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Laura C: Elegant, modern and uber-designed, this Phillippe Starck designed hotel is one of the hippest places to stay. Have a drink at or just peek into the Redwood Room, a classic bar with redwood paneling
New American Restaurant · Civic Center · 318 tips and reviews
Laura C: The menu at this classic restaurant changes daily but the delicious food remains a constant. The specialties here are the Roast Chicken and the Bread Salad.
Laura C: Although I find that the Four Seasons can be hit and miss, this elegant and airy space right in the middle of downtown San Francisco is ideally located for walking around the heart of the city.
1 Ferry Building #3 (at The Embarcadero), San Francisco, CA
Vietnamese Restaurant · Financial District · 451 tips and reviews
Laura C: THE place for Vietnamese. The emphasis is on fresh and organic ingredients. For a quick fix, you can also pick up food to-go at their counter in the Ferry Building marketplace.
101 Spear St (inside Rincon Center), San Francisco, CA
Dim Sum Restaurant · Financial District · 229 tips and reviews
Laura C: Authentic Dim Sum with every dumpling you can imagine. The restaurant's capacity doubles on the weekends, but weekdays are definitely the best time for a meal, for a full menu and half the crowd.
1517 Polk St (btwn Sacramento & California St.), San Francisco, CA
Seafood Restaurant · Polk Gulch · 220 tips and reviews
Laura C: Kelly and Christy love the Dungeness Crab Louie and the incredibly fresh oysters that they order with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. There is only bar seating and it’s hard to get a seat, so expect a line.
2355 Chestnut St (btwn Divisadero & Scott St), San Francisco, CA
Italian Restaurant · Marina District · 161 tips and reviews
Laura C: The southern Italian cuisine here is delicious, but the highlight is definitely the wine. The wood-fired thin-crust pizza is not to be missed. Be sure to pick up the A16 cookbook.
1911 Fillmore St (btwn Bush & Pine St), San Francisco, CA
Italian Restaurant · Lower Pacific Heights · 172 tips and reviews
Laura C: A16’s sister restaurant, SPQR focuses on traditional Italian dishes which include fresh, house-made pastas and has a selective attitude toward Italian wine. Go with a group and try their small plates.
1 Ferry Building (at The Embarcadero), San Francisco, CA
Market · Financial District · 468 tips and reviews
Laura C: This gorgeous building right on the Embarcadero houses some of SF’s most notable food merchants including Hog Island Oyster Company, Cowgirl Creamery’s Artisan Cheese Shop, Bluebottle coffee, etc.
Laura C: Designers such as Haider Ackermann, Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Yohji Yamamoto, Limi Feu, Sacai, Rick Owens, Marni, and Marsell shoes and the buyers choose the best pieces.
Italian Restaurant · Mission District · 24 tips and reviews
Laura C: This Italian restaurant/wine-bar is a bit off the beaten path on 16th street in The Mission. The space and rustic food creates a cozy and memorable experience. The cheese plate is a major highlight.
Laura C: On the Embarcadero, right across the street from the Ferry Building, this super-holistic hotel has a full menu of spa treatments for both vacationing and business travelers.
560 Divisadero St (at Hayes St), San Francisco, CA
New American Restaurant · Alamo Square · 557 tips and reviews
Laura C: Nopa prides itself for being a real San Francisco community center. They support Bay Area artisans (check out the mural!) and serve local, rustic food.
3625 Sacramento St (btwn Spruce & Locust St.), San Francisco, CA
Boutique · Presidio Heights · 2 tips and reviews
Laura C: You’ll find designers and pieces you won’t find anywhere else in San Francisco like Comme Des Garcons, Miu Miu, James Perse and designer jeans galore.
3571 Sacramento St (btw Locust & Laurel), San Francisco, CA
Women's Store · Presidio Heights · 3 tips and reviews
Laura C: This store carries all the brands you’d want – Phillip Lim, Vera Wang, Zac Posen, Stella McCartney. All your money goes directly to charity. Each quarter the owners choose a charity to contribute to.
Laura C: This is a beautifully designed space for the ultimate manicure and pedicure. Who knew there were so many kinds of treatments? Time Defense Mani, Scandle Mani, Back To Natural…
Laura C: Slides made of cement that are said to have been designed by a young 14 year old girl who won a park design contest. Walk up the Douglass Hill steps to Kite Hill for views overlooking the city.
Laura C: The store showcases New York designers like one of a kind jewelry from DLC Brooklyn made with vintage chains and select clothing pieces by Built by Wendy. Many items are handmade and sustainable.
2484 Sacramento St (at Fillmore St), San Francisco, CA
Lingerie Store · Pacific Heights · 3 tips and reviews
Laura C: Toujours is tiny but perfect. Bev is a wealth of gorgeous lingerie knowledge. The store has sexy, comfy and in between. I love this girly shop, it smells delicious too - like lavender sachets.
Laura C: Has the best and most original sneaker collection in SF. You will find the latest and greatest from Nike, Adidas, Reebok and Vans. It's fun to browse the store even if you are not a huge sneaker fan.
2185 Fillmore St (btwn California & Sacramento St), San Francisco, CA
Children's Clothing Store · Pacific Heights · 3 tips and reviews
Laura C: Mudpie in the Marina has gorgeous clothing gifts for babies as well as beautiful accessories, toys, furniture and specialty make believe items. They also do gorgeous gift-wrapping.
Laura C: Hip and chic without screaming hip and chic. The front desk staff are always incredibly cheerful and helpful and I have been impressed with all of the colorists and stylists I have booked with.
2044 Fillmore St Fl 2 (California), San Francisco, CA
Spa · Pacific Heights · 9 tips and reviews
Laura C: This yoga studio/day spa, named after the paint color of the Golden Gate Bridge, is an open space of Zen in the city. Restorative and vinyasa yoga available by group classes, privates or workshops.
Laura C: They serve both thin and thick crust and they do both options just right. Daily specials change constantly and seasonally and always surprise. No reservations and cash only.
846 Divisadero St (btwn Mcallister St & Fulton St), San Francisco, CA
Pizzeria · Alamo Square · 144 tips and reviews
Laura C: They serve both thin and thick crust and they do both options just right. Daily specials change constantly and seasonally and always surprise. No reservations and cash only.
3611 18th St (btwn Guerrero St & Oakwood St), San Francisco, CA
Pizzeria · Mission Dolores · 265 tips and reviews
Laura C: Fantastic Italian menu and delicious fresh pizzas. Although Delfina is usually crowded and hard to get in, the pizzeria next door that is smaller and open for lunch tends to have more openings.
Taco Restaurant · Polk Gulch · 217 tips and reviews
Laura C: Open during the day as it is operated out of a portion of a Night Club. The best tacos, crispy or regular with perfect guacamole, elote and melon juice. Tuesdays: $2 tacos/$10 pitchers!
Mexican Restaurant · Panhandle · 261 tips and reviews
Laura C: Sustainable, organic and healthy Mexican food. And of course there are many Taquerias in the Mission District where you cannot go wrong when searching for authentic Mexican Cuisine
Vietnamese Restaurant · Marina District · 3 tips and reviews
Laura C: Three Seasons is a wonderful restaurant to go when you are in the mood for Vietnamese spring rolls. There are many types of rolls both fresh and fried, and they are made with the finest ingredients.
Laura C: Bi-Rite’s creamery across the street from the market serving local, organic ice cream. The service and atmosphere are very neighborhood and community oriented.
3639 18th St (btwn Guerrero & Oakwood St), San Francisco, CA
Grocery Store · Mission Dolores · 137 tips and reviews
Laura C: The place to go for local, organic, and sustainable snacks and groceries. Produce here is always fresh and there are lots of samples offered. They cater and have a seasonal deli with a changing menu.
Science Museum · Northern Waterfront · 334 tips and reviews
Laura C: Science Museum great for children and adults. Features the Tactile Dome, which is a maze of tunnels and slides that you go through completely in the dark using your sense of touch to get you through.
Laura C: This adorable, simple and completely wonderful corner candy shop has the warmest service and most incredible English toffee and saltwater caramels.