San Francisco Neighborhoods

Downtown

Many of the city's most famous places are located downtown near the Bay. Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, North Beach, the Maritime Museum, Chinatown, the Transamerica Building, the Marina District, the Cable Cars, and many other attractions can be found there. Most of the downtown streets follow a straight grid pattern. Market Street cuts diagonally through these streets.

South of Market

The area south of Market (SoMa), especially around 3rd St., has long been known for its factory outlet shopping. In recent years, former warehouses have been renovated into art galleries, popular clubs, and restaurants, turning a once desolate place into a lively night spot area. Still, it's recommended you stay in groups; know where you're going, and take a cab home at night.

Richmond District

To many, the Richmond District is a less hectic and more modern version of Chinatown. It is a solid middle class neighborhood between the Presidio and Lincoln Park on the north, and Golden Gate Park on the south. There is a multitude of excellent Chinese restaurants, fresh vegetable and fish markets, Chinese herb stores, dim sum shops, as well as stores selling woks and other cooking supplies and utensils. And there are many other Asian restaurants as well, serving Burmese, Thai, Korean, Cambodian and other excellent Asian food. Interspersed with these are a variety of other ethnic restaurants, coffee houses, bookstores, Russian and Jewish delis, pizza parlors, and nightclubs. The Richmond district is a solid and comfortable place to eat and visit. Geary boulevard, the main thoroughfare in this district, leads west to the Cliff House, and Ocean Beach.

Mission

Mission Dolores, established in 1776, and nearby Mission Dolores Park are at the heart of this predominantly Latin district, also blended with blacks, Irish, Germans, and Italians. (At one time in history, is was an Irish neighborhood. ) Now primarily Mexican, it has been host to an influx of Central Americans during this past decade, which adds to the vibrant mix of cultures that is reflected in its colorful murals and festivals.

Chinatown

This is one place where it's much easier to take a bus than to look for parking in the crowded, narrow streets. Waverly Place, the street immortalized by the writer Amy Tan, is the site of three temples, Tien Hou at 125, Jeng Sen at 146, and Norras at 109. Grant Avenue and Stockton St are the bustling streets at the center of all the action; with tourist traps selling lots of plastic junky souvenirs, along with other shops selling ginseng, jade and other quality stuff. The most fun part of visiting Chinatown is hunting for a place to eat among the multitude of great choices. Covers 24 city blocks.

North Beach

Once you pass sleazy Broadway Street, you will find a lot worth seeing in hilly North Beach. Along Columbus street, there are excellent Italian restaurants, shops selling funky clothing, clubs and bookstores. Washington Square is at the heart of North Beach. Ornately decorated Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church is at Filbert and Stockton streets, next to Washington Square.

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