With dozens of neighbourhoods to choose from, there are many options when it comes to finding the right neighbourhood to call home in 'Frisco'. Whether it be for its architecture, closeness to nature or cosmopolitan crowd, freshly arrived house hunters are sure to find their ideal home in an area best suited to their needs and lifestyle.
Family-friendly suburbs in San Francisco
For expats moving to San Francisco with children, it will be a priority to be close to good schools. Suburbs with access to open spaces and facilities that cater for children are an added bonus.
Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek is a leafy suburb in the East Bay area of San Francisco. With its green open spaces, sports fields and facilities for extra-curricular pursuits, it's well known for being a family-friendly area.
There is a strong sense of community in Walnut Creek with a number of good public and private schools in the area. The suburb is well connected to San Francisco by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system and bus. There are also a number of bike lanes and trails for cycling enthusiasts.
Novato
Novato, located in the North Bay region of San Francisco, is another great area for expats with children. There are numerous good public schools in the area, as well as several private schools. Novato has an abundance of parks and museums, so there's plenty for families to do. There is also a growing number of chic eateries and boutique fashion stores in the area.
Young and trendy areas in San Francisco
San Francisco is popular with young expats starting careers in the area's famous tech hub, and it has some excellent living options for those that want to be close to the hustle and bustle of the Golden Gate City.
SoMa
South of Market, or SoMa as it is more commonly known, is one of the largest neighbourhoods in San Francisco. The area is dotted with trendy clubs, software headquarters, bars and eateries. It is also close to the Museum of Modern Art.
SoMa’s proximity to the city centre makes it perfect for those who make it a priority to be close to work, and its massive residential blocks and warehouse conversions are popular with young professionals in San Francisco.
There is easy access to the major highways as well as public transportation. This is one of the best areas when it comes to easy access to buses and trains.
Bernal Heights
Full of colourful Victorian houses and often referred to as an urban village, Bernal Heights has become popular with artists, young families and single professionals because of its affordable properties and bohemian charm. The area is brimming with quaint cafes, trendy boutiques and innovative eateries, and there are also regular markets.
There are many accommodation options available in the area, ranging from small studios to larger family homes with gardens.
Luxury living in San Francisco
On average, rental prices in San Francisco are among the most expensive in the US. Although rent in the city is steep in general, for those who want the very best, San Francisco boasts plenty of upper-class neighbourhoods.
Noe Valley
Noe Valley is one of the most sought-after and prosperous suburbs of San Francisco. Many dot-com millionaires have chosen to make the area home, and it is filled with upscale bistros, boutique shops and cosy bookstores.
The hills that surround the valley give the area a feeling of removal from the urban chaos of the city. Properties in Noe Valley are predominantly low-rise Victorian houses, which contributes to the historic charm of the area.
Sea Cliff
For those who want the best sea views in the city and are willing to pay for it, Sea Cliff is the ideal location. In fact, Sea Cliff is the only neighbourhood in San Francisco that touches the ocean at Baker Beach and China Beach.
As well as being close to the sea, residents of Sea Cliff live in close proximity to Lands End, which is part of the Golden Gate National Park. It is also close to a number of San Francisco’s top international schools.
It is an immaculate residential suburb of free-standing properties, and it has a distinct Mediterranean feel. The properties are large and luxurious and generally come with impressive gardens and swimming pools. Rental properties are sought after in Sea Cliff, and expats may find it difficult to secure an apartment here, especially during the summer months.
So you’ve taken that great mental leap and started planning your family’s move to San Francisco. That’s hella awesome. San Francisco is a wonderfully diverse city, and each of its many neighborhoods has a particular flair that would appeal to different tastes and needs. If you’re looking for a home in the city, as opposed to the suburban communities around the Bay Area, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will look over 10 of the city’s most family-friendly neighborhoods, in no particular order, so you can find your way around the listings with more ease. Ready? Here we go with the top 10 family friendly neighborhoods in San Francisco:
Bernal Heights
A whole lot of sun, lively farmers’ markets, tree-lined streets and a bohemian country vibe are some of the great advantages Bernal Heights has to offer. This neighborhood is also known for being especially family-oriented, earning it the nickname “Maternal Heights”. Kid friendly restaurants, numerous parks and 3 major playgrounds make it a perfect choice for a family.
Glen Park
This mostly residential neighborhood is located west of Bernal Heights, on the south end of SF. It attracts many young families who appreciate its peace and quiet, as well as its proximity to safe and accessible transportation. Kids of all ages abound here, and Glen Canyon Park is a wonderful place for them to collect those special childhood memories.
West Portal
A sort of small town within a big city, West Portal offers everything a family needs and is more on the affordable side. It is easily accessible, close to everything, boasts great public and private schools and its homes are quite large and roomy, giving residents more space for their dollar.
Central Richmond
Located between Sea Cliff and Golden Gate Park (and Outer and Inner Richmond), Central Richmond is a colorful family friendly neighborhood. It is home to some prestigious schools like Presidio Middle School and George Washington High and is relatively safe. One more perk: free parking on the street.
Noe Valley
Sunny and central, Noe Valley is located just south of the Castro. Being somewhat of a Pleasantville it has many one family homes, not a common attribute of SF neighborhoods. Restaurants of great diversity line Noe Valley’s 24th street and the stroller brigade has taken complete command of its sidewalks. While some find it to be it too pricey, others maintain that it offers more than enough in return.
Sunnyside
Once a blue collar community, Sunnyside has been significantly gentrified in recent years and now attracts young families and professionals with its education system and raw potential. This peaceful neighborhood enjoys access to two BART stations and interstate 280, another advantage for the commuting house seeker. Ironically, it is not very sunny.
Outer Sunset
Let’s talk numbers. According to San Francisco’s leading magazine 7×7, 30% of Outer Sunset’s households have children, and half of the top 20 ranking schools in SF are located within its limits, plus 2 more or in neighboring Inner Sunset. Those are some cold, hard facts. Top that off with its beachside charm, artsy atmosphere, parks, zoos, and playgrounds and it looks like if this were a competition, we would have a winner.
NoPa
Originally known as Western Addition, this neighborhood’s current name refers to its location- North of the Panhandle. It is considered somewhat of a rising star in the San Francisco real estate market and has been receiving a lot of press in recent years. NoPa enjoys the greatest treasure any neighborhood could benefit from- dedicated and energetic people working ceaselessly to make it a community rather than just another district. Among many other ventures, the NoPa neighborhood association (NOPNA) also facilitates activities for parents and kids to help create community bonds while having lots of neighborly fun.
Potrero Hill
Located on the southeast of SF, Potrero Hill is, at least according to its residents, one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets. Relatively safe and with a friendly vibe, its popularity is growing with young families who are looking to live a quiet family life but not too far from the action.
Laurel Heights
Charming, safe and relatively flat, Laurel Heights is a neighborhood highly desired by families. It is home to several fine education options including award-winning Roosevelt Middle School, and quite close to Golden Gate Park. Famed for its tranquility and orderliness, it might be perceived as quintessential suburbia engulfed by a city – who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?
Is San Francisco a good place to raise a family?
Moving to San Francisco with your family? The Bay Area has tons of family-friendly neighborhoods that offer safe streets, affordable homes, great schools, and children-friendly activities.Where should I live in the Bay Area with kids?
If you have a young family, you will want to consider these neighborhoods:.West Menlo Park. This suburb of San Jose has excellent schools and a suburban feel with coffee shops and parks. ... .Hayward. This city is in Alameda County, in the East Bay region. ... .Monte Sereno. ... .Cupertino. ... .San Pablo. ... .San Ramon..What is a nice suburb of San Francisco?
The East Bay: OAKLAND, Berkeley, and Alameda With popular cities like Berkeley, Oakland, and Alameda, East Bay is a vibrant, artsy, and eclectic mix of neighborhoods. Thanks to gentrification in San Francisco, many artists and musicians now call the East Bay home.What area in San Francisco is the best to live?
Marina and Cow Hollow are the best neighborhoods to live in San Francisco, according to our rankings. The area gets an almost perfect score through all categories and a 41 out of 50 overall.