The Top 10 Things To Do And See On Polk Street

When you’re lucky enough to live a stone’s throw away from an overabundance of sensational restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops, it can be hard to narrow it down to a top ten must-see list. After much deliberation and a few heated arguments with friends, we present to you the top ten things to do and see on San Francisco‘s Polk Street.

1. Bob’s Donuts

Pastry Shop, Bakery, Pastries, American

Bob’s Donuts is a San Francisco treasure. Open all day, every day since 1960, Bob’s is exactly what you need after a long night of partying in the city. The lines can get long after-hours, but most any other time of day you can walk right in. Rumor on the street is that between midnight and 2am is when you will find the hottest, freshest batches, and you can even try out the legendary Bob’s Donut Challenge. Eat the gigantic $8 donut in two minutes and receive a refund, a free drink, a Bob’s Donuts T-Shirt, and a place in their Hall of Fame.

Open All Day, Every Day

2. Terrasol

Shop

Terrasol

This tiny boutique is jam-packed with interesting trinkets, gorgeous gifts, and unique treasures. Terrasol is a seasonal shop, so it’s always changing inventory to reflect holidays and local events. I love to stop in for their beautiful Victorian-inspired birthday cards and incomparable selection of old-fashioned glass Christmas ornaments.

Terrasol, 1742 Polk Street. San Francisco, CA, USA

Gifts galore at Terrasol | © Amanda Walker-Storey

3. Eleven-O-One

Deli, Restaurant

Eleven-O-One

Eleven-O-One is the sister location to the favorite sandwich spot Bite and offers many of the same delicious sandwiches plus many more. With a ‘pull up a seat and stay awhile’ vibe, Eleven-O-One feels more like a restaurant than a deli. The sandwiches and salads are huge and definitely shareable. Everything at Eleven-O-One is delicious, especially the Gouda Good Sandwich, the Leafy Gallina Salad, and their house-made fresh sangria.

Monday-Saturday: 11:30am-11pm, Sunday: Noon-11pm

Eleven-O-One, 1101 Polk Street. San Francisco, CA, USA

Mural at Eleven-O-One by artist D Young V | © Amanda Walker-Storey

5. Loving Cup

Bar, American

Smoothies, Shakes, Rice Pudding and Frozen Yogurt at Loving Cup

Most people don’t think of rice pudding when they are craving a dessert, but Loving Cup will change your mind. With nearly 20 different variations of rice pudding (a particular favorite is Madagascar Vanilla Bean), tons of toppings, AND a frozen yogurt bar there is surely something to please everyone. In fact, I have a friend who drives from Long Beach, frequently, to appease her Loving Cup rice pudding craving. Now that’s a testimonial!

Monday-Friday: Noon-9:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday: 11am-10:30 pm

6. Belle Cose and Molte Cose

Belle Cose and Molte Cose

You are sure to find something extra special at these two charming sister shops on Polk Street. Belle Cose means ‘beautiful things’ and Molte Cose translates to ‘many things’ in Italian, and that’s exactly what you will discover in these precious boutiques. Vintage clothing, housewares, jewelry, children’s clothing, gifts, and dapper clothing for him; it’s all there, and you’ll have a very hard time walking out empty-handed.

Monday-Friday: 11am-6:30 pm, Saturday: 11am-6pm, Sunday: Noon-5pm

Belle Cose and Molte Cose, 2036 and 2044 Polk Street. San Francisco, CA, USA

Men and women’s new and vintage clothing and collectibles at Molte Cose | © Amanda Walker-Storey

7. The Grubstake

Hotel

The legendary Grubstake Stake Ⅱ established in 1967 © Amanda Walker-Storey

The Grubstake

The Grubstake isn’t exactly located on Polk Street, but it’s darn close and worth a mention. This legendary restaurant is stationed inside an antique railcar that carried passengers between Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco up until 1927. Originally called ‘The Orient Express,’ the American diner was featured in Humphrey Bogart’s classic film Dark Passage and eventually changed owners and names to be called The Grubstake Ⅱ (The Grubstake Ⅰ was located downtown where the Parc 55 Hotel now stands) in 1967. With a classic menu of breakfasts, burgers and sandwiches that are served in heaping portions, The Grubstake is a fixture of the late-night scene in San Francisco and doesn’t even open until 5 pm daily. I highly recommend checking out this amazing landmark before it disappears; rumor has it that it will close soon and be razed to make room for more housing.

Tuesday-Sunday: 5 pm-4am

Grubstake, 1525 Pine Street. San Francisco, CA, USA

The legendary Grubstake Stake Ⅱ established in 1967 | © Amanda Walker-Storey

8. Basik Cafe

Cafe, Healthy

This cafe hasn’t been open long, but San Franciscans are lining up to get a taste of Basik. Based out of Hawaii since 2010, Basik Cafe offers delicious and health-minded açaí bowls and smoothies with the freshest ingredients possible. The bowls are heaping with raw fruit, seeds, açaí, and hemp milk; they make a delicious breakfast or lunch that is healthy and guilt-free. Local Tip: this place is new and there will be a line, but if you want a robust snack it’s definitely worth the wait.

Monday-Saturday: 8am-4pm, Sunday: 9am-1pm

9. Peoples Barber

Peoples Barber

If you’ve never had an old-fashioned shave and haircut, you are in for a big treat, and Peoples Barber is gonna give it to you. This bustling shop has all of the charm of an old-time barber, but offers a luxury experience with a master stylist. Book an appointment (walk-ins are available but the wait is substantial) for a straight-razor shave, a haircut, and the opulent hot towel mini-facial. While you’re waiting, the friendly and mega-fashionable staff provides you with a cold beer, reading material, and encourages you to hang out in true barbershop-style.

Monday-Saturday: 9am-9pm, Sunday: 10am-8pm

Peoples Barber, 1259 Polk Street. San Francisco, CA, USA

Straight Razor Smooth Shave at Peoples Barber SF | Photo courtesy of Peoples Barber

10. DAVIDsTEA

Cafe

DAVIDsTEA

With a coffee shop every couple of steps, it’s so refreshing to have a different option like DAVIDsTEA. This sunny shop is overflowing with canisters of delicious and aromatic teas that the staff encourages you to explore and smell. Choose from hot tea, iced tea, matcha green tea, and a personal favorite the Tea Pop, which is essentially iced tea made with carbonated water and a dash of agave. All of DAVIDsTEAs are available in varying sizes for brewing at home, and the shop carries every accessory you could ever need to be a tea-brewing champion. Local Tip: if you are looking for a quick pick-me-up that isn’t coffee, ask for an iced green tea matcha with milk and agave. It tastes like a dream and gives you the perfect jolt of energy without jitters!

Monday-Friday: 11am-7:30 pm, Saturday: 10am-8 pm, Sunday: 10am-7:30pm

DAVIDsTEA, 2123 Polk Street. San Francisco, CA, USA

Tea for days at DAVIDsTEA | © Amanda Walker-Storey

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.