19th Aug 2010
Many faces, many names: the neighborhoods of San Francisco
There are a multitude of areas with San Francisco, all of them with their own unique flavor and feel. Some are more family-friendly while some are just out of this world. Here’s a guide to some of the sites you may encounter.
- The Richmond: Located north of Golden Gate Park, this neighborhood has a Victorian (or faux-Victorian) style and one of the lowest crime-rates. Lake Street is especially pleasant for a walk at almost any time of day.
- The Sunset: This is the mirror-version of the Richmond, and is located south of Golden Gate Park. Although it’s actually in the city, it’s also low-crime, and includes San Francisco’s only natural lake, Lake Merced.
- Bernal Heights: A hidden village at the edge of Mission Valley, Bernal Heights features a variety of tiny markets and cafes, along with some residential areas. It is popular with both young artists and young families looking for a safe area.
- The Castro: Widely known as America’s first and now largest LBGT neighborhood, this area is full of stylish shops and restaurants. Up until 2006, the Halloween in the Castro was one of the area’s biggest celebrations.
- Chinatown: San Francisco also contains the oldest Chinatown in North America, housing the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. It’s a large tourist attraction for its many traditional restaurants and shops. Heading through the streets without a plan can be just as rewarding as mapping out an itinerary (and much easier).
- Deco Ghetto: One of the younger areas of the city, the Deco Ghetto exists in between more well-known areas. It’s known as the Deco Ghetto due to the large amount of Art Deco furniture stores in the area.
- The Haight: A holdover from the swinging sixties, the Haight attracts all sorts of alternative communities, but currently is known for its accomplished dance-music and live DJing scene.