San Francisco Neighborhoods

San Francisco neighborhoods are one of the best things about the City. Most are extremely different from each other even though they may be only a block apart. They are unique, interesting and often beautiful ... it's like a Disneyland made for adults! However, one difference is that the inhabitants are very real people who have lived and worked here, often for generations. Tourists are just part of the scenery to them.

We lived on Russian Hill for several years. It was great! For example, the first year we enjoyed dining out every night in a wide variety of nifty, nearby, neighborhood restaurants. Within a 30 minute stroll were North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, China Town, the Financial district, Cow Hollow, the Marina, the Fillmore, the Presidio and more once you know your way around. Parking is typically a problem but luckily a car is often not needed once you get in shape to walk the hills.

Here are a few favorite San Francisco neighborhoods. Check below for enjoyable treasures they contain.

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North Beach - Unique Italian atmosphere with outstanding food & coffee shops.

Russian Hill - Beautiful views, steep hills, and one of the best places to live in San Francisco.

China Town - Worth seeing at least once but once you've seen it you've seen it. Grant Street, the main street is a tourist trap, and the side streets are mainly for serious Chinese living. Try traveling the local bus down Powell Street one block west, jokingly called "The Orient Express" to find out how sardines feel.

Fisherman's Wharf - Famous tourist trap, enjoying a nice natural setting, which hides a few neat things within the uproar.

The Embarcadero, San Francisco - Nice for walking, biking, or driving around the northeast side of The City.

The Presidio - Large former military headquarters transferred to the National Park Service in 1994. It is bigger and in many ways already better than Golden Gate Park.

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The Marina - Borders the northern shoreline of San Francisco. Nice for biking through to Golden Gate Bridge and general relaxation near the water.

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Golden Gate Park - One of the best city parks in the world. Many nice things to do there.

Ocean Beach area - Long beach just west of Golden Gate Park where local surfers like to get cold.

Haight Ashbury district - East of Golden Gate Park where hippies used to roam. Not too exciting now but still a bit down and dirty.

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SOMA - South of Market area. Home of the San Francisco Giants, Yerba Buena Gardens, and the San Francisco convention center. This well located "industrial" area is changing into nice public attractions and expensive condos.

The Castro district - An interesting place to visit if you are open minded, which most locals definitely are. It's one of the safest neighborhoods to live in San Francisco.


Back from SF Neighborhoods to Best San Francisco Things to Do

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