While away a day at the de Young and Legion of Honor, where a single ticket grants all-day access to both museums. (@apieceofpai, via @deyoungmuseum)
20 Ways to Spend a Day (or Night) Solo in San Francisco
11 February 2020
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Maybe your friends bailed on you last minute, or Netflixing in bed alone is getting a little too chill—or maybe you're just in need of a solid day of self-care. Fret not, there are plenty ways to have fun in San Francisco solo.
You could take it easy with a good book and a glass of wine, or you could treat yourself to a spa day and a shopping spree. Ready to go all out? How about dinner at Che Fico followed by some swing dancing? We promise, getting out on your own is worth it, plus you might even meet some cool new friends—no awkward singles nights, we promise.
Read in the backyard at Black Bird Books.
The stylish bookstore hosts poetry readings, music, and more, but we love it best for it back patio, which is perfect for posting up with a newly purchased read on a rare sunny day in the Outer Sunset—especially if you don't have a backyard of your own. // 10am to 7pm weekdays, 9am to 7pm weekends; 4033 Judah St. (Outer Sunset), blackbirdbooksf.com
Share your story at The Moth.
Every month, The Moth offers an opportunity to San Franciscans looking to dabble in standup. Consult the online calendar for the theme (February is "Revolution," March is "Celebration"), then prepare your own five-minute tale. Show up, drop your name in a hat, and cross your fingers that you're one of the 10 chosen to face off on stage. Got a little stage fright? Not knowing a soul in the audience might help. // Held at SF Public Works, 161 Erie St. (Mission), and Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St. (Berkeley); themoth.org
Wine down at Vinyl.
Low key Divisadero spot Vinyl's evening transition from coffee shop to wine bar makes it less date-y than other wine bars around the city. Thanks to the spacious set up, it's easy to grab a table and settle in with your book or tablet or podcast. Plus, if you're in the mood for a full meal, you can feast on Detroit-style pizza or a salad. // 7am to 11pm weekdays (open till midnight Fridays), 8am to midnightSaturdays, and 8am to 11pm Sundays; 359 Divisadero St. (NoPa), facebook.com
Volunteer with Curry Without Worry.
If you've got a Tuesday afternoon to spare, test your skills in the kitchen while cooking a multi-course, vegan, Nepalese meal with a small group of 12 volunteers. After sharing stories and a meal, you'll pass out the food and chat with those in need of a free dinner at Civic Center Plaza. Since the org was founded in 2006, they've served 700,000 meals. // Tuesdays at 1:30pm, register online; 1270 Sanchez St. (Noe Valley), currywithoutworry.org.
Explore Flora Grubb Gardens.
If you're actually in the market for a new plant or just looking for some sun, this delightful, grown-in-California nursery is stocked with stylish ceramic pots, succulents, and exotic foliage that can easily keep you occupied for a few hours. After picking out a funky plant-pot combo and putting it together yourself at the garden's potting bench, grab a coffee from the in-house Ritual and take a seat outside. // 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday, Sundays from 10am to 5pm; 1634 Jerrold Ave. (Bayview), floragrubb.com
Catch a set at Club Deluxe.
Every night of the week (and afternoons on weekends) you'll find the Club Deluxe crew—comprised of welcoming regulars and plenty of other lone music lovers—jamming out to live jazz, bossa nova, and swing. Frequent acts include the lively Americano Social Club (belly dancing included!) and Barrio Manouche. The dance floor will be packed in no time, so don't be afraid to get up and groove solo. // Find a full calendar of shows online; 1511 Haight St. (Upper Haight), clubdeluxe.co
Dine at Che Fico.
Reservations can be tough to come by at buzzy Che Fico, even though their communal table and bar counter does save seat for walks-ins. But dining alone has its perks: It's much easier to squeeze in. Enjoy some prime people watching and indulge in the little-known fact that the restaurant offers its pasta dishes in half orders, which means you can sample multiple dishes without worrying about the preferences of a dinner date. Bonus points for excellent wines by the glass. // 5:30 to 11pm, Tuesday through Saturday; 838 Divisadero St. (NoPa), chefico.com
Learn a new skill at WorkshopSF.
On almost any day of the week, you'll find a variety of crafting classes at WorkshopSF. Sign up and learn to make wooden coffee tables, vertical succulent gardens, and screen prints. Thanks to beverages and communal tables, the classes feel more like mini-crafting parties and are a great way to meet some fellow creatives. // Book classes online; 1798 McAllister St. (NoPa), workshopsf.org
Treat yourself at Lisa Says Gah.
The San Francisco–based cult-favorite online fashion brand and retailer offers IRL shopping experiences by personal appointment. Book online, pick the products you want to try on in advance, and be prepared to leave with a few new wardrobe additions. // Book an appointment online; 90 Moss St. (SoMa), lisasaysgah.com
Get swingin' at Bootlegggers Ball.
You've got one chance a month to dance your heart out to live jazz at the Prohibition-style Bootleggers Ball. The evening kicks off with a 30-minute class to help you get into the swing of things, followed by three hours of nonstop dancing. You'll find plenty of people in need of a dance partner there, so don't worry about showing up alone. After, impress all your friends with your new moves. // 8:30pm on the third Thursday of each month, details and tickets ($16) online; 544 Capp St. (Mission), sfbootleggersball.com
Go rummaging at SCRAP.
First, empty your closets of any unwanted odds and ends—think magazines, fabric, art supplies—and donate them to this materials depot. Then, reward yourself for a job well done by roaming the aisles for cheap (and even free) supplies for your next creative project. // 10am to 6pm weekdays, till 5pm on Saturdays; 801 Toland St. (Bayview), scrap-sf.org
Hike SF's 17-mile Crosstown Trail.
If you've got a day to yourself (or perhaps with your pup), consider seeing San Francisco as you never have before. The new 17-mile Crosstown Trail, which begins at Candlestick Point and cuts diagonally across the city to Lands End, promises all new views. Pro tip: Make a killer playlist to keep you company. // 500 Hunters Point Expy. (Bayview), crosstowntrail.org
Sip green juice at Beloved Cafe.
With just a comfy window seat and a couple of stools at the bar, this tiny plant-based cafe and juice shop makes for an ideal mid-week solo lunch endeavor. The sun-flooded space serves such delights as medicinal mushroom lattes, Lover's Potion tonic, and golden leaf tea—and you'll find musicians adding to the ambiance with Japanese flute or acoustic guitar on occasion. // 7am to 10pm weekdays, open at 8am on weekends; 3338 24th St. (Mission), belovedsf.com
Join Midnight Runners' evening run club.
If you're an experienced marathoner or an aspiring runner looking for a chill and social evening activity—or anything in between—get your sweat on and meet a fun bunch of runners by joining Midnight Runners. The lively running crew keeps the beats pumping for 10 kilometers straight—save for a few body weight exercises—every Wednesday night, and follows it up with beer at Irish Times. // 7pm Wednesdays, find details online; 500 Sacramento St. (FiDi), meetup.com
Go art hopping at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
Did you know that a general admission ticket (or a special exhibit ticket) grants you all-day access to both the Legion of Honor and the de Young museums? It's an inspiring way to kill an entire day, and you can peruse the galleries at your open pace. // Tickets are available both online and in person, 9:30am to 5:15pm Tuesday through Sunday; de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive (Golden Gate Park) deyoung.famsf.org;and Legion of Honor, 100 34th Ave. (Sea Cliff), legionofhonor.famsf.org.
Commune with women, buy a day pass to The Assembly.
This Mission women's coworking and social space promises the chance to get in a fun workout followed by an outdoor shower, stylish spots to get some work done or chat with other women, and programming on a range of topics—think "Exploring Your Love Language" and "The Art of Presence." You'll feel like you too a mini (12-hour max) getaway. // The Assembly, 449 14th St. (Mission); day passes ($70) may be purchased at online; theassembly.com
Enjoy some self-love and a soak at Kabuki Springs & Spa.
A Japantown institution since 1968, Kabuki Springs & Spa is an oasis for self-care, with plenty ways to detoxify your body and soul—and enjoy some peace and quiet. Make the rounds between the 104-degree hot pool, 55-degree cold pool, dry sauna, and 120-degree steam room, or treat yourself to a massage or facial. // Book appointments online; 1750 Geary Blvd. (Japantown), kabukisprings.com
Walk to one of SF's many farmers markets.
Turn grocery shopping into a leisure activity, complete with never-ending produce samples and maybe even a little sunshine—by ditching your car and shopping local at one of SF's many farmers markets. Be a foodie baller at the Ferry Plaza on Saturdays (or Tuesdays and Thursdays); duck out of work for a few minutes early on Thursdays and head to the Crocker Galleria's indoor market; or stroll through the Divisadero Farmers Market on a Sunday before treating yourself to toast at The Mill. // Tuesdays through Sundays; find all the markets on sfenvironment.org
Catch a film at Roxie Theater.
Forget Netflix and chilling. Take yourself to see a film at one of SF's charming landmark theaters (RIP Clay Theatre). You'll find documentaries, indie comedies, mini-retrospectives, SF IndieFest offerings, and much more on the big screen, plus a network of other film fanatics and artists. // Showings daily, calendar available online; 3117 16th St. (Mission), roxie.com
Rent a bike in Golden Gate Park.
Don't let tourists have all the fun. Snag a bike at Avenue Cyclery on Stanyan, and enjoy a contemplative ride through GGP. Make your way to Ocean Beach before heading back through the park's endless trails. // 10am to 6pm, Tuesday through Sunday; daily bike rentals begin at $30 at Avenue Cyclery, 756 Stanyan St. (Upper Haight), avenuecyclery.com
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