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The Top Things To Do In The Sunset District, San Francisco

Grand View Park holds a spectacular panorama of the Sunset District in San Francisco
Grand View Park holds a spectacular panorama of the Sunset District in San Francisco | © Jon Bilous / Alamy

So you took San Francisco‘s Muni a little further out than usual and ended up in the Sunset. Known to most as ‘that foggy area outside of the $2.25 Lyft zone’, the Sunset has plenty to offer from food to bars and even urban hikes. Here are the top things to check out in the area.

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Urban Hike up to Mt. Sutro

Head up Stanyan Street and turn left onto Fairy Gates trail and you’ll find yourself in a lush forest that’s over a hundred years old. Mt. Sutro is a dense eucalyptus forest and rises to 900 feet above sea level, so the view from the top spans the entire city. Mt. Sutro sits right above the fog line; you will most likely find yourself hiking through some mist, so dress warmly.

Delve into Dumplings at King of Noodles

Looking to get your dumpling fix? Good thing you’re in the sunset, as King of Noodles will satisfy your craving. King of Noodles is more spacious and generally has a smaller line than its counterpart restaurant, Kingdom of Dumplings in Parkside.

Shop for Local Gifts at the General Store

If you wander out to 45th and Judah, make sure you stop at the General Store. The cute little store offers jewelry, art and gifts made by local artisans. The vintage, calming atmosphere ensures you’ll spend a while browsing among the fantastic treasures.

Gaze at Outdoor Art at the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps Project

When you’re ready for another urban hike, make your way over to 16th and Moraga to gaze and then huff your way up the 163 tiled steps. The tiled steps are a neighborhood project, started by artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher in 2003. Over 300 citizens participated in this project to make this one area of the city a little more spectacular looking.

Lay Out in Golden Gate Park

One of the best things about living in the Sunset is that Golden Gate Park serves as your backyard. Spend some time exploring the expansive park, which offers a more calming scene than Dolores Park. The park is generally filled with families on the weekend, watching children’s sports games or kicking back with a barbecue. On a nice day, there is nowhere better in the city to lay out and take a nap.

Go Nick’s Way at The Taco Shop @ Underdogs

Some might argue The Taco Shop at Underdogs is the real spot for Nick Fasanella’s crispy tacos; those delicious extra crispy, extra cheesy bundles of joy that you may have tried at Rogue on Polk. The Taco Shop at Underdogs is a no-frills restaurant, where you can enjoy a few tacos Nick’s way while also cheering on whichever Bay Area team is winning that season.

Wing It at San Tung

The chicken wings at San Tung are enough of a reason to take the N-Judah to 12th and Irving. Crispy, spicy and full of flavor, no meal at San Tung is complete without the wings. There’s usually a pretty long line during prime dinner or lunch time, so be prepared to wait or place an order to go and enjoy it out in Golden Gate Park.

Peruse the Farmers’ Market

Headed to the Sunset on a Sunday? Make a stop at the Inner Sunset Farmers’ Market, where you can find local produce, cheese and even grass-fed beef. The market runs all year long, but during the summer you’ll benefit from stopping to get the sweetest strawberries around.

Have a Beer and Enjoy the Ocean Breeze

The Sunset Reservoir Brewing Company opened its doors in the outer Sunset in February of 2015, and it’s already a neighborhood hot spot. The brewery has a relaxed, casual vibe, where you can find most patrons donning a sweater or fleece, and planning on heading out to the beach after their beer break. Sunset Reservoir offers five house-made brews on tap and a spread of eclectic American food.

About the author

Hailing from the land of fleece, rain, and coffee, Kelsie has called San Francisco her home for three years. An avid hiker, thrift store sweater connoisseur and live music aficionado, Kelsie has a day job as a PR specialist.

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