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san francisco | neighborhoods
Each neighborhood in San Francisco is very distinct, with its own flavor, culture, microclimate, and expectation. To truly experience this fantastic city, you must spend time in each area to discover its treasures; and believe me, there are many. In searching the city looking for a potential landing spot, people generally take into account price range, adjacency to favorite spots, sun versus fog, cultural make up, and architectural style.
District 1
From Laurel Heights to Lake Street, this area contains many cultures, price ranges, the fog, and the former Army Presidio. North of Lake Street next to the Presidio is very exclusive, with homes coming onto the market infrequently and at high prices as does Presidio Heights. The Richmond District is known for its large Russian and Asian populations with tremendous restaurants and shopping to illustrate this. Laurel Heights is home to University of California Extension, directly adjacent to trendy Sacramento Street. Many homes built in the 1920's and 30's in the Richmond, and homes built in the 1950's in Laurel Heights. The architecture include Mediterraneans, Bungalows and Contemporary Styles.
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District 2
This is an enormous section of the city. Comprised of many "Full-Fives" (meaning five room attached homes), the Sunset is full of two bedroom, one bath homes at affordable prices. The Parkside Area is composed of homes boasting more detail than Sunset Homes, with slightly higher prices. Golden Gate Heights is known for its magnificent ocean views. These neighborhoods are known for their fog, fabulous Asian Cuisine, and affordability. Many homes built in the 1930's to the 60's. The architecture includes Mediterraneans and Post-War Contemporary.
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District 3
In this district, there is a huge price differential. Ingleside is more affordable, with more modest homes, while Pine Lake Park, adjacent to Stern Grove, is known for its Parkside like homes (district 2) with higher prices. This district is also home to Stonestown Mall (the Lakeside Area), and is very suburban. Many homes were built starting in the 1940's. Architectural Styles are mainly Post-War Contemporary.
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District 4
Another area with a large differential in home prices. This area is also known for its fog. Sunnyside is the least expensive of these areas, with post war homes boasting quaint detail and access to Interstate 280, allowing a convenient commute to the South Bay. Diamond Heights is mostly an affordable 1970's development of condominiums conveniently located to the Castro and Noe Valley Neighborhoods. Midtown Terrace and Forest Knolls are similar to the post war architecture of the Sunset, but in many cases have views, and maintain affordability. Miraloma, Sherwood Forest, Forest Hill Extension, Westwood Highlands, and Westwood Park are areas known for their quaint homes, detail and views, at affordable prices. St. Francis Wood, Balboa Terrace and Forest Hill are known for their larger, detached homes, detail, and higher prices. West Portal is a wonderful commercial hub with great restaurants, public transportation access, and affordable homes with architectural detail.
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District 5
Home to the Castro, Upper Market and Noe Valley, this district is a terrific, walkable neighborhood with many amenities. Desirable for the sun, quaint neighborhoods, public transportation and affordability, it is a very popular area. Glen Park and Noe Valley are convenient to both freeway access and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). Clarendon Heights and Buena Vista Park has larger and more expensive homes, Upper Market and Eureka Valley house a significant gay population with the trendy Castro Street Shops being its hub. Cole Valley and the Haight have a bohemian flare to them with many unusual shops. The Duboce Triangle is a transition zone, being strategically located between the Lower Haight and the Castro, creating a good opportunity to buy a home.
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District 6
If you have seen the Painted Ladies on Alamo Square with the City Skyline in the background, you have been in district 6. This is an interesting area, in that there are areas of great transition with great potential. Lower Pacific Heights, the Western Addition, and the North Panhandle are full of unit buildings with architectural integrity and potential for owner occupancy of rental property and condominium conversion. Hayes Valley is already trendy, has great shops and restaurants and is well located at the center of the City for convenient freeway and public transportation access. Alamo Square has many large, expensive, architecturally significant homes surrounding it.
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District 7
Immortalized by the movie "Pacific Heights", this area is the home to that neighborhood. This area is also know for its high prices, but has a wide range of property types, from condos to multiple units; the prices for each vary just as much. This neighborhood truly has lots to offer, with sun, trendy shopping areas, night life, and great restaurants.
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District 8
Downtown San Francisco. Also varied in price and architectural style, if you want to be in the center of things, this is the place to be. Home to Nob Hill, Russian Hill, North Beach and the Financial District, you are only a short walk away from where you want to be. Please note that the short walk will usually be up and down significant hills.
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District 9
Home to the Mission District and South of Market (SOMA), lots of technology money is poring into this neighborhood. Lofts are being built in SOMA to accommodate the influx of urbanites, and homes are being bought and remodeled in Bernal Heights as people get priced out of Noe Valley and Glen Park. The Mission is known for its large Hispanic population, sun, Cinco De Mayo, and wonderful restaurants.
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District 10
One of the most affordable area of San Francisco, it is the future home of San Francisco's new ball park. Of note, Little Hollywood is a small area of unique homes with detail and Visitacion Valley is an area of post war homes with south hills views.
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