San FranciscoLike a Local
San Francisco has many iconic sights, but it's worth getting a local perspective. See it as the locals do to help plan your next trip.
Looking for an insider's guide to San Francisco? Hear directly from our locals to help you explore the city, with tips on what to do, where to eat and drink, where to find nightlife hotspots and learn why they left their heart here. Whether you're a first-timer or a return visitor, there is no better resource to plan your trip than from our locals. They are ready to share their insider tips.
Heart of the City
Heart of
The City
San Francisco is as Tony Bennett famously sang, where you'll leave your heart; but in exploring our city through the eyes, the work, and the experiences of our locals, you just might find your heart, too.
ExploreFor Castro residents, the only thing more inspiring than the neighborhood’s storied past is its wide-open future. Find out how you can be part of it.
If you think you know San Francisco’s Chinatown, think again. Exciting new community spaces are giving visitors more reasons to explore.
Opens in new windowExperience San Francisco's Japantown—a neighborhood where east meets west and old meets new—through the eyes of its business owners.
In the eyes of its residents, if you haven’t visited the Mission, then you haven’t really visited San Francisco. Start your journey here.
Meet some of the people working hard to maintain the culture and character of North Beach, one of San Francisco’s oldest neighborhoods.
No neighborhood embodies San Francisco’s ethos of innovation better than SoMa. Take it from the people who live and work there.
San Francisco’s Bayview may be the city’s best kept secret. Let the artists and entrepreneurs making waves in this community welcome you to the neighborhood.
For Castro residents, the only thing more inspiring than the neighborhood’s storied past is its wide-open future. Find out how you can be part of it.
If you think you know San Francisco’s Chinatown, think again. Exciting new community spaces are giving visitors more reasons to explore.
Opens in new windowExperience San Francisco's Japantown—a neighborhood where east meets west and old meets new—through the eyes of its business owners.
In the eyes of its residents, if you haven’t visited the Mission, then you haven’t really visited San Francisco. Start your journey here.
Meet some of the people working hard to maintain the culture and character of North Beach, one of San Francisco’s oldest neighborhoods.
No neighborhood embodies San Francisco’s ethos of innovation better than SoMa. Take it from the people who live and work there.
San Francisco’s Bayview may be the city’s best kept secret. Let the artists and entrepreneurs making waves in this community welcome you to the neighborhood.
For Castro residents, the only thing more inspiring than the neighborhood’s storied past is its wide-open future. Find out how you can be part of it.
If you think you know San Francisco’s Chinatown, think again. Exciting new community spaces are giving visitors more reasons to explore.
Opens in new windowExperience San Francisco's Japantown—a neighborhood where east meets west and old meets new—through the eyes of its business owners.
In the eyes of its residents, if you haven’t visited the Mission, then you haven’t really visited San Francisco. Start your journey here.
Meet some of the people working hard to maintain the culture and character of North Beach, one of San Francisco’s oldest neighborhoods.
I Am
San Francisco
Through beautiful photos and powerful voices, individuals have made San Francisco their home. Let them tell, in their own words, why they love – and are – San Francisco.
Hear All Their VoicesMelinda Yee Franklin traces her lineage to her great-grandfather, who migrated from China. After successful political roles in Washington, D.C., there is no place other than SF that she’d rather...
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Romulo Melo began training in Jiu-Jitsu at 11. He swept through his new home, SF, soaking up each new experience as precisely as he executed his Jiu-Jitsu technique.
Nya Cruz, one of the Ladies performing at AsiaSF, is a prominent member of San Francisco’s transgender community and celebrates the melting pot that keeps life interesting in SF.
Born in Islamabad, Pakistan, Ayman Nadeem came to San Francisco via Canada. Growing up Muslim in a post-9/11 United States, she works to build bridges with her voice and her pen.
A photographer who works without a camera, Ron Moultrie Saunders is a founder of the 3.9 Art Collective.
As an employee of one of the largest management consulting firms on the planet, Nick Whittlesey counters a daunting workload with surf sessions at San Francisco’s famous Ocean Beach.
Mel Lopez and Joyce Conway founded B.L.U.D. (Bitches Liven Up Dinner). Their monthly pop-up dinners are Instagram favorites and have a following.
Ellis is a gripman for San Francisco’s iconic cable cars. He is also a football coach. From Nob Hill to the 50-yard line, Ellis offers a unique perspective on SF.
Opens in new windowMelinda Yee Franklin traces her lineage to her great-grandfather, who migrated from China. After successful political roles in Washington, D.C., there is no place other than SF that she’d rather...
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Romulo Melo began training in Jiu-Jitsu at 11. He swept through his new home, SF, soaking up each new experience as precisely as he executed his Jiu-Jitsu technique.
Nya Cruz, one of the Ladies performing at AsiaSF, is a prominent member of San Francisco’s transgender community and celebrates the melting pot that keeps life interesting in SF.
Born in Islamabad, Pakistan, Ayman Nadeem came to San Francisco via Canada. Growing up Muslim in a post-9/11 United States, she works to build bridges with her voice and her pen.
A photographer who works without a camera, Ron Moultrie Saunders is a founder of the 3.9 Art Collective.
As an employee of one of the largest management consulting firms on the planet, Nick Whittlesey counters a daunting workload with surf sessions at San Francisco’s famous Ocean Beach.
Mel Lopez and Joyce Conway founded B.L.U.D. (Bitches Liven Up Dinner). Their monthly pop-up dinners are Instagram favorites and have a following.
Ellis is a gripman for San Francisco’s iconic cable cars. He is also a football coach. From Nob Hill to the 50-yard line, Ellis offers a unique perspective on SF.
Opens in new windowMelinda Yee Franklin traces her lineage to her great-grandfather, who migrated from China. After successful political roles in Washington, D.C., there is no place other than SF that she’d rather...
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Romulo Melo began training in Jiu-Jitsu at 11. He swept through his new home, SF, soaking up each new experience as precisely as he executed his Jiu-Jitsu technique.
Nya Cruz, one of the Ladies performing at AsiaSF, is a prominent member of San Francisco’s transgender community and celebrates the melting pot that keeps life interesting in SF.
Born in Islamabad, Pakistan, Ayman Nadeem came to San Francisco via Canada. Growing up Muslim in a post-9/11 United States, she works to build bridges with her voice and her pen.
How I See
San Francisco
If you want to have a truly genuine San Francisco experience, then you have to consult the experts: our friendly locals. Knowledgable, passionate, and always ready with a recommendation for what to do, see, or eat, San Franciscans of all types have b
See All ArticlesOpens in new windowSee San Francisco through the eyes of the enterprising Catherine Liang, the current Miss San Francisco.
One of the stars of "Dear San Francisco" was born and raised here. We asked Devin Henderson what he loves about the City by the Bay.
Kayla Abe is working to end hunger while also protecting our climate. We asked her about her favorite things in San Francisco.
Looking for a curated cannabis experience? Look no further than Posh Green, a new boutique by San Francisco local Reese Benton.
We asked artist Emma Keenan-Grice where she finds inspiration in SF, as well as what she thinks every visitor should do during their stay.
Joey Yee shares his love of San Francisco in his many videos. We asked him what every visitor should experience in the City by the Bay.
Alyssa Nakken is the first full-time female coach in Major League Baseball. We asked her what she loves most about San Francisco.
Whether in the lab, on the beach, or at his favorite neighborhood haunts, Sean Vidal Edgerton knows how to connect in the City by the Bay.
See San Francisco through the eyes of the enterprising Catherine Liang, the current Miss San Francisco.
One of the stars of "Dear San Francisco" was born and raised here. We asked Devin Henderson what he loves about the City by the Bay.
Kayla Abe is working to end hunger while also protecting our climate. We asked her about her favorite things in San Francisco.
Looking for a curated cannabis experience? Look no further than Posh Green, a new boutique by San Francisco local Reese Benton.
We asked artist Emma Keenan-Grice where she finds inspiration in SF, as well as what she thinks every visitor should do during their stay.
Joey Yee shares his love of San Francisco in his many videos. We asked him what every visitor should experience in the City by the Bay.
Alyssa Nakken is the first full-time female coach in Major League Baseball. We asked her what she loves most about San Francisco.
Whether in the lab, on the beach, or at his favorite neighborhood haunts, Sean Vidal Edgerton knows how to connect in the City by the Bay.
See San Francisco through the eyes of the enterprising Catherine Liang, the current Miss San Francisco.
One of the stars of "Dear San Francisco" was born and raised here. We asked Devin Henderson what he loves about the City by the Bay.
Kayla Abe is working to end hunger while also protecting our climate. We asked her about her favorite things in San Francisco.
Looking for a curated cannabis experience? Look no further than Posh Green, a new boutique by San Francisco local Reese Benton.
Follow the beats of a local DJ to see San Francisco his way.
Meet Serge Gay, Jr., an artist whose work can be seen all over San Francisco, and learn about his favorite things in the city.
Alyssa Nakken is the first full-time female coach in Major League Baseball. We asked her what she loves most about San Francisco.
Meet some of the incredible San Francisco women who are breaking boundaries and pushing artistic expression to the limit.
Joey Yee shares his love of San Francisco in his many videos. We asked him what every visitor should experience in the City by the Bay.
Experience San Francisco's vibrant nightlife scene with recommendations from DJ Viceroy.
Explore San Francisco Chef Dominque Crenn's favorites near Atelier Crenn.
We asked artist Emma Keenan-Grice where she finds inspiration in SF, as well as what she thinks every visitor should do during their stay.
Follow the beats of a local DJ to see San Francisco his way.
Meet Serge Gay, Jr., an artist whose work can be seen all over San Francisco, and learn about his favorite things in the city.
Alyssa Nakken is the first full-time female coach in Major League Baseball. We asked her what she loves most about San Francisco.
Meet some of the incredible San Francisco women who are breaking boundaries and pushing artistic expression to the limit.
Joey Yee shares his love of San Francisco in his many videos. We asked him what every visitor should experience in the City by the Bay.
Experience San Francisco's vibrant nightlife scene with recommendations from DJ Viceroy.
Explore San Francisco Chef Dominque Crenn's favorites near Atelier Crenn.
We asked artist Emma Keenan-Grice where she finds inspiration in SF, as well as what she thinks every visitor should do during their stay.
Follow the beats of a local DJ to see San Francisco his way.
Meet Serge Gay, Jr., an artist whose work can be seen all over San Francisco, and learn about his favorite things in the city.
Alyssa Nakken is the first full-time female coach in Major League Baseball. We asked her what she loves most about San Francisco.
Meet some of the incredible San Francisco women who are breaking boundaries and pushing artistic expression to the limit.
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