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.

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Travel Guides by these San Francisco Locals!

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Know your way in San Francisco like a local!

Spotted by Locals

✓ Discover San Francisco through the eyes of a local!

✓ Hidden gems that can’t be found in traditional guidebooks

✓ 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

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.

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Relaxing

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Jul 6, 2025

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!

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Restaurants
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Snacks

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

Jul 6, 2025

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!

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Art & culture

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Jul 3, 2025

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!

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Coffee & tea
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Relaxing

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

Jul 2, 2025

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...

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Art & culture
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Relaxing

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

Jul 2, 2025

Saint Frank Coffee

Modern coffee vibes

"Saint Frank Coffee" in San Francisco feels like an airy museum on the inside. I always leave with a few bags of coffee and an iced latte in hand...

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Coffee & tea
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Snacks

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

Jul 2, 2025

Stable Cafe

SF or Italian Countryside?

I've never been to a cafe that made me feel as if I had been teleported to another place than "Stable Cafe" in San Francisco... Felt like I was in Italy!

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Coffee & tea
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Snacks

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

Jul 2, 2025

The Mill SF

Coffee and toast, oh my!

"The Mill SF" with its red brick exterior gets one curious straight away! I come here for their awesome toast, especially the cinnamon sugar toast!

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Coffee & tea
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Snacks

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

Jul 2, 2025

Presidio Pet Cemetery

Military pets live on

TIme has almost forgotten the "Presidio Pet Cemetery" in San Francisco, with pet hedge stones & names from when this was an active Army base...

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Art & culture
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Relaxing

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

Jul 2, 2025

SPRO Coffee Lab

Coffee magic

What makes "SPRO Coffee Lab" in San Francisco and its food truck special is their specialty crafted coffee drinks & artisanal goods. It's a gem of a spot!

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Coffee & tea
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Snacks

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

Jul 2, 2025

Park Life

Fun gallery and unique store

"Park Life" in San Francisco is an art gallery space with fun arts & crafts supplies and home décor that will jazz up your home! So much to enjoy here...

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Art & culture
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Shopping

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

Jul 2, 2025

Pearl 6101

California Mediterranean dining

"Pearl 6161" is a restaurant in San Francisco in an old laundromat. Its Mediterranean-meets-California vibe, the high ceiling and the tiles... I'm in love!

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Bars
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Restaurants

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

Jul 2, 2025

Heading to San Francisco?

157 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

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Going to San Francisco?

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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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