This wonderful German bakery has been purveying rich coffee cakes, creamy mousse cakes and a cornucopia of butter cookies since 1911. The tiny space with a few tables and chairs is usually crammed with people trying to decide between the classic...

The Conservatory of Flowers, located in Golden Gate Park transports you from San Francisco to a tropical rain forest, minus the exotic animals. The five galleries within the conservatory include the Lowland Tropics, Plotted Plants, Aquatic Plants,...

Inside San Francisco's famous Golden Gate Park lies Stow Lake, a small recreation area complete with waterfall. Local families and tourists come here to rent paddle-boats, have a picnic, or just feed the ducks. Electric boats can be rented. Those who...

A spin-off of Chow on Market Street, this second edition favorite draws in a steady and youthful crowd. It could be due to the prime location just steps away from Golden Gate Park. The weekend brunch on the heated patio is a great answer to those...

This large Japanese bookstore, appropriately, is placed in the heart of Japantown in the Kinokuniya Building. It features hundreds of titles written in Japanese, and a smaller percentage of books in English, Korean and Tagalog. You'll find...

This is a genuine North Beach institution. Generations of locals have stopped by the vintage counter to buy the generous authentic slices of focaccia topped with tomato or onion to eat right away or save for a hearty and tasty lunch. The place is not...

This San Francisco landmark features some of Fisherman's Wharf's best shopping and attractions. Ride the carousel or watch the sea lions. There are more than 25 one-of-a-kind gift stores that carry automobile, Hollywood, and rock 'n' roll...

Experience the beautiful sights of the San Francisco waterfront on your own Segway. A platform perched on two wheels, the Segway system has a patented gyroscope balancing system, enabling the standing rider to maneuver by tilting forward or...

To enter this restaurant, you need a healthy appetite for meat! The interior boasts of several dining rooms, a bar & cocktail lounge, and a fireplace, making it feel like an exclusive club-house; the owner, Joe Betz, is known for redecorating the...

This contemporary American arts and crafts gallery features unique pieces of jewelry, ceramics, paper, and metal works that meet the standards of design excellence set by owner Deborah West, who is also an interior designer. The works that West...

Located next to Union Square, Saks Fifth Avenue is an upscale department store, that carries incomparable fashions by all the top designers the world has to offer. You'll find fine cosmetics and fragrances, shoes, accessories, and garments by names...

These donuts are made from scratch, not a pre-packaged mix that has been sitting around for who knows how long. They are light, never greasy, and while they will never be confused with health food, they are undeniably a comfort food par excellence....

This impressive neo-Gothic structure crowning Nob Hill was built on the site of the Crocker Mansion after the 1906 earthquake and fire. The interior features stained glass windows in celestial blues and vibrant reds and yellows. There are also...

The first building erected as a cathedral in California, Old St. Mary's served the Archdiocese of San Francisco from 1854 to 1891. Once the city's most prominent building, it is built of brick brought "around the Horn" in sailing ships, and much of...

Located just off of Market Street, this restaurant puts a contemporary spin on traditional Thai flavors with dishes such as spicy Volcanic Beef topped with fried onion rings. Modern decor features a fusion of classic and modern design, with brick and...

A grand expansion at one of North America's largest shopping centers brings with it more levels of premium designer boutiques, chain retailers and two major department stores, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's The center now offers 1.5 million square feet...

This Inner Sunset neighborhood co-op, affiliated with Berkeley's Cheese Board, just may ruin you for any other bakery. They bake a wide range of breads, with a whole list of specials every day. They turn out specialty scones and muffins all baked...

In the late 1800s, a Scotsman named John McLaren transformed more than 1000 acres (405 hectares) of sand dunes into a wondrous haven in the midst of busy city life. Stretching from Stanyan Street to the Pacific Ocean, the lush landscaping features...

This building is the site of some of San Francisco's finest moments. In 1954 Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were married here. In the early 21st century, over 100 same-sex couples were married by Mayor Gavin Newsom in the foyer. The Renaissance...

Peru's cuisine is probably the best kept food secret in South America. A bounty of Pacific seafood, a fiendish enthusiasm for chilies and a confluence of Latino, Native American and even Japanese and Chinese influences make for a remarkable...

This is a great place for an inquiring mind. The wonders of the natural world are on display in the Steinhart Aquarium, complete with a penguin colony; the Morrison Planetarium, offers a sky show; and a natural history museum with a hunk of jade the...

If you want to know how a cable car works, Cable Car Museum is the place to learn. The world's first cable car rests here and with it a concise explanation of how those little cable cars go halfway to the stars. In an underground viewing area, you...