You definitely can’t miss this café. It’s become a food destination. I dream about their open-faced fried egg and bacon sandwich. They top it with provolone cheese and Anaheim peppers, and sometimes on Sundays they’ll throw on some portobello mushrooms. If someone reached into my brain and pulled out the best sandwich I could imagine, that would be it. 4001 Judah St., (415) 661-6140, outerlandssf.com. As told to Jen Murphy. See all of Danny Hess’s favorite places in San Francisco’s Sunset District. Photos by Erin Kunkel. This story appeared in the January/February 2012 issue.

This place is tiny, but it's one of my favorite places in my neighborhood. The menu is small so there are only a few choices, but no matter what you get, you'll be happy. Make sure to try the iced coffee. It's made with chicory, the way it's done down in New Orleans.

Tucked away in the quiet neighborhood between Inner and Outer Sunset, the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps (Moraga St. btw 15th & 16th Ave) are among the hidden treasures of San Francisco. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, you can see the intricate details of the small, beautifully placed handmade tiles forming a wave of amazing sea life and various celestial shapes extending all the way up 163 stairs, and once you hike to the top– especially on a clear day –you're privy to the most spectacular view of the city from Ocean Beach to downtown.

Papa Gianni is known for the best espresso outside of Europe as well as the longest-running show in the City of San Francisco. "The Caffe Trieste Saturday Concert has evolved from a small, family show with guitar and mandolin ensemble into an Italian-flavored version of the Lawrence Welk show (one of the Giotta Family's favorite television indulgences from the 1950's through the 1970's). Many new singers have joined the Trieste Musical Family in the last few years. Wonderful local singers such as Bruce Winslow, Steve Randolph, Irving Mok and Alfredo Tollis bring new facets of jazz, show tunes, ballads, and vaudeville, as well as songs by Piaf, Weill, and Dean Martin to the Trieste repertoire."(www.caffetrieste.c0m)

Recently they opened this place near my house that serve Vietnamese sandwiches- Bun mee.Their sandwiches are spicy at the right level, filling at the fight level and in the right price.  They also have great salads and sweet potato fries with curry aioli sauce.I've been having their sandwiches for dinner 3 times a week for the last month. Highly recommend if you feel like a light (but warm and meaty) sandwich, and you're in the neighborhood (Pacific heights).

When my friend Spencer, Southern foodie born and bred, enthusiastically claimed that he had finally found his favorite Southern restaurant in San Francisco after a year of good searching, I could not wait to check this place out. First off, it's at the end of an alley off the busy streets of downtown and Union Square. If you aren't looking out, you'll most likely miss it. Keep your eyes out for a sign with a bunny on it. Upon entering, you are welcomed by an accommodating staff and an ambiance that is both sexy and comforting. Not only was Spence right about the food (killer mac & cheese) with its traditional Southern flavors and SF flare, but the cocktails were insanely delicious. My (and I think the entire table of 8's) favorite is pictured above. I'm not even a gin drinker, but that magical little spoonful of homemade jam to mix in with the housemade sour will make anyone a fan. Do yourself a favor and go with a big group (who all love to share) and a big appetite. Between all of us, we got a great sampler of the entire menu - as well as a few (too many) Gin & Jams.

Ocean Beach is a massive, four-mile-long stretch of sand. Surfers talk about it in terms of the block they surf. I surf Pacheco or Moraga Street. As told to Jen Murphy. See all of Danny Hess’s favorite places in San Francisco’s Sunset District. Photos by Erin Kunkel. This story appeared in the January/February 2012 issue.

A few blocks east of Goldsworthy's more prominent Spire is this installation of fallen trees snaking through the trees. Thousands drive by this spot and never notice it. Wood Line is located within the cypress grove near the intersection of Presidio Boulevard and West Pacific Avenue, just off Lovers’ Lane. It's a beautiful work. View it, walk around it, walk on it, experience how it changes over time.

The view from Alamo Square is not to be missed! You will quickly agree that a trip here is time well spent to enjoy "The Painted Ladies" (the Victorian houses in the foreground), and the sharp contrast they make with the skyscrapers behind them in the sweeping panorama of the city. Take 21 Bus from Market Street, anywhere between Spear and Ninth St., and get off at Steiner.

One of my favorite local cafes in the NOPA district of San Francisco is Matching Half. They serve Sight Glass coffee and pastries made in house, including homemade pop tarts. It's a great place to spend a cozy afternoon with a cup o' joe on a rainy day, or sit outside on a sunny day with a sandwich and a beer, or get a group of friends to join the weekly trivia night.

An artist and an architect curate a cool mix of practical things here. You’ll find books on furniture and design, and interesting items like wooden radios and pencil sets. Lots of it is handmade. The store also sells chairs and tables that Luke and Josh, my shopmates, make. 4035 Judah St., (415) 682-0600, visitgeneralstore.com. As told to Jen Murphy. See all of Danny Hess’s favorite places in San Francisco’s Sunset District. Photos by Erin Kunkel. This story appeared in the January/February 2012 issue.

My idea of experiencing a city and acquiring a sample of its flavor is to try its food. Food is unique to a city, and San Francisco is one of a kind. My first morning in the city was chilly for my island bones, so naturally the first stop was a cafe. I didn't have any particular one in mind, so I chose the Blackpoint as it was nearest my destination and wasn't busy. Looked perfect, tasted even better. I tried their signature lavender latte and was not disappointed. As someone who bakes with lavender regularly, it was a culinary treat I was accustomed to and would recommend for anyone who has never tried it. I was particularly delighted with the bits of lavender sprinkled on top. The waitstaff was friendly, the cafe was open and breezy with a hip but casual morning vibe. Their selection of pastries and organic foods was tempting and their prices were very reasonable. I left satisfied and content that I had tasted a bit of San Francisco already at 9:00 AM.

Out The Door is one of my favorite spots in my neighborhood. My friends and I go here all the time primarily for the chicken pho, but I have ventured out and tried some other items on the menu and have never been disappointed. This past weekend we went for brunch and I decided to try something new, this time the baked eggs. I was so intrigued by the ingredients: smoked ham, goat cheese, green garlic, snap peas?! It was the perfect meal - so colorful, full of flavor, and the right amount of filling. This Vietnamese restaurant (casual spin-off of the famous Slanted Door) is so innovative with their dishes and happen to have a great wine list (all served in steel taps).

Land's End in San Francisco is an easy hike with huge payoff. This labyrinth sits just below the Legion of Honor parking lot and the Lincoln Park golf course. You can then scramble down to a beautiful rocky beach.

Mollusk is a neighborhood surf shop that sells clothing and great boards. They carry my surfboards and handplanes [for body surfing]. They occasionally host art shows and live music. The shop is sort of like the cornerstone of the Sunset. 4500 Irving St., (415) 564-6300, mollusksurfshop.com. As told to Jen Murphy. See all of Danny Hess’s favorite places in San Francisco’s Sunset District. Photos by Erin Kunkel. This story appeared in the January/February 2012 issue.

Walking into this little gem off of Mission Street is a veritable blast from the past. More than 700 varieties of soda line the walls of the new-age mom-and-pop, where co-owners Aaron Dolson and Taylor Peck stock cola classics like the cherry-flavored Cheerwine next to hard-to-find favorites and quirky craft (soda) brews, like Peck's own Chai Cola. Cool yours down in the nifty "rapid chill" water bath, housed in a wooden barrel, as you move on to the candy collection, which includes confections like Big League Chew, Neccos and a selection of saltwater taffies that instantly transport you back to childhood. And when you're ready to check out, enjoy some good ole' fashioned hospitality and collect your piece of saltwater taffy--you get one free with every bottle of soda purchased. The mango jalapeno flavor comes highly recommended.

The Riptide is a fun bar with a brick fireplace. It is a great place to hang out in the winter. They host a surf movie night on Wednesdays. 3639 Taraval St., (415) 681-8433, riptidesf.com. As told to Jen Murphy. See all of Danny Hess’s favorite places in San Francisco’s Sunset District. Photos by Erin Kunkel. This story appeared in the January/February 2012 issue.