Pleasantly sunny weather? Handcrafted local beer? Amazing city and seaside views? These all sound like the perfect combination to spend a leisurely afternoon at one of San Francisco's many open-air beer gardens. Wherever you are in the city, you know you can always stop into these best must-visit beer gardens both for quality atmosphere and refreshningly flavorful libations on a hot day.
See also: 6 Best Breweries in San Francisco
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424 Octavia St / Website
To start of authentically, Biergarten in Hayes Valley is the ideal decorated patio to get a classic stein with one of their seven rotating German and Austrian Stiegel Pils, Franziskaner, Weihenstephaner lager, and more. Feel a jovial sense of community and tradition as you find a spot at one of their many long wooden tables under ambient string lights. This backyard is perfect for long warm nights right next door to Hayes Valley's community movie festivals.
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601 Mission Bay Boulevard North / Website
Speaking of community, this massive food truck park in Mission Bay is a wonderland of games, fire pits, and other events to go along with the wide selection of diverse food offered. Pairing this highly popular experience with one of their many options for beer, wine, boba, and more, for their happy hour makes this location a must for sunny summer days!
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One Ferry Building, The Embarcadero S / Website
For a more nautical seaside ambience, have a beer with delicious fries or a high-stacked burger at Gott’s Roadside on the corner of the foodie-haven Ferry Building. It tends to get packed pretty fast, but seeing the panoramic waterfront view on one side and the FiDi’s highrises on the other make it all worth the wait.
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3158 Mission St / Website
As a longtime staple for both the Mission District and queer scene since 1978, you can feel the history and honor at El Rio. Going past their bar you will discover an incredibly colorful, comfortable, and lively tucked-away back patio. With great music and fun different themed events, this is a must-visit for those looking to lounge or bring friends to impress.
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620 Treat Ave / Website
When it comes to innovation, Southern Pacific Brewing in the Mission blazes the trail in beer, food, and venue. By repurposing an enormous old rail yard warehouse, this pub has created a unique setting with airy high-ceilings, bright windows, and plenty of outdoor seating. Enjoy both their delicately in-house crafted beers with any of their equally crafted dishes.
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2198 Market St / Website
Located right on Market in Castro, the Willkommen Wurst Bier Garten is an excellent choice to stop for German beer on a sunny day downtown. Run by Black Hammer Brewing, this branch features unique and entertaining events like Drag Brunch and Bingo!
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199 Valencia St / Website
Zeitgeist in the Mission near Lower Haight has a rustic and punk look to it, but that’s what gives it their signature charm and comfortable atmosphere. With cheap drinks, great music, and an all day happy hour, this is a relaxing getaway perfect with one of their numerous 64 taps.
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1705 Mariposa St / Website
Anchor Steam Beer was founded in 1896 and has become the trendsetter for the craft beer movement both locally and nationally. With a spacious patio adjacent to their brewery in Portrero Hill near Dogpatch’s serene coast, it doesn't get any more fresh, flavorful, and scenic than this.
For our bonus mention outside of San Francisco, we highly recommend visiting the Gourmet Haus Staudt & Beer Garden Staudt in Redwood City! Located downtown on 2615 Broadway, this large and decorated patio is a one-of-a-kind, serving up a wide array of traditional beers and sausage platters fit for a large gathering under the stars.
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Quench your thirst for fresh beer, views, and fun next time you're around the city on either a sunny day or a pleasant evening out!
Photography by: Drew Beamer/Unsplash
