District 8: Northeast

Concrete steps replace sidewalk in Russian Hill, one of San Francisco’s steepest neighborhoods located on top of one of the “Seven Hills of San Francisco.” This neighborhood exudes an intimate sophistication with its elegant architecture, quaint parks, charming cable cars passing by cozy cafés, and upscale organic markets. Safe and quiet, Russian Hill is known for its family-friendly reputation. Residents of Russian Hill enjoy some of San Francisco’s most-coveted panoramic bay and city views, from the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin, and Alcatraz to Downtown, East Bay, and beyond. While known for its serene, yet uniquely urban, atmosphere, the bustling Polk Street corridor is just minutes away for nightlife, exceptional dining, and shopping. Russian Hill is also home to the iconic “world’s most crookedest street,” Lombard Street (for the record, Vermont Street is a few degrees more crooked, but not as pretty).

Every great American city has its own Italian neighborhood: Manhattan has Little Italy, Boston has the North End… San Francisco has North Beach. In less than one square mile, North Beach packs in a myriad of dining options, thriving nightlife, and some of San Francisco’s best Italian cuisine and gelato. It’s distinctly European atmosphere will have you saying, “I have a feeling we’re not in San Francisco anymore,” while enjoying an espresso and cannoli at one of Columbus Avenue’s many sidewalk cafés. Located on the original Gold Rush coastline, this neighborhood is rich in history. During the Gold Rush, thousands of miners lived and worked in North Beach and the neighboring Barbary Coast, helping transform the small village of Yerba Buena into a thriving city. North Beach was the epicenter of the Beat literary movement of the 1950s and 60s, where some of the generation’s best writers, including Allen Ginsberg, published works through the neighborhood’s iconic City Lights Bookstore. Celebrating both diversity and artistry, this eclectic neighborhood warmly welcomes all with open arms and, of course, a bacio.

Offering incredible views from a picturesque hillside, Telegraph Hill is a classic and timeless San Francisco neighborhood that is loved by locals and visitors alike. At 275 feet above sea level, Telegraph Hill soars above its bordering districts, and exploring this neighborhood requires a bit of a hike up steep sidewalks and steps. Though, anyone who’s been to the top can attest that the uphill climb is worth it. The Filbert Steps trail along the gardens and backyards of this beautiful neighborhood, offering breathtaking views of the bay, city, and islands. Coit Tower, a San Francisco landmark, is located in this neighborhood, and the surrounding greenery is home to a famous flock of wild parrots (yes, you read that right—parrots). Residents enjoy a general sense of safety and calm in this desirable neighborhood. With a ban on chain retailers and restaurants, local boutiques, restaurants and cafés give Telegraph Hill its charm, attracting both locals and tourists to this lovely neighborhood’s Upper Grant commercial district.

The glitz and glamor of old San Francisco comes to mind when one thinks of Nob Hill, where railroad tycoons and wealthy businessmen settled before the 1906 earthquake. Set upon one of San Francisco’s Seven Hills, this neighborhood offers picturesque views of the city from the condos and mansions of working professionals and old-money families. One of San Francisco’s original cable car lines runs right through the heart of Nob Hill, past the Mark Hopkins and Fairmont Hotels. As the sun goes down, Nob Hill’s convenience becomes immediately clear with its many shops, ritzy hotels and buzzing nightlife. The neighborhood is bordered by the Union Square shopping district, North Beach, and Chinatown, providing many additional opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Bustling during the day and calm at night, San Francisco’s Financial District (FiDi) is the city’s main business district and is considered to be the West Coast’s financial and commercial capital; located halfway between London and Tokyo, Seattle and San Diego, many international corporations have strategically headquartered their companies in San Francisco, including Wells Fargo, Gap, Salesforce, and Bechtel. Montgomery Street, the pulse of FiDi, is aptly nicknamed “Wall Street of the West.” While FiDi is a teeming financial hub, it is also a place to call home. The few residences in this neighborhood consist of apartment buildings, lofts, and luxury condos, notably the Ritz-Carlton Club and Residence. Located near many attractions, including the Ferry Building, Bay Bridge, shopping, entertainment, and dining, FiDi is the pulse of San Francisco and a great neighborhood to call home.

One of San Francisco’s most fashionable neighborhoods, Downtown is the city’s main shopping district, complete with mega department stores, various boutiques, haute couture shopping, restaurants, and a Westfield Mall. With no shortage of trendy spots, Union Square can be found at Downtown’s center, an attractive shopping destination for locals and tourists. Throughout the year Union Square hosts private parties, concerts, and other special events including the annual Christmas Tree and Menorah lightings.

San Francisco’s Civic Center neighborhood is home to the impressive beaux-arts City Hall and other local government buildings, including the San Francisco Public Library and Department of Public Health. At the heart of the neighborhood are two plazas, Civic Center Plaza and United Nations Plaza, where a farmers’ market takes place weekly, and other merchants set up shop daily. Redevelopment on the Market Street border, referred to as Mid-Market or New Market, is helping gentrify and clean up Civic Center’s image with new additions including Twitter headquarters and luxury apartment buildings, 100 Van Ness, NEMA and AVA. Both Muni and BART are easily accessible via Civic Center and Van Ness Stations.

Thought of as a gritty neighborhood, San Francisco’s Tenderloin is getting a second shot at life with the help of Lower Nob Hill’s own gentrification and emerging nightlife scene. The Tenderloin is reminiscent of old San Francisco, with much of the architecture dating back to the years just after the 1906 earthquake. While the Tenderloin leaves much to be desired, many of the city’s renters are looking to this affordable neighborhood as an alternative to leaving the city limits of San Francisco.