Discover our locals' 158 hidden gems in San Francisco

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City Guide made by Locals from 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.

Our Spotters from San Francisco:

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Check out our latest hidden gems in San Francisco

Our latest Spots in San Francisco

Biscoff Coffee Corner

Best coffee stop

"Biscoff Coffee Corner" in San Francisco offers speculoos biscuits with its coffee, using the original Belgian 'airline cookie' recipe dating back to 1932!

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Coffee & tea

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Oct 23, 2025

Eagle Cafe

Best hangover spot for breakfast

Besides being a great place for breakfast or lunch, "Eagle Café" in San Francisco is a historic waterfront café where every single seat has a view!

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Restaurants

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Oct 23, 2025

The Crab House

So much food!

"The Crab House" in San Francisco makes some of the best seafood around - and presented beautifully. It's like Fantasia, but for food!

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Restaurants

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Oct 23, 2025

Graffiti Murals

Unbelievable

The Graffiti Murals in San Francisco, close to the Steiner end of Haight street, have been created by artists that are talented beyond imagination...

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Art & culture
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Music
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Relaxing

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Oct 22, 2025

Ingleside Terraces Sundial

Largest in the US

The "Ingleside Terraces Sundial" in San Francisco is the largest sundial in the US. It's more than 100 years old & still tells the time very accurately...

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Art & culture

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Oct 21, 2025

Church of 8 Wheels

Holy rollers unite!

This San Francisco church has a rich history... today, the "Church of 8 Wheels", created by the Godfather of Skating, is the epicenter of the SF scene...

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Art & culture
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Relaxing

by

Nadine

Johnson

Oct 20, 2025

Talk About Stairs!

Neighborhood steps up

You might notice that each brick on this staircase at San Francisco's Coit Tower has a name written on it. Here's the forgotten story behind those names.

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Art & culture

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Oct 18, 2025

CA Coastal Trail

Walk along the Pacific

"CA Coastal Trail" in Francisco is a calm, easy and beautiful hike that includes quite a few Bay Area landmarks - and all next to the ocean...

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Relaxing

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Oct 17, 2025

Critical Mass

Better together

"Critical Mass" San Francisco is lots of fun and serious for some. Everyone is invited! No one is in charge! Body paint, optional.

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Art & culture
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Relaxing

by

Nadine

Johnson

Oct 13, 2025

Cinderella Russian Bakery and Cafe

Hits the spot!

Thanks to "Cinderella Russian Bakery and Cafe" in San Francisco, I can now find some of my favorite comfort food including the piroshki any time I want!

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Coffee & tea
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Snacks

by

Nadine

Johnson

Oct 12, 2025

City Arts & Lectures

At the Nourse Theater

San Francisco loves City Arts and Lectures! And, I love it too. Now I can go to the Nourse Theater and enjoy inspiring speakers and discussions.

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Art & culture
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Theaters

by

Nadine

Johnson

Oct 12, 2025

SF Symphony

Something old, something new

The Louise M Davies Symphony Hall is a beautiful space of culture and concerts. There's always something and fresh to enjoy by the SF Symphony here!

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Music
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Theaters

by

Nadine

Johnson

Oct 10, 2025

Heading to San Francisco?

158 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

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Going to San Francisco?

✓ Escape the Crowds

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What to expect?

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

By visiting our locals’ favorites and lesser-known places, you contribute to a more sustainable way of traveling. You support the local economy and reduce the pressure on popular tourist spots. And in the end, those are the best places right?

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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