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Map: Where to catch 123 Pokémon in San Francisco

Evidently, you've got to catch them all.

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Pokémon GO has taken over the city (and beyond) since its release last week. The mobile game by San Francisco's own Niantic Labs (an offshoot of Google, in cooperation with Nintendo and the Pokémon Company) brings the 20-year-old game franchise's enduring concept of capturing adorable monsters into the real world, so to speak, with a camera app that allows players to spot and catch Pokémon on the city streets around them.


(Which, yes has led to a few injuries. Please catch responsibly.)

The augmented reality game (for iOS and Android) encourages urban exploration, as new critters pop up in different neighborhoods. Other than a few obvious trends, such as aquatic Pokemon's proclivity for water, fans are still debating how territorial the virtual varmints actually are.

But if you just plain can't find the perfect mon for your Pokécollection, checking the block where at least one other lucky local trainer found what you're looking for couldn't hurt. Here are 121 reported catches from tipsters and social media users over the weekend.

Have you nabbed something not yet on our list? Tell us what and where, and we'll add it. (But pics or it never happened.)

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Abra is probably having trouble keeping up with its summer courses at SFSU, since the last time it woke up was early May. Of course, it never enrolled in the first place; teleporting at will means you can crash whatever class you want.

Aerodactyl

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Despite its fearsome appearance, this prehistoric Pokemon subsists entirely on fruit. Hayes Valley's organic produce has obviously attracted its discriminating palette.

We're not sure precisely what this giant cobra Pokemon was shopping for at the Diamond Heights Shopping Center. It's already got the world's most intense hoodie, what else does it need?

Aracanine

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This loyal and steadfast dog/tiger Pokemon would, presumably, have its run of any dog park in the city. One Redditor found one all the way down in Little Hollywood Park

Bellsprout

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Plucky Bellsprout can be dug up almost anywhere in Northern California. So say leading Pokeherbologists at UC Berkeley, that is. But grass Pokemon in general pop up most often in city green spaces, so if you still need one, hunt around.

Beedrill

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Beedrills are highly territorial, and they've been seen buzzing around Cole Valley. And why not? It's a nice neighborhood. Clearly, Beedrill have highly developed instincts for finding prime real estate.

Blastoise

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When Squirtles grow up, they get some hardware and an attitude. Gamers spotted a Blastoise near Coit Tower on Saturday night. Note that Blastoise does not need the elevator to get to the top of the tower. Blastoise goes wherever it wants.

Bulbasaur

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It makes sense that Bulbasaur, too, would be attracted to organic produce in places like the Ferry Building. After all, Bulbasaur IS organic produce

Butterfree

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Sure, Butterfree looks cute and harmless, but its wings are covered in and constantly dropping poisonous powder. Yikes. Maybe you should skip Lafayette Park this weekend after all?

Caterpie

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Humble Caterpie is an easy catch almost anywhere in the city. A lot of bug Pokemon seem to have been sighted around Lake Merced, so if you're for some reason short, take a trip down there.

Chansey

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Chansey is tough to find, despite its peculiar habit of wandering around and giving delicious eggs to people. (We don't know either.) A Redditor spotted one wandering Polk Street on Saturday Night, presumably waiting for the morning brunch crowd.

Charizard

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Despite appearances, Charizard is not actually a dragon Pokemon. Not that anyone really cares, because holy crap, Charizard! Players caught one near Cupid's Span on Saturday. Is Charizard a fan of public art, or did the Bay Lights just distract it?

Charmander

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A red hot starter Pokemon and fan favorite for 20 years. A weekend trainer caught one wandering around the Mozilla building on the Embarcadero, presumably trying to pick a fight with the Firefox.

Charmeleon

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By the time Charmanders migrate to the Sunset from the Embarcadero, they've upgraded to Charmeleons. Charmeleons tend to be jerks, so we'd prefer they stick to less dense neighborhoods.

Clefable

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One of the rarest of all Pokemon (so says Bulbapedia), one was caught right outside Chambers in the Tenderloin. Yes, that's just how good Chambers is, people.

Clefairy

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With its habit of dancing on the night of the full moon, Clefairy would have felt right at home during the Haight's Age of Aquarius. It's a bit late, but help it get acclimated to the neighborhood anyway.

The loneliest of all Pokemon, you can track this sad little guy to his reported hangout around 9th Avenue and Lincoln by the sound of its crying. Assuming you want to, of course; that femur club isn't for looks.

Diglett

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These burrowing Pokemon can't possibly be good for street upkeep. If you spot any around the Design District, round them up before they do serious damage to DPW's budget.

The triple header cousin of a Dodrio rounded up near the Lake Merced Golf Club has three separate brains and personalities, which means it can never, ever settle on a tee time.

Word is flying Pokemon are more common around SFO. But the doubly birdbrained Doduo is a common sight across the city, so no need to go all that way just for its sake.

Dragonite

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Take note: Dragonite, the flying, more evolved cousins of Dratini, was spotted but not caught in Stern Grove last week, so it may still be at large. Very large.

Dratini

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Locals seem particularly eager to catch one of these snakelike water dragon Pokemon. But where along the city's sprawling shoreline is it likely to come aground? A tipster tells us he was lucky enough to stumble on his catch near Rivera Street. If you don't want to wander all the way out to the Sunset, a tipster tells us he caught several in Jefferson Square Park.

Drowzee

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Here's the deal: First, Drowzee puts you to sleep. Then, it eats your dreams through your nose. We know that a stay at the UCSF hospital in Mission Bay was probably scary enough already without adding this, but what are you gonna do?

The versatile and dangerously adorable Eevee seems to be quite common throughout our eclectic city. One Twitter user picked his up right on Haight Street, where it presumably had flowers in its fur.

Watch your step, as these slithering Pokemon (whose name is just "snake" backwards) have been creeping into Golden Gate Park, in search of either Pidgey eggs or Pokemon GO players (the only thing more frequently encountered in the park over the weekend than the Pidgeys).

Electabuzz

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Electabuzz tends to explode when the mood strikes it. Given that, we wish it wouldn't hang out in Heron's Head Park. But please don't tell Electabuzz that; it might explode.

We cannot stress this enough: Fearows want you to PICK UP YOUR TRASH at Dolores Park. That is not a face that suggests a vast surplus of patience

Flareon

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Players are still debating how to get their Eevees to evolve into Flareons (or its other potential upgrades, Jolteon and Vaporeon). Of course, you could just head down to Columbia Square Park (designed by David Baker Architects) and try to catch a pre-evolved one.

Exeggcute

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Poor Exeggcute can't help but get its shells cracked. Maybe this is why Redditors spotted it taking it easy at the Japanese Tea Garden.

Sightseers spotted this sinister ghost Pokemon floating around Laurel Heights. Developers decided it was inappropriate to put ghost Pokemon in actual cemeteries, but of course, this neighborhood had several graveyards once upon a time, and possibly a few leftover graves...

Another creepy ghost Pokemon, with a penchant for mischief. Should you want to pursue, one is supposedly haunting the Dogpatch. They're more common at night.

Unlike the ubiquitous Zubat, Golbat is a bit more reclusive. Also, it's the most terrifying thing we've ever seen. One Redditor brought a Golbat out of hiding in the Financial District over the weekend, in response to the thousands of its Zubat cousins who have been nabbed.

Goldeen

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True story, one guy caught a Goldeen in a sushi restaurant in San Bruno on Sunday. But in the city, you'll have more luck around open water like Islais Creek.

Golduck

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In Japan, Golduck resembles a folkloric water spirit that drowns passersby in bodies of water. But in truth, Golduck is a mostly benevolent presence who actually rescues endangered swimmers in the likes of McNab Lake. (Books, covers, judging, etc.)

This Pokemon sheds its stony shell once per year. If you ever noticed any weird outcroppings around 47th and JFK Drive, now you know what they are.

Graveler

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Gravelers, being little different from the rocks of which they're composed, are among the slowest moving of Pokemon, and generally prefer to roll downhill. Why this one was wandering around one of the flattest parts of town we'll never know, but it probably made it easier to catch.

Ew! Imagine stepping on one of these things next time you're at Ocean Beach. We recommend closed-toe shoes for the rest of the season, as a rule.

Growlithe

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The puppy version of an Aracanine will melt your heart at Lands End. It will also melt anything else at Lands End, because of course, it breathes fire.

Gyarados

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A local woman "spent all day at Pier 39 catching Magikarps" before finally stumbling on the karp's big, big, BIG brother. Although we should probably be worried about it capsizing cargo ships, it will likely draw even more tourists to the neighborhood. (Move over, Bushman.)

Haunter

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Another ghost Pokemon, Haunter is just plain up to no good. If you want to risk it, a Facebook tipster has caught two ghosting around the Tendernob at night.

Hitmonchan

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This fighting Pokemon is named for Chinese martial arts star Jackie Chan, but was nevertheless sighted in Japantown. The 38 Geary Muni line is a great route for scoping out Pokemon across many neighborhoods.

Hitmonlee

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The Hitmonlee around the Buddhist Churches of America building on Octavia Street got away from our tipster, so it might still be there. The spring-legged fighting Pokemon was named after Bruce Lee.

Horseas subsist partly on mossy rocks, so of course they're attracted to the Sutro Baths.

Ivysaur

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If the California heat is good to your Bulbasaur, it will eventually bloom into an Ivysaur. Or you can make like a local Academy of Art Student on Sunday and catch one at Grace Cathedral. It actually wasn't hard; poor little guy couldn't find his way out of the labyrinth.

Jigglypuff

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Jigglypuff can sing any creature to sleep in seconds, making the Christopher Playground Jigglypuffs a new parent's best friend. Nap time is now compulsory.

Jolteon

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Jolteon, the lightning-infused upgrade of an Eevee snagged in the far west side of Golden Gate Park, generates electricity with its spiny fur. So however much you may want to pet one, DON'T.

It's a tall order to manage to be the weirdest looking Pokemon in the world. But here's Jynx. Gamers spotted it doings its thing (whatever that may be, precisely...) at Yerba Buena Gardens, but Jynx is clearly missing its real calling at Beach Blanket Babylon.

These fossil Pokemon (apparently fond of clinging to the Japantown Peace Pagoda) look alarming, but they're generally pretty mellow.

Kabutops

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This prehistoric Pokemon prefer to be left alone. Gee, a friendly looking guy like that, who'd have thought?

The unassuming seeming Kakunas at Lake Merced would make intriguing new obstacles at the nearby gold course. Until they hatch, that is...

Kingler

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Deadly red algae blooms never get Kingler and his crabby pokecousins in the Sunset down, and the season never closes.

Koffing

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We should probably be annoyed about this greenhouse gas expelling Pokemon floating around Hippie Hill. But it just looks so cheerful that asking the thing to move on is surprisingly difficult.

It's not dungeness, but it'll do in a pinch. They pop up in any given San Francisco waterway.

A gentle sea beast that enjoys ferrying people over open water. Really, we should be setting these things loose in the bay to compliment service to Sausalito, but like most water Pokemon, locals have been chasing them along Ocean Beach

Lickitung

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You know if you keep making that face it'll get stuck that way. Like Jynx, Lickitung is seriously weird, even by Pokemon standards. It seems to like Coit Tower, so hopefully it keeps its tongue away from those priceless proletarian murals.

Machamp

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Machamp, the final form of Machop, is a fighting Pokemon that can throw 500 punches per second. Granted, lots of bros in Dolores Park make similar claims, but how many have the physique to follow through?

A tenacious fighting Pokemon, caught right next to the Cable Car Museum. Able to life five times its own body weight, Machop were employed to pull the cars in 19th century San Francisco. (Or so we're told.)

Magikarp

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The hapless, flopping Magikarp is woefully ubiquitous near any body of water. It might not seem worth catching, but honestly, does this thing look like it can get by without your help? Have a heart.

Magmars heal by swimming in molten lava. Since there are no active volcanoes in Glen Park, it's presumably lost.

Magnemite

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No, those aren't drones over Golden Gate Park. Well, actually, a lot of them probably are. Tell you what, chuck a ball at them, see what happens.

Magneton

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It's three for the price of one with this magnetically bonded Pokemon. One washed up on Ocean Beach over the weekend, so apparently people really will throw any old thing into the Pacific these days.

Golden Gate Park is lousy with these aggravated pig monkeys and their hot tempers. For the love of Moses, keep them away from the archery range.

Yes, the Meowths in the Sunset are cute, but they have a habit of stealing loose change. That's going to get out of hand pretty soon.

Metapod

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The lowly Caterpie eventually becomes the stoic Metapod, resting comfortably in the cool shadows of Stern Grove and, presumably, grooving to George Clinton live in concert.

Some joker has taken to reporting sightings of the ultimate Pokemon in the middle of the bay or the Pacific Ocean. This is probably a joke about Mew's obscurity; in the original Pokemon game, players could catch Mew only by exploiting a glitch in the game's code.

Moltres

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Take this one with a grain of salt, but one Redditor reports spotting a rare, spectacular flaming Moltres somewhere near the Potrero Hill/Mission border. Investigate, if you dare...

We should probably be working a lot harder to keep Muk away from the touristy areas like Union Square. Problem is, even the sit/lie laws don't work on this thing, since it has no anatomical ability to sit OR lie.

Nidoking

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Everyday Nidorans can be caught almost anywhere, but Nidoking has eked out a fief for itself in Golden Gate Park. No sightings of Nidoqueen yet, but we can't imagine they settled far away from each other. Unless someone's in the doghouse?

Nidoran

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For obvious reasons, a lot of Pokemon hunting is happening on and around BART, like this spiny, poisonous Pokemon snagged at Powell Street Station.

Nidorina

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Nidorina and Nidorino have reportedly followed the lead of so many other young couples in San Francisco and set up housekeeping in Bernal Heights.

Nidorino

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It's nice to see a working family can still afford a place in the neighborhood.

Ninetales

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It's tough to show up the lights on the Bay Bridge, but Ninetales, classiest and most tasteful of all Pokemon, comes close.

Once, huge swaths of San Francisco were covered by wild grasslands of the sort Oddish are partial to. Now, Bernal Heights Park is one of a handful of throwbacks to ancient San Francisco's ecosystem, so it's only natural Oddish would dot its hillsides.

Omanyte

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Yes, these shell-bearing fossil Pokemon are supposed to be extinct. But not only are they at large in San Francisco, they seem to be fond of Cupid's Span. Alert the Academy of Sciences.

Mighty Onix is devastated by water, so the local ones have cleverly set up shop near the one giant body of water that we can't easily access: Sunset Reservoir.

Paras is both a bug and a fungus. Don't question it. They're easy to find, but if you're coming up short for some reason, try the Geary and Folsom underpass. (At least someone like that thing.)

Parasect

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We'll level with you: We spent five minutes studying up on the Pokecology of the Parasect, and it was one of the biggest mistakes we ever made. These things are bad news, and if they're really growing in the Muni stop at Harrison and Embarcadero, we need to clean that place up fast.

Pidgeot

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The way more badass, upgraded version of a Pidgey, Pidgeots have been spotted soaring around Diamond Heights. Their favorite prey is Magikarps, as if those poor guys didn't have enough problems.

These agitated avians have the first catch of starting Pokemon players for 20 years now. You can find them in almost any parks. (Indeed, try not to.)

Pikachu

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Originally just another lightning themed Pokemon (albeit an alarmingly cute one), the cartoon series turned Pikachu into the mascot for the entire franchise. They seem to favor the far west side of the city, like Lands End.

Whoa! Though this hulking, perpetually angry bug Pokemon favors the parks, one BART rider caught his just outside of the Civic Center Station. As if your commute wasn't hassle enough already.

Poliwag

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Poliwag is supposed to be a freshwater Pokemon. Maybe that's why its left the beach and headed to the Beach Chalet.

Poliwhirl

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Poliwags eventually grow up into hypnotic Poliwhirls. When not in the water, Poliwhirls constantly sweat oil. This is more information than you probably needed.

Did anyone card this Ponyta before a Redditor caught it at the Brewcade? There's not really a legal drinking age for flaming pony Pokemon, but you should still check.

Psyduck

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Poor Psycduck really has trouble getting its act together. A dip in Stow Lake helps it chill out.

Rapidash

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Rapidash can clear 150 MPH in a straightaway like the Golden Gate Bridge. If it has FasTrak, we'll never catch it.

Raticate

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Somebody caught a Raticate at the 10th Street Costco on Friday. The health inspector is NOT going to be cool with this.

Rattata

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Since 1996, Rattata has been the most predictably easy-to-catch Pokemon in the world. San Francisco is no exception, with the little purple critters scampering around most neighborhoods, and virtually all of the parks.

Rhydon is what happens when a Rhyhorn stands up and starts walking. That, of course is a miracle, so it makes sense that our tipster caught one right outside the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Japantown.

Rhyhorn

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The Monster on the Mission has nothing on this rocky rhino Pokemon. It's almost impossible for a charging Rhyhorn to turn, so we're not sure how it's taking to the red lanes on Mission Street.

Sandshrew

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The police department in Darwin, Australia, had to ask players to stop wandering into their station in pursuit of Sandshrews. You'll have a much easier time getting into Stern Grove.

Sandslash

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As a ground-type Pokemon devastated by water, Sandslash should probably stay away from Maritime Park. But if the rest of us can't resist a walk along the water, why should it?

Scyther

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What's with the scary Pokemon in the western neighborhoods? Fans caught a Scyther at AP Giannini Middle School last week. That must have been an education.

Where else in San Francisco would you find a Seel but Pier 39? Seel is supposed to be an Arctic Pokemon, but maybe it's in town visiting relatives at the docks.

Shellder

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The Shellders of Ocean Beach are downright rude, with their tongues wagging in the surf all the time. Since they're the traditional prey of the Omanytes we know are in town also, they'd better clean up their act if they want to take refuge in the relative safety of a Pokeball.

Slowbro

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Slowbro is one laid back dude, considering that his tail has been turned into a perpetual chew toy. Normally he hangs out at the beach, but we assume that he popped into Westfield Centre after evolving to look for accessories to compliment his new look.

Slowpoke

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Slowpoke isn't hard to catch. It's the Jeff Lebowski of Pokemon. If you can't find one near the waterline, it probably just got distracted by its own thumbs.

Snorlax

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This enormous, narcoleptic Pokemon is among the hardest to find (presumably because it's so rarely mobile), but a shopper caught one Sunday at the Safeway on Church and Market.

Spearow

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The calls of the Spearows of Douglass Playground can be heard half a mile away, says Bulbapedia. Which is really annoying, actually.

Squirtle

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Squirtles seem to be frequent BART riders. Clearly, they're fans of the Transbay Tube.

Starmie

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Starmie is only supposed to live at the deepest of ocean depths. But game designers don't want you to take your phone free diving, so these ones have uncharacteristically come ashore at Ocean Beach.

To the greatest degree possible, Niantic Labs wants Pokemon to show up in locations that would make suitable habitats for them, which is why so many water Pokemon congregate at Ocean Beach. But since not every city has a lot of open water, Pokemon will wander from their comfort zones, like the Staryu one user caught at Lafayette Park.

Tangela

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Of course, even when you catch one of these vine-wrapped Pokemon, it's a little hard to tell what you've actually got. A Facebook tipster tells us that the numbers 6 and 7 Muni stops near Gough and Market might be a favorite hangout for them.

We know what you're thinking, but despite their bovine aspect, you're probably not going to see Tauros Tacos at Off the Grid at Fort Mason anytime soon. The FDA won't have it.

Tentacool

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Some of a Tentacool's natural defense mechanisms are powered by sunlight. Making the Ocean Beach Tentacool's the most frequently helpless Pokemon in the world.

Tentacruel

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In the now venerable original series Pokemon cartoon, a Tentacruel destroyed a good portion of a city. Hopefully they lay off the Exploratorium (where users caught one late Sunday evening) and just stick to admiring the Strandbeests.

Vaporeon

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Your Haight Street Eevee might grow into a Vaporeon on its own, of course. But if it decides blue just isn't its color, other Vaporeons sometimes lounge near the water on the Marina.

Venonat

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Venonat is nearly ubiquitous across San Francisco. Which is alarming, when you consider that its entire body is poisonous. If you for some reason can't find one, try the 38 Geary corridor.

Venusaur

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When the army decamped Fort Mason, their cute little Bulbasaur mascot decided to stay. All these years later, it's not so little anymore...

Vileplume

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Mind the outfield at Bob Cherney Field, since Vileplume explodes in paralyzing pollen when provoked. Maybe just let that fly ball drop.

Voltorb

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The Voltorbs at the Beach Chalet look hostile, but that's only because they're about to self-destruct.

Vulpix could become a trendy pet in residential neighborhoods like Diamond Heights. The fact that it breathes fires might impact your deposit, though.

Wartortle

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One more time: Wartortle wants you to PICK UP YOUR TRASH at Dolores Park. Its first name is "war," do you want to mess with that?

The humble, unassuming Weedle can be found crawling around almost anywhere in the city, including a Starbucks on Fillmore and Sacramento. This suggests a forthcoming Beedrill infestation in Pac Heights, which might affect property values a bit.

Weepinbell

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Cute little Bellsprouts eventually grow into deadly, acid-spitting Weepinbells. And boy, do they look surprised about it. Word has it they lurk in the trees at China Basin Park.

Weezing

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Koffing is gross but admittedly cute. Its big brother Weezing, on the other hand, is downright alarming. A local caught one floating around Leland and Elliot, and if you see one, be sure to snag it as well; they tend to explode, so it's important to keep them out of residential neighborhoods.

Wigglytuff

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Bouncy, rubbery Wigglytuff loves apples above all else, so of course players have seen it bounding around the Richmond, helping itself to the produce markets.

If you haven't caught a Zubat yet, it's because you just don't care. These things are so thick in every San Francisco neighborhood that one Twitter user dubbed them "the new tech bros."

Pikachu

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The game's unofficial mascot was found by two Vox media members here. Great place to find balls, too!

Typically found near bodies of water (Ocean Bean, we hear, is a good spot), this starfish was found in SOMA near Third Street.

Tangela

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A tipster tells us that they found Tangela in Little Hollywood. Go get it!

Koffing

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We spotted this gassy guy in front of 150 Spear near the Embarcadero.

Lickitung

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We saw this guy sticking this tongue out at us near the Clocktower building in SoMa. How rude!

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Abra

Abra is probably having trouble keeping up with its summer courses at SFSU, since the last time it woke up was early May. Of course, it never enrolled in the first place; teleporting at will means you can crash whatever class you want.

Aerodactyl

Despite its fearsome appearance, this prehistoric Pokemon subsists entirely on fruit. Hayes Valley's organic produce has obviously attracted its discriminating palette.

Arbok

We're not sure precisely what this giant cobra Pokemon was shopping for at the Diamond Heights Shopping Center. It's already got the world's most intense hoodie, what else does it need?

Aracanine

This loyal and steadfast dog/tiger Pokemon would, presumably, have its run of any dog park in the city. One Redditor found one all the way down in Little Hollywood Park

Bellsprout

Plucky Bellsprout can be dug up almost anywhere in Northern California. So say leading Pokeherbologists at UC Berkeley, that is. But grass Pokemon in general pop up most often in city green spaces, so if you still need one, hunt around.

Beedrill

Beedrills are highly territorial, and they've been seen buzzing around Cole Valley. And why not? It's a nice neighborhood. Clearly, Beedrill have highly developed instincts for finding prime real estate.

Blastoise

When Squirtles grow up, they get some hardware and an attitude. Gamers spotted a Blastoise near Coit Tower on Saturday night. Note that Blastoise does not need the elevator to get to the top of the tower. Blastoise goes wherever it wants.

Bulbasaur

It makes sense that Bulbasaur, too, would be attracted to organic produce in places like the Ferry Building. After all, Bulbasaur IS organic produce

Butterfree

Sure, Butterfree looks cute and harmless, but its wings are covered in and constantly dropping poisonous powder. Yikes. Maybe you should skip Lafayette Park this weekend after all?

Caterpie

Humble Caterpie is an easy catch almost anywhere in the city. A lot of bug Pokemon seem to have been sighted around Lake Merced, so if you're for some reason short, take a trip down there.

Chansey

Chansey is tough to find, despite its peculiar habit of wandering around and giving delicious eggs to people. (We don't know either.) A Redditor spotted one wandering Polk Street on Saturday Night, presumably waiting for the morning brunch crowd.

Charizard

Despite appearances, Charizard is not actually a dragon Pokemon. Not that anyone really cares, because holy crap, Charizard! Players caught one near Cupid's Span on Saturday. Is Charizard a fan of public art, or did the Bay Lights just distract it?

Charmander

A red hot starter Pokemon and fan favorite for 20 years. A weekend trainer caught one wandering around the Mozilla building on the Embarcadero, presumably trying to pick a fight with the Firefox.

Charmeleon

By the time Charmanders migrate to the Sunset from the Embarcadero, they've upgraded to Charmeleons. Charmeleons tend to be jerks, so we'd prefer they stick to less dense neighborhoods.

Clefable

One of the rarest of all Pokemon (so says Bulbapedia), one was caught right outside Chambers in the Tenderloin. Yes, that's just how good Chambers is, people.

Clefairy

With its habit of dancing on the night of the full moon, Clefairy would have felt right at home during the Haight's Age of Aquarius. It's a bit late, but help it get acclimated to the neighborhood anyway.

Cubone

The loneliest of all Pokemon, you can track this sad little guy to his reported hangout around 9th Avenue and Lincoln by the sound of its crying. Assuming you want to, of course; that femur club isn't for looks.

Diglett

These burrowing Pokemon can't possibly be good for street upkeep. If you spot any around the Design District, round them up before they do serious damage to DPW's budget.

Dodrio

The triple header cousin of a Dodrio rounded up near the Lake Merced Golf Club has three separate brains and personalities, which means it can never, ever settle on a tee time.

Doduo

Word is flying Pokemon are more common around SFO. But the doubly birdbrained Doduo is a common sight across the city, so no need to go all that way just for its sake.

Dragonite

Take note: Dragonite, the flying, more evolved cousins of Dratini, was spotted but not caught in Stern Grove last week, so it may still be at large. Very large.

Dratini

Locals seem particularly eager to catch one of these snakelike water dragon Pokemon. But where along the city's sprawling shoreline is it likely to come aground? A tipster tells us he was lucky enough to stumble on his catch near Rivera Street. If you don't want to wander all the way out to the Sunset, a tipster tells us he caught several in Jefferson Square Park.

Drowzee

Here's the deal: First, Drowzee puts you to sleep. Then, it eats your dreams through your nose. We know that a stay at the UCSF hospital in Mission Bay was probably scary enough already without adding this, but what are you gonna do?

Eevee

The versatile and dangerously adorable Eevee seems to be quite common throughout our eclectic city. One Twitter user picked his up right on Haight Street, where it presumably had flowers in its fur.

Ekans

Watch your step, as these slithering Pokemon (whose name is just "snake" backwards) have been creeping into Golden Gate Park, in search of either Pidgey eggs or Pokemon GO players (the only thing more frequently encountered in the park over the weekend than the Pidgeys).

Electabuzz

Electabuzz tends to explode when the mood strikes it. Given that, we wish it wouldn't hang out in Heron's Head Park. But please don't tell Electabuzz that; it might explode.

Fearow

We cannot stress this enough: Fearows want you to PICK UP YOUR TRASH at Dolores Park. That is not a face that suggests a vast surplus of patience

Flareon

Players are still debating how to get their Eevees to evolve into Flareons (or its other potential upgrades, Jolteon and Vaporeon). Of course, you could just head down to Columbia Square Park (designed by David Baker Architects) and try to catch a pre-evolved one.

Exeggcute

Poor Exeggcute can't help but get its shells cracked. Maybe this is why Redditors spotted it taking it easy at the Japanese Tea Garden.

Gastly

Sightseers spotted this sinister ghost Pokemon floating around Laurel Heights. Developers decided it was inappropriate to put ghost Pokemon in actual cemeteries, but of course, this neighborhood had several graveyards once upon a time, and possibly a few leftover graves...

Gengar

Another creepy ghost Pokemon, with a penchant for mischief. Should you want to pursue, one is supposedly haunting the Dogpatch. They're more common at night.

Golbat

Unlike the ubiquitous Zubat, Golbat is a bit more reclusive. Also, it's the most terrifying thing we've ever seen. One Redditor brought a Golbat out of hiding in the Financial District over the weekend, in response to the thousands of its Zubat cousins who have been nabbed.

Goldeen

True story, one guy caught a Goldeen in a sushi restaurant in San Bruno on Sunday. But in the city, you'll have more luck around open water like Islais Creek.

Golduck

In Japan, Golduck resembles a folkloric water spirit that drowns passersby in bodies of water. But in truth, Golduck is a mostly benevolent presence who actually rescues endangered swimmers in the likes of McNab Lake. (Books, covers, judging, etc.)

Golem

This Pokemon sheds its stony shell once per year. If you ever noticed any weird outcroppings around 47th and JFK Drive, now you know what they are.

Graveler

Gravelers, being little different from the rocks of which they're composed, are among the slowest moving of Pokemon, and generally prefer to roll downhill. Why this one was wandering around one of the flattest parts of town we'll never know, but it probably made it easier to catch.

Grimer

Ew! Imagine stepping on one of these things next time you're at Ocean Beach. We recommend closed-toe shoes for the rest of the season, as a rule.

Growlithe

The puppy version of an Aracanine will melt your heart at Lands End. It will also melt anything else at Lands End, because of course, it breathes fire.

Gyarados

A local woman "spent all day at Pier 39 catching Magikarps" before finally stumbling on the karp's big, big, BIG brother. Although we should probably be worried about it capsizing cargo ships, it will likely draw even more tourists to the neighborhood. (Move over, Bushman.)

Haunter

Another ghost Pokemon, Haunter is just plain up to no good. If you want to risk it, a Facebook tipster has caught two ghosting around the Tendernob at night.

Hitmonchan

This fighting Pokemon is named for Chinese martial arts star Jackie Chan, but was nevertheless sighted in Japantown. The 38 Geary Muni line is a great route for scoping out Pokemon across many neighborhoods.

Hitmonlee

The Hitmonlee around the Buddhist Churches of America building on Octavia Street got away from our tipster, so it might still be there. The spring-legged fighting Pokemon was named after Bruce Lee.

Horsea

Horseas subsist partly on mossy rocks, so of course they're attracted to the Sutro Baths.

Ivysaur

If the California heat is good to your Bulbasaur, it will eventually bloom into an Ivysaur. Or you can make like a local Academy of Art Student on Sunday and catch one at Grace Cathedral. It actually wasn't hard; poor little guy couldn't find his way out of the labyrinth.

Jigglypuff

Jigglypuff can sing any creature to sleep in seconds, making the Christopher Playground Jigglypuffs a new parent's best friend. Nap time is now compulsory.

Jolteon

Jolteon, the lightning-infused upgrade of an Eevee snagged in the far west side of Golden Gate Park, generates electricity with its spiny fur. So however much you may want to pet one, DON'T.

Jynx

It's a tall order to manage to be the weirdest looking Pokemon in the world. But here's Jynx. Gamers spotted it doings its thing (whatever that may be, precisely...) at Yerba Buena Gardens, but Jynx is clearly missing its real calling at Beach Blanket Babylon.

Kabuto

These fossil Pokemon (apparently fond of clinging to the Japantown Peace Pagoda) look alarming, but they're generally pretty mellow.

Kabutops

This prehistoric Pokemon prefer to be left alone. Gee, a friendly looking guy like that, who'd have thought?

Kakuna

The unassuming seeming Kakunas at Lake Merced would make intriguing new obstacles at the nearby gold course. Until they hatch, that is...

Kingler

Deadly red algae blooms never get Kingler and his crabby pokecousins in the Sunset down, and the season never closes.

Koffing

We should probably be annoyed about this greenhouse gas expelling Pokemon floating around Hippie Hill. But it just looks so cheerful that asking the thing to move on is surprisingly difficult.

Krabby

It's not dungeness, but it'll do in a pinch. They pop up in any given San Francisco waterway.

Lapras

A gentle sea beast that enjoys ferrying people over open water. Really, we should be setting these things loose in the bay to compliment service to Sausalito, but like most water Pokemon, locals have been chasing them along Ocean Beach

Lickitung

You know if you keep making that face it'll get stuck that way. Like Jynx, Lickitung is seriously weird, even by Pokemon standards. It seems to like Coit Tower, so hopefully it keeps its tongue away from those priceless proletarian murals.

Machamp

Machamp, the final form of Machop, is a fighting Pokemon that can throw 500 punches per second. Granted, lots of bros in Dolores Park make similar claims, but how many have the physique to follow through?

Machop

A tenacious fighting Pokemon, caught right next to the Cable Car Museum. Able to life five times its own body weight, Machop were employed to pull the cars in 19th century San Francisco. (Or so we're told.)

Magikarp

The hapless, flopping Magikarp is woefully ubiquitous near any body of water. It might not seem worth catching, but honestly, does this thing look like it can get by without your help? Have a heart.

Magmar

Magmars heal by swimming in molten lava. Since there are no active volcanoes in Glen Park, it's presumably lost.

Magnemite

No, those aren't drones over Golden Gate Park. Well, actually, a lot of them probably are. Tell you what, chuck a ball at them, see what happens.

Magneton

It's three for the price of one with this magnetically bonded Pokemon. One washed up on Ocean Beach over the weekend, so apparently people really will throw any old thing into the Pacific these days.

Mankey

Golden Gate Park is lousy with these aggravated pig monkeys and their hot tempers. For the love of Moses, keep them away from the archery range.

Meowth

Yes, the Meowths in the Sunset are cute, but they have a habit of stealing loose change. That's going to get out of hand pretty soon.

Metapod

The lowly Caterpie eventually becomes the stoic Metapod, resting comfortably in the cool shadows of Stern Grove and, presumably, grooving to George Clinton live in concert.

Mew

Some joker has taken to reporting sightings of the ultimate Pokemon in the middle of the bay or the Pacific Ocean. This is probably a joke about Mew's obscurity; in the original Pokemon game, players could catch Mew only by exploiting a glitch in the game's code.

Moltres

Take this one with a grain of salt, but one Redditor reports spotting a rare, spectacular flaming Moltres somewhere near the Potrero Hill/Mission border. Investigate, if you dare...

Muk

We should probably be working a lot harder to keep Muk away from the touristy areas like Union Square. Problem is, even the sit/lie laws don't work on this thing, since it has no anatomical ability to sit OR lie.

Nidoking

Everyday Nidorans can be caught almost anywhere, but Nidoking has eked out a fief for itself in Golden Gate Park. No sightings of Nidoqueen yet, but we can't imagine they settled far away from each other. Unless someone's in the doghouse?

Nidoran

For obvious reasons, a lot of Pokemon hunting is happening on and around BART, like this spiny, poisonous Pokemon snagged at Powell Street Station.

Nidorina

Nidorina and Nidorino have reportedly followed the lead of so many other young couples in San Francisco and set up housekeeping in Bernal Heights.

Nidorino

It's nice to see a working family can still afford a place in the neighborhood.

Ninetales

It's tough to show up the lights on the Bay Bridge, but Ninetales, classiest and most tasteful of all Pokemon, comes close.

Oddish

Once, huge swaths of San Francisco were covered by wild grasslands of the sort Oddish are partial to. Now, Bernal Heights Park is one of a handful of throwbacks to ancient San Francisco's ecosystem, so it's only natural Oddish would dot its hillsides.

Omanyte

Yes, these shell-bearing fossil Pokemon are supposed to be extinct. But not only are they at large in San Francisco, they seem to be fond of Cupid's Span. Alert the Academy of Sciences.

Onix

Mighty Onix is devastated by water, so the local ones have cleverly set up shop near the one giant body of water that we can't easily access: Sunset Reservoir.

Paras

Paras is both a bug and a fungus. Don't question it. They're easy to find, but if you're coming up short for some reason, try the Geary and Folsom underpass. (At least someone like that thing.)

Parasect

We'll level with you: We spent five minutes studying up on the Pokecology of the Parasect, and it was one of the biggest mistakes we ever made. These things are bad news, and if they're really growing in the Muni stop at Harrison and Embarcadero, we need to clean that place up fast.

Pidgeot

The way more badass, upgraded version of a Pidgey, Pidgeots have been spotted soaring around Diamond Heights. Their favorite prey is Magikarps, as if those poor guys didn't have enough problems.

Pidgey

These agitated avians have the first catch of starting Pokemon players for 20 years now. You can find them in almost any parks. (Indeed, try not to.)

Pikachu

Originally just another lightning themed Pokemon (albeit an alarmingly cute one), the cartoon series turned Pikachu into the mascot for the entire franchise. They seem to favor the far west side of the city, like Lands End.

Pinsir

Whoa! Though this hulking, perpetually angry bug Pokemon favors the parks, one BART rider caught his just outside of the Civic Center Station. As if your commute wasn't hassle enough already.

Poliwag

Poliwag is supposed to be a freshwater Pokemon. Maybe that's why its left the beach and headed to the Beach Chalet.

Poliwhirl

Poliwags eventually grow up into hypnotic Poliwhirls. When not in the water, Poliwhirls constantly sweat oil. This is more information than you probably needed.

Ponyta

Did anyone card this Ponyta before a Redditor caught it at the Brewcade? There's not really a legal drinking age for flaming pony Pokemon, but you should still check.

Psyduck

Poor Psycduck really has trouble getting its act together. A dip in Stow Lake helps it chill out.

Rapidash

Rapidash can clear 150 MPH in a straightaway like the Golden Gate Bridge. If it has FasTrak, we'll never catch it.

Raticate

Somebody caught a Raticate at the 10th Street Costco on Friday. The health inspector is NOT going to be cool with this.

Rattata

Since 1996, Rattata has been the most predictably easy-to-catch Pokemon in the world. San Francisco is no exception, with the little purple critters scampering around most neighborhoods, and virtually all of the parks.

Rhydon

Rhydon is what happens when a Rhyhorn stands up and starts walking. That, of course is a miracle, so it makes sense that our tipster caught one right outside the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Japantown.

Rhyhorn

The Monster on the Mission has nothing on this rocky rhino Pokemon. It's almost impossible for a charging Rhyhorn to turn, so we're not sure how it's taking to the red lanes on Mission Street.

Sandshrew

The police department in Darwin, Australia, had to ask players to stop wandering into their station in pursuit of Sandshrews. You'll have a much easier time getting into Stern Grove.

Sandslash

As a ground-type Pokemon devastated by water, Sandslash should probably stay away from Maritime Park. But if the rest of us can't resist a walk along the water, why should it?

Scyther

What's with the scary Pokemon in the western neighborhoods? Fans caught a Scyther at AP Giannini Middle School last week. That must have been an education.

Seel

Where else in San Francisco would you find a Seel but Pier 39? Seel is supposed to be an Arctic Pokemon, but maybe it's in town visiting relatives at the docks.

Shellder

The Shellders of Ocean Beach are downright rude, with their tongues wagging in the surf all the time. Since they're the traditional prey of the Omanytes we know are in town also, they'd better clean up their act if they want to take refuge in the relative safety of a Pokeball.

Slowbro

Slowbro is one laid back dude, considering that his tail has been turned into a perpetual chew toy. Normally he hangs out at the beach, but we assume that he popped into Westfield Centre after evolving to look for accessories to compliment his new look.

Slowpoke

Slowpoke isn't hard to catch. It's the Jeff Lebowski of Pokemon. If you can't find one near the waterline, it probably just got distracted by its own thumbs.

Snorlax

This enormous, narcoleptic Pokemon is among the hardest to find (presumably because it's so rarely mobile), but a shopper caught one Sunday at the Safeway on Church and Market.

Spearow

The calls of the Spearows of Douglass Playground can be heard half a mile away, says Bulbapedia. Which is really annoying, actually.

Squirtle

Squirtles seem to be frequent BART riders. Clearly, they're fans of the Transbay Tube.

Starmie

Starmie is only supposed to live at the deepest of ocean depths. But game designers don't want you to take your phone free diving, so these ones have uncharacteristically come ashore at Ocean Beach.

Staryu

To the greatest degree possible, Niantic Labs wants Pokemon to show up in locations that would make suitable habitats for them, which is why so many water Pokemon congregate at Ocean Beach. But since not every city has a lot of open water, Pokemon will wander from their comfort zones, like the Staryu one user caught at Lafayette Park.

Tangela

Of course, even when you catch one of these vine-wrapped Pokemon, it's a little hard to tell what you've actually got. A Facebook tipster tells us that the numbers 6 and 7 Muni stops near Gough and Market might be a favorite hangout for them.

Tauros

We know what you're thinking, but despite their bovine aspect, you're probably not going to see Tauros Tacos at Off the Grid at Fort Mason anytime soon. The FDA won't have it.

Tentacool

Some of a Tentacool's natural defense mechanisms are powered by sunlight. Making the Ocean Beach Tentacool's the most frequently helpless Pokemon in the world.

Tentacruel

In the now venerable original series Pokemon cartoon, a Tentacruel destroyed a good portion of a city. Hopefully they lay off the Exploratorium (where users caught one late Sunday evening) and just stick to admiring the Strandbeests.

Vaporeon

Your Haight Street Eevee might grow into a Vaporeon on its own, of course. But if it decides blue just isn't its color, other Vaporeons sometimes lounge near the water on the Marina.

Venonat

Venonat is nearly ubiquitous across San Francisco. Which is alarming, when you consider that its entire body is poisonous. If you for some reason can't find one, try the 38 Geary corridor.

Venusaur

When the army decamped Fort Mason, their cute little Bulbasaur mascot decided to stay. All these years later, it's not so little anymore...

Vileplume

Mind the outfield at Bob Cherney Field, since Vileplume explodes in paralyzing pollen when provoked. Maybe just let that fly ball drop.

Voltorb

The Voltorbs at the Beach Chalet look hostile, but that's only because they're about to self-destruct.

Vulpix

Vulpix could become a trendy pet in residential neighborhoods like Diamond Heights. The fact that it breathes fires might impact your deposit, though.

Wartortle

One more time: Wartortle wants you to PICK UP YOUR TRASH at Dolores Park. Its first name is "war," do you want to mess with that?

Weedle

The humble, unassuming Weedle can be found crawling around almost anywhere in the city, including a Starbucks on Fillmore and Sacramento. This suggests a forthcoming Beedrill infestation in Pac Heights, which might affect property values a bit.

Weepinbell

Cute little Bellsprouts eventually grow into deadly, acid-spitting Weepinbells. And boy, do they look surprised about it. Word has it they lurk in the trees at China Basin Park.

Weezing

Koffing is gross but admittedly cute. Its big brother Weezing, on the other hand, is downright alarming. A local caught one floating around Leland and Elliot, and if you see one, be sure to snag it as well; they tend to explode, so it's important to keep them out of residential neighborhoods.

Wigglytuff

Bouncy, rubbery Wigglytuff loves apples above all else, so of course players have seen it bounding around the Richmond, helping itself to the produce markets.

Zubat

If you haven't caught a Zubat yet, it's because you just don't care. These things are so thick in every San Francisco neighborhood that one Twitter user dubbed them "the new tech bros."

Pikachu

The game's unofficial mascot was found by two Vox media members here. Great place to find balls, too!

Staryu

Typically found near bodies of water (Ocean Bean, we hear, is a good spot), this starfish was found in SOMA near Third Street.

Tangela

A tipster tells us that they found Tangela in Little Hollywood. Go get it!

Koffing

We spotted this gassy guy in front of 150 Spear near the Embarcadero.

Lickitung

We saw this guy sticking this tongue out at us near the Clocktower building in SoMa. How rude!