San Francisco Neighborhoods

San Francisco, like many other major cities, is made up of lots of unique neighborhoods, each with its own style. With so many neighborhoods to choose from, it can be helpful to know what to expect before exploring the city. From the touristy areas like Fisherman’s Wharf and North Beach to The Mission, The Castro and The Marina, there is a little something for everyone in San Francisco.

Union Square:

 

The main shopping area in San Francisco, Union Square is filled with large department stores, art galleries, boutiques and hotels. In the center of Union Square, there is a plaza which is used for concerts, performances and other activities. The square itself is surrounded by huge stores like Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, but you’ll also find boutique shops tucked into side streets. The theater scene here is a big deal, so check out what’s playing at places like the Curran. Around the holidays, the square gets decked out with lights, a giant Christmas tree, and an ice-skating rink, making it feel like a winter wonderland (even if it’s not actually that cold ). This is one of the busiest areas in San Francisco, particularly on weekends and during the holiday season.

Highlights: 

Cable Car Turnaround
2350 Taylor Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

website: https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/muni/fares

Bourbon & Branch
501 Jones Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

website: http://www.bourbonandbranch.com/

Belden Place
Belden Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94104

Chinatown

San Francisco’s Chinatown is straight-up magical. Walking through the Dragon Gate feels like stepping into a different world, with red lanterns strung across the streets and markets selling everything from fresh produce to fun souvenirs. Stop by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory to see how they’re made (and eat one, of course). Stockton Street is great for authentic Chinese food, while Grant Avenue is the spot for cool little shops. Bonus: the neighborhood is super walkable, so you can wander for hours and still find new things to check out.

Fisherman’s Wharf:

Definitely the most popular “tourist” neighborhood, Fisherman’s Wharf is located on the San Francisco Bay in Northeast San Francisco. Sure, it’s touristy, but Fisherman’s Wharf is one of those places you’ve got to visit at least once. Where else can you grab clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl while watching sea lions chill at Pier 39? There’s also a ton of fun stuff to do, like visiting the Aquarium of the Bay or hopping on a boat to Alcatraz. Ghirardelli Square is a must if you’ve got a sweet tooth, and if you’re into history, check out the old ships at Hyde Street Pier. It’s a little cheesy, but it’s also a blast. Fisherman’s Wharf attracts well over 10 million visitors per year.

Highlights: 

Pier 39
The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94133

website: https://www.pier39.com/

Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum
175 Jefferson Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

website: https://www.ripleys.com/sanfrancisco/

Gary Danko
800 North Point Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

website: http://garydanko.com/

Haight-Ashbury

Haight-Ashbury is where hippie culture was born, and it still has that laid-back, anything goes vibe. Vintage shops, record stores, and quirky cafés line the streets, and you can’t walk far without spotting some seriously colorful murals. Amoeba Music is a must if you’re into vinyl (or even if you just want to see some cool vintage stuff) and there are plenty of thrift shops where you can score cool clothes. When you’re done exploring, Golden Gate Park is just a short walk away. It’s the perfect spot to hang out and soak up the neighborhood’s chill energy.

Highlights: 

The Grateful Dead House
710 Ashbury Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

The Kezar Pub
770 Stanyan Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

Amoeba Music
1855 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

website: https://www.amoeba.com/

Alembic
1725 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

website: https://alembicsf.com/

The Mission:

The Mission District is one of the coolest places in the city, no question. It’s got some of the best food in San Francisco, from the legendary Mission burrito to trendy spots serving everything from tacos to ramen. But the food isn’t the only thing worth talking about. The street art here is incredible, especially in places like Clarion Alley. Dolores Park is the perfect place to kick back with a picnic, people watch or catch amazing views of the city skyline. At night, the bars & music venues come alive, so there’s always something happening. It is also the home of San Francisco’s oldest standing building, the 18th century Mission Dolores. If you visit the area make sure to try one of the famous burritos at El Farolito, La Cumbre or La Taqueria.

Highlights: 

El Farolito
2779 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

website: https://elfarolitosf.com/

Mission Dolores
3321 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

website: https://www.missiondolores.org/old-mission/visitor.html

Pirate Supply Store
826 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

website: https://shop.826valencia.org/

 

The Castro

The Castro is all about being yourself and having a good time. Among the first gay neighborhoods in the United States, The Castro is a prominent symbol of LGBTQ culture worldwide. It’s the heart of San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ history and culture, and you’ll feel the pride everywhere you go, with rainbow flags hanging from buildings and street signs. The Castro Theatre (closed for now, but re-opening soon) is a total classic, and it’s worth checking out whatever they’re showing, from cult classics to sing-alongs. There are plenty of great spots to grab a drink or a bite to eat, and the neighborhood has this welcoming, upbeat energy that makes it impossible not to love.

Highlights: 

Castro Theater
429 Castro Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

website: http://www.castrotheatre.com/

GLBT Museum
4127 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

website: https://www.glbthistory.org/

Moby Dick
4049 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

The Marina:

If you’re looking for a scenic area in SF, The Marina is your spot. With gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge, The Marina Green and the bars and restaurants on Chestnut Street, The Marina is a very desirable place to live in San Francisco. Walk along Marina Green, and you’ll see the Golden Gate Bridge, sailboats on the water & maybe even a few kite surfers. The Palace of Fine Arts is stunning and makes for great photos (or just a peaceful stroll). Chestnut Street is packed with shops, cafés, and restaurants where you can grab everything from fancy brunch to late-night pizza. This is a very active neighborhood with lots of activities for children and adults. People enjoy running along Marina Blvd, grabbing drinks at the busy Marina bars and shopping at the many shops in the area.It’s a great neighborhood to just wander around and soak up the relaxed vibe.

Highlights: 

Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

website: https://palaceoffinearts.com/

Chrissy Field
1199 E Beach
San Francisco, CA 94129

Fort Mason
2 Marina Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94123

website: https://fortmason.org/

Balboa Cafe
3199 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

website: https://www.balboacafesf.com/

North Beach:

North Beach is basically San Francisco’s Little Italy, and it’s as charming as it gets. Located in Northeast San Francisco, this historic neighborhood is surrounded by Fisherman’s Wharf, Russian Hill and the Financial District. You’ll find amazing Italian restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops all over the place. Grab a slice of pizza or a scoop of gelato, and then head to City Lights Bookstore, a legendary spot for book lovers. Broadway has a bit of a party vibe at night, but during the day, it’s fun to explore. Make sure to hike up to Coit Tower—the views from the top are absolutely worth it. North Beach is a popular place to live if you are looking for a fun area with lots of fun bars, nightclubs and more.

Highlights: 

Vesuvio Cafe
255 Columbus Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

website: http://www.vesuvio.com/

Washington Square
Filbert St. & Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

website: https://sfrecpark.org/

Caffe Trieste
601 Vallejo Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

website: http://coffee.caffetrieste.com/

 

SOMA (South of Market)

SOMA is a mix of everything like big museums, sports stadiums & some of the city’s best nightlife. If you’re into art, SFMOMA is a must-see, plus Yerba Buena Gardens is a nice place to relax in between checking out the sights. Oracle Park is where the San Francisco Giants fans go to cheer on their team, and even if you’re not a baseball fan, catching a game is a fun experience. When the sun goes down, the clubs and bars in this neighborhood keep the party going.

 

Russian Hill

Russian Hill feels like classic San Francisco with steep streets, gorgeous homes & cable cars clanging by. Lombard Street is the big draw (it’s that super-curvy one you’ve seen in pictures), but there’s so much more to this neighborhood. Polk Street is packed with fun restaurants and bars, while the side streets are great for wandering and finding hidden staircases. The views from the top of the hill are some of the best in the city, so don’t forget your camera.

 

Nob Hill

Nob Hill has a fancy, retro vibe that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s home to the stunning Grace Cathedral, which is worth a visit even if you’re not into architecture. The Fairmont Hotel is another iconic spot, especially if you want to sip a cocktail with a view. Cable cars are everywhere, and riding one up the hill is half the fun. It’s a great neighborhood to visit if you want a mix of history, great views & a little bit of luxury.

Hayes Valley

Hayes Valley is one of those neighborhoods that just feels cool. It’s small but packed with things to do, from boutique shopping to wine bars to cozy cafés. Patricia’s Green is a cute little park in the middle of it all, and there’s usually some kind of public art or pop-up shop happening nearby. It’s a great place to grab a coffee, people-watch, and soak in the laid-back energy. Plus, it’s close to other neighborhoods, so it’s easy to make a day of it. If you decide to explore Hayes Valley, make sure to grab some food at Hazie’s and then go to Salt & Straw for a delicious scoop.

Other Neighborhoods:

Alamo Square
Balboa Terrace
Bayview
Bernal Heights
Buena Vista
Cathedral Hill
China Basin
Chinatown
Civic Center
Cole Valley
Cow Hollow
Dogpatch
Dolores Heights
Duboce Triangle
Embarcadero
Fillmore
Financial District
Financial District South
Glen Park
Golden Gate Heights
Hayes Valley
Hunters Point
India Basin
Inner Sunset
Jackson Square
Japantown
Laguna Honda
Laurel Heights
Lower Haight
Mission Bay
Mission Dolores
Nob Hill
Noe Valley
North of Panhandle
Oceanview
Pacific Heights
Parkside
Polk Gulch
Potrero Hill
Presidio
Presidio Heights
Richmond District
Russian Hill
Saint Francis Wood
Sea Cliff
Sherwood Forest
South of Market
South Park
Sunset District
Telegraph Hill
Tenderloin
Treasure Island
Twin Peaks
West Portal
Western Addition
Yerba Buena