. .

Neighborhoods

San Francisco is made up of an intricate patchwork of dozens of unique and vibrant neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive culture and feel.

Some of San Francisco's Most Famous Neighborhoods

  • North Beach is known as "little Italy" and has plenty of wonderful restaurants, cafes and delicatessens.  
  • Chinatown is the second largest Chinatown in North America and hosts the popular Golden Dragon Parade every Chinese New Year.
  • Nob Hill is an affluent neighborhood, famous for its gorgeous City landmarks and fine hotels. 
  • Cow Hollow, located between Pacific Heights and the Marina, is distinguished by charming homes and apartments and is home to many young professionals.  
  • Pacific Heights is famous for Victorian mansions, upscale shops and cafes and San Francisco's most scenic parks, Alta Plaza and Lafayette Park.
  • Richmond, by the ocean, includes some of the area's vibrant ethnic communities, "little Russia" and "new Chinatown."
  • Sunset is the largest of San Francisco's districts and lies directly south of Golden Gate Park.
  • The Western Addition, west of Van Ness Avenue, is a diverse neighborhood that is known for moderate rents and a central location in the City.
  • The Haight neighborhood is a favorite tourist attraction in San Francisco and retains its countercultural feel. 
  • The Castro District has some of the oldest houses in San Francisco and is famous for being the "gay capital of the world." It hosts the internationally-acclaimed Gay Pride Parade every June.
  • Noe Valley, just south of the Castro, is considered to be an exceptionally safe, upscale area, home to young professionals and families.
  • The Marina District has been mostly residential since 1915—it neighbors Crissy field and the Moscone Recreation Center and is well-populated with high-end restaurants and spas, catering to an affluent population.
  • Glen Park, a small, attractive neighborhood on the south side, is made up of book stores, pizza parlors and coffee shops.
  • The Mission--historically an Hispanic neighborhood--has a unique character, with a lively independent art scene and the City's best taquerias and produce markets.
  • The Tenderloin--historically considered San Francisco's roughest neighborhood—is also well known for some of the City's best nightlife.
  • Potrero Hill, previously the manufacturing center for San Francisco, has been converted into a residential neighborhood.
  • Russian Hill is largely residential and somewhat commercial and is famous for  the "Crookedest Street in the World"—a portion of Lombard Street that contains multiple switchbacks.
  • South of Market houses commercial areas and consists of a large district that now hosts the most successful Internet companies and is the home of the SFMOMA, the Giants stadium and Yerba Buena gardens.
  • Mission Bay—a rapidly developing part of the City—is home to the biotechnology research facilities of UC San Francisco.
  • Hunters Point is a former naval base, currently used as an area for government housing projects.  It is under revitalization, with new construction and new light-rail access to the City center and Cal-train.

You can find more information about San Francisco's many distinct neighborhoods at Zurdogo.