User Lists in San Francisco, CA Metro

Allie Pape counts down the 5 most new & notable restaurants and bars in town. Add these to your itinerary.

San Francisco may not be one of the nation's fashion capitals, but what we lack in high style, we more than make up for with interesting and unusual local designers and stores. These five top San Francisco shops yield treasures that surprise and delight, whether you're buying for yourself or trying to pick the perfect holiday gift. (Photo: Qoio, by Tatiana Jimenez)

There are plenty of reasons to love San Francisco, but its superlative restaurants--most inspired by regional ingredients--certainly top the list. It's hard to pick just five of the city's best restaurants, but these San Francisco fine dining restaurants are tops when it comes to service, atmosphere, and, of course, food. (Photo: Coi, by Andrea Petrini)

Innovative. World-class. Ingredient-focused. These words are often used to describe San Francisco's restaurant scene, along with one more: expensive. While we may not be able to offer you a deal at every acclaimed foodie magnet in town, this list offers ways to enjoy a few of the city's dining and drinking hot spots on a dime. From white-napkin burgers to $5 cocktails, we've got your budget covered with our list of San Francisco bar and restaurant deals. (Photo of Heaven's Dog by Liz Hafalia)

There is no way to replicate New Orleans. The city has a charm, uniqueness and history all its own. The only way to truly experience the Big Easy is to plan a New Orleans vacation. But for when you need a little N?awlins fix in San Francisco to get you in the mood, we have the inspiration in these restaurants, bars and more that channel the French Quarter and beyond.

For a town alternately associated with ultra-fine dining and hippie vegans, San Francisco sure loves its burgers. Nearly every restaurant in town, from greasy spoons to Michelin-recognized giants, offers a burger on its menu, and local support for sustainably raised meat and veggies means the majority of them are pretty darn good. Here are our favorite San Francisco burgers, from take-out to two-star. (Photo: Nopa's burger by David McDuff)

While we still have a few months to go until we get "our" summer, May offers its share of warm, dry days to tide city denizens over before the fogginess of June and July sets in. Whether you're out enjoying the sun or indoors hiding from the rain, these eight activities should keep you busy.

Sure, the bells and whistles of a fancy salon are nice--who doesn't love a good scalp massage with their glass of champagne?--but in these tough times, sometimes all you really need is a good, affordable cut. If "cheap haircut? calls to mind childhood memories of bad bowl styles and thick bangs that took you years to grow out, relax. These spots may be thrifty, but you'll leave happy--with good hair and even enough cash leftover for that glass of champagne.

As many travel magazines will tell you, San Francisco is a phenomenal vacation destination. (We've been voted as the No. 1 U.S. City by "Conde Nast Traveler" magazine 17 years in a row.) And, for many West Coasters, it's an easy and beautiful drive. But most San Francisco parking garages--especially those in hotels--are astronomically priced at upwards of $40 a day. The solution: neighborhood motels. These five motor lodges all include free parking and rooms just as nice as many downtown hotels.

When Outside Lands debuted in San Francisco two years ago, it was revolutionary: the first nighttime concert in Golden Gate Park's history. On August 14-15, the park will again be transformed into a world-class concert venue with a lineup that includes Kings of Leon, Phoenix and My Morning Jacket. The convenience of a city-based music festival can't be beat, but the transit chaos and ballpark-level beer prices can sure take their toll. Because we've been there--standing like limp soldiers, broke and blistered by Sunday afternoon--we've assembled this survival guide to get you through the weekend.