Resource guide

On campus

• The candy jar in office 4517 (4th floor CSB admin side) is an excellent afternoon pick-me-up.
• 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 Millberry Union rooftop has a peaceful outdoor space with great city views, and a quiet escape during a break that most people do not know about.
• Koret Health and Recreation Center offers discounted gym memberships for UCSF employees with a pool, racquetball courts, and fitness classes. One of the best employee perks on campus.
• The UCSF Medical Center Chapel on the 6th floor of Moffitt is a quiet, peaceful space open to all staff for reflection or a moment of stillness during a hard day.
   

Getting around

• If you take the N Judah, skip the steep Hillway hill climb and take the elevator past the parking floors down to Irving Street. 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.
• Noriega Produce is a local market with fresh, affordable groceries and perfect for a quick healthy lunch or picking up something for the week.
• The Judah Street corridor has charming local cafes and small bookstores, 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.
• Ocean Beach is only a 10-minute drive or 20-minute bike ride, a perfect decompression spot after work. Sunset there is something special.
• Sutro Heights Park offers stunning free views of the Pacific Ocean and is an easy walk or short drive from campus. Bring a jacket.

On Campus

• The 5th floor of Mission Hall has hotelling spaces shared with Peds that are almost always empty, with plenty of desks and private offices available if you need a quiet place to work or take a call.
• The UCSF Mission Bay rooftop terrace on the hospital tower offers incredible views of the Bay and is accessible to staff. Especially beautiful on a clear day.
• There is a free shuttle system for the Mission Bay area connecting you to Caltrain, BART, and surrounding neighborhoods.
   

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. Piccino and Bon Voyage Coffee are neighborhood favorites.
• 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.
• Whole Foods on 4th Street is a quick walk for lunch, prepared foods, or a mid-day grocery run.
   

Parking

• The Illinois Street garage is often less crowded than the main campus garage and is a short walk to Mission Hall.
   

Getting Around

• There is a free shuttle system for the Mission Bay area.

On campus

• The rooftop garden 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.
   

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.
   

Getting here

• The 14 Mission, 48 Quintara and 49 Van Ness Muni lines connect well to campus and are reliable options if you are coming from other neighborhoods.

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.
   

Getting here

• Street parking in the Divisadero corridor can be tricky. The 22 Fillmore Muni line is a reliable option and stops close to campus.

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.
   

Outdoor Access

• 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.
• Baker Beach is a 10-minute walk from campus and has direct views of the Golden Gate Bridge. One of the most stunning and underused spots in the city.
   

Neighborhood gems

• 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.

Neighborhood gems

• Everett and Jones BBQ on Telegraph is a beloved Oakland soul food institution that has been serving the community for decades. A must-try and very close to campus.
• The Temescal neighborhood, just a short drive north, is one of Oakland's best dining districts. Bakesale Betty, Homeroom Mac and Cheese, and Dona Tomas 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.
   

Getting here

• BART is the most reliable way to get to BCH Oakland from San Francisco. The Fruitvale 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 and nearby

• The Bayfront campus 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.
• The Oracle Park area has several good lunch options on game days and off. MoMo's and The Yard are popular staff spots.
• Caltrain is walking distance, making Bayfront one of the most transit-friendly campuses for employees coming from the Peninsula or South Bay.

• Look into different combinations of transit options including combining multiple types is often the best solution. 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.
• 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. Check MyAccess under the Benefits tab for details.

• The Laguna Honda neighborhood 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.
• Monthly parking permits for campus garages are available through MyAccess and fill up quickly. Apply early if you know you will need one regularly.
• 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.

• UCSF employees have access to a wide range of discounts through the UCSF WorkLife program, including gym memberships, entertainment, travel, technology, and local businesses. Check the UCSF WorkLife website for the full and frequently updated list.
• Koret Health and Recreation Center offers the best employee gym deal on campus — significantly discounted from public rates with access to the pool, fitness classes, and courts.
• The UCSF 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.