San Francisco
Neighborhood Guide
This San Francisco neighborhood guide describes some of
the most unique, interesting, and colorful neighborhoods in the City.
No other city has so many diverse, entertaining locales
so close together. It's like walking around in a Disneyland
made for adults! Click the links below for some of the
very best hidden treasures within these fascinating communities:
SoMa & map - South of Market area. Home of the San Francisco Giants, Yerba Buena Gardens, and the San Francisco convention center. This well located formerly "industrial" area is changing into nice public attractions and expensive condos.
Special SOMA neighborhoods include: The Embarcadero is a pleasant esplanade along the Bay where locals enjoy walking, biking, or driving, the up-and-coming Dogpatch historic neighborhood (see map), and Potrero Hill (see map).
North Beach - Unique Italian atmosphere with outstanding food & coffee shops.
Fishermans Wharf - Fisherman's Wharf has plenty of things locals like too.
Russian Hill & map - Beautiful views, steep hills, and one of the best places to live in San Francisco.
China Town - The biggest in the U.S. and worth every tourist seeing at least once. Take Grant St south from North Beach and explore from there.
The Presidio - Besides being San Francisco's biggest and possibly best park it definitely qualifies as a unique SF neighborhood. One of the most beautiful parts of the City is the Lyon Street Steps to The Marina area along The Presidio's eastern border.
The Marina - Borders the northern shoreline of San Francisco. Nice for biking through to Golden Gate Bridge and general relaxation near the water.
Outer Sunset-Judah St & map - The funky beach end of Judah St.
Haight Ashbury district - A neighborhood East of Golden Gate Park which was once famous for its hippies. Not so exciting now but still a bit down and dirty.
The Castro district - This is the Gay capital of the U.S. and also one of the safer neighborhoods in SF. Along 18th St., between Delores Park and Mission, features some of the tastiest foods in town.
The Mission - A large diverse neighborhood including some the very oldest parts of SF (e.g., Mission Delores & Mission Delores Park) and the Mexican commerce along Mission St. It is definitely starting to get gentrified by young renters who enjoy its atmosphere, lower prices, and often outstanding food. Tourists should be a bit careful at night.
We hope this Guide opens the door to some of the hidden and most interesting ways to spend time in the City ... just hang around one of these great neighborhoods.
Related Pages:
Maps of great neighborhoods in SF Bay Area
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