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Pokémon Go: Where to Catch Pokémon in SoMa

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Pokémon GO has taken over the city (and beyond) since its release. 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. One of these neighborhoods, SoMa, is particularly rife with Pokémon. Check this map of 19 sightings for where to make a quick catch on your lunch break or post-work commute.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Squirtle

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Venusaur

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Cute little Bulbasaur blossomed into Venusaur in the Yerba Buena area.

Parasect

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Parasect is both a bug and a fungus that has been spotted by one Reddit User at the Embarcadero and Harrison MUNI Metro Stop.

Graveler

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Graveler has been spotted at 3rd and Folsom, or it could possibly just be some leftover rubble from a nearby construction project.

Ew! Imagine stepping on one of these things next time you're waiting for the MUNI 10 Townsend. We recommend closed-toe shoes for the rest of the season, as a rule.

Mighty Onix is devastated by water, but the local ones have set up shop in Mission Bay.

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

Whoa! Though this hulking, perpetually angry bug Pokemon favors the parks, one MUNI rider caught his at the stop on Mission & 8th. As if your commute wasn't hassle enough already. Pinsirs can be found all over west SoMa.

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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.

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.

Raticate

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

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.

Squirtle

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

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.

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.

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.

Staryu

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

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.

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.

Venusaur

Cute little Bulbasaur blossomed into Venusaur in the Yerba Buena area.

Parasect

Parasect is both a bug and a fungus that has been spotted by one Reddit User at the Embarcadero and Harrison MUNI Metro Stop.

Graveler

Graveler has been spotted at 3rd and Folsom, or it could possibly just be some leftover rubble from a nearby construction project.

Grimer

Ew! Imagine stepping on one of these things next time you're waiting for the MUNI 10 Townsend. We recommend closed-toe shoes for the rest of the season, as a rule.

Onix

Mighty Onix is devastated by water, but the local ones have set up shop in Mission Bay.

Magmar

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

Pinsir

Whoa! Though this hulking, perpetually angry bug Pokemon favors the parks, one MUNI rider caught his at the stop on Mission & 8th. As if your commute wasn't hassle enough already. Pinsirs can be found all over west SoMa.