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Divisadero & Page

Guardian Photo by Brandon Joseph Baker

Located at the eastern tip of the Panhandle, the neighborhood surrounding this intersection is rapidly gentrifying, but still shows its working-class African American and scruffy skater roots. Grab a coffee at the nearby Bean Bag or Mojo cafés, and do a little wandering before you head west into Golden Gate Park.

Independent
Along with Slim's in SoMa and Great American Music Hall in the Polk District, the Independent is one of the largest concert venues in the city where you'll hear the best indie, folk, rock, and world acts before they break big. Cruising the line outside at night guarantees you'll be clued in to what the cool kids are wearing this week.
628 Divisadero. (415) 771-1421, www.independentsf.com

Madrone
Owner Leila Fakouri has installed her own funky collection of furniture in this bar-gallery-nightclub - and the good-looking creatures who grab one of the unique, home-infused vodka cocktails from the bar and sit their tender tushes down on it always look extremely pleased with her decision. Then they dance to hip-hop and house tunes.
500 Divisadero. (415) 241-0202, www.madronelounge.com

Cookin'
A beloved San Francisco treasure as famous for its eye-popping international collection of vintage cookware and recipe books as for the stern demeanor of its owner. She won't bite, though, and her taste in unique and antique kitchen gadgetry is impeccable. If you've traveled the world looking for the perfect Moldovan egg cup, you'll probably find it here.
339 Divisadero, 861-1854

Brown Bear
A new addition to the neighborhood, but not nearly as ritzy or pricey as some of the others, Brown Bear is an art gallery and clothing boutique whose evening events brim over with hipsters and art lovers. The clothes run from vintage to independently designed, and the art is always delightfully challenging.
289 Divisadero. (415) 626-5779, www.brownbearsf.com

Eddie's
What else can we say, except "Korean soul food café," echoing Eddie's sign? While no Korean food appears on the breakfast and lunch menu (Eddie's closes at 4 p.m.), a wealth of good ol' greasy American hangover remedies like omelets and grits await, with gallons of hot sauce nearby. The Korean family staff is unfailingly friendly to the skaters and post-clubbers packed within.
800 Divisadero. (415) 563-9780

  • Upper Haight
    Muni: 6 Parnassus, 7 Haight
    The epicenter and birthplace of hippie culture still attracts disenfranchised youth with its head shops, Eastern-leaning boutiques, proximity to Golden Gate Park, and teeming street life. But the modern day Haight-Ashbury has grown to accommodate more than just the hemp-and-hackysack subculture, now featuring shops where punks, burners, sex workers, skaters, and other anti-establishment types can get their various accoutrements. A classic example is Piedmont (1452 Haight, 415-864-8075, www.piedmontsf.com), whose giant fishnet legs outside only hint at the extent of the feathers, glitter, neon, and lace party wear waiting inside. For a glance at what gentrification and 40 years of thriving tourism (sidewalks are almost non-navigable on weekends) has introduced, check out new upscale hotspot Alembic (1725 Haight, 415-666-0822, www.alembicbar.com) for top-notch whiskey cocktails and sophisticated cuisine. Or, while the hungry, rowdy masses clamber for tables at the worthy-but-crowded Cha Cha Cha, head instead to local favorite Citrus Club (1790 Haight, 415-387-6366), where steaming bowls of noodle soup are still affordable.
  • Upper Fillmore/Marina
    Muni: 22 Fillmore, 30 Stockton, 41 Union
    Things get ritzier as you head north from Western Addition. In Pacific Heights, where those with privilege live in Victorian mansions and buy sweaters for their dogs, indulge yourself with exotic chocolate drinks at Bittersweet Café (2123 Fillmore, 415-346-8715, www.bittersweetchocolatecafe.com) or on swanky home-decor eye candy at Nest (2300 Fillmore, 415-292-6199). Or head further toward the water to shop (on Union Street), dine (on Chestnut Street), and drink (Fillmore at Greenwich streets) with the city's beautiful, young, fit, postgrad singles. For edgier Marina flavor, head all the way to Fort Mason, a maze of art galleries and small theaters. This is where you'll find Greens (Building A, Fort Mason, 415-771-6222 , www.greensrestaurant.com), famous not only for its award-winning gourmet vegetarian cuisine but for the view of the Golden Gate Bridge from its waterfront floor-to-ceiling windows.

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