Resource guide

Neighborhood gems

• The Temescal neighborhood, just a short drive north, is one of Oakland's best dining districts. Bakesale Betty, Homeroom, and Doña are all within reach.
• Lake Merritt is a 10-minute drive and one of the most beautiful urban lakes in the Bay Area. The 3.4-mile walking path around the lake is a great lunchtime or post-shift walk.
• Fruitvale Village is a short BART ride away and has some of the best and most affordable Mexican food in the Bay Area, and one of the only Native American restaurant in the area, Wahpepah’s Kitchen.
   

Getting here

• BART is the most reliable way to get to BCH Oakland from San Francisco. The MacArthur station is closest and a manageable walk or quick rideshare to the hospital.
• Street parking in the surrounding Longfellow and Temescal neighborhoods is generally available, though fills up during peak hours.

On Campus

• The 5th floor of Mission Hall has hotelling spaces shared with Peds that are almost always empty, with plenty of desks and huddle rooms available if you need a quiet place to work or take a call.
• There's a meditation room and garden accessible to staff on the ground floor next to the children's hospital lobby at 1975 Fourth Street. The adult hospitals at 1855 Fourth Street have smaller meditation rooms near the lounges on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors.
• The Bayfront building sits right on the water with easy access to waterfront walking and biking paths. A lunchtime walk along the Bay is one of the best perks of this location.
   

Neighborhood Gems

• The Mission Creek walking path along the water is a peaceful lunchtime walk right off campus. It feels completely removed from the hospital environment and resets your energy quickly.
• Dogpatch neighborhood, just a short walk east, has excellent coffee shops, casual lunch spots, and a great local bakery scene.  
• The Chase Center area has excellent lunch options along the waterfront. Spark Social food truck park has a rotating selection of vendors and is great for a change of scenery.
• Gus's on 4th Street is a quick walk for lunch, prepared foods, or a mid-day grocery run.
• The Oracle Park area has several good lunch options on game days and off. MoMo's and Quik Dog are popular staff spots.
   

Parking and getting around

• The Illinois Street garage is often less crowded than the main campus garage and is a short walk to Mission Hall.
• There is a free shuttle system for the Mission Bay area.

On campus

• The campus garden and courtyards are quiet, peaceful spaces for a break between meetings. Small but genuinely lovely.
   

Neighborhood gems

• Fillmore Street is steps away and has excellent coffee, lunch spots, and local shops. Seed + Salt and The Flying Pig are staff favorites.
• Japan Center is a short walk and great for a lunch break with a different feel. The food court inside has excellent ramen, sushi, and Japanese comfort food at reasonable prices.
• Alamo Square Park and the famous Painted Ladies are a short walk away for fresh air and a classic San Francisco view.

On campus

• The Kalmanovitz Library often has exhibitions and displays of art or museum-quality installations.
• Caffé Central in the Kalmanovitz Library offers rewards points to earn free coffee, stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and delicious coffee and pastries. One of the best-kept secrets on campus.
• The burger at the Parnassus cafeteria has been ranked one of the best in the city. Treat yourself on a Friday (or any day of the week).
• There are two UCSF pharmacies on campus where you can find over-the-counter supplies in a pinch. They also carry good snacks.
• The candy jar in office 4517 (4th floor CSB admin side) is a nice afternoon pick-me-up.
• The Millberry Union terrace outside of Ladle and Leaf has a peaceful outdoor space with great city views, and a quiet escape during a break that most people do not know about.
• Millberry Fitness and Recreation Center offers discounted gym memberships for UCSF employees with a pool, basketball and squash courts, and fitness classes. One of the best employee perks on campus.
• The meditation room on the first floor of the hospital at 505 Parnassus Avenue is a quiet, peaceful space open to patients and staff for reflection or a moment of stillness during a hard day.
• The Anesthesia department has it’s own lactation room on the 4th floor of CSB. To request access, fill out this form. Learn more about the UCSF Lactation program.
   

Getting around

• If you take the N Judah, skip the steep Hillway hill climb and take the elevator past the parking floors from Irving Street to Parnassus Ave. Elevators are located in the MUE and ACC garages. Your knees will thank you.
   

Neighborhood gems

• Irving Street is just steps away and packed with local coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants. Great for lunch spots beyond campus dining.
• Arizmendi Bakery on 9th and Irving has incredible pizza by the slice and pastries. A neighborhood staple and worth the short walk.
• The Judah Street corridor has charming local cafes and shops, perfect for a post-shift wind-down.
• Golden Gate Park is a 15-minute walk from campus, the largest urban park in the city and a great way to get fresh air on your lunch break. The Botanical Garden inside is free for San Francisco residents, and the AIDS Memorial Grove is a peaceful oasis.
• Ocean Beach is only a 10-minute drive or 20-minute bike ride, a perfect decompression spot after work. Sunset there is something special.
   

Parking tips

• The Laguna Honda neighborhood, off of Portola, has plenty of open street parking. From there, take the 43 Masonic, about 15 minutes to Parnassus and a reliable option if you want to avoid campus parking costs.
• There's also lots of open street parking on Clarendon Ave from 7th up to Dellbrook, and is a closer walk to campus.
• The Daly City BART station park-and-ride is a popular option for Parnassus employees coming from the South Bay or Peninsula, park free and take the 28 or 29 bus up to campus. Colma BART has low cost daily parking rates and a UCSF shuttle stop.

On campus

• The VA cafeteria is a reliable and affordable option for breakfast and lunch, with daily specials worth asking about.
• Parking on the VA campus is generally easier than other UCSF locations.
   

Neighborhood gems

• The VA campus sits adjacent to the Presidio and has access to some of the most beautiful outdoor space in San Francisco. Walking trails into the Presidio are steps from the campus entrance — a perfect lunchtime escape.
• The West end of the Lands End Loop Trail is a 10-minute walk from campus. One of the most stunning and underused spots in the city.
• Chestnut Street in the Marina neighborhood is a short drive and has excellent lunch and coffee options if you want to explore off campus.
• The PresidiGo shuttle connects the campus to the rest of the Presidio and Crissy Field area.

On campus

• The rooftop healing garden on top of Building 25 is a hidden gem that most staff have never visited. It is a peaceful outdoor space worth finding for a quiet break or lunch outside.
• The Staff Well-being Restore Lounge @ ZSFG Community Wellness Center is located at Building 5, 2 Floor, Rm 2D35, open Tuesdays and Thursdays 2 – 4 p.m.. This is a great place for staff to restore and reset in a beautiful, serene environment. Grab a cup of tea, listen to spa music, read a book, meditate, or get a back, foot, or hand massage, or take a yoga mat to stretch out on our floor.
   

Neighborhood gems

• The Mission District surrounding the hospital is one of San Francisco's most vibrant neighborhoods. 24th Street has incredible taquerias, bakeries, and local spots. La Palma Mexicatessen and Dandelion Chocolate are neighborhood institutions.
• Dolores Park is a short drive or Muni ride away and one of the best parks in the city for a sunny lunch break.

• Look into different combinations of transit options including combining multiple types. Many employees drive or take a bus to a shuttle stop and then ride the UCSF shuttle in. Experiment with different routes in your first few weeks. Visit the UCSF Transportation website for more information.
• Download the UCSF Mobile App for shuttle schedules, campus maps, parking information, notices, and general logistical details. It is genuinely helpful and used daily by most staff.
• UCSF has a robust commuter benefits program including pre-tax transit passes, bike commuter reimbursement, and vanpool options.  
• Use PayByPhone for monthly parking permits at UCSF garages.

• UCSF employees have access to a wide range of discounts through the UCSF Campus Life Services, including gym memberships, entertainment, travel, technology, and local businesses. Check the UCSF Campus Life Services website for the full and frequently updated list.
• Load money into your FastPay account and get a 10% discount with every purchase at all hospital cafes and coffee shops.
• The UCSF Golden1 Credit Union is available to all employees and offers competitive rates on auto loans, mortgages, and personal banking. Worth setting up if you are new to the area.