San Francisco - Around Town : The North Shoreline (part 2) - Wharf Area Shops, Places to Eat

A Bike Ride through the Presidio

Beginning at the Visitor Information Center, where you can pick up an excellent map, first explore the Main Post. Here you can ride around the Parade Ground, see the Presidio’s earliest surviving buildings, dating from the 1860s, as well as 18th-century Spanish adobe wall fragments in the former Officers’ Club.

Exit the area on Sheridan, which takes you past the Spanish Colonial Revival-style Golden Gate Club, and turn left onto Lincoln, which winds around the National Military Cemetery. Turn right on McDowell; on the left you see the Colonial Revival Cavalry Barracks. The African-American “Buffalo Soldiers” were stationed here from 1902 to 1904.

Now go past the five brick Stables, off to both the left and the right, and stop at the quirky Pet Cemetery on the left, where post guard dogs are buried, and also family pets. Next, head under Highway 101 to encounter Stilwell Hall, built in 1921 as enlisted barracks and a mess hall for the airmen; turn left to take in the metal Aerodrome Hangars from the same era; then proceed on and pause at Crissy Field to admire the views.

Double back at this point, take the next left down toward the Bay and join the Golden Gate Promenade all the way out to Fort Point where you can experience the Golden Gate Bridge and the crashing waves of the Pacific up close and personal.

Wharf Area Shops

Places to Eat

1. Gary Danko

   The French-American menu allows you to create your own mix ‘n’ match fixed-price selection. If you don’t have a reservation, head for the bar, where you can order anything on the menu.

   • 800 North Point St at Hyde

   • 415 749 2060

   • Dis. access

2. Alioto’s

   This first-rate restaurant serves Sicilian and seafood dishes in an old-style interior. There are great views over the Golden Gate Bridge.

   • 8 Fisherman’s Wharf

   • 415 673 0183

   • Dis. access

3. Ana Mandara

   An exotic eatery with a touch of Las Vegas pizzazz. The food is Indo-Chinese and delicious.

   • 891 Beach St at Polk

   • 415 771 6800

   • Dis. access

   

   Ana Mandara

4. Isa

   The tiny dining room of this Marina discovery is also the kitchen. The concept is nouvelle French tapas, so portions are petite but exquisite.

   • 3324 Steiner St between Chestnut and Lombard

   • 415 567 9588

   • Dis. access

5. A16

   An authentic southern Italian dining experience that’s worth dressing up for 

   • 2355 Chestnut St

   • 415 771 2216

   • Dis. access

6. Greens

   Two decades of inventive vegetarian dishes plus panoramas add up to a treat .

   Fort Mason Center

   • Buchanan St, Building A

   • 415 771 6222

   • Dis. access

7. The Mandarin

   Opened in 1968, Northern Chinese cuisine is served in this popular restaurant with fine Bay Area views.

   Ghirardelli Sq

   • 900 North Point St

   • 415 673 8812

8. Scoma’s

   A Fisherman’s Wharf seafood tradition since 1965. Enjoy the cracked crab roasted in garlic and olive oil.

   • Pier 47 on A1 Scoma Way

   • 415 771 4383

   • Dis. access

9. Grandeho’s Kamekyo

   Japanese food at its best. Sushi of all sorts.

   • 2721 Hyde St between Beach and North Point

   • 415 673 6828

   • Dis. access

10. The Buena Vista Café

    This café claims to have invented Irish coffee. The menu features classic American dishes.

    • 2765 Hyde St

    • 415 474 5044

    • Dis. access