Guide: San Francisco Day Tour 3
Day Tour 3 includes Church Street, Castro, Noe Valley, 24th Street/Mission, Bernal Heights, and Lower Mission Street.
J-Church Muni Train crossing Duboce Street at Church Street
1 J-Church Muni Train
Take the outbound J-Church train from any of the underground Muni Stations. After coming out of the tunnel, the train will turn on to Church Street and cross Market Street.
Church Street at 16th Street
2 Church Street at 16th Street
One stop past Market Street, exit the train at Church Street and 16th Street.
Morning Due Cafe on 17th Street at Church Street
3 Dining Option: Morning Due Cafe
One block further down Church Street, at 17th Street, Morning Due Cafe offers quickly prepared breakfast items in a casual coffee-shop atmosphere.
Morning Due Cafe is at 3698 17th Street at the corner of Church Street. Phone: 415-621-7156. Website: www.morningduecafe.com.
Chow, on Church Street near Market Street
4 Dining Option: Chow
Back up Church Street towards Market, Chow invites you take your time with breakfast in a neighborhood atmosphere.
Chow is at 215 Church Street between Market and 15th Street. Phone: 415-552-2469. Website: www.chowfoodbar.com.
16th Street at Church Street
5 16th Street West
From Church Street, head west on 16th Street. This would be a right turn on 16th from the direction of the outbound J-Church train you exited.
16th Street at Sanchez Street
6 Cross Sanchez Street
Continue on 16th Street, crossing Sanchez Street.
Market Street at Noe Street
7 Market Street at Noe Street
16th Street meets Market Street where it also intersects with Noe Street. From here, go left on Market Street unless...
Lime, on Market Street between Sanchez and Noe Streets
8 Dining Option: Lime
...Unless it happens to be Saturday after 11am or Sunday after 10:30am and you'd like to try for weekend brunch at Lime, featuring bottomless mimosas. It will be crowded. From Market and Noe, go right on Market half a block.
Lime is at 2247 Market Street between Sanchez and Noe Streets. Phone: 415-621-5256. Website: www.lime-sf.com.
Market Street between Noe and Sanchez
9 Market Street at Castro Street
After going left on Market Street from Noe Street for 1 block, you'll reach the intersection of Castro Street. Go left on to Castro.
Front sign on Castro Theatre
10 Castro Theatre
Just around the corner from Market Street, this gorgeous 1922 movie palace features classic films, themed festivals, and a cinema organist.
The Castro Theatre is at 429 Castro Street, just south of Market. Phone: 415-621-6120. Website: www.castrotheatre.com.
Castro Street at 18th Street
11 Castro Street
Continue down Castro Street toward 18th Street. The rainbow flags prevalent in the Castro represent diversity, inclusiveness, and pride.
Citizen, on Castro Street
12 Shops on Castro Street
Shops of all kinds along Castro Street reflect the style of the neighborhood.
The 24 Divisadero Bus on Castro and 19th Street
13 Divisadero-24 Bus
From Castro Street at 19th Street (or 18th Street), catch the 24-Divisadero bus to go up over the hill toward Noe Valley.
Castro Street at 24th Street
14 24th Street at Castro in Noe Valley
At the bottom of the hill, the bus will cross 24th Street. Exit here and go left (east) on 24th Street.
Shops on 24th Street in Noe Vallley
15 Shops on 24th Street
Continue on 24th Street toward Noe Street. Many of the shops in Noe Valley carry beautiful things for the home.
Chocolate Covered - imported chocolates and gifts
16 Chocolate Covered
This shop features a range of imported chocolates and custom made souvenir tins depicting places in San Francisco.
Chocolate Covered is at 4069 24th Street between Castro and Noe Streets. Phone: 415-641-8123.
24th Street at Noe Street
17 24th Street at Noe Street
Continue on 24th Street past Noe Street.
24th Street at Noe Street
18 Bernie's Coffee Shop
Bernie's is an independent, locally owned coffee shop. 24th street just past Noe.
24th Street at Sanchez Street in Noe Valley
19 24th Street at Sanchez Street
Continue on 24th Street past Sanchez Street.
Crossing Church Street at 24th Street
20 24th Street at Church Street
At Church Street, you'll cross the path of the J-Church Muni line again.
Dolores Street at 24th Street
21 24th Street at Dolores Street
Continue down 24th Street and cross Dolores Street.
Guerrero Street at 24th Street
22 24th Street at Guerrero Street
Down the slope of 24th Street from Dolores, you'll cross Guerero Street.
Papalote Mexican Grill, on 24th Street at Valencia
23 Dining Option: Papalote Mexican Grill
Just before reaching Valencia Street (on the right side), this Mexican Grill is a busy neighborhood favorite featuring a unique roasted salsa recipe.
Papalote is at 3409 24th Street just east of Valencia Street. Phone: 415-970-8815. Website: www.papalote-sf.com.
24th Street at Valencia Street
24 24th Street at Valencia Street
Cross Valencia Street and continue on 24th Street toward Mission Street.
Corner of 24th Street at Mission Street
25 Cross Mission Street and continue on 24th Street
As you cross Mission Street, you'll pass the BART Station on your left and enter a stretch of 24th Street that vibrantly reflects the city's Latino heritage.
Entrance to Balmy Street from 24th Street, between Treat Avenue and Harrison Street
26 Balmy Street at 24th Street
After crossing Shotwell, Folsom, and Treat Avenue, Balmy Street is an alley to the right with a gallery of neighborhood murals.
Balmy Street at 24th Street - a corridor filled with murals
27 Balmy Street Murals
The murals extend from 24th Street to 25th Street. Return to 24th Street after viewing these.
Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream, on Harrison at 24th Street
28 Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream
This neighborhood ice cream shop makes its flavors by hand, and features unique and original ingredient combinations.
Humphry Slocombe is at 2790 Harrison Street just north of 24th Street. Phone: 415-550-6971. Website: www.humphryslocombe.com.
24th Street at Alabama Street
29 24th Street Shops
Some of the shops, bars, and groceries on 24th Street have been here since the 1940s and 50s, when workers from Mexico settled in this area.
Dominguez Mexican Bakery on 24th Street at Alabama
30 Dominguez Bakery
This family-owned bakery has been here since the early days of the neighborhood, and offers traditional Mexican Breads and pastries.
Dominguez Bakery is at 2951 24th Street at Alabama Street. Phone: 415-821-1717.
La Victoria Bakery on 24th Street at Alabama Street
31 Cross Alabama Street
Continue on 24th Street past Alabama Street.
Entrance to the mini-park at 24th Street and York
32 Mini Park on 24th Street near York Street
After crossing Florida and Bryant Streets, you'll reach the Mini Park near York Street on your left.
Snake in the mini-park at 24th Street and York
33 Snake inside 24th/York Mini Park
Inside the park are the Quetzalcoatl Mosaic Snake Sculpture, murals, and a fountain.
St. Francis Diner and Fountain on 24th Street at York
34 Dining Option: St Francis Diner
At the corner of 24th Street and York, the St. Francis Fountain and Diner has operated since 1918. They feature a soda fountain, lunch counter, and candy shop with vintage trading cards.
St. Francis Diner is at 2801 24th Street at York Street. Phone: 415-826-4200. Website: www.stfrancisfountainsf.com.
24th Street at York Street
35 24th Street at York Street
Continue on 24th Street, crossing York Street.
Dynamo Donuts, on 24th Street near York
36 Dynamo Donuts
Just past York Street, on your left, Dynamo Donuts has a counter facing the sidewalk. They serve handmade gourmet donuts with some unusual flavors. Very popular - donuts sometimes sell out by afternoon.
Dynamo Donuts and Coffee is at 2760 24th Street between York and Hampshire Streets. Phone: 415-920-1978. Website: www.dynamodonut.com.
Philz Coffee on 24th Street at Folsom Street
37 Philz Coffee on 24th Street at Folsom
Go back on 24th Street to Folsom Street. It is six blocks from York Street. At the corner of Folsom, Philz Coffee serves coffee custom brewed one cup at a time.
Philz Coffee is at 3101 24th Street at Folsom Street. Phone: 415-875-9370. Website: www.philzcoffee.com.
The 67 bus approaching Folsom Street from 24th Street
38 The 67-Bernal Bus from Folsom at 24th Street
The 67-Bernal bus will come west down 24th Street (from the direction you originally came) and turn the corner on to Folsom Street and stop there. You can board on Folsom Street next to Philz Coffee.
Bus stop on Bradford Street at Bernal Heights Boulevard, near Bernal Hill
39 Bus Stop at Bradford Street and Bernal Heights Boulevard
The 67-Bernal bus goes up the steep hill toward Bernal Heights and stops at Bradford Street and Bernal Heights Boulevard. You may need to request this stop from the driver if no one else is exiting there. It's hard to tell from inside the bus when you've reached the intersection.
Looking towards Bernal Hill from Bradford Street
40 West toward Bernal Hill
From the bus stop on Bradford Street at Bernal Heights Boulevard, head west toward Bernal Hill (to your left after exiting the bus).
Bernal Hill, on the east side
41 Climb Bernal Hill
At the foot of Bernal Hill, you'll find a rough network of paths leading up to the top of the hill.
The top of Bernal Hill
42 Top of Bernal Hill
Continue heading toward the very top peak of Bernal Hill (also known as Bernal Heights Park). This hill was used by early ranchers for grazing cattle.
City view from top of Bernal Hill
43 Views from Bernal Hill
Walk around the top of Bernal Hill for panoramic views in every direction across the city.
The south side of Bernal Hill
44 South side of Bernal Hill
On the south side of Bernal Hill (left from the direction you climbed the hill), a path leads down to Bernal Heights Boulevard.
Stairs leading down from Bernal Hill, on the south side
45 Stairs down from Bernal Hill
The path ends with stairs to the street by a "No Outlet" sign.
Ellsworth Street at Bernal Heights Boulevard on the south side of Bernal Hill
46 Ellsworth Street at Bernal Heights Boulevard
Ellsworth Street intersects with Bernal Heights Boulevard at the bottom of the stairs.
Ellsworth Street, looking down toward Cortland Avenue
47 Ellsworth Street to Cortland Avenue
Cross Bernal Heights Boulevard and head down Ellsworth Street. Cross Powhattan and Eugenia Avenue to reach Cortland Avenue.
Cortland Avenue in Bernal Heights
48 Cortland Avenue
From Ellsworth, go right (west) on Cortland Avenue. This is the main commercial street in Bernal Heights.
Liberty Cafe on Cortland Avenue - dinner menu features pot pies, bakery open daytimes
49 Dining Option: Liberty Cafe
Liberty Cafe features a dinner menu with colonial flavor (pot pies are a signature dish), and a bakery round the back which is open early in the day.
Liberty Cafe is at 410 Cortland Avenue between Bennington and Wool Streets. Phone: 415-695-8777. Website: www.thelibertycafe.com.
Red Hill Books on Cortland Avenue
50 Shops on Cortland Avenue
Shops like Red Hill Books are integral to the small-town feel of Bernal Heights.
Cortland Avenue at Bonview Street
51 Continue down Cortland Avenue
Continue down the hill on Cortland Avenue, crossing Bonview, Elsie, and Winfield Streets.
Good Prospect Community Garden, at Cortland Avenue and Prospect Avenue
52 Right on Prospect Avenue
At Prospect Avenue, you'll see the Good Prospect Community Garden stairs on your left. Go right on to Prospect Avenue.
Stairway connecting Kingston Street between Prospect Avenue and Coleridge Street
53 Kingston Stairway from Prospect Avenue
Just after turning on to Prospect Avenue, you'll reach the Kingston Street Steps, leading down to Coleridge Street. Take this stairway down.
Eugenia Avenue at Coleridge Street
54 Right on Coleridge Street
At the bottom of the steps, go right on Coleridge Street to Eugenia Avenue.
Eugenia Avenue between Coleridge Street and Mission Street
55 Eugenia Avenue to Mission Street
At Eugenia Avenue, go left, down the hill toward Mission Street.
Mission Street at Eugenia Avenue
56 Right on Mission Street from Eugenia Avenue
From Eugenia Avenue, go right (north) on Mission Street.
Emmy's Spaghetti Shack on Virginia Avenue, off Mission Street near 30th Street
57 Dining Option: Emmy's Spaghetti Shack
At the corner of Virgina Avenue, this dark and playful dining room serves famous plates of spaghetti. Sign your name in if it's already busy.
Emmy's Spaghetti Shack is at 18 Virgina Avenue at Mission Street. Phone: 415-206-2086.
Lower Mission Street, near 29th Street
58 Mission Street
Lower Mission Street has a crazy variety of dining options. Continue up Mission Street toward 29th Street.
The Front Porch, on 29th Street, between Mission and San Jose Avenue
59 Dining Option: Front Porch
A detour to the left at 29th Street yields the Front Porch, a cozy home-like venue serving Cajun fare.
The Front Porch is at 65 29th Street at Tiffany Avenue, just west of Mission Street. Phone: 415-695-7800. Website: www.thefrontporchsf.com.
29th Street at Tiffany Avenue, between Mission Street and San Jose Avenue
60 29th Street to San Jose Avenue
A short distance further on 29th Street (past Tiffany Avenue), you'll reach San Jose Avenue.
Mitchell's Ice Cream, on San Jose Avenue near 29th Street
61 Mitchell's Ice Cream
To the right from San Jose Avenue is Mitchell's Ice Cream, an old-school parlor with a long list of hand-made flavors. You might have to take a number and wait.
Mitchell's Ice Cream is at 688 San Jose Avenue, just north of 29th Street. Phone: 415-648-2300. Website: www.mitchellsicecream.com.
SoCha (South of Caesar Chavez) Cafe, on Mission Street near the intersection of Valencia
62 Dining Option: SoCha Cafe
Return to Mission Street and continue north past 29th Street. Before the angled intersection of Valencia Street, SoCha (South of Cesar Chavez) is a cafe with sandwiches and house-baked items. Cash only.
SoCha is at 3235 Mission Street, just south of Valencia Street. Phone: 415-643-6848. Website: www.sochacafe.com.
The Knockout Bar, on Mission near Valencia
63 The Knockout
Among the night spots you'll pass on this stretch of Mission, The Knockout stands out as a favorite neighborhood dive bar.
The Knockout is at 3223 Mission Street, near the intersection of Valencia Street. Phone: 415-550-6994. Website: www.theknockoutsf.com.
Taqueria Cancun, on Mission Street near 29th Street
64 Dining Option: Taqueria Cancun
Mission area taqueria popularity and excellence are a locally controversial subject, but Cancun has a long history of acclaim.
Taqueria Cancun is at 3211 Mission Street, near the intersection of Valencia Street. Phone: 415-550-1414.
Mission Street at 25th Street
65 Mission Street toward 24th Street
Continue up Mission Street, crossing Cesar Chavez Street, 26th, and 25th Streets.
BART Station and bus stop on Mission Street at 24th Street
66 24th Street at Mission
At 24th Street you'll reach the BART Station that you would have passed by earlier in the tour.
Stairs leading down to the BART station at 24th and Mission Streets
67 24th Street BART Station Entrance
Enter 24th Street BART Station.
Inside the BART station at 24th and Mission Streets
68 BART from 24th Street Station to Powell or Montgomery
Trains from 24th Street return directly to downtown stations. You may need to purchase a BART ticket, as Muni Visitor Passes do not cover BART fares.
