SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE.
Richmond District in San Francisco: 10 Fun Things to Do & See in this Western Neighborhood
by Jill Loeffler •
The Richmond District in San Francisco is a large, diverse, and quiet neighborhood on the western side of the city.
This local district is not as well traveled as many other SF districts. However, you will find lots of fun things to see and do here.
The weather is often cool and a bit windy, so make sure to bring along a jacket for your visit. Read on to learn more about what it's like to visit.
Where is the Richmond District in San Francisco?
The San Francisco Richmond District's eastern borders are Arguello Blvd. and Masonic Ave. It then runs all the way west to Ocean Beach.
On the northern end, you will find Lands End and the Presidio. It borders Golden Gate Park to the south.
In the Richmond District San Francisco map above, I've marked my 10 favorite spots in and around the district. The numbers correspond with the descriptions below.
You'll get an idea of how the district is divided into the Inner Richmond, Central Richmond, and Outer Richmond.
You'll also see the main three bus lines that run through the district. (Skip ahead to how to get here.)
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
10 Things to See & Do in the Richmond District in San Francisco
The SF Richmond District is made up of a few sub-districts, including the Outer Richmond, the Inner Richmond, Central Richmond, Little Russia, Lake Street, and Vista del Mar.
Here are the top things to do in the Richmond District in San Francisco.
1. Golden Gate Park
The southern border of the Richmond District in San Francisco is Golden Gate Park. This 1,000+ acre man-made park houses several large museums, outdoor activities, and trails.
Some of the best stops include the California Academy of Sciences (our most visited museum), the Japanese Tea Garden, and the de Young.
You can also rent bikes for the day or rent a boat to relax on Blue Heron Lake. You could spend all day (or all week) in the park exploring its numerous activities.
Deals on My Favorite Golden Gate Park Activities
>> Learn more about visiting Golden Gate Park
Fun Fact: San Francisco's Golden Gate Park is larger than New York's Central Park! So large, in fact, that it's been home to a herd of bison since 1892.
2. Presidio
The Presidio is another fun place to visit. It's an old army base with lots of outdoors activities just north of the Richmond area in San Francisco. You can do some hiking, soak in the views from its hilltop vistas, or visit one of its museums.
The Presidio is home to the Walt Disney Museum, the National Cemetery, and four works by Andy Goldsworthy. There are also some great places to eat and drink here.
>> Learn more about visiting the Presidio
3. Lincoln Park Golf Course
Thanks to the Richmond District's relatively low density and remote location, it happens to be a great spot for a golf course!
The Lincoln Park Golf Course is inexpensive (for local standards) and has gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the surrounding area.
It's a par 68 course that opened in 1928. This public course in the San Francisco Richmond District is open to all golfers.
4. Lincoln Park Steps
Another fun stop in the Richmond neighborhood in San Francisco is the Lincoln Park Steps. These colorful mosaic steps are at the end of California Street near 32nd Avenue.
The red, orange, blue, and yellow stairs attract visitors from around the world. It's a great stop for that perfect Instagram picture.
>> Learn more about what it's like to visit
Love these colorful stairs? There are many more throughout the city! Discover more than a dozen beautiful stairways in SF.
5. Ocean Beach
At the far western end of the Richmond District in SF, you will find Ocean Beach. This flat beach is where SF meets the Pacific Ocean.
It's a low-key spot where surfers hang out to catch some waves (the waves are small, so it's perfect for beginners) and locals come for some peace and quiet.
It's cool here most of the year, so make sure to bundle up a little before you arrive.
>> Learn more about visiting Ocean Beach
6. Columbarium
The Columbarium is the resting place for thousands of San Francisco residents. It was built in the late 1800s and was well-maintained for a number of years.
However, it was abandoned in 1934 and fell into disrepair after the surrounding cemetery was moved south of the city. The Neptune Society took it over in 1980 and did a great job fixing it up.
Today, this gorgeous building is a wonderful place to visit in the San Francisco Richmond District.
It's beautiful both inside and out with a Neoclassical design, colorful stained-glass windows, and interesting displays for those who have been laid to rest here.
>> Learn more about visiting the Columbarium
7. Neck of the Woods
Head over to one of the hottest live music spots in the Richmond District in SF, Neck of the Woods. This small venue offers live music most nights of the week.
It has a capacity of around 450 and most of it is standing room only.
>> Check out upcoming events and find tickets here
8. Holy Virgin Cathedral
This Russian Orthodox Church is a beauty in the SF Richmond District. The outside features gold-covered domes with richly colored murals.
Inside, you can get a better look at its multicolored stained-glass windows. You can also take a look at its various pieces of art, including the frescoes depicting the Stations of the Cross.
It's open to the public as long as there isn't a mass in session.
9. University of San Francisco
This small but gorgeous campus is another fun visit in the Richmond neighborhood in San Francisco.
This private university (not to be confused with the larger public institute, the University of California at San Francisco, or UCSF) sits on a hill with views all around.
It's a Jesuit school with around 6,000. One of the highlights of this 55-acre campus is St. Ignatius Church.
Fun Fact: The spires on the St. Ignatius Church were once the tallest points in San Francisco, guiding ship captains as they entered the bay. Click here for more on this and other famous churches in SF.
10. Lands End
This is the view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the main trail along Lands End. It's a great hike that you can do year around!If you love the outdoors, you will love this cliffside hiking trail. Set high above the water, this trail is about 1.5 miles long from the Eagles Point trailhead to the Sutro Baths ruins.
The trail has some great heart-pumping ups and downs. You can also stop at several attractions along the way, including the labyrinth, several war memorials, and Mile Rock Beach.
There is also a new visitors center near Sutro Baths that tells you more about the history of the area.
>> More about visiting Lands End
Lands End is just one of many trails in San Francisco with gorgeous views. You'll find fantastic hills, lookout points, and nature areas spread out around the city. Click here to discover more urban hikes around SF.
More Great Ways to See the Best of San Francisco
Best Restaurants in the Richmond District
You will find dozens of great restaurants in the Richmond District in San Francisco, mostly located on Clement Street.
Here are just a few of my favorites. This small selection showcases the amazing cultural diversity of the neighborhood.
Beach Chalet
On the western edge of Golden Gate Park is another trendy spot, the Beach Chalet. This American restaurant offers views of the water and the beach. They have their own brewery, so you can also sample locally crafted brews. (Find additional breweries I love around SF.)
You can also visit the Park Chalet, which offers views of the park. It's on the first level of the Beach Chalet building and it's often easier to get a spot here when the Beach Chalet has a long waiting list.
This is also a fun stop, as it contains the Golden Gate Park visitors center and historic murals.
Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 1000 Great Highway
>> Learn more about what to expect at the Beach and Park Chalet
Hard Knox Cafe
If you love fried chicken and southern soul food, then head over to the Hard Knox Cafe. They serve some amazing blackened catfish and tasty side dishes.
They are open for lunch and dinner daily. 2448 Clement Street
Red Tavern
Eastern European cuisine is what you will find at the Red Tavern. They've made a name for themselves in the Richmond area in San Francisco with traditional dishes such as beef stroganoff, golubtsy, and Viennese schnitzel.
Open for dinner only Monday through Friday, and from 2 pm to 10 pm on weekends. 2229 Clement Street
Burma Superstar
This small Burmese restaurant is a must-visit. They have become famous for their tea-leaf salad, but this isn't the only superstar on their menu.
I also love their Burmese chicken & shrimp casserole (baked in a clay pot), basil chili pork belly, and Burmese-style curry.
They don't take reservations, so be prepared for a wait. Open for lunch and dinner daily. 309 Clement Street
Good Luck Dim Sum
The Inner Richmond District in San Francisco is often referred to as "New Chinatown" due to its abundance of wonderful dim sum and traditional Chinese restaurants. One of my favorites here is Good Luck Dim Sum.
It's a walk-up counter where you select the items from what's available. Dim sum is a combination of small plates with dishes such as steamed buns, BBQ pork puffs, and pork-and-shrimp dumplings. They are inexpensive and you can try a variety of things in one sitting.
If this is your first time, don't hesitate to ask some questions. They are friendly and will help you find something you will enjoy.
Open 8 am to 4:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday. 736 Clement Street
>> Find more great dim sum restaurants around SF
Best Bars in the SF Richmond District
- The Plough and the Stars: Irish bar with live Celtic music most nights of the week, good beers and tasty cocktails. 116 Clement Street
- Richmond Republic Draught House: Bar and restaurant with a great selection of beers on tap, and American comfort food on the menu. 642 Clement Street
- 540 Rogues: Historic local bar with vintage decor, old-school arcade games, and a low-key atmosphere. 540 Clement Street
- Trad'r Sam: Lively Tiki bar with rum-inspired drinks. 6150 Geary Boulevard
- The Blarney Stone Bar: Irish bar and restaurant with good Irish comfort food. 5625 Geary Boulevard
>> Find additional fun bars around SF
>> Find more nightlife options
Weather in the Richmond District in San Francisco
The weather in the Richmond neighborhood in San Francisco is cool and windy most of the year. It's foggy and has the benefit of the cool ocean breezes. You will find it's a little cooler than the neighborhoods to the east.
I recommend bringing along an extra jacket and wearing long pants or long dresses. Visit Amazon for some great options to keep you warm as you explore this interesting district.
Click the links below for more details on what to expect from the weather in SF. Here you will find it about 5 or so degrees cooler than what is mentioned for the averages.
How to Get to the Richmond District in San Francisco
You will find three great Muni bus lines that will take you into the heart of the Richmond District in San Francisco.
1-California: If you plan to head to the northern end to visit places like the Presidio or Land's End, then the 1-California is the best option for you. It runs along California Street and stops every few blocks. It ends near the Lincoln Park Steps at 32nd Avenue.
38-Geary: This is a good, central route for those wanting to end up in the heart of the district. The 38-Geary runs along Geary Boulevard and will get you almost anywhere you need to go in this district. It ends at 48th Avenue near the Lands End Visitors Center.
5-Fulton: The 5-Fulton runs along the southern end of the San Francisco Richmond District. It also borders Golden Gate Park. This is the best option for those heading to the Beach Chalet, Ocean Beach, or the University of San Francisco.
See these bus lines marked on my Richmond District San Francisco map.
If you want to get there more quickly, you can take an Uber or Lyft. Since the Richmond District in SF is so large, the fare will depend on what part of it you're heading to, but usually ranges from $30 to $45.
If you are taking the popular Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, your only stop in this neighborhood is #10 near the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park.
>> Find additional tips for getting around SF
Things to See & Do Nearby
Haight-Ashbury: I'm sure you've heard of the Summer of Love in San Francisco in 1967. The Haight-Ashbury district was the heart of this movement. Here you can learn more about its history, walk past the houses where many famous artists lived, and do some shopping. Learn more about what there is to see and do in the Haight.
Botanical Gardens: Another gem in Golden Gate Park is the Botanical Gardens. It's home to more than 50,000 plants from around the world. Each season, you will find something new in bloom. Learn more about visiting and what you can expect each season.
Conservatory of Flowers: This is another fun stop in Golden Gate Park. The conservatory offers a closer look at plants and flowers from different climates around the world. There are five areas, four of which offer a permanent collection of plants. The fifth is a fun area with rotating exhibits. See pictures and learn more about visiting here.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!