A guide to local favorites in Hayes Valley San Francisco
Before Hayes Valley was packed with trendy shops and restaurants, it was bisected by a piece of the Central Freeway, which divided the neighborhood into swanky and sketchy. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the road, spelling the end of the overpass and a new era for this central San Francisco neighborhood, where today, a public park, outdoor beer garden and boulevard lined with modern architecture have replaced the old highway.
Meet your local
Sarah has lived in San Francisco since 2015. She’s a Boston native who crossed the river for college and spent seven years in Las Vegas before finally heading west. She loves the sourdough and misses the bagels.
sarahfeldberg thefeldsWant to get in touch? Email bytheway@washpost.com
Where I live:
Noe Valley — a laid-back neighborhood where the microclimate is predominantly sunny and you may recognize the local church from “Sister Act.”
Best way to get around the city:
BART trains will zip you north and south, but to venture beyond the central corridor you’ll need to hop on the Muni system.
Don’t leave without having:
An iconic view from atop one of San Francisco’s many hills. My pick: Bernal Heights, where you can see bits of both bridges and the city spreads beneath you like a carpet.
But the local favorite is really:
Golden Gate Park. Spanning more than 1,000 acres, San Francisco’s answer to Central Park is home to museums, a Japanese tea garden, Dutch windmills, miles of trail and a resident herd of buffalo.
If I moved, I’d most miss:
The food. From Mission burritos to Michelin-starred fine dining, the culinary scene is worth a visit all by itself.
Hayes Valley
Suppenkuche
It’s always a good time inside this raucous German wirtshaus. Grab a seat at a communal table, order a plate of schnitzel and feel transported to Europe, if only for an hour.
Suppenkuche, 525 Laguna St. San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Fig & Thistle
Tucked into a narrow alley, Fig & Thistle specializes in natural wines made without additives and served without attitude. Let the laid-back staff guide you to pours that range from easily palatable to seriously funky.
Fig & Thistle, 313 Ivy St. San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Cala
The chef behind Mexico City’s Contramar, Gabriela Camara serves inventive, seafood-focused Mexican food at this restaurant with greenhouse vibes. Come in for dinner, or pop around the corner for lunch at the Tacos Cala window.
Cala, 149 Fell St. San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Proxy SF
A flexible community space at the center of Hayes Valley, Proxy SF hosts cafes and shops in repurposed shipping containers and free public movies where you can BYO picnic blanket and snacks. Consult the online calendar for what’s on deck.
Proxy SF, 432 Octavia St. San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Azalea
San Francisco’s destination for “norm-cool” fashion features independent designers and international favorites like Grey City, Nili Lotan and Komono.
Azalea, 411 Hayes St. San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Smitten Ice Cream
Born on a Red Flyer wagon in city parks, this local chain serves ice cream churned to order using liquid nitrogen. The result is velvety smooth scoops in simple flavors that taste incomparably fresh.
Smitten Ice Cream, 432 Octavia St. San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Linden Room
Behind an unmarked red door, you’ll find a chef-owned den of drinking that feels like being in on a secret. Here in-the-know locals sip “spirituous” (read: boozy) and “seasonal” (read: fruity) cocktails, and the vibe feels like being in a friend’s very cool living room.
Linden Room, 292 Linden St. San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Sarah Feldberg
Sarah has lived in San Francisco since 2015. She’s a Boston native who crossed the river for college and spent seven years in Las Vegas before finally heading west. She loves the sourdough and misses the bagels.
@sarahfeldberg @thefeldsJustin Kaneps
Justin is a contributing photographer for The Washington Post. An East Coast native, Justin has been based in San Francisco for the past seven years. When he’s not on a shoot, you can find him eating pasta and drinking negronis in North Beach at Tosca Cafe.
@Justinkaneps
