Best of San Francisco

Moving to San Francisco? You must stop at the best burger joint, bar and music venue in the city.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/fotoVoyager

San Francisco’s sprawling location, picture-perfect scenery and delightful year-round climate make it a major tourist hotspot.

This city by the water has it all – a vibrant arts and culture scene, fun annual events and festivals, world-class restaurants featuring every cuisine imaginable, unique boutiques and storefronts, professional and amateur sports, access to great educational and learning facilities and so much more.

For a taste of some of the best things this city has to offer, check out the list below.

Best Music Venue – Great American Music Hall
The Great American Music Hall is arguably one of the oldest and most unique venues in the city. Opened in 1907, the Great American Music Hall gives visitors a taste of elegant eras gone by with its ornately decorated balconies, stately marble columns and decorative ceiling frescoes. Nowadays, the venue fuses modern aesthetics with a gracious, turn-of-the-century sensibility. The venue draws indie artists and national acts, and no matter where you stand, you’ll love the experience.
Where: 859 O’Farrell St., San Francisco, CA 94109

Best Record Store – Amoeba Music
Where music is concerned, Amoeba Music is the mecca. Packed full of records, cds and movies from any genre imaginable at reasonable prices, Amoeba often holds great in-store performances and artist signings. And music neophytes have no fear: the staff at Amoeba is friendly and more than willing to help you understand the difference between acid jazz and UK garage, without offering any judgment.
Where: 1855 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94117

Best Bar – Gold Cane Cocktail Lounge
San Francisco comes alive at night, and there are a plethora of bar and nightclub options for just about any personality and price range. But this bar in the Upper Haight has several of the basic elements that comprise any great bar–friendly bartenders, a fun and quirky atmosphere, cheap drinks, a charming outdoor patio, an interesting clientele comprised of all ages and backgrounds and the best people watching in the city.
Where: 1569 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94117

Best Neighborhood – The Mission
From the laid-back lifestyle in Haight-Ashbury to the diversity found in The Castro to the luxurious, sprawling Mediterranean-style villas found in Sea Cliff, San Francisco neighborhoods are some of the best in the nation. And if you’re a foodie, it doesn’t get any better than the Mission. With over 80 Zagat-rated restaurants in this neighborhood, you’ll never go hungry in the Mission. You can find just about anything here, from authentic, Latin flavors to high-class Italian to gourmet ice creams and sorbets.

Best Burger – Bix
Tucked away in an alley in the Financial District, Bix is known for its elevated traditional American fare. The truffle-laden pecorino cheeseburger at Bix is one of the most expensive burgers in San Francisco. Layered with decadent black truffle slices, truffled pecorino cheese and a slow-cooked crown of onion, the premium beef patty sits on an open-faced buttered rye round.
Where: 56 Gold St., San Francisco, CA 94133