San Francisco is a one-of-a-kind city with its rolling hills, views of the bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Not to mention, the steep streets lined with Victorian-style houses, cable cars, foggy summers, and beachfront paths only add to the charm of the city. If you’re considering living in the city, it has an average rent of $3,391 and a median home sale price of $1,515,000.
San Francisco may be only 49 square miles, but it is filled with colorful and quirky neighborhoods, each with its signature stamp. So if you’re thinking about moving to San Francisco, or just relocating to a new part of the city, let us help you find the ideal San Francisco neighborhood to call home.
San Francisco housing
Before we jump into the neighborhoods, let’s discuss the housing options you’ll come across while searching for the perfect area to live in San Francisco. The homes for sale in San Francisco will vary in style, but most are Victorians, Edwardians, or Craftsman homes. You’ll see that the Victorian and Edwardian homes are often very ornate, with a lot of detail work. On the other hand, Craftsman homes are more simple but still have a lot of charm.
There is a wide range of apartments in San Francisco, from small and simple to large and luxurious. Many apartments offer stunning views of the cityscape, while others are located in more residential areas. Now that we’ve covered the types of homes and apartments you’ll encounter, let’s get into the neighborhoods themselves.
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The Alamo Square neighborhood is most well-known for its Victorian architecture and the picturesque row of Victorian houses called the “Painted Ladies.” Alamo Square, a beautiful and expansive park, is also a popular destination for both locals and tourists. It offers views of the city skyline, Painted Ladies, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
The neighborhood is also home to The Independent, a popular concert venue, and a variety of restaurants and bars along Divisidero Street, like Nopa, Emporium Arcade Bar, and The Mill.Alamo Square is a great neighborhood to live in if you don’t have a car, as it has a Walk Score of 97.
Bernal Heights is situated on a hill, giving it stunning views of the city below. Home to Bernal Peak, you can hike up to the top of this hill overlooking the city. You can even spot the Sutro Tower on a fog-free day. This San Francisco neighborhood is home to many small businesses, including art galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants. Some of the popular spots include Pinhole Coffee, Precita Park Cafe & Grill, The Front Porch, El Rio, and Mitchell’s Ice Cream.
The Castro District is a vibrant and colorful community with a long history of activism and progressivism. This San Francisco neighborhood is known for its lively nightlife and annual Pride celebration. The Castro is also home to several iconic landmarks, including the Castro Theatre and Harvey Milk Plaza. You’ll also find lots of classic San Francisco restaurants and many new spots as well. The Castro is the 7th most walkable neighborhood in San Francisco, with a Walk Score of 99. It also boasts a Bike Score of 89, making it a great neighborhood to ride your bike in.
Chinatown is the largest and oldest Chinatown in North America, and has served as a center for Chinese immigration since the 1850s. The neighborhood is a vibrant area, full of shops, galleries, tea shops and karaoke bars, and some of the best restaurants in the city. For example, Chinatown is home to R & G Lounge, City View Restaurant, House of Nanking, and Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Chinatown is also San Francisco’s most walkable neighborhood due to its relative flatness compared to the rest of the city.
The Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco is a lovely historical area with a mix of old Victorians, stately mansions, and modern apartment buildings. The streets are lined with trees, and there are plenty of parks and green spaces to enjoy, including the Presidio just a few blocks away. The neighborhood is also home to various shops, restaurants, and cafés, all of which you can easily walk to as the neighborhood has a Walk Score of 94.
Dogpatch is a historic neighborhood, once the industrial and shipbuilding center for San Francisco. Today, it’s a vibrant community with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial businesses. You’ll find lots of art galleries and museums like the Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco and the Letterform Archive.
There are also plenty of restaurants whether you’re looking for a cozy café, ice cream, or innovative cuisines. Home to iconic spots like Hard Knox Cafe, Neighbor Bakehouse, and Piccino, there’s always a new place to grab a bite. If you’re into biking, Dogpatch is a great place to do it, as the neighborhood has a Bike Score of 93.
Downtown is a vibrant and bustling neighborhood, often divided into sub-neighborhoods. Home to various businesses, restaurants and shops, and concert halls, there is always something to do in this neighborhood. Downtown also has many residential buildings and is a great place to live for those who want to be in the city-center. The neighborhood is well-connected to the rest of San Francisco by public transportation, and is a short walk or ride from many of the city’s most popular attractions.
The Duboce Triangle is named after the triangular area between Market Street and Duboce Avenue. Bordered by the Castro District, Mission District, and Haight-Ashbury, there is always something to do here. The neighborhood is home to Duboce Park, which is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The area has a Walk Score of 98, a Bike Score of 89 and a Transit Score of 93, making it a great community for those who enjoy getting around without a car.
The Financial District is home to the city’s financial and business center. This area is full of high-rise office buildings, hotels, and retail shops. The neighborhood is also home to the Ferry Building, a historic landmark and one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist destinations, filled with local businesses and acclaimed restaurants.
Some of the other landmarks in the area include Maritime Plaza, Sue Bierman Park, and the Transamerica Pyramid. The Financial District is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city, with a Walk Score of 99. It’s also well-connected by public transportation, with a Transit Score of 100.
The Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood is a historic area known for its seafood restaurants, attractions, and views of San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island. The neighborhood is home to a ton of restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions, including the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, the Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39.
Pier 39 has a variety of attractions such as the Sea Lion viewing area, Aquarium of the Bay, and the Musical Stairs. There are plenty of other museums and landmarks in the neighborhood including the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, Musée Mécanique, and the Hyde Street Pier.
Located in south-central San Francisco, Glen Park is somewhat more secluded than its neighboring areas, as a result of its hilly residential roads and Glen Canyon Park, a popular hiking spot. Glen Park is home to local small businesses, including several restaurants, quaint coffee shops and cafés, and shops like bookstores and local jewelers. It’s also close to the iconic Twin Peaks and Sutro Tower.
Haight-Ashbury is known for its one-of-a-kind atmosphere and Victorian and Edwardian architecture. The neighborhood is a historic district known for its association with the counterculture during the 1960s. You can find many vinyl record stores, fantastic local restaurants, and street art lining the iconic Haight Street. From landmarks like the Grateful Dead House and Janis Joplin’s House to Amoeba Music and the Four Seasons Houses, there’s always something to check out in this unique neighborhood. Haight Ashbury is also one of the most walkable neighborhoods in San Francisco, with a Walk Score of 97.
Situated just west of downtown San Francisco, Hayes Valley is a vibrant, eclectic neighborhood with something for everyone. You can find famous restaurants with cuisines ranging from German, Greek, and French to Italian, Mexican, and Japanese. There are small city parks throughout the neighborhood like Patricia’s Green and Hayes Valley Playground. Hayes Valley is walking distance to venues like SFJAZZ, the San Francisco Symphony, Herbst Theatre, and War Memorial Opera House. From its trendy shops to its leafy parks and tree-lined streets, Hayes Valley is a wonderful place to call home.
The Marina District is a waterfront neighborhood known for its chic shops, restaurants and cafés, and bayfront parks. It’s also home to iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Wave Organ, and the Palace of Fine Arts. This neighborhood has a variety of beautiful green spaces such as Great Meadow Park at Fort Mason, Marina Green, and Crissy Field, which all have views of the water. The Marina District is a great place to walk or bike, with a Walk Score of 94 and a Bike Score is 91.
Mission Bay has picturesque views of the San Francisco Bay and is home to many technology and life science companies, as well as the UCSF Mission Bay campus. The Chase Center is also located in Mission Bay, so you can catch a concert or watch a Golden State Warriors game. There are several parks along the water including Bay Front Park, Mission Creek Park, China Basin Park, and Mission Bay Commons, giving the area lots of places to enjoy the outdoors.
The Mission District is named after the Spanish Mission Dolores, which was founded in 1776. This area is one of the most vibrant and creative neighborhoods in San Francisco and is home to many outstanding and award-winning restaurants in the city. Whether you’re looking for a craft cocktail bar, renowned French patisserie, gluten-free Venezuelan food, classic taquerías, or iconic Japanese restaurants, Mission District has it all.
With a Walk Score of 99, the Mission District is an excellent place to live if you prefer not to rely on a car. Additionally, its Transit Score is 86 and Bike Score is 97, thus public transportation and biking are both great means of transportation.
Nob Hill is a historic neighborhood, named after the Central Pacific Railroad’s Big Four, called “the Nobs,” who lived in the area. It’s one of San Francisco’s 44 hills and one of its original “Seven Hills.” It’s known for its grand Victorian mansions, upscale hotels, and city-center views. If you decide to call Nob Hill home, you can easily catch a concert or show at SF Masonic Auditorium, take in the majestic views of Grace Cathedral, or visit the San Francisco Cable Car Museum. Nob Hill is also an extremely walkable neighborhood, with a Walk Score of 99, and is close to Chinatown, Union Square, and Russian Hill.
Noe Valley is a residential neighborhood with a small-town feel filled with cozy cafés, bakeries, and amazing restaurants. The streets are lined with Victorian-style houses, many of which have been converted into apartments or condos. There are also lots of locally owned shops and restaurants, as well as a farmers market every Saturday. Noe Valley is also super walkable, with a Walk Score of 94.
North Beach is located north of Chinatown and is known for its Italian heritage. The streets are filled with authentic trattorias, bakeries, and pizzerias. It’s a lively and vibrant area, with many other restaurants and brunch spots, as well as art galleries and shops. Some of North Beach’s popular places include Kokkari Estiatorio, Cotogna, Sotto Mare, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, and Caffe Trieste.
Additionally, there are several landmarks in the area like Saints Peter and Paul Church, the Vallejo Steps, and Cobb’s Comedy Club. The neighborhood is also home to several parks, like Washington Square. North Beach is another great neighborhood for walkers, as it has a Walk Score of 99.
Pacific Heights, often called Pac Heights, is located in the northwest corner of the city, and you can find lots of Victorian and Edwardian-era homes. Take a stroll down Broadway, and you’ll find Mrs. Doubtfire’s House and the Lyon Street Steps. This neighborhood is located on a hill and has some of the best views in the city, alongside historic buildings and parks like Spreckles Mansion, Lafayette Park, and Alta Plaza Park. So grab a coffee or tea at one of the neighborhood spots and see what Pacific Heights has to offer.
Rincon Hill was built on top of “Rincon Hill,” a hill once part of the original San Francisco peninsula that ended at Rincon Point. The neighborhood is home to many high-rise residential towers and views of the Bay Bridge. You can find some great waterfront restaurants in this neighborhood and also easily get to the San Francisco Bay Trail. Rincon Hill has awesome public transportation, with one bus and three light rail lines passing through it – and a Transit Score of 100.
Russian Hill is a hilly neighborhood with plenty of stairs and narrow streets – most notably the iconic Lombard Street. It’s a popular area for tourists because of its views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. You can also find one of the steepest streets in the city, Filbert Street. Russian Hill has many restaurants, shops, and bars that are sure to please any palette, including popular spots like Za Pizza, Swensen’s, and Elephant Sushi.
Telegraph Hill is home to Coit Tower, which offers panoramic views of the city, and surrounding Pioneer Park. Telegraph Hill Boulevard, a winding street that leads to the top of Coit Tower, is a must for anyone living in the city. You can also find the steepest street in San Francisco, Filbert Street, running through this neighborhood, so take a drive down it if you’re looking for a thrill. Telegraph Hill is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in San Francisco, with a Walk Score of 97.
Western Addition is home to several landmarks, including The Fillmore Auditorium and the African American Art & Culture Complex. This neighborhood includes the Fillmore District, where you’ll find one-of-a-kind bars, jazz clubs, and other vibrant nightlife options. You can also find numerous parks, like Raymond Kimbell Playground, and public art installations. Western Addition is another great place to live for those who enjoy walking and biking, as it has a Walk Score of 97 and a Bike Score of 91.
The Yerba Buena neighborhood, commonly called SoMa, “South of Market,” is located in the heart of downtown San Francisco. It’s a lively and vibrant neighborhood with plenty of things to do, including shopping, Michelin Star dining, and entertainment. From Yerba Buena Gardens to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of the African Diaspora, you’ll always find something new to do in this area.
Methodology: All neighborhoods must be listed as a “neighborhood” on Redfin.com. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com during November 2024. Walk Score, Bike Score, and Transit Score from Walkscore.com during November 2024.
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Serving homebuyers and sellers in the San Francisco area, Carlos Barrientos is a top real estate agent at Redfin with the latest market insights and local expertise. With years of experience as a real estate agent in the greater San Francisco area, Carlos Barrientos possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the local market.
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