Living in San Francisco

Living in San Francisco

Living in San Francisco exposes you to a diverse mixture of people, arts, food, and entertainment – all in a compact and scenic area. San Francisco, with a population of around 750,000, sticks out into San Francisco Bay like a thumb, surrounded on three sides by water. Founded in 1776 by Spanish settlers, the city grew rapidly during the Gold Rush of 1848. Today, the "City by the Bay" is known for its temperate, albeit foggy, weather; its rich ethnic diversity; and as the "Wall Street of the West."

San Francisco Neighborhoods

San Francisco is made up of a series of interesting and unique neighborhoods. Among the most popular living in San Francisco are:

• Chinatown – Still the center of Chinese culture in the Bay Area, Chinatown is home to excellent dim sum restaurants, colorful markets, and a maze of winding side streets.
• The Haight – Famous (infamous?) for its hippie past, the Haight today is filled with charming Victorian homes and a diverse mixture of shops, restaurants, and nightclubs.
• Marina District – Located at the edge of the bay, this trendy neighborhood houses historic Fort Mason, one of the country's best vegetarian restaurants (Greens), and the Palace of Fine Arts.
• Pacific Heights – Sporting million dollar mansions and sweeping bay views, it's a lovely neighborhood to visit, even if you can't afford to live there.
• North Beach – This is San Francisco's traditional Italian neighborhood, home to Italian bakeries, the City Lights Bookstore, and the cathedral where Marilyn and Joe got married.
• The Mission – This thriving Hispanic community was San Francisco's first neighborhood and is evolving into a cultural mix of that includes a variety of fun, chic, interesting and often upscale stores and restaurants.
• The Castro – Often called the "Gay Capital of the World," it is home to an eclectic collection of eateries, shops, and entertainment options.

Living in San Francisco is Shopping

Shoppers in San Francisco have a myriad of choices. Among them are the big department stores around Union Square, the interesting boutiques and quirky shops on Union Street; the tourist-friendly shops at Fisherman's Wharf; and the Italian bakeries, bookstores, and shops in the city's North Beach neighborhood.

Let our list of articles be your guide to living in San Francisco.