Digital Nomad’s Guide to San Francisco

Skyline view of San Francisco from hill in park.

San Francisco is an incredible city with an amazing history. It remains the world capital of tech entrepreneurialism, and progressive, inclusive political activism.

Though its reputation has taken a hit in recent years due to very real addiction and homelessness issues plaguing the Bay Area, it’s making headway in addressing these problems and is still a great place to visit.

Coffee Shops

Flywheel Coffee Roasters

672 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Extremely cool, laptop-friendly cafe in historic Haight-Ashbury.

Black sign with white writing in front of house row and blue sky.

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Restaurants

Rad Radish

301 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Suave vegan restaurant in a nice area. Great dinner spot. Bonus points for the co-working table in a corner.

Array of bright, healthy looking meals on plates.

(Photo: Rad Raddish)

Restaurant interior with nice wood tables and chairs.

(Photo: Wild Seed)

Parks and Recreation

Haight-Ashbury

Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA 94117

Still groovy after all these years.

Lots of artworks on San Francisco street.

Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub

City Lights

261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Legendary bookstore founded by local poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti (with professor Peter D. Martin).

Bookstore exterior window with several colourful books on display.

Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub

Drugs and Alcohol

Alcohol: Legal drinking age in California is 21.

Cannabis: Recreational cannabis is legal at the state level (though federally, it’s still illegal). It can be purchased from licensed dispensaries by adults aged 21+.

Psychedelics: Aboveground stores sell kratom and plant-based psychedelics have been “effectively decriminalized” in both SF and Oakland.