Hayes Valley
Hayes Valley
4.5
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Top ways to experience Hayes Valley and nearby attractions
The area
Neighbourhood: Intermission
How to get there
- Van Ness • 7 min walk
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
4,682 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,082 within 6 miles
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4.5
79 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
28
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
0
GlobeTrotting5086
San Francisco, CA1 contribution
When you're in San Francisco, it's sometimes difficult to figure out what to do next. Also, feeling frazzled is not uncommon when you're running from SFMOMA to the Wharf to the Castro to the beach and back again. Hayes Valley is a quiet little neighborhood that doesn't see much tourist traffic, because it doesn't have a famous moniker like The Mission or Embarcadero. What it has instead is a quiet, quaint collection of clothing boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and vintage furniture stores collected in a three-square-block area perfect for window shopping or a nice, casual coffee (or wine) break on a Sunday afternoon. When you need a breather, think of Hayes Valley. (MUNI stop is Van Ness Station, or ask the taxi driver to take you to Hayes and Gough ["Goff"] and stroll up and down Hayes street.)
Written 21 May 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wHerEinTHEworlDisWIL
Oakland, CA4 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
I go to Hayes Valley a lot because it's my favorite neighborhood in SF. I wanted to let everyone know about the Hayes Valley Pass because it gets you discounts and offers at all the best and iconic businesses in Hayes Valley. There are over 30+ businesses participating including, Warby Parker, Miette, Upper Playground, Jardiniere and Patxi's Pizza.
It's a great way to get to know the neighborhood. Plus, some of the proceeds go towards supporting local Hayes Valley non-profits.
You can check it out at hayesvalleypass.com
It's a great way to get to know the neighborhood. Plus, some of the proceeds go towards supporting local Hayes Valley non-profits.
You can check it out at hayesvalleypass.com
Written 6 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,731 contributions
Dec 2019
It's hard to believe how much this neighborhood has soared in 40 years, from a dark area under the old freeway full of ladies of the night to boutique central where you can't buy anything for less than $100. And lots of chic restaurants. Fun to explore.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZaZaPoo
San Francisco, CA11 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
Okay yes this has been discovered by more people now and can get a little touristy on the weekends but it is still a great neighborhood with unique shops, restaurants, bars and bakeries. Try Lers Ros Thai restaurant..totally delicious. Then stroll all the shopping streets. You don't have to have deep pockets to window shop. Also check out Nancy Boy soaps and shampoos. Everything in there smells great and looks great. Try the made to order ice cream around the corner in the little parklet. Okay I hate to use this phrase but it is TO DIE FOR.
Written 2 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin L
San Francisco, CA17 contributions
You must try out Absinthe Restaurant. Zuni Cafe. Very elegant neighborhood, close to the symphony, opera, Herbst Theatre. Shops galore. If you are a lady and like shoes, Hayes Street is the street to check out. Clothes you cannot find elsewhere in any department store.
Written 25 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stravel4
Bloomfield Hills, MI101 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
This was our favorite area of San Francisco. No commercialized shops, or Restaurants. But instead offering exactly what we were looking for with cute little boutique style shopping and yummy cafes, Bakery, and authentic dining experiences to choose from.
Written 30 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mini
Fremont, CA212,259 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
Hayes Valley is the place to be if one wants to enjoy San Francisco with a local vibe. Its somewhat hidden but extremely close (a few minutes walk) to the Civic Center area and a few minutes walk the other way to the Painted Ladies homes area of San Francisco.
Hayes Valley has a good vibe. There are lots of good dining areas as well as bars. There is local charm. Its not Union Square with its corporate stores, restaurants, and hotels which is a good thing. There are walking areas and a dog park.
Interspersed in this vibrant area is also senior retirement homes but they seem to coexist just fine.
The restaurants are so good. For breakfast, Stacks has superb food. Just recently I enjoyed their meat crepe. There are good restaurants pleasing almost every appetite. For example, La Boulange for coffee and French sandwiches. There is the lively German restaurnt Suppenkuche with its large beers and lively vibe - at times people are having so much fun its difficult to hear. There is the very good Boxing Room for Cajun and Creole. For Italian, there is Il Borgo for pizza and Italian Food. There is the superb Jardiniere, pricey with a stellar but pricey tasting menu. There is Absinthe - a lively bar and a food dining room. Too many great places to name, but its an area to go.
There are good bars such as Muka (also good earlier in the day for coffee), Dobbs Ferry with pub food and sports TV, and so forth.
There are unique local shops - not the corporate generic of Union Square.
It is where one finds San Francisco locals. Yes, at night in some areas it can still be a bit "dicey" so street smarts are good to use. But overall, its a fun place to go. And for those who live there they find the local vibe during the week so nice with more "tourists" visti
Hayes Valley has a good vibe. There are lots of good dining areas as well as bars. There is local charm. Its not Union Square with its corporate stores, restaurants, and hotels which is a good thing. There are walking areas and a dog park.
Interspersed in this vibrant area is also senior retirement homes but they seem to coexist just fine.
The restaurants are so good. For breakfast, Stacks has superb food. Just recently I enjoyed their meat crepe. There are good restaurants pleasing almost every appetite. For example, La Boulange for coffee and French sandwiches. There is the lively German restaurnt Suppenkuche with its large beers and lively vibe - at times people are having so much fun its difficult to hear. There is the very good Boxing Room for Cajun and Creole. For Italian, there is Il Borgo for pizza and Italian Food. There is the superb Jardiniere, pricey with a stellar but pricey tasting menu. There is Absinthe - a lively bar and a food dining room. Too many great places to name, but its an area to go.
There are good bars such as Muka (also good earlier in the day for coffee), Dobbs Ferry with pub food and sports TV, and so forth.
There are unique local shops - not the corporate generic of Union Square.
It is where one finds San Francisco locals. Yes, at night in some areas it can still be a bit "dicey" so street smarts are good to use. But overall, its a fun place to go. And for those who live there they find the local vibe during the week so nice with more "tourists" visti
Written 13 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William M
San Francisco, CA906 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Revivalist retail opportunities, pricey food, lots and lots of tourists.
This area has been revived since the 1989 earthquake and the subsequent removal of a freeway ramp. Now the stores are upscalish, the vibe young and moneyed. The public housing is still up Hayes Street, and 'hood can get a bit dicey late at night.
This area has been revived since the 1989 earthquake and the subsequent removal of a freeway ramp. Now the stores are upscalish, the vibe young and moneyed. The public housing is still up Hayes Street, and 'hood can get a bit dicey late at night.
Written 12 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
luisasantoro
Sao Paulo, SP200 contributions
I heard about Hays valley but didnt go, untill one day i was walking by the area and decided to take a look at the neiborghood, after this day i came back 6 times, this place is awesome!
I wish i could live there. Great shops, great food, amazing place to take a walk, and just hangout!
Must go!
I wish i could live there. Great shops, great food, amazing place to take a walk, and just hangout!
Must go!
Written 17 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly B
Seattle, WA8 contributions
Feb 2013 • Family
If you're visiting San Francisco, head over to Hayes Valley for a multitude of cute shops and restaurants. There are street trucks in the park and boutiques with one of a kind gifts for any person. I loved Birch, a shop with flowers and cool gifts. I'd go back there any time I visit. My favorite area in San Fran.
Written 30 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, is this a good neighborhood to stay? It is my first time in SF. I will stay 6 days and I m planning to visit from here, not only hot spots in SF, but alzó redwoods, Napa valley, sausalito. Can somebody let me know ir it is a godo idea to Stay in hayes valley or If not, other alternatives?
Thanks in advance
Cheers
Written 6 January 2017
If we were taking a cab to Hayes Street to walk around the area and peruse the stores, where would be a good place to be dropped off? From there, what route should we take to hit all the stores? Chances are this would be late afternoon/early evening so safety is important, as well. Thank you!
Written 16 June 2015
Angel K
San Francisco, California
Hi,
Which rooms have their own saunas?
Thanks!
Written 10 January 2015
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