User Lists in San Francisco, CA Metro

Unlike nearby Hayes Valley, which went from drug-infested no-man's-land to crimeless yuppie paradise seemingly overnight, the Lower Haight has maintained some of its gritty character as the city around it has changed. Lately, a slew of new, bourgeois spots have opened, but, Sid Vicious-types still lurk outside of Molotov's, a strong scent of weed wafts out of the pot clubs and, in the wee hours, there is still the real big-city feeling of not being 100 percent safe. Here's a guide to what's new in the Lower Haight from a guy who grew up there.

San Francisco boasts some of the best restaurants in the country--from neighborhood mom-and-pop eateries to underground hipster hangouts, well-known upscale restaurants to cheap ethnic eats. We've tallied your nominations for our Best of Citysearch restaurants poll, now you have to help us select the winners--may the best chef win!

With all the empty storefronts littering major shopping 'hoods like Union Square and the Marina, it's easy to think SF's losing more retailers than it's gaining. Look closer and you'll find these newcomers--among them a quirky home decor shop, a purveyor of hip vintage threads and a local designer's boutique for all ages--are a better source of inspiration when it comes to spending those hard-earned bucks than those folded shops were anyway.

As we mature, we gain an appreciation for fine food, while shedding the trifling concerns of our youth to focus on what really matters: will there be parking? In San Francisco, the answer is usually an infuriating, block-circling, DPT ticket-incurring no, especially near anyplace with decent food. But at these restaurants, which range from good to excellent, you'll find ample street parking, a free lot, or valet service included with your meal, leaving you free to worry about more pressing issues, like how much wine to drink with dinner, now that you can drive. (Photo: Easy-peezy parking in Pizza Nostra's lot.)

In a city that's only seven square miles, residents and restaurant owners alike have had to learn how to maximize small spaces--luckily for us, the results aren't always as awkward as your cluttered "live/work" room. As it turns out, tiny eateries often yield the most intimate dining experiences; for a dinner free of large, noisy parties, check this list of cozy restaurants out to prove that size really doesn't matter.

SF has more bars per capita than any other American city, so it's no surprise that we see new spots opening up all the time. Here are a few of the latest and greatest watering holes to appear on the local bar scene in San Francisco.

Living in a great eating town like SF makes it easy to sample a variety of delicious dishes without leaving the city's seven-mile-by-seven-mile confines. Here are the latest additions to the city's restaurant scene, along with a few notable chef changes from the past few months.

At bureaucratic hellholes like the DMV, the ever-present lines are caused by inept, apathetic, and/or mildly deranged employees, but every so often, a long line means the product is so good busy people are happy to wait for it. So it is at these restaurants, where almost anytime you go, you can expect to find a veritable conga-line of people happily queuing up for an hour or more. Here are five spots that are worth the standing in line for, and some tips to avoid the wait. (Photo: The line for the Tuesday-only burger at Rosamunde)

Bartenders can do a lot with spirits, fresh produce, and the standard mixers, but many are pushing the envelope with culinary techniques and nontraditional flavors--and getting great results. From Camper English, brainy boozehound and cocktail expert, here's a look at the more exotic cocktails found around the city, with ingredients like vinegar, smoke, and bacon, though thankfully not all in the same drink. (Photo: The Castillian Cup at Gitane)

If you're desperately seeking a way to reinvigorate your style without ravaging your checking account, check out this slew of vintage troves in SF's most sartorially-gifted `hoods. From carefully curated collections of classic pieces to gem-studded piles of duds that reward patient diggers with frugal fulfillment and the thrill of the thrift, here's my list of super stylish second-hand spots in the city.