San Francisco is the fourth most populous city in California and the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the larger San Francisco Bay Area. In keeping with its illustrious past, San Francisco continues to be a diverse and exciting community renowned for its steep rolling hills, beautiful views, and its eclectic mix of architecture, neighborhoods and residents. It has a plethora of famous landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Chinatown, and the Castro.

Bernal Heights
Located south of the Mission District, Bernal Heights is renowned for having perhaps the best, warmest weather in the city. With a number of surprisingly affordable Victorian Bernal Heights homes, and other smaller single-family real estate, the area is a haven for young families and largely residential, although a handful of shops, cafes and restaurants have sprung up along Cortland Street. Bernal Heights Park rises above the properties and provides a welcome open space for hikers and nature enthusiasts. It also serves as a popular destination for dog owners, with its off-leash policy.

Castro District
The Castro is well known as a lively, primarily gay district in San Francisco. The Castro is not actually a district, but rather the centerpiece that ties together neighborhoods such as Duboce Triangle, Eureka Valley, Noe Valley, Twin Peaks and Corona Heights. Castro District properties offer access to some of the most colorful and vibrant settings in the city. The area has a number of shops and cafes and boasts a great sense of community. In October, the Castro Street Fair and Halloween celebration welcome all and give the neighborhood a chance to show off its fun, flamboyant culture.

Cow Hollow
Across from the Marina District, south of Lombard Street, lies Cow Hollow. Cow Hollow real estate enjoys access to upscale restaurants and shopping along with a number of fun bars and clubs clustered around Union Street.

Financial District
Some call San Francisco’s downtown Wall Street West because it is ranked as one of the top financial centers in the nation. The Financial District begins at Montgomery Street and extends east towards the Embarcadero, comprising only a few city blocks. The Financial District has a decidedly urban feel to it, and San Francisco Financial District real estate includes upscale high-rise apartment buildings with doormen, pools and other amenities.

Haight Ashbury
The Haight district was immortalized in the 1960s as the center of the hippie movement and a bastion of counter-culture and irreverence. Today, the Gap and Ben & Jerry’s sitting on the corner of Haight and Ashbury Streets are a good indication that things have changed. But while the area has undergone some gentrification, it still stays true to its hippie roots. Haight-Ashbury real estate is located among a number of independent local businesses giving the neighborhood an endearing bohemian feel.

Marina
This hip area of San Francisco is a veritable mecca for young professionals enjoying their initial years out of college. Marina real estate enjoys access to excellent shopping and cafes along Chestnut Street, making Marina the ideal place to enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon. More active residents can head to the Marina Green, a large stretch of grass along the water, popular with runners and latte-sipping dog walkers. The Marina is also home to the popular Palace of Fine Arts, a popular and educational tourist destination

Nob Hill
In the late 19th century, Nob Hill served as an enclave to the original San Francisco elite, and to this day maintains an air of prestige with a rich history and some of the best views of the city. Nob Hill real estate remains located in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city. The area is home to the beautiful Grace Cathedral and also boasts some of the city’s oldest and fanciest hotels, such as the Fairmont and the Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel.

Noe Valley
Fast becoming one of the most desirable places to live in San Francisco, Noe Valley is popular with young couples and families, nestled in the lowland between Twin Peaks and Diamond Heights. Noe Valley real estate ranges from large Victorian and Edwardian homes to row housing and apartments. On weekends, families can be seen on 24th Street, enjoying brunch, sipping chai lattes outside coffee shops or browsing organic food stores.

North Beach
North Beach has historically been an Italian neighborhood and is often known as the Little Italy of the West. While the neighborhood has diversified dramatically, North Beach real estate still offers proximity to a number of fine Italian restaurants and cafes, popular with tourists and locals alike. Apartments line the steep hilly streets, with the park at Washington Square, home of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, serving as the center of the neighborhood. North Beach is also the home of Beach Blanket Babylon, a campy cabaret spoof of pop culture that has sold out shows for 32 consecutive years.

Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights is considered one of the nicest neighborhoods in San Francisco. Pacific Heights real estate includes both huge mansions and luxury apartments. Fillmore Street provides upscale shopping and dining options, while the neighborhood’s numerous parks give the local women an ideal setting to walk their designer dogs. Pacific Heights is also home to many of the city’s top private schools and a number of foreign consulates. A few of the finest parks in the cities and incredible gardens exist all around Pacific Heights.

Presidio Heights
Directly to the west of Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights is a small affluent residential neighborhood consisting of beautiful homes and mansions. Presidio Heights real estate enjoys access to the golf course, open spaces and numerous jogging trails of the Presidio, while Sacramento Street provides fashionable shopping with a number of high-end kid and baby stores.

Richmond
Although maybe not as hip as the more well-known districts of the city, the mostly residential Richmond District has other charming and interesting elements. Richmond District homes range from 1920s duplexes to the most modern of apartment complexes to a few spacious turn-of-the-century Edwardians, often times right next door to one another. The District spans directly north of Golden Gate Park in the northwest corner of San Francisco. Residents of the Richmond District enjoy some of the best valued real estate in the city. The area’s diversity shows in its Russian cathedrals, Asian markets and various popular ethnic restaurants lining Clement Street.

Russian Hill
Russian Hill, with its steep hilly streets and beautiful views, is one of the nicest areas in the city. Russian Hill properties include Edwardian and Victorian apartments, ideal for young couples. With good restaurants and beautiful views of the bay and Alcatraz, Russian Hill is quintessential San Francisco. World-famous Lombard Street twists down the hill to the delight of tourists and the dismay of cab drivers. Just west of North Beach and east of the Marina, Russian Hill offers outstanding views of the San Francisco Bay and downtown.

SOMA
SOMA (South of Market Street) is one of the most cosmopolitan, up-and-coming areas in San Francisco, mixing converted lofts and industrial buildings. With the San Francisco MOMA and some of the best bars and restaurants in the city, SOMA real estate offers access to plenty of things to do. SOMA is also the creative cutting-edge center of the city, home to the majority of graphic arts, design, film and multimedia businesses and more. The dot-com revolution brought thousands of newly constructed lofts and condominiums and a fresh new interest in this neighborhood.

Sea Cliff
North of Richmond, Sea Cliff is a primarily residential district, sitting above the ocean. The huge Sea Cliff homes and perfectly manicured lawns stretch above China Beach and Baker Beach and offer breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands. Many celebrities and the ultra-wealthy looking for Riviera beauty and luxury own magnificent Sea Cliff real estate.

Sunset
Before the 1930s, the Sunset district was made up of Sand Dunes that extended west to Ocean Beach. Now, Sunset properties enjoy one of the largest neighborhoods in San Francisco, close to Ocean Beach and Golden Gate Park. The area enjoys a low crime rate, and Asian markets and restaurants account for a large Asian American population in the neighborhood. The UCSF Medical Center is located in Inner Sunset.

Telegraph Hill
Known for its famous landmark, Coit Tower, a majestic 180-foot tower that sits authoritatively at the top of the hill, Telegraph Hill is a small, quiet district. Telegraph Hill real estate features some of the nicest high-end condos and single-family homes, with spectacular views of the bay and the rest of San Francisco. Telegraph Hill is also home to the infamous Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. With the Financial District to the south, the Embarcadero to the east and North Beach to the west, Telegraph Hill has proximity to some of the finest areas.

Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks consists of two hills in the center of San Francisco, with elevations of nearly 1,000 feet. Low rise apartments and condo complexes make up the majority of Twin Peaks residences. The Twin Peaks and Glen Canyon parks give residents ample open space and recreation trails. Twin Peaks offers some of the most panoramic views of the city and bay. Some real estate on the northern crest of Twin Peaks resemble Spanish villas, while the eastern side is home to many apartment complexes.