For a taste of the charms that, for better or worse, lead out-of-towners to San Francisco’s notoriously touristy Fisherman’s Wharf, Scoma’s is where it’s at. The very 1960s bar is a trip, and dishes like a “Lazy Man’s Cioppino” and classic crab Louie hit the spot. The views of the water don’t hurt, either. The restaurant is located on its own small pier that feels suitably setback from the bustle of the wharf.

For new-school artisan sourdough that’s dramatically dark and craggy, please see Tartine Bakery or any of these excellent San Francisco specimens. But for an old-school heavyweight, Boudin is an original. They claim their mother starter dates back to the Gold Rush, and they’re still making dense, tangy, tourist-friendly sourdough, which, admittedly, does make the best bread bowl for serving creamy clam chowder.

You come to Buena Vista for one thing and one thing only: exceptional Irish coffee. When you're in need of an afternoon pick-me-up, head here for whiskey-spiked sweet coffee topped with a thick, luscious layer of whipped cream. If you want to take your beverage over to Aquatic Park, you can even ask for a build-your-own version to take to-go.

Under the glow of the neon sign, hungry patrons wait in line for a rectangle of Golden Boy’s legendary focaccia pies. It’s basically just a takeout window where you’ll order your slices — don’t miss the clam and garlic, it’s a classic — which should then be ported over to Washington Square Park.

Let out your inner Beatnik at this classic San Francisco bar, located off Columbus Avenue where Chinatown meets FiDi meets North Beach. It’s as old-school as it gets with crowded booths and narrow stairs that lead up to the mezzanine. That’s where you’ll find the best seats in the house: Peer down onto the bar and its patrons and watch as the staff lights the chandeliers' many candles as evening sets in.

When was the last time you wandered through the Ferry Building? The vendors have only gotten even better, and the best time to go is on Saturday mornings to enjoy the farmers market. Prep yourself with patience for the crowds, but if you go with the right expectations, the outing can turn into a fun way to rediscover what you love so much about this city — and make visitors love it as much as you. Don’t miss Hog Island for oysters and a glass of bubbles while you soak up good views of the Bay.

This San Francisco classic is a total trip back in time to when plating with tweezers was not yet a thing. The restaurant's apropos name says it all — it serves one thing and one thing only, and it does that roast beef very, very well. The only choices you need to make are: meat temperature, cut thickness, mashed or loaded baked potatoes, and martini or Manhattan. Each plate comes with a salad prepared tableside, creamed spinach, Yorkshire pudding, and potatoes — and of course, a hulking piece of beef cut from roving meat carts.

There are tiki bars — and then there’s the Tonga Room. It’s more than just a cocktail bar with some island-inspired decor; it’s a San Francisco institution where the tables surround a blue-green lagoon (formerly the hotel’s indoor pool) with a floating stage graced by a group of musicians. Kick back and take it all in while you sip on classics including a mai tai, zombie, fog cutter, and jungle bird.

Besides "the" chicken, Zuni's burger, Caesar salad, and bloody Mary have all been called the best in the city. The two-storied, triangular space is enchanting any time of day: good for brunch, for late-night dining, for oysters and a cocktail at the bar, or for a lovely sit-down meal with a date. And did we mention that chicken?

Anchor may be owned by Sapporo these days, but it’s still a big deal in beer history — it’s the oldest brewery in San Francisco, going back 125 years, and it’s a pioneer of steam beer, also known as California common beer. Tours of their art deco factory back by reservation, and, of course, there’s always Anchor Public Taps, the big taproom across the street where you can get a frothy pour of that signature steam lager.

The Mission bakery is the original location for the award-winning bakery, which has added locations and struggled with worker issues in the past couple of years, though there’s still a line out the door. First timers usually go for the morning bun, a knot of croissant laced with cinnamon and orange zest. But the sourdough is a big deal, ushering in a new wave of natural bread baking in San Francisco, and now imitated across the world. Bread, tarts, cookies, cakes, and more fill the rest of the saliva-inducing display, all of which make the perfect pairing with people-watching in the outdoor seating area.