10 Best Neighborhoods in San Francisco

As of 2025, a whopping 3.363M residents call metro San Francisco home — and who can blame them? This Bay Area jewel features iconic attractions (looking at you, Golden Gate Bridge!), a lucrative tech scene, spectacular ocean vistas, and the perfect blend of nature recreation and urban entertainment. 

So if the idea of living in San Francisco piques your interest, we get it. But what are the best San Francisco neighborhoods for best enjoying the City by the Bay?

San Francisco has 41 neighborhoods, each with their own diverse character and unique charm. Whether you’re in the market for a beachy enclave, urban center, historic district, or suburban corridor, you’re sure to find it here in The Golden City. This curated list of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco will help you narrow down the right spot for a vibrant new chapter.

How We Chose the Best Neighborhoods in San Francisco

Before we dive into the best San Francisco neighborhoods, first let’s touch on how we made our picks. This guide covers all you need to know about each area, including the type of homes available, housing and rental prices, the average downtown commute time, and any special attributes or standout attractions to help inform your decision. 

Here’s the criteria we used:

• Safest neighborhoods in San Francisco
• Best neighborhoods in San Francisco for families
• Most walkable neighborhoods in San Francisco
• San Francisco neighborhoods with easy commutes
• Affordable neighborhoods in San Francisco
• Richest neighborhoods in San Francisco
• Trendiest neighborhoods in San Francisco
• Culturally diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco
• Best neighborhoods in San Francisco for young professionals
• San Francisco neighborhoods with the coolest attractions

10 Best San Francisco Neighborhoods

A quick word on moving to California — it’s expensive. The median home value in San Francisco is currently $1,295,237 — a 0.6% increase from 2024 — and the average monthly apartment rent is $3,507. Of course, this might fluctuate based on where you put down roots (for instance, rent in Presidio will set you back $5,066 per month, whereas District 8 costs $2,396 per month). But most San Francisco neighborhoods aren’t cheap. 

So, is $70,000 enough to live in San Francisco? Technically, it’s doable if you’re a single person with no kids who earns. However, if you have a partner or at least one child, you will need a higher salary ($104,356 for one adult with one child, or $93,248 for two adults with one child) to accommodate a larger household with more expenses. This is useful to keep in mind as you check out various neighborhoods in San Francisco.

Now for our main event — the 10 best neighborhoods in San Francisco and all the perks they have to offer. Whether you’re moving across the country or from another part of California, these are the areas you’ll want to scope out:

1. Noe Valley: Best for raising a family

• Median home sale price: $2,210,000
• Average one-bedroom apartment rent: $3,257
• Commute to downtown: About a 25-minute drive
• Average walk score: 94
• Don’t miss: Noe Valley Town Square, Twin Peaks, Firefly Restaurant

Named for José de Jesús Noé, the city’s last Mexican alcalde (mayor), Noe Valley is one of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco for families. 

With its quiet, tree-lined streets and warm, sunny microclimate in the shadow of Twin Peaks, this area offers tons of space for children to play outside. The numerous housing options — from preserved Victorian or Edwardian mansions to cozy condos or single-family homes — will suit a variety of budgets, too. 

Noe Valley also attracts families due to its highly-rated public schools such as Alvarado Elementary, which features a Spanish immersion program in all academic courses.

This close-knit community has several fun attractions that cater to all ages and interests. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the playground, athletic courts, and picnic area at Upper Noe Recreation Center. Locals are always milling around the Noe Valley Town Square as well, known for live music concerts, free yoga classes, farmers markets, and storytime events for kids. For a parent’s night out, there’s also Firefly Restaurant, which serves up farm-to-table California cuisine made with the freshest seasonal ingredients.

2. Mission District: Best for trendy urban vibes

• Median home sale price: $1,207,500
• Average one-bedroom apartment rent: $3,350
• Commute to downtown: About a 15-minute drive
• Average walk score: 99
• Don’t miss: Clarion Alley Murals, Foreign Cinema, Mission Dolores Park

Mission District is San Francisco’s oldest neighborhood, thanks to its major claim to fame — the Mission Dolores Chapel, which was built in 1791 and still remains intact today. But historic roots aside, Mission District is one of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco for anyone who wants an authentic urban experience. The walkable streets pulse with eclectic boutiques, cafés, dance clubs, cocktail lounges, and taquerias for a top-notch nightlife scene. Not to mention, it’s just a few miles from Downtown on the easily accessible Muni transit lines.

In terms of housing, you’ll find sleek townhomes, converted Victorian row houses, mixed-use apartments, and artsy industrial lofts. And when you step outside, there’s no shortage of vibrant attractions and infectious creative energy to soak up. 

Wander through the Clarion Alley Murals, a public installation of more than 900 street murals with socially conscious messages. Spend an afternoon at Mission Dolores Park, where sun-bathers can enjoy 16 acres of green space with dramatic skyline views, cultural festivals, and live music performances. Then, treat yourself to a Mediterranean meal and an indie film on the patio of Foreign Cinema. 

3. Bernal Heights: Best for a quiet suburban feel

• Median home sale price: $1,567,500
• Average one-bedroom apartment rent: $3,072
• Commute to downtown: About a 20-minute drive
• Average walk score: 92
• Don’t miss: Bernal Heights Park, Alemany Farmers Market, Pinhole Coffee

With its quaint “village within a city” atmosphere, Bernal Heights stands out as one of the best San Francisco neighborhoods for suburban tranquility. Once called Nanny Goat Hill in reference to the goats that lived on its slopes in the 1800s, Bernal Heights feels like a world away from the bustle of downtown—even though it’s less than five miles up the road. 

This area is known for quaint Craftsman cottages tucked along leafy streets with secret outdoor staircases that offer shortcuts to peaceful hillsides or lush community gardens.

The heartbeat of Bernal Heights is Cortland Avenue, a four-block thoroughfare with small town vibes where the locals gather at independent retailers, eateries, and artisan markets. While you’re there, stroll down the hill to Alemany Farmers Market, the first of its kind in California where San Franciscans have stocked up on fresh, seasonal produce for generations. Finish your day catching the sunset at Bernal Heights Park with scenic trails, off-leash dog areas, and sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay.     

4. Presidio: Best for outdoor enthusiasts

• Median home sale price: $4,423,250
• Average one-bedroom apartment rent: $5,066
• Commute to downtown: About a 25-minute drive
• Average walk score: 92
• Don’t miss: Crissy Field, Baker Beach, The Walt Disney Family Museum

What is the safest area in San Francisco to stay in? Due to its affluent prices and below-average crime rates, Presidio is considered by locals to be an extremely safe place to live. This neighborhood offers some of the city’s most breathtaking nature vistas and thrilling outdoor recreation — it even became an official National Park site in 1994. 

Of course, all of that peace of mind and beauty comes at a price: Presidio is among the more expensive San Francisco neighborhoods with modern townhouses, luxury apartments, renovated historic homes, and sprawling estates nestled beneath Monterey pine trees and other native landscapes.

Presidio is a nature lover’s retreat, with its extensive trail network leading to prime destinations such as Baker Beach for oceanfront strolls or Crissy Field for iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Cyclists flock to this area for 25 miles of bike paths, while families can access outdoor play and picnic areas at the Presidio Tunnel Tops. 

For a dose of both culture and history, this neighborhood is also home to the Walt Disney Family Museum, full of immersive exhibits that chronicle Disney animation’s enduring impact on entertainment. From its diverse attractions to its natural beauty and robust safety, Presidio has something for everyone.

5. Inner Sunset: Best for proximity to the beach

• Median home sale price: $1,650,000
• Average one-bedroom apartment rent: $3,510
• Commute to downtown: About a 25-minute drive
• Average walk score: 96
• Don’t miss: Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park, Arizmendi Bakery

Before the advent of streetcar lines made Inner Sunset a sought-after residential enclave in the early 1900s, this neighborhood was almost entirely covered with rolling sand dunes. Now the area is an urban oasis with a breezy beach town ambiance, featuring sidewalk cafés, colorful storefronts, and misty coastal weather that keeps the locals comfortable all year-round. 

When it comes to housing, Inner Sunset has a variety of options, including low-rise apartments, mid-century modern cottages, and contemporary condos or duplexes.

Due to its unbeatable proximity to Ocean Beach, just a short bike ride or Muni trip away, Inner Sunset is perfect for anyone who wants to live close to the Pacific shore. But that only begins to scratch the surface of all this neighborhood has to offer. It also borders the 1,017-acre Golden Gate Park with a serene Japanese Tea Garden, exotic Botanical Garden, and vibrant Flower Conservatory. And when hunger strikes, residents line up at Arizmendi Bakery, a local institution and worker-owned cooperative, famous for its sourdough crust pizza.

6. Financial District: Best for young professionals

• Median home sale price: $1,320,000
• Average one-bedroom apartment rent: $2,495
• Commute to downtown: Less than a 5-minute drive
• Average walk score: 99
• Don’t miss: Salesforce Park, Union Square, Bix Supper Club  

The Financial District is one of San Francisco’s best neighborhoods for young professionals, with high-rise apartments, design-conscious lofts, and convenient mixed-use buildings that place you in the heart of all the action. 

Built on the ruins of San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake, the Financial District transformed this catastrophic event into an economic opportunity. Almost 120 years later, this neighborhood is still an epicenter of business and finance, buzzing with lucrative corporations, trendy co-working spaces, and ambitious tech startups. Its walkable downtown location also offers easy access to multiple transit lines.

When you’re off the clock, the Financial District has you covered with urban attractions and nightlife hotspots, too. Enjoy a respite from the office at Salesforce Park, an elevated public green space on the San Francisco Transit Center rooftop with lush walking paths, botanical gardens, free exercise classes, and other special events.

Just a short walk away, Union Square offers world-class theaters, restaurants, art galleries, and retail destinations. Back in the Financial District, unwind over craft cocktails, locally sourced entrees, and smooth jazz at Bix Supper Club, an elegant speakeasy tucked into historic Jackson Square.

7. Haight-Ashbury: Best for artists and creatives

• Median home sale price: $1,940,000
• Average one-bedroom apartment rent: $3,313
• Commute to downtown: about a 20-minute drive
• Average walk score: 97
• Don’t miss: Amoeba Music, Haight-Ashbury Street Fair, Wasteland Vintage 

Once home to such rock music legends as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Grateful Dead, Haight-Ashbury is known as the birthplace of the 1967 cultural phenomenon, Summer of Love. Today this neighborhood continues to reflect those free-spirited roots with quirky establishments and psychedelic street murals on every corner.

This enduring “flower power” influence makes Haight-Ashbury an excellent choice for artists and bohemians — even the housing options here are offbeat and eclectic. Think: multicolored Victorian or Edwardian row homes converted into walk-up condos, apartments, and creative maker spaces.  

Life in Haight-Ashbury means artistic freedom, self-expression, and funky retro vibes. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the neighborhood’s entertainment scene. 

Residents love their indie shops like Amoeba Music, one of the world’s largest vinyl record stores, and Wasteland Vintage, a boutique that offers statement fashion pieces and rare consignment finds. 

Each summer, this community also hosts the Haight-Ashbury Street Fair, an annual festival with art vendors, global food stalls, and live performances. For a truly iconic San Francisco experience, Haight-Ashbury is just five minutes away from the Pink Ladies at Alamo Square Park as well. 

8. North Beach: Best for preserved historic charm

• Median home sale price: $958,000
• Average one-bedroom apartment rent: $2,895
• Commute to downtown: about a 10-minute drive
• Average walk score: 99
• Don’t miss: City Lights Bookstore, Vesuvio Café, North Beach Festival

North Beach — aka. San Francisco’s Little Italy — boasts historic charm and nostalgic character, thanks to the restored Italianate-style apartments which echo its immigrant past. North Beach also played a central role in the 1950’s Beat Generation, attracting poets, writers, and societal luminaries who sought inspiration from the hilly streets and smoky cafés this neighborhood is known for. 

A stroll through North Beach is like stepping into a bygone era, with family-owned trattorias, gelato shops, and espresso bars (the artisan roasted pour-overs at Graffeo Coffee are an absolute must) that have been around for generations. 

This San Francisco neighborhood’s major claim to fame is City Lights Bookstore, a landmark of the Beat Generation that helped shape San Francisco’s literary scene. Across the street from City Lights on a corner called Jack Kerouac Alley sits Vesuvio Café, a former beatnik watering hole that’s served top-shelf cocktails for more than 75 years. History buffs will also love the unique counterculture memorabilia at The Beat Museum. Finally, don’t forget to mark your calendar each summer for the North Beach Festival, featuring sidewalk artists, live entertainment, and gourmet Italian-American street food. 

9. Pacific Heights: Best for upscale amenities

• Median home sale price: $2,007,500
• Average one-bedroom apartment rent: $3,657
• Commute to downtown: about a 15-minute drive
• Average walk score: 97
• Don’t miss: Fillmore Street, B. Patisserie, Lyon Street Steps 

What is the nicest neighborhood in San Francisco? That distinction belongs to postcard-worthy Pacific Heights. This elegant enclave features stately Edwardian mansions, as well as modern luxurious condos with sweeping views of Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Fun fact: Due to  its classic architecture and cinematic vistas, many scenes from the movie “Mrs. Doubtfire” were filmed in Pacific Heights. But it’s not just movie-worthy looks that make this neighborhood stand out — the excellent public schools, low crime rates, and upscale ambiance make this area a top choice for families or professionals seeking a mix of both urban convenience and suburban amenities."

There’s no shortage of irresistible attractions to check out in Pacific Heights, too. For some retail therapy, head to Fillmore Street, a lively corridor of specialty restaurants, designer boutiques, nightlife hotspots, and free local events like the Fillmore Jazz Festival. 

Next, treat yourself to a delicate French pastry at the James Beard Award–winning B. Patisserie. Or if you want to take in an uninterrupted city view, climb up the Lyon Street Steps where you’ll see manicured gardens that overlook the downtown skyline and San Francisco Bay.     

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Alt text: A wide avenue in a San Francisco neighborhood, a striking building in the foreground with golden onion-shaped domes

10. Inner Richmond: Best for multicultural diversity

• Median home sale price: $1,645,500
• Average one-bedroom apartment rent: $3,624
• Commute to downtown: about a 20-minute drive
• Average walk score: 95
• Don’t miss: Cinderella Russian Bakery, Clement Street, Park Life

With its distinct multicultural influence and inclusive, community-oriented atmosphere, Inner Richmond is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco. This area draws many Chinese, Korean, Burmese, Russian, and Vietnamese immigrants — in fact, Inner Richmond’s main artery, Clement Street, is often called “The Other Chinatown.” When it comes to housing, you’ll find vintage Edwardian flats, cozy townhomes, urban co-op developments, and quaint single-family houses in a wide range of architectural styles. 

Speaking of Clement Street, no move to Inner Richmond is complete without enjoying the dim sum at Hong Kong Lounge, the noodles at Burma Superstar, and the bamboo parfaits at Kiss of Matcha. Or head over a few blocks to the Cinderella Russian Bakery, a beloved local staple known for its fresh authentic piroshki. 

Inner Richmond is a true foodie heaven, and its creative scene is just as vibrant. Creative types will appreciate the monthly Clement Street Art Walk and the colorful Park Life gallery, which showcases a bold array of handmade clothes, design prints, home décor items, and paintings from diverse local makers. 

Moving to One of SF’s Best Neighborhoods Starts Here

Whether you move to the hip urban Mission District, bohemian Haight-Ashbury, scenic and affluent Presidio, or family-centric Noe Valley, Colonial Van Lines is here to help. With over 50 years of experience in long-distance moving, our team has both the equipment and expertise to make this new transition as smooth as possible. Ready to give your heart to one of these San Francisco neighborhoods? Contact us for a free moving quote today!