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Telegraph Hill
Coit Tower, a 180 foot-tower resembling a fire hose nozzle sits authoritatively on top of Telegraph Hill. The tower, built in 1933, was a gift to the city from Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who requested the monument be built in honor of the firemen at Knickerbocker Engine Company. The hill was originally referred to as "Signal Hill" when a semaphore system was installed to alert residents that a ship was coming through the Golden Gate. In 1850, the Maria Telegraph replaced the semaphore, and the area was officially named Telegraph Hill. By the end of the 19th century, the area was still ethnically diverse with large populations of Irish, Italians, Germans, Spanish and Portuguese. Because the fishing and shipping industries surrounded the hill, the neighborhood had never been home to the wealthy. With the building of Coit Tower, the hill became automobile-accessible. Consequently, Telegraph Hill became an expensive neighborhood for those seeking panoramic views of the bay.
Nob Hill
Nob Hill hosts some of the most elite of San Francisco addresses as well as some of San Francisco's richest history. With the completion of cable car in 1843, the influential and the wealthy moved to Nob Hill. In the late 1800's, major figures of the mining and railroad industries resided in the huge mansions that now make up the Fairmont Hotel, Stoufer Stanford Court, Huntington Hotel and Mark Hopkins Inter-Continental. Today, Grace Cathedral sits beautifully atop the hill with the Fairmont Hotel and the Pacific Union Club nearby. Impressive apartments and flats dot the area. Tayor and Jones streets offer a few select restaurants and shops while the cable car makes its way through the neighborhood, giving it true San Francisco Flavor.
Russian Hill
Steep hills, offering terrific views to the Bay and Alcatraz, houses and other buildings built on the hillside, tall co-op buildings and alley ways all add to the charm and character found on Russian Hill. From Pacific to Bay St. and from Polk Street to Mason. Polk Street is the main commercial street where you can find galleries, coffee shops, specialty stores, ice cream shops and corner groceries.
North Beach
Encompassing Telegraph Hill and parts of Russian Hill, North Beach is known for interesting book stores, espresso bars, fine Italian and Basque food, night life and sausage, wine and cheese shops, as well as a few specialty clothing stores. It was the home of the Beat Generation in the 60s and remains a popular tourist neighborhood.
Cathedral Hill
The New St. Mary's Cathedral tops this hill and is surrounded by finely crafted apartment buildings and retirement residences. The imposing presence of the First Unitarian Church, St. Mark's and St. Paul's help to explain the name of this neighborhood.
Chinatown
The heart of the Chinese community downtown since Cantonese immigrants came as workers during the Gold Rush, Chinatown is filled with colorful produce shops, herbalists, fish and meat markets and continues to be one of the City's most popular tourist destinations. Despite severe discrimination and the Oriental Exclusion Act in the 1880s, Chinese Americans persevered in this neighborhood. Its wooden buildings were destroyed by fire following the 1906 quake and replaced by stone and brick structures.
Civic Center
This is an area of great architectural, social and historical interest. The San Francisco Civic Center, City Hall, the new City Library, Herbst Theater and the War Memorial are all found in this grand area which also contains some failed attempts at urban renewal. The open civic spaces are sometimes home to many of the city's underprivileged and elderly poor. The Tenderloin neighborhood is one of the City's poorest. Community groups work to stabilize the area today, which seems still in the flux of economic pressures and change.
Embarcadero Center
Bordered by Battery, Davis, Sacramento and Pacific Streets, Embarcadero Center is a large complex of residences, shops, movie theaters and offices surrounding landscaped plazas.
Financial District
Much of what is now the densest part of the city was once water. The shoreline was roughly at Montgomery Street and the east west streets ended in wharves. The Wall St. of the West, Montgomery St. and others downtown streets are the financial and corporate headquarters of the City. Some of the best commercial architecture can be found here including skyscrapers and modern condominiums. This area was originally part of the Bay, which extended to Montgomery St. At the time of the Gold Rush, the wharves that extended out into the bay became streets and buildings. Their foundations included the hulks of old sailing vessels! The opulent Sheraton Palace Hotel is here along Market Street which still has the spirit of the original Palace Hotel of 1873.
Fisherman's Wharf
Real fishing boats and restaurants serving fresh crab, historic sailboats and a new walk-through aquarium are here at one of the City's most popular tourist attractions. Go on, grab a boat to visit Alcatraz, or a ferry to Sausalito...
Jackson Square
The largest collection of mid-19th Century brick buildings still standing can be found in this historic district. Because the city was mostly destroyed by fire from the 1906 earthquake, these vital traces of local heritage have been designated an official historic district, with architect and sign control. You'll see interior design shops along with some advertising agencies, world class hotels and restaurants.
North Waterfront
The strip of land from the Ferry building to Fisherman's Wharf has always been considered prime real estate. The condominium complexes on the Northern tip are well maintained, offering excellent views, amenities and a convenient location, including the Golden Gateway which includes some hi-rise offices and condominiums, centered around some elaborately landscaped plazas. Most recently, many loft and condos have been built at is southernmost tip and more are in development.
Polk Gulch
A valley built on an underground river, Polk Gulch includes an interesting mix of restaurants and coffee shops. The first gay neighborhood, it still includes gay bars among other shops and boutiques. Upper Polk Street runs through Russian Hill and houses many condominium buildings and small 2-4 unit buildings.
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