Considering that the city’s spread over a mere 49 miles, it has an increasingly large number of neighborhoods, which is both good and bad. It’s good because you get to choose from many, and bad because the list seems endless! Each area is different and has a persona that might match with yours. No matter what the city experiences, whether it’s the Gold Rush or the Summer of Love, it manages to rise and rebuild itself into a more refined version of its earlier self! We realize that sharing information about 60 (roughly) communities might be overwhelming, so we’ve picked the top 11 neighborhoods in San Francisco for you.
Complete guide to the 11 best San Francisco neighborhoods:
1. The Marina
According to the locals of the area, Marina is dull and lacks variety, although that’s not entirely true. The neighborhood does have its plus points.
The area is located on the north shore of the city and offers breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge. It houses fancy restaurants, upscale shopping centers, spas, loft apartments, and single-family homes. You’ll find many bars, restaurants, and boutiques on Chestnut Street. Thanks to the bars and nightclubs, the area has an excellent nightlife scene. Some of the finest restaurants include Delarosa, Scotland Yard, Greens, and Causwells. Among the prominent bars, you’ll find Monaghan’s, the Horseshoe Tavern, and the Dorian. Residents find it easy to get everything they need without having to go too far.
The distance to Marina Boulevard, known for its views of the San Francisco Bay and the Alcatraz, is walkable. The area is frequented by walkers and fitness enthusiasts, so if you’re one of them, you’ll cherish your time here. The neighborhood’s walkable and bikeable. You can also walk down to the Presidio, a 1500-acre park, or use the trails to reach Fort Point. Among other attractions, there’s Crissy Field, a former military piece of land, converted into a space for running and other activities such as biking, frisbee, and volleyball.
The neighborhood is home mainly to professionals and some families as well. You can even consider getting a room for rent in San Francisco. The rate of unemployment is low and multiple job opportunities are available for those searching for one. The only notable drawback of the area is it has a high crime rate compared to other San Francisco neighborhoods.
2. SoMa (South of Market)
SoMa, once an industrial district filled with factories and warehouses, surrounds SoMa, Yerba Buena, and South Beach areas.
A commercial area at one point, it now has multi-storied buildings on its main streets, while its alleys contain small walk-ups and condos. The area has several tech companies and co-working spaces, not to mention design showrooms and residential hotels. Despite its urban vibe, this isn’t a family-friendly neighborhood. You’ll find multiple transportation modes, such as buses, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), and MUNI (the San Francisco Municipal Railway) stops in the northern part of the neighborhood.
SoMa is a massive community with numerous top-level restaurants such as Marlowe, Zero Zero, Prospect, and Salt House. So, food lovers have a lot of options to choose from to satisfy their cravings. Those in the mood for drinks can drop by Lord George or Pete’s Tavern. The nightlife scene’s booming with nightclubs aplenty that come to life on weekends. Drop by if you’re interested in meeting new people and unwinding.
Some of the area’s attractions include the Yerba Buena Gardens and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, which houses more than 30,000 exhibits. Oracle Park, a baseball park that’s hosted many baseball games for the San Francisco Giants, is another visitor attraction. Shopaholics can visit Westfield, a mall downtown selling the biggest of brands!
The downside of the place is you’ll find many homeless people on the streets, and why people may consider it unsafe.
3. North Beach
Flanked by Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown on either side, the neighborhood draws many visitors now and then. Known as Little Italy, the country has a strong influence on the community, which you’ll get to see in the several Italian delis, cafes, and restaurants in the area.
North Beach is the origin of the Beat Generation in the 1950s, which significantly impacted American culture and politics. As a matter of fact, the area housed Beat writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsburg around the same time. Bibliophiles can head over to the City Lights Booksellers and Publishers, shop for mementos, and learn more about the Beat Generation.
The community doesn’t disappoint foodies or anyone who has an appetite for good food. Some popular eateries are Homemade Italian Company, where you’ll find homemade pasta for less than $15. Then there’s Cafe Trieste if you’re interested in coffee and pastries, and creative people, such as artists and poets. Last but not least, you have Tony’s, the best pizza shop in SF, owned by Tony Gemignani, who won the World Pizza Championship 13 times!
Some must-see places include Washington Square Park, the ideal spot for picnics. Coit Tower offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city, so if you’re looking for adventure, take the elevator to the top and let the views tingle your visual senses! Since North Beach is close to downtown, people who wish to make the most of the city's heart, don't have to use public transport to commute; they can just walk down.
For those who’re visiting and need a place to stay, the area has contemporary boarding houses and pleasant hostels.
4. Nob Hill
Nob Hill is one of the oldest San Francisco neighborhoods and also the high-end ones. The area derived its name from the magnates of the Central Pacific Railroad. They built huge mansions on the hill and were known as ‘nobs,’ a slang word used for wealthy people. You’ll find mostly old and new-style homes, Victorian homes, mansions, and fewer affluent families now. Also a perfect location to rent a house in San Francisco. If you are a landlord, then you will definitely find a perfect tenant for your rental property if you list your rental property in this neighborhood.
Spread across the hill, there are luxurious hotels, restaurants and a thriving nightlife on Polk Street. Some well-known hotels are Fairmont San Francisco, Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, and the Ritz Carlton, San Francisco. Visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of the city and soak in the opulence of the hotels while staying there.
Top attractions include cable cars, with the community having the only functional cable car system across the globe. The beautifully Gothic Grace Cathedral, west of Huntington Park, will take your breath away. Interestingly, it has a network of mazes that people enjoy a stroll through. Residents also enjoy exercising and walking in Huntington Park, a tranquil place in the area.
Restaurants worth frequenting include Tonga Room, a tiki bar, and Top of the Mark, a bar and a lounge. If you’re fond of different cuisine types, visit KEIKO à Nob Hill, and try out Japanese cuisine with a French touch!
You may find many job opportunities in the area that pay well and if you are happy to live with a roommate then you can also easily find roommates in San Francisco here.
The neighborhood is walkable and bikeable, so reaching places should be a breeze. And the area’s known to be pretty safe as well.
5. Russian Hill
Russian Hill is a peaceful, high-end, and well-kept neighborhood where you’ll find magnificent Victorian and Edwardian houses along the streets.
Everything from parks to boutique stores to restaurants can be found here. Polk Street has eateries and clothing stores for shopping enthusiasts.
Among the neighborhood’s attractions, you’ll find Lombard Street, which is supposedly the most crooked road in the world, but you can take it with a pinch of salt! Swensen’s Ice Cream, founded in 1948, has a ton of flavors for dessert lovers. Those who fancy a nightlife can visit Bimbo’s 365, which has a live rock and jazz show, Harper and Rye, or even Tonic.
For those who find comfort and solace in walking, the area’s walkways are waiting for you. The plants you see there add to the beauty of the place.
Cable car stops and hills aplenty make the community perfect for sightseeing, and you get to see majestic views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge. Anyone who wishes to watch a sunset will find this to be the ideal place to do so.
6. Pacific Heights
Like Nob Hill, Pacific Heights is a pretty upscale residential neighborhood, also known as Pac Heights.
The area’s well-known for its stunning mansions worth millions of dollars and its celebrity residents, namely US Congresswoman and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The homes are built in the Edwardian, Victorian, Chateau, and Mission-Revival styles. If you are new here and searching for place to live then make sure you stand out from the rest while filling the rental application form.
Fillmore Street, in particular, has a ton of extravagant boutiques and beauty bars, not to mention upscale restaurants. So, a combination of mouth-watering cuisine and a makeover are tough to beat!
Some of the area’s attractions include Alta Plaza Park, which has two tennis courts, a playground, huge open spaces and the Palace of Fine Arts, known for its lovely architecture and greenery. It also boasts a lagoon, a theater, and an exhibition center. The community offers stunning views of the city and San Francisco Bay, courtesy of Alta Plaza and Lafayette Parks.
You may also want to check out the Painted Ladies, a row of Edwardian and Victorian houses while exploring the area. The unemployment rate of the community is low and the area offers some lucrative job opportunities. Overall, you can count it as one of the safest neighborhoods in San Francisco.
7. The Mission (Mission District)
The name of this suburb was influenced by de Asis church, a historic construction and the oldest one in San Francisco. and the oldest one in the city. The area has a considerable Latino influence, although you’ll find a combination of locals and artists, bartenders, and hipsters. In other words, it’s a diverse community.
The area draws mainly the young, the rich, and professionals. Thanks to the tech companies in the city, it has undergone massive changes, bringing in a more refined and financially sound crowd.
The Mission has some of the choicest restaurants, bars, and places for music lovers. For those who look forward to drinking and dancing, the nightlife is excellent! Twenty-fourth Street and 16th street are pretty popular places filled with Mexican eateries selling tacos and restaurants selling pupusas, a lip-smacking dish from El Salvador. Taqueria La Cumbre sells amazing Mission-style burritos.
Dolores Park is a popular hangout spot for residents. It has soccer fields, tennis courts, a children’s playground, and a place for pets. Weekends are the perfect time to visit the park where you can play games, have a picnic, and even lie down in a quiet corner and read.
Another must-see place is Foreign Cinema, which is a restaurant but also screens films outdoors from time to time. If you love art, you’ll find beautiful street art and murals drawn by artists in Clarion Alley.
It appears to be a pretty great neighborhood overall.
8. The Castro
Castro is one of the first gay neighborhoods in America, also known as the “Gay Mecca” of SF. This is a place that brings together the entire LGBTQIA+ community from across the globe. Here’s where Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in the state, lived and later, put his heart and soul into fighting for the rights of gays and lesbians.
The area has gorgeous Victorian homes, charming coffee shops, and restaurants to offer residents and visitors alike, not to mention bars and dance clubs. Toad Hall and El Rio are some of the notable bars. Restaurants worth visiting include Chloe’s Cafe and Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers, known for their gourmet hamburgers!
One of the area’s top places includes the Rainbow Crosswalks. The rainbow colors were added to the crosswalks to highlight the history of the LGBTQIA+ community. You’ll also find Castro Camera, which has Harvey Milk’s photography shop and his home in the neighborhood. Castro Theater plays all kinds of movies, old or new. Finally, Rainbow Walk honors LGBTQIA+ individuals who’ve made a mark in their fields and influenced the public, such as Josephine Baker, Frida Kahlo, and the much-loved Freddie Mercury; it’s a place worth your while.
What stands out in the Castro is that every nook and corner of the locale reflects the history, the pain, and the victory of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Despite being an LGBTQIA+ neighborhood, it’s open, warm, and welcoming to everyone who visits it. The lesson to learn here is that you’re a human being first, regardless of your sexual orientation.
9. The Haight-Ashbury
The Haight-Ashbury is the birthplace of the Summer of Love movement in 1967, which advocated peace and love and forced the country to sit up and take notice. It’s also the hub of the hippie counterculture of the 1960s. The area derived its name from the intersection of Haight and Ashbury streets. It has some beautiful Victorian homes.
Present-day Haight-Ashbury still retains glimpses of its past through its vintage clothing stores, tattoo parlors, murals, boutiques, and hip bars. The area has a unique vibe that reflects the unconventional lifestyles of many of its residents.
If you’re looking for places to visit, the Grateful Dead House, where the band (The Grateful Dead) lived for two years, is one such place. Rock-and-roll stars, such as Janis Joplin and the Jefferson Airplane, also found homes in the neighborhood.
You’ll find Gus’s Haight Street Market, a grocery store with a deli selling sandwiches of all kinds. If you’re looking to get away from the mundane, try Parada 22, a restaurant selling Puerto Rican delicacies. Buena Vista Park, a 36-acre space, is the oldest park in San Francisco and an excellent place to stroll. The area houses a top attraction, the Red Victoria Hotel, which now serves as a non-profit center run by the neighborhood.
The community is diverse and people from all walks of life visit it, giving it an edge over others.
10. Hayes Valley
Once a sleazy area, Hayes Valley has undergone a major transformation and has many Edwardian, Victorian, and Queen Anne-style homes. You can even find roommates with best qualities over here as you will find a lot of young population coming in.
The neighborhood offers its residents everything from entertainment options to restaurants to design boutiques to art galleries, not to mention wine bars and a fantastic nightlife! The long queues outside the eateries speak for the popularity of the places. Restaurants such as Nightbird and Rich Table are among the top picks.
Among the many places to visit, you’ll find S.F Jazz and the San Francisco Symphony, which play music that appeals to all, music lovers and otherwise. If you have a sweet tooth, Salt and Straw is your place. It sells gourmet ice cream and pours love into all its flavors, including seasonal ones. Biergarten is an outdoor beer garden in case you feel like having a drink.
You could drop by City Hall, a historic government building famous for its beautiful interior staircase. Finally, Patricia’s Green In Hayes Valley is a park featuring new art exhibits every few months, so explore the place to experience the perfect blend of art and nature. It even has a playground ideal for kids!
One of the best things about the neighborhood is that even with its famous spots drawing many visitors, it still retains a community vibe. And wherever you feel a sense of community, you feel safe.
11. Noe Valley
A calm and peaceful area, Noe Valley is surrounded by hills on all sides. What was once a working-class neighborhood has now turned into a community chosen by professionals and families alike. The area has several gorgeous Victorian and Edwardian homes.
The valley draws many young families because of its proximity to parks and cafes. It has a pretty low unemployment rate and offers many job opportunities, which is ideal for families and professionals alike. There are several top-notch public and private schools to cater to those with kids.
Twenty-fourth street, the town center, houses many boutiques and music venues, and runs the weekly (Saturday) Farmer’s Market. The market sells fresh and locally produced goods, conducts multiple activities for children and hosts musicians in the town square. The town center also offers restaurants, cafes, boutiques, bars, and bakeries.
So, whether you love eating or not, this sounds like an exciting place to explore. The neighborhood’s known to be walkable and bikeable, so walking will not just keep you fit but also take you to places you wish you’d visited before!
Since it’s a family-friendly area and perfect for kids, safety isn’t a critical concern.
Conclusion
We believe this guide on best neighborhoods to live in San Francisco contains all the information you need to decide the next steps, whether to study or work here, or even move with your family. Also, while it’s good to process all the details we’ve shared here, a wiser option is to plan a trip to the city and explore the neighborhoods in person. Use the public transportation system to check out some of the areas if you need to. Walk into restaurants, cafes, and shops, and observe those around you while eating or drinking. In the end, these experiences will help you make an informed decision.
