SF Specialty Coffee Guide: Espresso Worth the Line
Where to get serious espresso and pour-over in San Francisco — Mission shops, Polk Street, park trailers, and what you actually pay.
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Food, streets, transit, neighborhoods, and local life. Written from the city rather than about it from a distance.
Where to get serious espresso and pour-over in San Francisco — Mission shops, Polk Street, park trailers, and what you actually pay.
Hedge Coffee on Shotwell pours solid single-origin espresso; lattes hit $9 — worth it for sourcing, not a cheap daily stop.
We didn't know the Randall Museum existed until we wandered in — the basement model railroad and a live turtle exhibit turned it into an instant toddler favorite.
Solar works in San Francisco, but the economics are not the sales pitch. The battery matters, exports barely pay, and payback takes years.
A door-to-door gas supplier pitch turned into eight months of fixed charges on my PG&E bill.
Kevin Blake runs an intimate magic show at The Palace Theater in SF. He guessed something from our group that he had no way of knowing.
Lunette is a Cambodian stall inside the Ferry Building. The fried chicken rice and shrimp noodle soup are both under $20 and worth the stop.
The California Street line runs through Nob Hill with shorter waits and fewer tourists than the Powell lines. It costs $8 and goes through the good part of the hill.
Native Twins Coffee is a trailer at the top of Lafayette Park in Pacific Heights — Temple espresso, Wed–Sun 8am–5pm.
Mattina at 2232 Bush Street is worth the trip for breakfast — crespelle with Toma cheese, breakfast piadina with beef and beans, candy cap mushroom latte, and house-made buns from the forno. Understaffed on Thursday morning but the food is excellent.
Chase Center opened its plaza for free World Cup watch parties starting June 11, with a giant outdoor screen and a crowd that showed up in force.
The Precita Jazz Collective runs a free open jam at Precita Park every Sunday at noon — bring an instrument or just listen.
Jimmy Butler's BIGFACE coffee popup at Valencia and 22nd — espresso from $4, lattes about $9, when the Corner Store residency is open.
Konbini SF opened on Harrison and 24th in the old Humphry Slocombe space — handmade onigiri, a Thai bento pop-up, and a shelf full of Asian specialty products.
Bulging power banks are fire hazards. Here is where San Francisco residents can safely drop off old or damaged lithium batteries.
A month after sexual abuse allegations upended Cesar Chavez's legacy, this Mission mural near 22nd and Mission has been tagged. SF is still figuring out what to do.
A first Tesla robotaxi ride in San Francisco still had a safety driver, but the car handled the trip and even synced Spotify.
San Francisco's first teachers strike in 47 years ended today. Four days, 50,000 students affected, 13-hour bargaining session.
A practical Mission District guide: Valencia Street, Calle 24 tacos, murals, coffee, BART stops, and neighborhood places worth knowing.
Aura fills Grace Cathedral with ceiling projections and phone-controlled light, making an easy Nob Hill outing for families.
Mission Kids is a preschool in the Mission, running a Reggio Emilia program for toddlers and preschool-age kids.
La Taqueria has been at 24th and Mission since 1973. The line still runs out the door most evenings.
Woodside Store is a free San Mateo County museum with an 1851 general store, post office, barn, and Peninsula logging history.
Heirloom Cafe sits at Folsom and 21st in the Mission. The room is spare — wood tables, warm light, not loud.
Oakland Zoo's gondola ride to the California Trail is the best part — grizzlies, bay views, and an easy visit for kids and toddlers.
SFMOMA's Ruth Asawa retrospective covers 300 works across six decades — her wire sculptures, her internment, and her lifelong commitment to San Francisco.
Dabao Singapore is in the Metreon food court on 4th Street in SoMa. The counter is easy to miss, but the food is worth finding.
The Builders Pod at Crissy Field is a free nature play area where you build with logs, stumps, and branches. The Golden Gate Bridge is right there.
CPMC Birth Center on Van Ness has private rooms, partner space, new facilities, and a calmer hospital setup than expected.
Rasa Rasa Kitchen on Bryant Street. Southeast Asian food—satay, tahu tek tek, turmeric chicken. Small spot, good peanut sauce.
Mark Twain's SF years: 1864-1866. His journalist days, the de Young brothers' newspaper, and where he lived in the city.
California restaurants fight junk fee ban. CRA challenges SB 478 before July 2024 deadline. What it means for SF dining surcharges.
The view from Salesforce Tower's upper floors puts the whole city in frame — Transamerica Pyramid below you, Alcatraz in the bay, Marin hills across the water.
York Street Cafe closes at Embarcadero. The pop-up coffee shop that brought life to downtown SF shuts down. What happened.
A&W in San Rafael works for a North Bay fast food stop, with Coney dogs, mushroom burgers, and classic root beer floats.
Kunde Family Winery day trip from SF. Wine tasting in Sonoma Valley, cave tours, and why non-wine drinkers still enjoy the visit.
Maison Nico's chestnut croissant combines crisp laminated layers with a thick, grainy marron filling.
A&W in San Rafael serves the same root beer float I grew up with in Singapore — but the curly fries never made it here.
Thieves smashed a window at Saap Ver on Division Street, took the register and safe, and hit a nearby taproom the same morning.
Jollibee opens in downtown SF. Filipino fast food chain finally arrives. Chickenjoy, peach mango pie, and Jolly Spaghetti near Union Square.
SF Premium Outlets in Livermore: 45 minutes from the city. What's worth the drive, parking tips, and the vending machine oddities.
Letterman Digital Arts Center lawn in Presidio. Public green space with creek and lagoon. Quiet spot near Palace of Fine Arts.
Sutro Baths is free to visit at Lands End, with ocean views, historic ruins, nearby trails, and direct 38 Geary access.
Some SF restaurants add a 3–5% 'Healthy SF fee' or healthcare surcharge that isn't a city tax — check the bill and know you can push back.
The color is officially called International Orange — it looks red from a distance, but up close you can see the warm burnt-orange paint on every rivet.
Rodeo Beach in Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Pebble beach, surfers. Battery Townsley WW2 gun battery half-mile hike up.
Point Bonita Lighthouse sits on rocky cliffs in Marin Headlands. Built in 1855, it guides ships through the Golden Gate.
The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito rescues seals and sea lions, with public exhibits and better viewing during spring rescue season.
Subpar miniature golf at Ghirardelli Square. 18 holes based on SF landmarks. Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, Painted Ladies.
Ghirardelli Square turned its old chocolate-factory buildings into shops in 1964; the hot fudge sundae still gives people a reason to queue.
De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. Current exhibitions, the Hamon Tower observation deck, and why the building itself is art.
Arsicault's plain croissant shatters into buttery flakes. Arrive early; the plain and almond versions can sell out by late morning.
Cirrostratus clouds streaked over Chase Center in Mission Bay — high-altitude ice crystals that can signal a change in weather.
Donaji on 24th Street in the Mission. Oaxacan food with vegetarian and pescatarian options.
CBS reports General Motors' self-driving robotaxi service, Cruise, is in the spotlight for the alleged cover-up of an accident in San Francisco.
Palace of Fine Arts built in 1915 by Bernard Maybeck. Fire spinners perform at night. Good spot for sunset and walks.
Chase Center's Christmas tree at Thrive City. Bigger than Union Square's tree. Free to visit in Mission Bay through the holidays.
Taishoken on Valencia serves thick noodles beside a concentrated dipping broth, letting each bite carry as much broth as you want.
Building on Valencia Street painted like a giant robot head. Street art and murals in San Francisco's Mission District.
The SF Small Business Coalition wants the Valencia Street center bike lane paused and reworked, but I've gotten used to having it there.
Dandelion Chocolate on Valencia Street. Bean-to-bar factory tour, hot chocolate, and single-origin bars in SF's Mission District.
SF property taxes breakdown for 2023. Ad valorem rates, direct charges, and what homeowners actually pay.
Grocery Outlet in the Mission. Good pozole selection, limited salsa variety compared to Mexico.
Urban gardening in London. Friend's backyard potato farm proves homegrown vegetables work even in city settings.
Taqueria Vallarta reopened on 24th Street after a six-month health-department closure, serving $4 tacos from its round plancha again.
Anchor Brewing closes after 127 years. SF's oldest craft brewery sold off in pieces. The end of a Potrero Hill institution.
LA's 10 Freeway fire confirmed as arson. Closure map, affected ramps, and what Governor Newsom said about the Apex Development connection.
First Waymo ride in San Francisco. Self-driving Jaguar I-PACE, booked through the app. The car didn't stop where we indicated—we had to walk a block to board.
Biden-Xi summit at APEC in San Francisco. What the meeting means for US-China relations and why SF was chosen as the venue.
Alnico on Valencia Street. Ube hotcakes and Vietnamese iced coffee with ube foam. Small place, good brunch.
Two SF hilltop views: Dolores Heights over Dolores Park toward downtown, and Bernal Heights summit panorama of the whole city. Both walkable on the same trip.
Volunteers began collecting signatures to recall Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price in October 2023.
Bernal Heights in the fog. Hilltop views disappear into Karl's embrace. Why foggy mornings make this SF park worth visiting.
Newsom vetoed free condoms in California high schools, citing budget risk, even though the program was estimated in the low millions a year.
Newsom vetoes California psychedelics bill. Psilocybin and MDMA legalization blocked despite legislative support. What happens next.
This is kinda new to me, a MUNI exit that's within a building. It's always nice to see more variation.
York Street Cafe pop-up at Embarcadero BART. Pandan drinks, coconut cream lattes, and SF's Vacant to Vibrant program bringing life to empty spaces.
We installed Lifeproof engineered hardwood over floor heating, cutting each row with a circular saw and jigsaw.
Pandan waffles at The Hainan Story in Changi Airport. Bright green, crispy outside, served with kaya and butter.
Falun Gong practitioners at the Ferry Building. Who they are, what they're doing, and why you see them at Embarcadero.
Mishka at the Ferry Building sells organic, meat-based dog treats with no grain fillers — a boutique counter if you're already there with a dog in tow.
Sandbox VR's virtual reality gaming meets Netflix's Squid Game. Immersive VR experience in San Francisco.
Fleet Week 2023 in San Francisco. Blue Angels, Parade of Ships, air shows over the Bay. Government shutdown avoided.
One year off from blogging. What happened: bathroom renovation, trips to Toronto and Shanghai, and why the day job won.
CHP chase ends in death near Palace of Fine Arts. Car break-in crew pursued after tourist area theft. What we know about the incident.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein was flown home to San Francisco Saturday evening rather than lying in state at the Capitol — a return to the city she led as mayor.
Fleet Week 2023 threatened by government shutdown. Blue Angels and ship tours at risk. What a shutdown means for SF's October event.
Microsoft opens AI Co-Innovation Lab in San Francisco. What startups can access, partnership details, and why SF remains the AI hub.
Fake USPS delivery texts hit Bay Area phones with tracking links and redelivery fees — here's the pattern and how to avoid clicking.
Heavy rain in San Francisco, January 2023. Atmospheric river storms hit the Bay Area. Daily rain, flooding warnings.
The Presidio in late November. Fall foliage, a rocky creek, and the Letterman grounds open to the public.
One woman's daily bird feeding in Glen Park is getting blamed for a growing rat problem, and neighbors and merchants want it stopped.
Mikkeller Bar in SF Tenderloin closed October 2022. Danish craft beer gastropub gone after years of rotating drafts from around the world.
AllOutSF 2022: October 16-23 citywide event. Free outdoor activities, neighborhood walks, and community events across San Francisco.
Central Subway soft opening announced for November 2022. New Muni line connecting Chinatown to Mission Bay.
Brew Cha boba tea shop in Mission District. Ube Taro Latte with oat milk and sea salt cream top at 18th and San Carlos.
Heavy rain across San Francisco Bay Area. Unusual rainfall for the season. Remember to turn on headlights when visibility is low.
San Francisco renamed the planned Downtown Rail Extension The Portal in 2022; the tunnel would connect Caltrain to Salesforce Transit Center.
Late brunch at St. Francis Fountain on 24th and York. Pancakes and huevos rancheros. Old-school diner since 1918.
Presidio Tunnel Tops opened in July 2022. The park sits literally on top of a highway tunnel—you're standing on the roof of the Presidio Parkway.
We're remodeling the back porch, starting with a new door that actually seals against SF fog and rain — flashing first, then a floor raise that forced cabinet trims.
A clear summer morning at Dolores Park led into a free walking tour and a stop outside Mission Dolores.
BART offered free weekend tickets in summer 2022. Sign up for transit promotions to catch future deals.
What a hot afternoon: We finished all the remaining watermelon we had. What a way to spend summer.
Silver Sprocket comic shop at 1018 Valencia St. Graphic novels, zines, and indie comics in the Mission.
Manzanar National Historic Site in Inyo County. WW2 Japanese American internment camp. Heavy history, worth the visit.
A Redwood City intersection shows how quickly road signs can pile up when wide lanes, ramps, and Bay Area traffic meet.
SFPD busts fencing operation in the Tenderloin. Stolen goods from car break-ins recovered. How the Little Saigon raids went down.
Chesa Boudin interview at KQED before the recall. SF's DA speaks on criminal justice reform and his record. What he said.
SF's Cherry Blossom Festival fills Japantown with food stalls, spring crowds, and events around Japan Center and Post Street.
Cesar Chavez Day festival in SF's Mission District. Street fair on 24th, live music, and the annual celebration of labor rights.
Saturday at the Ferry Building means farmers market crowds, produce stalls, Dandelion Chocolate, and a busy waterfront scene.
Leftover pizza on a Ninja Foodi grill: room-temp slice, grill setting 3 of 4, about two minutes — crisp bottom, melted top.
GDC returned to Moscone Center in March 2022, bringing the first large convention crowd downtown in two years.
I overkneaded and underproofed my first shokupan, then baked it in a Ninja Grill. The loaf still came out soft enough to try again.
Turns out you can grow a whole new succulent from a single leaf — we've been propagating a tray of them at home.
Steep Ravine cabins near Stinson Beach. Rustic coastal camping in Marin County. How to book and what to expect from these oceanside cabins.
Costco card for a dog! You can buy this from Costco with a cheese toy as well. It’s only for good dogs.
In December 2021, Mayor London Breed proposed more policing, surveillance access, and restrictions on selling stolen goods.
A beer advent calendar and chocolate mooncakes were sharing seasonal shelf space at the San Francisco Costco.
A coworker shared a Teamraderie tea-tasting box from Tartine during the long stretch of remote work in 2021.
Stonemill Matcha is near 16th Street BART, with good matcha and cheesecake, higher-than-average cafe prices, and a Sunday wait.
A free Halloween tribute at The City Station for MF DOOM, the masked rapper whose death was announced on New Year's Eve 2020.
We didn’t do much for Halloween at all. Have been busy painting our kitchen even at night! Happy Halloween everyone!
The Behr paint, Kilz drywall primer, Graco sprayer, and work light we used during our kitchen renovation.
So our dry wall is in and it's time to paint our kitchen. We did a bunch of prep work to shield the ceiling from being spray-painted.
Día de Muertos festival in SF's Mission District. Day of the Dead celebration at Everett Middle School with altars, art, and local vendors.
A Frida Kahlo mural covers the wall outside City Tax in the Mission — street art next to a tax accountant's storefront.
Cafe Valencia on Valencia Street. Brazilian food and grocery store. Coxinha, quibe, and esfirra.
SF closed its only In-N-Out on Oct. 14 for not checking vaccine cards at the door — Fisherman's Wharf lost its busiest burger line overnight.
One person died and two others were injured in separate falls during an October 2021 Phish concert at Chase Center.
TikTok singer Clinton Kane and his crew were robbed of $30,000 in gear after parking for lunch in the Marina — a daylight reminder not to leave valuables in the car.
Judy Chicago's Forever de Young performance filled the museum grounds with colored smoke and pyrotechnics on October 16, 2021.
Atlas Cafe on Alabama in the Mission — patio seating, solid neighborhood coffee, sandwiches, and Saturday comedy.
Noise Pop Mission Block Party in San Francisco. Live music, street festival, and neighborhood crowds.
A red brick SFFD fire station at Mission Rock stands out against the glass towers going up around it on the waterfront.
Fleet Week returned to San Francisco on Oct. 9–10, 2021 after a COVID cancellation — Blue Angels over the bay, best viewed from Marina Green or Crissy Field.
The company said retail theft at its San Francisco stores has risen to five times the chain's average. Mayor London Breed calls for action.
Initially we intended to do the drywall by ourselves since we had more patching to do than full drywall work.
Killiney Kopitiam in Palo Alto. Singaporean cafe chain serving laksa, Hainanese pork chop rice, and char kway teow.
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse closed its Larkin Street shop during the pandemic, while the bakery's Singapore location remained open.
SFPD towed a Pittsburg man's car after photos showed it doing donuts and a sideshow in the Mission District on Sept. 19 — part of a wider Bay Area crackdown.
We finished the electrical rough-in and had the San Francisco building inspector sign an OK-to-close.
Richmond District shops and markets. Asian supermarkets, gachapon machines, fabric stores, and where to find Singaporean ingredients.
UC Berkeley's David Card and Stanford's Guido Imbens shared the 2021 economics Nobel for work on labor markets and causal inference from real-world data.
This is a pretty cute and kind reminder to be courteous to our neighbors. There have been some less considerate dog owners of late.
A renovated Queen Anne Victorian at 1161 York St in the Mission, listed at $3.495M, with a garage and a short walk to 24th Street.
Graffiti or art?: Even the US Citizenship and Immigration Service isn’t spared from graffiti.
The Daily Show labeled San Luis Obispo as San Francisco on a California map — a small mixup that says a lot about how the state gets flattened on national TV.
Vermont Street bends beside McKinley Square on Potrero Hill, with tighter turns, fewer visitors, and less polish than Lombard Street.
Corona Heights Park above the Castro: short steep climb, panoramic city views, fog on cue, and fewer crowds than Dolores.
It’s so festive today. I have the privilege of watching fireworks with so many neighbors! Feeling festive and grateful today!
Maiko matcha soft serve in Japantown. Matcha float with ice cream and tea. Good quality matcha.
SFFD fire truck responded to call at Mission and 26th Street intersection. June 2021.
A Mission District utility pole turns a clear blue sky into a web of overhead wires.
A bronze dog statue sits beside an abandoned blue suitcase on a Mission District sidewalk — an odd, oddly touching scene.
Street murals in the Mission District. Here Collective warehouse art on Florida Street.
Demo day: removing a disused wood stove chimney, wainscoting, old sink, and two layers of kitchen flooring — including linoleum — to level it with the hallway.
California poppies bloomed in our San Francisco garden. Bright orange flowers popped up in late April.
This is what it looked like before we did our demolition. Dust was the biggest concern. The old chimney took up a whole corner and served no purpose.
Most people drive past ZSFG on the 101 and don't think much about it. Getting a vaccine here puts you on the ground floor.
First COVID vaccine at Zuckerberg SF General. Queue number 242, two hours outside, Pfizer-BioNTech. April 2021.
Saint Frank on Polk Street is a spare Russian Hill espresso bar — Synesso machine, quiet room, good midday shot.
The View Lounge sits on the 39th floor of the Marriott Marquis on 4th Street in SoMa. My girlfriend and I went up on a Friday evening in August.
My wife and I walked the Lands End Trail from Sutro Baths to the Eagle's Point labyrinth, with Golden Gate Bridge views most of the way.