The 2016 BSFBB Awards (Part 2)

There are so many superlatives for San Francisco, they can’t all fit in 1 post. So here is the continuation from Part 1 of the 2016 Best of San Francisco By Billy Awards!

Best View

If there’s any city known for its views, it’s San Francisco.

Runner-Up: View of the Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach. (Day 5) Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: View of the Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach. (Day 5)

Honorable Mention: The view from Alcatraz Island. (Day 6) Alcatraz, San Francisco, United states, North America. — Honorable Mention: The view from Alcatraz Island. (Day 6)

Honorable Mention: The view from Coit Tower. (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: The view from Coit Tower. (Day 2)

Best at Making Me Feel Like I’m Back in Europe

It’s no surprise that North Beach, San Francisco’s Italian district, has the most European flavor.

Most European: Saints Peter and Paul Church on Washington Square in North Beach. (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Most European: Saints Peter and Paul Church on Washington Square in North Beach (Day 2)

Runner-Up: North Beach caffès. (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: North Beach caffès. (Day 2)

Honorable Mention: Holy Virgin Cathedral, for something a little more Eastern European. (Day 5) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Holy Virgin Cathedral, for something a little more Eastern European. (Day 5)

Best at Making Me Feel Like I’m Back in Asia

It’s no surprise where the place in San Francisco most reminiscent of Asia is.

Most Asian: Chinatown, of course! (Days 1 and 7 and Chinatown Revisited) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Most Asian: Chinatown, of course! (Days 1 and 7 and Chinatown Revisited)

I couldn’t get a picture of one other spot that made me feel like I was back in Asia. That’s the giant Buddha inside Gump’s, a high-end department store near Union Square that specializes in Asian furnishings. I stopped by there on Day 3.

Best at Making Me Feel Like I’m Somewhere I Haven’t Really Explored Yet

I spent most of Day 4 in the Mission, San Francisco’s Latino district. One place in particular transported to Latin America.

Most Elsewhere: Lunch in the Mission at La Corneta. (Day 4) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Most Elsewhere: Lunch in the Mission at La Corneta. (Day 4)

Best Secrets and Hidden Treasures

These are the spots that are off the beaten tourist path. There are a lot of these. I had to whittle them down to several. (In chronological order.)

The Filbert and Greenwich Steps, featuring Napier Lane. (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Filbert and Greenwich Steps, featuring Napier Lane. (Day 2)

The Beat Museum. (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Beat Museum. (Day 2)

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed interior of the V. C. Morris Gift Shop space on Maiden Lane. (Day 3) San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed interior of the V. C. Morris Gift Shop space on Maiden Lane. (Day 3)

Veterans Alley. (Day 3) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Veterans Alley. (Day 3)

The murals of the Mission, including the fabulous Women's Building mural, MaestraPeace. (Day 4) San Francisco, United States, North America. — The murals of the Mission, including the fabulous Women’s Building mural, MaestraPeace. (Day 4)

Holy Virgin Cathedral. (Day 5) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Holy Virgin Cathedral. (Day 5)

The "History of California" murals at the Rincon Center. (Weekday Edition) San Francisco, United States, North America. — The “History of California” murals at the Rincon Center. (Weekday Edition)

The Chinese Historical Society of America. (Chinatown Revisited) San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Chinese Historical Society of America. (Chinatown Revisited)

San Francisco’s Whackiest

And in San Francisco, that’s saying a lot. In other words, only in San Francisco! (In chronological order.)

Musée Mécanique at Fisherman's Wharf. (Day 1) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Musée Mécanique at Fisherman’s Wharf. (Day 1)

Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum Café. (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum Café. (Day 2)

The windows at Castro & 19th. (Day 4) San Francisco, United States, North America. — The windows at Castro & 19th. (Day 4)

The Palace of Fine Arts. Sure it's beautiful, but it's completely out of any context. (Day 5) San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Palace of Fine Arts. Sure it’s beautiful, but it’s completely out of any context. (Day 5)

The Pacific Heritage Museum. Modern Chinese art upstairs. Gold Rush memorabilia downstairs. Pacific Heritage. Sure! (Day 7) San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Pacific Heritage Museum. Modern Chinese art upstairs. Gold Rush memorabilia downstairs. Pacific Heritage. Sure! (Day 7)

Biggest Tourist Traps

Lots of people go here. You don’t have to.

Biggest Tourist Trap: Beach Blanket Babylon at Club Fugazi. It's a local institution that everyone raves about. The talent of the performers and the wig-makers is undeniable. But my friend Tommy and I thought the show itself was irredeemably cheesy. (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Biggest Tourist Trap: Beach Blanket Babylon at Club Fugazi. It’s a local institution that everyone raves about. The talent of the performers and the wig-makers is undeniable. But my friend Tommy and I thought the show itself was irredeemably cheesy. (Day 2)

Runner-Up: Pier 39. Come for the sea lions. Then get the hell out of there! The retail/entertainment complex is horrendous. Why is it only runner-up? Because unlike with Beach Blanket Babylon, there's no admission fee. (Day 6) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: Pier 39. Come for the sea lions. Then get the hell out of there! The retail/entertainment complex is horrendous. Why is it only runner-up? Because unlike with Beach Blanket Babylon, there’s no admission fee. (Day 6)

(Dis)honorable Mention: The Exploratorium. It's another San Francisco institution that I just find annoying. (Day 7) (In 2017, I liked the California Academy of Sciences much more.) San Francisco, United States, North America. — (Dis)honorable Mention: The Exploratorium. It’s another San Francisco institution that I just find annoying. (Day 7) (In 2017, I liked the California Academy of Sciences much more.)

Best Breakfast

Runner-Up: Blue Danube Coffee Shop. (Day 5) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: Blue Danube Coffee Shop. (Day 5)

Honorable Mention: Sears Fine Food. (Day 1) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Sears Fine Food. (Day 1)

Best Lunch

Runner-Up: Golden Star Vietnamese Restaurant. (Chinatown Revisited) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: Golden Star Vietnamese Restaurant. (Chinatown Revisited)

Honorable Mention: La Corneta Taqueria. (Day 4) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: La Corneta Taqueria. (Day 4)

Best Dinner

Runner-Up: Nob Hill Café. The funny thing is that I didn't exactly love my dinner. But it wasn't because anything was wrong with it. I think I just didn't care of the bitterness of the radicchio. By all means give this place a try after roaming around Nob Hill! (Day 1) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: Nob Hill Café. The funny thing is that I didn’t exactly love my dinner. But it wasn’t because anything was wrong with it. I think I just didn’t care of the bitterness of the radicchio. By all means give this place a try after roaming around Nob Hill! (Day 1)

Honorable Mention: Café Flore. Word was that the popular Castro spot was closing. Fortunately, that didn't come to pass. (Day 4) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Café Flore. Word was that the popular Castro spot was closing. Fortunately, that didn’t come to pass. (Day 4)

Best Snack/Dessert

Runner-Up: Eastern Bakery. A classic Chinatown spot with traditional Chinese treats, known most of all for their mooncakes. (Chinatown Revisited)

Honorable Mention: Transit. A good place to grab a snack, if not a meal, while exploring the Presidio. (Day 5)

Best Ice Cream

Best Ice Cream: Humphrey Slocombe. Weird and wonderful! (Day 4)

Runner-Up: Mitchell’s Ice Cream. A VERY close 2nd. (Day 7)

Honorable Mention: Joe’s Ice Cream. Who knew there was such good ice cream in San Francisco’s western wilds? (Day 5)

Honorable Mention: Gelateria Naio. When American-style ice cream just isn’t what you’re looking for and only gelato will do. (Day 2)

Best Shopping

Best Shopping: Gump’s. This classic San Francisco establishment off Union Square was founded in 1861 to provide high-end goods to Gold Rush millionaires. Gump’s specializes in goods imported from East Asia. (Day 3)

Runner-Up: Alexander Book Company. Get lost here for a while. Just off Market Street in SoMa. (Day 3)

Honorable Mention: City Lights Bookstore. San Francisco's legendary Beat Generation hangout. (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: City Lights Bookstore. San Francisco’s legendary Beat Generation hangout. (Day 2)

San Francisco. Do you love it or what!

If you haven’t already done so, make sure to check out Part 1 of the 2016 BSFBB Awards. You’ll find more traditional categories, such as Best Museum, Best Park, Best Art, and so on.