May 31, 2024
7 min read
The Best Neighborhoods to Visit in San Francisco
From historic areas aging as well as a Napa Cabernet to the cultural enclaves throughout the city, these are the best areas to stay in San Francisco. Whether you were a flower-child resident in the '70s or you've only seen the Golden Gate Bridge in Full House re-runs, we've got you covered. There's a lot of information out there, so we've pulled together everything you need to know about San Francisco's best neighborhoods from the travel mavens we all know and trust.
The Castro
The Castro is one of the most famed gayborhoods in the world and is a hip area with great nightlife.
"The iconic Victorian homes around the present-day Castro neighborhood of San Francisco were built in the late 1800s… [and] the Castro become arguably the epicenter for the LGBTQ+ movement in America…Today, that queer identity that has long defined the Castro District is itself a tourist attraction…and the neighborhood always guarantees a good time." -
SF Gate"…this character-laden neighborhood is now an enclave for the gay and lesbian community…the Castro bustles with great bars and restaurants, not to mention fabulous specialty shops. Each year, it also hosts San Francisco Pride, the Castro Street Fair and the San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival." -
USA Today
Chinatown
San Francisco's Chinatown is filled with amazing food and shopping and is near city landmarks.
"Born during the California Gold Rush years, it dates back further than any other Chinese community in North America and, spanning 30 city blocks, it’s also the largest neighborhood of its kind outside Asia. The neighborhood is lively, densely populated, and—with its shops and eateries, temples and alleyways—it draws millions of visitors." -
Conde Nast Traveler"...the neighborhood offers architectural and historical importance—and serves as a testament to the enduring immigrant spirit and cultural diversity that defines the city. Today, visitors can experience tradition, history, modernity, and innovation thanks to a recent uptick in new restaurants and shops." -
Time Out Haight-Ashbury (Upper Haight)
The Haight-Ashbury area is a hip gayborhood, and home to great food, shopping, and city landmarks.
"The Upper Haight, or “Haight-Ashbury” as the tourists call it, gave us the Summer of Love and the Grateful Dead and still represents all of that 50+ years later. And at the end of Haight Street is where the iconic Golden Gate Park begins, spanning over 1,000 acres of museums, gardens, lakes, and history." -
Thrillist"Today, Haight-Ashbury remains a vibrant area and meeting point of the eclectic, and is home to colour-popping Victorian houses, quirky vintage shops and the world’s largest independent record store." -
The Independent
Hayes Valley
Hayes Valley is an upscale residential area, popular with locals for its nightlife and food scenes.
"Hayes Valley is one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods. Patricia’s Green serves as a mini town square, a small patch of grass where friends gather and dogs play. The main stretch of Hayes Street is dotted with clothing and jewelry stores... From there, it’s a short stroll away from San Francisco’s arts district." -
Time Out"Hayes Valley’s transformation started back in 2003…citizens succeeded in taking down the Central Freeway that had divided their neighborhood…The mix of creative boutiques and shops makes for a very stroll-able shopping neighborhood, not to mention what’s become one of the best food scenes in the city." -
Goop
Marina/Cow Hollow
The Marina District and neighboring Cow Hollow are hip upscale residential areas home to great food, shopping, nightlife, city landmarks, and many locals for the slew of offerings.
"Popular with tourists and locals alike for its glorious views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands, the neighborhood has ample open spaces to enjoy and great eateries and bars." -
SF Gate"...home to a lot of young professionals, fitness studios, and athleisure wear shops, but it’s also a gorgeous part of the city with outdoor spaces, waterfront views, and top-tier bars, restaurants, and shopping." -
ThrillistThe Mission
The Mission neighborhood is a hip foodie area, with a great nightlife scene.
"The Mission is one of SF’s most popular neighborhoods thanks to its warmer and sunnier climate, copious amounts of diverse eating and drinking establishments, its arts and music scene, and Dolores Park (one of the city’s most frequented parks)." -
Thrillist"From the authentic Mexican food to the music to the unparallelled density of bars, the Mission is one of San Francisco’s most vibrant—not to mention sunniest—neighborhoods. Valencia Street is lined with restaurants and boutiques, while Mission Street, running parallel, boasts the best tacos and burritos around." -
Time Out"The Mission's famous street art, which spills out of alleys, splashes across the exterior of grocery stores and bodegas, and covers homes, is one of its most pronounced characteristics. Some pieces are commissioned, others more spontaneous, but all of it contributes to the neighborhood’s character." -
Conde Nast TravelerFor more Mission recs from Safara and others, check out Redfin's
11 Unique Things to Do in San Francisco, CA: Tips from Locals.
Nob Hill
Nob Hill is a hip residential area, popular with locals for its proximity to the city center and historical charm.
"One of San Francisco’s signature neighborhoods, Nob Hill is best known for its landmarks and luxurious hotels. Yet the home of Grace Cathedral and the Fairmont Hotel also has wonderful restaurants, a beautiful park, and an eclectic mix of specialty shops. Parts of the neighborhood are frozen in a bygone age of glamour..." -
Culture Trip"The neighborhood climbs from Van Ness on one side and then back down to Powell Street on the other, and up from Bush Street down to Broadway. This is one of San Francisco's most historic neighborhoods, full of gorgeous sites and fabulous hotels and restaurants to luxuriate in." -
SF GateNorth Beach
North Beach has a famous food scene and locals love the nightlife.
"North Beach is home to San Francisco’s Little Italy—but there’s much more to the neighborhood than just Italian restaurants. Whether you’re looking for Neapolitan pizza or perfect patatas bravas and croquetas, you have lots of great options on and around Columbus Ave." -
The Infatuation"[North Beach] celebrates cafe (and bar) culture like no other part of town. Here dozens of Italian restaurants and coffeehouses brim with activity…A stroll along Columbus Avenue will take you past the eclectic cafes, delis, bookstores, bakeries, and coffee shops that give North Beach its Italian-bohemian character." -
Frommer's
Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights is a residential area in San Francisco, loved by locals for its upscale charm and proximity to the Bay and central SF.
"…Quintessential San Francisco, from the Victorian-lined streets, which offer views all the way the Bay, to the picturesque Lyon Street steps…Fillmore Street is loaded with designer boutiques, while hikers can wander to the Presidio, the neighborhood’s western edge… [which] contains three hundred acres of protected eucalyptus, pine, and cypress forests…" -
Time Out"…the wealthy district survived the 1906 earthquake, and its Victorian and Edwardian homes along Union Street now house hip boutiques, antique shops and cafes. Here you'll find the city's second-largest concentration of upscale shopping. While you're sightseeing, check out Spreckels Mansion, Haas-Lilienthal Mansion and the homes on Broadway." -
USA TodaySoMa (South of Market)
SoMa is a hip area home to many businesses and has a great food and nightlife scene.
"A cultural, sports and culinary hub, the SoMa district and surrounding area lays claim to numerous museums and famous restaurants…the Ferry Building..is just one of the many culinary delights — including coffee shops, restaurants, bakeries and patisseries, a chocolatier, butcher shops and more — to experience at this landmark building." -
SF Gate"It’s an area where both the San Francisco Giants slam baseballs into the sea, only to be scooped up by hovercrafts, and where queer folks spent decades dancing at the now-defunct Stud on 9th Street, sweating away their cares... The food south of Market Street is no less varied and wonderful." -
Eater"Thanks to its smattering of nightclubs and galleries (not to mention the grande dame museum, SFMOMA), the neighbourhood maintains its arty edge – whether you're in the mood to sample fine wine and ogle rare art or throw back some local beers and dance till dawn…SoMa makes a convenient home base for exploring the city." -
Time Out 
Union Square
Union Square, an area in Downtown SF, is home to businesses and shopping.
"In the past 100 years, Union Square has undergone one of the biggest makeovers in Bay Area history. Surrounded on all sides by tall buildings, the square is where the city’s grand past merges with its sleek future." -
Time Out"…the district is generally acknowledged as the city's main shopping haven… Restaurants and theaters are also found here, as is convenient garage parking. Transportation is easily accessible, and public concerts are an occasional diversion. Even better, the busy district affords great people-watching." -
USA Today
Mission Bay
Mission Bay is an upscale residential area loved by locals for its proximity to businesses, the Chase Center, and Oracle Park.
"Mission Bay is the city's "newest" neighborhood where construction continues at a rapid pace. It's a relaxed, park-filled, walkable area that often feels like a quiet suburb in a big city. The neighborhood includes the NBA's Golden State Warriors and many UCSF hospitals." -
Fodor's Travel"The Mission Bay neighborhood is one of the most dynamic areas in San Francisco…Walk to Spark Social for breakfast. Arguably the neighborhood’s most well-known food outlet is this collection of food trucks and permanent stalls…Sweat it out with a long walk or go whole hog with a kayaking trip…Catch a Warriors game or concert at Chase Center." -
EaterDogpatch
The Dogpatch is a hip area, home to many businesses.
"The Dogpatch, a neighborhood of repurposed industrial buildings on the easternmost edge of the city, has become a destination for a diverse creative class. The main drag along Third Street… You’ll find shops for gourmet food…as well as housewares, accessories and gifts. But despite its hipster charms, the Dogpatch maintains an edgy, thriving art scene." -
Time Out"Dogpatch is serene, lowkey, and truly one of the city's best hidden gem neighborhoods for a trendy waterside community. Formerly a shipyard, many of the wartime remnants of machinery and warehouses have been restored and revamped, decorating the Dogpatch with some admirable architecture among its luxury shops and chill dive bars." -
SF Mag
Japantown
San Francisco's Japantown has a famous food and shopping scene, and the strong community is home to many locals.
"More sedate and secluded than SF’s Chinatown... Japantown still packs a hefty cultural punch, keeping its national spirit alive not just with annual community events and festivities but every day, in its authentic outlets, where you can feast on the best ramen and shabu-shabu in the city, and buy your fill of imported manga, anime and all things kawaii (cute)." -
The Independent"San Francisco’s Japantown is one of the few districts in the city whose unwitting cool has survived the second tech boom, its cherry blossom–lined plaza, octogenarian shopkeepers, and hole-in-the-wall noodle and sushi spots still as authentic as ever." -
Conde Nast Traveler"The oldest and largest Japanese community in the US, SF's Japantown originated after the city's devastating 1906 earthquake and fire…During World War Two, the US government forced Japanese Americans from their homes and into internment camps… Despite hardships, including a fight against urban renewal, Japantown prevailed." -
BBC
