Comments on: San Francisco Telecommuting

Question: San Francisco Telecommuting

mto — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:13:57 -0800

I just moved to San Francisco and I am looking for good places to work that have either free WiFi or cheap WiFi.

It's not hard to find a cafe or something to work from for a day, but it's a big city, and so I am hoping folks can give me hints on the good places to work. The kind of places where you can really get some work done, are comfortable, and have cheap/free wifi, etc. Sometimes I even need to use Skype for my work, so if it's the kind of place I can talk on the phone that'd be good too (but is not necessary, I often work from places I can't easily talk).

Good answers look like "I have worked from place XYZ, it's awesome b/c of 123, I get lots of work done there." Bad answers are ones like "go to any cafe, library, etc", which is to say finding a place to work from is not a problem. Rather I am looking for informed recommendations on places to work from, based on experience.

By: andifsohow

andifsohow — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:25:28 -0800

Good questions might tell us what neighborhood you're in.

By: bitdamaged

bitdamaged — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:28:35 -0800

When I was contracting I was able to get a lot of work done at The Canvas at the corner of 9th Ave and Lincoln. Big room with free wifi and food to keep you going. Also decent ambient noise so it's okay to talk on the phone.

Some spots can be a bit uncomfortable for long periods of time.

By: nyterrant

nyterrant — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:52:04 -0800

Ritual Roasters is a common hangout for people on their laptops. They have fee wifi (and excellent coffee), but don't let you plug in your computer on the weekends.

By: mto

mto — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 10:02:13 -0800

I live in Noe Valley. However, I am happy to go anywhere in the city that's a good place to work.

By: babar

babar — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 10:17:54 -0800

My favorite coffee shop to work at when I lived in Noe Valley was Luv a Java at Dolores and 26th. Quiet, but still OK for occasional phone calls, good beverages, friendly people, a little food if you need it. And free wireless, of course. All within easy waalking distance of Noe valley.

I miss it!

By: andifsohow

andifsohow — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 10:23:05 -0800

From Noe Valley, I second Ritual Roasters. Another pretty good spot is Progressive Grounds on Cortland, up Bernal Heights. I work from the back room there most Friday mornings, and it's relatively comfy seating, good food and coffee, and active without usually being loud (although I left earlier than usual last week when a group of kids came in, that's the only time that's happened all summer). You can definitely talk and make calls, other people will be as well, and there's a nice outdoor patio area. That said, it strikes me as more of a neighborhood spot than a people with laptops spot; I usually outlast everyone I notice when I first walk in. I don't know if that makes it a good spot for you or not though.

By: tula

tula — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 10:57:17 -0800

Cheesebikini has a map of free SF WiFi:

There's also one for Berkeley there, too. I know these maps were created quite a while ago, but there has been some updating.

By: quadog

quadog — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 10:57:53 -0800

Maxfield's on Dolores and 16th (or around 16th) is frequented by folks who have their noses buried in laptops. I've been there on several occasions and have been surprised at how library-quite the cafe is despite being filled with people.

By: sellout

sellout — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 13:40:45 -0800

Agree with quadog. Maxfield's House of Caffeine, Dolores and 17th.

By: christy

christy — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 16:47:45 -0800

coffee to the people is a great place to work. not that close to you, but if you're in upper haight i highly recommend it. free wifi, comfy couches, board games, good music, they have it all.

By: MikeKD

MikeKD — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 18:11:54 -0800

There's the SFLan.

By: treepour

treepour — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 19:41:51 -0800

Be careful - laptop thefts from coffee shops are up. Apparently, they just walk in, grab the laptop you're working on, and run. A few months ago, a guy got stabbed in a Valencia street cafe when he leapt to his feet in response. Not to scare you, but I'd think it wouldn't be a bad idea to at least avoid working too close to the door.