Real Guides: San Francisco, California by Jeff Kaminsky
The sourdough pizza king and SF native shares his insider tips.
Many moons ago I was eating way too much baguette on the streets of Paris with a guy named Jeff Kaminsky from San Francisco. Our mutual love of carbs set a strong foundation for our friendship. Once we graduated from baguettes to pizza I knew we were in it for the long haul.
Jeff is a multi-talented friend of mine with excellent taste. He can tell you what to eat and where to eat most anywhere on this planet. He always knows the next thing (first) and is happy to share it. He is also a master of sourdough, creating his very own style of San Franciscan sourdough pizzas.
San Francisco’s sourdough king has kindly shared his guide to his hometown below. Whilst this intro was carb heavy, this guide will show you San Francisco is a lot more than sourdough.
San Francisco, California by Jeff Kaminsky
Hi, I'm Jeff Kaminsky. Currently doing the 2nd year of my MBA at NYU. When I'm not in school, I love to travel and show off San Francisco. I'm interested in food, entrepreneurship and startups, and thinking about the future. If you liked these recs, feel free to reach out: jeff@jeffk.io
To eat
House of Prime Rib - When you think of classic SF dining experiences, House of Prime Rib has to be at the top. This place does over 500 covers in a night and for good reason. The prime rib is some of the best in America and the atmosphere is even better than meat. When you sit down, you feel taken care of and the menu feels like a baptism ritual that's been performed for hundreds of thousands. Don't fill up on sourdough. I go corn over spinach. I go mashed over baked potato. Those are the only decisions you'll have to make besides your cut of meat. If you're in the mood, order an old fashioned and they'll leave the shaker. Please don't order the fish...
Arsicault - The best croissants in the world. I am prepared to battle in the comments. My preference is the ham and cheese and chocolate almond.
State Bird Provisions - While it's been quite sometime since its james beard award and opening, state bird is a dining experience that I think encapsulates what makes the San Francisco dining unique special. Dishes are brought around on dim sum carts – an homage to another quintessential San Francisco dining experience.
La Taqueria - Ranked best burrito in America by 538. But if you ask any local they could have told you that years before.
To drink
Trick Dog - The only thing more creative than the drinks are the menus themselves at Trick Dog. Past themes include the Joy of Cocktails and Museum of Modern Art with cocktails matching the theme. If you're hungry the food isn't bad either. Going out here will put you in a good spot to go out in the mission. Check out Make Out Room for dancing.
Li Po Cocktail Lounge - Tiki dive bars are kind of San Francisco's thing. This is a place where you can get properly wasted.
Smuggler’s Cove - Another excellent bar that's serves James Beard award winning cocktails. If you go out here, it puts you in a good spot to bar hop around Hayes Valley. You can check out a jazz club nearby or personal favorite, Anina.
Bar Part Time - If you're Gen Z and want to dance to the coolest house DJ's while drinking a bottle of natural wine.
Madrone Art Bar - If you're reading this, you might be too old to go out dancing at Madrones but fuck it, life is too short.
To buy
Heath Ceramics - Some of the most gorgeous ceramics available. It's fun to just go there and just look at the ceramics. Great place to pick up a gift home. While there are locations in San Francisco, I recommend traveling to the Sausalito location which has beautiful views in SF and is a great place to walk around and hang out. Grab lunch at Fish nearby. Bonus points if you bike there across the bridge.
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers - A book store that goes back to the days of the Beat Poets in North Beach.
Haight St - If you're into thrifting and vintage shopping, I recommend walking along Haight St. for a day. It's also where the Summer of Love movement was born.
To stay
Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights - I recommend staying out of the downtown area. This hotel is in a very nice area.
Hayes Valley - I love Hayes Valley for its proximity to everything. You're in the heart of it and nearby wonderful bakeries, restaurants, bars, and public transportation.
Pacific Heights - If you're not staying in Hotel Drisco, try to stay in an Airbnb in Pac Heights.
To see
Ferry Building - The Ferry Building was renovated into a wonderful food emporium in 2005. It is home to a wonderful farmers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and most notably, on Saturdays. You will find some of the best producers from all over Northern California selling fruits, veggies, and prepared food items.
Golden Gate Park - Golden Gate Park was designed by the same designer as Central Park but doesn't get nearly the same love. I find that it's best to check out the De Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, and then try to wander the park: check out the rose gardens, botanical gardens, buffalo, and everything in between.
Giants Game - Even if you're not a baseball fan, Oracle Park is a lovely place to spend an evening. Grab some garlic fries, a crazy crab sandwich, and make sure you get a seat with a view of the bay.
Lands End Walk - It's slightly more challenging than a walk, not challenging enough to be a hike but Lands End is pound for pound one of the best trails in America. You'll be treated with a view of the Golden Gate nearly throughout (so long as Karl the Fog cooperates). [Note from the editor: this was my favourite thing I did when I visited San Francisco earlier this year!]
Photographs by Jeff Kaminsky and Alessandra De Costanzo.
Side note: SF has had a lot of a bad press lately. While it is still an incredible city, I do have a few tips as to what not to do. I would advise avoiding Tenderloin and certain parts of Soma. While improving, car break-ins are still very common. Do not leave anything, not even a charger, in your car. Or even in the trunk. Thieves can spot rentals.
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