Perfect Day in the Outer Sunset

1. The Outer Sunset is accessible via a car-free path through Golden Gate Park. Rent a Bay Wheels bicycle and take a spin through the park to find a side of San Francisco that you least expected. Want to leave the bike at home? The N-Judah street car (direction: Ocean Beach) drops you in the heart of the Outer Sunset.

2. Start your neighborhood exploration at Black Bird Bookstore, where you can enjoy a coffee while perusing the exceptionally curated selection of books or taking in the tranquility of the backyard. Before you leave, ask about their upcoming author and community events to plan your next visit.

3. Stock up on snacks and other groceries at one of San Francisco's two employee-owned cooperative grocers, Other Avenues. Have a question about their locally sourced products, work to minimize plastic use, or history as a continuously running cooperative since 1974? Ask an owner!

4. Slide into a cozy seat at the Outer Sunset's iconic brunch spot Outer Lands. Their fruit-topped Dutch baby pancakes and grilled cheese on house-made levain bread with tomato soup have long drawn crowds of locals and tourists alike. And don't forget to order the smashed potatoes.

5. Looking for a vegan breakfast option? Judahlicous Vegan Cafe and Juice Bar has served raw and vegan cuisine with fresh juices and smoothies for almost 20 years. The Acai Bowl with Pumpkin Flax Granola is popular for breakfast.

6. Prefer to eat from the sea with an ocean view? Stop in for lunch at Hook Fish Co, where you can get delicious, sustainable seafood that is thoughtfully and transparently sourced. Enjoy a burrito and an agua fresca in one of the most beautiful parklets in the city.

7. With a full belly, bike or stroll southbound on Great Highway Park towards your next destination. Take your time and enjoy sharing the oceanfront with families biking, walking, and rollerskating to the sound of the waves. 

8. After making your way to Taraval Street, a touch of caffeine will help fuel the next stage of your Outer Sunset adventure. Avenues San Francisco is a coffee shop with a menu inspired by surfing fare from around the world. 

9. After enjoying a coffee with neighborhood surfers, go a few doors down to one of the most unique record stores in the city. Tunnel Records specializes in jazz, soul, and rock — but you never know what vinyl treasure you will find in their ever-changing, eclectic collection.

10. Finish off your visit to Taraval Street with a cocktail at one of the Outer Sunset's most iconic bars. White Cap, focused on high-quality ingredients and elevated mixology, offers delicious classic and seasonal-rotating cocktails with a surfer-chic vibe.

11. Looking for something a bit rowdier? The Riptide, the "Bay Area's little honky-tonk by the beach," has live music, DJs, or entertainment most nights, and their weekly Open-Mic night has been voted best in the city for many years.

12. To finish off your way, make your way north along Great Highway Park back to Judah Street, then head inland. DamnFine, on Judah, offers delicious wood-fired pizza, refreshing cocktails, and a changing seasonal menu in a chic, comfortable setting.