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Your complete guide to San Francisco's best cannabis dispensaries, from historic legacy shops to modern consumption lounges
San Francisco remains America’s cannabis capital, with a rich history dating back to the 1960s counterculture movement and the nation’s first medical marijuana dispensary in the 1990s. Today, the city hosts over 40 licensed cannabis retailers serving both medical patients and recreational customers. Whether you’re seeking premium flower from local Northern California growers, artisan edibles, or a consumption lounge experience, San Francisco’s diverse dispensary scene offers something for every cannabis enthusiast. For those new to cannabis or looking to deepen their knowledge, Herb’s comprehensive strain guides provide valuable insights into selecting the right products for your needs.
Barbary Coast stands as one of San Francisco’s original cannabis destinations, combining a premier dispensary with the city’s first licensed consumption lounge. Located in the heart of SoMa at 952 Mission Street, this iconic establishment has built a reputation for quality products, competitive pricing, and an unparalleled social cannabis experience.
The consumption lounge at Barbary Coast revolutionized San Francisco’s cannabis scene, offering a stylish space where customers can enjoy their purchases on-site. With comfortable seating, excellent ventilation, and a welcoming atmosphere, the lounge provides an Amsterdam-style cafe experience right in downtown SF.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Cannabis tourists seeking a legal consumption space, social smokers who want a communal experience, anyone looking for variety and competitive pricing in downtown San Francisco
Location & Hours:
California Street Cannabis operates three neighborhood locations across San Francisco, establishing itself as the city’s premier locally-owned dispensary group. With shops in Nob Hill (1398 California St), the Richmond District (235 Clement St), and the Financial District (615 Sansome St), California Street Cannabis brings California’s finest products to every corner of the city.
What sets California Street Cannabis apart is their unwavering commitment to Northern California farmers and local brands. The dispensary prioritizes sun-grown, sustainably cultivated cannabis from the legendary Emerald Triangle, supporting legacy growers while offering customers authentic California cannabis culture.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: San Francisco residents seeking a neighborhood dispensary, consumers who prioritize locally-grown cannabis, anyone wanting to support small businesses and regional farmers
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STIIIZY Union Square brought California’s premier cannabis brand to the heart of San Francisco’s shopping and theater district in 2020. Located at 180 O’Farrell Street, this flagship retail location represents a milestone as San Francisco’s first Latina-owned cannabis store through the city’s Cannabis Social Equity Program.
The dispensary features a stunning hand-painted mural by artist Mars1, creating an Instagram-worthy backdrop for shopping the extensive STIIIZY product line alongside offerings from over 55 California cannabis brands. The sleek, modern design and professional service model appeal to both cannabis newcomers and experienced consumers.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: STIIIZY enthusiasts seeking the full brand experience, Union Square shoppers and hotel guests, tourists wanting a convenient downtown location, anyone seeking sleek modern retail design
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Harborside San Francisco brings decades of Oakland cannabis experience to the Haight-Ashbury district. Located at 768 Stanyan Street near Golden Gate Park, this minority-owned dispensary partners with equity brands and showcases local businesses while maintaining Harborside’s legendary reputation for quality and selection.
The Haight-Ashbury location captures San Francisco’s cannabis heritage, serving a neighborhood synonymous with counterculture and cannabis acceptance since the 1960s. Harborside’s commitment to reasonable pricing, daily deals, and knowledgeable staff makes this a favorite among both local residents and park visitors.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Golden Gate Park visitors, Haight-Ashbury neighborhood residents, budget-conscious consumers seeking quality deals, supporters of social equity in cannabis
Location & Hours:
Solful San Francisco opened in February 2023 in the Inner Sunset, bringing their award-winning Sonoma County dispensary concept to San Francisco. Located at 900 Irving Street, Solful has quickly earned recognition as Leafly’s “Best Dispensary for Sungrown Flower,” specializing in premium sun-grown cannabis from local Northern California farmers.
Solful operates like a daily farmers market for cannabis, emphasizing sustainability, organic growing practices, and transparent relationships with cultivators. Their Health & Happiness Consultants provide personalized guidance, making cannabis accessible to medical patients and recreational users alike.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Cannabis consumers prioritizing sustainability and organic cultivation, shoppers seeking personalized education and guidance, Inner Sunset residents, outdoor cannabis enthusiasts appreciating terroir-driven cultivation
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Purple Star MD has built a loyal following as San Francisco’s most affordable dispensary since opening in 2013. Located at 2520 Mission Street in the vibrant Mission District, Purple Star proves that competitive pricing doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or selection.
The dispensary maintains an “always-on” discount program for seniors, veterans, and individuals dealing with chronic illness, demonstrating genuine commitment to cannabis accessibility. With validated parking at the nearby Mission-Bartlett Garage and extensive selection across all product categories, Purple Star removes barriers to quality cannabis access.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Budget-conscious consumers, seniors and veterans seeking permanent discounts, Mission District residents, shoppers needing validated parking, medical patients prioritizing affordability
Location & Hours:
Moe Greens has become San Francisco’s favorite cannabis cafe since opening in 2019, offering not just a dispensary but a complete consumption lounge experience. Located at 1276 Market Street, Moe Greens combines premium products with three unique consumption spaces including a dab bar and social lounges.
The venue hosts regular events including drag shows, comedy nights, cannabis education sessions, and community gatherings, creating a hub for San Francisco’s diverse cannabis culture. With its theatrical location near the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and Orpheum Theater, Moe Greens attracts both locals and culture seekers.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Cannabis enthusiasts seeking social consumption experiences, event-goers attending nearby venues, concentrate connoisseurs appreciating the dab bar, tourists wanting an authentic San Francisco cannabis experience
Location & Hours:
Connected Cannabis Co. brings one of California’s most respected cultivation brands to San Francisco’s Outer Mission neighborhood. Located at 5234 Mission Street, Connected operates both as a premium dispensary and showcase for their legendary in-house genetics including strains from Connected, Alien Labs, and other sought-after cultivators.
The dispensary attracts serious cannabis connoisseurs seeking cutting-edge genetics and top-shelf flower. Connected’s reputation for phenotype hunting and small-batch cultivation means customers access strains often unavailable elsewhere in the city, with knowledgeable budtenders who understand the nuances of their premium offerings.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Cannabis connoisseurs seeking premium genetics, collectors hunting rare strains, Outer Mission residents, consumers prioritizing cultivation quality over convenience
Location & Hours:
Mission Organic Dispensary operates a flagship location at 2845 Geary Boulevard in the Laurel Heights neighborhood, combining a premium dispensary with extensive delivery service throughout San Francisco and the North Bay. Since 2012, Mission Organic has built a reputation as one of SF’s premier cannabis destinations.
The dispensary accepts credit and debit cards, solving a major pain point for customers in California’s primarily cash-based cannabis market. With curated selections of premium flower, concentrates, edibles, and vapes alongside knowledgeable staff, Mission Organic delivers a world-class dispensary experience.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Customers preferring card payments over cash, delivery customers in SF and North Bay, Laurel Heights residents, consumers seeking convenient express delivery options
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Obsidian Dispensary represents San Francisco’s commitment to social equity as a 100% Black-owned cannabis dispensary in the city. Located at 1017 Divisadero Street in the historic Fillmore neighborhood, Obsidian opened through SF’s Cannabis Equity Program with owner deeply rooted in the local community.
The dispensary features modern, clean aesthetics with premium product displays showcasing brands like STIIIZY and other high-quality California cultivators. Beyond the sleek retail environment, Obsidian offers competitive pricing and knowledgeable staff who genuinely care about matching customers with appropriate products.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Social equity supporters, Fillmore and NoPa neighborhood residents, consumers prioritizing Black-owned businesses, shoppers seeking boutique dispensary experiences with premium products
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Off The Charts burst onto San Francisco’s cannabis scene in April 2023 with an unbeatable combination of extensive selection, rock-bottom prices, and exceptional hours. Located at 879 Bryant Street in SoMa, this family-owned dispensary operates from 6:00am to 10:00pm daily, making quality cannabis accessible when other shops are closed.
The dispensary’s “Lowest Price Guarantee” backs up their commitment to affordability, while their selection of over 200 brands ensures customers never sacrifice variety for savings. From rare vape cartridge brands like Muha Meds and Cake to premium flower from top cultivators, Off The Charts delivers exceptional value.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Budget-conscious shoppers, early birds and night owls needing flexible hours, SoMa residents and workers, consumers seeking brands unavailable elsewhere in San Francisco
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HYRBA opened in 2023 as San Francisco’s newest dispensary concept, celebrating legacy operators from the Bay Area and Emerald Triangle with locations in the Outer Sunset (4033 Judah St) and the Mission (560 Valencia St) (coming soon). HYRBA represents a new generation of cannabis retail emphasizing sustainability, education, and community connection.
The dispensary’s commitment to representing Northern California’s legacy cannabis culture sets HYRBA apart from corporate chains. With educated budtenders who genuinely understand cannabis and its heritage, shopping at HYRBA feels more like exploring a cannabis museum than browsing a typical dispensary.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Cannabis culture enthusiasts, sustainability-conscious consumers, Outer Sunset and Mission residents, shoppers seeking legacy California cannabis rather than corporate brands
Location & Hours:
Adults 21+ can buy recreational cannabis in San Francisco without a medical recommendation. With a physician’s recommendation and a state MMIC, you’re exempt from sales tax on eligible medicinal purchases, but the 15% cannabis excise tax still applies. Medical patients may possess or purchase up to the doctor-authorized amount (commonly up to 8 oz), versus adult-use limits of 28.5 g flower and 8 g concentrates per day. Some medical-only products allow higher THC per-package caps (up to 2,000 mg), while edibles remain 10 mg/serving and 100 mg/package. For guidance on understanding different cannabis products and their uses, Herb’s educational resources provide comprehensive information for both medical patients and recreational users.
San Francisco cannabis pricing reflects both the city’s competitive market and California’s high taxes. In 2025, expect to pay $25-$45 for a quality eighth (3.5 grams) of flower, with premium strains from exclusive cultivators reaching $55-$60. Budget-conscious shoppers can find acceptable quality starting around $20-$25 per eighth at dispensaries emphasizing volume and deals. Pre-rolls range from $5-$15 depending on size and quality, while vape cartridges typically cost $25-$50. Edibles span $10-$40 depending on dosage and brand. Concentrates range from $25-$70 per gram based on extraction method and quality. Remember that California’s taxes add approximately 25-30% to listed prices, so factor this into your budget when shopping.
No, California law prohibits cannabis consumption in all public spaces including streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches, and public buildings. San Francisco enforces these restrictions despite the city’s cannabis-friendly culture. However, San Francisco leads California in providing legal consumption alternatives. The city’s consumption lounges offer the closest experience to Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes, providing social spaces with comfortable seating, ventilation systems, and amenities like grinders and glassware rentals. For tourists and locals without private consumption spaces, visiting a licensed consumption lounge provides a legal and social way to enjoy cannabis purchases.
Deal quality varies by product category and shopping habits, but several dispensaries stand out for value. Purple Star MD maintains San Francisco’s lowest everyday pricing across all categories, with permanent discounts for seniors, veterans, and medical patients. Most San Francisco dispensaries offer 10-20% first-time customer discounts and loyalty programs rewarding repeat visits. Check Herb’s deals page for current San Francisco promotions before shopping, as specials change daily and can save 20-50% on select products.
Yes, most major San Francisco dispensaries offer same-day or next-day delivery throughout the city and Bay Area. Mission Organic Dispensary operates robust delivery to SF, North Bay, and peninsula cities with both full menu and express curated options. Purple Star MD, Harborside, California Street Cannabis, and others maintain delivery services with minimum order requirements typically ranging from $40-$75. Delivery adds convenience but expect slightly higher prices than in-store shopping and remember to tip drivers (standard 10-20%).
San Francisco pioneered legal cannabis consumption lounges in California, offering social spaces that feel like a cross between your favorite neighborhood bar and a comfortable living room. Licensed lounges like Barbary Coast, Moe Greens, Mission Cannabis Club, and Urbana provide designated areas where customers can smoke, vape, or consume edibles on-site. These venues feature excellent air filtration systems maintaining pleasant atmospheres, comfortable seating arrangements from bar counters to cozy booths, and amenities including glass piece rentals, grinders, rolling papers, and lighters.
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