Take a Tour of San Francisco With Michael O'Neal

The city of San Francisco is smaller than most people think (about 49 square miles, compared to over 230 for Chicago and over 300 for New York City), so it really is a wonder that so many world-famous sites and cultural landmarks are found here. Sometimes, wandering around S.F., it can feel like there is a photo-worthy moment literally around every corner. Perhaps that is what drew Michael O’Neal here from the East Coast, and what drove him to trade in his day job for his true passion: photography. Now, as a professional photographer who has worked for Vogue, as well as a number of commercial and charitable projects, he is a San Francisco native, and he knows the city inside and out.

Like any seasoned San Franciscan, O’Neal knows that you can’t leave the house without layers. San Francisco is the home of Levi’s, so it’s no surprise that he chooses “timeless pieces” like denim shirts and jean jackets to brave the moody S.F. weather in a stylish way. A classic black Levi’s jacket and T-shirt serve as his go-to outfit for exploring the city. During casual days, when he enjoys the weather at the park and then heads to a favorite local bar like Trick Dog, O’Neal makes sure to pick out his favorite pair of laid-back, yet sophisticated, dark wash jeans.

We caught up with O’Neal at Sight Glass Coffee in the Mission on a gorgeous Sunday to get the scoop on his favorite spots in San Francisco. From sweet photography locales to classic food joints, O’Neal let us in on his favorites.

Interview by Eva Recinos (@eva_recinos)

Photography by Winni Wintermeyer (@winni3am)

Go there for: Dramatic views

“I’ve always been a fan of Crissy Field because of the dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge. I love starting on the grass and walking along the beach and going all the way to Fort Point. I love to take people there from out of town, especially all my friends and family from New York. It’s a beautiful, amazing view. I also always take them over the bridge to the Headlands and do the classic drive to Rodeo Beach. Sometimes we have lunch at Cavallo Point, which is a great spot to sit out on the porch. Crissy Field is even better now because I’ve got the dog. He gets me out to explore even more; I feel like I’m getting a lot more exercise. He’s an Australian Shepherd so he needs a lot of exercise.”

Go there for: Margherita pizza

“Pizzetta 211 is my favorite pizza spot in the city—which says a lot because there are so many great ones like Delfina, Piccino, and Beretta. It’s this smaller, personal thin crust pizza, not the big New York slice. It’s a bit more artisanal. They have a great Margherita and lots of pizzas with egg on them. The reason I love it is because it’s the first place that my friend took me to when I moved here from New York. I’ve been going ever since. The pizza is great, the people are great, and the environment is quaint and cozy. It’s also a great place for a date. I get a Margherita slice and a glass of red wine—Pinot or Rosé—and the flourless chocolate cake. The cake is fantastic. It’s all very, very simple. Sit outside or sit by the window—there’s a great little window seat.”

Go there for: New drinks every time

“It’s a local place with a beautiful ambience and great light for shooting portraits by the window. They make great cocktails. It gets a little crowded so get there a little bit earlier. It’s a small, intimate environment. One awesome thing about Trick Dog is that every six months they update the drink menu with different drinks and a completely different visual design. It keeps customers on their toes about what’s coming next.”

Go there for: An Old Fashioned

“Slow Club is another place I’ve been going to since I moved here. It’s always felt like a New York kind of place to me. The atmosphere is dark—grey walls and beautiful Todd Hido photographs. He’s a San Francisco photographer and there are two or three of his beautiful photos there. I go there for the cocktails. They do a great Old Fashioned and their burger is amazing. You can just go up to get a drink and eat at the bar. That’s my favorite thing to do. Chef Max is really great. Say ‘hi’ to him and tell him Mo sent you. I met him because he recognized me from Instagram. He was like, ‘I wanna buy you a drink!’ and I said ‘Who, me?’”

Go there for: A panoramic view of the city

“Did you see the sky last night? My friends are in town and I took them down Valencia and it was like five o’clock and I said, ‘We should go to Bernal.’ I live in Potrero so Bernal is the closest beautiful, panoramic, 360-degree view of San Francisco. It’s fantastic at sunrise and sunset. It’s also one of the best spots for dog walks. Dogs just kind of run free there and all the owners are pretty cool. But the best part is the beautiful, sweeping view of the city. It’s an interesting perspective on the city.”