San Francisco Food, Attractions On an ECP’s Budget

San Francisco is an exciting and culturally diverse city offering a host of activities. Virtually every neighborhood has small but tasty eateries, clubs, or shopping that offer a taste of the “real city.” Alternatively, people can choose to visit more traditional tourist attractions such as Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Fisherman’s Wharf or ride on a cable car.

Getting around San Francisco is relatively easy. Many attractions are within walking distance of major hotels, and the city has a good mass-transit system with buses, streetcars, and cable cars, as well as reasonably priced cabs. The entertainment prices in San Francisco can be pretty steep so this article will point to some more affordable places to go for quality dining and fun while visiting the “City by the Bay.” Unfortunately, many of these locations are located outside the downtown district, but they are well worth the trip.

Hayes Valley (near City Hall)

• Terra Brazilia: Great Brazilian eats and cocktails, 602 Hayes Street

• Suppenkuche: German food and tasty beers, 601 Hayes Street

• Absinthe: Good cocktails, tasty French food, and great oysters, 398 Hayes Street

• Zuni Café: Great Mediterranean food, 1658 Market

• Hayes Street near Gough: Tons of quirky little boutiques to nose around in

South of Market

• The XYZ Lounge in the W Hotel: Good drinks and people watching, near the Museum of Modern Art, 181 Third Street

• Bizou: Great French-ish food, 598 Fourth Street

• Julie’s Supper Club: 1950s-style place with good “California/Contemporary” food, 1123 Folsom Street

• Basil Thai: Very tasty Thai food, 1175 Folsom Street

• Slow Club: Mediterranean-influenced food, 2501 Mariposa Street

• LuLu: Good Mediterranean food, 816 Folsom Street

• Azie: Seriously tasty Asian fusion cuisine, 826 Folsom Street

• AsiaSF: East/West fusion served by amazing “gender illusionists,” 201 Ninth Street

• Fringale: tasty French bistro food, 570 Fourth Street

• Slanted Door: Amazing Vietnamese food, 100 Brannan Street

• The Metreon: Retail shops, video games, movies, and food, Mission and 4th Street

Haight/Ashbury (Near Golden Gate Park)

• Cha Cha Cha: Great sangria and tapas, 1801 Haight Street

Castro

• Mecca: Some fun people watching, 2029 Market Street

Chinatown/Little Italy

• Rose Pistola: Great Italian food, 532 Columbus Street

Downtown/Tenderloin

• Naan ‘n Curry: Not the greatest ambience, but truly fabulous Indian and Pakistani food, 478 O’Farrell Street

• Shalimar: Great Indian/Pakistani food, 532 Jones Street

• King of Thai: Cheap and delicious, Powell Street near the cable car turnaround

Mission District

• La Taqueria: Possibly the best burrito in town, marvelous and cheap, 2889 Mission Street

• La Cumbre: Another possibility for the best burrito in town. . .mmmm, 515 Valencia Street

San Francisco offers many activities for families. You can take a quick trip to Golden Gate Park and visit the California Academy of Arts and Sciences and Steinhart Aquarium. The admission prices are low, and there are interesting animal exhibits. You can also see displays on earthquakes—the kids might enjoy using one of the earthquake simulators. The Exploratorium lets kids get “hands-on” experience with fun science projects.

Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf have crab dishes, clam chowder, and other tasty seafood treats at traditional restaurants and from street vendors. Pier 39 has a large arcade, shops, and restaurants and is the home of a large population of California sea lions; they have taken over part of the marina providing a unique sightseeing opportunity.

Nearby are Ghirardelli Square (where you can watch chocolate being made before purchasing it), In and Out Burger (an authentic California beach–style burger joint), the Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and the Hard Rock Café. Cruises of the San Francisco Bay and trips to Alcatraz depart from the wharf as well.

Ocean Beach is the extreme western part of San Francisco, beyond Golden Gate Park, and offers a place to play in the sand and walk by the Pacific Ocean. The water is cold and riptides are common, so it is best not to go for a swim.

More information on cheap but tasty food in San Francisco is posted on the Web at http://articles.student.com/travelarticle/sanfran. ▪