Top Six Things to Do in the Richmond District

When I moved from the Haight to the Richmond District, my party friends thought that my life was over. There's nothing to do there! You're moving to suburbia! they joked, and said that I would never see them again. Little did they know that the Richmond District is far from boring. This area of San Francisco is a thriving neighborhood filled with great restaurants, ethnic stores selling every kind of food imaginable, funky little coffee houses and the most breathtaking, classic views in nearly all of San Francisco. The Richmond District is informally divided into two halves: the Inner Richmond, which starts at Masonic and runs west to 25th Avenue, and the Outer Richmond, which goes from 25th to the Pacific. The Inner Richmond is known as New Chinatown, a noisy place where there's no parking, commercial businesses and homes are crammed into every square foot. It's busy and fun, and many of the best bars are located there. But if you're seeking more solitude and a slower pace of life, the Outer Richmond is the place to head to. I loved living there because it was one of the few places in the city with breathing room. Homes have tiny little yards and space between them, there are more green spaces and hills, and I could hear foghorns bellowing and the ocean waves through my bedroom window. Like most San Francisco neighborhoods, great places to eat, drink and hang out were all located within walking distance. And when I longed for the raucous parties in the Haight, all I needed to do was jump on the Muni for a few minutes. The Richmond is indeed quieter than most San Francisco neighborhoods, but it's still a great place to visit or call home. Don't be afraid of suburban San Francisco; it's more fun than you think!

Trad'r Sam's

Trad'r Sam's is the oldest tiki bar in San Francisco, a divey little shack so filled with memories that they spill out onto the streets along with the tons of patrons who go there every weekend. Trad'r Sam's is one place where time does stand still. Step inside for a trip to Polyenesia and order up an umbrella drink from their long list of cocktails. The dim pink-toned lighting, grass shack booths and fabulous music on the juke box will take your troubles away, if only until you get down to the bottom of the glass. This place gets extremely crowded with weekend partiers getting trashed on sugar drinks, so if you want an authentically romantic tiki bar experience, visit on a weeknight when things are quieter. And if you really want to ... More >

Ton Kiang

Ton Kiang is the kind of well-known and loved restaurant that is so popular, some people just love to hate it. On the one hand you have a crowd that says that Ton Kiang serves up the best dim sum and Chinese food ever, while the other crowd says its lost its authenticity and there are better places around. I personally love the food and the ambiance here. Ton Kiang is a great place to eat dim sum if you've never tried it before. From standard fare like pork buns and shrimp dumplings to more creative offerings like Braised Oxtail Clay Pot, the varieties of these small plate meals are endless. Be advised that on weekend mornings, you'll wait in line unless you get there as soon as they open, but usually not for more than 20 minutes.

The grounds themselves are a work of art, and a fantastic place to spend the afternoon picnicing while looking at the Golden Gate Bridge.

Presidio Park

Long ago Presidio Park was a military stronghold, but today it's the nearly exclusive domain of runners, bikers, dog walkers and ultra healthy San Franciscans who love tackling the hills for exercise or relaxation. Presidio Park lies at the edge of San Francisco and the Pacific, and it's a beautiful place to spend a sunny afternoon or a fog-shrouded wintery day. Drive up to any of the parking areas and start your journey there. The park's coastal trails will meander along all the way to spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge or the sandy shoreline of Baker Beach, while inland trails will point you toward thick forests that shroud you in calmness and peace, taking you far away from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. I used to spend all day running or riding my bike around the Presidio, just getting lost on the mysterious winding roads and single-track trails. If you want solitude, skip Golden Gate Park and head to the Presidio, you're sure to find it here.

California Palace of the legion of Honor

The Palace of the Legion of Honor is one of San Francisco's greatest assets. As one of the greatest art museums in the nation, the Legion of Honor is where you can see over 4,000 years of artwork ranging from prehistoric collections to the most famous European works of art including Rodin's original "The Thinker" bronze sculpture, up close and in person. The grounds themselves are a work of art, and a fantastic place to spend the afternoon picnicing while looking at the Golden Gate Bridge. The Palace is in Lincoln Park at 100 34th Avenue (at Clement Street), and it's just $10 for adult admission. Remember though, that San Francisco has a Free First Tuesdays bargain day, where admission to all city museums is free (special exhibitions e... More >

Pacific Cafe

Pacific Cafe is a Richmond District instution. Any restaurant that's been around for decades is obviously doing something right, and for Pacific Cafe that something extends far beyond the free house wine they pass around to patrons waiting in line for a table. This authentically cozy San Francisco restaurant serves up some of the best seafood cuisine in the city. While the dishes aren't the most innovative, that's OK, because that's not what Pacific Cafe is about. This little low key cafe is all about serving up fresh, tasty fish practically right out of the ocean, with little of the glitz that accompanies the city's trendiest restaurants. You don't hear a lot about it, because Pacific Cafe doesn't need to broadcast its name all over the place. This is the kind of place where locals go to dine when they want to ditch the touristy things about San Francisco and just go out for a darn good meal.

Any restaurant that's been around for decades is obviously doing something right, and for Pacific Cafe that something extends far beyond the free house wine they pass around to patrons waiting in line for a ...

Seal Rock Inn

One of the reasons that the Richmond District seems like suburbia is because it lacks hotels and motels for tourists. However, the Seal Rock Inn is one of few options for travelers and it also happens to be one of the most scenic. Located at the edge of the Richmond where the ocean meets the city, the Seal Rock Inn is a classic motor lodge with quiet rooms, many of which have kitchenettes to help take the sting out of paying for restaurants in San Francisco. The Inn is within walking distance of San Francisco's most scenic oceanfront spots, including the beach, Golden Gate Park, the Cliff House and the Presidio. There's also a few restaurants nearby, incluidng a classic breakfast and lunch oceanfront diner called Lou's, located adjacent to the Sutro Baths ruins. If you stay here, be prepared for a long bus ride into the most popular areas of downtown. While there is adequate bus service running near the hotel, if you don't catch and express bus t can take up to 45 minutes to get into the heart of downtown San Francscisco from this location.

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About the Author

Rene Agredano

Partner, Agreda Communications, and co-founder of Tripawds.com, the world's largest community for three legged dogs and their humans. Seasonal adventure traveler, writer; and seeker of good times, tasty beverages and good people.

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Top Six Things to Do in the Richmond District

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