When did you start drinking coffee? Were you rather young? Was it in college, trying to get that extra jolt for those deadlines? I didn't have an interest for the longest time. I always seemed to have a steady reserve of energy. And then I turned 30, and finally understood what the need was. Coincidentally, this newfound discovery happened at the same time I wanted to reintroduce myself to San Francisco. I didn’t want to wake up one day knowing I’d lived here for so long and hadn't made an effort to “see” San Francisco. So I made it a point to make a list of all the notable coffee shops at the time and chip away at it. This allowed me to sample some of the best coffee shops while also embedding myself in the neighborhoods that each coffee shop resided in.
One of the first coffee shops I visited was Sightglass Coffee. My first impression was the sweet but strong aroma of coffee as I stepped in. Sightglass has a special approach to coffee. They source green coffee and have fine tuned their methods of roasting to make each experience special. It’s always a yummy treat. I’m a sucker for high wooden ceilings, beautiful tile flooring and natural light seeping in such a gorgeous unassuming way. At Sightglass, it was very apparent that this was a neighborhood spot for friends to connect. It’s so laid back and perfectly tucked away... perfectly pleasant every time.
Find your way with 156 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
When I can hear the sound of spare coins jingling, I get an itch for a real pinball fix and head to the Haight and Free Gold Watch in San Francisco...
by
When I want to know if the fog is coming in under the GG bridge in SF, I walk over to the public deck at UCSF's Helen Diller Medical Center...
by
When I am in Golden Gate Park in SF, I almost always stop for a few minutes at the 6th avenue skate park to watch the skaters dance to the music...
by
I love coming to the Golden Gate Parks Golf Course in SF in the morning, where it's almost 100% guaranteed to be foggy...
by
The SF Columbarium is one of the only cemeteries within San Francisco city limits. Pair a diorama with a dash of biography & you have me hooked...
by
"Green Apple Books" in San Francisco is one of my favorite places to get lost for an afternoon. Unmatched levels of discovery await...
by
"Zazie" in SF is my perfect local French bistro, whether I'm up at 8 am, peckish at lunch or in the mood for the greatest pork chop in town...
by
"The Turrell Skyspace" in San Francisco is a hidden oculus buried underground that provides a moment of either meditation or social overload...
by
"Ushi Taro" is a tiny ramen house that specializes in beef ramen. A personal favorite is their spicy tomato beef ramen that never fails to warm my core...
by
The "Corbin Steps" represent everything delightful & quirky about San Francisco. It's an art project composed of fantasy creatures built of found objects!
by
"Ferry Plaza Wine" in the San Francisco Ferry building is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the best wine bars in the Bay Area...
by
156 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 156 Insider Tips