San Francisco’s Inner Richmond District is not typically on a tourist’s top ten list. We took the kids on a little trip down mom’s memory lane showing them some of my old stomping grounds from my early days in San Francisco hitting some favorites along Clement Street.
We started off by showing the kids my old flat. I loved that 2nd floor spot with the fire escape and the quiet man who ran the corner bodega. Boy, that was a long time ago! We made our way up tree lined Lake Street and over to Clement. Here you won’t find a chain store or a Starbucks. Clement Street prides itself for advocating against the chain stores while preserving some very old mainstays and small businesses. We began our walk down Clement Street at Giorgio’s. Giorgio’s Pizza has been on the corner of Clement + 3rd Ave for more than 40 years. It’s a classic Inner Richmond spot with checkered tablecloths, carafes of wine, and pizza dough brought to the table for the kids to play with while waiting for your pie. A family favorite.
Next stop on our adventure was the Toy Boat Dessert Cafe. Founded in 1983, Toy Boat cafe serves breakfast and lunch, with bagels, salads and sandwiches on the menu. But what we came for was ice cream! Scoops, floats, sundaes, whatever your heart desires. While the kids (and grown-up kids) savor their treats, you can take in all the toys and toy memorabilia that line the counters and high on the shelves of the small cafe. It’s always been a happy place on Clement Stret. It’s all good, until your big brother won’t share his root beer float. Suddenly a lemon sorbet doesn’t seem quite as delicious.
Final stop was Green Apple Books, quite possibly my favorite bookstore ever. For nearly 50 years, Green Apple Books has been on Clement Street. I love the children’s room in the mezzanine and how the floors creak as you walk through the narrow bookstacks. Watching my kids enjoy it as much as I have over my nearly 25 years in San Francisco makes me incredibly happy.
Next time you are heading to San francisco, check out these little neighborhood gems and more posts on what to do and where to eat + drink in SF.
image credits | green apple books | giorgio’s pizzeria
Spot. On. We lived next to the liquore store on 2nd and Balboa. Those are Inner Richmond staples! My grandpa loved The Green Apple Books and did I ever love Toy Boat as a kid! Giorgio’s was always up as an option, but especially for birthday parties or celebrations! They use to give us dough to play with lol.