Discover our locals' 157 hidden gems in San Francisco
Let's uncover San Francisco’s hidden gems with Spotted by Locals! From local coffee shops to secret viewpoints, our Spotters bring you the city's best-kept secrets. Discover San Francisco through the eyes of true locals.
City guides by those who know San Francisco best!
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Know your way in San Francisco like a local!
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✓ Our locals share their personal favorite spots in San Francisco
Check out our latest hidden gems in San Francisco
Things to do in San Francisco
Fog Harbor
One of the best restaurants at Pier 39
"Fog Harbor" Fish House in San Francisco's Pier 39 is a total winner: the food is incredible, the people are friendly and it won't break your wallet!
by
Kathleen
Messmer
Little Baobab
Senegalese food and music
Whatever your favorite restaurant in San Francisco might be, it's about to become your second-favorite after Senegalese restaurant "Little Baobab"...
by
Marcus
D'Avignon
San Francisco Circus Center
Run away with us
Ι stumbled into the SF "Circus Center" to try a class. I didn't realise that I would soon be addicted to being up-side-down and high in the air!
by
Nadine
Johnson
Mountain Lake Park
Your Neighborhood Park
My neighborhood park is San Francisco is "Mountain Lake Park." It's one of our last remaining natural lakes,
by
Brooke
Ekdahl
Adventure Cat
Sailing the SF Bay
You'll sail completely around Alcatraz and then out to sea, pass other boats, and experience the fog rolling into the Bay—a very cool experience.
by
Kathleen
Messmer
Trouble Coffee
Coffee with an edge!
"Trouble Coffee" in San Francisco is a category of its own. Let's say it belongs to the 'badass coffee' category. Makes me feel like a rough surfer girl!
by
Brooke
Ekdahl
Mt. Davidson
A Great Hike on a Foggy Day
It's an easy hike with trees, ferns, and other bits of nature surrounding the trail. If you stop and listen, you will hear… nothing.
by
Kathleen
Messmer
Hook Fish Co
Fish tacos in the Sunset Avenues
"Hook Fish Co" in San Francisco is deep in the Sunset Avenues and is perfect for when you have a hankering for some scrumptious fish tacos!
by
Brooke
Ekdahl
City Hall
Architectural marvel with seismic past
The building of the City Hall itself is an architectural wonder. Stand below the dome and wander through the main floor, which is open to the public!
by
Marcus
D'Avignon
Coffee in the Park
Coffee and park goers
I love coming to Alamo Square in San Francisco and getting a yummy park coffee from Lady Falcon Coffee Club and their converted 1940s bread truck!
by
Brooke
Ekdahl
The Spire
The Presidio’s natural skyscraper
"The Spire" in The Presidio in San Francisco is one of the many reasons to come visit. A natural skyscraper, it reminds me of Where the Wild Things Are...
by
Brooke
Ekdahl
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What to do in San Francisco?
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157 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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Authentic & Unbiased Content
Our local Spotters share personal tips and secrets about their city. Nothing sponsored! These unique insights can’t be found in traditional guidebooks. Discover the city through the eyes of a local!
Go off the Beaten Path Gems
We focus on hidden gems and unique places that aren’t crowded with tourists. Our Spotters’ tips help you avoid the crowds and have truly special experiences, far from the tourist masses.
Responsible Travel
Hi! Nice to meet you.
We are Spotted by Locals. An online travel community publishing city guides in 80+ cities. Our hand-picked local writers and photographers create all the content.
Our 488 Spotters (and counting) live in the cities they write about, speak the local language, and regularly update their tips. Their insights help around 1.4 million travelers each year discover the hidden gems of cities.
With insider advice from locals, we offer a unique, sustainable travel experience, allowing travelers to slow down and immerse themselves in the local culture, beyond the tourist hotspots.
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