Play. Shop. Eat. San Francisco

I've lived twice in the San Francisco Bay Area. And every time I visit there my eyes see changes that the city has made. There is a bigger push to shop local and fresh there. And to live close to your work. If a trip to San Francisco (otherwise known as Frisco) in the Bay Area is in your future, this list will help you discover how to play, shop and eat in a town with high rent, classic cable cars and steep hills. And if you're lucky you can snag a taxi in a city with a major cab problem.

Play
Cable Car: It may sound touristy, but locals use them too. And the classic cable car can help you navigate the tough SF hills. It's a fun way to see the city. Get there early, lines get long.
Golden Gate Park: It's the prettiest park in SF. Worth exploring if you have time. You can walk through it, rent bikes or rollerblades there and even take Segway tours through it.
Bike along the Wharf: The best way to see all the attractions along the wharf is by bike and it's a scenic ride along the water. Or rent a bike and go on your own ride.
Chrissy Field: Go fly a kite, read a book, enjoy a picnic. It is a great park for setting sail. And when the fog blows over you can see the Golden Gate Bridge.
Yurba Buena Gardens: Walk under the waterfall (kids love this).
SF Zoo: Kids also love to see this urban jungle. The animals are characters!
SF Moma: Discover art in SoMa and hide out with art on a rainy day.
The Walt Disney Family Museum: Explore the treasures of Disney interactive family-style.
Le Video: On a rainy day, rent an indie flick and fire up your TV or laptop, watch it back at your home or hotel.
Haight and Ashbury Streets: Makes a fun photo, check out the convergence zone at quitting time. And discover the colorful homes in the area.
Alamo Square: Gives you the best view of the famous Painted Ladies.
Lombard Street: The best place for a photo of the crookedest street is at the bottom. Take the Powell-Mason cable car line to Lombard and Columbus. Otherwise you can go to to top via the Hyde Street cable car line.

Shop
Rag: This co-op stands for: Residents Apparel Gallery and it is chalk full of local designer duds. It was packed the day I was in it, very popular.
Perish Trust: This awesome vintage store (pictured above) was also packed the day I was in it. It's full of vintage typewriters, eyeglasses by Warby Parker, light fixtures, rare books plus nautical, bow and arrow and railroad memorabilia. The co-owner (stylist Rod Hipskind) told me that his "parents owned an antique shop in Sacramento" and he said he didn't "know how long his store on Divisadero Street will last" but that he's "enjoying it day-by-day." He has a fierce eye for vintage, a must see curiosity-type shop. While there I bought this anthology, which he and his other co-owner Kelly Ishikawa were featured in.
Goorin Brothers: This quaint hat shop on Haight Street is popular. Go in and try on all the classy hats you can imagine.
Athleta: The snappy sportwear line for women now has a brick and mortar shop on Fillmore.
Nest: Just down the street from Athleta is this awesome vintage home decor store.
Eden and Eden: Offers fun, colorful jewelry.
Jeremys: Go buy something on sale. Or ogle the beautiful designs.
Bell Jar: There are pretty, trendy and affordable dresses at this little boutique.
Ambiance SF: Features current fashions for women, a cute store!
Heidi Says: Offers a pretty shoe salon.
Cliff's Variety: This is a quirky, fun store where you can buy kitchsy things from kitchen supplies to tool belts. Fun section for kids too.
Monument: Discover the mid-century modern furniture.
Room 4: Best vintage store in SF from home decor to apparel.
Green Apple Books: The best indie bookstore in SF. Join their Apple-a-Month Club and they will handpick the best fiction selection for that month and mail it to you.
City Lights Books: Also a great indie bookstore that specializes in world history and the arts in the heart of SF.

Eat
Slanted Door: Located in the Ferry Building the Vietnamese dishes are set up for you to share with others. The location of this restaurants rocks and so does the food.
The Ferry Building: You really can't go wrong with any food inside this awesome market especially during their farmers' market on Saturdays.
Chiaroscuro: Across the street from the Transamerica building is this cozy and delicious Italian cuisine restaurant with a killer wine list.
Bix: This restaurant has been around a long time, it's tucked away in Jackson Square. A jazzy treat to visit.
Oriental Pearl: Local consider this place the best Chinese food in Chinatown.
Aliotos: In Fisherman's Wharf is one one SF's oldest restaurants and they have the best dungenous crab.
1300 on Fillmore: Maple syrup slow braised short ribs. Nough said.
Yoshis: They serve only the freshest ingredients at this sushi bar with jazz music too.
Greens Restaurant: Go for a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge and a vegetarian meal.
Leopold's: Popular local SF hangout with a Bavarian feel with rustic decor and a wine bar in back.
Alembic Bar: Wet your palate at a favorite local hangout.
Bourbon & Branch: Make a reservation at this speakeasy and order a drink from the 1920s. Don't even think about ordering a Cosmo here. Think bourbon, rum, scotch and whisky. Or if you want to sit in the library without a reservation use the general password "books" to drop in for a drink.
Latin America Club: Sip a strong, very strong, cheap margarita at this pinata decorated joint.
Mr. Smiths: A speakeasy and dance club wrapped into one.

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Photo: CopyStrands