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.

Neighborhoods:

Central Sunset, Golden Gate Heights, Inner Parkside, Outer Parkside, Outer Sunset, Parkside

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.

Neighborhoods:

Balboa Terrace, Diamond Heights, Forest Hill

Forest Hill Extension, Ingleside Terrace, Midtown Terrace, Miraloma Park, Monterey Heights, Mount Davidson Manor, Saint Francis Woods, Sherwood Forest, Sunnyside, West Portal, Westwood Highlands, Westwood Park

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.

Neighborhoods:

Alamo Square, Anza Vista, Hayes Valley, Lower Pacific Heights, North Panhandle, Western Addition

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.

Neighborhoods:

Downtown San Francisco, Financial District – Barbary Coast, Nob Hill, North Beach, North Waterfront, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, Tenderloin, Van Ness – Civic Center

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.

Neighborhoods:

Bayview, Bayview Heights, Candlestick Point, Crocker Amazon, Excelsior, Hunters Point, Little Hollywood, Mission Terrace, Outer Mission, Portola, Silver Terrace, Visitacion Valley