aging and frothing the cream so that it floats on top of the coffee dating back to 1952.

Hot Buttered Rum

A special holiday treat, one of the best in the city is served at Smuggler’s Cove in Hayes Valley. It is the best because they focus on one thing, rum. There are more than 400 varieties in this a unique spot that is devoted entirely to rum. Their hot buttered rum prepared with demerara rum and a secret spice mix, it is truly something special!

Hot Toddy

My grandfather used to make me hot toddies if I was ever sick while visiting my grandparents and it holds a special and nostalgic place in my heart. My pick for hot toddies in San Francisco is Elixir in the Mission district. A dive bar that serves more than 330 different whiskeys, your hot toddy can take on vanilla notes or a serious peaty flavor, depending on what you choose.

Hot Chocolate

For European hot chocolate head to the Ferry Building and try out the decadent chocolate that Boulette’s Larder serves straight out of a copper kettle. For Mexican hot chocolate add a cup to your tamale order from La Oaxaqueña, theirs is made with ground almonds, and a pinch of guajillo chili powder for that addictive burn.

Holiday Instagram Shot

Every holiday season the 101 California building puts out giant Christmas ornaments on the backside of their building (on California Street) it is right next to Michael Mina's Japanese restaurant Pabu and the less expensive (but very yummy) The Ramen Bar. After photos and lunch head up the street one block to catch the cable car.

More Resources

If you are visiting San Francisco for the holidays, I think I've provided you with plenty to get you started! But just in case it's not, here are a few more posts that will help you out:

• Dimsum is a great holiday meal, especially good for big groups of family or friends. Here is my San Francisco Bay Area Dimsum Guide.
• Visiting the Sunset District, here’s my guide.
• Visiting the Mission District, here’s my guide.
• Visiting Nob Hill, here’s my guide.
• Visiting the Financial District, here’s my guide.
• Visiting the Richmond District, here’s my guide.
• Visiting Lower Haight, here’s my guide.
• Visiting SoMa, here’s my guide.
• Visiting the Marina, here’s my guide.
• Visiting North Beach, here’s my guide.
• Visiting Hayes Valley, here’s my guide.
• Here are my San Francisco restaurant posts.
• AFAR San Francisco Wanderlists:

San Francisco Best [Hotel] Beds > San Francisco Bites > San Francisco Sips > I left my heart in San Francisco > Shopping in San Francisco > San Francisco Treats > Best of San Francisco's Bakeries > San Francisco's Coffee Culture

How about you? What would you add?

See my entire collection of San Francisco posts in my San Francisco Guide. Also, you can save 42% off admission to the best San Francisco attractions with a San Francisco CityPASS. PLUS, skip most tickets lines!

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That's why I am thrilled to bring you a guest post from Julia of Small World This Is about her favorite San Francisco cuisine, Burmese. She's sharing her picks for the best Burmese food in San Francisco and I have to say I completely agree!

=====================================

For me, Burmese food is the ideal cuisine for San Francisco. A warm bowl of pumpkin curry to ward off those chilly nights or a refreshing tea leaf salad for when the fog finally lifts. Here in San Francisco, we are spoiled with a wide variety of delicious Burmese food, thanks to Burma Superstar putting this cuisine on the city’s culinary map, and the Bay Area has the nation’s largest Burmese population.

Here are my favorite places to satisfy my embarrassingly frequent Burmese food cravings.

Burma Superstar

You know you’ve arrived when you smell the delicious aromas wafting out of the open door and see a huge crowd of hungry customers outside. The wait can seem eternal, but if you bring a down jacket it’s borderline bearable. Everything is delicious, but some standout dishes are the tea leaf salad, the samusa soup and the nan gyi dok (mild coconut chicken and rice noodles with curry). Make sure to order family-style so that you have an excuse to get more dishes than you should.

B Star

B Star, the sister restaurant to Burma Superstar is the place to go for a more casual dining experience, and if you’re lucky less of a wait. The dinner menu doesn’t disappoint with personal favorites like the miso cod or the pumpkin pork stew. This restaurant is also open for brunch as well, where you have the option of getting traditional dishes like rainbow salad, alongside your order of huevos rancheros.

Pagan Restaurant

Not a fan of waiting an hour for food? Pagan is the solution to those adverse to long lines. Dishes like the Burmese roti palata with potato chicken curry and the coconut chicken curry noodle are highly recommended. The best surprise comes at the end of the meal when your bill doesn’t give you sticker shock like some of the other Burmese restaurants around town.

Mandalay

This Burmese restaurant is the OG in the city and the only one that gives serious competition to Burma Superstar (dare I say it’s even better). With a spacious interior, there is hardly ever a long wait, and I always feel like I’m a guest at someone’s home as the service has always been consistently warm and attentive. The tea leaf is a must-order, as well as the Mandalay special noodles and the balata (Burmese savory pancake with a curry dipping sauce).

Burmese Kitchen

This is another excellent alternative to avoiding the long lines of Burma Superstar, but not having to sacrifice for flavor. The go-to dishes here are the tamarind fish with coconut rice, the garlic chicken, and the spicy fish. This restaurant doesn’t have as much hype as other Burmese restaurants in the city, but this is a definite blessing in disguise, as you can have a solid meal in a more personalized setting and not worry about having to rush through your meal.

Thanks Julia!

Julia is a freelance writer, and native San Franciscan, born and raised. She is the founder of the culinary travel blog Small World This Is, and has a soft spot for Turkish breakfasts and Polish milk bars.

What is your favorite Burmese restaurant in San Francisco? Have any additions to this list?

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One of my favorite neighborhoods by far is SoMa. I worked in the area for five years so I got to explore quite a bit of it. Food alone, you don't have to leave this part of the city to get anything else, it's all there!

I was thrilled when I found out that Instagram buddy Christine of Tour de Lust lived in SoMa. I immediately asked if she would participate in my San Francisco Profiles series and she gladly accepted.

Let's meet Christine.

[1] Favorite thing about the SoMa.
The Ferry Building! I love walking around this area, finding new things to eat from all the vendors and every Saturday there's a farmer's market.

[2] Least favorite thing about the SoMa.
Everything closes early or does not open on weekends.

[3] What differentiates your neighborhood, the SoMa from all the other parts of the city?
SoMa has an up and coming vibe with a lot of new high rise buildings. A lot of young business professionals live in this area.

[4] Favorite coffee spot in the SoMa.
Elite Audio Coffee. Only on weekdays, an artist draws the most creative latte art!

[5] Favorite spot for drinks in the SoMa.
I really like going to Novela. It's one of the most popular or trendiest places to get good drinks or meet up with friends for a casual night out.

[6] Favorite local hangout in the SoMa.
Palomino is always a go-to place, especially during Happy Hour. The food is great, consistent and decently priced. Palomino also has a great outdoor patio area for hanging out too.

[7] Favorite breakfast spot in the SoMa.
Dottie's True Blue Cafe has awesome blueberry cornmeal pancakes! SoMa does not have many great breakfast options but this diner is one of the go-to spots.

[8] Favorite lunch spot in the SoMa.
Samovar Tea Lounge is one of my favorites for lunch. It has great healthy sandwiches and amazing tea! It's located on the second floor at the Metreon which provides a great view.

Hog Island Oyster Bar is also another favorite of mine for lunch. It does get crowded but I always end up finding a seat at the bar. They have the best oysters!

[9] Favorite dinner spot in the SoMa.
Bellota is one of the newer restaurants in SoMa and is a big winner! The Spanish inspired restaurant will feel like you're in Barcelona. The restaurant has an open kitchen and provides a fun environment with amazing tapas and paella.

[10] One thing you always do/spot you always take friends from out of town to do/see.
I always make sure to take visitors to the Ferry Building. It's a good place to walk along the water, view the Bay Bridge and inside the Ferry Building has many local restaurants and food vendors.

Thanks Christine!

Check out Christine's blog Tour de Lust and keep up with her adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Here are other great spots in San Francisco's SoMa:

EAT – Breakfast/Brunch:

> 25lusk (25 Lusk St at Townsend St) great brunch plus homemade cinnamon doughnuts and French press coffee.
> Azucar (299 9th St b/t Folsom St & Clementina St.) all-you-can-drink sangria for $15 Sundays ONLY.
> B Restaurant & Bar (720 Howard St b/t 4th St & 3rd St) great views of Yerba Buena Gardens.
> Bluestem Brasserie (One Yerba Buena Ln) brunch burger, enough said.
> Fearless Coffee (303 2nd St b/t Folsom St & Dow Pl) Il Cane Rosso’s broken farro porridge and great coffee.
> Machine Coffee & Deli (1024 Market St b/t Golden Gate Ave & Taylor S) Four Barrel coffees with breakfast fare and pastries.
> Prospect (300 Spear St b/t Folsom St & Harrison St) monkey bread and French toast fingers.
> Red's Java House (Pier 30) Old school San Francisco breakfast spot.

EAT – Lunch:

> Big Chef Tom's Belly Burgers (1550 Howard St b/t 12th St & Lafayette St) burgers made entirely out of pork belly.
> Citizen's Band (1198 Folsom St b/t Rodgers St & 8th St) amazing fried chicken sandwich.
> Darwin Cafe (212 Ritch St b/t Brannan St & Bryant St) phenomenal hot pastrami sandwich.
> Deli Board (1058 Folsom St b/t Russ St & Sherman St) gourmet, eat-them-slow sandwiches.
> Fearless Coffee (303 2nd St b/t Folsom St & Dow Pl) deviled egg sandwich or the hot bacon-wrapped meatloaf sandwich.
> Garaje (475 3rd St b/t James Lick Fwy & Stillman St) double cheeseburger with two 1/3lb Angus patties, griddled onions, double American cheese, pickles, and hickory bacon.
> HRD Coffee Shop (521A 3rd St b/t Taber Aly & Park Ave) Korean fusion burritos and Po' Boys.
> Ironside West Coast BBQ (680 2nd St b/t Brannan St & Townsend St) ribs and an amazing Cubano sandwich.
> Lark Creek Steak (845 Market St., Ste 402) mushroom Steakburger.
> Little Skillet (360 Ritch St at Brannan St) fried chicken and waffles in an alley walk-up window.
> Marlowe's (500 Brannan St b/t 5th St & 4th St) famous burger with caramelized onions, cheddar, and bacon.
> Miss SaiGon (100 6th St b/t Minna St & Mission St) filet mignon pho.
> Polo Grounds (747 3rd St b/t King St & Townsend St)  “Freak Dog” with jalapeno mac and cheese.
> Primo Patio Cafe (214 Townsend St at Colin P Kelly Jr St)  Caribbean food with a great patio.
> Prospect (300 Spear St b/t Folsom St & Harrison St) order the “Secret Burger” (sit at the bar)  a different one every week.
> Red Dog Restaurant & Bar (303 2nd St b/t Folsom St & Dow Pl)  fried-pigs-feet burger with pickled red cabbage and mustard aioli.
> Skool (1725 Alameda St at Rhode Island St) Fusion Japanese and a great burger. Unique drinks as well.
> SOMA StrEat Food Park (428 11th St b/t United States Highway 101 & Harrison St) a dozen or more food trucks changing twice daily.
> The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen (1 S Park St, Apt 103A at 2nd St)  nine varieties of delicious grilled cheese goodness.
> The Butler & The Chef (155A S Park St at 3rd St) best Croque monsieur in town.
> Uno Dos Tacos (595 Market St b/t Sutter St & 2nd St) fantastic tacos.
> Zero Zero (826 Folsom St b/t 5th St & 4th St) thin-crusted pizzas and rum-spiked root beer floats.

EAT – Dinner:

> 54 Mint (16 Mint Plaza) Italian trattoria focused on Roman dishes.
> Anchor & Hope (83 Minna St b/t Shaw Aly & 2nd St) fantastic seafood, great oyster deals.
> Bar Agricole (355 11th St b/t Folsom St & Harrison St) unique cocktails, farm to table dishes.
> Benu (22 Hawthorne St) 3 Michelin-starred American food and so much more!
> Bluestem Brasserie (One Yerba Buena Ln) francophile dream, a brasserie with a cheese sommelier.
> Chaya Brasserie (132 The Embarcadero b/t Sacramento St & Clay St) Asian-fusion great outdoor patio.
> Epic Roast House (369 The Embarcadero) a steak with panoramic views of the Bay Bridge.
> Marlowe's (500 Brannan St b/t 5th St & 4th St) great burger, don't miss the fried Brussel sprouts!
> Oola Restaurant & Bar (860 Folsom St b/t 5th St & 4th St) Oyster happy hour.
> RN74 (301 Mission St b/t Fremont St & Beale St) luxe Cal-French cuisine with a fantastic wine cellar.
> Trou Normand (140 New Montgomery b/t Natoma St & Minna St) charcuterie and attitude.
> Woodbury (685 3rd St b/t Brannan St & Townsend St) don't miss the Frito pie!

EAT – Dessert:

> Merigan Sub Shop (636 Second St b/t Brannan St and King St) cookies with Guittard 72 percent dark chocolate, and Maldon sea salt.
> TwoFish Bakery (240 Ritch St b/t Brannan St & Bryant St) sticky buns.

DRINK – Bars:

> Dirty Habit (Palomar Hotel, 12 4th St) year-round rooftop courtyard that's heated.
> House of Shields (39 New Montgomery St b/t Stevenson St & Jessie St) 1908 bar with stunning decor is stunning decor.
> Ironside West Coast BBQ (680 2nd St b/t Brannan St & Townsend St) DIY Bloody Mary bar.
> Mars Bar & Restaurant (798 Brannan St b/t 7th St & Gilbert St) classic neighborhood bar.
> St. Regis Hotel Lobby Bar (125 3rd St b/t Minna St & Mission St) the Bloody Mary is the official cocktail of the St. Regis.
> Zeke's Diamond Bar (600 3rd St b/t Brannan St & Townsend St) dive bar near the ballpark.

DRINK – Coffee:

> Bravado (170 King St) Italian coffee in a lounge environment.
> Epicenter Cafe (764 Harrison St) Barefoot Roasters coffee with great Yerba Buena views.
> Patisserie Philippe (655 Townsend St/8th) good coffee, excellent pastries.
> Sextant Coffee Roasters (1415 Folsom St) roast their own beans in a beautiful shop.
> Sightglass (270 7th St) one of the San Francisco leaders.
> The Creamery (685 4th St) great latte, cute location.

SHOP:

> Gama-Go Store (335 8th St) unique home accessories and apparel.
> Hello!Lucky (977 Howard St) beautiful paper products and custom invitations.
> Isda & Co (29 South Park) minimalist clothing for men and women.

LODGING:

> All the big players have hotels in the SoMa area, it's the place to be!
> Besides all the great commercial hotels, there are plenty of private homes or apartments available via services like Airbnb. They have a great guide for SoMa that includes some of their locations to rent.

THINGS TO DO:

> AT&T Park (24 Willie Mays Plaza) awesome stadium home of the Giants!
> California Historical Society (678 Mission St): museum galleries showcasing history through photographs, manuscripts, posters, and artwork.
> Cartoon Art Museum (655 Mission St.,) Charles Schulz supplied the funds to create this museum.
> Contemporary Jewish Museum (736 Mission St.) Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas.
> San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (151 3rd St.) modern art collection that boasts excellent exhibits, films, and photography.
> The Ferry Building (One Ferry Building on the Embarcadero) food, shop and bars along with a farmer's market.
> Yerba Buena Gardens (Third, Fourth, Mission and Folsom Sts) two blocks of museums, gardens, shops, and restaurants.

How about you? Do you have any SoMa additions? Have you been to this area of San Francisco? Did you find this post helpful for a future trip?

If you live in San Francisco and would like to share your favorite spots in your neighborhood, reach out to me, I'd love to have you!

All photos except for the pancakes provided by Christine.

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San Francisco has no shortage of really great ice cream establishments. In fact, I'd say we're pretty much connoisseurs – we want unique flavors and fresh, local ingredients and we're usually willing to pay top dollar – or maybe it's just because we're used to it. Either way, we are definitely spoiled!

But the great thing about San Francisco and its culinary delights, we always welcome more. So it's with open arms that we receive the decadent ice cream sandwiches from Baked Bear. The brainchild of these two handsome fellows, childhood friends Rob Robbins and Shane Stanger.

Joseph Halloum the person we can thank for bringing this ice cream treat to San Francisco is friends with the founders and after spending time with them, he was convinced that San Francisco was going to love it too.

The San Francisco version is a family business run by Joseph, his wife, his mother, as well as his sisters and brothers. Whew, he's brave!

And unlike a lot of food you can buy in San Francisco restaurants (or food trucks) most items are $3.95 and nothing is over $6.00 – yes!

So what is Baked Bear?

It's a custom-designed ice cream sandwich. You've got very four important decisions to make:
1. Choose a sandwich top and bottom. Either a cookie, a brownie, or a donut. And they can be mixed and matched, meaning you can have a cookie on top and a donut on the bottom – get crazy!
2. Choose an ice cream. There are currently eight flavors.
3. Add a topping. There are currently about ten options.
4. Then you can go all out and get the sandwich hot pressed!

There's also the “Bear Bowl,” a scoop of ice cream in a warm chocolate chip cookie or brownie bowl; as well as a hot fudge sundae and a root beer float.

The debut cookie flavors for the new shop include chocolate chip, cookies and cream, funfetti, snickerdoodle, white chocolate macadamia, and a “cookie of the month” such as lemon bar, mint chip, strawberry cheesecake, or toffee walnut fudge. Follow them on Facebook as the cookie of the month is announced there at the beginning of each month.

The first ice cream flavors will include birthday cake, butter pecan, cookies and cream, cookie dough, mint chip, rocky road, salted caramel, and vanilla. There is also a custom signature ice cream flavor coming soon to be called Bear Batter.

You know you want one of these babies! But before I let you loose to head over to Fisherman's Wharf, I had the opportunity to interview Joseph and I wanted to share a little bit more about Baked Bear since it is new to the city.

What was your “aha moment” that led you to open up Baked Bear in San Francisco or what led you to become an ice cream entrepreneur?

It was a no-brainer. San Francisco has a rich history of ice cream sandwiches with the creation of the “It’s-IT”. It is also a foodie hotspot where people have a discerning palate and appreciate quality. Our gourmet ice cream sandwiches are made from scratch using real ingredients. There is no better place to bring our ice cream sandwiches than San Francisco.

I’ve seen you quoted as saying: “Once we get you trying one of these sandwiches, you’ll see the difference. It truly is a cookie we put a lot of effort into. We’re looking forward to providing something that isn’t your typical sandwich.” Tell me a bit more about the cookies, are they baked in-house?

Our cookies are baked from scratch and in-house daily using our own recipes. We use locally sourced ingredients, fresh eggs, and real butter. Making our own cookies allows us to oversee the quality and freshness of our product which I think differentiates us. We can also be creative and provide a unique “cookie of the month” for our customers like our strawberry cheesecake cookie for this month.

San Francisco has a lot of great ice cream makers to compete with, what do you think sets Baked Bear apart from other ice cream companies today?

Our cookies are also specially made with the ice cream sandwich in mind. They are freshly made so you taste all of the real flavors and are soft and chewy so they hug perfectly around a scoop of our ice cream without ever falling apart. An ice cream sandwich should never taste stiff or result in ice cream squeezing out of the other side when you bite down.

We have also developed our own premium craft ice cream that is rich and creamy without the high whipped or butter content you normally find in standard ice creams. We are also excited to be rolling out a new flavor, Bear Batter, which is a fun blue ice cream with brownie chunks and fudge clusters.

What kind of experience do you want visitors to Baked Bear's to have?

The Baked Bear provides a family fun atmosphere that goes hand in hand with what Fisherman’s Wharf is all about. We want customers to enjoy our gourmet ice cream sandwiches without feeling like they have to pay for an arm and a leg. Our ice cream cookie sandwiches are not only homemade but are very affordable at $3.95, which is an incredible price point for Fisherman’s Wharf.

I’ve read that there are over 1000 possible sandwich combinations, which is your favorite?

I have two favorites. I love our Bear Bowls. We serve two kinds– a chocolate chip cookie bowl and a brownie bowl. They are soft and flaky on the outside and warm and gooey in the middle. I love to top off a Bear Bowl with a birthday cake or cookies and cream ice cream and hot fudge drizzled on top.

My second favorite is our donut ice cream sandwich, which is our own donut with a scoop of ice cream in the middle. The donut sandwich is then hot pressed to the outside is nice and hot and then glazed with icing.

Can you recommend any unexpectedly delicious flavor pairings?

When you’re talking ice cream and cookies, it’s hard to say that any of our products don’t go well together. One thing that did surprise us is how well our customers have responded to our “cookies and cream” cookie flavor. It was originally a cookie of the month but due to popular demand, we had to keep it on our menu.

San Francisco-based questions, what is your favorite:

Spot for coffee: Grand Coffee
Spot for breakfast: Mama’s
Spot for lunch: Super Duper Burger
Spot for dinner: Mona Lisa

And of course, for dessert, you know it's got to be Baked Bear!

Thank you so much Joseph for agreeing to answer my questions and for making me crave ice cream sandwiches!

Check out their location on Fisherman's Wharf for a real San Francisco (via San Diego!) treat! They are located at 2824 Jones Street, near Jefferson Street, and are open between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. – there is even outdoor seating!

How about you? Are you a fan of ice cream and cookies? With 1500 combos to choose from, what two flavors would you like to put together? Do tell!

See my entire collection of San Francisco posts in my San Francisco Guide. Also, you can save 42% off admission to the best San Francisco attractions with a San Francisco CityPASS. PLUS, skip most ticket lines!

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I am very, very lucky to have Melissa of Savvy in San Francisco helping me out today with her favorites from her ‘hood. I first met Melissa virtually when we worked on a holiday project together. Then we met in real life last year while working on the Westfield Dine on Time project. We are both francophiles and Melissa is super fun and very stylish!

Let's meet Melissa.

[1] Favorite thing about the Marina.

I adore the location of the Marina. Crissy Field is your backyard! Crissy Field Beach is one of my favorite beaches in Northern California with the most gorgeous backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can quickly get to other San Francisco neighborhoods, but you are also a couple of minutes from hopping on the Golden Gate Bridge and being in Marin.

[2] Least favorite thing about the Marina.

The Friday and Saturday night partiers who have maybe enjoyed themselves a bit too much at the neighboring restaurants and bars.

[3] What differentiates your neighborhood, the Marina from all the other parts of the city?

The Marina has such great energy about it. You are just blocks away from Crissy Field beaches, running paths, and grassy areas. The houses are beautiful and have a unique design to them. Plus, it is full of tasty restaurants and great nightlife.

[4] Favorite coffee spot in the Marina.

Le Marais Bakery – Not only is it a great place to grab a latte, but they have amazing sweet treats to enjoy with your coffee. It is also a really cute space. Le Marais bakery transports me to a Paris café.

[5] Favorite spot for drinks in the Marina.

Reed & Grenough – It’s the nicest bar in the Marina. It has a hip vibe to it, shuffleboard and pool tables along with some pretty tasty libations.

California Wine Merchant – If you are looking for a little spot to have a nice glass of wine while people watching on Chestnut Street, this is your spot.

[6] Favorite local hangout in the Marina.

Peets Coffee – They just remodeled their space in the last year and have turned it into such a unique space for people to come to meet for a coffee, work on their laptop or have a meeting. They put a lot of thought into the layout and even includes a living wall and very unique San Francisco art.

[7] Favorite breakfast spot in the Marina.

Rose’s Café – They are up on the corner of Union & Steiner and have been one of the best brunch spots for a very long time. It can be crowded on the weekends, but if you are able to get a table outside on a sunny San Francisco day, the wait can be worth it. Their breakfast pizza is a must-have!

[8] Favorite lunch spot in the Marina.

Tacolicious – Fresh Mexican food with a more modern twist and delicious margaritas. Two of my favorite tacos from there are the shot-and-a-beer braised chicken and their braised beef short rib tacos.

Delarosa – Besides having delicious Roman-style pizzas, pasta, and small plates, they also have a fabulous cocktail and wine list. Their Eggplant Caponatina with Burrata is my favorite item on their menu.

[9] Favorite dinner spot in the Marina.

Bistro Aix – This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant has been in the Marina for a long time. My husband and I actually had our rehearsal dinner on the back patio before they turned it into an atrium. The food has always been fresh and delicious. You can’t go wrong with any of their meat dishes and their steak frites has always been one of our favorites.

[10] One thing you always do/spot you always take friends from out of town to do/see.

A walk down Crissy Field to the base the Golden Gate Bridge is a must when bringing friends from out of town.

Thanks Melissa!

Check out Melissa blog Savvy in San Francisco and keep up with her adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Here are other great spots in San Francisco's Marina:

EAT – Breakfast/Brunch:

> Dynamo Donuts (110 Yacht Rd) the best donuts EVAH!
> Le Marais Bakery (2066 Chestnut St b/t Steiner St & Mallorca Way) traditional viennoiserie made with hyper-local ingredients.
> Causwells (2346 Chestnut St b/t Divisadero St & Scott St) French toast bites in brandy syrup.
> Rose's Cafe (2298 Union St b/t Steiner St & Fillmore St) breakfast pizza with smoked ham, Fontina, and eggs.
> Sabrosa (3200 Fillmore St b/t Moulton St & Greenwich St) aquiles rojos are the bomb!
> The Tipsy Pig (2231 Chestnut St b/t Pierce St & Avila St) amazing huevos rancheros.

> Thrillist San Francisco also did a killer boozy brunch guide that includes a ton of Marina spots!

EAT – Lunch:

> Balboa Cafe (3199 Fillmore St b/t Pixley St & Greenwich St) great balboa burger on a baguette (oh la la!).
> Benjarong Thai Cuisine (1968 Lombard St b/t Webster St & Buchanan St) some of the best pumpkin curry in the city.
> Blackwood (2150 Chestnut St b/t Steiner St & Pierce St) Thai-American fusion.
> Blue Barn Gourmet (2105 Chestnut St b/t Steiner St & Pierce St) amazing grilled cheeses.
> Chubby Noodle (2205 Lombard St b/t Steiner St) dimsum, seafood, and fried chicken ramen.
> Delarosa (2175 Chestnut St b/t Steiner St & Pierce St) get the Bartender's Special pizza.
> Eastside West Restaurant & Bar (3154 Fillmore St b/t Pixley St & Greenwich St)
> Lucca Delicatessen (2120 Chestnut St b/t Pierce St & Steiner St) Italian deli with all the expected meats and over 50 cheeses!
> Palm House (2030 Union St at Buchanan Street) Delectable Caribbean food.
> Patxi's Pizza (3318 Fillmore St b/t Chestnut St & Lombard St) an SF favorite.
> Pluto's (3258 Scott St b/t Lombard St) massive salads any way you like.
> Super Duper Burgers (2200 Chestnut St b/t Pierce St & Avila St) Niman beef burgers and outrageous garlic fries.
> Umami Burger (2184 Union St b/t Webster St & Fillmore St) umami….it’s in the name!
> The Tipsy Pig (2231 Chestnut St b/t Pierce St & Avila St) get the Tipsy burger with smoked cheddar spread.
> Viking's Giant Submarines (1418 Lombard St b/t Van Ness Ave) classic sub sandwiches.
> Zushi Puzzle (1910 Lombard St b/t Buchanan St) creative sushi rolls.

EAT – Dinner:

> A16 (2355 Chestnut St b/t Divisadero St & Scott St) wood-fired pizza.
> Bistro Aix (3340 Steiner St b/t Chestnut St & Lombard St) seasonal California-French bistro.
> Boboquivari's (1450 Lombard St b/t Van Ness Ave) crab dishes and dry-aged steaks.
> Capannina (1809 Union St b/t Octavia St & Laguna St) squid ink risotto topped with slickly caramelized scallops.
> Greens Restaurant (Fort Mason) sophisticated, meatless menu.
> Isa Restaurant (3324 Steiner St b/t Chestnut St & Lombard St) French small plates, don't miss out on their foie gras!
> Mamacita (2317 Chestnut St b/t Divisadero St & Scott St) try the carnitas tacos or pork meatball enchiladas.
> Stock In Trade (2036 Lombard St b/t Webster St & Fillmore St) sausage mac & cheese.

EAT – Dessert:

> Causwells (2346 Chestnut St b/t Divisadero St & Scott St) All-Star Donut Bread Pudding.
> Ristobar (2300 Chestnut Street b/t Divisadero St & Scott St) decadent Italian desserts.
> Over the Moon (2144 Chestnut St) creamy ice cream gooey cookies.DRINK – Bars:

DRINK – Bars:

> Reed & Greenough (3251 Scott St b/t Lombard St) oyster happy hour.
> Lightning Tavern (1875 Union St b/t Octavia St & Laguna St) chicken wings and drinks!
> The Interval Bar at Long Now (2 Marina Blvd. Fort Mason Center)

DRINK – Coffee:

> Cafe Franco (Fort Mason) get your coffee with an amazing view.
> Chestnut Street Coffee Roastery (2331 Chestnut St b/t Divisadero St & Scott St) neighborhood coffee spot with awesome scones.
> The Interval at Long Now (2 Marina, Fort Mason) bar, cafe, museum, very cool spot.

SHOP:

> There are tons of small shops on both Chestnut Street and Union Street (which straddles Marina and Cow Hollow).

LODGING:

> The Marina is a mainly residential area, so lodging is a bit tough to find. Your best bet for living like a local here is renting a private home or apartment via services like Airbnb. They have a great guide for the Marina that includes some of their locations to rent.

THINGS TO DO:

> Palace of Fine Arts (3301 Lyon Street at Bay St)
> Chrissy Field Park
> Off the Grid Friday Nights at Fort Mason
> Fort Mason Center Farmers' Market on Sunday
> Architecture and history tours from San Francisco City Guides

How about you? Do you have any Marina additions? Have you been to this area of San Francisco? Did you find this post helpful for a future trip?

Like it? PIN it!

The post San Francisco Profiles – San Francisco’s Marina with Melissa appeared first on Misadventures with Andi.

San Francisco is often quoted as being a town of villages, which is why I love doing the San Francisco Profiles series. It's an opportunity for a local to share their favorite spots in their neck of the woods. San Francisco is a big city and having someone guide you to the best spots can prevent a lot of heartaches….or at least bad meals!

When it comes to knowing the City by the Bay there is no one better than Victoria Smith of SF Girl by the Bay. She has dedicated her blog to keep you informed of the city's most beautifully designed spots which she has now collected into a gorgeous book, See San Francisco: Through the Lens of SFGirlbyBay.

Victoria has organized her fantastic book by neighborhood and she shares her best spots. They will surely make you want to hop on a plane and check out why San Francisco is one of the best cities in the world.

And who better to share Hayes Valley with us?!! I have been a fan for a LONG time (along with having the pleasure of working on a project with her) and I am so pleased to have her.

Let's meet Victoria.

[1] Favorite thing about Hayes Valley.

It's a great mix of shops, cafes and has great walkability. A fun spot for an afternoon stroll.

[2] Least favorite thing about Hayes Valley.

The influx of brand new condos with questionable-looking architecture.

[3] What differentiates Hayes Valley from all the other parts of the city?

What started as a cluster of Pop-Up shops helped this neighborhood grow and become prosperous again. I'm not sure that's gone on in other places in the city.

[4] Favorite coffee spot in Hayes Valley.

Blue Bottle. The kiosk at 315 Linden Street near Gough was the first official Blue Bottle cafe that opened back in 2005 and is still serving great espresso from this little spot.

[5] Favorite spot for drinks in Hayes Valley.

Two Sisters Bar & Books. It's a bar plus a book exchange, an idea inspired while the two owners (you guessed, sisters) were traveling on a train from Krakow to Warsaw.

[6] Favorite local hangout in Hayes Valley.

Makeshift Society a beautiful, creative co-working space with design-focused classes and events.

[7] Favorite breakfast spot in Hayes Valley.

Century Cafe, a retro cafe serving specialties from Vienna, Budapest, and Prague.

[8] Favorite lunch spot in Hayes Valley.

Gourmet to Go, a lovely Mediterranean cafe with great patio seating and an attached wine shop.

[9] Favorite dinner spot in Hayes Valley.

Rich Table, an award-winning restaurant that serves California cuisine with local products in a salvaged-barn-wood space.

[10] One thing you always do/spot you always take friends from out of town to do/see.

Fort Funston for a hike along the ocean. It's stunning and a lot of people aren't aware it even exists

Thanks Victoria!

Check out Victoria's site SF Girl by the Bay and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest to keep up with her and adventures continue to see amazing shots of San Francisco. And don't forget to pick up her book, See San Francisco: Through the Lens of SFGirlbyBay.

Here are other great spots in San Francisco's Hayes Valley:

EAT – Breakfast/Brunch:

> Arlequin Cafe (384 Hayes St b/t Gough St & Franklin St) delicious egg, bacon and aged cheddar bagel.
> Café du Soleil (200 Fillmore St.) Parisian-style café.
> Boxing Room (399 Grove St b/t Franklin St & Gough St) Beignets with chocolate espresso cream…enough said!
> Dobbs Ferry (409 Gough St b/t Hayes St & Ivy St) bellinis, mimosas, and Bloody Mary’s on the weekend.
> Nickies (466 Haight St b/t Webster St & Fillmore St) AYCD mimosas with a brunch entrée.
> Nojo (231 Franklin St b/t Linden St & Fell St.) ramen (only served on the weekend) with shoyu broth and grilled chicken confit.
> The Grove (301 Hayes St b/t Gough St & Franklin St) Amazing bagel: scrambled eggs, Fontina cheese, bacon (add tomato!).

EAT – Lunch:

> Absinthe Brasserie & Bar (398 Hayes St b/t Gough St & Franklin St) good basic burger that becomes extraordinary with Gruyère cheese, pickled chilis, and spicy onions.
> 20th Century Cafe (198 Gough St b/t Oak St & Lily St) Pete’s pastrami – one of the best in SF!
> Arlequin Cafe (384 Hayes St b/t Gough St & Franklin St) crispy skin duck confit tacos.
> Canto do Brasil (41 Franklin St. b/t Oak and Page) delicious Brazilian food.
> Chez Maman West (401 Gough St b/t Hayes St & Ivy St) I love the moules-frites (mussels and fries).
> Double Decker (465 Grove St b/t Octavia St & Gough St) great classic burgers with the usual suspects but also mac or potato salad.
> Hayes & Kebab (580 Hayes St) upscale falafel spot.
> Hayes Street Grill (320 Hayes St) 1st and oldest Hayes Valley resto, get the house-made whiskey-fennel sausage with fries.
> Papito (425 Hayes St b/t Octavia St & Gough St) fresh, organic Mexican bistro.
> Patxi's Pizza (511 Hayes St b/t Octavia St & Laguna St) all SF'ers love this place!
> Rickybobby (400 Haight St) beef and bacon burger (beef and bacon in the patty!).
> Souvla (517 Hayes St b/t Octavia St & Laguna St) Greek souvlaki sandwich shop.

EAT – Dinner:

> Jardinière (300 Grove St b/t Franklin St & Gough St) fresh, fine dining from Traci Des Jardins.
> Monsieur Benjamin (451 Gough St b/t Grove St & Ivy St) amazing French food, menu changes, order anything with egg, duck or foie!
> Rich Table (199 Gough St b/t Oak St & Lily St) award-winning American cuisine, favorites: porcini doughnuts, and sardine chips.
> South at SF Jazz (201 Franklin St b/t Linden St & Fell St) Vietnamese chef, Charles Phan's Mexican spot.
> Suppenküche (525 Laguna St b/t Linden St & Fell St) oh that mushroom sauce…
> Zuni Café (1658 Market St b/t Van Ness Ave & 12th St) the roasted chicken is WORTH the wait.

EAT – Dessert:

> Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolate (401 Hayes St b/t Octavia St & Gough St)
> Miette (449 Octavia Street b/t Linden St & Hayes St) I personally love the Chocolate Fleur de Sel Caramels, but don’t forget the Tomboy cake!
> Sauce (131 Gough St b/t Oak St & Lily St) mini S'mores are a must.
> Shulzies Bread Pudding (364 Hayes St b/t Gough St & Franklin St) shop dedicated to bread pudding!
> Smitten (432 Octavia St b/t Linden St & Fell St) made to order ice cream using liquid nitrogen.
> Three Twins Ice Cream (254 Fillmore St b/t Laussat St & Haight St) delicious organic ice cream.

DRINK – Bars:

> Biergarten (424 Octavia St b/t Linden St & Fell St) who doesn't love a German beer garden?!
> Brass Tacks (488 A Hayes St) check out the Brass Smash—made with Venezuelan rum, cynar, mint, and lemon.
> Smuggler's Cove (650 Gough St b/t Mcallister St & Ash St) pirate-themed bar.
> Two Sisters Bar and Books (579 Hayes St b/t Octavia St & Laguna St) bar with a book exchange!

DRINK – Coffee:

> Blue Bottle Coffee (315 Linden St b/t Octavia St & Gough St) the first official Blue Bottle café.
> Ritual Coffee Roasters (432b Octavia St b/t Linden St & Fell St) microbrewed coffee with single-origin Sweet Tooth espresso.

SHOP:

> Azalea Boutique (411 Hayes St b/t Gough St & Octavia St) affordable men and womenswear.
> Fatted Calf Butcher Shop (320 Fell St b/t Gough St & Octavia St) fantastic butcher, out of this world beef jerky.
> Flight 001 (525 Hayes St b/t Laguna St & Octavia St) whimsical travel store.
> True Sake (560 Hayes St b/t Laguna St & Octavia St) party gift shop.
> Reliquary (544 Hayes St b/t Octavia St & Laguna St) clothing, accessories, jewelry, and folk art.

LODGING:

> Sauce (135 Gough Street) urban g8-room guest house over Sauce restaurant.
> Hayes Valley Inn (417 Gough St) European-style neighborhood hotel.
> While Hayes Valley has a lot of commercial spaces, lodging is a bit tough to find. Your best bet for living like a local here is renting a private home or apartment via services like Airbnb. They have a great guide for Hayes Valley that includes some of their locations to rent. 

THINGS TO DO:

> Proxy (432 Octavia Blvd b/t Linden St & Fell St) rotating retail pop-ups.
> Patricia's Green (Hayes St and Octavia St) green space with playgrounds, public art and benches and tables.
> Take in a show at SF Jazz, the first free-standing building in America built for jazz performance and education.
> See a performance at the Davies Symphony Hall concert hall.
> Do a Hayes Valley food tour with Gourmet Walks.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

Here are other posts and guides from a few other local sources:
> All of Victoria's blog posts on Hayes Valley
> Hayes Valley, a kid-friendly spot from Red Tricycle
> San Francisco City Guide from Gal Meets Glam
> Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association blog

How about you? Do you have any Hayes Valley additions? Have you been to this area of San Francisco? Did you find this post helpful for a future trip?

Like it? PIN it!

The post San Francisco Profiles – San Francisco’s Hayes Valley with Victoria appeared first on Misadventures with Andi.