Marcus from San Francisco

About me I'm an SF native and have lived here since forever. I enjoy exploring, both within the city limits and around the area, specifically for places off the beaten path. I grew up near the Haight-Ashbury district and accordingly have developed a passion for the city's colorful music scene. I picked up playing guitar at age 6 and have continued to this day. I am currently in a band with ...

Aug 10, 2025

Swensen's Ice Cream San Francisco

Same corner since '48

""Swensen's Ice Cream" in San Francisco hasn't changed since 1948. It's the chain's first store and I sill buy bulk ice cream here when I'm in the area..."

Swensen's really is a throwback. It's been dominating the same corner of Hyde Street since 1948, and from the way people frequent it, isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Swensen's, now a global chain, started in SF on this corner and consistently churns out a top-notch lineup of flavors. It's right on a pretty cool stretch of Hyde Street, where the trees overhead arch to create sort of a tunnel. Adding to the uniqueness is the cable car line that occupies the road, making Swensen's an ideal stop.

I can't say I buy bulk ice cream from too many places, but I do from here. It's not often that I find myself in the area so when I do, I make it a point to stock up. The flavors are really creative; often times they're something you wouldn't expect. But somehow they make even the most far-fetched flavor pairings work.

If you come here, take the cable car. Or, on the flipside, if you're taking the cable car, get off here. It's worth a stop even if it means waiting to catch the next car (which will most likely be less crowded than the one you're on anyways).

Snacks

About this spot

Hyde Street 1999

Small scoop:

US$

Website

4157756818

Find your way with 158 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our San Francisco guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in San Francisco

Lloyd Lake

A Peaceful Escape in San Francisco

Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park is a peaceful escape with the historic Portals of the Past — a quiet and calm spot to relax and enjoy San Francisco’s charm.

Art & culture

Relaxing

Kathleen

Messmer

Aug 13, 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.

Art & culture

Relaxing

Nadine

Johnson

Aug 13, 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.

Art & culture

Theaters

Nadine

Johnson

Aug 12, 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!

Coffee & tea

Snacks

Nadine

Johnson

Aug 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!

Music

Theaters

Nadine

Johnson

Aug 10, 2025

Pug Sunday

Fun for dogs and humans

"Pug Sunday" in San Francisco is on the first Sunday of every month. Four-legged and two-legged creatures alike welcome the new month at Altaza Park.

Relaxing

Sasha

Sommer

Aug 10, 2025

Victoria Pastry Co.

All the major food groups

"Victoria Pastry Co." has prompted me to travel across San Francisco solely to enjoy one of its famed cannolis. Walking into it is a test of self-control.

Snacks

Marcus

D'Avignon

Aug 10, 2025

Oracle Park

Baseball by the bay

"Oracle Park" in San Francisco is one of the finest baseball stadiums in America. With panoramic views of the bay, it's uniquely San Franciscan...

Art & culture

Relaxing

Marcus

D'Avignon

Aug 10, 2025

SOMArts

Some arts

"SOMArts" is a perfect example of what I enjoy about San Francisco. It's an old warehouse that's a boundary-pushing hotspot for local art & music...

Art & culture

Music

Marcus

D'Avignon

Aug 10, 2025

Ocean Aquarium

Hidden fish store

"Ocean Aquarium" in San Francisco is a beautiful fish & aquarium store on the most unremarkable side alleyway you can think of. So glad we found it...

Shopping

Marcus

D'Avignon

Aug 10, 2025

Golden Boy Pizza

A gold rush

"Golden Boy Pizza" is far and away the best pizza place in San Francisco. I know this is a bold claim, but everything about it is perfection...

Restaurants

Marcus

D'Avignon

Aug 10, 2025

Liguria Bakery

A little Italy in SF

The focaccia at "Liguria Bakery" brings Italy to San Francisco. The place feels so familiar for locals. Everyone has a story about the first time they tried.

Snacks

Nadine

Johnson

Aug 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

✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

✓ 158 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download

.single-jet-popup{--wpr-bg-bf4ac6ff-59ee-4362-9866-36182aa377c0: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-popup/assets/image/transparent.jpg');}.jet-image-accordion__item-loader span{--wpr-bg-821fe61e-df92-46bb-bda3-034e9182490a: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-tabs/assets/images/spinner-32.svg');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-single abbr{--wpr-bg-5a60a808-e55d-4838-922e-dd0ee557fa48: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-single div b{--wpr-bg-4746f125-9314-4902-8f2c-f1ede38bb87d: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-7962b0f2-76f6-4aa7-87e3-65a12f839b39: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-multi .chosen-choices li.search-choice .search-choice-close{--wpr-bg-acb9a6e4-0650-40a4-b6ac-ff53aba4ec59: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-rtl .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-d00da7f8-8a91-45d3-bde8-bb3e8a833088: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container .chosen-results-scroll-down span,.chosen-container .chosen-results-scroll-up span,.chosen-container-multi .chosen-choices .search-choice .search-choice-close,.chosen-container-single .chosen-search input[type=text],.chosen-container-single .chosen-single abbr,.chosen-container-single .chosen-single div b,.chosen-rtl .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-c1b51cd7-c56a-4df8-99ed-92d94891679c: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite@2x.png');}.elementor-710 .elementor-element.elementor-element-5db2dae:after{--wpr-bg-f5115e5f-742b-41f1-8a3e-53e0b5a0bd97: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/grain-noise.png');}.elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer::before{--wpr-bg-e59d5551-ba98-4863-9029-d4b53074dc02: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/grain-noise-1.png');}.elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer::before{--wpr-bg-1b5b10e9-5002-4f24-acd3-20ef12b21730: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/grain-noise-1.png');}.rll-youtube-player .play{--wpr-bg-e307bc72-ef6d-41f4-9e99-6cb83c6dc3d4: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-rocket/assets/img/youtube.png');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer::before{--wpr-bg-bbe3872b-d26a-4bfd-9e58-04628272405a: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/grain-noise.png');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-377ce507-a533-4730-b5fb-bd4b20df3394: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img-20190925-wa0000_cropped-e1726825913724-1024x1024.jpg');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-5a13d2bf-6bb8-44eb-ad0b-f135fc7b2909: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img-20190925-wa0000_cropped-e1726825913724.jpg');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-d71b397:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-d71b397 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-b8d45aad-f156-4702-a35b-7f6ea43c9813: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/restaurant.jpeg');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-d71b397:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-d71b397 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-e7fb9d47-4c95-4035-af3f-da2441bbb0de: url('https://edit.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/san-fransisco.jpg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-1d311f5d-4a4b-4b40-ac0a-949d9a5a0473: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Man-met-Bril-3-scaled.jpg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ff85509:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ff85509 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-09eed8d4-ffd6-4433-b52e-d3b0d4cc767d: url('https://edit.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/san-fransisco.jpg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-35f3d2b1-4519-46fc-a80a-6a774e0da0ca: url('https://edit.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/san-fransisco.jpg');}

Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!