San FranciscoNeighborhoods
Each of San Francisco’s major neighborhoods has its own distinct culture and charm — from shopping around Union Square to dim sum in Chinatown.
![A view of San Francisco from the top of a hill, with an American flag waving in the foreground.](/sites/default/files/styles/hero/public/2022-12/view-of-san-francisco-american-flag.jpg.webp?itok=okokR3t3)
San Francisco
Neighborhoods
Each of San Francisco’s major neighborhoods has its own distinct culture and charm — from shopping around Union Square to dim sum in Chinatown.
![Union Square during the daytime](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-10/union-square-daytime.jpg.webp?itok=HlSW5FJ9)
Union Square
When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping in Union Square. Indeed, in a town with abundant citywide shopping, Union Square is the most renowned source of retail therapy.
![F Line in Fisherman's Wharf](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-10/f-line-fishermans-wharf.jpg.webp?itok=bQwXtZDs)
Fisherman's Wharf
If there's one part of town that visitors — both first-timers and many-timers — equate with San Francisco, it's Fisherman's Wharf.
![SFMOMA next to the Yerba Buena Gardens](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/sfmoma-soma.jpg.webp?itok=MzJNtcsK)
SoMa / Yerba Buena
In the 1970s, industry moved out and artists moved in. Now, SoMa has so much to experience, including the country's most beautiful ballpark.
![North Beach during twilight](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/coit-tower-night-north-beach.jpg.webp?itok=DFelxGsr)
North Beach
Old Italy, the New Deal, memories of Kerouac and the Beats and echoes of the waterfront Bohemianism meet of-the-moment eateries in North Beach.
![Cable car on Nob Hill](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/cable-car-nob-hill.jpg.webp?itok=u5BuD17x)
Nob Hill
Those little cable cars that climb halfway to the stars in Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco’’ are climbing Nob Hill, the historic and iconic neighborhood of San Francisco.
![The Ferry Building at Sunset from the bay.](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/embarcadero-sunset-ferry-building.jpg.webp?itok=VyuBzxsm)
Embarcadero / Financial District
From captains of the high seas to captains of industry, the Embarcadero has often been where people first began their San Francisco journey.
![City Hall illuminated in orange light](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/city-hall-orange-lights.jpg.webp?itok=Vjs0CtWQ)
Civic Center / Hayes Valley
This central city district encompasses everything from stately concert halls and museums to animated restaurants and wide-open public plazas just west of Downtown.
![Palace of Fine Arts at night.](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/palace-of-fine-arts-nightjpg.jpg.webp?itok=dVby35bj)
Marina / Pacific Heights
The Marina's boutiques and restaurants attract a hip, younger crowd, while the views and stately homes of Pacific Heights take your breath away.
![The Peace Pagoda in Japantown](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/japantown-pagoda.jpg.webp?itok=6IllKx35)
Japantown
San Francisco’s Japantown is the oldest in the U.S. From its famous Peace Pagoda to a variety of great eats, learn about this vibrant historic neighborhood.
![Fillmore Jazz Festival](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/fillmore-jazz-festival.jpg.webp?itok=TO-LR62m)
Fillmore
A neighborhood full of music history, fine dining, and upscale shopping, The Fillmore packs more into a few city blocks than you can believe.
![Line Hotel on Market Street](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/line-hotel-central-market.jpg.webp?itok=eBepCuLS)
Mid-Market
A combination of enterprise zones, high tech, arts groups, retail, and restaurants, Mid-Market is witnessing a boom.
![Chinatown Lanterns](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/chinatown-lanterns.jpg.webp?itok=XETF1NGK)
Chinatown
With its pagoda-style architecture, ornate lamp posts, exotic menus and other distinctive elements, a stop here can feel more like a trip abroad than a neighborhood stroll.
![Skateboarder in the Bayview neighborhood.](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/skateboarder-bayview.jpg.webp?itok=nL6-KD5l)
Bayview
Bayview is the sunniest neighborhood in San Francisco, home to 35,000 residents, nesting ospreys and some of the most urban, diverse sights and bites in the city.
![A colorful, large-scale mural covers the side of the Women's Building in San Francisco's Mission District.](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-12/womens-building-mural-mission.jpg.webp?itok=oTkMifnY)
Mission District / Dogpatch
The Mission District is one of San Francisco’s most of-the-moment neighborhoods, packed with trend-setting boutiques, restaurants, and more.
![Aerial of the Castro District](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/castro-aerial.jpg.webp?itok=eK9nKwQb)
Castro / Noe Valley
Regardless of your sexual orientation, no trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to the world-famous Castro District, one of the country's first gay Neighborhoods.
![Haight-Ashbury sign](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/haight-ashbury-sign.jpg.webp?itok=8zsxMMHE)
Haight-Ashbury
Start your Summer of Love experience on the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets, where 1960s flower power blossomed.
![Tulips bloom beneath one of Golden Gate Park's famous windmills.](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/golden-gate-park-windmill-tulips.jpg.webp?itok=YI_-K2XH)
Golden Gate Park / Sunset
Within Golden Gate Park, you'll find lakes, gardens, museums, golf courses and a herd of bison. The Sunset offers a zoo, views of the Pacific Ocean and tasty eats.
![Golden Gate Bridge Presidio](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/Golden-Gate-Bridge-presdio.JPG.webp?itok=iBWQIysT)
Richmond / Presidio
The southern anchor of the Golden Gate Bridge, the verdant, scenic Presidio, artfully reclaimed Crissy Field, and the Civil War-era Fort Point are just a few of the attractions in the northwest corner of town.
![Aerial of Treasure Island](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2_small/public/2022-11/aerial-treasure-island.jpg.webp?itok=n6HpQwmO)
Treasure Island
This gem of an island offers a bustling urban winery scene, terrific music festivals, and photo ops of San Francisco's downtown skyline.
![Cynthia and Jennifer Huie of Chinatown's On Waverly](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2/public/2024-09/sft-heart-chinatown-huie.jpg.webp?itok=SlDHeJD0)
Heart of the City
Take a closer look at some San Francisco neighborhoods and learn why each lays a claim to being the Heart of the City.
贝博体彩app![The Line Hotel](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2/public/2022-10/line-hotel-sf.jpg.webp?itok=LpHAAo6q)
The Best Areas to Stay in San Francisco
There's a lot to see and do in San Francisco. Which is why finding a place to stay that aligns with your plans is crucial. Whether you're a foodie, coming in for an event like Pride, or just want to see the sights, we break down the best areas to stay for different types of travelers.
Find Your Perfect Stay![A group of people, including one person in a wheelchair, is seen from behind as they look at the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands.](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2/public/2022-09/accessible-group-wheelchair-golden-gate-bridge.jpg.webp?itok=VEIZup_U)
Accessible Transportation in San Francisco
Learn how to get around San Francisco easily with accessible transportation options.
Explore![Dancer in the Carnaval celebration](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2/public/2022-11/mission-carnaval.jpg.webp?itok=PiFZ4PGI)
Explore San Francisco's Cultural Districts
San Francisco leads the way in preserving the character, community, and history of its neighborhoods. Visit our city's Cultural Districts and be part of an authentic local experience.
Start Exploring![A lone cypress tree is pictured on a peninsula surrounded by Pacific Ocean and coastal foliage.](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_short/public/2022-11/monterey-lone-cypress-large.jpg.webp?itok=BKyika8S)
Beyond San Francisco
There is so much more to explore beyond the Bay. From Sausalito to Yosemite, discover the amazing places that lie just outside San Francisco city limits.
![The Golden Gate Bridge at sunset with a multicolored sky and the San Francisco Bay in the foreground.](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_3_2/public/2022-08/golden-gate-bridge-bay-sunset.jpg.webp?itok=VaL3AjW2)
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Free Visitor's Guide
Check out our free San Francisco Traveler visitor's guide and learn how to explore the Bay Area like a local.
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