Take something of San Francisco's old-world elegance, sprinkle in a few local celebrities (you choose: an actor, a speaker of the House, a Fortune 500 CEO), add a quiet suburban hush, and you get Pacific Heights in all its grandeur.
Time spent in the Pacific Heights neighborhood is elevated any way you look at it. Here's what to eat and where to hang when you're in the neighborhood.
Where to Eat + Drink in Pacific Heights
(Courtesy of @mattinasf)
Breakfast, Pastry + Snacks
Start your day with boiled bagels so good even a New Yorker will be impressed at Wise Sons Bagel & Bakery (1520 Fillmore St.), followed by a cold brew at Blue Bottle (2453 Fillmore St.). // B. Patisserie (2821 California St.) can't be beat for beautiful French pastries—their flaky, buttery kouign-amann are to die for. For gourmet salads, sandwiches, and a chocolate chip cookie that will change your life, head across the street to their sister restaurant, B on the go (2794 California St.). // Neighborhood favorite Jane (2123 Fillmore St.), is a popular place to post up with a laptop, a warm quinoa bowl or salad, and gluten-free treats. // Go for seasonal scoops of highly indulgent ice cream at Salt & Straw (2201 Fillmore St.). // Get your greens, plus breakfast bowls and sandwiches, at Joe & The Juice (2213 Fillmore St.). // IG enthusiasts will be all over Avotoasty (2760 Octavia St.), a casual spot that specializes in aesthetically pleasing avocado toast served with edible flowers. Tired of the trend? Munch on acai bowls and salads instead. // The aroma of coffee beans is enough to lure us into Compton's Coffee House (1910 Fillmore St.). Their raspberry matcha latte is also not to be missed. // For a little French flair, pick up pastries and loaves at La Boulangerie (2325 Pine St.) // Sweet Maple is a staple of the Pac Heights breakfast scene. If you can’t have a multimillion-dollar mansion in the neighborhood, at least you can try the Millionaire’s bacon here (201 Sutter St.).
Casual Bites With Drinks
Harry's Bar (2020 Fillmore St.), with its dark wood and cushy leather seating, is a landmark for happy hour and brunch. // With plenty of old school charm, Palmer's (2298 Fillmore St.) is the perfect place to enjoy a swanky cocktail or glass of wine with delicious nibbles. // Bring a date or just tuck in with a book at The Social Study (1795 Geary Boulevard). // La Méditerranée is more than just catering: Their cute cafe is not to be missed. Enjoy pomegranate chicken or Middle Eastern favorites like falafel, avegolemono soup, dolma, or baba ghanoush (2001 Fillmore St.). // If you're craving Vietnamese sandos on the go, pop by Bun Mee (2015 Fillmore St.). // Little Shucker (2016 Fillmore St.) is a chic and sweet little spot for oysters and wine. // More great vintages and seafood fare can be found at Anchovy Bar (1740 O'Farrell St.), where the ocean’s “lower food chain” is both top of mind and menu.
Craving Italian?
Pac Heights has major amore for Italian fare. Celebrate a special occasion with a reservation at SPQR (1911 Fillmore St.), where acclaimed chef Matt Accarrino has earned a Michelin star every year since 2012 for his inventive cuisine made with local ingredients—think squid ink bucatini, white shrimp, Calabrian chili and lemon or rigatoni, with tuscan sausage, peach and ricotta salata. A few blocks away (2232 Bush St.), check out his all-day restaurant Mattina, where you can start the day with espresso and pastries, have a mid-afternoon aperitivo pick-me-up, and gorge on housemade pasta (almost) anytime. // Grab your friends and share a couple pies at Pizzeria Delfina's (2406 California St.) lively Pac Heights outpost. The saffron arancini are everything. // From Back of the House restaurant group comes The Tailor's Son (2049 Fillmore St.), a spot inspired by owner Adriano Paganini's childhood in Northern Italy. Go for fresh antipasto, rich risottos, and handmade pastas. // Longstanding Fillmore favorite Jackson Fillmore Trattoria (2506 Fillmore St.) is known for its friendly service and classic plates. // Florio (1915 Fillmore St.) is a romantic spot to share antipasti and entrees that veer toward French and Mediterranean.
Where to Shop in Pacific Heights
(Courtesy of @fiatluxesf)
Fashion
Fillmore Street is the Pac Heights fashion maven's stomping grounds for upscale, on-trend labels. For those seeking permanence check out Fiat Lux (1942 Fillmore St.) Get pierced or permanently clasped with a 14-karat-gold-fused bracelet. // Rothys (2448 Fillmore St.), known for its colorful flats and sneakers made from recycled plastic bottles, has its flagship store here. // A clothing binge at trendy Reformation (2360 Fillmore St.) is justifiable thanks to their sustainable production practices. // With a large assortment of pieces from a range of designers as well as their own label, Intermix (2223 Fillmore St.) is a fashionista's heaven. // Cielo (2225 Fillmore St.) is for cutting-edge fashion lovers. // Both ladies and gents can get their denim fix at Frame's sleek shop (2142 Fillmore St.). // The daytime staples and footwear at the industrial-chic locale of Rag & Bone (2060 Fillmore St.) were made for urban stomping. // Veronica Beard (2241 Fillmore St.) has a Bay Area connection (one of the founding Veronicas is a Swanson), but you know the brand best for its signature dickey jackets. // With three locations in SF and one in New York, Isalis has (2127 Union St.) curated wardrobe pieces with funky prints, colorful knits, and unique silhouettes from brands like Aparris, Faithfull, and Lisa Says Gah. Athleisure favorite, Athleta has got comfy, casual performance wear that you’ll surely live in (226 Fillmore St.). // Find your Parisian influenced wardrobe right here in San Francisco at Sézane (2028 Fillmore St.).
Home Design
The Future Perfect (3085 Sacramento St.) is a contemporary design lover's destination for special collectible furniture and artful objets. // Just up the street, Nest (2300 Fillmore St.) invites you to cozy up with softly textured bedding and peruse a curated collection of home goods and keepsakes from around the globe. // Check out Post.script (2413 California St.) for some offbeat knick-knacks, stationery, and graphic wall art.
Skincare + Cosmetics
Fillmore Street is home to the city's best collection of shops for cosmetics and wellness products. Credo (2136 Fillmore St.) steals our sustainably-minded hearts with its beautifully curated array of non-toxic and cruelty-free skincare, makeup, and fragrance // Visit high-end boutique perfumery Le Labo (2238 Fillmore St.) for made-to-order scents and candles. // The hand soap at Aesop (2450 Fillmore St.) is legendary for a reason. Not only won’t it dry out your skin, its notes of lavender and rosemary double as perfume. The face masks, cleansers, exfoliants, and toothpaste are worth trying out as well. // Diptyque (2122 Fillmore St.) has the luxury you never knew you needed with a wide selection of candles, fragrances, bath products, and home decor.
Things to Do in Pacific Heights
Traverse the Lyon Street stairs for views of Pacific Heights' storied mansions and the San Francisco Bay.
(Courtesy of Eric Guarisco, via Langan)
Holistic-healing-meets-modern-wellness and ethereal-meets-elegant at Redmint (2044 Fillmore St., 2nd Fl.). They’ve got an array of spa and wellness treatments as well as an herbal bar. // Or you could wander closer to Japantown for shiatsu and a traditional bathing ritual at Kabuki Springs & Spa (1750 Geary Blvd.), inspired by Japan's public bathhouses. // The Imperial Day Spa (1875 Geary Blvd.) brings an authentic and traditional Korean spa experience to the city. // There is no excuse to miss your workout when you live in Pacific Heights, where boutique studios abound. At On Cue Pilates (2799 Sacramento St.), private and semi-private sessions let you really dial in your technique. // Take a group class at Simply Balanced (2410 California St.), which offers group reformer and gentle mat classes. // Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco (2201 Sutter St.) has something for practitioners of all levels with studio and online classes, plus advanced studies workshops. // You could also opt for a one-on-one training session at Eden (1650 Bush St.), a female-focused gym decorated with lush green plants. // Just steps from Fillmore Street, Alta Plaza Park (Steiner & Jackson St.) is a lovely gathering spot for off-leash dogs and boisterous children. // Get in your cardio while ogling the neighborhood's stately mansions and stunning bay views when you walk or run the Lyon Street Steps (Lyon & Broadway St.). // Grab a photo op at the Mrs. Doubtfire house (2640 Steiner St.).
