I don't know why I feel compelled to make a list like this. I guess when I moved out to Oakland from Chicago I imagined that every establishment would have an outdoor section where you could sit under the stars and have a drink. It's California after all. But in fact, they are rare, so rare that I want to seek them out and list them.
Zeitgeist
Probably the best outdoor bar in San Francisco.
199 Valencia Street
The Ramp
855 China Basin Street
Finnegan's Wake
937 Cole Street
Red's
Pier 30 near Embarcedero
Eagle Tavern
Who would have guessed that San Francisco's premiere gay leather bar would have such an outstanding back patio? I saw Extra Action Marching Band put on an amazing show here using both the inside bar and the outdoor patio.
398 12th Street
Park Chalet
You are in Golden Gate Park sitting outside by the Ocean drinking beer. What's not to like? The upscale restaurant is closest to the sea. You want the bar behind it.
1000 Great Highway where Golden Gate Park meets the Pacific Ocean
Blarney Stone
5625 Geary Boulevard
Mad Dog in the Fog
530 Haight Street
Gold Cane
1569 Haight Street in the Upper Haight
Medjool's
Rooftop bar and youth hostel in the Mission.
2522 Mission Street
El Rio
3158 Mission Street at Cesar Chavez
Bottom of the Hill
1233 17th Street
Thee Parkside
1600 17th Street at Wisconsin
Rogue Ales Public House
673 Union Street
Il Pirata
2007 16th Street
Jupiter
2181 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
Pacific Coast Brewery
Great beer selection and they brew their own beer.
906 Washington Street, Oakland
Picante
Okay, maybe this isn't exactly a beer garden. But you can get a great pitcher of margaritas and sit out on the patio. I rest my case. Oh, and the food is excellent here.
1328 6th Street, Berkeley
Raliegh's
If you can make it past the sports bar in the front, you'll find a nice beer garden in the back.
2438 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley
Club Mallard
752 San Pablo Avenue, Albany
Chili Jalepeno
You would never guess that the place has such a great backyard. Cans of Tecate are less than $2.
San Pablo at 66th, Emeryville
Kitty's
6702 Hollis Street, Emeryville
Le Bateau Ivre (Drunken Boat)
This is more of a restaurant than a bar, but they do have a great beer list.
2629 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley
The Tourist Club
You will need to hike about a mile to find this Bavarian style lodge on Mount Tamalpais.
30 Ridge Avenue, Mill Valley
Sam's Anchor Cafe
27 Main Street, Tiburon
Got any other places to add to the list or details or embarassing stories about anything already on the list, send them to me.