10 Best Things To Do And See In West Portal San Francisco

Many places in San Francisco are charming and perfect for exploring, but West Portal is a suburb of the city that boasts endless food options, boutiques, and even places to finish that book you meant to take care of last week.

Meet with the Philosopher's Club

Bar

Need a drink? Join the Philosopher’s Club for a cool night of relaxation. One of the most unique spots in West Portal, it’s a trusted bar that has stood the test of time. Even after a recent face lift, the building still houses a mural of philosophers staring down from the ceiling and maintains much of the rough charm its regulars have grown to love. The Philosopher’s Club is a must-see.

Grab a Shake

Without a doubt, one of the best places for a burger and shake is Calibur Inc. Organic, California-local, and partners with Three Twins Ice Cream, Calibur creates delicious and wholesome food. Even though the shakes are a little steep, you can truly taste the quality in the ingredients and will be left craving more.

Snag an Original Outfit

Shop

A truly defining part of West Portal is the Goodwill Boutique: the trendiest Goodwill in the city. College students and thrifty fashionistas alike flock here to find the best hand-me-downs you could ask for. If you’re looking to shop the coolest styles for the best bang for your buck, Goodwill Boutique in West Portal is truly all you need.

Find a New Knick-Knack

Store

Curiosities is an antique store where all the quirkiest little objects can be found. Come in and find a new lamp, that couch you’ve always dreamed of, or possibly even a crazy old poster you can just see on your wall. West Portal even has a knick-knack store. How can you argue with that?

Tour the Neighborhood

Though small, West Portal is a sought-after location, and the residential areas of this neighborhood are gorgeous! Just a simple walk down one of its side streets offers views of the hills, large homes, and surrounding parks. If you’re ever in the need of a beautiful walk, West Portal has you covered.

Catch a Movie

Movie Theater, Theater

One of the coolest parts of West Portal is its vintage movie theater. The CinéArts at the Empire is a hit with locals as well as college students in the area. This theater is intimate, with only four screens, and it truly feels like the old days when movies were still visual magic. Come here to cozy up and indulge yourself in one of the newest flicks.

Drink Coffee

Get caffeinated, everyone. This street is a major hots pot for java! From Starbucks to the little shops we all adore now and then, find the place that’s just right for your morning (or your break from work, stress reliever, interlude waiting for a bus, excuse to get away etc, etc…).

Go to the Playground

If you have kids, a new spot to have some fun could be the West Portal playground. In the backyard of all the shops, restaurants, and clothing stores is a great place for families to stretch their legs and make new friends. It truly is a family friendly area with everything you could need.

Take a Train Downtown

Possibly the best part of West Portal is that it is the first transfer hub for the inbound Muni. From the West Portal train station, you could catch any number of buses, or any Muni line from the L to the T. If you’re out of things to do in this area, hit the city.

Enjoy the View

If nothing else, West Portal has that certain undeniable trait that most districts of San Francisco have: incredible beauty! After a long day or a tiring week, grab a bagel, shop around, or just flat-out enjoy the fact that you’re in San Francisco. West Portal has a lot going for it, but the most amazing thing about it might be that it is in one of the best cities in the country.

About the author

Amanda Limond

Amanda Limond is a passionate musician, photographer, and writer at San Francisco State University. She spends most of her time hopping on a train to explore the city or trying to find the perfect book. Amanda loves travel, having been around the world, and constantly thinks of where to go next. Never being seen in a boring shoe, she loves fashion, art, and music, and hopes to fuse the three of them in her own museum piece one day. She hopes her big ambition will lead her to living in Manhattan and working in photojournalism. You can find Amanda on her photography instagram (@photolimond), or editing site.