SAN FRANCISCO NEIGHBORHOODS

No one would think that such a small city as San Francisco would contain so many neighborhoods with very different populations and characteristics. For the most part, the type of property also varies throughout the city depending on when a particular area was developed. We use the caveat ‘for the most part’ due to the fact that there has always been at least some development throughout all of the city neighborhoods since the 1800’s, and especially after the 1907 earthquake. Below you will find a little information about the most important neighborhoods of the city Also, if you want to know the news and events of our beautiful city, please visit www.sfgate.com.

Richmond District/Seacliff:
Just west of the Golden Gate Bridge are is the Sea Cliff neighborhood, one of the more established areas in The City. The homes can range from a moderate size attached home to a very large estate with a large lot overlooking the entrance to S. F. Bay. The Richmond District, between Golden Gate Park and the Presidio, offers a much wider range of mostly upper middle-class housing. The area is dominated by well-kept, single-family homes and two unit buildings built in the early and mid-1900s. Originally settled by Russian refugees, the Richmond is now one of the most diverse areas in the city and offers a nice mix of ethnic restaurants and shops. The University of San Francisco is to the East and in a bordering area called Lone Mountain; an area of more exclusive homes. Geary Boulevard, lined with every imaginable kind of business, takes you directly to downtown for a quick commute or West to the Pacific ocean. You'll find additional shopping and restaurants on Clement Street. Flanked by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Golden Gate Park, one can find acres of beautiful green space plus museums and activities galore. With its proximity to the Pacific, the Richmond sees its share of fog - but that's the price you pay for a short walk to the beach.

Sunset District:
It's easy to imagine that it's still 1940 when you're walking down a residential street in the Sunset. Row after row of two-story homes with garages underneath the living room march across the former sand dunes toward the ocean. Many of these tidy houses have been remodeled but the neighborhood has retained its middle-class, family atmosphere. The San Francisco Zoo, several City Parks and Golden Gate Park provide entertainment for the kids, while local mom-and-pop restaurants, easy transportation and many stores provide convenience to parents. Named after its spectacular sunsets, this district features affordable housing and a quick commute within or out of the city. However, like the Richmond, it does share the fog issue during the summer months.

Nob Hill/Russian Hill:
Nob Hill was home to Stanford, Crocker, Hopkins and Huntington, the railroad magnates, and now hotels such as the Huntington, Fairmont and Mark Hopkins have been built on the former sites of their mansions. A mix of homes, condominiums, co-ops and apartments can be found around the area with many high heeled, but down to earth locals, walking their dogs in the local park or having a drink at the Big Four restaurant.
Many small restaurants wine bars and coffee houses are scattered from one end of Russian Hill to the other, some right on the cable car line. There are wonderful views of the Bay from the many duplexes, condominiums and apartment buildings. This area is slightly more affordable than Nob Hill, but still a very exclusive area. The Financial District , Water Front and North Beach are within a short cable car ride or easy down hill walk.

North Beach/Chinatown/Telegraph Hill:
A new generation of Italian and Asian immigrants is revitalizing the restaurants and shops in North Beach. But the old establishments, as in many S F neighborhoods, still survive today. Old Italian men still hang out in Washington Square Park as young home owners and apartment dwellers walk to their jobs in the Financial District. Tourists are everywhere, from Chinatown to Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. Housing is sought after, the nightlife is exciting, and downtown is five minutes away. Numerous paths and stairways lead up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower, the famous landmark built in 1933 and up the other end to Russian Hill. There are panoramic views from Pioneer Park at the base of the tower as well as from the single and multi-family homes hidden among dense foliage along the hillsides. Developers have build several new condominium complexes in the area which are much sought after.


Lakeshore/Lakeside:
These upper middle-class districts in the southwest corner of The City include a mix single-family homes and a few condominium/townhouse complexes. The homes range in size from a modest two bedroom one bath to large four bedroom three bath. Residential developments were built around Lake Merced just after World War II to house students at San Francisco State University. The Park Merced complex, originally built for senior citizens, is now open to all ages. Recreation of all kinds can be found at Lake Merced's shoreline park and there are two golf courses in the district. The Stonestown Galleria mall provides ample shopping, and freeways are easily accessible.

Oceanview/Ingleside and Ingleside Terrace:
Next door to the Lakeshore District, this middle-class enclave of modest single-family homes has great views of San Bruno Mountain, Mount Davidson and the Ocean. Home to a mix of families and City College and San Francisco State University students, this district is ethnically diverse and affordable. Public transportation and Interstate 280 are nearby, as are the ocean, the zoo, and the Stonestown mall. Close by Ocean Avenue has many shops, stores and a diverse mix of restaurants. Ingleside Terrace is the more exclusive neighborhood in this area. Originally a race track back in the early 1900's it was later broken up into large lots where beautiful homes were built. The styles vary from Spanish Mediterranean to English Tutor. This area is considered an affordable exclusive neighborhood.

Twin Peaks/Mount Davidson/Diamond Heights:
All three of these hillside areas offer spectacular views, easy commutes, quiet clean streets and a variety of housing from single family to condominium/townhouse. All are wonderful areas to live and enjoy a peaceful life in the city. The areas of Forest Knolls and Midtown Terrace in Twin Peaks are some of the quietest and little known areas of the city. Developed in the 1950's, these homes are detached and range from two bedroom one bath to four bedroom two bath. Mount Davidson and its surrounding area offers a mix of homes that date from the 1920's to the 1950's. Diamond heights is more modern with most of the construction dating into the 1960's to the 1980's, and being the only area of the three that one would consider to have condominiums and townhomes.

Forest Hills/West Portal/Forest Hill Extension:
The Forest Hills and West Portal neighborhoods are very community-oriented. Most homes are owner-occupied and residents take care to patronize locally-owned businesses along West Portal Avenue; which also has a street car line that runs along it to the beach and downtown. There are lots of trees, wide streets, a mix of architecture, large lots, and manicured lawns. Many of the locals who were born and raised in San Francisco have purchased homes in this area and are now raising their own families here.

St. Francis Wood/Balboa Terrace:
St. Francis Wood, with its Beaux Arts fountain and gateway designed by architect John Galen Howard, offers large single homes with generous yards and a prestigious address. Shady streets and beautiful, mature landscaping dominate this beautiful community. Next door is Balboa Terrace, where one will also find many beautiful home on large lots. Although not considered as exclusive, the homes here can be equally as impressive and ornate.

Noe Valley/Glen Park/Sunnyside
The secret has been out for years. These once formerly quiet, secluded, working-class neighborhoods to the Southeast of Twin Peaks are now three of the most popular areas in The City. People in their thirties and up have moved in and renovated the old Victorian and Mediterranean homes that were once full of large immigrant families. Young parents have discovered that this is a great place to raise kids. Trendy new restaurants and shops are opening up beside the older neighborhood businesses. The 24th Street and Glen Park Bart stations and buses make the commute to downtown a breeze; access to the freeways is but a few blocks. The transition started in Noe Valley, moved to Glen Park, on to Sunnyside and is now moving to the Excelsior.

Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley:
The Haight remains a cultural icon, despite its upward mobility. Haight Street still has a number of funky stores and restaurants mixed in among newer more fashionable establishments. Many of the old Victorian homes and flats have been restored to show off their original splendor. The area continues to progress at a moderate pace toward gentrification. Cole Valley is adjacent to the Haight and Ashbury Heights on the hills above it. Both of these areas are more settled with less apartment complexes and certainly with higher prices to be paid for homes. Ashbury Heights has many beautiful stately homes, some with commanding views of the city and Bay. All three areas are close to Golden Gate Park and public transportation downtown.

Eureka Valley/The Castro:
Once a strong Irish middle class community, Eureka Valley has progressed into the City's quintessential gay neighborhood. Now referred to as ‘The Castro’, it has gone through much gentrification and change in the past thirty years to emerge as a well sought after place to live with a diverse population. The homes are mostly Victorian and Edwardian single family and multi family dwellings with much character and charm. The prices are very steep because of being considered safe, clean, charming and having easy access to downtown. There are many popular restaurants, theaters, shops and book stores along Castro Street.

Hayes Valley:
The restaurant and shopping area of Hayes Valley was given a major boost after the1989 earthquake when the city took down the old freeway that overshadowed its charms. There are many of quaint homes and flats in and around its center. The prices have begun to go up in recent years due to its exciting night life and proximity to downtown. The opera house, symphony hall, and main library, City and State Government Buildings, Museums are just a few short blocks away.

Western Addition:
Also known as the Fillmore District, the Western Addition has an increasingly diverse population, both in terms of ethnicity and economic status. It is home to both the Japanese Cultural and Trade Center and a host of jazz clubs and African-American churches. Restored Victorians, new apartment buildings, and everything in between can be found in this neighborhood just west of Downtown.

Tenderloin:
Despite its problems, the Tenderloin is benefiting from the real estate boom and the development in the South of Market area. This neighborhood is home to the Civic Center complex and the theater district, as well as numerous low cost apartments and flats. Major hotels and the shopping mecca of Union Square are minutes away and public transportation is abundant.

Pacific Heights/Presidio Heights/Lower Pacific Heights:
Real estate in these neighborhoods is owned by the old money and sought after by the new. Palatial homes and stately condominiums and apartment buildings are the type you see in old and new movies alike. Views of the Golden Gate, the Bay, and the city stretching out below are exceptional. Pacific Heights offers beautifully maintained Victorians and stunning Art Deco apartments, with a many condos and small flats tucked in between. The area is largely residential, with quiet, tree-lined streets and several nearby parks. Shopping and nightlife are to be found in abundance, however, on nearby Fillmore, Union, California and Sacramento streets in the Marina District and Lower Pacific Heights. Commuting is a snap; both bridges and downtown are just minutes away. Presidio Heights features lovely single family homes and panoramic views. San Francisco living doesn't get much better than this. This is an area that few venture into as it is ver much tucked away along the Presidio border. Lower Pacific heights drops down to California Street along Fillmore; a busy high end street with many boutiques, restaurants and coffee houses. The property here is more affordable and modest, but is also quite charming.

Marina/Cow Hollow:
Unprecedented opportunities for people-watching compete with the picturesque views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the lush Marin headlands as you stroll or jog down Marina Green. This district is a microcosm of San Francisco: old Victorians and Edwardians, new apartment buildings, tourist attractions like Fisherman's Wharf and Alcatraz, and arguably the city's best nightlife and shopping boutiques. Cow Hollow, now the area bordered by Chestnut and Union streets, was a dairy farm in the 1800s but is now home to watering holes of another sort. These neighborhoods are ground zero for newly stock-optioned 20- and 30-somethings who can't get enough of the renovated Mediterranean-style flats and condos and the convenient location. Commuting to the Financial District or Multimedia Gulch is painless and freeway access is easy, too. Cultural attractions abound in this district: Fort Mason, the Exploratorium, and the Palace of Fine Arts are within walking distance of many residences.

Bernal Heights:
A middle class neighborhood with strong community activism, Bernal Heights has great views and lots of sunshine. Residences are mostly remodeled, single-family, owner-occupied homes with well-kept yards. Bernal Heights Park offers recreational activities and Cortland Avenue provides a number of shopping opportunities. Close by is St. Mary’s Park which was built in the 1920's on the old St. Mary’s College site. It has been and is still considered the close by upscale area near Bernal Heights. Commuting to downtown or to the Peninsula is a snap.

Mission District:
Home to Mission Dolores, the Mission District is a thriving, friendly, and diverse community. Affordable housing is still available, although this is changing as many of the Mission's old Victorians and duplexes are being renovated and new Lofts are being built to accommodate newcomers who have discovered this vibrant neighborhood. Many new shops and restaurants are opening all the time on Valencia and Mission Streets among the many old small commercial businesses. There are also many outdoor fruit and vegetable stands and meat, fish and poultry shops.

Potrero Hill:
Most residents on ‘The Hill” own their homes, which have great views and are free from fog. Many professionals have moved in, attracted by the sunshine, views, and proximity to downtown. The two shopping areas are small and usually attract only the locals who are steadfast on patronizing them. If you go to Farley’s for coffee you will not find low fat anything and Monday nights is all you can eat pizza night at Goat Hill Pizza; get there early and expect to wait.


South of Market (SOMA)/China Basin:
This is one of the hottest areas of The City, with development going at a breakneck pace. The museum district continues to grow, with the new Museum of Modern Art and the Yerba Buena Center recently completed. Pac Bell Park promises to make China Basin a popular destination. New apartments and renovated warehouses and lofts are in high demand. The nightlife in SOMA is already legendary, and shopping and restaurants are popping up all over.


Outer Mission/Crocker Amazon/Excelsior:
The Outer Mission offers small single family homes from Victorians to early Spanish Mediterranean. Most of these homes are attached and on gently sloping hillsides. Mission Street is the main commercial corridor with its mix of old Italian owned businesses and new businesses owned by the multiethnic population that now makes up its inhabitants. Homes here range from very affordable attached two bedroom one bath bungalows in the heart of the neighborhood to more expensive detached formal homes in Mission Terrace and Crocker Amazon. The area is convenient for municipal transportation and has easy access to both major freeways. There is also a Bart Station close by.


Portola/Visitacion Valley:
The Portola and Visitation Valley areas are at the far South East part of the city West of the 101 freeway. This part of the city was a long time neighborhood inhabited by Italian, Maltese, Irish and other immigrants who worked in the shipyards, breweries and slaughter housed nearby. You will still see businesses with names like Ayoob, Lido and McCarthy mixed in with those of the new residents today. By far the busiest commercial area is San Bruno Avenue which has many shops and restaurants and the busiest industrial areas are along 3rd Street and Bayshore Blvd. There is quite a mix of housing from old farm houses to modern homes built in the 1980's. The weather is very good, homes are affordable and the population is diverse. All convenient to SFO airport, Candlestick Park, and the Cow Palace, and the commute to downtown or the Peninsula is easy along 101. McLaren Park is the second largest Park in the city, and close by.


Bayview/Hunters Point:
This neighborhood has a strong community base and many longtime residents own their homes. Redevelopment efforts are ongoing with a new Municipal Transit line going directly to the Embarcadero and downtown San Francisco. This will help reestablish this area as a wonderful place to live with great weather and many possibilities for bringing back its commercial core along 3rd Street. Those who get in now will benefit from the energy and support being put forth by the City and community leaders. Property values are reasonable now, but will soon change.