Relocator’s Guide to San Francisco

San Francisco is a densely populated city, with over 3 million people calling it home. It’s famous for its progressive culture, mild year-round climate, rich food scene, and high cost of living. The housing market is competitive, but the quality of life in the Bay area is well worth the price. If you’re planning to relocate to San Francisco, let this be a guide to your new home.

San Francisco is a city of diverse neighborhoods, each with its own unique character. You’ll want to carefully consider which neighborhood will best fit your personality and lifestyle. If you’re in the market for a luxury home in San Francisco, these are some of the most sought-after neighborhoods.

 

Marina — As its name suggests, the Marina neighborhood offers beautiful views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, but there’s much more to this trendy neighborhood. Popular among millennials, young professionals, and tech workers, Marina has a variety of restaurants, bars, and nightlife. Located on the city’s northern shore, the Marina district is also home to the Palace of Fine Arts with its iconic Greco-Roman-style rotunda.

 

Presidio Heights — Presidio is where you’ll find San Francisco’s most expensive single-family homes; Presidio is named after Presidio Park, a 1500 acre national park located on a former military post. Clement Street in Presidio Heights also has some of the city’s best shopping.

 

Nob Hill — Nob Hill is home to Michelin-starred restaurants and historic homes with panoramic views of the city.
 

Haight-Ashbury — Haight-Ashbury is known for its storied past during the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Iconic figures of that era, including Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, once had homes here. Today, it has a decidedly less rebellious character and is a popular neighborhood for families and young professionals. The neighborhood still retains its vibrant and eclectic personality, however, and you can still find funky vintage shops, colorful Victorian homes, and unique storefronts in Haight-Ashbury.
 

Mission Bay — Located on the east side of San Francisco, Mission Bay hosts the Chase Center, home to the NBA Golden State Warriors. In 2006, the Mission Bay Branch Library was the first new branch of the San Francisco Public Library to open since the 1960s. With a large residential area, Mission Bay offers an urban feel and access to restaurants, parks, and retailers.

Seacliff — Seacliff is known for its waterfront homes with stunning ocean views, including some owned by celebrities and tech moguls.

 

Pacific Heights — Another one of San Francisco’s most prestigious neighborhoods, Pacific Heights is home to some of the biggest and most expensive real estate in the city. For example, “Billionaires Row” is part of this neighborhood. The homes in Pacific Heights range from classic Victorians to  Neo-Baroque, California Mission Revival, Queen Anne, and French Renaissance Revival Château houses. Pacific Heights also boasts plenty of green space, including Lafayette Park. Other neighborhood draws include shopping along Fillmore Street and the variety of fine dining restaurants. 

San Francisco has an entrepreneurial spirit and is home to a number of major corporations and tech companies, including Uber, Lyft, Apple, Salesforce, Wells Fargo, and more. These companies have contributed to the boom in demand for housing in San Francisco.

Housing is competitive in San Francisco, and many homes sell for more than their asking price. The right San Francisco real estate agent can help you find the home of your dreams in the ideal neighborhood at the right price. The right San Francisco realtor will be someone who knows the city’s different neighborhoods and can get access to properties coming soon to the market. Your real estate agent can do the research and the hard work for you to find the perfect San Francisco house, condo, or townhome.

Built in 1900, this chic and modern 4000-square-foot home is flooded with natural light. This Mission District home boasts 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, multiple fireplaces, classic bay windows, a chef’s kitchen, three decks, and that most coveted city luxury — a real backyard.

This gorgeous townhome is located at Mission Bay’s luxury building Madrone. With spa-like amenities, 2.5 bathrooms, a den, and multiple patios, this magnificent two-level condo is an oasis in the midst of the city.

Like any big city, San Francisco’s heavy traffic and scarce parking make driving less than convenient.  If you plan on having a car in the city, you may want to consider living in a neighborhood a little farther from the city’s bustling center. While many of San Francisco’s attractions are within walking distance from your home or office, the hills in this city can be daunting. Fortunately, San Francisco public transit is efficient and reliable. Options include the San Francisco Municipal Railway (“Muni”), Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), the ferry, or cable car.

San Francisco is home to a thriving food culture. Famous for local commodities like Dungeness crab and sourdough bread, San Francisco is also the birthplace of California's farm-to-table movement that has since been adopted all over the U.S. The city is a melting pot of different peoples who have settled in the Bay Area from all over the world, bringing their native cuisines with them. This diversity has contributed to the world-class food scene the city enjoys today.  From Michelin-starred fine dining and iconic restaurants by world-renowned chefs to food trucks and hidden gems in between, you'll never have a boring meal in San Francisco. Here are just a few of the best food spots in the city:

The famous Chez Panisse is widely credited with popularizing farm-to-table dining in the United States. Founded by culinary icon Alice Waters, the Chez Panisse philosophy centers on creating simple, classic dishes using high-quality ingredients based on what is in season. Zuni Cafe is a magnificently understated favorite that makes the simplest things feel special. Their roast chicken is legendary.

Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn offers a prix fixe menu that changes with the seasons. La Taqueria San Francisco in the Mission District is a beloved destination for tacos, burritos, and more. 

The Bay Area has a rich history as the home of many Asian immigrant communities. San Francisco is home to the oldest Chinatown in North America and the largest outside of Asia. Not surprisingly, the City by the Bay has some of the best Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese food you can find on the west coast.  Whether you're in the mood for Sichuan dishes, authentic Cantonese cuisine, dim sum, handmade noodles, or unbeatable dumplings, you can find it all here. Mister Jiu blends Cantonese traditions with western sensibilities in this upscale eatery; for more traditional Chinese fare, House of Nanking has been a Chinatown institution since 1988. Other favorite spots include Dumpling Time, R&G, Chong Qing Xiao Mian, and Bund Shanghai. 

And of course, San Francisco is well known as the home of Ghirardelli Chocolate, pastries from Tartine (and numerous other bakeries), and excellent coffee.

 

The mild, cool weather San Franciscans enjoy year-round make it a great city for nature lovers and those who prefer an active lifestyle. Just outside the city lies Muir Woods National Monument, where visitors can walk the trails among towering redwood trees. Golden Gate Park consists of more than 1000 acres of public land perfect for a picnic, running, biking, archery, horseback riding, and more. The park hosts several annual events like concerts and music festivals. Golden Gate Park is also home to the Japanese Tea Garden, the oldest continuously operating public Japanese garden in North America. Land's End Trail and Marin Headlands are popular hikes that pay off with jaw-dropping views of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the ocean.

In San Francisco, there’s always something to do. If you want to find the best restaurants, high-end shopping, unique shops with storied pasts, cozy cafes, world-renowned art, peaceful recreation, or outdoor adventures, San Francisco has it all.

Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 are popular for shopping, seafood, and the Aquarium of the Bay. Visit the iconic City Lights Booksellers and discover a new favorite writer or poet.

 

 

For arts and culture, visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art or the Legion of Honor Museum. The California Academy of Sciences, located in Golden Gate Park, has a captivating collection of living exhibits.

One of the best things about the Bay Area is its wealth of fresh, local produce, and one of the best ways to spend a morning in San Francisco is browsing its many farmers' markets that are open year-round. The Ferry Building Farmer's Market is the most well-known, but you'll probably be able to find a market close to you selling exceptional quality local produce, baked goods, and more.

San Franciscio is just southwest of Napa Valley wine country, so a day trip to visit one of the over 400 wineries in Napa is a great pastime. You could even double up and make a weekend out of it, visiting Sonoma as well! In addition to delicious wines, you’ll have the opportunity to take in the natural beauty of northern California.

If you’re looking for a longer getaway, Lake Tahoe is just about three and a half hours away and provides breathtaking scenic views with a non-stop nightlife. In the warm months, take a dip in Lake Tahoe itself, one of the deepest lakes in North America. During snowy months, book a stay at one of the nearby mountain resorts and hit the slopes to ski or snowboard.

When you’re ready to relocate, let a San Francisco realtor help with the transition and find you the perfect place to call home. Contact Kara W. Lee today.