We may be a tiny bit biased, but San Francisco is our favorite city. It’s home to Chairish HQ, the famous Golden Gate Bridge, one incredible design community, and so much more. We asked some of our favorite SF locals and top interior designers to share their favorite places to eat, shop, and get inspired, plus the one thing you shouldn’t leave town without doing! Our Design Insider’s Guide to San Francisco is one you’ll want to bookmark, whether you’re rediscovering the city you call home or planning a visit to the City by the Bay!
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Where to Stay
“The rooms at The Battery are my ‘go to’ when recommending a small, boutique hotel. Membership not required. Guests get the benefit of a clubby hotel & bar in a cozy, warm environment, and the location is very central to great restaurants (Cotogna, Leo’s Oyster Bar, Tosca) and shopping in Jackson Square.” —Susan Greenleaf
“Kabuki Hotel. Great location, reasonably priced and a unique experience.” —Katie Martinez
“The St. Regis is at the center of just about everything, has gorgeous rooms and a perfect lobby for meeting friends for cocktails.” —Martha Angus
“Cavallo Point.” —Catherine Kwong
Where to Eat & Drink
“Probably a 3-way tie between Zuni for the bread salad and matchstick fries, Cala on Fell Street for the black bean sopes and trout tostadas, and OTD for the lemongrass tofu and fried chicken with siracha butter.” —Susan Greenleaf
“Outerlands.” —Katie Martinez
“In Situ on the ground floor of SFMOMA is mind-blowingly creative. My fav dish is The Forest 32 which looks exactly like something you would find in the forest but tastes amazing. So creative!” —Martha Angus.
“Saru Sushi.” —Catherine Kwong
Where to Get Your Culture Fix
“Would most definitely include The Heath Building encompassing of course, Heath Ceramics, as well as Tartine Manufactory and the PlayMountain pop-up. Design, art, food…perfect combination.” —Susan Greenleaf
“Minnesota Street Project.” —Katie Martinez
“SF Museum of Modern Art, which is next door to the St. Regis. The museum has an amazing collection! This is not to be missed and is my idea of heaven.” —Martha Angus
Where To Go For Vintage Goodies
“Locally, Stuff, on Valencia. There are a few very small spots throughout the city that I comb through for objet and small pieces of furniture but patience and frequency required.” —Susan Greenleaf
“Alameda Flea Market, but you have to get there really early.” —Martha Angus
“The Perish Trust.” —Catherine Kwong
Where To People Watch
“Pretty much everywhere. Big sunglasses beneficial.” —Susan Greenleaf
“Dolores Park.” —Katie Martinez
“Saturday morning at the Ferry Building Farmers Market.” —Martha Angus
Where To Get Inspired
“Any form of travel is the absolute best. Travel makes me very open to new ideas as well as provides them, be it domestic or further abroad. Closer to home, inspiration comes in the form of magazines — I read everything from shelter, lifestyle, fashion, food.” —Susan Greenleaf
“Lands End Trail & SFMOMA.” —Katie Martinez
“John Berggruen Gallery and then hop over to Gagosian next door. Best galleries in town.” —Martha Angus
Don’t Leave Town Without…
“Watching the sunset from the opposite side of the Golden Gate Bridge toward Marin Headlands. Looking back toward the city from that vantage point is stunning.” —Susan Greenleaf
“Exploring the Presidio and stopping at Baker Beach.” —Katie Martinez
“Walking from Crissy Field all the way to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge and back for some of the most breathtaking views in town.” —Martha Angus
Huge thanks to our San Francisco experts and be sure to check out their amazing work!