San Francisco Neighborhoods

The city is full of neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs with their own unique feel. Make sure to check out a variety of them to get the true flavor of the area.

Union Square - this "downtown" area is the home of Union Square itself as well as some of the city's best shopping, restaurants and coffee shops.

Chinatown - a must see; filled with authentic Chinese shops, markets, restaurants and tea houses.

North Beach/Little Italy/Telegraph Hill - walking through this district is worth it for the smell of Italian restaurants and bakeries alone. The climb up Telegraph Hill can be touch, but the view is worth it.

Russian Hill - home to the famous Lombard Street.

Fisherman's Wharf - glitzy shops and restaurants make this a touristy, yet fun area to visit. Clear views of the GoldenGate Bridge and Alcatraz add to it's appeal.

Marina/Cow Hollow/Pacific Heights - visit these upscale neighborhoods for streets of trendy shops, restaurants and cafes.

Japantown - similar to China Town, except with Japanese shops and restaurants.

Haights Ashbury - considered the "grunge" section, this is where the Grateful Dead used to practice.

Castro - known for its alternative lifestyles, Castro is colorful with lots of places to dine and drink.

Mission - the Latin section of San Francisco, popular for its restaurants and nightlife, though some feel this is not the safest area at night.

Noe Valley - this quaint section offers a respite from the busier, more urban neighborhoods with its quieter streets filled with shops and restaurants.

Soma - this neighborhood gets its name because it is situated South of Market Street. Filled with ethnic restaurants, it is a great place to head in the evening for dinner and drinks.

Within 20 minutes of the city are the suburbs of Burlingame and San Mateo, each have their own town center with shops and restaurants serving almost any cuisine you can imagine.