San Francisco Guitarworks
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill, Mission

331 Potrero Ave
San Francisco, CA 94101

Keane L. writes: Chode Guitarman vs. SF Guitarworks

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(Chode Guitarman)

Keane: Can I get these tuners installed?

Chode: Dude, did you hear the new Papa Roach album?!

Keane: Huh? Uh, no... I just wanted to get these tuners installed?

Chode: They wrote another song about…

Lawrence Hall of Science
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area

Centennial Drive
Berkeley, CA 94702

laura b. writes: i have many things in common with the average pre-pubescent male.  much like an 8 year old boy, i enjoy dinosaurs, penguins, and deep sea creatures (unlike an 8 year old boy, i also enjoy 700 page novels, volunteering for social justice…

La Santaneca
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights

3781 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Sammy S. writes: I was a big jerk and didn't order the ever popular pupusas.

Why, you ask?

Because I was effing hungry and when Sammy S. is effing hungry people lose their limbs. No joke. So don't ever, ever tell me what to order, because there will be a battle…

Blo Salon
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley

500 Laguna Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Wendy K. writes: My New Year's resolution is to carry out a do-it-yourself extreme makeover, Jeff A. style, in the course of the new year.  So far I think I'm doing pretty well.  Here is my to-do list:

Undouche wardrobe...check.
Put faggy earrings back in, ramp up to…

Milo Pet Adoption Store
Neighborhood: North Berkeley

1575 Solano Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94707

Nikki H. writes: I've had pure-breds all my life but two years ago I adopted a mutt and i've never been happier. Sure is nice to forego all those inbred problems of purebreds!
I got Audrey from one of Milo's mobile adoptions outside of Best in Show on Sanchez Street.…

Amy Kuschel Bride
Neighborhood: Union Square, Civic Center/Tenderloin

23 Grant Avenue Fl 5
San Francisco, CA 94108

Michelle C. writes: I hated shopping for a wedding dress. I really did. Was the sales associate laughing at my Hello Kitty cotton underwear? Was my friend fostering a hatred for me as I tried on white poufy dress after white poufy dress? Was something wrong with me…

Hansen's Laundry & Dry Cleaning
Neighborhood: Castro

4258 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94114

Roseanne W. writes: This place is incredible. It's so reasonably priced, the people are so nice, and my clothes come back perfect every time. But I mean, no, it's horrible, don't come here and discover my favorite place ever.

Children's Fairyland

699 Bellevue Ave
Oakland, CA 94610

Tsada K. writes: TSADA:  I love Fairyland.  It's like Disneyland for toddlers, only without all the Orwellian shit and mass-marketing.  It's a magical little oasis in the middle of Oakland.

COUSIN:  You're SUCH a hypocrite.

T:  Why?

C:  Because you claim to be an animal…

Fabric Outlet
Neighborhood: Mission

2109 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Sara G. writes: THE GOAL:  Get bunnies out of room as they are fucking up my game.

THE CHALLENGE: Find appropriately cute fabric with which to make a  morroccan style bunny tent harem, so roommate will accept that bunnies now habitate in living room.

IT ALL…

Wine Impression
Neighborhood: Laurel Heights

3461 California St
San Francisco, CA 94118

Suzanne B. writes: I was torn, horribly, horribly torn, in my star rating for A Wine Impression.  On the plus side, the shop has a nice selection and the owners are incredibly knowledgeable in that comfortable and friendly way that allows for any question.  I got a…

Eezy Freezy
Neighborhood: West Portal

25 W Portal Ave
San Francisco, CA 94127

x z. writes: Eezy Freezy's a convenient grocery store for West Portalans.  It's better stocked than St. Francis Market across the way.  And aside from the usual corner store staples, they also carry specialty goods from Europe.

Four stars for their name, alone.…

Distillery 209
Neighborhood: SOMA

401 Terry Francois St
Suite #213
San Francisco, CA 94158

B.K. W. writes: I don't actually know very much about gin.  All I know is this, from last night's Elite event at Harlot:

I tried to order my usual Seabreeze (vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice).  The bartender reminded me that I'd have to pay for that, but…

Needles & Pens
Neighborhood: Mission

3253 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Gil S. writes: Cool and funky art books, zines, tee shirts, and little gewgaws.  Everything is handmade or small press, either local or imported in small batches.  A good place to buy a neat creative gift.  You could spend quite a while here just looking at stuff.

Huntington Hotel
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

1075 California St
San Francisco, CA 94108

Kristina R. writes: I used to work in the hospitality industry, which allowed me to stay in some of the nicest hotels in Califor-ni-yay for very very low rates.  This is how I became a hotel snob.  I'm really quite impossible to live with.  Ask my huz-beau.

Ok, so I make…

Colorbox Hair Salon
Neighborhood: Castro

510 Church St
San Francisco, CA 94114

Marky d. writes: Are there any cooler chicks than the Colorbox Girls?  Fuck no!  Michelle will turn your hair white and Nancy will just plain make you scream!  Take a bottle of red wine for a romantic after-hours trim.  Tell them Satan sent you.

The Seventh Heart
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley, SOMA

1592 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

squinka c. writes: life can be very rough.
some of the t-shirts here are VERY soft.
like getting a hug all day long.

VERY GOOD on Valentine's Day.

NICE owners.
Sweet simple comfy clothing dialed up just a little with burnished colors and slightly edgy cuts. mid-range…

Acabello Salon
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

2423 California St
San Francisco, CA 94115

Audrey C. writes: Paul, Paul, Paul Enriquez is the man! For selfish reasons I don't really want to tell too many people about him but I can't help myself - this guy really is great! A true pro, knows his ish - and just so happens to be so in the know that I soak up as…

Urban Roots
Neighborhood: SOMA

165 10th Street
Cross st Mission & Howard
San Francisco, CA 94103

Jill K. writes: I honestly can't find the words.

In a nutshell: Lisa is the coolest person ever. Aside from being a fantastic stylist/colorist - don't worry, i'll get to that in a second - she is absolutely one of the most down-to-earth, sweet, enjoyable people I've…

Habit
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

1905 Union St
Ste 1
San Francisco, CA 94123

Alison N. writes: I'm going to take my time with this one.  Va-jays, in general, often deserve more time and attention, so it seems appropriate.

As I strolled past the Bus Stop on my way to the weed-yanking appointment, I thought to myself, "If I were smart, I'd have…

Goldberry Jewelers
Neighborhood: Laurel Heights

3516 Sacramento St
San Francisco, CA 94118

Christina C. writes: I'm a lucky recipient of a beautiful and stupendous Goldberry engagement ring.  The quality of my three stone princess cut  diamond ring is exquisite.  Margie is great to work with.  Her care and patience in helping to pick out the most perfect ring…

Nervous Dog Coffee
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights

3438 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Bruce R. writes: What a FIVE?!?!?!?  Are kidding me?  On the first visit?!?!?  No I am not getting overly generous with our trusted Yelp ratings, but once you walk into this secret - how did I NOT know about the place before - place, you just get a good vibe:  local,…

Sawyer Camp Trail at Crystal Springs Reservoir

Skyline Boulevard & Crystal Springs Road
San Mateo, CA 94401

Keiko S. writes: Oh, how can you not fall in love with this place!

Starting from the south entrance on Skyline Blvd., this trail continues north for approximately 6 miles. Every half mile is clearly marked, so you can make a u-turn according to how much you think…

Wegman's Nursery

492 Woodside Rd
Redwood City, CA 94061

David P. writes: THE place for us to go for ordering bare root roses or other plants for our garden. The lay out is such that its easy to walk around and see everything very clearly as opposed to having everything cramped together in a corner.

What's more, I've…

Norge Cleaners

398 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706

Jen S. writes: I haven't used too many dry cleaners in my time but I brought a bunch of stuff here years ago and remember it being a bit expensive for the number of (uncomplicated) items I had. I dropped some stuff off yesterday and I am excited to pick it up…

Belden Place
Neighborhood: Financial District

Belden Pl
San Francisco, CA 94109

JT F. writes: When I start feeling my Tracy, CA roots growing out again I tend to skip on over to Belden Place for a little culture.  Lunch is always a shot in the dark depending on who you go with.  For all I care, those restaurants could merge into one and I…

The Red Onion

11900 San Pablo Avenue
El Cerrito, CA 94530

Tim C. writes: Ah, the beauty of Yelp.  I search for burgers near Berkeley, and Red Onion comes up, with 8 reviews, all positive. I was in the mood for a juicy burger, and everyone says they're great, and cheap too.  Over to El Cerrito I scamper, at a little after…

Napoli Pizzeria & Italian Food

124 Tennessee St
Vallejo, CA 94590

dan s. writes: I always have high expectations for a new pizza place.  I hope, beyond hope, that this will be the one, the place that has good NY style pizza.  So far, to date, Arinell Pizza in SF is the only such place.

After an afternoon at Six Flags, we decided…

Intersection For the Arts
Neighborhood: Mission

446 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Genevieve Y. writes: Date & Time:  Friday June 6, 2008 @ 7pm for an Art Auction and Various Evenings for Live Theatre & Jazz
Company:  Michael
Crowd:  Hipsters and Philanthropists
Vibe:  Cool
Venue:  Sleek Space filled with Incredible Art- Paintings, Scuptures, Photography,…

San Francisco Scooter Centre
Neighborhood: SOMA

127 10th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Ed to the M. writes: I heart San Francisco Scooter Centre.  You know, it's really hard to feel sometimes like you're not getting conned when you need services that you really don't understand anything about.  But Barry is the kind of guy I would trust my scooter with, I…

Builders Booksource
Neighborhood: Fourth Street

1817 4th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710

Ed U. writes: Come on, everybody...clap your hands!...http://www.youtube.com...
"I'm gonna build a mountain, from a little hill.
I'm gonna build a mountain, least I hope I will.
I'm gonna build a mountain, I'm gonna build it high.
I don't know how I'm gonna do it,…

Sweet Adeline Bakeshop
Neighborhood: South Berkeley

3350 Adeline St
Berkeley, CA 94703

.elin f. writes: Oh Sweet Adeline, normally I come to you pre-work for some yummy pastries (the coffee cake and the cheddar & scallion scone are particularly delicious), friendly smiles from your counter staff, and a cup of strong coffee.

But last week, you also…

Mission Pet Hospital
Neighborhood: Mission

720 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94110

A P. writes: I heart Mission Pet Hospital, cause Mission Pet Hospital hearts Lola.

Lola was spayed today and had a baby canine removed that didn't fall out.

She is doing fine and resting from surgery.  Say a little prayer for her speedy recovery.

Update:…

Bay Area Discovery Museum

557 McReynolds Rd
Sausalito, CA 94965

Gil S. writes: It's a little young for me.  

We all have an inner child.  But this is more your inner infant.

The building and exhibits weren't broken or dirty or anything, they just seemed a little shabby.  Fish tanks were murky and the stuffed starfish was fraying…

Red Blossom Tea Company
Neighborhood: Nob Hill, Chinatown

831 Grant Ave
San Francisco, CA 94108

Fallopian Swim Team D. writes: Red Blossom Tea Company is the model for the new Chinese American business. Take the old world knowledge of the parents, mix it with the new world aesthetic and marketing savvy of the children, and watch the cash stack up.

The tricky part of the…

Sephora
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

2083 Union St
San Francisco, CA 94105

Kristina R. writes: (whistling and walking in to Sephora)

PERKY SALES GAL:  (Approaching and staring)  HI!  Can I help you?

ME:  Nope!  Thanks...just here to pick up some...

PERKY SALES GAL:  Tweezers?  I can see you've got a little fuzz there between your brows.  Mr.…

HyperOptics Optometry
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury

1463 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

euge l. writes: so i ran out of contacts awhile ago. ive been real lazy about it. i finally went in last week, cause damn, i hate wearing a helmet with glasses. its just not comfortable.

i got a recommendation from hen a. i dont know if you guys noticed, but hes got…

Penny's Caribbean Cafe

2836 Sacramento St
Berkeley, CA 94710

craig m. writes: another MUST GO. =)

great caribean food (from trinidad to be exact) and according to the owner, the only local spot that serves rotis...and this is a damn good roti in my opinion.  
the roti was so much food that i got two meals out of it and i'm a…

Mara's Salon
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley

112A Gough Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

maria d. writes: The only nail salon I've ever been to where they were playing the Pixies. I think I've finally found my regular!