Now: The Marina's commercial strip, Chestnut Street, has some sweet and justifiably popular eating and drinking options. You can sit with the Marina people at The Grove and watch while they fondle their MacBooks and pretend not to notice each other. You can try to get into A16, the juggernaut of Campania cuisine. Or you can just enjoy this street for what it is - a pretty little village near the water.
Then: Originally dunes and marshes, about two block lengths from the bay, most of the Marina was developed in the 1920s.
How To Get There: The Muni 30 bus line travels directly through Chestnut, but it can be extremely crowded and slow if you try to take it all the way from Union Square or Chinatown. Parking can be difficult around Chestnut Street, but there is a paid garage at Pierce Street, just south of Chestnut. If you're browsing Chestnut Street, it's easy to jog over to Union Street at Fillmore, since Chestnut's shops extend west from Fillmore while Union Street's extend east.
Chestnut Street sign at Broderick Street
Chestnut Street between Broderick and Divisadero
Chestnut Street at Divisadero Street
Presidio Theatre on Chestnut Street between Divisadero and Scott
Chestnut Street at Scott Street
Chestnut Street near Pierce Street in the Marina
Shops on Chestnut Street
Blue Barn Gourmet, on Chestnut Street at Steiner
Marina Supermarket on Chestnut Street
A16 Restaurant and Wine Bar, on Chestnut Street between Divisadero and Scott
Mezes - Greek and Mediterranean cuisine
30-Stockton Muni Bus on Chestnut Street
Kara's Cupcakes, on Scott Street between Chestnut and Lombard
Plant Cafe Organic, on Steiner at Chestnut
Circa American cuisine and Lounge on Chestnut Streeet at Fillmore
Fillmore Street between Chestnut and Lombard Streets
Urban Outfitters, on Fillmore Street between Chestnut and Lombard
Patxi's Chicago Style Pizza on Fillmore Street between Chestnut and Lombard Streets
Lyon Street between Greenwich and Lombard Streets
Lyon Street at Lombard Street
The 43-Masonic bus at Lombard Street and Lyon Street
Lombard Street
Liverpool Lil's, at Lyon Street and Lombard
Intersection of Baker Street at Richardson Avenue near the start of Lombard Street
Avellino Pizza on Lombard Street at Baker Street
Lombard Street at Lyon Street
Baker Street Bistro, on Baker at Lombard
La Barca Mexian Restaurant on Lombard Street at Webster
Mel's Diner on Lombard Street at Steiner
Lombard Street at Broderick Street
Lombard Street at Pierce Street
The 28 Bus from Golden Gate Bridge on Lombard Street at Fillmore Street
The terminal point for the Fillmore-22 bus, at Bay Street
Houses on Fillmore Street near North Point
Bay Street, at the north edge of the Moscone Recreation Center
Field in the Moscone Recreation Center
Moscone Recreation Center from the middle of the ball field
Playground on the south side of Moscone Recreation Center
Path in the Moscone Recreation Center
The northeast corner of the Moscone Recreation Center
George Moscone Recreation Center - bordered by Webster, Laguna, Bay, and Chestnut Streets
The Heritage, on Laguna Street at Bay Street
Wildflowers on the hillside at Fort Mason
Mural on the obelisk in Fort Mason
Lawns at Fort Mason, facing west
View of Fort Mason Center from McDowell Road
Buildings in Fort Mason Center from stairway above
One of the docks in Fort Mason Center
Landmark Building E in Fort Mason Center
Shops and businesses in Fort Mason Center
Greens Vegetarian Restaurant, inside Fort Mason Center
Yacht Harbor and Fort Mason Center
Houses inside Fort Mason
Cannon inside the residential area of Fort Mason
Fort Mason Community Garden
View over the Community Garden at Fort Mason
Statue inside the garden at Fort Mason
Birdhouses inside the garden at Fort Mason
Entrance to the hostel at Fort Mason
Inside the hostel at Fort Mason
Entrance to the cafe inside the hostel at Fort Mason
Docks at Fort Mason Center
View of the fishing pier from Fort Mason
Fisherman's Wharf and bay from the path leading down from Fort Mason
Stairway leading up to the top of Fort Mason
Door at the bottom of Fort Mason
Comment about the Marina/Chestnut Street here: