San Francisco is more than just Northern California’s superstar: the city is its own little bubble, and the neighborhoods in that bubble are completely unique, filled with ancient trees, legendary bakeries, breweries, and bookstores, views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the famous Lombard Street, West Coast sunsets, and that special something that only SF has.
SF is surprisingly small: Bound on 3 sides by water, San Francisco is only about 7 by 7 miles—you could actually walk across it in a day.
Yet, the 36 distinct neighborhoods are all communities within themselves.
Here’s your guide to the neighborhoods of SF:
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is the neighborhood most visitors to SF will end up in eventually, if not right away.
It’s where souvenirs are found; it’s the home of Pier 39 and its adorable sea lions, and it’s one of the main stops for cable cars.
As you’d expect from such a popular place, Fisherman’s Wharf gets crowded and touristy, especially on the weekends. Some of San Francisco’s best hotels are around this area.
What to Do Near Fisherman’s Wharf
- Catch a ferry to Tour Alcatraz Island
- Pier 39 (and the Sea Lions!)
- Ghirardelli Square
- Have an Irish Coffee at the place that made it famous, Buena Vista
- Musée Mécanique
- Rent a Bike
- Take a free walking tour from a passionate volunteer
Where to Stay Near Fisherman’s Wharf
- Luxury: Hotel Drisco or Riu Plaza
- Budget: Europa Hotel
Chinatown
SF’s Chinatown neighborhood sees more tourists yearly than the Golden Gate Bridge!
Packed streets, colorful buildings, Asian lettering, and the biggest Chinese population outside of China make it easy to convince yourself that you really are in China.
Chinatown is one of my favorite places in San Francisco- it’s just so bright and lively!
What to Do in Chinatown
- Take a tour of Chinatown + North Beach with a local lunch
- Chinatown Food Tour. Look, US food can suck, but pockets of places with amazing food does exist, and this is one of them.
- Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory – Make a Custom Fortune Cookie
- Dragon’s Gate. That iconic gate you’ve seen in all the photos.
- Tin How Temple. Light incense at the shrine of Tien Hua, Protector of Travelers
- Red Blossom Tea Company. Tea Tasting
Where to Stay in Chinatown
- Luxury: Orchard Garden Hotel
- Budget: SF Plaza Hotel
Haight-Ashbury
At the intersection of Haight and Ashbury streets is the neighborhood at the center of the hippie movement of the 1960s.
Haight Ashbury was the home to revolutionary thinkers, musicians (including the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin), and cannabis before it was legal in California.
Summer of Love
In 1967, thousands of young people gathered in Haight-Ashbury for what is now known as the “Summer of Love.”
Most of these “flower children” came to protest the Vietnam War and the consumerism of American society and to expand their minds via new forms of music and psychedelic hallucinogens like LSD and mushrooms.
Music in Haight-Ashbury
Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, and John Lennon are heavily associated with the area via performances or previous residences.
Today, Upper Haight Street is a mix of vintage clothing, record shops, used bookstores, dive bars, and laidback restaurants.
What to Do in Haight-Ashbury
- The Jimi Hendrix House
- The Grateful Dead House
- Vintage shopping on Haight Street
- Buena Vista Park (amazing views of the SF skyline!)
- Snap some photos at one of the many murals
- Silver Sprocket (indie bookstore selling authentic zines)
- Explore it all on in style while riding a 70s era VW bus on the San Francisco Love Tour
Where to Stay in Haight-Ashbury
- Luxury: Stanyan Park Hotel
- Budget: The Grove Inn
- Hip: The Metro Hotel
Nob Hill
One of the most upscale neighborhoods in SF, Nob Hill is named after the rich railroad barons, who built massive mansions on the hill and were known as “nobs” (slang for “wealthy or powerful person”).
The 1906 earthquake and fire wiped out much of the area, meaning today’s Nob Hill is a mix of old and new architecture.
The steep grade was difficult to navigate, so the residents installed their cable car line, the California St. R.R. Co., which is still in operation today!
In Nob Hill, you’ll find luxury hotels, fine dining, many tourists riding cable cars, old money, and hip nightlife on Polk Street.
What to Do in Nob Hill
Where to Stay in Nob Hill
- Luxury: Mark Hopkins San Francisco is a gem
- Budget: Cable Car Hotel
Russian Hill
Russian Hill is best known as being home to the world-famous Lombard Street, “the crookedest street in the world.”
While the title isn’t exactly accurate (Lombard is not even the most crookedest street in SF!), the entire area is beautiful!
On clear days, you can see Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay, all from Russian Hill.
Why do they call it Russian Hill?
In the California Gold Rush days, settlers stumbled upon a small Russian cemetery at the top of a hill. The cemetery was later moved, but the name remained, and Russian Hill was born.
What to Do in Russian Hill
- Walk down Lombard Street on foot or take a guided tour.
- Take photos of the “Crookedest Street in the World”
- Ina Coolbrith Park has lovely views of the city
Where to Stay in Russian Hill
- Luxury: See recommendations for Nob Hill.
- Budget: Castle Inn
Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights is exactly what you expect to see in a classic upscale San Francisco neighborhood.
When you see SF in the movies, with colorful Victorian mansions and drastic hills, you’re likely seeing Pacific Heights. Fillmore Street is known for shopping, with a mix of luxury brands and local artists.
This is also where romance writer Danielle Steele lives (in a suitably whimsical Victorian mansion), the house of Mrs. Doubtfire, and other Hollywood moments.
Note: Besides Fillmore Street, Pacific Heights is mostly residential.
What to Do in Pacific Heights
- Vintage and Retro Tour of Pacific Heights
- Billionaire’s Row
- Haas-Lilienthal House (SF’s only Victorian mansion open for tours)
Where to Stay in Pacific Heights
- Luxury: Queen Anne (historic and beautiful- seriously, this hotel is one giant photoshoot)
- Budget: Inn on Broadway
North Beach
Known as Little Italy, the North Beach neighborhood is the center of San Francisco’s Italian community, which means you’ll find deliciously authentic cannoli.
Italian flags wave from lampposts, and authentic gelato shops punctuate every corner. North Beach was once central to the Beatnik culture (hence the Beat Museum and City Lights bookstore).
What to Do in North Beach
- Washington Square
- Coit Tower
- Visit the City Lights Bookstore, especially if you’re a Jack Kerouac fan
- The Beat Museum
- Explore North Beach via Taste Tour
- Get a cannoli in Little Italy
- Gelato. More Gelato
Where to Stay in North Beach
- Luxury: Hotel Boheme
- Budget: Europa Hotel
Presidio
Located inside the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Presidio used to be a military base but is now a public green space.
Fun Facts: George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic, as well as Starfleet Academy in the Star Trek universe, are both located in the Presidio.
What to Do in Presidio
- Sunset at Crissy Field
- Fort Point (for way up-close views of the Golden Gate)
- Golden Gate Park Segway Tour
Beaches with epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge
Where to Stay in Presidio
- Luxury: Hotel Drisco
- Budget: Cable Car Hotel
The Castro District
Ah, The Castro, San Francisco’s vibrant and lively LGBTQ+ neighborhood!
Catch a film at the famous Castro Theatre, a landmark for the neighborhood and Queer communities across the country. Expect rainbow crosswalks, pride flags, a series of gay bars and novelty sex shops, and general gaiety (pun).
What to Do in The Castro
- The Castro Theatre
- Explore The Castro’s queer history via a guided tour
- Pink Triangle Park is a tribute to the gays persecuted in Nazi camps during World War II
- Have a beer at Hi-Tops, San Francisco’s first gay sports bar
Where to Stay in The Castro
- Luxury: Beck’s Motor Lodge or Hotel Kabuki
- Budget: Edwardian Hotel
Neighborhoods in SF: Common Questions
How many neighborhoods does San Francisco have?
The city of San Francisco officially recognizes 36 neighborhoods. The ‘hoods covered in this article are the most famous and significant.
What is the coolest neighborhood in San Francisco?
That’s debatable. Haight-Ashbury is consistently hip; Chinatown always has something going on.
Where is Billionaires Row in San Francisco?
From Alta Vista Park, walk down Jackson Street and take a right at Divisadero, climb two blocks until you hit Broadway. It’s a steep walk, so take your time and stay hydrated.
Where is the hippie area in San Francisco?
That would be the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, the center of the Summer of Love movement. Of all the neighborhoods in SF, this is where you’ll find all the hippie history, food, and fashion.
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Did this guide explain the Neighborhoods of SF? How many of these ‘hoods have you been through?
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