Life in San Francisco - Japanese Tea Garden

Living in San Francisco

There’s more magic in San Francisco’s 49 square miles than you’ll find in a hundred Hogwarts. With world-class parks and museums, every type of cuisine imaginable, and recreation and nightlife options galore, the City offers Academy students an education in a life well-lived.

Neighborhood Hangouts

Interactive map of San Francisco districts
Castro District: The LGBTQ District
  • Food, LGBTQ Clubs (The Lookout, The Mix, Toad Hall for Dancing)
  • Fabulosa Books (queer bookshop + literature)
  • Castro Theatre (Weekly events + Frameline film festival)
  • Fun dining. Orphan Andys etc.
The Mission District: Lively, diverse, and full of restaurants and hangouts.
  • Divisadero Street
  • Mexican and Latin American food and culture
  • Burma Love
  • Dolores Park (Most popular hangout spot on weekends)
North Beach (Little Italy)

Italian atmosphere that borders Chinatown. Full of restaurants and comedy clubs. History of beat poets and literature.

  • Washington Square Park
  • Cobs Comedy Club
  • Original Joes
  • Tony’s Pizza (“Best Pizza in America”)
  • City Lights Bookshop (Historic)
The Marina: Hip, College-like hangout spot with shopping & views of the Bridge/Alcatraz

Modern atmosphere with lots of shopping and walking.

  • Palace of fine arts
  • Fort Mason (Arts events)
  • Presidio (Incredible walks)
  • Beach/Sea walk/Wave Organ
Golden Gate Park

Classic

  • Run, bike, walk
  • Roller Skate at the historic 6th Avenue Skate Place
  • Bison
  • Windmills
  • Botanical Garden
  • Japanese Tea Garden
  • Free Frisbee Golf
Alamo Square Park
  • Alamo Square Park
  • Historic Park
  • Painted Ladies
NOPA/Divisidero Street

Hip street full of food, dancing, and hangouts for college age and above.

  • Madrone Art Bar
  • NOPA
  • Souvenir Coffee (Local Coffee Roasters)
  • The Panhandle
  • Emporium (Club with games)

Food

Explore the Flavors of San Francisco

Vegan Spots

BAIA

Wildseed

Vegan Burg

Shizen Sushi

Indochine

Famous Foods of San Francisco

Mission style burrito

Sourdough Bread

Dim Sum – Chinatown

House Of Prime Rib

Yamo

Burma Love/Superstar

El Taqueria

El Farolito

Mission Chinese

Coffee Spots SF

Ritual Coffee

Souvenir Coffee

Philz

Blue Bottle

Espresso – Cafe Trieste

Mannys

Nature

Interactive map of San Francisco districts
Sutro Forest

Underrated view of the city.

Glen Park Canyon

Underrated view of the city.

Twin Peaks

Iconic View of the city.

Bernal Heights

Iconic View of the city.

Land’s End

An incredible MUST DO walk/hike in San Francisco.

Ocean Beach

Fun Beach with surf vibes/historic area.

Museums

Interactive map of San Francisco districts
Asian Art Museum
Museum of the African Diaspora
De Young Museum
SF MOMA
Exploratorium

Transportation

logo - SFMTA
logo - Caltrain
logo - BART
logo - AC Transit
logo - Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District
logo - samTrans

Free For Students

Explore hidden gems of San Francisco on these blogs. They’re not only fun, interesting, and unique, but FREE.

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