Whether you’re moving to the Bay Area for work, school, or as a stop on your remote work adventures, you’re probably wondering what it will be like to live in San Francisco. 

You’re not alone; people are moving from around the globe to San Francisco. The city is globally recognized as one of the world’s top destinations for tourists to visit, and it recently dethroned New York as the world’s “best city” in 2021. 

So if you’re new to the area and trying to get a ‘true’ SF experience, we have some recommendations to help you live like a local in San Francisco as soon as you unpack your boxes. 

Living in San Francisco: What the locals do 

Very quickly you’ll find that most people who live in the Bay Area are active, spend a lot of time outside, and frequently take advantage of the number of cuisines available to them. 

With an extensive array of food and drink options, including Michelin Star restaurants like The Progress, specialty coffee roasters, breweries, wine bars, and a plethora of ice cream shops, food is a central part of San Francisco life. As is the outdoors—parks and beaches both in and out of the city are easily accessible. 

So when you arrive, here’s how you can jump right in. 

1. Hit the trail or relax at the beach

Long-time residents of San Francisco cherish the diverse number of hiking trails and beaches around the Bay Area. From the old standby Ocean Beach to the more obscure Mile Rock Beach, as well as urban hikes in the city’s parks like Lover’s Lane at the Presidio, newcomers may not realize how much outdoor activity there is to do within San Francisco’s city limits. The warmer summer months are the foggiest time in the city, so dress accordingly. 

San Francisco is just 7×7 miles, and many residents escape the city on weekends and explore nearby trails in the  East Bay and Marin County. There’s nothing better than packing up a lunch with the family and friends, driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, and exploring all that the Bay Area’s wildlife has to offer. Some of our top selections are below.

Beaches

• China Beach: A small, local beach in the Inner Richmond neighborhood with a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge Fort Funston. With rolling dunes and amazing views, this beach is perfect for walking your dog while observing hang gliders

• Rodeo Beach: About a half-hour drive north of San Francisco, Rodeo Beach is a quiet, secluded beach next to the Marine Mammal Center, which is great a spot for families and kids

Hiking trails

• Tennessee Valley: This trail winds to a secluded beach with a fantastic view. For renters with kids, there’s a horse ranch right nearby that can help little ones learn how to ride 

• Batteries to Buffalo Trail: Prepare yourself for a bit of wind on this hike with an expansive view that leads directly to the Golden Gate Bridge

Twin Peaks – Many don’t ever think to take a quick trip to this 64-acre park, full of local coastal scrub and grasslands, and a trail that leads to a 360 view of the area 

2. In San Francisco, snacks and drinks heal all wounds

People come from all over the world to enjoy San Francisco’s rich, diverse array of cuisine, beer, and spirits. You can opt for high-end restaurants and bars, which you’ll find sprinkled throughout the city, but you can also find other lower-cost options. And if you’re a sports fan (no Seahawks or Dodgers fans here!), there’s nothing better than watching the Giants, Warriors, or 49’ers with a pint of Anchor Steam and the California sun to wash it down.

Classic restaurants and bars

• Tempest and Box Kitchen – If you want a gritty, real SF experience with delicious food, a ruckus crowd, and cheap drinks, this is the perfect place to catch a game or catch up with friends

• Tosca – There is nothing more classic than a long wooden bar, a wall of all your favorite spirits, and red leather booths to enjoy a meal with friends and family 

• Pizzetta 21 – If your looking for a quiet, down-to-earth, absolutely delicious pizza dinner, look no further than this quaint hole-in-the-wall joint

• Specs – This old-timey haunt has been a favorite North Beach watering hole of artists, poets, and musicians for more than 50 years

• Last Rites – This unique tiki bar contains cocktails, giant skulls, and airplane seats. What else could you ask for?

• Martuni’s – Right on the corner of Market and Valencia, this one-of-a-kind martini bar is inexpensive, friendly, and has live music almost every night!

• Toronado Pub – A cash-only, beer bar with an extensive list of draft options, both local and international. It’s a great place for an unpretentious atmosphere, and to sip on Pliny the Elder (or wait the limited release Pliny the Younger)

3. Enjoy visual and performing arts 

San Francisco isn’t only about sourdough bread, the Summer of Love, and trolley cars (though San Franciscans do love all of those things). Enjoy your cappuccinos in North Beach and your cheap pint at Toronado, but remember that San Francisco is all about stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new! Below are a few live experiences we know you’ll enjoy.

Comedy clubs

Though San Francisco isn’t known for comedy legacies like New York or Chicago, clubs like The Punch Line, Cobb’s Comedy Club, and The Set-Up are excellent spots for solid laughs, intimacy, and a good time, perfect for a group of friends or a date. Some recent celebrities that have visited San Francisco are Dave Chappelle, Tom Poppa, and Dave Attell. 

Theatre 

San Francisco has a deep theatrical history. Actors have come from all over the country to hone their craft in the sunshine and fog. Famous theatres like ACT have deep routes in the community and are located in the heart of the theatre district. Magic Theatre was home to Sam Shepard and his famous play Buried Child. Lastly, Castro Theatre, while it now plays more movies than live shows, is a landmark and worth a visit.

Live music

With one of the most eclectic scenes in the country, San Francisco boasts music from all generations, genres, and communities. If you love music and are new to town, the best way to get to know the city is by visiting venues like the infamous Fillmore West, where icons like Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, and the Grateful Dead once played. Great American Music Hall is another staple in the San Francisco music scene, as well as the Rite Spot Cafe if you’re looking for a more intimate experience.

4. Get out of the city

Aside from hiking trails, there’s so much to do in the Bay Area, and you’ll find that many residents are often escaping the city on weekends to explore nearby towns and California landscapes. 

Scenic drives

Some of the most picturesque, stunning drives can be found on the west coast. What’s even better is that most of them are only thirty or so minutes away. Check out the serpentine Highway 1 that snakes down to the surf and skateboard town of Santa Cruz. There are great farms, restaurants, and lookout points, so be sure to make a day of it. One of our favorite trips is driving to Bolinas, an infamous semi-secretive beach town next to Stinson Beach. Drive north on Highway 1 from Stinson Beach, then turn left onto Olema Bolinas Road. The direct beach access is at the end of Brighton Avenue.

Hot springs

San Francisco and the Bay Area are full of natural hot springs for those willing to brave a hike or possibly cold weather. Steep Ravine Hot Springs is an ocean-front spring that might be challenging for some but is worth the effort if you are comfortable with difficult hikes. Alternatively, if you’re interested in a bit of a drive and enjoy camping, Orr Hot Springs is another great spot. The staff is friendly, there is a restaurant on-site, and they offer yurts!
If you’re not one for hiking or the great outdoors and want to stay in San Francisco proper, you can find Kabuki Hot Springs on the edge of Japantown. This is a long-time staple for residents to relax and unwind.

5. Eat bread and drink coffee

This city is chock full of bakeries and top-notch coffee roasters. On weekend mornings, you may encounter long lines of people waiting for their pour-overs and baked goods. 

Dutch Crunch Bread

San Francisco is known for its sourdough from bakeries like Josey Baker Bread and Boudin, but many locals don’t even realize that Dutch Crunch truly reigns supreme. The roll isn’t exactly remarkable, but the white roll, brushed over rice flour and sugar, with a mixture of rice flour and sugar, creates a magical crackle-crinkle topping that puts the “Crunch” in Dutch Crunch Bread. You can find this type of bread almost anywhere, so make sure to ask for it at your favorite deli or grocery store.

Philz Coffee

A long-time Bay Area staple, this coffee chain specializes in single-cup, pour-over blends that incorporate fruits, spices, and herbs. There are a ton of different types to try, many of them unique, and all of them delicious. 

6. Hang at a park 

The 220 parks located in San Francisco are a big part of daily life. Because the weather is generally pretty temperate for most of the year, any given weekend you’ll find the parks packed with people reading, having dog meet-ups, playing tennis, or just hanging out with friends. From massive parks like Golden Gate and the Presidio, to smaller parks like Alamo Square and Mission Dolores, you there are plenty places to explore and pass a Saturday afternoon. 

Mission Dolores Park 

“Dolo” fills up fast—especially at the first sign of warm, sunny weather. It’s a very popular spot for people of all ages to spend their weekend days and is known for its colorful and energetic energy. You’ll find many people stop at the nearby Bi-rite market to stock up on snacks and beverages before grabbing a spot to drink, people watch, and party. 

Alamo Square Park

Most famously known for the “Painted Ladies,” the row of colorful Victorian houses against the backdrop of the downtown skyline, this park is on top of a hill with off-leash dog runs and plenty of green space for you to relax. You’ll find people gathered on both sides of the park to watch the sunset behind the hills to the West, or to watch the sky turn purple and pink over the downtown skyline.

Living in San Francisco offers you a life full of the outdoors, great food, and awesome culture. San Francisco is continually changing while staying true to its time-honored traditions and people, so whatever your fancy, new and old residents alike are constantly finding new things in the city to experience. As you settle in, you’ll quickly find getting the most SF experience you can starts with stepping out of your door.

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