Pacific Heights
With multi-million dollar mansions
and views of the Bay to match,
Pacific Heights is an easy way
to escape from the urban chaos below.

Potrero Hill
Relax in brilliant sunshine while
watching fog engulf the rest of
the city, in the former 'hood of
OJ Simpson and Seals Stadium.

Russian Hill
This neighborhood got its name
when gold rushers found seven
Cyrillic-inscribed gravestones at
the top of the hill.

SoMa
This former industrial zone is in
a cultural renaissance, with
museums, galleries and
multimedia companies reviving
the area.

The Tenderloin
Repeatedly described in most
tourist guides as "the worst
neighborhood in San Francisco,"
the Tenderloin thrives despite
its bad rap.

Union Square
For those who come to SF
to shop, this is where to start.



Western Addition
Perhaps the most ethnically
and economically diverse
neighborhood in San Francisco,
the Western Addition feels
more like several neighborhoods.

The Mission
Traditionally the Latino quarter of SF,
the Mission is home to artists
and families, and offers a lively nightlife scene.

Nob Hill
The buttoned-up downtown
district is home to an unexpected
abundance of funky shops,
good restaurants and trendy clubs.

Noe Valley
A quaint area where people
know each other's names,
babies rule the sidewalks
and outdoor cafes.

North Beach
Most famous for being home
to the Beat generation, this Italian-
American neighborhood
is the coffee-swilling center of SF.

Outer Richmond
Once dubbed "The Great Sand Waste,"
Outer Richmond has developed into a peaceful neighborhood of restaurants

Outer Sunset / West Portal
Although this southwestern
corner of the city is often ignored in guidebooks.

Bernal Heights
In a city with a Starbucks on
almost every corner, Bernal Heights
remains a progressive and
commercial-free home for artists
and their dogs.

The Castro
Widely known as the gay capital
of the world, this neighborhood
abounds with cafes, shops and nightlife.

Chinatown
Great dim sum, cheap knickknacks
and ornate temples hide in
the small side streets of this
popular destination.


Cole Valley
A quiet neighborhood located near
the Haight, Cole Valley offers a variety
of mom-and-pop stores and more
than a dozen restaurants and cafes.

Deco Ghetto
With a surprising number of cafes,
shops, bars and a brand new
boulevard on the way,
this San Francisco neighborhood
is coming into its own.

Fisherman's Wharf
Scorned by locals, it's packed with
visitors and home to everything from
hole-in-the-wall fisherman's hangouts
to tacky souvenir shops.

Golden Gate Park
This huge expanse of greenery --
stretching from the middle of the
city to the ocean --
has museums, sports and more.


The Haight
Tie-dye, Dead posters, punks,
vintage clothing stores and
bars make up what was once
the home of the Summer of Love.

Hayes Valley
In the past decade, Hayes Valley
has developed into a haven for
haute couture, with trendy
fashion boutiques.

Inner Richmond
Although consistently underappreciated,
this neighborhood is rich with cultural
diversity, great noodle houses
and bargain shopping.

Inner Sunset
Despite gentrification and fog,
it retains the laid-back feeling
of a small town -- one that just
happens to have a funky edge.

The Marina
There are SUVs and a Pottery Barn,
yes, but there are also the
Palace of Fine Arts,
a newly-restored Crissy Field