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Hayes
Valley
This is one of the up-and-coming San Francisco neighborhoods.
Located close to downtown, with Franklin and Divisadero at its
east and west boundaries, Hayes Valley has been expanding with
new restaurants and shops. Hayes Street, with its boutiques and
eccentric galleries, is great for browsing and window shopping,
as well as serious shopping and spending.
Before the 1989 earthquake, Hayes Valley was known to have problems
with crime. When the earthquake weakened the nearby Highway 101
freeway, which was then dismantled, the historical, charming,
Hayes Valley emerged. Today, Hayes Valley is experiencing a healthy
influx of new residents.
Noe
Valley
Neighborhood
Link
Nestled in the lowland of Twin Peaks and Diamond Heights, Noe
Valley is a quaint neighborhood, centered around 24th Street,
with its coffee shops, boutiques, bookstores and multitude of
ethnic restaurants. Architecture in Noe Valley is predominantly
Victorian.
Noe Valley is named after Jose de Jesus Noe, a Spanish colonist
who formed the Hyar and Padres colony in 1884. Noe is also the
last Mexican mayor of San Francisco. Numerous Irish and German
immigrants moved into Noe Valley over the years, and the international
influence is evident in the Irish Pubs and the specialty food
stores lining 24th Street.
Twin
Peaks
Neighborhood
Link
Named for two hills reaching approximately 910 feet, Twin Peaks
offers the most panoramic views of the city and bay. Some homes
on the northern crest of Twin Peaks resemble Spanish Villas, while
the eastern side has mainly apartment houses. In recent decades,
the southern slopes have seen development of single-family homes
that face San Bruno Mountain and the ocean. Mt. Davidson, at approximately
940 feet, is the city's highest point and is located just south
of Twin Peaks.
Duboce
Triangle
Beautifully restored Victorian homes line the Duboce Triangle.
Nearby Noe Valley provides public transportation and a lively
24th Street, filled with restaurants, coffee houses, pubs and
boutiques.
Eureka
Valley
Eureka Valley is made up of both flat land and hills. On the lower
slope is the San Francisco's archbishop's headquarters and on
the upper is the dramatic pinnacle known as the Corona Heights.
Glen
Park
On the lower slopes of Diamond Heights, just south of Noe Valley,
sits the charming and quiet neighborhood of Glen Park. Victorians
and architecturally interesting modern homes line Laidley Street.
Coffee shops, bookstores, pizza parlors and boutiques line Chemery
and Diamond streets. The neighborhood feels worlds away from downtown,
but with a BART station at Diamond and Bosworth streets locals
can reach the city centers in 10 minutes.
Glen Parks was once a dairy capital in the 1850's. Today, the
rural area is confined to beautiful Glen Canyon Park, a haven
for dogs, frisbee throwing and picnics.
Haight-Ashbury
Universally known for its 60's flair, Haight Ashbury is still
recognized for its creativity and diversity. Haight Ashbury is
home to colorful Victorians, eclectic shops, sidewalk cafes and
popular nightclubs. In 1870, California Gov. Haight formed the
San Francisco Park Commission to develop Golden Gate Park, which
is adjacent to Ashbury.
Haight Ashbury is also famous for its residence of the past, including
Jerry Garcia, the Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin, to name
a few.
Ashbury
Heights
This beautiful section uphill from the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood
includes a small secluded park, Mt. Olympus, at its summit, as
well as quiet residences. Some contemporary apartment houses can
be found here also. According to city archivist Gladys Hansen,
the area is part of a tract called Ashbury Park, developed in
1911.
Buena
Vista
Baroque mansions and the old St. Joseph's Hospital (now upscale
condominiums) circle a steep hill topped by the beautifully-wooded
Buena Vista Park, with great city and bay views.
Castro
Village
This area houses a number of great restaurants and stores including
funk shops and gay bars. A center of gay life to the city. The
Castro Theater shows some great movies. The houses are beautifully
maintained and restored, many of the Victorian and Edwardian styles.
Clarendon
Heights
The city's second highest mountain offers a perch for large homes
with great views. Tiled roofs and Spanish arches are common in
this area, which still has the luxury of plenty of open space.
Cole
Valley
Running through the Haight area and Ashbury Heights, Cole Valley
boasts great shops, a bakery, bars and restaurants. Tree lined
streets, architecturally interesting properties, public transportation
and good weather make this area very popular.
Corona
Heights
A rocky hill that juts upward in the eastern side of Buena Vista
Hill. Surrounding this hill there is a park and a playground,
a museum as well as duplexes and houses.
Dolores
Heights
Beautiful homes, many mansion like in scale. Perched on the hill
and offering great gardens and views.
Lower
Haight
The section of Haight St. heading into trendy Hayes Valley, the
Lower Haight is home to new housing projects, beautifully-restored
Victorians and a Japanese, Indian and several Thai restaurants.
Some of the best prices for property can still be found here.
Mission
Dolores
The slopes and hills of Dolores St. lined by palm trees, include
exceptional homes and gardens, historic Mission Dolores (dating
back to 1776), a sunny climate and easy access to the Mission
and Noe Valley.
Mount
Olympus
This 570-foot bluff is topped with a mini park, developed with
mostly apartments. There is an impressive platform that for many
years (1887-early 1950's) supported a sculpted female figure until
vandals encouraged its removal.
Parnassus
Heights
On the north-east slope of Mount Sutro and rising up over Haight
Ashbury. The streets are tree lined and most of the houses are
detached and wood shingled. There are a few especially gracious
streets with larger gardens and beautiful view houses.
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