2017-12-21 17:24:54
Each of San Francisco’s major neighborhoods has its own culture and charm. And some would add, climate. The Mission District is known for its sunny disposition; however, as you get closer to the Pacific, temperatures can drop and fog is common. Here’s an introduction to the city’s most prominent locales. DISCOVER MORE Visit sftravel.com/neighborhoods to learn more about these San Francisco neighborhoods and many others. BAYVIEW Home of the oldest opera house in San Francisco, this area also boasts a vibrant artists’ colony at the old Hunters Point shipyard and scenic nature trails. CASTRO/ NOE VALLEY Find outdoor cafés, unique history and bustling bars in the Castro, known as the “gay capital of the world.” Neighboring Noe Valley is a charming, Victorian neighborhood. CENTRAL MARKET A bustling combination of enterprise zone, tech businesses, arts groups, retail and restaurants, Central Market is undergoing a neighborhood renaissance. CHINATOWN Rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake, San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest in North America. This thriving Chinese American community’s restaurants, gift shops and food markets give it distinct appeal. The pagoda roofs and dragon lampposts serve as great photo backdrops. CIVIC CENTER/ HAYES VALLEY Civic Center is home to some of the city’s largest governmental and cultural institutions, while bustling Hayes Valley has antique and book shops, restaurants, galleries and the SFJAZZ Center. EMBARCADERO/ FINANCIAL DISTRICT Lined with deep-water piers, this historic area boasts views of soaring skyscrapers; the Ferry Building, a public space housing a food hall and farmers market; and the Exploratorium, a future-focused, hands-on learning laboratory. FILLMORE One of the primary incubators for the city’s revitalized music scene, Fillmore is where musical greats like Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington headlined jazz clubs back in the day. Catch a concert at the famed Fillmore music emporium. FISHERMAN’S WHARF The waterfront markets, fishing boats, kitschy souvenir shops and famous sea lions make Fisherman’s Wharf one of San Francisco’s most popular destinations. HAIGHT-ASHBURY The Summer of Love is immortalized in Haight-Ashbury’s vintage clothing, book and record stores, while Alamo Square’s tight formation of Victorian homes is one of the most photographed spots in San Francisco. JAPANTOWN The oldest of only three Japantowns left in the country, the area is packed with cultural gems, including a self-guided history walk and Benkyodo, which has supplied the city with handmade rice confections since 1906. MARINA/ PACIFIC HEIGHTS From the posh plateau of Pacific Heights to the bayside Marina Green, these neighborhoods offer views, scenery and a restored “palace” from 1915. MISSION DISTRICT San Francisco’s oldest neighborhood has hip restaurants, music venues, boutiques, an impressive events calendar and the city’s largest concentration of murals. NOB HILL Known not only as a geographic high point but an economic one, too, with a history of wealthy residents, Nob Hill is now home to luxury hotels, beautiful gardens and impressive homes. NORTH BEACH Rich in Italian heritage, North Beach has Italian restaurants, quaint cafés, cabarets, jazz clubs, galleries, boutiques and gelato parlors. RICHMOND/PRESIDIO Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Presidio has fragrant eucalyptus trees, hiking trails, a campground, visitor center and golf course, while the adjacent Richmond district offers eclectic, local shopping and dining. SOMA/YERBA BUENA This neighborhood is one of the densest neighborhoods for art outside New York and has nightclubs, “pocket parks” and AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. SUNSET/ GOLDEN GATE PARK Affectionately called the “Outside Lands,” as one gets nearer the ocean, the vibe definitely is a blend of surfer chic and shops and restaurants specializing in locally-sourced goods. TREASURE ISLAND Views of downtown San Francisco, several urban wineries, special events and weekend flea markets are the draw to this mid-point for the Bay Bridge. UNION SQUARE Union Square is the center of San Francisco’s shopping scene with art galleries, restaurants and small boutiques, designer shops and name-brand stores.
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