Lose Yourself in the City

If you’ve lived in San Francisco for more than a minute, you know it’s a small town. Not just geographically, but also psychologically: We see the same people, go to the same stores, and drive the same routes over and over. But this intimacy is also a blessing. It means that you can get to know the city in more detail than you could some huge megalopolis — with much less driving. Get lost in L.A. and you’re screwed; get lost in S.F. and you stumble on a friendly neighborhood you never noticed before, a tiny park big enough for only two people, a cheeky art gallery, a low-key place to play darts, a new hot dog stand, an old favorite ice cream shop, a members-only club, maybe a store selling something you never knew you needed, like cheesecake lollipops or frogs. Another way to find your way around the city is to read this, our 11th annual Best of San Francisco® issue, which is filled with every one of those discoveries — and hundreds more. Here you’ll find the best places to play, shop, eat, and drink, along with descriptions of some of the people and services that make San Francisco different from any other spot in the world. Consider the paper you hold in your hands a roadmap to hidden S.F. Come on, let’s get lost.

Readers' Polls (PDF Format)
People & Places
Sports & Recreation
Shopping & Services
Food & Drink
Arts & Entertainment