San Francisco
San Francisco Home and Neighborhoods
Housing in San Francisco is a scarce resource. There is a lot of competition for both rental units and homes to purchase. The northern and central neighborhoods are very popular, for good reason. Be sure to check out the eastern and western neighborhoods, too, especially if you have a family.
These are the neighborhoods -- Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, North Beach, Pacific Heights, Nob Hill, etc., that many people have seen in films and TV and which evoke the old charm of San Francisco.
These neighborhoods vary from the elegant and trendy (Cole Valley, Hayes Valley), to the rough, upstart neighborhoods (Tenderloin, NOPA) which are quickly being transformed by new residents. The famous Haight Ashbury neighborhood sits almost directly in the center of the city.
Eastern Neighborhoods
Once decidedly industrial and working class, these neighborhoods have long been home to artists, newcomers to the city, and families seeking sunshine. The Mission, Potrero Hill, and Dogpatch have the vibrant energy of urban creativity, while the South of Market area features some of the City's newest and most convenient neighborhoods. Noe Valley, Glen Park and Bernal Hill are neighborhoods of choice for families.
The Richmond District and the Sunset are spacious neighborhoods along the City’s foggy western edge. With single family homes, good schools, and access to Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach, these neighborhoods are ideal for families and those who love the outdoors.
San Francisco Schools
Public Schools
San Francisco public schools are very high quality and offer a wide variety of programs, including language, arts, and special education. The schools with the highest API scores* tend to be in the northern and western parts of the city. But many schools, all over San Francisco, have seen dramatic improvements in their scores in recent years, and the API score should not be the only criteria for judging a school.
San Francisco is a choice district, and parents of elementary students may apply to any school in the district. Before starting the enrollment process, it is important to visit and to choose the schools that will work best for your children. For information about choosing a school and navigating the enrollment process, see:
Private Schools
San Francisco also has a number of excellent private, parochial, and international schools:
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For a current, comprehensive list of private schools by area, please visit the Independent Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Information about San Francisco’s parochial schools can be found here.
For in-depth information about particular schools, go to GreatSchools.org
Highlights
From high culture to outdoors life, San Francisco truly is a city for everyone.
Arts and Culture
Nature and Science
Shopping and Dining
San Francisco is an amazing town for shopping, dining, browsing, and people watching. A city of neighborhoods, plan to spend time exploring. We recommend the San Francisco Chronicle’s excellent neighborhood guide.
To get you started, try these neighborhoods:
And if you really want to get to know the City, try one of the free walking tours provided by San Francisco City Guides.