NabeWise

Fabulously foggy Gena Fussell

What was once a collection of mom and pop shops patronized by locals has morphed into a destination neighborhood as people move into the fog of nabes like the Inner Sunset. The neighborhood has a lot going on around the intersection of Ninth Avenue and Irving Street. Nearly every ethnic food offering you could think of is jammed into a few block radius and the food is good too. I’d say the best part about the Inner Sunset is Golden Gate Park. A few block stroll and you’re at the De Young Museum or the arboretum. Great food, easy transport, the park…what more do you need?

Ciao Bella! Gena Fussell

Minus the constant throngs of tourists and cheesy Italian restaurants, North Beach is classic San Fran. There’s nothing like grabbing a coffee and pastry from Cafe Roma and parking on a bench in Washington Square Park for some ultimate people watching. Chinese women practicing Tai Chi in unison or some of the local eccentrics exchanging ideas, North Beach never fails to entertain. Mama’s is a must for brunch and Mario’s nails the panini.

So much to see, so little time Gena Fussell

The St. Francis Hotel, Chanel, Tiffany’s…Union Square is where to find some of the city’s most high end fare. The crowds and tourists can be a bit much at times but an afternoon spent lounging in the square with a cup of coffee and a good book is hard to beat. Street performers usually set up shop here, providing impromptu entertainment. You might catch a glimpse of the silver man, one of my personal favorites. Chinatown, North Beach, SOMA and the FiDi are all within walking distance, so you always have choices in Union Square.

Tiny nabe, big heart Gena Fussell

South Park is one of my favorite micro nabes. It’s tiny but packs in a lot a character and neighborhood flair. On the weekdays, the park is full of people who work in the tech businesses while the weekends are pretty quiet and peaceful here. There are some great cafes and a few boutiques. South Beach and Downtown are walkable as is the ballpark. Overall, a great area but it’s so small that it seems impossible to get your hands on property here.

Getting better all the time Gena Fussell

Portola has some good value but it’s surrounded by really bad areas and has somewhat of a bad rap. If you don’t mind barred windows and gates on your front door, then check this area out because I think it will only get better.

A must do Gena Fussell

It’s hard not to like Nob Hill. It’s beautiful, iconic, picturesque with some of the best views around. Hike up those hills, check out Grace Cathedral and have a drink at the Tonga Room. While living there isn’t an option for most, it’s fun to visit. Nob Hill is quintessential SF and that’s that.

Shop till ya drop Gena Fussell

Stonestown is pretty suburban feeling but it’s a mellow area. It’s right next to SF State and so there is a major student presence here. It’s pretty much dominated by apartment buildings. It’s also a shopping mall, one of the few in the city.

Far and away the best Gena Fussell

Potrero is a must see nabe. It’s far enough away from the hustle of the city so that residents enjoy a little peace and quiet but it’s close enough to access the action. And Potrero has enough action of its own. There are a few amazing restaurants out here and a happening nightlife and music scene. The homes are really charming and most seem well loved. It’s hilly and sunny and gets two thumbs up.

Fix it up Gena Fussell

Oceanview sounds so appealing. You may picture a seaside community but that’s not what this nabe’s about at all. It’s a collection of pretty tattered houses at the border of SF and Daly City. Many of them have freeway views, not ideal but affordable and potential fixer uppers.

Not so Sunnyside Gena Fussell

Sunnyside is not much to look at now but I bet it will turn as people are priced out of other parts of the city and turn to nabes like Sunnyside as options.

The lap of luxury Gena Fussell

It’s difficult to know what to make of a neighborhood that is completely changing the skyline of the city. I preferred the cityscape without the One Rincon high rise towering over the Bay Bridge but there’s no going back now. The luxury apartment lifestyle is totally taking over this part of the city while it’s in full swing in nearby South Beach. Honestly, it’s a bit of a scene.

Stuffy Heights Gena Fussell

Pacific Heights or Pac Heights as people seem to call it is an undeniably lovely nabe where the rich and the richer live. But otherwise, it’s pretty boring and stuffy.

A little slice of heaven Gena Fussell

Ah Telegraph Hill, how I would love to live in one of your adorbale bungalows! This is another one of SF’s classic, iconic neighborhoods. The hill is crowned by Coit Tower, a momument fashioned after the nozzle of a fire hose in commemoration of the firemen who battled the fires after the 1906 earthquake. Telegraph Hill is a major tourist destination, which can create congestion at the top but most tourists miss the staircases that descend its bayside slope. Cruise up and down these and the real character of Telegraph Hill is revealed. Shingled cottages with lush landscaping and killer views. Hard to beat!

Romantic Russian Hill Gena Fussell

Cable cars, views, sunshine…Russian Hill has it all and loads of class too. I’m a big fan of Russian Hill, a neighborhood that for me defines old school San Francisco. There are some great, intimate restaurants and wine bars peppered around the nieghborhood and beautiful homes too. One of my favorite parts about Russian Hill is its network of alleys and staircases that are hard to find but real treats when you do. The views are pretty stunning and often you can see from the Golden Gate to the Bay Bridge. The sound of the cable cars and the fog horns add to the great atmosphere up here.

Apartment City Gena Fussell

Apartments, apartments and more apartments. Park Merced is a little dreary and doesn’t have much in the way of character but it definitely has a sense of community, like the neighbors here watch out for one another. It’s right off of 19th Ave, which is a busy thoroughfare but quickly gets you to the other side of the city.