There are some simple truths about San Francisco: You must come to the city hungry, and you must make time to gaze out at the Pacific Ocean.
Everything else is up to you. To help you decide what to do during AAO 2019, San Francisco-based young ophthalmologists share their insider secrets on the best their city has to offer, from champagne brunch at the Cliff House to sampling dishes in the city’s culturally and ethnically diverse neighborhoods.
They all recommended visiting the city’s fine museums, including the de Young Museum, Palace of Fine Arts, Legion of Honor and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Here’s what else they have to share.
Catherine Sun, MD
Medical School: UC San Francisco
Residency: UC San Francisco
Fellowship: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
October is my favorite month in SF, since fall brings some of our sunniest days. If it’s your first time to the city, I’d recommend picking out a few neighborhoods to check out. As you’ll soon find out, our neighborhoods have microclimates, so don’t forget to bring a jacket.
A must for any first-timer to SF. Here are some places to visit:
- The iconic Ferry Building is a great place to sample eats and pick up souvenirs. There’s Blue Bottle Coffee, Cowgirl Creamery (cheese), The Slanted Door (modern Vietnamese cuisine) to name just a few. I’d recommend heading there Saturday to catch the outdoor farmer’s market too.
- Boudin Bakery for classic clam chowder in a bread bowl.
- Alcatraz Island Tour: You’ve heard about the penitentiary on Alcatraz Island, you’ve seen “The Rock.” Tour tickets actually sell out in advance so be sure to reserve them online.
- Lombard Street: Experience the “crookedest street in the world.”
- Ghirardelli Square is home to the famous Ghirardelli chocolate. It's pretty touristy but where else can you get an Earthquake sundae? Be sure to share with friends as it comes with eight scoops of ice cream, eight toppings and more.
- You can walk/run/bike across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County and catch the ferry back from Sausalito with your bike. If you’re into history, check out Fort Point, which is located under the bridge and offers great views.
It’s one of the most culturally diverse and vibrant neighborhoods in SF and considered the center of Latino community. It’s also home to Dolores Park, the Mission burrito, hipsters and some of the best food in the city (be prepared to wait in line though).
More food options by category:
- Coffee/tea/pastries: Tartine Bakery, Stonemill Matcha, Samovar Teahouse
- Lunch and dinner: Farmhouse Kitchen (Thai food in a super lively setting), Flour + Water (Italian), Lers Ros (Thai), Burma Love, Souvla (Greek), Lolo (Mexican), Shizen (vegan sushi), Lazy Bear (need reservations, pricey)
- Ice cream: Bi-Rite, Humphry Slocombe, Garden Creamery (my favorite)
- Snacks: Dandelion Chocolate, Boba Guys
- Drinks: El Techo (rooftop bar), Beehive, Trick Dog, Blondie’s
If you’ve had too much of downtown SF and want an escape, come here! It’s a great place to walk, run, meditate, but beware of swimming or surfing in Ocean Beach (dangerous rip currents and it’s freezing). Here are some highlights:
Here are some food options, from chill to fancy:
Meron Haile, MD
Medical School: UC San Francisco
Residency: California Pacific Medical Center
Come to San Francisco hungry!
There’s something for everyone, with lots of vegetarian/vegan friendly spots, one of the best being Gracias Madre. It’s a vegan menu but meat eaters love it too. My favorite casual Tex-Mex spot has to be West of Pecos in the Mission district of the city. Definitely order the cornbread skillet, but share it with a friend.
Grab a drink ahead of dinner or after wrapping up a meal at Dosa (try the Peony, deelish!).
Bubble tea, anyone? Boba Guys. If you’re a sucker for a stunning view, you can’t miss Top of the Mark. If you’re short on time and hate making decisions, try a bit of everything at Soma StrEat Food Park. Lastly, Salt & Straw has the best ice cream, hands down, but don’t wait for sunny weather in SF to enjoy a cone.
Shopping
Haight Street has lots of funky unique spots, and it always draws an eclectic crowd. Thrift stores and high-end boutiques share walls. There’s no other place like it. It’s also a great place for music lovers (Amoeba), window-shopping and people-watching. Union Square is where you can find all the larger department stores, probably not worth visiting for shopping since you’ll have most of those places in your hometown. Hayes Valley and Union Street are better places to visit if you like smaller local boutiques.
Entertainment and Culture
Museum lovers can’t go wrong with California Academy of Sciences and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Check out the views at the Salesforce Tower observation deck for a newer vantage point not yet experienced by many. Tours on the 61st floor require a signup months in advance, but you can stroll through the nearby rooftop garden without advance signup.
Cobb’s Comedy Club in North Beach is the place to go if you want a good laugh. Dolores Park is a cool spot to have a picnic and sunbathe (what we call here “fogbathe”). Brave enough for karaoke? Go to the Mint. If you’d rather witness a JAW-DROPPING performance and support our transgender community at the same time, you will not regret paying a visit to Asia SF. It’s soooo San Francisco.
Davin Ashraf, MD
Medical School: UCLA School of Medicine
Residency: UC San Francisco
San Francisco’s best asset is its hilly bay setting. Go see the spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge from China Beach or sunset city views from Twin Peaks.
Our parks are world-class as well, especially Golden Gate Park (which is not the large park closest to the bridge -- that’s the Presidio). The neighborhoods each have their own flavors, so I’ve included restaurants from all over the city. I encourage you to venture beyond the Moscone Center and given them a try!
Eat
Breakfast: Zazie, Lokma, Samovar Tea (multiple locations), Craftsman and Wolves
Lunch: Wander the Ferry Building, discover a food truck at Spark Social, try a “Mission Burrito” in the Mission, get the pizza of the day at Arizmendi (multiple locations)
Dinner: Burma Superstar, Farmhouse Thai, Mourad, Elephant Sushi, Souvla (various locations)
Drinks: Trick Dog, Bear vs Bull, El Techo, Boba Guys (multiple locations)
Explore
Check out the Japanese Tea Garden or the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. Both are worth the entrance fee. Also visit Presidio and Mission Dolores Parks.
Take a hike at Land’s End, Fort Funston, Coit Tower (urban) and Twin Peaks.
Enjoy a day trip to Napa or Sonoma wine country, Healdsburg, Point Reyes or Stinson Beach.
(My thanks to Ivana Jankovic for helping with these recommendations.)
Michelle Peng, MD
Medical school: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Residency: UC San Francisco
Fellowship: California Pacific Medical Center
Here’s a list of my top hits organized by cuisine. Hope you enjoy!
Asian
Burmese: Burma Superstar, B Star, Mandalay
Chinese: Hong Kong Lounge, Dragon Beaux, Mister Jiu's, House of Pancakes, Yuanbao Jiaozi, San Tung
Japanese: Ebisu, Tsubasa, Hinata, Mensho Tokyo, Hinodeya Ramen Bar, Marufuku Ramen
Thai: Les Ros, Farmhouse Thai, Zen Yai Thai
Italian & Mediterranean
Italian: A Mano, Liguria Bakery, Italian Homemade Co., Freddie's Sandwiches, Tony's Pizza Napoletana
Mediterranean: Noosh, Biet Riema, Kokkari Estiatorio, Oren's Hummus
American & Fusion
American/Fusion: RT Rotisserie, Souvla, The House, Liholiho Yacht Club, Roam Burger
Desserts
B patisserie, Tartine, Arizmendi, Stonemill Matcha, Andytown Coffee, Steep Creamery, Dandelion Chocolates, Salt and Straw, Samovar Tea
Cocktails & Beer
Tonga Room, Blondie's, Smuggler's Cove, Toronado, Trick Dog, The Monk's Kettle, Mikkeller Bar, Barebottle Brewery