Painted Bird
Neighborhood: Mission

1201A Guerrero St
San Francisco, CA 94110

laura b. writes: since i recently moved and am currently homeless (i am but a hobo, complete with knapsack and satchel of dreams) and the majority of my worldly belongings are in a storage unit on Temptation Island (aka Alameda), I have been doing A LOT of shopping…

Taste of the Himalayas
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

2420 Lombard St
San Francisco, CA 94123

Ed to the M. writes: Where the hell is Nepal?!!??!

Ok, y'all, I'mma school you right now, cause my geography is HORRIBLE (case in point, I thought Nepal was in Africa).  Ok, this is gonna be my first interactive Yelp review.  So now, hold your left hand out in front of…

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf

499 Jefferson
At Hyde Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

laura b. writes: Magical sea shanties are sung the first Saturday of each month aboard the magnificent, The Balclutha.  They are free to the public and include delicious hot cider (bring whiskey!) or delicious hot cocoa (bring whiskey!).  You will be lulled to sleep…

San Francisco City Guides
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco Public Library Main Branch
San Francisco, CA 94102

Amy A. writes: Oh what an amazing way to spend a Saturday afternoon!!  Yesterday, Steve & I packed a picnic to eat at Sutro Heights.  Then took the "Lands End" City Guide tour.  Afterwards, we had a delightful dinner at the Cliff House.  *swoon!*

The Sutro tour was…

KitchenAid Stand Mixers

San Francisco, CA 94102

Kevin S. writes: Talk about freaking SEXY.  There he is, always ready to go--just begging me to flip the switch.  Confident, strong, quiet and even understated, but you know what he's all about just by looking at him.  Like all sex symbols, form follows function.…

Feria Urbana
Neighborhood: Lake Merritt

Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St
Oakland, CA 94607

Nish N. writes: Over the years, this has been one of my favorite fashion happenings to check out. It's billed as an urban fair, and that's pretty much what it is. Imagine a bunch of cool and local designers - everything from clothes and hats to housewares and art -…

Saints Peter and Paul Church
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill

666 Filbert Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

Peter M. writes: This church would feel so much more complete if Mary would show up.

Fantastico
Neighborhood: SOMA

559 6th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

jessica t. writes: Fantastico!!!!

I can totally picture the Fanta girls - covered in paper mache with disco balls hanging from their orange outfits, parading around this store, squealing.

"FANTASTICO!!! ( girlish giggle) FANTASTICO (pulling at the tight orange shorts…

Camera Obscura
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond

1096 Point Lobos Ave
San Francisco, CA 94121

Gourmet G. writes: Housed in a Point Lobos building overlooking the sea, Camera Obscura - AKA the Giant Camera - works like a periscope, providing a 360-degree view of all that's outside - the ocean, Seal Rocks, the Cliff House, the Great Highway, and Sutro Cliffs - in…

The Pelican Inn

10 Pacific Way
Muir Beach, CA 94965

Nish N. writes: The Pelican Inn is one of the more charming and romantic places I've stayed at. It really has the feel of an authentic inn and pub. The rooms, while nicely appointed, are relatively spartan. You could feasibly have all your meals without leaving the…

Expresso Airport Parking

880 Doolittle Dr
San Leandro, CA 94577

Ed U. writes: Flying out of Oakland should be punishment enough...but parking in San Leandro? It may sound like adding insult to injury, but you could have knocked me over with a paper towel...

I was hesitant when my travel companion decided to use a long-term…

La Copa Loca
Neighborhood: Mission

3150 22nd St
San Francisco, CA 94110

megan w. writes: There is a book called "Eat Pray Love" that's been on the top of the New York Times' bestseller list for far too long, which to me is indicative of the general degradation of the modern literary standard but in any case is a book I'm reading for this…

Tourist Club

30 Ridge Ave
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Neil K. writes: The Rules of Tourist Club

#1 The first rule of Tourist Club is - you do not talk about Tourist Club.

#2 The second rule of Tourist Club is - you DO NOT talk about Tourist Club.

Trust me, you don't want to come here. ;)

Phoenix Hotel
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

601 Eddy Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

Suge K. writes: Friends of mine from out of town stayed here. Friends of mine who are heavily tattooed - and in the "real" way, not the "ooh, check me out, I'm a hipster, like my new tattoos?" way.  These guys are rough and tough and probably know people who can…

See's Candies
Neighborhood: Financial District

542 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94104

JT F. writes: *Dr. Sees, paging Dr. Sees!  We have a code black and white in room 1!*

"I need 4 pcs. of Almond Squares, a Peppermint Stick scalpel, 3 Molasses Chip clamps and a Buttercream drip, stat!  Get me some Scotchmallows to control the Raspberry Cream…

Dark Carnival Imaginative Fiction Book Store
Neighborhood: Claremont

3086 Claremont Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705

Bevy M. writes: This has to be the craziest bookstore I know -- it does feel like I'm stepping through through a magic mirror from the workaday stretch of Claremont to someone's "5,000 Fingers of Dr. T" dream.  

Every year I swear that for Christmas shopping, I'll…

East Bay Vivarium

1827 5th Street # C
Berkeley, CA 94710

Christopher S. writes: One day while driving around looking for a table saw in Berkeley, I thought  to myself, "I want a tarantula!"  So I pulled into the East Bay Vivarium and asked the helpful staff about purchasing one.

The staff member asks me, "What kind of spider do…

Currents
Neighborhood: Mission

911 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Sooj O. writes: One of my all-time favorite person called me yesterday and left me three messages in the morning.  I thought maybe he had some pressing gossip as we know many many people in common.  During my lunch hour, I called him, and we spent approximately…

Kimono My House

1424 62nd St
Emeryville, CA 94608

Kristina R. writes: Sailor Moon is one hot, under-age chick...and there are tons of creepy old dudes that will tell you the same thing.  You can meet them here, at Kimono My House.  

I love this store.  It's hidden away in a nondescript building on a quiet street, and…

Pirate Cat Radio 87.9FM
Neighborhood: Mission

2781 21st St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Brandon H. writes: There was a faint smirk and chuckle as I watched the college-aged kids start packing in Pirate Cat Radio last night. Skinny jeans, scarves wrapped nine times around the neck, and horizontal stripped sweaters were aplenty on the local folk, but I…

Redwood Valley Railway
Neighborhood: North Berkeley Hills

Grizzly Peak Boulevard. & Lomas Cantadas
Berkeley, CA 94705

Rinky A. writes: For two dollars you can treat your heart and soul to a wonderful ride on a little steam train through the redwood forests of Tilden Park.

You can shout, meow, scream as you go through the tunnel; you can wave at the folks waiting for the next train,…

San Francisco Mystery Book Store
Neighborhood: Noe Valley

4175 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

laura b. writes: So it goes down like this:

I'm walking by the SF Mystery Book Store with my enormous, big headed, scary to all white people foster dog, Ike.  He is especially TERRIFYING to white people in Baby Valley and their scaredy shit, loud ass screaming…

Irving Pet Hospital
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset

1434 Irving St
San Francisco, CA 94122

euge l. writes: they did the best they could. thank you dr. fong, dr. lowe.

Phnom Penh Restaurant
Neighborhood: Laurel District, Lower Hills

3912 MacArthur Blvd
Oakland, CA 94619

Kalyani Y. writes: My family will use any event as an excuse to go out to 'celebrate'. Just got our car back from the shop? Let's commemorate the end of squeaky brakes with some tasty Indian food. Finally emptied out your spam box in your e-mail account? I'm thinking…

Berkeley Hat Company
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area, Telegraph Ave

2510 Telegraph Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704

Katherine F. writes: Hubby needed a "blues hat" and I tagged along for advice/fun.

You can not put a price on trying a hat before ordering...but they do have a website if that's your style.

So off we went to a bleak, run down Telegraph Avenue...this shows how long it has…

Rosenblum Cellars Winery

2900 Main St
# 1100
Alameda, CA 94501

Katherine C. writes: Rosenblum is a diamond in the rough for wine tasting in the Bay Area.  If you are too lazy to go all the way up to Napa or Sonoma for wine this is the perfect place for some delicious and FREE  tasting.  Free wine tasting seems to be something of a…

Aria Antiques
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill

1522 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133

Bob G. writes: A dusty trove of the beautiful and bizarre. Astrological charts, anatomical diagrams, plastic letters, vacant dolls, strangers' postcards, worn typewriters, corroded hooks and ancient books. This tiny store is a patchwork of the oddest antiques and…

Nani's Coffee
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA

2739 Geary Blvd
between Masonic and Wood St
San Francisco, CA 94118

Dixon T. writes: How to run a small business?
Come take a tour of Nanis...

Good product? check
Have consistently good service, including an unnatural ability to recall customers names? check.
Comfy and inviting atmosphere? check

Bonus:
Wimp holders with a coupon for…

Capannina
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

1809 Union St
San Francisco, CA 94123

Nina N. writes: Ok SF you got me... Damn it you got me...

I am a freaking Narcissist at its worst and the only reason why I even wanted to go here wasn't because of yelp, it was because of the name. Yes, the name.

Capannina ... like what most people would say. Read…

George's Giant Hamburger

1491 Newell Avenue
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

May T. writes: Place an "X" on the line for any that apply:

_X_  Hand ground chuck, seasoned and formed onsite every morning.
_X_  SOFT, hamburger rolls without sesame seeds that give way easily when held between your hands.
_X_  A condiment bar with all of your…

In-N-Out Burger

1417 Fitzgerald Dr
Pinole, CA 94564

miika m. writes: In a somewhat embarrassing nod to the months of protein dieting in the fruitless peer pressure of anorexic and thin-is-good model, I use to stop by this In-N-Out for their hamburger made specifically to follow the craze on its heels.

The location…

Il Pollaio
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill

555 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133

phil h. writes: It's too bad there's already a place called Good Frickin' Chicken in SF...Il Pollaio should grab the title of Great Frickin' Chicken!

Don't mess around - order some chicken, squeeze some lemon on top and enjoy. Did I mention you can stuff your face…

Coffee Adventures
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf

1331 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133

Skunky G. writes: Holy SHIT. No really, holy fucking SHIT. How did I never notice this place before?!

I guess the earthquake retrofit project isn't TOTALLY bad; after attempting to soak up a little sun at Joseph Conrad Square and finally giving up after my iPod slid…

Cracktory
Neighborhood: Bayview/Hunters Point

1580 Custer Ave
San Francisco, CA 94124

Carlos C. writes: Several thousand square feet of industrial wasteland nestled deep in the bowels of Bayview hosting some of the most mind-bending parties ever.

You've been warned.

Long live the People's Republic of Crackistan.

Twig & Fig
Neighborhood: Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley

2110 Vine Street
Berkeley, CA 94709

Jen S. writes: I stumbled upon this cute little shop as I was trying to find "Love at First Bite" and yes, this place is definitely tucked away.  I love cards, fun little notebooks, pens, anything stationary.  My friend, Anna, calls me the "Hallmark lady" because I…

Crushpad
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill, Dogpatch

2573 3rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94107

Rob J. writes: We walked into CrushPad not really knowing what to expect except that it was a free barrel tasting and walked out full of wine, mexican food and chocolate! I had a great time even though I leaned on the sign-up table and down it went :/ and I hadn't…

Uzen Japanese Cuisine
Neighborhood: North Oakland

5415 College Ave
Oakland, CA 94618

Wakako U. writes: I am a super fan of hikarimono (silver skin fishes) and the shimesaba (vinegared mackerel) at Uzen (pronounced Yuuzen) is the best shimesaba I have ever eaten. Ever. The difference was in the level of vinegaring.  Uzen's is oh so slightly vinegared.…

La Corneta Taqueria
Neighborhood: Glen Park

2834 Diamond Street
San Francisco, CA 94131

KayJay .. writes: Hold up - wait a minute - lemme put some CHEESE in it!

::beat boxing while doing the Roger Rabbit::  

That's right.  I took it old school fools.

I really didn't need to know this place existed right up the street from me.  My thighs are thunder enough,…