Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies

Alamo Square is a hilltop park with ample trees and steep lawns. From here, you can see the Painted Ladies, a row of Victorian houses that are so pretty they have become immortalized on postcards of San Francisco. Sit on the grassy hill and take them in, with all the other happy tourists! You can also see gorgeous views of San Francisco's skyline. There is a fenced-in playground at this park, on the sheltered side of the hill. It has a small play structure for toddlers and a larger playground for big kids. On the other side of the hill, at the top of the park, it's very windy and cold!

Dogs are allowed off-leash in the west half of the park. 
If you're hungry, walk one block west of the northwest corner of Alamo Square to Eddie's Cafe on 800 Divisadero St, a cute friendly diner where you can find delicious inexpensive comfort foods like pancakes and eggs, and have a coffee served in a mug from their collection of unusual mugs.
Or for something a little classier, but still casual, walk down Pierce Street (south of Alamo Square), and then left on Haight Street. After two blocks, you will find Cafe International, which sells middle-eastern food and great homemade soups. Their sandwiches come on delicious bread from local bakeries. If it's sunny, sit out on the back patio. On Sunday it's particularly nice here from 4-9pm when they have live jazz music.

Directions

From Powell Station, you can take the N (Judah) line on the Muni light rail system towards Ocean Beach to get here. Get off at Duboce Park and then walk north on Pierce Street. It's a steep pleasant walk a few blocks to Alamo Square.
Eddie's Cafe, 800 Divisadero St, call (415) 563-9780. Open for breakfast and lunch. Serves breakfast all day.
Cafe International, 508 Haight Street, call (415) 552-7390. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, except on Mondays when it closes early, in the afternoon.

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