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Culture

A Local’s Guide to San Francisco

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SJSU chapter.

Here is a guide to all the best attractions and restaurants in San Francisco that will make you want to stay! 

Activities:

1. Land’s End – Hike to a great sunset spot 

2. Wave Organ – Your own personal stairmaster

3. Ocean Beach – Watch the surfers and snuggle up in a blanket for a beach picnic & late night bonfire

4. Buffalo’s in Golden Gate Park – Only locals would know!

5. Ampersand Flower Shop – The cutest flower shop built into a barn style garage!

6. Conservatory of Flowers – Greenhouse & Botanical Garden 

7. Church of 8 Wheels – Roller skating rink in an old church

8. Point Bonita Light House – Whale watching on a clear day 

9. Grandview Park – Sunset & city views

10. Muir Woods – Hike and explore the mysterious woods

11. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory – watch fortune cookies be made

12. Exploratorium – Museum of science, technology, and art 

13. SF MOMA – Museum of modern art 

14. Drive down Lumbard Street – Cheesy, but a must do tourist attraction

15. Japanese Tea Garden – Soothing adventure  

16. Magowan’s Mirror Maze

Restaurants: 

1. Noosh – Eastern Mediteranean Cuisine $$

2. Ferry Building – Several Restaurants $-$$

3. Foreign Cinema – California-Mediteranean Cuisine $$ 

4. Media Noche – Cuban Cuisine $$

5. Souvla – Greek Cuisine $

6. Little Gem – American $$

7. The Italian Homemade Company – Italian $$

8. Delarosa – Italian Cuisine $$

9. Farmhouse Kitchen – Thai Cuisine $$

10. Ippudo – Japanese Cuisine $$

11. 4505 Burgers & BBQ – American Cuisine $$

12. Palm House – Caribbean Cuisine $$

13. RT Rotisserie – American Cuisine $$

14. Barzotto – Italian Cuisine $$

15. Good Luck Dim Sum – Chinese Cuisine $

16. Beeps Burgers – American Cuisine $

17. Super Duper Burger – American Cuisine $

18. Rooster & Rice – Thai Cuisine $

19. Mong Thu Cafe – Vietnamese Cuisine $

Desserts/Snacks:

1. Ghiradelli Square $$

2. Mitchell’s Ice Cream $

3. Tartine Bakery $$

4. Mr. Holmes Bakehouse $$

5. Bi-Rite Creamery $$

6. Hometown Creamery $

7. Shakedown $

8. Hot Cookie $

9. Dynamo Donuts $

10. Boba Guys $$

11. Joe & The Juice $$

12. Smitten Ice Cream $$

13. Brenda’s French Soul Food – Beignet Flight $$

14. Benkyodo Co. – Mochi $

15. Zanze’s Cheesecake $$

16. Buena Vista Cafe – Irish coffee $

17. Otoro Sushi – Japanese Cuisine $$                

18. Akiko’s Restaurant – Japanese Cuisine $$$  

Attending San Jose State University and majoring in marketing. I am a nature child who believes that traveling the world, meeting new people, eating good food, and embracing other cultures is a vital part of life. I enjoy painting, hammocking, and exploring Pinterest whenever I get the chance. Find me on Instagram @camytotah