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Best San Francisco Districts to Visit: 10 Most Popular
By: Jill Loeffler • Published: December 12, 2017 • Updated: February 11, 2025
The top San Francisco districts are home to some of our best attractions, museums, and other fun things to do. My favorite San Francisco neighborhoods include Chinatown, Civic Center, and Union Square.
More of the best areas to visit in San Francisco include the Haight-Ashbury, Fisherman's Wharf, and North Beach.
Read on for details on the 10 best parts of San Francisco and what you can expect as you explore each one.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
San Francisco Districts Map
In the map below, I highlighted my top 10 picks for the best San Francisco areas to visit in different colors.
I also included neighboring districts, so that you can get an idea of where they are in relation to each other when you hear their names.
1. The Castro
Even the streets are colorful in this district, as seen in this rainbow crosswalk at Castro and 18th Streets.Vibe: Vibrant
This famously colorful and gay district in San Francisco is home to the GLBT Museum, Harvey Milk's old camera shop, and a ton of great bars and restaurants.
This is one of the best San Francisco areas to have brunch, go out dancing at night, or learn more about the history of the queer community.
The Castro begins where Market Street meets Castro and 17th Streets. Heading south from this intersection, you'll find lots of cafes and hangouts. This district lies west of the Mission District and north of Noe Valley.
>> Learn more about the Castro, including what to do, best eats, and how to get there
>> Discover more about the Castro on this popular historic walking tour
2. Chinatown
Vibe: Bustling
SF Chinatown is one of the largest and the oldest Chinese settlement in the US, offering a unique taste of traditional food, goods, and cultural activities.
This is one of the San Francisco districts where you can taste some dim sum, watch how fortune cookies are made, shop for cheap souvenirs, and visit the Buddhist temples.
Chinatown is centrally located and close to the San Francisco downtown districts, just south of North Beach and west of the Financial District.
It can be easily reached by cable car, bus, or light rail. It's also less than a mile's walk north from Union Square.
>> Details on visiting Chinatown
3. Civic Center
The golden dome of SF City Hall is the tallest in the country, beating the dome of the US Capitol by 19 feet.Vibe: Grand (yet gritty)
Civic Center is where you will find our elegant gold-domed City Hall, the center of SF's civic activity.
This is also one of the best districts in San Francisco to enjoy a cultural performance, as it is home to the beautiful and historic Asian Art Museum, Orpheum Theater, Davies Symphony Hall, and War Memorial Opera House.
Civic Center sits on the north side of Market Street, about a mile southwest of Union Square. It is flanked by Hayes Valley to the west and the SoMa District to the east.
This neighborhood has its own BART and light rail station.
>> More tips for visiting the Civic Center
NOTE: The reason why I call the Civic Center vibe "grand yet gritty" is that amidst the beautiful architecture and cultural landmarks exists the unavoidable urban reality of SF's homelessness and social struggles. Just be aware as you explore this area.
4. Fisherman's Wharf
The Fisherman's Wharf sign at Jefferson and Taylor Streets is one of the most recognizable in all of SF.Vibe: Touristy
For many tourists, Fisherman's Wharf is one of the best parts of San Francisco to visit because of its high concentration of attractions and entertainment.
It is from these piers that you'll catch a ferry to Alcatraz and have the chance to try the classic SF dish of clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.
You can head over to Pier 39 to visit the aquarium and watch the sea lions, or Pier 45 to play vintage arcade games at the Musee Mecanique.
And don't forget to shop for chocolates at Ghirardelli Square! The variety of activities and treats you'll find really makes this one of the most popular districts in San Francisco.
Fisherman's Wharf is located along the northeast waterfront of the city, with the Marina District to its west and North Beach to the south.
A scenic cable car ride or bus will take you to this area.
>> Details on visiting Fisherman's Wharf
>> Find tickets to the most popular Bay Cruise on GetYourGuide
>> Great places to eat all around Fisherman's Wharf
5. Haight-Ashbury
Vibe: Bohemian
Many people come to the Haight-Ashbury looking for a taste of the Summer of Love, as this was where the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin called home during the 1960s hippie era.
Today, you'll still find some of that vibe, with brightly painted Victorian homes as well as funky shops and eclectic cafes and restaurants. Ameoba Records is another iconic stop for laid-back music events.
The Haight-Ashbury neighborhood lies just under the Panhandle at the southeast corner of Golden Gate Park. It's bordered by Cole Valley to the south and the Lower Haight to the east.
You can take a Muni bus or the light rail N-Judah train to get here.
>> More about the Haight-Ashbury district
Behind its Historic Homes: In 1906, the Haight-Ashbury was just a suburb of San Francisco. Thanks to its more remote location from the downtown areas that were devastated by fires after the earthquake, this district has more historic Victorians than any other neighborhood in SF.
6. Golden Gate Park
Gorgeous cherry blossoms that add to the beauty of the Japanese Tea Garden each year from mid-March to mid-AprilVibe: Tranquil
Though technically not a district of San Francisco, Golden Gate Park is an extensive recreational area that is popular among locals and visitors alike.
It offers more than 1,000 acres of parks and trails. Also, it contains some of SF's most popular museums and attractions, including the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Fine Arts Museum, and the Japanese Tea Garden.
Golden Gate Park stretches nearly half the city's width, from Ocean Beach on SF's Pacific coast, 50 blocks east to the central Haight-Ashbury District.
Bordering the park to the north and south are the residential neighborhoods the Richmond and the Sunset, also known as "The Avenues," numbered 2 through 48.
>> Things to see and do in Golden Gate Park
>> Check for tickets to the California Academy of Sciences
7. The Marina
The Palace of Fine Arts, now a fixture of the Marina, but originally a temporary installment of the 1915 Panama Pacific ExpositionVibe: Scenic
One of the Marina's crown jewels is the century-old Palace of Fine Arts, with its peaceful lake sitting in front of a beautiful dome with Roman-style columns.
This district has also become hot with its trendy stores on Union and Chestnut streets, great selection of bars and restaurants, the festivals hosted at the Fort Mason events center, and Golden Gate Bridge views.
The Marina District is located along the waterfront on the north side of San Francisco, just east of the Presidio and just west of Fisherman's Wharf. On the neighborhood's southern edge, you'll find the upscale Pacific Heights neighborhood.
You can walk here from the Piers or take a bus.
>> More about visiting the Marina
A Survivor of Quakes: The Palace of Fine Arts is a relic of San Francisco's recovery from the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire, as the 1915 world's fair it was built for helped put SF back on the map.
The Marina also got hit hard during the 1989 Earthquake. Read about the history of the region's second historic quake.
8. North Beach
Vesuvio Cafe, a fun place to grab an interesting cocktail, was the Beat Generation's hangout in the 1950s and 60sVibe: Charming
North Beach is one of the best San Francisco districts for its fascinating history. It originated as SF's Little Italy, where many Italian immigrants were fishermen or restaurant and café owners.
It's also home to Joe DiMaggio and the Beat Generation of the 1950s.
Today, you can enjoy Washington Square Park or its still-thriving Italian cuisine.
North Beach is located in the northeast corner of San Francisco, between Columbus Avenue and the bay. It encompasses the Telegraph Hill area, where you can visit Coit Tower.
This is one of the San Francisco neighborhoods that is easy to access, with Chinatown to the south and Fisherman's Wharf to the north. Russian Hill lies just west of here.
The 30 and 45 buses run through this neighborhood, but you could also take the Powell-Mason cable car for the full SF experience.
>> What to see and do in North Beach
9. South of Market (SoMa)
Catching a San Francisco Giants game at Oracle Park is one of the highlights in the South of Market DistrictVibe: Urban & eclectic
SoMa, the neighborhood south of Market Street, was once mainly full of warehouses and nightclubs, but is now home to several tech companies, new condominiums, restaurants, bars, and the SF Giants' home, Oracle Park.
This is one of the best districts in San Francisco's downtown area for engaging museums, including the SF Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of the African Diaspora, and the Children's Creativity Museum.
It's one of the largest San Francisco districts with several sub-districts, including South Beach and Mission Bay.
Union Square is just on the opposite side of Market Street from the SoMa district, which is bordered to the east by the SF Bay, and to the south by the Mission District, Potrero Hill, and the Dogpatch.
The northern edge of this neighborhood sits along the BART/Muni route, while the eastern side near Oracle Park can be accessed by Caltrain.
Hotel Deals: Are you looking for the perfect place to stay during your visit to the top San Francisco districts? I recommend starting your search on Booking.com. They have a massive selection of hotels with great deals. Find deals and read reviews today!
10. Union Square
One of the artistic Hearts in SF that bring color and life to Union Square while fundraising for SF General HospitalVibe: Cosmopolitan
Union Square is often considered the heart of the city, as it's nestled among the tall buildings and stores of downtown. It is one of the most popular San Francisco districts because of its shopping, hotels, dining, and access to big theater shows.
This is also where you can hop on a cable car at the Powell Street turnaround and head towards Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf.
The actual Union Square is a large plaza located two blocks north of the Powell Street BART/Muni station, where you'll find live entertainment during the summer and ice skating during the winter.
This is one of the most centrally located places in San Francisco.
If you walk about a mile north, you'll hit Chinatown; a mile northeast, the Financial District and the Ferry Building; and just a few blocks south, SoMa attractions like the SFMOMA and Yerba Buena Gardens.
>> More about visiting Union Square
Other Notable Districts in San Francisco
Apart from my list of top 10 SF districts, there are so many popular areas in San Francisco, all of which I love for different reasons. Check out the following:
- The Mission: vibrant Latin culture, colorful murals, great food, trendy bars, nightlife
- The Presidio: hiking trails, breathtaking views, military history, family-friendly activities
- Japantown: Japanese heritage, cultural events, authentic cuisine, peaceful ambiance
- Nob Hill: stunning views, cable cars, luxury hotels, historic landmarks
Tours of the Best Parts of San Francisco
San Francisco Districts FAQ
How Many Districts Are There in San Francisco?
Colloquially, we use the term "district" to refer to our San Francisco neighborhoods, like the ones I've described above.
Depending on who you ask, there are about 100 when you count "sub-districts" and emerging districts that grow with the city.
However, San Francisco has 11 official governmental districts that are each represented by a member of the Board of Supervisors.
What is the Nicest Part of San Francisco?
If we're talking about scenic views and upscale amenities, people often consider the Pacific Heights and Nob Hill neighborhoods to be the nicest parts of San Francisco.
The Marina is another favorite for its boutique shopping and waterfront setting.
More residential San Francisco areas known for their luxurious homes and incredible views include Sea Cliff, Russian Hill, Noe Valley, and Presidio Heights.
Which Are the San Francisco Districts to Avoid?
If you're wondering which San Francisco districts to avoid for safety reasons, the Tenderloin is a rougher neighborhood that sits just between Civic Center and Union Square.
However, you'll find that San Francisco is generally quite friendly and safe. Check out my page on this topic for additional tips.
What is the Best Area to Stay in San Francisco?
Most tourists choose to stay in either Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square for the convenience of being close to the major attractions and transportation options. (Click on the icons below for more details.)
However, others prefer to stay away from the hustle and bustle. There is a wide range of fantastic lodging options in other great San Francisco neighborhoods, from luxury hotels to local Airbnbs to motels with pools and free parking.
You'll find pet-friendly places as well as family-friendly places and youth hostels. Whatever suits your fancy, you'll find it in one of the best districts in San Francisco.
Hi, I'm Jill!
Dreaming of a San Francisco vacation? As a proud local, I'm here to share my insider tips and personal experiences to help you make the most of this iconic city!
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