San Francisco

San Francisco

 

 

San Francisco is one of the world’s most iconic and influential cities. With the beautiful San Francisco Bay straddled by the instantly recognizable Golden Gate Bridge, SF has long been a mecca for innovators, artists, and entrepreneurs. I’ve lived in several San Francisco neighborhoods, including my current home of Pacific Heights. This endlessly exciting city has an incredible amount to offer, from laidback family-friendly neighborhoods to world-class shopping and dining. This unique and captivating city also features sprawling parks, distinctive hilly streets, and steep staircases leading to mesmerizing views.

 

 

• World-class shopping and dining
• Stunning SF Bay views
• Family-friendly neighborhoods
• Sprawling public parks
  
  

 

Pacific Heights is home for me now. This ridgetop neighborhood features gorgeous homes in close proximity to the beautiful Lafayette and Alta Plaza parks. Pac Heights is also near all of the amazing boutiques and restaurants on Fillmore Street. The neighborhood features charming Victorian and Georgian homes along with grand Mediterranean and French Chateau mansions along the prestigious Gold Coast. 

 

Bordering the Presidio to Pacific Heights’ north, Cow Hollow offers stylish contemporary condos and single-family homes close to great shopping and dining along Fillmore and Union Streets. On the SF Bay waterfront, the Marina District features pretty pastel-colored low-rise homes alongside upscale Chestnut Street and Union Street restaurants and retailers. The Marina District is also home to attractions such as the Palace of Fine Arts. 

 

Russian Hill is a charming neighborhood with elegant Victorian homes along steep streets. Russian Hill’s famously crooked Lombard Street is one of SF’s quirkiest tourist attractions, and much of the neighborhood offers sweeping views over the city and the Bay. Inner Richmond is a relaxed and mostly residential neighborhood with an attractive mix of Edwardian homes, rowhouses, and cottages. Inner Richmond has been called SF’s New Chinatown for its concentration of authentic Asian restaurants. 

 

Dolores Heights is a delightful neighborhood with lush landscaping and colorful Victorian homes. Steep staircases provide spectacular skyline views, while the Twin Peaks insulates Dolores Heights from the famous SF fog. With lots of classic Edwardian and Victorian rowhouses, Noe Valley is one of the most popular neighborhoods in San Francisco for young families. Residents can often be seen pushing strollers between the mom ‘n’ pop stores and cafes lining 24th Street.

 

 

San Francisco is an exciting city with an inexhaustible array of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Fillmore Street is lined with trend-setting boutiques and exceptional restaurants. The eclectic inventory at treasure trove boutique Nest includes antique furniture, vintage books, fine jewelry, unique accessories, and beautiful home décor items. Jackson Fillmore is a local favorite for homemade pasta and other delicious Italian entrees. 

 

Union Street is another premier shopping and dining destination. Highlights here include authentic Southern Italian cooking at Capannina, Mexican cuisine and craft cocktails at Flores, Italian deli eats and specialty groceries at The Italian Homemade Company, and inventive Peruvian-Japanese fusion fare at Kaiyo. 

 

Brunch is a San Francisco tradition, and SF residents all have their favorite go-to spots. Plow in Potrero Hill consistently attracts long lines for its hearty brunch plates feature signature Plow potatoes. 

Noe Valley is teeming with cute boutiques, laidback coffeeshops, and much-loved local restaurants. Favorites include Firefly Restaurant for seasonal farm-to-table meals, La Ciccia for intimate Italian dining, and Hamano Sushi for a memorable omakase dining experience. With views across the SF Bay to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s top tourist destinations. Clam chowder bread bowls from one of Fisherman’s Wharf’s historic seafood shacks are a must-try.

 

 

San Francisco features lots of attractively landscaped parks. The most popular is sprawling Golden Gate Park. Extending over 1,017 acres and attracting around 24 million visitors every year, Golden Gate Park’s many attractions include world-class museums and a beautiful Japanese Tea Garden. Spanning 1,480 acres, the bayfront Presidio is another signature SF greenspace, which is both huge and hugely popular. Attractions here include historic military installations, miles of trails, sandy Baker Beach, and a golf course. 

 

There are lots of smaller parks dotted throughout San Francisco, and the city’s hilly terrain provides many with mesmerizing views. Some of the most popular include Lafayette Park and Alta Plaza Park in Pacific Heights, Mountain Lake Park in Inner Richmond, and Mission Dolores Park at the western edge of the Mission District.

 

 

San Francisco is served by the San Francisco Unified School District.