San Francisco Visit

For your "on topic" question, there are several threads that address "must-go" beer places. I will kindly direct you to search for them before several dozen CA BAs do so unkindly.

As for your other question (IMHO): Gary Danko is over-hyped/priced, Delfina is good but eclipsed by much better (like Cotogna), don't know Old Skool or Frascatti, The House is decent (nothing special), and Foreign Cinema is both good and fun, especially for brunch.

 

I start my SF beer days with a brunch at Magnolia.

 

For getting about check out www.beerbybart.com

Toronado is cash only.

Have fun!

 

I would add Zeitgeist on the beer side and you may want to check out Smokestack for beer and BBQ, tho I prefer 4505 BBQ. That's a hefty food budget, but you may as well do it big.

 

Subscribed since I am visiting next month. I have all my beer spots figured out just a little worried about trasportation. I am staying in the Richmon District near USF. Is that a good location to stay without a car or should I rent one?

 

You can use muni (public trans) or Lyft/Uber just fine from there. If you have a smartphone, Google Maps does a great job of telling you what your public transportation options are. You'll be able to walk to Barrel Head Brewhouse, which I'm told has been getting better with their house beers.

 

I think Delfina is great, and one of the best Italian places in the City for sure. You could also look at Flour & Water. A16, Acquerello, and SPQR. Many believe Gary Danko to be top tier, but I haven't been recently enough to really give an opinion. If you are picking one very high end spot I would suggest Quince, which also happens to be Italian and French based.

Back on [beer] topic, you could add Hopwater Distribution in the City because it isn't far from Mikkeller and has a lot of California stuff on tap. If you venture across the Bay, then Rare Barrel is amazing (Fri-Sun only), The Trappist is top notch, Beer Revolution, and there are other threads taht will run down your options in the East Bay, North Bay, etc.

Enjoy

 

If you can get to Rare Barrel I would recommend that.

As for restaurants, my friend absolutely raves about The House. I've personally never been there but I've only heard good things from my friend and others.

You can also try to hit the trendy hot spot that's actually pretty good, State Bird Provisions or their other restaurant, The Progress, right next door.

 

What are everyone's thoughts on Faction? Worth a stop?

 

Anywhere good in the marina district? I'll be visiting SF later today for the first time ever. Thanks!

 

Faction is solid and the view can't be beat.

 

I would say better than solid if you're into hoppy beers. One thing to note for out-of-towners is that getting there is a challenge without a car or pricey via cab/lyft/uber.

 

Bros and yoga pants are about all you will find in the Marina, but you'll not be far from Rogue Public House. They have several rotating guest taps or else I wouldn't have suggested it.

Edit: I would just like to point out that if you have a little bit of time and it's not a busy traffic time, you'll be within a 10 minute cab ride to almost all of the aforementioned good beer spots. Cabs are easy to find in the Marina, but depending where they take you, you may need to lyft/uber back.

 

agree with Rare Barrel. it was one of my favorite stops on my recent visit. such a cool atmosphere and some damn good beer too.

 

If you're going from the city, take the ferry. Drops you off a mile away and the ride over is pretty awesome.

 

D'oh, forgot about the ferry. Good call.