Some San Francisco by Mandana Towhidy

San Francisco…when you get there, do all the usual suspects: Golden Gate Bridge, fresh crab in Fisherman’s Wharf, shopping on Maiden Lane, burritos in the Mission District, “water pipes” in Upper Haight.

Then do some other things that you might have never done here before.

1. Stay at the newly re-opened Hotel Vertigo. It’s in the midst of renovations, but most of the rooms are ready and the prices are incredibly low, and you’re not going to hang out in the lobby anyway. This is the hotel featured in Hitchcock’s Vertigo (hence, the new name). I had a room that overlooked the back of the building, which was quiet and charming and will give you an insight into a secret garden view the locales enjoy in the apartment building across the way. The location is amazing. I lived in the neighborhood for a long time—it’s central to almost everything. You can get a coffee nearby and pick up some one-off trainers at skate legend Keith Hufnagel’s HUF, just down the street.

Hotel Vertigo, 940 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. + (415) 885-6800; www.hotelvertigosf.com

HUF, 808 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA. + (415) 674-3744; www.hufsf.com

2. Have a drink at one of SF’s secret treasures, Gold Dust Lounge. This bar is amazing. The owners bought the joint back in the day from Bing Crosby, who owned most of that corner. And ended up as one of many go-go spots where girls in little frilly babydolls slid down from a pole in the ceiling. You can still see the plugged-up hole by the front window. MGM Studios painted the cherub ceiling. Steve McQueen came in a few times while filming Bullitt and Janis Joplin made the back booth a regular spot up until a few days before she died. The gorgeous paintings on the walls are self-portraits of the owner’s wife. This bar was here before prohibition when bustles and bows were the rage. Then it became a speak-easy. And ended up as one of many go-go spots where girls in little frilly babydolls slid down from a pole in the ceiling. You can still see the plugged-up hole by the front window. And, the drinks are cheap.

Gold Dust Lounge, 247 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102. + (415) 397-1695

3. After you’ve gotten a little sauced, get your hair done at the diPietro Todd Salon by one of the best hair stylists ever. Michelle Snyder is an artist. She cuts everyone’s hair, from rock stars, to models, to fancy fashion editors. And she’s bi-coastal now. Your hair will never be the same. Nor will you.

diPietro Todd Salon, 177 Post Street, San Francisco, + (415) 397-0177; www.diepietrotodd.com

4. Take a stroll over to one of my favorite spots for a chocolate and some gifts at Teuscher’s Chocolates. They have some of the most fun and collectible edible mementos. And every season they introduce a few new characters. It was so nice to see their support for same-sex marriage, with a window full of groom-groom, bride-bride couples. Pick your box, pick your chocolates and be on your way. I usually buy one or two a year.

Teuscher Chocolate, 307 Sutter St, San Francisco, C A 94108. + (415) 834-0850; www.teuscher.com

5. Head over to North Beach’s Little Italy. You should by all means have a drink at Kerouac’s regular spot (if you were ever a fan of the Beats), Vesuvio’s. Sit upstairs by the window and you’ll “feel it.” If it’s earlier, though, head to one of my childhood favorites for a cappuccino and pastry at Mara’s. Family owned, petite, ideally located and incredibly authentic, it’s hard to miss with a window full of the daily offerings.

Vesuvio Cafe, 255 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133. + (415) 362-3370; www.vesuvio.com

Mara’s Italian Pasteries, 503 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133. + (415) 397-9435

6. You can even take your coffee and food over to Washington Square Park, just down the way, and have a little picnic. After you’re done, pay some respect at the beautiful Saints Peter and Paul Church. It is by far one of the most beautiful churches in the city. And one of the oldest. Make a donation, light a candle, say a prayer, and be on your way.

St Peter & Paul Church, 666 Filbert St, San Francisco, CA 94133

7. Then head up Union Street, which is a big hike, but a good one, to one of the prettiest neighborhoods. There is an amazing tapas restaurant on the corner of Union and Hyde as well as a Swenson’s ice cream parlor that’s been there for ages. Turn left and stroll down Hyde to find one of the tiniest parks I’ve ever seen. It even has a sign and a teepee!

8. Turn right after you’ve gotten past the park and head to Polk Street, where you will find shopping and a neighborhood unto itself. Less touristy, with a mix of old and new. Head over to Nick’s Crispy Tacos. Chandeliers and elevated booths, tasty margaritas and really fantastic fish tacos. This is a neighborhood hubbub.

9. If you have a chance, especially if you are there in the middle of the week, take a stroll through Chinatown at night when almost all the shops are closed and most of the tourists are gone. You get to look up. You get to look around corners. You get to see things you couldn’t see through all the chaos of the day. If you get hungry, there are a few Chinese dumpling and pastry shops open where you can pick up curry roll and continue your journey. It is a completely different and almost eerie experience.

10. Come back to Chinatown another day and head to an SF secret, The Buddha Bar. Order a drink called a “WTF” (yes, a “WHAT-THE-FUCK”). It’s nearly black. They light it on fire. You blow it out and shoot it down. BUT only if you really want to get wasted. I promise you might end up sprawled out on the dirty sidewalk outside.

Buddha Lounge, 901 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108. + (415) 362-1792

11. Before you go there, though, spend some time noticing the amazing old, seedy “massage” parlor signs. There are too many to count.

San Francisco is amazing. If you take some time to fall off the beaten path, you will most definitely discover some of your own little SF secrets.