Modern Guide to Mission Bay: San Francisco’s Bright New Waterfront Neighborhood

The Best Restaurants in Mission Bay

The sunny rooftop at Cavaña

(Courtesy of @cavana.sf)

Proper Eats

One of the most popular places to eat in the ‘hood is the bayfront Mission Rock Resort (817 Terry A Francois Blvd.). With two stories of dining space, almost every seat in the house offers views of the water. The menu lives up to the location with supremely fresh and pristinely sourced seafood favorites. In addition to regular dining, Mission Rock Resort boasts an oyster happy hour and private dining options. // The rooftop bar at Luma Hotel, Cavaña (100 Channel St. 17th Fl.), is a Latin-themed restaurant known equally for its authentic cuisine and sparkling city views. A wraparound deck on the 17th floor allows for photos with both Oracle Park and the Bay Bridge in the background, equally spectacular day and night. The menus are a collection of Latin favorites, from starters like yucca fries and guacamole to heavier portions of tacos, tortas, and tostados. Sometimes the space is taken over by themed pop-up bars, and a cute photo booth adds a bit of whimsy. // Another straightforward menu focused on fresh seafood and San Francisco classics, ATwater Tavern (295 Terry A Francois Blvd.) is perfectly situated between the ballpark and arena, taking advantage of views that appear to stretch for miles from the outdoor deck on a clear day. // If you’re looking for Mediterranean fare with the same gorgeous landscapes, Stem Kitchen and Garden (499 Illinois St.) will hit the spot. This modern eatery features both backyard bocce ball lanes and fire pits for lunch and dinner guests. // Flour & Water Pizza Shop (1090 Dr Maya Angelou Ln., Ste. A) brings a menu of California-style pizza, antipasti, salads, chicken wings and more served inside and out beneath a mural by local artist Nicole Hayden.

Stadium Favorites

Just outside of Chase Center is Vegas-style stadium bar Splash City (191 Warriors Way, Ste. 102), serving up a divine list of cocktails and comfort food favorites in a raucous environment (especially on game days). Here you can dine on everything from fried calamari and crispy cauliflower to stone-fired pizzas and fresh sushi rolls. // Kayah by Burma Love (151 Warriors Way. Ste. 105) champions Southeast Asian street food in an elevated environment. Appetizers can be shared to make a meal with items Share appetizers like curry and buttery multi-layered bread, skillet shrimp, or vegetarian samusas to make a meal, or opt for popular skewers served hot off the grill or noodle dishes that range from udon with coconut curry to wok-tossed rice noodles paired with spicy tofu. // Dumpling Time (191 Warriors Way, Ste. 101) specializes in Japanese and Chinese snacks and bigger dishes. The sesame jellyfish salad is a stand-out. As the name suggests, it’s also a great place for dumplings, gyoza, and bao. // Che Fico Pizzeria (1 Warriors Way, Ste. 300) serves both whole pies and pizza by the slice that’s memorable for its sourdough crust. Choose between obvious favorites like pizza rosa, or pick something a little more out-of-the-ordinary like the Brussels and pancetta pie made with fontina and provolone cheese, garlic confit, and lemon. The menu also has a strong beverage list and plenty of non-pizza items including wings and sandwiches. // Fikscue Craft Barbecue (7 Warriors Way, Ste. 208) is perhaps one of the more interesting fusion restaurants in the area, blending Indonesian fare with Texas BBQ. There are halal barbecued items and Indonesian fusion dishes that include everything from brisket sandwiches to rendang and sate ayam plates. // American steakhouse Miller & Lux (700 Terry A Francois Blvd.) has racked up accolades for both its environment and its hamburger, which the Michelin Guide called the “best” in California. The cuisine by Tyler Florence takes a traditional approach, serving great cuts of steak with selectable sides, plus a handful of entrees and starters. The raw bar, a cornerstone of the menu, adds a delicious additional layer. // Gott’s Roadside (151 Warriors Way, Ste. 102) is a James Beard award-winning restaurant with a modern and casual menu of American favorites like burgers and tacos, alongside an impressive wine list.

The Best Drinks, Coffee + Treats in Mission Bay

Apple turnovers at Ariscault Bakery

(Courtesy of @ariscaultbakery)

A little more inland, Café Reveille’s (610 Long Bridge St.) Mission Bay location has outdoor patio seating that offers great people watching from 7am through 5pm daily. The menu serves both breakfast and lunch classics, plus a long list of coffees. // Within Mission Rock, Arsicault Bakery (1070 Bridgeview) inside of Verde distributes a collection of award-winning croissants and other pastries. // Twyne (1030 3rd St.), inside of the Luma Hotel, serves coffee, juice, and pastries over the counter in the morning and doubles as Trevino, a bar with a cocktail, wine, and beer list at night. // Harmonic Brewing (7 Warriors Way, Ste. 206) has a line-up of local brews, wine, and cider. The expansive bayfront patio at Thrive City has three TVs for sports viewing and stays open late on event days. If you get hungry, there are empanadas and tacos. // The trendy Rooftop 25 (25 Lusk St.) serves American cuisine alongside its elevated cocktail menu with gems like the spicy passionfruit margarita and negroni sbagliato. // Alchemist Bar & Lounge (679 3rd St.) inside of Founders Den is washed in steampunk décor and it doesn’t shy away from photogenic cocktails perfected with housemade ingredients and fresh garnishes. // The Watering Hole (588 Mission Bay Blvd. N) inside of Spark Social has a long list of drinks including craft beer, wine, sangria, margaritas, and housemade lemonades. The outdoor space is lively, especially on weekends, and family friendly.

The Best Things to Do in Mission Bay

China Basin Park is SF's newest green space.

(Courtesy of @asla.norcal)

China Basin Park (1 China Basin Park) is on the waterfront within Mission Bay, and specifically the Mission Rock neighborhood. It offers panoramic bay views, a dog park, and a multi-acre lawn. It also connects to the Bay Ridge Trail, with more than 300 miles of walking and biking paths, and hosts its own events, which commonly include Pilates classes on the great lawn. // The open lot (Lot A at Oracle Park, 74 Mission Rock St.) next to China Basin’s greenspace is another hub for community events, inviting larger shows like the recent Echo by Cirque du Soleil to the neighborhood, races, and more when it isn’t being used as reserved parking for Giants games. // Mission Bay Commons (450 Mission Bay Blvd. S.) is a smaller option for greenspace also with a dog-friendly area. // Mission Bay Kids Park (690 Long Bridge St.) is just what it sounds like, with playgrounds and picnic areas for families. // If you’re looking for a bit more activity, Stagecoach Greens (1379 4th St.) is the city’s only outdoor mini-golf course, both family-friendly and fun. // Spark Social (601 Mission Bay Blvd. N.), an 18,000 square foot food truck park and gathering space, provides fire pits, hammocks and a beer/sangria garden perfect for enjoying the sun. // Root for the home team at Oracle Park (24 Willie Mays Plaza), home to the San Francisco Giants since 2000. Don’t miss the statues outside commemorating some of the biggest names in local sports, plus a smattering of businesses that appeal to the sport-centric crowd like the bar-meets-bowling chain Lucky Strike (200 King St.). // Chase Center (1 Warriors Way), built in 2019, houses the Golden State Warriors. Its community hub, Thrive City, has 11 acres of mixed used retail and dining space, including The Golden State Shop, where you can buy gear for game day.

The Best Public Art in Mission Bay

The Garden Party, one of Mission Bay's many public art installations

(Courtesy of Mission Rock Partners)

Mission Bay leans heavily into the arts with vibrant displays in shop windows, on the sides of buildings, and in open spaces. You can even see the intention in the architecture of the neighborhood’s newer buildings like The Garden Party, a functional art installation that doubles as seating beneath a white gazebo along the pedestrian paseo. // In Mission Bay, UCSF (1550 4th St.-1825 4th St.) has its own street art, with pops of color vibrant against the green lawns that stretch in every direction. Murals tend to be community focused with large displays of local ecology and industrial history splashed across the walls. // Skyhorn (3rd St. btwn 16th and Mariposa) is an interactive bronze sculpture that invites passersby to play with sound and how it travels on the busy corner. // Radiance (Mission Creek Waterfront) is an interactive installation by Jason Bruges that uses light to create dynamic patterns in time with the movement of pedestrians and cyclists.