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San Francisco Neighborhood Guide San Francisco Neighborhood Guide RSS

By Roxanne Webber, Citysearch Contributor

Photo by Shutterstock/Visual Field
Photo by Shutterstock/Visual Field
Don't know the difference between Hayes Valley and Noe Valley? Can't remember if that great view was from the top of Russian Hill or Nob Hill? Take our neighborhood tutorial and brush up on all the 'hoods that make up San Francisco.
On This Page: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, Beyond SF

Northeast

  1. Alamo Square

    1200 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA
    The picture-postcard view still brings the tour buses around.

  2. Chinatown

    Grant Avenue and Jackson Street, San Francisco, CA
    With its bustling markets, mysterious alleys, hidden temples and busy restaurants, this is one of the city's most colorful neighborhoods.

  3. Duboce Triangle

    Noe St and 14th St, San Francisco, CA
    This residential neighborhood features the dog-friendly Duboce Park, restored Victorian homes and the Duboce Bikeway Mural.

  4. Embarcadero Neighborhood

    The Embarcadero and Chestnut Street, San Francisco, CA
    Joggers love this waterfront strip along the city's eastern corner for its stellar views of the Bay Bridge.

  5. Financial District

    Clay Street and Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA
    San Francisco's high-rise buildings and skyscrapers define this neighborhood, which is home to the city's big businesses.

  6. Fisherman's Wharf Neighborhood

    Jones Street and Jefferson Street, San Francisco, CA
    Often scorned by locals, this area boasts some of the city's main tourist attractions and can be surprisingly fun.

  7. Hayes Valley

    Webster Street and Page Street, San Francisco, CA
    Locals enjoy the quaint restaurants while visitors shop and check out art in the galleries of this gentrified neighborhood.

  8. Japantown

    | Website

    Laguna St and Post St, San Francisco, CA
    Home to concerts, horticulture and martial arts presentations, tea ceremonies, and the Spring Cherry Blossom Festival.

  9. Nob Hill

    San Francisco, CA
    One of the city's most iconic neighborhoods has the feel of a San Francisco past, replete with passing cable cars.

  10. North Beach / Telegraph Hill

    San Francisco, CA
    San Francisco's Little Italy is famous for its pasta, historical ties to the Beat movement and its sidewalk espresso cafes.

  11. Pacific Heights

    Fillmore St and Jackson St, San Francisco, CA
    Million-dollar views meet million-dollar mansions in this hilltop haven of luxe living.

  12. Polk Gulch

    Polk St and Sutter St, San Francisco, CA
    Between the Tenderloin and Nob Hill, this section of Polk Street is lined with restaurants, bars and shops.

  13. Russian Hill

    Hyde St and Greenwich St, San Francisco, CA
    Filling the gap between the Marina and North Beach, Russian Hill offers upscale dining options and great views.

  14. Tenderloin / Civic Center

    Eddy Street and Leavenworth Street, San Francisco, CA
    Despite being rough around the edges, the 'Loin offers hidden gems to those willing to look past its reputation.

  15. Union Square

    Geary Street at Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA
    The epicenter of Bay Area shopping.

  16. Western Addition / NoPA

    Steiner St and Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA
    Central neighborhood offers low-income housing, the historic Fillmore district and a diverse population.

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Northwest

  1. Haight-Ashbury

    Haight Street and Ashbury Street, San Francisco, CA
    Though the 1960s aesthetic lingers, the neighborhood now houses boutique clothing shops and an array of restaurants and bars.

  2. Marina / Cow Hollow

    Bay Street and Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA
    Named for its small yacht marina, this neighborhood boasts expensive clothing and even pricier real estate.

  3. Panhandle

    Central Ave and Grove St, San Francisco, CA
    This neighborhood's known for its namesake greenspace, an outcropping of Golden Gate Park providing a haven for bikers, walkers and dogs.

  4. Presidio

    Presidio Park, San Francisco, CA
    Once home to the United States Army, the Presidio is now one of the city's biggest recreation areas.

  5. Presidio / Laurel Heights

    Spruce St and California St, San Francisco, CA
    Large, pricey homes can be found in this hilly 'hood, as well as the Jewish Community Center and shopping along California Street.

  6. Richmond (Inner)

    10th Avenue and Anza Street, San Francisco, CA
    With a convergence of Asian, Russian and Irish influences, this neighborhood is a hot bed of cheap eats and fun shopping.

  7. Richmond (Outer)

    32nd Avenue and Anza Street, San Francisco, CA
    The quieter cousin of the Inner Richmond district is more residential but still retains an urban feel.

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Southeast

  1. Bayview / Hunter's Point

    1 Matthew Ct, San Francisco, CA
    Laying in the southeast corner of the city, this neighborhood is home to Monster Park and the now-closed Naval Shipyard.

  2. Bernal Heights

    Cortland Avenue and Moultrie Street, San Francisco, CA
    This quaint, village-like neighborhood hides on top of a steep hill south of the Mission.

  3. The Castro

    Castro Street and 19th Street, San Francisco, CA
    Some of the best nightlife in the city draws people from all walks of life to this colorful neighborhood.

  4. Excelsior / Outer Mission

    Italy Ave and Paris St, San Francisco, CA
    Ethnically diverse residential neighborhood in the southeast region of the city.

  5. Glen Park Neighborhood

    Moffitt St and Bemis St, San Francisco, CA
    This neighborhood is home to Glen Canyon Park, a small haven for hikers and dog walkers.

  6. Mission District

    San Francisco, CA
    One of the city's most iconic neighborhoods has the feel of a San Francisco past, replete with passing cable cars.

  7. Noe Valley

    Noe St, San Francisco, CA
    Family-friendly neighborhood has restaurants, Victorians and upscale shopping.

  8. Potrero Hill / Dogpatch

    20th Street and Arkansas Street, San Francisco, CA
    Many people consider this to be one of the sunniest neighborhoods in the city.

  9. SoMa

    6th Street & Clara Street, San Francisco, CA
    San Franciscans that head south of Market Street are rewarded with restaurants, clubs and nontraditional museums.

  10. South Beach

    Beale St and Howard St, San Francisco, CA
    South Park, a tiny green respite, anchors this neighborhood, which is also home to the Giants' AT&T Park.

  11. Visitacion Valley

    Schwerin St and Visitacion Ave, San Francisco, CA
    Southeastern neighborhood is bordered by McLaren Park to the west and the San Mateo County line to the south.

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Southwest

  1. Cole Valley / Ashbury Heights

    Cole Street and Grattan Street, San Francisco, CA
    The Haight's sleepier cousin replaces tie-dye and punk boutiques with families and cafes.

  2. Ingleside / Lake Merced

    Byxbee St and Shields St, San Francisco, CA
    This southwestern portion of the city is home to San Francisco State University and City College of San Francisco.

  3. Parkside (Inner)

    21st Ave and Santiago St, San Francisco, CA
    This narrow strip of residential homes is situated south of the more lively Inner Sunset District and west of the affluent Golden Gate Heights.

  4. Parkside (Outer)

    Sunset Boulevard and Santiago Street, San Francisco, CA
    This residential neighborhood lies south of the Sunset District and shares its views of the Pacific Ocean and suburban feel.

  5. Sunset (Inner)

    10th Avenue and Lawton Street, San Francisco, CA
    Wedged between Golden Gate Park and the UC Medical Center is a lively, multicultural dining destination.

  6. Sunset (Outer)

    32nd Ave and Lawton St, San Francisco, CA
    Foggy and quiet, this residential neighbor of the Inner Sunset is comprised mostly of single- and two-family homes.

  7. Twin Peaks / Diamond Heights

    Burnett Avenue and Portola Drive, San Francisco, CA
    Homes line the hillsides, but people flock here for the panoramic views from the 922-foot lookout.

  8. West Portal / Forest Hill

    Taraval Street and Wawona Street, San Francisco, CA
    This sheltered community has a small-town, retro feel.

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Beyond SF

  1. Berkeley

    Sacramento Street and Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
    Liberally minded East Bay home to students, artists and just about anyone.

  2. East Bay

    Diablo Road and Hartz Avenue, Danville, CA
    Eastern region of the Bay Area includes Oakland, Berkeley, recreational parks and many suburbs.

  3. Marin County

    Nicasio Valley Rd and Nicasio Square Rd, Nicasio, CA
    Northern, wealthy suburb of San Francisco known for its natural beauty and pricey homes.

  4. Oakland

    Foothill Blvd and Seminary Ave, Oakland, CA
    Long overshadowed by San Francisco, this city has plenty of interesting attractions to make it a destination in its own right.

  5. Wine Country

    Santa Rosa, CA
    San Francisco's neighbor to the north produces award-winning wines in this renowned region.

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