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West Portal is a nice neighborhood located next to the exclusive St. Francis Woods area of San Francisco. On West Portal, there are various restaurants to choose from, a movie theater, the West Portal public library, and a childrens playground. There is the West Portal Muni station where the L, K, and M Muni streetcar lines converge at the station and head towards downtown. The street is usually filled with adults and students alike, catching the Muni home or buying something to eat. Some restaurants that one should try include Squat and Gobble, the Sub Center for submarine sandwiches, and Roti which serves Indian cuisine. Also there is a Starbucks, Walgreens, a Roundtable Pizza, and Rite Aid for convenience needs. I recommend the newly renovated West Portal library because of its nice patio to relax in and its wide variety of books. Personally, I enjoy walking around West Portal because of its small and homey neighborhood vibes and the beautiful trees that line the sidewalk.

Van Ness is a main street in downtown San Francisco. One can travel on Van Ness using the 47 and 49 Muni bus lines. The street has an urban and commercial vibe because of the many crowded and tall buildings that line the street. On Van Ness, there are a couple of nice places to go to such as the AMC movie theater, Mel’s Drive In, Guitar Center, and Tommy Joint. Nearby the street is the San Francisco Supreme Court, City Hall, and the Main Library. Cars move fast on this street, so use caution when crossing the streets. I recommend catching a movie at night at the AMC Theater and then going to Mel’s Drive In for a nice dessert or snack.

Fisherman’s Wharf is pretty much a typical tourist area. On this street you will find many stores trying to sell tourist items such as t-shirts, fake brand name sunglasses, electronics, jewelry, and clothing. Some prominent stores include the Gap, Mcdonalds, the Rainforest Café, In-n-Out, Hooters, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not. The wharf is crowded everyday with tourists who are buying souvenirs, seafood, or taking a boat tour of the San Francisco Bay. Many of the road side restaurants including Pompei’s Grotto and Alioto’s have excellent shrimp, crab, and fish dishes. Also there is a certain section on the wharf where the infamous “Tree Man” will pop up behind his leaves and scare people walking by.

Noriega is a somewhat main street in the Sunset district of San Francisco. The street runs from Ocean Beach all the way up to around 15th Avenue. On 40th Avenue and Noriega, there are a couple of stores such as the popular Polly Ann’s Ice Cream which serves hundreds of unique flavors of ice cream ranging from the exotic Green Tea and Durian flavors to Mango and Rocky Road. Next to that is Eggettes which is a tasty place to buy tapioca drinks, and Dominoes for pizza. Up the block around 30th Avenue, there are many Chinese restaurants and food markets to buy dim sum, take out, and groceries. Up closer to 19th Avenue, there are a bunch of Asian cuisine eateries such as House of Wonton, Café Bakery, and the Noriega Teriyaki House. On Noriega, there is a Safeway and Walgreens for convenient needs.

Sunset Boulevard is located in the lower Sunset district of San Francisco close to Ocean Beach on the west side. Sunset Boulevard is a street used by travelers for quick driving since the stoplights alternate on every other block. The 29 Muni bus line runs along Sunset Boulevard, stopping at every block. The boulevard is located between 36th and 37th Avenue. The N-Judah and L-Taraval Muni lines cross Sunset Boulevard on their way down to Ocean Beach or on the way up to 19th Avenue. When traveling on Sunset Boulevard, one would see trees on both sides of the road. Joggers usually run on the dirt paths of the sidewalk.

Lincoln Way is pretty much a long boulevard in the Sunset district of San Francisco, and is the southern border of Golden Gate Park. The boulevard runs from Ocean Beach to the Panhandle which marks the end of Golden Gate Park around 4th Avenue. This street is pretty much a wide street used by cars for quick travel through the city. From Lincoln Way, one can enter the park through 19th Avenue, and there is another entrance at 9th Avenue. Sometimes this street is congested with traffic, but you can take it to 19th Avenue or Sunset boulevard. On one side of Lincoln Way is pretty much residential houses, and on the other side is Golden Gate Park. The 29 and 71 Muni bus lines run along Lincoln Way.

Union Square is in the heart of the downtown of San Francisco. Located a block away from Market St., Union Square contains the huge department stores including Macy’s, Niketown, Saks Fifth Avenue, Levi’s, and a Luis Vuitton Store. In the center of Union Square, there is a plaza where many workers hang out to buy a cup of coffee at the café, and tourists take pictures. During the Christmas time, Macy’s puts up a huge 30 ft Christmas tree where many families gather to take pictures. There are a lot of places to shop around in Union Square, and it is adjacent to Powell St. Stores such as Niketown and Macy’s are some of my favorites because I usually look for a pair of basketball shoe, and some nice clothing at Macy’s. The sidewalks are usually crowded with shoppers and tourists alike, and there is no parking. The 38-Geary line will take you to Union Square.

Balboa is a street in the Richmond district of San Francisco, running from 48th Avenue to 2nd Avenue. Balboa is mostly a residential street that contains many hills that are tiresome to walk on. The street has a couple of schools such as George Washington High School and Argonne Elementary School. As the street approaches 2nd Avenue, there are a couple of Chinese restaurants. The 31- Muni line runs along Balboa from 48th Avenue and all the way to Arguello where the street transfers into Turk St. The 31 line will take you all the way to downtown. Down around 34th to 38th Avenue, there are many restaurants that serve Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, and Italian food.

Anza is a street in the Richmond district of San Francisco. Anza runs from 48th Avenue to around Arguello Boulevard. There are no Muni bus lines running on this street, although it is only a block away from the 38- Geary and 31-Balboa bus lines. From 48th Avenue to 30th Avenue in the Richmond district, there are mainly residences on the street, with the exception being the Anza public library, Lafayette Elementary School, and George Washington High School on 32rd Avenue. From 30th Avenue to Arguello, again, there are just residences on the street. Anza is located Geary and Balboa St. in the Richmond, so there are alternatives in choosing what to do.

Cabrillo is a typical street in the Richmond district of San Francisco. From my experiences, Cabrillo is mainly a residential street, filled with houses and apartments. There is not much to do on Cabrillo, with there only being the Cabrillo playground on 38th Avenue. At the Cabrillo playground, there are a couple of basketball courts, a playground, and a tennis court. The courts are not usually occupied which is a positive enticement for anyone who wants to play a pickup game. The street is usually quiet during the day and night time, with the occasional car driving along the street. From what I can recall, the sidewalks are filled with parked cars.

Fulton is a busy commercial street mostly in the Richmond District of San Francisco. The 5 Fulton Muni bus line runs along Fulton from 48th Avenue all the way downtown to Market Street. This street is the northern border of Golden Gate Park, and the two entrances from the Richmond going into the Sunset are on Fulton, at Park Presidio and 25th Avenue to be exact. Fulton Street is predominantly full of residences and there are no restaurants or stores. Tourists can access the De Young museum in Golden Gate Park from Fulton on 8th Avenue. Another gate going into Golden Gate Park from the Richmond district is on Arguello and Fulton. If you drive along Fulton, you will eventually reach Market Street in downtown.

Sloat Boulevard is located in the Sunset district on the west side of San Francisco. This street is right next to Stern Grove and runs from 19th Avenue to around Ocean Beach. Sloat Boulevard is pretty much a street surrounded by residential houses, but there is a Lakeshore Shopping Center on Sloat. At the shopping center, there are restaurants such as Arby’s, Quiznos, and Ono’s Hawaiian Barbeque. Also there is a Albertson’s/Lucky’s grocery store for your shopping needs. In Stern Grove, every week during the summer there are free concerts that feature some ballet, plays, and even the San Francisco Symphony, as well as some live jazz bands. The San Francisco Zoo is also located on Sloat.

Vicente, as Ulloa, is a quiet residential street in the Sunset district of San Francisco. On Vicente, there is a newly renovated South Sunset park which has a playground, basketball courts, and two baseball fields. Usually the park is crowded with children running around and adults playing basketball. I myself enjoy playing baseball on the field. Also on Vicente, there are a couple of Chinese restaurants and the Ulloa public elementary school. Further up the street around 26th Avenue, there is another park which has a couple of brand new tennis courts, a play structure for kids, a basketball court, and a baseball field.

Ulloa is pretty much a quiet residential street located in the Sunset district of San Francisco. The street runs from Ocean Beach to around 19th Avenue. There isn’t much on Ulloa besides a school and residential houses. Most of what you will see on this street are just homes, and parked cars on the side of the road. Ulloa is located next to Taraval St. where you can catch the L-Muni line to the beach or to downtown. As you go up Ulloa past 19th Avenue, there is the St. Cecilia’s school, and the street ends up at West Portal Station for the Muni, going towards downtown.

Clement Street is considered one of the second Chinatowns in San Francisco besides Irving. The street is lined with many Chinese and Asian restaurants, grocery stores, etc. On every block, you will find either a Chinese food market or a restaurant. Clement is usually crowded with elderly who are buying groceries or take out to eat at home. Also it is hard to find parking on the street because there are many people who double park or take up the parking spaces. There is a good sushi bar to eat at, and also check out the King of Thai restaurant on 4th and Clement which serves delicious Thai food. Also, Toy Boat is a nice ice cream parlor to visit for dessert.

Wawona is adjacent to the West Portal neighborhood of San Francisco. The street consists of residential homes and has many trees on every block. Wawona is a quiet neighborhood and has a suburban feel to it. When it is Halloween, the owners of the houses on 14th Avenue and Wawona decorate their houses in a Harry Potter theme, and many trick or treaters visit the area for games and parties. One can easily access West Portal which is a block away from Wawona and can catch the K and M Muni lines to downtown. Also, at the end of Wawona, there is the West Portal public library.

Geary Boulevard is the main street in the Richmond district of San Francisco, running from 38th Avenue all the way to downtown on Market St. The Muni line that runs along Geary is the 38 bus line. On Geary, one can find a variety of Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Indian restaurants. A popular Japanese restaurant is Kitaro which serves affordable and delicious sushi. Some schools that are on Geary include George Washington High School, Presidio Middle School, Roosevelt Middle School, and Wallenberg High School. Geary Boulevard also intersects the Fillmore district of San Francisco which is famous for its African American jazz. Japantown, which is also next to Geary, is a nice small community of Japanese stores and restaurants which hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival every year.

19th Avenue runs from north to south, prominently in the Sunset district on the west side of San Francisco. When it reaches Golden Gate Park, 19th Avenue transitions into Park Presdio which runs all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marina. On 19th Avenue, there is often traffic and congestion of vehicles, not to mention dangerous conditions for driving too. It is widely known as a dangerous street because of the many car and pedestrian accidents that occur on it every year. Heading south on 19th Avenue will take you to the Stonestown mall and San Francisco State University, and if you go further, you will go on the Junipero Serra freeway. If you choose to travel on public transportation on 19th Avenue, choose the 28-Muni line which goes from Daly City on 19th Avenue to the Richmond district on Park Presidio.

Judah is one of the main streets in the Sunset, with there being a N-Judah Muni line which runs all the way from Ocean Beach to around 9th Avenue. This street tends to be crowded with many cars. Judah is mostly a residential street with the occasional restaurant or storefront. On Judah near the beach, there are a couple of nice cafes where the surfers usually hang out and a nice Chinese restaurant, I believe, that serves delicious Dungeness crab with garlic noodles. Also there is a 7-11. Judah is located next to Irving St, and transforms into Parnassus from 5th Avenue. On 9th Avenue and Judah, there is a Cybelle’s Pizzeria, a doughnut shop, a Jamba Juice on Irving, and a couple of Chinese restaurants.

Pacheco is the street where I have lived on all of my life. In the upper Sunset or the lower numbered avenues, there are a lot of hills on Pacheco. From 19th Avenue down to Ocean beach, the street is consisted mainly of residential houses. The street itself it pretty much quiet everyday with nothing much going on. I recommend riding your bike on Pacheco because of the steep hills, and there are long staircases to do walking for exercise. Usually the streets are empty besides parked cars. Up around 12th Avenue, there is a Golden Gate Heights park where you can play tennis or walk your dog.

The Haight is the location of the famous Haight Ashbury which was popular in the 70’s with the hippie movement. In the present day, the Haight is still popular, with it being crowded with locals and tourists everyday. There are many unique and eccentric shops such as trendy clothing stores, pizza parlors, and rare sneaker stores. Stores such as Stussy, RVCA, and True are among the popular urban street culture shops, while Escape from New York pizza is a tasty place to grab a slice of pizza. There is also the music store, Amoeba which is filled with thousands of used and brand new cd’s and records.

AT&T Park is the home of the well known San Francisco Giants baseball team. The park is pretty much brand new, built in 2000 and overlooking the San Francisco bay. There are endless things to do at the park besides watching the Giants play: going on the huge Coke bottle slide, enjoying a hot dog or the popular Gordon Biersch garlic fries, attempting to catch a ball or get an autograph during batting practice, or walking around the team shop. If you happen to be free, check out the ballpark tour which shows you around the clubhouse, dugout, field, and club levels. The ballpark is beautiful, and its best to go to a game on a sunny afternoon, although night games tend to be more chilly. Prices for games run from $10 to about $80.

Taraval Street runs through the heart of the Sunset from Ocean Beach to 19th Avenue. On Taraval, the L-Muni line runs all the way from the beach to 15th Avenue. The highly crowded parts of Taraval are around 19th Avenue where there is a public library, many Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants, and a Safeway. Most of Taraval revolves around neighborhoods filled with houses. Some of my favorite places to eat on Taraval include El Burrito Express and King of Thai, which are on 26th Avenue. Also on Taraval, locals and visitors can catch the L-Taraval Muni line all the way to downtown within 15-30 minutes.

On Powell Street in downtown, there are almost literally hundreds of things to do. One can walk around Powell and Market and go to the Westfield mall where there are tons of shops to purchase clothing, check out the huge Old Navy and Gap stores, or grab a bite to eat at the popular Blondie’s Pizza. Powell Street intersects with Union Square which is beautiful on a sunny day to relax on the many benches and look at shoppers all around you. The famous San Francisco cable cars have a turnstile stop on Powell where many tourists and locals line up in long lines to catch it.

Growing up in the upper Sunset, 9th Avenue and Irving has been a common sight for me everyday. There are many various types of restaurants that serve Indian, Italian, Mediterranean, and Japanese cuisine. The streets are fairly populated everyday with people walking in and out of restaurants or waiting to catch the N-Judah line to downtown. It is nice to walk down the streets on a sunny day where occasionally there is a street artist playing the saxophone or the keyboard. One can also easily access Golden Gate Park, through the 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way entrance which is one block away.