Kay's Cleaners
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

1416 Taylor Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

MiRIAM w. writes: Fair prices, reliable service. Susan's friendly and effervescent charm make this a nice place to patronize.

My only qualm? The small tags I find STAPLED onto the bottom hem of all my dress shirts. They can be tough to remove and leave small holes in…

Missing Link Bicycle Cooperative
Neighborhood: Downtown

1988 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704

vivian c. writes: Sometimes I think the word "cooperative" is Berkeley hippie code for "hard to fire pretentious a-holes."  The Link may suffer a little bit of this, but overall, the staff is just fine.  The few times I've dropped in, I've always gotten good help and…

Lakeshore Cafe
Neighborhood: Lakeshore, Lower Hills

3257 Lakeshore Ave
Oakland, CA 94610

Mc Matty b. writes: I must shed my (510) = ghetto mentality.  I know it ain't right, but I suppose you just can't take the Long Island out of the boy.  Who knew Oakland could be so freakin' nice?  Not I.  So I was kicking it with Janis, John T. and Jack in Lake Merritt…

King of Thai Noodle House

1507 Sloat Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94132

mary a. writes: at about 3:20pm sitting on my uncomfortable, old, adjustable chair i started to have this desire to have pad thai. i was badly salivating for this simple, common thai dish that i kept drinking cups & cups of water and bothering our pharmacist who was…

Urban Soul Salon
Neighborhood: Glen Park

630 Chenery St
San Francisco, CA 94131

Stacy M. writes: Sweet and accommodating staff and Wayne is fabulous.  He really made sure that we were on the same page about what I wanted, so we went though pictures until I picked out what I was looking for.  It is not a high end salon, and you are not going to…

Pagano's Ace Hardware Mart

1100 Lincoln Ave
Alameda, CA 94501

laura b. writes: i used to have a crush on a boy who worked here thus the summer of '95 was spent doing lots of unnecessary repairs to my parent's house.

the closet door is latching perfectly fine?  great, i'll go get a wrench and some spray paint to fix that!  you…

Ocean Beach
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond

Fulton St & Great Highway
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
San Francisco, CA 94121

grace m. writes: when i was five years old, my family took this boat excursion in Manila Bay.  It was my first time to ride a real boat (because prior to that, I'd only go on imaginary boatrides), so I was very excited.  My excitement turned into fear when I found…

Pacific Wushu
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights

797 San Jose Ave
San Francisco, CA 94110

Cyn W. writes: Learn kung fu here from two internationally-renowned champions.  They are a husband and wife team, and the wife , Zhang Hong Mei, is a gold medalist in the 1st International Games. Her husband's not too shabby either: he won 2nd all-around silver at…

Forest Books
Neighborhood: Mission

3080 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Rachel F. writes: I was on a mission in the Mission the other day (I apologize for the early bad pun). A friend turned me onto Haruki Murakami and now I'm voraciously searching out all he's written. But funds are tight these days, and I'm doing whatever I can to get…

Skype.com

c/o eBay
2145 Hamilton Ave
San Jose, CA 95125

Rosa L. writes: Free voice and video conferencing? Unlimited national calls? Cheap international calling? Sounds like a pleasant discovery to me!
I downloaded Skype from their website, it's free and it's available for both PC and Mac platforms. Most desktops require…

Phuong Nam Restaurant

1615 Clay St
Oakland, CA 94612

jill k. writes: solid vietnamese food at decent prices.  very convenient for the business-oriented area, and quick service too.

Global Yoga
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond

6300 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94121

Princess Buttercup C. writes: I have been going to Global Yoga on and off for about the last 10 years, and it has helped me on so many different levels - emotionally, mentally and physically.  It is an incredible feeling walking out after doing bikram, things seem brighter and…

Stompers Boots
Neighborhood: SOMA

323 10th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Anastasia B. writes: TOP TEN REASONS TO SHOP AT STOMPERS:

10) You need new boots to wear to next year's Folsom Street Fair.

9) The smell of leather turns you on.

8) Boots are hot!

7) Gay men are hot!

6) Gay men in boots are even hotter!

5) You have a secret boot fetish.

4)…

Riya Beauty Parlor
Neighborhood: Telegraph Ave, UC Campus Area

2433 Durant Ave
Unit # C
Berkeley, CA 94704

Teri C. writes: I hate having my eyebrows waxed, and plucking by an 'eyebrow artist' is totally out of my budget, so what's my next option?  Threading!  Having had my first couple of experiences in SoCal, I've been searching (not very hard) for a place to get my…

Every 6 Weeks
Neighborhood: Castro

323 Noe Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

melissa m. writes: Emanuel or Eman as he's more popularly known is...

The Man with the shears, The Myth with the raves that travel far and near and The Legend with his cuts and styling creations.  

I went to him when I decided to cut my long locks off.  From long length…

Tanjia
Neighborhood: North Oakland, Temescal

4905 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609

jessica t. writes: Hanging out with Jay H is always fun.  We could have gone to a seagull swamped landfill to watch cars rust, and I would have been happy. But we didn't because Jay H  is a Bay area guru -and of course the best  know the best!

We went to Tanjia

Tanjia is…

Sparky's Giant Burgers
Neighborhood: Oakland Hills

4120 Redwood Rd
Oakland, CA 94619

Tina R. writes: I grew up in this neck of the woods and have to say that I've NEVER had a burger there! I remember when it was dark and dreary place when I was little, then one day someone there forgot to shut off the neon OPEN sign and the place caught on fire!
It…

Silver Peso Bar

450 Magnolia Ave
Larkspur, CA 94939

Rob L. writes: It's all chodes, larkspur bums, or douchebags. Plus- it's full of married women out on girls nights. Fun for that- I suppose.

The bartender, Arturo- rocks the mullet and Mr.T gold chains. He must have grown up watching too much A-Team. Anyways, he's…

Chelsea Place
Neighborhood: Union Square, Nob Hill

641 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Gustie L. writes: So my friend was hiding from someone, and we were on a bender for the same reason,  she had to flee a hotel bar - it was very "on the lam"-- and we figured the maybe the Tunnel Top would be good, it's dark and has a balcony.  

Tunnel Top was closed,…

Cafe Panini
Neighborhood: Downtown

2115 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94704

Kathleen M. writes: This is one of the best kept secrets in Berkeley. Part of this is because it's probably the hardest restaurant to go to in Berkeley. Panini's only open Mondays through Fridays for lunch, PLUS they're located down Trumpetvine Court - a private lane…

Bo's Barbecue & Catering Restaurant

3422 Mt Diablo Blvd
Lafayette, CA 94549

Keith C. writes: This place is worth the drive out to Lafayette.  Asian girls be warned:  owner Bo McSwine seems to have a thing for Asian women.  Read more below.

Food:  4 stars.   The barbecued ribs are succulent and flavorful, but I will only give it 4 stars…

Gunilla Skin Butik
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

2165A Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

cc c. writes: Voted best facialist by San Francisco Magazine and my favorite by far.  Followed Gunilla from her days at Spa 7 to her own hideaway retreat in the midst of Cow Hollow. It's literally hidden away if you don't look for it and I like it that way.…

Tandoori Chicken USA

3850 San Pablo Dam Rd
El Sobrante, CA 94803

Jenny H. writes: If teleportation were readily available, I would spend my first trip reuniting my particles next to the order window at this place. The tandoori chicken sandwich is king here, with its tandoori chicken (surprise!) cuddling with lettuce and mint sauce…

Downtown Berkeley YMCA
Neighborhood: Downtown

2001 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94704

Patrick M. writes: Full-D: I work here.

When I moved to the Bay Area, I wanted to work for a non-profit organization, service the community that I lived in, and make bank. What I got instead was the YMCA (2 out of 3 ain't bad...), and I've never been the same since.…

Ahn's Quarter Pound Burger

439 Grand Ave
Oakland, CA 94610

Anna G. writes: I went to Ahn's Burger today - my first time since I moved to my Lake Merritt 'hood back in July '06, even though it's less than two blocks from my apartment.  Maybe because I'm not much of a burger eater?  That's likely.  Perhaps because this place…

Dr. Susan L. Oyakawa
Neighborhood: Mission

1364 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Jarrod A. writes: Susan is a cool chiropractor.  I feel she is intelligent and friendly, and really brings a comprehensive view towards her body work.  I used to live in the Mission, and passed by her practice all the time... but it took a recommendation from a…

Rafael Film Center

1118 4th St
San Rafael, CA 94901

Dan B. writes: Our pal, Michelle M. has been wanting to take us to a flick at this, The California Film Institute (a.k.a. San Rafael Film Center), for some time. This weekend, we finally went. A David Lynch documentary was making its local premiere there. After the…

Core Pilates On 17th
Neighborhood: Mission

3388 17th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Shannon W. writes: I've really enjoyed this place, and the truth is -- my stomach is flatter since I started coming here.  I think that was the clincher.  If you have the $$ I'd recommend trying it out and see if you like the results.

ODC Dance School / Rhythm & Motion Dance Program
Neighborhood: Mission

351 Shotwell St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Amy C. writes: ODC is a dance aficionado's candy store!

Also, it is good for those who hate to exercise (like me).  Luckily, I gots mad skills of persuasion.

Me:  Wanna go work out?
Me:  Hell no!
Me:  Wanna go dancing?
Me:  Hell yeah!
Me:  (under breath) Sucka.

I LOVE ODC…

Craft Gym
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

1452 Bush St
San Francisco, CA 94109

margie b. writes: I consider myself pretty crafty.

When I saw the name of this place, I thought, wow, I can actually practice my craftiness and get fit at the same time?

Well no. Craft Gym is a wonderful space to improve your crafty side only. Not to get a firm belly.…

Bang-On San Francisco
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury

1603 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

Devon F. writes: Say you're the sentimental type.

Say you're the quasi-creative type who likes to own items of clothing that only your doppelganger in Arkansas might also possess.

Say you're the procrastinator type, the sort of individual who puts off doing anything…

Hyde Street Pier
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Hyde and Jefferson Streets
San Francisco, CA 94109

Suzanne B. writes: As a card-carrying resident of one of the top tourist destinations in the U.S., I am required from time to time to host out of town guests.  Invariably, first-time out of towners (OOTs) request a visit to Fisherman's Wharf.

Please.  God.  No.

I…

Bin Hair Cuts
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

909 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94109

bmwcafe c. writes: well, not much substance to start with. i mean on my head. so it's quite easy to mess up and there's no surplus at all to hide the eventual damage...
with bin i always feel comfortable and safe.
prices go up everywhere, but bin is not getting rich and…

KT Nails
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

1722 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94109

Hiromi N. writes: I read all the rave reviews about this place and just had to see what the hype was about.  It was a bit confusing for me b/c this business is listed under the old name of Pro Nails Care.  I was wandering up and down Polk Street for a few minutes and…

Tortas Los Picudos
Neighborhood: Mission

2969 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Josua P. writes: With gentrification seeping into every neighborhood it's nice to see that this section of 24th St. still has character. And by "character," I mean Mexicans. There may come a time in the near future when I utter the words, "What the hell, I remember…

Zoe Bikini
Neighborhood: Mission

3386 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94110

jessica t. writes: Thinking like a rockstar is key on a vacation- where you want to go big.

Big hair, big boots, big lashes, big tan, big attitude...yaddi yah yah.

Part of being a rockstar involves some poolside action. You gotta take your raybans, orange hue, and…

The Lower Haight
Neighborhood: Lower Haight

Haight and Steiner
San Francisco, CA 94117

Tom H. writes: ahh, the dirty haight. lots of great businesses, sits on many a public transportation artery, and yuppies are afraid to live here. what more could you want?

Lulu Rae Confections
Neighborhood: North Oakland, Rockridge

6311 College Ave
Oakland, CA 94618

arnold g. writes: I was on a mission to find some of Vosges' bacon/chocolate bars to give out as presents this Christmas because everyone should come to the bacon/chocolate altar and pay their respects.

When I walked into Lula Rae's, I was worn down from driving all…

Redhound
Neighborhood: North Oakland

5523 College Ave
Oakland, CA 94618

Mysterious Q. writes: Don't let the name fool you, they carry kitty supplies as well.  Given the location and the highfalutin interior, I was expecting it to be expensive, but their price on Wysong's was in line with what you'd pay at Pet Food Express.  The staff is…

Le Gateau Elegant

712 Main St
Martinez, CA 94553

Rob P. writes: The BEST cakes in town!! Hands down.  I can't say anything more than GO WALK NO RUN to here and get your cake on!