Best of the Bay, San Francisco City Guide

Want to think outside the pizza box when you carb load before the race? Johnny Foley’s has everything from fish and chips, to burgers, to wild mushroom ravioli. With 16 types of beer on tap, sports on the tube, dueling pianos downstairs, and a great kid’s menu, this is the place to be for some family-friendly pre-race fun!

Flour + Water = a world of possibilities for carb-loving runners! Try their selection of housemade pastas or their pizzas baked in the on-site wood-fired oven. Keep it laid back with a traditional margherita pizza or take things up a notch with offerings like their Asian pear, Gorgonzola, and arugula pie.

Want noodles? Ramen is the perfect pre-race meal for getting in all those carbs and electrolytes and Ramen Underground is the perfect place to get them. Service is fast and friendly and the menu offers a wide variety of toppings and add-ons for each dish. Do yourself a favor and splurge for the Half Extra Noodle - after all, you’ve got a race to run!

When a restaurant is still bustling nearly two decades after opening its doors, you know they must be doing something right! The Slanted Door menu is filled with ageless classics such as spring rolls and cellophane noodles, and the restaurant offers fantastic views of the Bay Bridge so you can soak up the scenery while you eat.

Ready to take on a little elevation? The four-mile run up and over the Golden Gate Bridge climbs 400 feet in elevation, but it’s worth it for the breathtaking views along the way. Plan to take lots of rest breaks to soak it in and snap those selfies!

Got dirt? This sweet loop offers views of Alcatraz and Marin as well as some decent climbs. Park for free at the Sports Basement Presidio location and follow the directions to start the trail near Lover’s Lane.

In a city known for its hills, it’s not easy to find a flat running route but the Embarcadero’s pedestrian path fits the bill. Shake out the legs while you take in the city sights of Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 41, the Exploratorium, Market Street, the Bay Bridge, and AT&T Park.

10,000 pedestrians cross the Golden Gate Bridge every day. Running across the Bridge is not only encouraged…it’s a tourist attraction. You will be contending with walkers, cyclists, strollers, bladers, and every other “er” or “ist”. But it’ll be hard to not stop and enjoy the views. There are wonderful view points at each end of the bridge. It is 1.7...

If coffee is as important to your brunch as the food, head over to Cafe Réveille for some freshly roasted beans and a variety of specialty coffee drinks! And don’t miss the yummy post-race breakfast sandwiches, burgers, or açai bowls.

Located above the Golden Gate Park Visitor's Center, the Beach Chalet is the place to be for delicious food, fantastic views, and even a little culture. Downstairs, check out the historic murals, created by Lucien Labaudt, that capture the flavor of San Francisco in the 1930's. Upstairs, take in the Pacific Ocean while you treat yourself to one of their eggs-benedict “bennys” or a burger and sip on some home-brewed beer (or root beer 😃.)

The extensive brunch menu at Crepevine includes everything from omelettes and french toast to lasagna and BBQ pork sandwiches, but the obvious star of the show here is the crepes! Savory crepes loaded with chicken, sausage, ham, and other veggies make the perfect post-race recovery food. In the mood for something sweet? Try the “Midnight Blues” crepe with blueberries, banana, brown sugar, and rum sauce.

If coffee is as important to your brunch as the food, head over to Cafe Réveille for some freshly roasted beans and a variety of specialty coffee drinks! And don’t miss the yummy post-race breakfast sandwiches, burgers, or açai bowls.

With a rich history that dates back to 1849, Anchor Brewing is one of the pioneers in craft brewing in the country. If brew tours are your thing - and you’re up for being on your feet for 90 minutes - book the $25 tour to learn about craft brewing traditions and San Francisco history while enjoying a flight of Anchor beers. Pro tip: Book your tour at least a day in advance as they sell out quickly!

Post-race, nothing beats a chill vibe and great beer. Check out Standard Deviant’s menu of delicious craft beers that combine traditional recipes with subtle twists like their smoked kolsch or bourbon-aged nitro stout. Grab a picnic table and a board game and toast to your post-race victory!

Post-race, nothing beats a chill vibe and great beer. Check out Standard Deviant’s menu of delicious craft beers that combine traditional recipes with subtle twists like their smoked kolsch or bourbon-aged nitro stout. Grab a picnic table and a board game and toast to your post-race victory!

With a rich history that dates back to 1849, Anchor Brewing is one of the pioneers in craft brewing in the country. If brew tours are your thing - and you’re up for being on your feet for 90 minutes - book the $25 tour to learn about craft brewing traditions and San Francisco history while enjoying a flight of Anchor beers. Pro tip: Book your tour at least a day in advance as they sell out quickly!

Whether you’re carb-loading before the race or in search of that post-race treat, you need to stop at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse. They’ve got all of the usual bakery delights like doughnuts and cookies as well as unusual treats such as matcha croissants and pineapple caramel sticky buns. Their signature “cruffins” - croissants baked in a muffin tin, rolled in sugar, and filled with pastry cream are a must in every runner’s life.

If coffee is as important to your brunch as the food, head over to Cafe Réveille for some freshly roasted beans and a variety of specialty coffee drinks! And don’t miss the yummy post-race breakfast sandwiches, burgers, or açai bowls.

If chocolate is your love language, your visit to San Francisco must include a stop at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Coffee Shop. Not only can you learn a little something about the chocolate making process, but you can also indulge your sweet tooth with a mouth-watering assortment of ice cream sundaes, hot cocoas, and shakes. Added bonus - those carbs and protein make for the perfect post-long run recovery fuel!

Whether you’re carb-loading before the race or in search of that post-race treat, you need to stop at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse. They’ve got all of the usual bakery delights like doughnuts and cookies as well as unusual treats such as matcha croissants and pineapple caramel sticky buns. Their signature “cruffins” - croissants baked in a muffin tin, rolled in sugar, and filled with pastry cream are a must in every runner’s life.

Our host hotel, the Kimpton Buchanan, is located in the heart of Japantown and near all of San Francisco’s sights to see. This bohemian boutique is also centrally (and conveniently!) located by the start and finish lines.

Looking for a quiet and low-key location? The Laurel Inn is located in a residential neighborhood between the Presidio and Golden Gate so you’ll have easy access to the race and the city, without getting caught up in all of the hustle and bustle.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Stanyan Park Hotel is a great lodging option located right on the eastern edge of Golden Gate National Park. That’s great for race and expo access as well as hitting all of the city’s sights.

Our host hotel, the Kimpton Buchanan, is located in the heart of Japantown and near all of San Francisco’s sights to see. This bohemian boutique is also centrally (and conveniently!) located by the start and finish lines.

Sure, we know it’s touristy, but nothing feels more “San Francisco” than a ride on the Powell Street Cable Car. These cars have been in operation in San Francisco since 1873. Tickets for a one-way ride are $7 for adults/kids/seniors or you can buy a one day pass for $23. If you’re just looking for a fun ride, take the Powell-Mason ride from the Powell & Market St. turntable up and over Nob Hill to Bay Street & Fisherman’s Wharf.

Get on a boat and check out Alcatraz Island. Learn about the island’s role as a federal penitentiary when it was home to some of America’s most notorious criminals, such as Al “Scarface” Capone and the “Birdman” Robert Stroud, as well as its historical significance throughout the years. Pro tip: While admission to Alcatraz Island is free, the ferry to the island is not. Book your ferry tickets to the island ASAP - they sell out quickly and there is no other way to access the island.

Towering up to 250 feet high, the trees in Muir Woods range in age from 400 to 800 years! The flat, easy trails looping through the monument are the perfect place to sneak in some active post-race recovery while you soak up the serene scene.

Looking for a fun way to see the city while giving your feet a break? Rent a bike at the pier to combine sightseeing and post-race active recovery. Pick up a bike and follow the National Park Bike Path all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. If your legs are up for it, bike up and over the bridge to Sausalito and catch a ride back to the wharf on the ferry!

Since its opening in 1898, the Ferry Building has been a focal point for anyone arriving into the city by ferry or train. Now more than a century later, the building is home to a bustling farmer’s market and merchant square where you can find everything from books to biscuits to bee-pollen balm!

Need something for race day? Sports Basement has you covered with a huge selection of sports gear and equipment and two locations in San Francisco. Post-race, use your race bib to score a 20% discount!

1590 Bryant St. Find all the sports gear your looking for at Sports Basement's Bryant Street location. And don't forget, after the race, use your bib to get 20% off!

610 Old Mason St. Find all of the gear you're looking for at Sports Basement's Presidio location or rent a bike for a fun family ride on Embarcadero! After the race, use your bib to get 20% off storewide!

Sports Basement has 2 San Francisco locations to meet all of your sporting needs over race weekend: Bryant St and Presidio. And don't forget, you can use your bib after the race to get 20 % off at either locale!

Today, the Golden Gate Bridge is recognized as one of the seven modern wonders of the world. It attracts more than 10 million fans a year and is a huge reason visitors flock to the Presidio.

Originally created as a “Japanese Village” exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, the Japanese Tea Garden is a one-acre pocket of bliss nestled in the heart of Golden Gate Park. Stroll on stepping stone paths that venture past pagodas, the koi pond, and a Zen garden. Top off your visit with a stop at the teahouse for traditional Japanese teas, fortune cookies, and other treats.

Many visitors are surprised to find two functioning windmills nestled near Golden Gate Park’s western edge. Both the Dutch Windmill to the north and the Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate’s southwestern corner are on the San Francisco Designated Landmark list and are great spots to snap a fun selfie.

Need a break from the city hustle and bustle of the cars and buildings? Slip into the green space at Mission Dolores Park for 16-acres of green lawns, shady palm trees, and all the best people watching San Francisco has to offer.

Insta-worthy opportunities abound at Fisherman’s Wharf! Snap a pic in front of the lazy sea lions at Hyde Street Pier, in front of a passing cable car, or with a giant sundae at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream Shoppe.