Neighborhood Information
The San Francisco community is composed of a variety of neighborhoods each with their own vibe, flair and make-up. In San Francisco your neighborhood directly contributes to your lifestyle and perception of city life. Some are appealing to families and some are packed with young hipsters. Some are tucked away on stairways and surrounded by lush plant life, others lie along a MUNI line. A handful enjoy the swift movements of the sea and fog, while others get almost daily baths of sunshine. Some are flat, others hilly. Each is unique and special in the world.
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“Over a period of a year, while we debated
and looked and paused and looked again, she kept her eyes open. She directed
us to our perfect home, a condo on Potrero Hill—so off the map for us
long time Haight-Ashbury residents. She helped us paint, came to our wedding
and gave us the cookbooks that keep our neighbors marveling at the smells
coming out of our apartment.”
— VIRGINIA GIBLIN |
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These popular four blocks surround the grassy park and playground called Alamo Square and is home to one of the most iconic San Francisco images - the picture-perfect row of colorful Victorians called the "Painted Ladies." Alamo Square has true San Francisco charm, grand residences, boutique hotels and has a number of Queen Anne and Colonial apartment houses. Centrally located to Hayes Valley, the Lower Haight and the Golden Gate Park Panhandle. Restaurants and a renewed nightlife scene on Divisadero Street keep this area lively.
Anza Vista was developed during the 1930s and 1940s. A quiet neighborhood in the Western Addition, the homes, flats and apartments of Anza Vista are designed with little ornamentation.
Uphill from the heart of the Haight Ashbury is the community of Ashbury Heights, also known as the Upper Haight. Vast single-family homes with manicured facades, lots of hills and views, plus a secluded, casual neighborhood feel keep this area upscale and desirable.
Bernal Heights, with its pastel-colored houses, sits quietly away from the hustle and bustle of urban San Francisco. It is located South of the Mission district and bordered by Cesar Chavez/Army Street, Bayshore and Alemany boulevards.
This working-class neighborhood on the southeast side of the City is near the former Navy yard and Monster (Candlestick) Park. An eclectic mix of single-family homes, apartments and light-industrial businesses make for a unique vibe. The new MTA T-line brings convenient access to downtown and AT&T Park and encourages development, renewal and excitement along Third Street, the main commercial strip for this area.
Buena Vista Hill lies adjacent to Ashbury Heights and is home to one of the city's most heavily forested areas, Buena Vista Park. There’s a stunning mix of Baroque mansions, restored Victorians, flats and apartments that sit along steep slopes with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown. Folks here enjoy living close to Haight Street, the restaurants and services on Divisadero and in the Castro. The location is central and very desirable.
The Castro district, with its abundant cafes, restaurants and shops and bookstores, offers some of the most colorful and vibrant living in the city. Long known as the hub of the City’s gay and lesbian population, the Castro is continually transforming to meet the needs of this culture-shifting community. Filled with flats, single-family homes and apartments and close to parks, community meeting spots and public transportation, the Castro is always bustling with people and ideas.
Cole Valley is located near the Haight, but has a personality all its own. This small but thriving community features more than a dozen top-rated cafes and restaurants in a three-block stretch and hosts its own street festival every fall. Populated mainly by families and young professionals, Cole Valley features a variety of architecture, easy commuting, and gorgeous panoramic views from Tank Hill.
Located between Pacific Heights and the Marina, this neighborhood lies on a small section near Union Street. Long ago the area was dense with natural springs, sand dunes and a small lagoon; today, Cow Hollow’s convenience to downtown and the Marina makes it a nesting area for young professionals who enjoy the Victorian homes and quaint apartments as well as the popular boutiques, restaurants and chain stores on Union Street.
This is a middle-class neighborhood on land that once belonged to the Crocker Estate. The neighborhood is well maintained, with many beautifully landscaped streets and manicured front yards. Boundaries include Amazon and Crocker avenues, Mission Street, and McLaren Park.
Some call San Francisco's downtown "Wall Street West" because it is ranked as one of the top financial centers in the nation. The Financial District begins at Montgomery Street and extends east toward the Embarcadero, comprising only a few city blocks. Residences are usually in high-rise buildings with abundant amenities. Downtown isn’t as lively at night as other neighborhoods, but with new restaurants, bars and retail establishments opening regularly, the possibilities are endless and very urban.
Tree-lined streets filled with Victorians, small apartment buildings, flats and retail space, plus a little green park, keep Duboce Triangle buzzing with people, dogs, cars and life. Nestled between the Lower Haight, Market Street and the Castro, it’s central to most of the City and surrounded by public transportation and beautiful walking options.
This neighborhood is made up of flat land and hills, hidden sidewalks and funky hidden cottages and multi-level single-family homes. On the lower slope lies the San Francisco archbishop's headquarters, and on the upper is the dramatic pinnacle known as Corona Heights. Windy one-way streets, abundant flora and a secluded feel make this one of the City’s most interesting areas.
Excelsior borders McLaren Park on the east and Portola District on the north. Many homes in this area are 50 years old and up, and are predominantly single-family, stucco and wood frame. There are apartments, duplexes and public housing available. From here, it's only a short bus ride to downtown.
Forest Hill has a garden-like atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re driving around the residential hills of Marin County. This little urban getaway is centrally located with a bus line that takes you right downtown. Plus the well-built, single-family homes sit on a hill of bedrock and some have ocean views. The Forest Hill Association maintains all the streets and common areas for beautiful, laid-back city living.
On the lower slopes of Diamond Heights, just south of Noe Valley, sits the charming and quiet neighborhood of Glen Park. Victorians mingle with modern homes. Architecturally interesting features and upscale shops thrive next to neighborhood staples like diners and dry cleaners. A dog run and public park flank the business district where the eclectic neighbors meet for coffee and burritos.
Sometimes called Larsen Peak or Sunset Heights Park, Golden Gate Heights is perched on a 725-foot-high bluff speckled with huge retaining walls, lush stairway walks and ocean views. A little park above rows of single-family homes features a tennis court and walking trails. The location makes it central for downtown and South Bay commutes.
Universally known for its contribution to the Summer of Love and hippy culture, “the Haight” is still recognized for its creativity and diversity. The neighborhood is home to colorful Victorians, eclectic shops, sidewalk cafes, the City’s largest music store and popular nightclubs. Haight Street itself attracts an edgier crowd while the neighboring streets are home to creative professionals, families and long-time residents. It’s close proximity to Golden Gate Park is a bonus for nature lovers.
Spendy boutiques, antique shops, a yoga studio, some good cafes and a slew of restaurants make Hayes Valley a popular hangout for people of all shapes and sizes. New construction and revitalization of old buildings surround Victorians. Its location has always been a central, but a new, tree-lined boulevard with I-80 access make it even closer to each pocket of the City and beyond. Hayes Valley has arrived and is always evolving.
Ingleside is located in the southwestern corner of the city and enjoys more sun than the rest of San Francisco. This neighborhood is close to the Pacific and has good views of San Bruno Mountain and Mt. Davidson. Nearby are San Francisco State University, Stonestown Shopping Center and Lake Merced.
The area boasts handsome stately single-family homes that are well-designed and nicely landscaped. With it’s close proximity to Cal Pacific Hospital and other medical offices, it’s home to many doctors. Residents here enjoy the grocery shopping and various boutiques in Laurel Village just down the road on California Street. Boundaries include Geary Boulevard, California Street and Parker Avenue.
Renovated Edwardian homes and apartments line the streets of this quiet neighborhood where parking is easily accessible. The gorgeous wooded areas in the Presidio are close by and make for excellent outdoor outings and recreation. Arguello Boulevard creates an artery to other parts of the City and Sea Cliff borders the neighborhood as well.
Located on the Pacific on the southern border of San Francisco, Lakeshore was the last neighborhood in the city to be developed. This area includes San Francisco State University, Lake Merced, two golf courses and Stonestown Galleria, which is the only "suburban" shopping plaza in the City. Apartment living dominates, but there are also small tracts, condos and single-family homes flanking the area.
This neighborhood surrounds the Laurel Village shopping center, which caters not only to its residents but also to elite clientele from Pacific Heights and Presidio Heights. Good City views are the norm from the homes on the top of the hill. Its central location makes it desirable for commuters to Marin, downtown and beyond.
Once marshland, the Marina is home to many young professionals and the landmark Palace of Fine Arts. Many of the multi-unit buildings and single-family homes have a decidedly Mediterranean look and feel, and there are a few modern buildings thrown in the mix. The Marina attracts people seeking the pleasures of the bayside: jogging, sunbathing, boating and strolling. The popular Marina Green teams with outdoor activity and its pedestrian path is perfect for rollerblading, walking, and running.
The Mission neighborhood is consistently a culturally diverse place that attracts youthful people in pursuit of sunshine, spicy eateries and delightfully untidy streets. Colorful murals depicting Mexican, Latino and current history decorate many facades and multi-unit buildings with flats are the norm. New condos and loft-style living continue to transform the area. The Mission is a happy mix of working-class Latino families, young professionals, artists, and others who enjoy its atmosphere.
Also known as Mission Rock, Mission Creek and China Basin, this is one of the City’s most rapidly evolving areas thanks in part to the stadium where the San Francisco Giants play. This eclectic neighborhood features San Francisco's houseboat enclave, the Lefty O'Doul drawbridge, a new University of California, San Francisco campus along with a glut of new condominiums and access to Cal Train.
This conservative and well-manicured neighborhood is home to freestanding, middle-income family homes that were built before World War II, many of which offer wonderful views of San Bruno Mountain.
Nob Hill hosts some of the most elite San Francisco addresses, as well as some of San Francisco's richest history. With the completion of the cable car in 1843, the influential and wealthy moved to Nob Hill and created the impressive apartments and flats that dot the area. Flanked by the Fairmont Hotel and the Pacific Union Club, the neighborhood is charming, highly desirable and on top of a magnificent hill.
The architecture in Noe Valley, which is nestled in the lowland between Twin Peaks and Diamond Heights, is predominantly Victorian. It’s a quaint neighborhood with 24th Street at its heart. Here you’ll find residents out and about most times of the day enjoying the coffee shops, boutiques, bookstores and a multitude of good restaurants.
Known as the "Little Italy" of the west, this neighborhood is walking distance to the financial district and filled with Italian restaurants, cafes and bakeries. The oldest street in the city, Grant Avenue, extends from Chinatown into North Beach, where Chinese eateries and shops transform into Barbary Coast-inspired saloons, pizza parlors and funky boutiques. It’s notoriously difficult to find parking in North Beach, but visiting with all the neighborhood’s various characters makes walking a daily pleasure.
Distinguished as one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in San Francisco, Pacific Heights has some of the City’s grandest residences along with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay. It’s a peaceful place that stands majestically on hilly streets. Many of San Francisco's first families, successful entrepreneurs and artists call it home. It’s truly one of the most awe-inspiring places to live, in the world.
Parallel to Pine Lake Park and Stern Grove, Parkside has a community feel with two playgrounds, a meadow-like playing field at McCoppin Square and several elementary schools with playing fields and swing sets. This area is predominantly filled with single-family residences.
This area is also known as University Mound, because its street names include Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale. Landmarks include a home for the elderly, the Convent of the Good Shepherd home for girls and McLaren Park.
Potrero Hill has a community feel all its own with quirky shops, up and down hills, creative landscaping ideas and great restaurants. A mix of single-family homes, flats and apartment buildings make Portreo Hill popular with anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the City without actually leaving. The neighborhood sits south of 16th Street and is framed by Potrero Avenue, Cesar Chavez and Highway 280.
Abundant tennis courts and great access to the Presidio’s playground and hiking and biking trails would seem enough to make the small Presidio Heights neighborhood appealing. But, it’s the elegant homes, calm streets and grand architecture that probably appeal most to the families and dignitaries that reside here.
This peninsula is home to many 1920s duplexes and a few spacious Edwardians. The Richmond has many Chinese and Russian restaurants.
Apartment-style living, a European flavor and legendary restaurants make this historic neighborhood popular with world-travelers and bon vivants. Russian Hill also boasts convenience to downtown, North Beach and the Marina as well as hilly streets, the world-famous Lombard Street and the Hyde Street cable car. It’s easy to see why people want a piece of it.
People who live in the massive single-family homes in Sea Cliff often get bigger lots than those in Pacific Heights and true estate living with Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean views. This is some of the best property in the whole of the City. It’s removed and tranquil with private beach access. Custom-built homes abound and the properties are ideal for gala entertaining and a life of luxury.
This neighborhood lies on the southwestern slope of Mt. Davidson and offers elaborate ranch-style homes and groves of eucalyptus, cypress and pine trees. City College of San Francisco is nearby.
South Beach encompasses the lively Embarcadero, South Park, the Giant’s stadium and the Muni Metro extension. Restaurants and cafes, along with the occasional boutique store and plenty of business buildings make for a unique living environment across from the Bay. Apartment and loft living dominate and easy freeway access and short walks to the Ferry Building make it popular with a wide range of people.
You’d think SoMa was the birthplace of the loft. It’s edgy, creative and filled with a mix of multi-media businesses, light industrial, retail and some of the City’s best restaurants and clubs. It’s got character and characters and a healthy dose of young, old and in-between.
This neighborhood consists of an elite tract of homes on the southwest side of San Francisco. The beautifully landscaped curving lanes lead to distinguished, grand-scale homes.
Commonly referred to as “The Sunset,” this neighborhood is located just south of Golden Gate Park and north of Sloat Boulevard and is framed by Stanyan Street and Ocean Beach. The Sunset, which prior to the 1930s was filled with sand dunes, is one of the foggiest pockets of all of San Francisco thanks to its close proximity to the ocean. Fog lovers enjoy roomy single-family homes with easy parking for friends and family.
This is a funky little pocket of homes overlooking North Beach. Coit Tower, a 180-foot monument resembling the nozzle of a fire hose, sits authoritatively at the top the hill and homes hidden behind trees and along stairwells are the norm. It’s a quiet neighborhood with a close-knit community feel. Residents enjoy easy walks downhill to Bay Street and North Beach.
Named for two hills reaching approximately 910 feet each, Twin Peaks offers the most panoramic views of the city and bay. Some homes on the northern crest of Twin Peaks resemble Spanish Villas, while the eastern side has an abundance of apartment buildings.
Victorian and Queen Anne apartments and homes, many restored, dominate the area's architecture. Sights include the historic Fillmore Auditorium and Fillmore Heritage district. The Western Addition includes the plateau west of Civic Center, stretching west to Masonic and Presidio avenues.
On the western side of the lengthy Twin Peaks tunnel, the charming neighborhood of West Portal emerges, nestled at the foot of Mt. Davidson, Forest Heights and Edgehill Heights. With small businesses, a variety of restaurants and a movie theater, West Portal is its own "city within the city." The neighborhood is known for its mellow, middle-class lifestyle.
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