Image via Complex Original
San Francisco is known as the City by the Bay, but when you're there, you know it's so much more. From hippies to hipsters, environmentalists to vegans, San Francisco (or "The City," as the locals call it) is the most laid back, fast moving metropolis that there is; but it can pass you by if you don't try to tame it. Here are the top 10 apps any San Franciscan needs to make life run that much more smoothly. And if you haven't already, say goodbye to your heart: because you're about to leave it in the Bay.
SF Weekly
Platform: iOS; Free
SF Weekly has been around since the mid-80s and is the city's biggest alternative weekly. The SF Weekly app is your guide to where to go and what to see. Check out the Editors' Picks of live music, art openings, tech and food events; concert reviews, nightlife, and more than 2,000 restaurant listings from the best spots in San Francisco-all in this free app. Even if you don't feel like going out, check out some slideshows from the city's top party photographers.
San Francisco Way
Platform: iOS; Free
The San Francisco Way app is a great place to turn to if you're new to the city, or if you're one of those people who doesn't do any exploring until friends from out of town come to visit. The app lists a little bit of everything going on in the city (like the Swiss Army knife of apps). Want lists of markets near you? Parking? Street eats? This app has it all with more than 40+ categories to choose from. The best part? It's totally free.
Transit & Trails
Platform: iOS; Free
One of the best things about the City is the nature; that within itself helps separate it from other major cities in the country. With so much nature around you, where to begin? The Transit & Trails app helps connect you with the nearby parks and open spaces that you may have never known about. Locate trails and let the app tell you how to get there, either by walking, biking or driving.
SF Arts Guide
Platform: iOS; Free
If you're going to run away from home to become an insanely wealthy artist, San Francisco is the place to do it (or at least dream it). If you're looking for some artsy inspiration, the city has a ton of museums and other artistic musings to keep you engaged. The SF Arts Guide is a continually updated app that contains more than a thousand events each month. Interested in music? Boom, there's something for that. Theatre? That, too. If tickets are available online, the app provides a link so you can get it on the spot.
49ers Gameday Live
Platform: iOS; Free
Things are looking up for the boys at Candlestick Park. They came up just short of winning the Super Bowl this year, but their steady rise is a sign of good things to come. The 49ers Gameday app is the official app of the team. So catch game schedules, breaking news, real-time stats, on-demand videos clips and interviews, all in one place. If you're actually at the game, use the app as a map of the stadium with searchable concession stands and amenities.
Routesy
Platform: iOS; Free
C'mon, it's San Francisco: cars aren't exactly preferred here. Muni and BART are some of the main modes of transportation, and Routesy will assist you with finding your way around the city. Just choose which line you want to hop on, and the app will show you the closest stop or station near you, with real-time prediction data so you make it there on time.
SF Climates
Platform: iOS; Free
The City may be beautiful, but the weather often has a mind of its own. It could be a hot summer day, or the chilled breeze from the Bay can sweep in and freeze you to the boots. The SF Climates app displays the weather from San Francisco's microclimates on a map of the city. Check out what the weather is like near the pier, or down by Baker Beach. Get the temperatures, conditions, wind speed and direction of 17 San Francisco neighborhoods, with data coming from the Weather Underground.
Tablehopper's Top Late-Night Eats in SF
Platform: iOS; $2.99
San Francisco isn't known for its late night partying: the city shuts down relatively early in comparison to cities like New York. So, if it's late and you want to eat great, then Tablehopper's Top Late-Night Eats app is here to the rescue. The app lists 95 restaurants, cafés, taquerias, pizzerias, and more that serve food after 11 pm, which are all recommended by food critic Marcia "the tablehopper" Gagliardi, who has written about Bay Area food spots since 2002.
ParkMe
Platform: iOS; Free
If you do have a car in the city: we're sorry. Parking is probably one of the worst things to have to deal with in San Francisco. It plainly is not a car city. Finding parking is just half of the game, the second half is pulling out your wallet and having to fork out $10 for a spot (hint: it's a game you never win). The ParkMe app is here to make the pain hurt a little less. It shows you what to expect to pay for parking in a given area, with parking prices all laid out on a map. Give yourself some time to collect the change from under the couch and finally put it to good use.
ScoutMob
Platform: iOS; Free
Always on the hunt for the latest deals? Let the Scoutmob app be your guide. With local deals, events, restaurants and everything else that is worth your precious time, Scoutmob is key to discovering deals from local businesses near you. It even lists the deals on a map so you can easily see what is happening in your area. Like something but don't have time? Save those deals to your My Stash list for another day.
