Bay Area natives and transplants alike tend to be fiercely loyal to their city, and most San Franciscans would tell you that they could never imagine living anywhere else.  Despite being geographically compact, at only seven by seven square miles, San Francisco has a ton to offer.  A beautiful region filled with iconic landmarks, eclectic mix of architecture, independently owned businesses and trendsetting residents – the city stands to reason that each of its neighborhoods has its own flair, shaped by urban revival, industrialization, high-tech development, and counterculture movements.

Known for its cool summers, fog, steep rolling hills with sweeping vistas, beautiful beaches, year-round free concerts and cultural activities – not to mention a wide range of hip restaurants, swanky coffee shops, craft breweries, urban wineries, and diverse nightlife -  it’s easy to see why so many have been lured by the siren song of the San Francisco Bay Area.

With so many places to call home, each neighborhood exudes its own personality:

The Mission District is one of San Francisco’s oldest and most of-the-moment neighborhoods with Latino roots and a hipster vibe.  Lots of cool factor oozes out of the Mission District - a broad mix of shops from vintage purveyors and boutiques, old-school taquerias, eclectic live-music clubs mix with chef-driven eateries and craft cocktail lounges.

Once a warehouse district filled with factories and shipyards, Potrero Hill/Dogpatch is now home to art studios, trendy eateries, and start-up businesses—many of which are housed in former industrial spaces.

SoMa, or South of Market, is a large neighborhood to the south of downtown. Used to be warehouses and seediness; the area has morphed into charming loft apartments/condos, tech mecca and startups.  It is home to the Giants with great food and drink options.

While Mission Bay may not look like a classic San Francisco neighborhood, this contemporary area is home to professional sport teams, cutting edge medical facilities and gourmet restaurants. A prominent residential community of newer developments offering more outdoor amenities than the high rises in SoMa and Downtown, Mission Bay is the newest neighborhood, and home to Chase Arena - Golden State Warriors.

One of San Francisco’s older neighborhoods, Russian Hill has undergone a bit of a renaissance in recent years. New housing has spruced up the lower part of Polk Street, while many new restaurants and shops have moved into the neighborhood.

North Beach is an Italian neighborhood identified by red, white, and green flags on lamp posts and a growing number of gelato shops.  North Beach also happens to be home to San Francisco’s Red Light and major nightlife districts.

Pacific Heights is one of the most desirable places to live in San Francisco. The neighborhood boasts some of the nicest views in the city (Golden Gate Bridge) and has easy access to The Presidio national park. Additionally, with areas known as "billionaire row," this neighborhood is the most expensive place to live in San Francisco.

And, while nearby, don't miss out on Alamo Square Park in the Western Addition neighborhood, with its famous row of Victorian houses known as the Painted Ladies that you see in postcards, or in the movie, “Full House.”

The Castro is one of the city’s more famous neighborhoods, with historic roots in the gay rights movement and a prominent epicenter for LBGTQ activism. The streets here are vibrant, lined with rainbow flags and home to colorful parades, festivals, and street fairs. Off the main drag are quieter streets lined with some of the city’s most impressive Victorian homes, plenty of outdoor cafes, restaurants, and shops. Many of the neighborhood’s walkable streets are packed with amenities and are home to a diverse range of artists, tech workers, people of all ages, and an overall friendly neighborhood vibe.

Ashbury Haight is another neighborhood with a reputation that precedes it. Known as the birthplace of the 1960s counterculture and the Summer of Love, the Haight is still a place where you can see the Grateful Dead House, listen to a drum circle, and stock up on some overpriced tie-dyed souvenirs.  But the Haight has evolved beyond its hippie roots and is now more prominently divided into Upper Haight and Lower Haight.

Nestled in the northwestern corner of the San Francisco Peninsula, the Richmond District has long a reputation for being one of the city’s most isolated neighborhoods. Richmond has a much younger feel than some of its neighbors due to the heavy student population from the nearby University of San Francisco, and the neighborhood is home to plenty of dive bars and some of the best Asian cuisine in the city. Richmond is notoriously foggy, but the laid-back neighborhood boasts quieter streets than many other city neighborhoods, proximity to the beach, and fewer crowds. 

The Marina sits alongside San Francisco Bay, offering sweeping views of the water and the Golden Gate Bridge. Nestled between Fort Mason, Crissy Field, and the Presidio, offering up some of the most picturesque greenspace of any San Francisco neighborhood. The Marina Green is usually packed with walkers, bikers, and runners, and the surrounding parks and dog-friendly beachfront make the Marina a perfect neighborhood for the outdoors enthusiast or dog owner. 

Tucked away on the far west side is Sunset District.  This section of the city enjoys a tranquil vibe away from the downtown’s rapid pace.  A bit of a foggy enigma and the closest you’ll get to a suburban feel without actually leaving the city’s borders. Located right next to the Pacific Ocean, it is the perfect spot for nature lovers, surfers, families, and professionals. 

Least but not last, for a must-see and best scenic views of San Francisco belongs to Twin Peaks! Located near the geographical center of this enchanted city, Twin Peaks offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic views of all the micro-neighborhoods, the bay, ocean and beyond. This area is popular among professionals and young families, tourists and active outdoor enthusiasts.