Discover San Francisco Through the Creative Lens of Designer Tina Frey
Ahead of San Francisco Art Week, the designer and entrepreneur divulges where to eat, stay, shop, and find inspiration across the Bay Area
Since launching her product design studio after more than a decade in corporate finance at LVMH and the Gap, Tina Frey has become a defining presence in San Francisco’s creative ecosystem. Her Bayview studio and showroom, TF Design, occupies a spacious 7,500-square-foot former warehouse that serves as a workshop where minimalist artisanal home goods—handsome resin flatware, rotund vases, mushroom-shaped table lamps, and unexpected creations like blobby meditation seats—take their final shape.
Over the past year, Frey has extended her practice into exciting new territory. At 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, she debuted the Orbit Collection in luminous resin, presenting rounded seating and tables inspired by planetary motion and sculpted initially in clay. She later reintroduced those same silhouettes at Design Miami, this time cast in bronze, amplifying their physical presence while preserving the unique marks of her hand on the original models. These works belong to The Lab, her limited-edition platform dedicated to small-run pieces that examine how sculptural objects can profoundly influence daily life.
Northern California continues to influence how Frey works and lives, from the charming neighborhoods and bustling city streets that surround her studio to the coastal bluffs and majestic wooded landscapes a short drive away. As San Francisco Art Week returns January 17–25, with FOG Design+Art at its core, Frey shares her personal recommendations across the city, pointing visitors toward the places that define her daily routines and the must-see destinations that reveal the Golden Gate City beyond its postcard landmarks.
How has San Francisco shaped your daily creative life, and what does it offer that visitors might miss on a first trip?
San Francisco is a charming city with a mix of distinct neighborhoods that offer their own vibe and personality, ensuring there is something for everyone. When I first moved to the area, I lived in the Marina because of its natural beauty and close proximity to Crissy Field and the Pacific; it feels quite magical. While it’s a neighborhood with a younger demographic, lively bars, and restaurants, it’s worth exploring the scenic walk to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio, which has tons of wooded walking trails.
What are you most excited about during this year’s edition of San Francisco Art Week?
I’m especially excited to see that San Francisco’s community of art aficionados and collectors has continued to grow, and I think FOG Design+Art will really help capture that momentum. I’m also excited about what The Future Perfect’s presentation with Studio AHEAD might hold. The inspiration of pre-internet antique discovery harkens back to something that has been somewhat lost in the age of the internet and social media, and pays homage to the thrill of the find. The Future Perfect’s curation is always impeccable, so I’m always interested to see what’s new from them.
Which neighborhoods do you find most compelling? How do you like to move through them?
Hayes Valley is definitely a favorite. It’s filled with many different independent shops that are interesting and unexpected, allowing you to discover truly unique pieces. A standout includes minimal, a lovely shop stocking a thoughtful selection of crafted goods. You can also walk along Fillmore Street toward the Marina for great shopping and restaurants. Following a visit to The Future Perfect, an endless source of inspiration, I love to stop at State Bird Provisions, an award-winning spot serving its take on American small plates in a setting that does not feel fussy.
Additionally, The Mission still has an authentic edge and sense of grit to it and has endless great restaurants and bars. Be sure to stop into Heath Ceramics to browse its wide selection of ceramic homewares. Paxton Gate is another destination full of oddities and unexpected pieces that truly reflects the neighborhood’s experimental spirit. Inner Sunset is another standout, with a great mix of different international cuisines that are always delicious. Outerlands is one of my favorite restaurants in the city and is nestled in this neighborhood, serving great meals that are sourced locally.
I love to start at a place like Absinthe in Hayes Valley, a classic French destination that’s one of the city’s longest-running restaurants for a brunch before strolling through the neighborhood’s galleries and shops. The San Francisco Art Commission’s Main Gallery on Van Ness Avenue is a perfect place to discover local and international contemporary art, and The Perish Trust and Rare Device are lovely shops offering a selection of locally sourced and handmade, crafted goods. For a needed pause, Ritual Coffee is a great afternoon stop for a cup of coffee or tea.
Which galleries or museums best capture what feels distinctive about San Francisco right now?
SFMOMA is one that’s not to be missed, but my personal favorite group of galleries is Minnesota Street Project as my old studio was directly across the street before moving into my own space. There are several galleries housed in the building, and they’ve fostered a real sense of community with regular events and openings. I’m also a fan of Fraenkel Gallery and Blunk Space in Marin.
A few places worth visiting are the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps that lead out to a gorgeous lookout, the Museum of Craft and Design, the Palace of Fine Arts (the exterior and surrounding landscape is beautiful!) and the murals off of Valencia street in the mission.
Where do you send friends when they want to experience the city beyond its postcard landmarks?
Even though it offers classic postcard views, Lands End is a must. It’s an experience that never disappoints, with an easy hiking trail along the cliffs, with the ocean below and sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s the place where I take all the tourists who might be in town. The de Young museum isn’t a far drive and makes for the perfect afternoon of sightseeing and cultural experiences. The building and grounds are beautiful and the collection is spectacular.
Which hotels do you recommend people stay when visiting?
Cavallo Point is a beautiful reflection of what Northern California is about. It’s just across the Golden Gate Bridge and is relaxed, scenic, and connected to the landscape. The historic Huntington Hotel on Nob Hill is scheduled to open this spring, along with the famous hotel restaurant The Big 4. It’s a landmark of the city and while I’ve never personally been, I’m going to make it a point to see the reimagined interiors by Ken Fulk.
Which studios, shops, or local makers do you recommend visitors seek out?
Yonder Shop is a great local shop offering a beautifully curated selection of globally made goods. The shop also houses Linda Fahey’s studio, a ceramicist who also teaches courses and curates work by other local artists, making it a great place to discover the Bay Area’s creative scene.
Which restaurants reflect the way you actually live in the city?
My absolute favorite restaurant in San Francisco is Rintaro, closely followed by Pearl 6101 and Outerlands, all serving delicious, thoughtfully crafted dishes.
Rintaro serves traditional Japanese izakaya cuisine and while it’s hard to choose a favorite out of all of their beautifully crafted dishes, their yakitori never disappoints. I also always recommend their “Furofuki Bathing” Daikon and the slow-cooked beef tendon if you are lucky enough to get in on a Friday night, when it’s on the menu. I prefer to go for dinner and sit at the bar to watch all the action in the kitchen.
Pearl 6101 is a Mediterranean/New American fusion restaurant with a very comforting and familiar atmosphere. The seafood dishes are definitely the highlights and my favorites are the scallops and octopus when they’re in season.
Outerlands is a Californian-inspired farm-to-table focused and locally sourced restaurant that rotates its menu based on seasonally available produce and ingredients. They’re famous for their bread and I love how pared back the dishes are, yet still so flavorful. Brunch is a favorite here and the atmosphere encourages you to enjoy your meal and not feel rushed.
For someone arriving during Art Week who wants a pause from the fair circuit, where do you go to reset and take in the Bay Area from a different vantage point?
Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and head to the Marin Headlands for incredible views. Go for a hike at Mount Tamalpais, an uphill hike that rewards you with a lovely view. If you have the time, rent a car and head to Bolinas, which still maintains that hidden, hippie surfer town feel that feels removed from the city in the best way.