Dolores Park Movie Night

There are only four tables, so weekend waits can get borderline unbearable but the pizzas here are some of the best in the city. Is you absolutely can't stick around, grab a pie to-go and come back often, the offering changes weekly according to what's in season.

Nopa is one of few restaurants around that's open late—dinner is served until 1am—which is unheard of in SF. This is a definite good thing considering it can be challenging to land one of the communal tables or booths on a super busy night, but if you’re lucky you can snag a seat at the bar. In a city full of Italian restaurants, this is the place to go for fresh pasta that changes regularly according to what’s in season. So good is the selection of the house-made pastas, burgers, salads, and sides that local chefs go here on their nights off. The wine list is the stuff of legend.

While there are delicious small plates for veggies to tuck into, the mains at this Chef Jennifer Puccio-helmed spot have the carnivore crowd in mind. The Marlow burger is particularly memorable (and by memorable, we mean it's one of the best we've ever had). Ken Faulk—regarded as one of the most talented interior designers in the city—re-imagined the sprawling space to resemble an elevated butcher shop. They have several spaces to accommodate private parties, the best one being their private patio space: It's decorated with herbs and other greenery and dotted with heat lamps that make it comfortable year-round.

You know how S.F. has a reputation for stellar Chinese food? This is where it all started. The original outpost—there's one in NYC, too—doesn't offer much in terms of ambiance (it's kind of a hole in the wall) but the food is outstanding. The Asian chicken salad, in particular, gets a ton of much-deserved attention. Oh, and they deliver.

This is the kind of place that takes its wine just as seriously as the food, though neither is too hoity-toity or expensive. The exposed kitchen, which is visible from almost ever angle of the smallish dining room, has a sort of hypnotic effect on diners. Ask for the Heirloom burger—it has the cheese mixed into the patty rather than sitting on top.

Come nighttime, the dim lighting and loud music draw a younger crowd to this tightly-packed gem a few blocks off the main Mission drag. The lineup of house-made pastas is as unusual as they come. From maltagliati with braised rabbit and sunchokes to trenette with pork sugo and chili, the concepts are always inspired. The pizzas are just as interesting. It's not a light meal, so come with hungry friends as a lot of it is great to share. The dough room where they roll the pasta during is available as a private dining room in the evenings.

The indoor-outdoor dining room is equal parts rustic (Edison bulbs, communal tables) and modern (exposed kitchen, cement floors) while the food is hearty Northern California fare through and through. Taking full advantage of the region's bounty, Chef Thomas McNaughton developed relationships with local farmers who provide just-plucked produce for dishes like squash maltagliati, figs with coppa di testa, and melon and burrata. If you're hosting an event, keep in mind that the attached Salumeria, which is a market by day, becomes a cozy dining room by night.

The Tenderloin is kind of having a moment right now with trendy spots popping up on the regular. With its huge open kitchen, slick bar, and generally awesome vibe, Liholiho fits the bill, but it also has the seriously good food to back it up. Think fancy-ish Hawaiian food—marinated squid, Spam fried rice, fried oysters—and killer drinks. For dessert, we've heard good things about the Baked Hawaii—like a Baked Alaska but...you know, Hawaiian. Big parties should spring for the family-style Ohana Table option.

There's a lot to appreciate about this insanely cool-looking Korean-American restaurant, not the least of which is the fact that it's run by three brothers who inherited their skills from their chef mom. What's more, most of the ingredients used for the seasonal plates are supplied by their very own farm. And if that doesn't impress, the beer is on tap (i.e. you can order by the pitcher), the dessert comes in shave ice form, and there's a dedicated kids menu perfect for easing little palettes into flavor-heavy Korean cuisine.

Widely considered the best taqueria in in the city, this unassuming spot has literally won awards for its tacos and burritos, which are stuffed with really good, clean meat and are best washed down with the house aguas frescas. That said, many would argue the carnitas are the sleeper hits here. We've also heard whispers of a secret menu so make friend with some regulars, stat.

The success of the original Oakland outpost inspired Chef James Syhabout—he's the guy behind Commis—to bring his much-adored Laotian Thai restaurant (the 24-hour Pork Belly is something else) to S.F. The restaurant is full of color and life, designed to encourage customers to stick around for drinks and laughs long after the food is cleared.

One of the pioneers of the vibrant microbrewery culture in San Francisco, Dave McLean has been passionately making craft beer for more than 15 years. His pub in Haight Ashbury is a cozy place to sample their wide selection, and their Sunday brunch comes with a beer pairing for brave souls. McLean used to keep all of his brewing equipment in the basement underneath the pub, but after outgrowing that space last year, he moved production to an enormous converted warehouse in Dogpatch. The tasting room in the shiny new brewery offers up some wickedly good BBQ and stays open until 2am on weekends.

While Bourbon & Branch isn't the first bar to play on the speakeasy theme, they expand the motif with a lot of enthusiasm. Located in a bar that was an actual speakeasy from 1921-1933, the space has more than five secret rooms for guests to explore, if they can find them (and remember the password). Plus, a set of "House Rules" prevents anyone from using cell phones or taking photographs, and awesomely cautions: "Don't even think about asking for a Cosmo." Make a reservation in advance, as you'll need to be armed with a password to get in.

Craft cocktails are a well-recognized and celebrated art in San Francisco, and The Alembic has some of the most creative bartenders in the game. A sister bar to brewery favorite Magnolia Pub, it shares the same cozy, rustic aesthetic, with Edison bulbs hanging bare over a bar that looks like it was made with reclaimed wood. Favorite menu items include the fantastically titled Sloe Boat to China, a citrus-y blend of gin and Vermouth, and the Corpse Reviver, a gin drink with a subtle touch of Absinthe. If you're lucky enough to be visiting during the right season, stop by for a weirdly good Girl Scout Cookie cocktail pairing.

Located in the Mission, Trick Dog is sort of a classic hipster spot for craft cocktails—you can be almost certain that your bartender is going to be sporting a well-groomed beard and a handmade apron. But with that creativity and attention to detail comes a James Beard Award-nominated cocktail program that incorporates out-of-the-box ingredients into a seasonally changing cocktail list. Visitors also love their menus, which change every month and have been imaginatively shaped into a Pantone color wheel, a zodiac guide, and a map of San Francisco. Just don't try to steal one (trust us, they're on to you).

As one of the pioneers of the vibrant microbrewery culture in San Francisco, Dave McLean has been passionately making craft beer for more than 15 years. His pub in Haight Ashbury is a cozy place to sample their wide selection, and their Sunday brunch comes with a beer pairing for brave souls. McLean used to keep all of his brewing equipment in the basement underneath the pub, but after outgrowing that space last year, he moved production to an enormous converted warehouse in Dogpatch. The tasting room in the shiny new brewery offers up some wickedly good BBQ and stays open until 2am on weekends.

It's important to note that this weird little shop's full name is actually Trouble Coffee and Coconut Club. And yes, they do actually serve fresh coconut juice, which along with a small coffee (the only size available here) and fat slice of cinnamon toast constitutes the $8 "Build Your Own Damn House" combo. There's also the option to order a shot of fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice a.k.a., "Yoko." The original Trouble is tiny and has a tree trunk in lieu of outdoor seating while the new one in Oakland, is done almost exclusively in white.

The original teeny stand on Cow Hollow's main drag (and all the locations that followed) is operated by three surfer dude brothers and is home to high-quality organic, cold-pressed juice extracted using a hydraulic press and sold in cute bottom-heavy glass bottles, which you can bring back for the deposit. Stands and juice tucks are popping up all over and they now offer delivery as well.

Jane is known for venturing beyond the expected coffee-and-pastry formula and providing locals with wholesome and delicious organic breakfast and lunch. The granola, which they sell in to-go jars, is particularly memorable. Owner Amanda Michael made it a point to make each of the two locations (there's also an outpost in Pacific Heights) as comfy and welcoming as possible, which explains why both are perpetually packed.

Ok, so you have to be invited to stay, which means this isn't technically a hotel, but those lucky enough to be nominated—and actually accepted—to this Ken Fulk-designed private social club get access to a slew of membership perks, including 14 sprawling rooms, several bars, a restaurant, and spa. Exclusivity aside, Michael Birch and Xochi Torres, a couple of tech geniuses who came up with the concept, wish to promote diversity and community via strategic membership approvals that don't actually depend on status or financial standing (they offer "scholarships" for those who can't swing the hefty membership dues).

Nestled at the foot of the Golden Gate bridge, Fort Baker is spread out over acres of prime Sausalito real estate, which up until recently has been left at the mercy of the elements. Then in 2008 a hospitality group stepped in and teamed up with the National Park Service to completely restore and preserve the area. The resulting 142-room lodge, healing arts center, and spa, are spread out over a cluster of Colonial buildings that meet and exceed all of LEED's sustainability requirement.

This gem celebrated its 100th birthday a couple of years ago (it did receive a Philippe Starcke makeover in the interim) making it particularly good time to book a stay. In the famously ornate lobby you'll find furniture pieces by Ray and Charles Eames and Salvador Dali; the standard rooms while on the tight side make up for it in comfort and beautiful pastel-hued décor. Downstairs, the plush Redwood Room is perfect for drinks and snacks at the stretch bar which lent the local-approved lounge its name.

If we were to dream up the ideal, minimalist urban loft, the Palihotel—nestled right by heart-of-the-action Union Square—is it. Worn white brick walls, low-to-the-ground beds with warm striped throws, stylish mid-century-style chairs, and copper light fixtures distinguish the roomy spaces, and, like its sister properties, this outpost is sympathetic to the existing neighborhood style with its imposing, Mission Revival-style façade. Inside, though, soft pastel colors, plenty of stripes, and vintage-looking floral patterns adorn the common areas (which feel made for the freelance traveler who needs to bust out emails but appreciates pretty surroundings and quick service). Foodwise, Fisher Loft on the second floor is the kind of spot you check out for breakfast and come back for dinner: the burgers, jammy eggs, frisée salad, and (if you’re feeling extra) caviar service are menu standouts.

We stand behind anything Kelly Wearstler lays her bejeweled fingers on. The Wearstler-designed San Francisco Proper Hotel is a reason in itself to come here for a weekend. Located in the gritty-cool Mid-Market area, the Proper’s aesthetic echoes that of the surrounding streets. Interiors are a mashup of old and new, of clashing and complementary. Walking into the color-saturated lobby—with its medley of mirrors, paintings, and eccentric prints—feels instantly welcoming. Both the vibe and the music are intentionally upbeat. Guest rooms are on the small side but incredibly comfortable, and in a city as crowded as San Francisco, the bedside concierge tablet is a godsend for both recs and reservations. After supper out on the town, the best way to wind down is with a cocktail or steaming cup of tea on the wraparound rooftop, warmed by the firepits.

Outer Sunset is many things: a beachy neighborhood in San Francisco, home to many excellent surf shops (looking at you, Mollusk and Woodshop), and the place to come for Black Bird. The independent bookstore, curated by local owner (and voracious reader) Kathryn Grantham, is equal parts community hangout and retailer. Black Bird is unlike so many bookstores—and we love that about it. In lieu of traditional spine-out shelving, for example, books are displayed with the covers facing forward—like artwork. Because under Grantham’s pioneering eye, there are no bad choices. Each title is selected to propel new voices forward and to commemorate the fascinating history of San Francisco. Make it a first stop in the city—and bring nothing but time.

There are three locations of this beloved shop, and the original is here. Set in a big, lofty space that could theoretically hold hundreds of items, the impeccably curated store is an exercise in restraint: You’ll find hand-made ceramics, brass trivets, thread-wrapped bows and arrows, and rare, vintage books. The second location is in Venice.

A little bit fishing lodge, a little bit mountain ranger, this shop’s aesthetic is a modern take on cozy cabin décor. Carrying everything from Turkish towels to Ace & Jig quilts, to dreamcatchers, it’s fun for anyone with nostalgia for that summer cabin by the lake, whether real or fictional.

Dainty hand-beaded accessories by Salihah Moore, pottery by Patricia Yenawine, and Gravel & Gold's house line of print-centric separates make it kind of difficult to stick this eclectic little shop in any one category. Then there's the vintage décor and teeny indie apothecary section which also play to the greater theme: Everything is made by women, for women, right here in California.

Hands down one of our favorite shops to hit up when in San Francisco, Mill Mercantile is essentially Unionmade for chicks, meaning the vibe is timeless with a whiff of tomboy. It's set up like a mini department store with sections dedicated to shoes (Dieppa Restrepo brogues, classic New Balance), clothing (Apiece Apart, Gitman Brothers), plus home stuff and an impressive wellness corner (lots of Aesop, Arquiste fragrances). If you don't have a Bay Area trip planned in the near future, the online shop is the next best thing as it stocks the best of what's in store.

This beautiful store stocks a little bit of everything for men, women, and home—it's literally a one-stop-shop for things that are cool and globally sourced (hence the name). For the girls, there's cotton separates from Japan and slouchy knits from LA-based Shaina Mote, lots of heritage and street-wear brands for guys, and minimalistic wood and brass pieces for the home from under-the-radar designers like Futugami and Akarino Tane.

This goldmine of a shop is the work of former Old Navy designer, Leah Bershad. The space is dimly lit much like a museum, which makes sense since the Southwestern-tinged biker rings, folksy wall hangings, and embroidered dresses from Mexico are essentially pieces of art. And it's not all vintage either, as Leah stocks contemporary items from Ace & Jig, Raleigh Denim, and Cinq Workshop, too.

This by-appointment-only workspace and showroom is like a playground for the grown-up surfer dude with scratch to spend. It's a collaborative effort between four artisans: one designs the reclaimed wooden furniture, one builds crazy cool-looking, high-performance surf boards, one specializes in re-making old chairs, and one is an artist and sign designer.

This awesome shop is operated by a brother-and-sister duo, who do an excellent job of looking beyond the obvious outlets to stock the airy space. The assortment changes regularly, so while there's no predicting exactly what you might find during a visit, great vintage tees, sculptural jewelry, and clothing from under-the-radar European lines are all a sure thing. Most vintage display tables and scattered seating is for sale, so don't be afraid to ask for a quote if you like what you see.

Years ago, the original Harputs was actually a sneaker store. Now, it's a cool, off-beat clothing boutique downstairs and a workshop/design studio upstairs—Gus and Robin Harputs design, cut, and produce almost every beautifully draped, convertible piece on site. The collection isn't particularly huge (they supplement with a selection of Comme des Garcons, Martin Margiela, and Yohji), and if there's something you don't see, or have a tweak or two you'd like made to an existing piece, they'll gladly get the job done.

There's something of a down-the-rabbit-hole effect when you walk into this magical antiques store. Everywhere you look you'll see collectible curiosities that owners Rod Hipsund and Kelly Ishikawa plucked from antique sales and vintage markets. Particularly impressive are the old-school typewriters and stacks of pre-owned books. Even the contemporary stuff, like the Bonny Doon hand balms and pottery, has a turn-of-the-century vibe.

We can easily write a love letter to each of the 18 local-owned specialty shops lining this adorable, strollable alley. Here you'll find a dreamy florist, an excellent book shop called Book Shop, a vintage store, a handful of galleries, our favorite jewelry store in the city (Esqueleto), a place that specializes in stuffed donuts, and so much more.

Everything in Temescal Alley is great but this jewelry store is a definite highlight. It's beautifully merchandised with geodes, bones, stones, feathers, and plenty of other hippie paraphernalia (most of it is for sale). The actual jewelry—some vintage some contemporary—has a witchy, kind of dark-magic vibe to it.

This welcome new addition to the San Francisco shopping landscape is the passion project of stylist Pauline Montupet. It's a truly unique concept int he area: The minimal, airy concept space is set up like an obsessively curated Pinterest board with whitewashed walls (and a stark floor to match), plywood fixtures, and pops of color courtesy of the merchandise, which ranges from Whyte to Tibi to Acrimony.

This massive indie bookstore has been around since the '50s (when it served as a meeting spot for the literary-minded beatniks) and is now a bona fide San Francisco institution. Make sure to check the events calendar before your visit.

The fashion crowd in SF was more than a little excited to find out that Emily Holt, formerly the long-time fashion news editor for Vogue, was bringing her exquisite taste back to her home city in the form of this adorable boutique in the Marin Country Mart. In addition to a great assortment of our favorite fashion brands (Khaite, La Double J, and Sophie Buhai, to start), her shop also carries a stellar selection of books and greeting cards, plus ceramics and other artisan products from local makers.

We love how this streamlined boutique exudes the perfect mix of rockstar edginess and eco-consciousness–the latter being obvious on its shelves that are stocked with some of our favorite natural beauty brands including Vintner's Daughter and Rahua. A full service salon anchors the space, where you can find some of the city's best colorists and stylists.

MARCH may just be the best kitchen and tabletop store in the country. (In fact, we love it so much, we collaborated with them and Alice Waters on a dinner to raise funds for The Edible Schoolyard.) No, this is not the place to buy a Kitchen Aid, or a Silpat, but instead to discover a beautiful, hand-made mortar and pestle, Michael Verheyden candlesticks, or Billy Cotton glass and dinnerware. We were overjoyed when they finally went online last year.

The Precita Eyes Muralists tours in San Francisco are a really fantastic way to see the city via local outdoor art. There are numerous worthy murals to be seen all around S.F. and the tour guides here know them all in and out.

Yerba Buena doesn't have a permanent collection, meaning that their resources are significantly freed up to put towards a robust community program with lots of performance art, films, and events that complement and work off of their exhibition program. Their visual art program is similarly robust, taking ambitious exhibitions from other institutions—they're currently hosting Radical Presence, a survey of visual art by African American artists that's the first of its kind.

Brian Belier has created a super chill space evoking the Japanese notion of Wabi-sabi (loose translation: letting natural beauty shine, imperfections and all). And here, you feel it in both the décor—lots of salvaged wood and plants—and the cuts, which are cool and artfully shaggy so hair naturally falls in the right shape without looking over-styled. It's the perfect place to come after work as they serve beer. See Brian for cuts and Sylvie Simon for balayage highlights.

Any facialist worth their salt can make you glow after a treatment, but Kristina Holey’s aim is to bring skin into long-term balance. This means that each treatment begins with a thorough dissection of eating habits, skin-care routine, and general lifestyle and ends with a detailed homework assignment for everyday maintenance. The one and a half to two hours she spends with clients are completely customized, though all include a rousing face massage, as well as broths meant to calm and strengthen skin from within.

Come to this Mission salon for consistently good, reasonably priced manicures and pedicures and stay for the kickass nail art. The technicians do editorial-quality work (they do a lot of shoots) and can go as classic or as out-there as you want. Check out their Instagram feed for inspo.

B-12 shot happy hours, lymphatic massage, rolfing, structural integration, acupuncture, cupping, dry brushing, craniosacral therapy...the treatment menu at this sprawling San Francisco institution reads like a detox how-to. They also offer a host of other options, including facials, waxing, and peels.

Amber Woods was into herbal remedies and homeopathy before she switched gears to facials, which means that she's fully integrated when it comes to skin. She performs her "skin care rituals" (start with the pink light glow signature facial and build from there with a list of add-ons) out of a tiny storefront in Oakland where she also sells her 100% organic Pink Light Botanicals product line. She also offers waxing and tinting.

The word 'apothecary' gets thrown around a lot in reference to beauty shops, but this Mission store is in fact a real-deal apothecary, complete with shelves of medicinal herbs, natural remedies, and essential oils. It can be tough to make sense of it all, so thankfully the staff is knowledgeable and eager to help. For those looking to expand their horizons, there are informational books and a metaphysical department if you're into that sort of thing.