Neighborhoods According To San Francisco Association of REALTORS®

District 2 is located in central west San Francisco bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Golden Gate Park on the north. It is more commonly recognized as the Sunset District which originally consisted of sand dunes stretching out to the ocean.

It was originally a quiet district until after the construction of the Twin Peaks Tunnel in 1918. Early homes in those days were sometimes created out of abandoned streetcars. You can see a few of those historic homes still standing today!

Most of the buildings were neatly constructed in the mid 1940’s after WWII. You may think all many houses look the same from outside, but you will be surprised at the varying interior architecture, styles and designs that have been introduced to the homes.

The area is one of the foggier districts of San Francisco, yet offers the feel of a cute small town in the middle of the city. The N-Judah and L-Taraval MUNI light rail system lines are nearby, providing convenient access to downtown. Proximity to Golden Gate Park is always a plus as well. The Sunset and Parkside neighborhoods are family-oriented and have a community feeling with modest single-family homes, good schools, and many family-owned businesses. Golden Gate Heights, which rises above the flats, is a little more crafted and characterized by sweeping views, winding streets, and upscale homes.

District 3 is located in the southwestern side of San Francisco, and is one of the last areas of major development. Formally with many horse farms and a horse race track, it evolved into a residential neighborhood with a suburban feel and many great attractions – The San Francisco Zoo, Lake Merced, the Olympic Club, the Lake Merced Golf Club, Stonestown Galleria Mall, and The San Francisco State University campus.

Many of the buildings within the Southwest District are smaller residential properties built before the 1940’s. Easy access to I-280 makes comfortable commuting to Peninsula and South Bay. Ocean Avenue and the Stonestown Galleria Mall are great for shopping. This is an area of the city that hosts comfortable middle-class living with many affordable single family homes as well as well appointed condos for student housing.

District 4 is an area on the southwestern side of Twin Peaks and Mt. Davidson, located in what was once a heavily wooded, scenic expanse of land. Prior to 1918, the area was difficult to access from downtown San Francisco, but the opening of the Twin Peaks Tunnel created an easy commute into the city center.

District 4 has a total of 16 neighborhoods and is considered to be one of the most upscale districts in San Francisco, anchored by the prestigious community of Saint Francis Wood along with Forrest Hill and Balboa Terrace. You will find Mid Century Modern to Mediterranean architecture, and everything in between. Amongst these exclusive neighborhoods, you will find very family-friendly areas like Ingleside Terrace, Sunnyside and Diamond Heights. West Portal is the main shopping district offering MUNI line trains, shopping, restaurants, and is a great spot for locals. The shops at the top of Miraloma Park and on Ocean Ave. are also very convenient and close.

This is an area that feels much more suburban than other older neighborhoods in the city. You will find many gorgeous single family detached homes throughout the area, and easy access to Highways 101 and 280.

One of the most appealing characteristics of San Francisco is its diversity. District 5, commonly referred to as the Central District, can be the most colorful of neighborhoods in that aspect. Being right in the geographic center of the city, it is in many ways the heart of San Francisco, being home to the famous Haight-Ashbury and the Castro, as well as the quiet popular family neighborhoods like Noe Valley.

Another reason for this district being a popular destination for both tourists and locals is that it is sunnier than other parts of the city, sheltered from the famous San Francisco fog. The oldest public park in the city, Buena Vista Park is located in this district as well as Twin Peaks, Mission Dolores Park, and Mission Dolores itself.

Homes are just as diverse as the residents and neighborhoods in the district, ranging from single family homes, flats, apartments, and lofts to condos and the meticulously decorated Victorians in the hillside community of Ashbury Heights, and the wood-shingled homes in nearby Parnassus Heights.

For commuting, Glen Park BART station provides a direct access to downtown as well as many Muni lines, tech shuttles, bike lanes, and easy access to Highways 101 and 280.

District 6 also known as Central North District was once referred to as the Western Addition due to its development immediately west of downtown San Francisco. Having some of the hottest and most popular neighborhoods in the city and easy access to public transportation, District 6 is a fun area to live and explore, attracting both tourists and locals.

As one of the few to survive San Francisco’s devastating 1906 earthquake, the architecture in this district is relatively untouched by time, and offers some of the city’s finest original Victorian houses. The famous “Painted Ladies,” six gorgeous Victorian homes are here, over the edge of Alamo Square Park, featuring some of the best views of downtown San Francisco and beyond.

In contrast, Hayes Valley is a vibrant revitalized neighborhood full of trendy boutiques, popular restaurants, and one of the city’s highest concentrations of condominiums. Lower Pacific Heights offers similarity to Pacific Heights at a slightly more affordable price, and homes in Anza Vista are symbolic for the simple, Bauhaus style.

The northernmost edge of San Francisco is District 7, one of the most desirable areas to live in the city. It offers what many people consider to be “old San Francisco,” the stately dignity of Pacific Heights and the hip and fashionable Marina within its boundaries.

District 7 consists of four prestigious neighborhoods – Cow Hollow, the Marina, Pacific Heights, and Presidio Heights. Real estate in this district includes just about every architectural style that can be found in the city from large single-family homes and luxury condos, to gracious mansions.

These neighborhoods also offer a number of parks including the former military airstrip Crissy Field, Fort Mason, and Marina Green, a 74-acre stretch of grass that has some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, and Alcatraz Island. Natural beauty and wildlife appear alongside some of District 7’s spectacular homes.

District 8, The Northeast District is what visitors expect to see when they think of San Francisco – Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Coit Tower, downtown skyscrapers, cable cars, a great shopping experience in Union Square, and world-class restaurants. District 8 is more, however, than a tourist attraction. This dynamic part of the city is full of history and is one of the primary business and financial centers in the country. It is a cultural center with theaters and the San Francisco Opera and Ballet, the Asian Art Museum, the new San Francisco Public Library building, as well as the governmental center, home to the Supreme Court of California, the Court of Appeals, and City Hall.

Residential real estate in District 8 ranges from unique single-family homes in our Little Italy and North Beach to upscale apartments and condos downtown, and the rich diversity and architectural potential of Tenderloin. Russian Hill is filled with buildings designed by prominent architects and offers elegant homes and outstanding views from the top of the hill. Public transportation is excellent throughout the district, with much of the area being served by cable cars as well as the Muni Metro and BART. The ongoing Central Subway Project will extend the Muni Metro T Third Line to provide a direct transit link between the Bayshore and Mission Bay areas to SOMA, downtown and Chinatown in the near future enhancing public transportation even more in this district.

The central-eastern portion of San Francisco, District 9, is evolving and considered to be one of the most up-and-coming areas in San Francisco. Although some neighborhoods of the district have traditionally been residential, other areas were once home to warehouses, light industry, and shipping yards. AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants and the Mission District are two of the well-known locations.

Being the largest district, each neighborhood has a distinct character; the Mission area is the vibrant and colorful heart of the Latino community. Potrero Hill and Bernal Heights have family-friendly small town atmospheres, while SoMa, South Beach, Yerba Buena, and Mission Bay have edgier city vibes with lofts and condominiums. Dogpatch escaped the destruction of the 1906 earthquake and fire and is the location for some of the oldest homes in San Francisco.

Easy access to Highway 101, I-280, and I-80 make commuting to all points north, south, east, or west straightforward and convenient.

District 10, the most southeastern point of San Francisco is bordered by I-80 and I-280 on the west and the San Francisco Bay to the east. It is historically known as a light industrial and warehouse area, once being home to tanners and navy ships. Most of the neighborhoods are older communities with diverse demographics and hold possibly the largest potential for growth in the city.

Residents also enjoy lots of recreational opportunities. McLaren Park provides tennis and basketball courts, sports fields, jogging and hiking paths, a swimming pool, children’s playgrounds, and a golf course. Other parks are Balboa Park, Cayuga Park, the Crocker Amazon Playground, and the Candlestick Point State Recreation Area.

District 10 is a great place for someone looking to invest in real estate, commercial property, or even buy their first home. Many homes are single family residences and duplexes, most of which were built in the 50’s, and range from owner occupied to rental properties. Bayview feels like it’s own city within San Francisco, while Crocker Amazon, Visitacion Valley, and the Excelsior neighborhoods have more of a suburban character with some of the more reasonably priced homes in San Francisco.