South of Market
South of Market (SoMa) is one of the richest historical areas in the city, and, today has a character all on its own. In the early 20th century, the city blocks of SoMa were made larger than those north of Market to facilitate development of the city's industrial, utility and transportation hub. Although the wealthy migrated to Rincon Hill for the views of the bay, the majority of SoMa was to referred to as the "flatlands surrounded by freeways." Author Jack Kerouac describes living and working in SoMa in his story, "Lonesome Traveler," referring to his time as a brakeman at the shipyard in the 1950's.
Today, SoMa is the creative, cutting-edge center of the city, home to the majority of the graphic artists, design, film, multimedia-design business and more. The vibe is funky and high-energy, and, by day, stylish baby-boomers walkl briskly to and from their lot or warehouse offices. Culture abounds in SoMa, with the Yerba Buena Center, the city's modern and beautiful Moscone Convention Center, SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art), the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Ansel Adams Museum of Photography and more. Shopping is plentiful in SoMa with boutiques and specialty stores sprinkled throughout.
By night, SoMa bustles with cool and hip restaurants and nightclubs, many hosting night crawlers until the wee hours of the morning. SoMa has made a reputation for itself, drawing big-name musicians to entertain club-goers.
Residential buildings in SoMa are mostly town homes, flat-style condos, warehouse spaces and lofts, and multi-unit buildings.

South Beach
South Beach encompasses the lively Embarcadero, South Park, the new Pacific Bell Park and the newly constructed Muni Metro extension. The San Francisco Giant's ballpark has transformed the area, bringing clean streets and new cafes to this South of Market neighborhood. The Embarcadero, with its waterfront sidewalks, draws skateboarders, lunchtime joggers and tourists enjoying the bayview.
South Park (off of 2nd Street) was developed in 1852 to resemble a London Square. Today, the area hosts many dot-com companies, design studios and other businesses in the lofts around its green center. Cafes and chic restaurants line South Park as well.
Another San Francisco icon, the Palace Hotel on the corner of Market and New Montgomery streets has been around since 1873. Having been remodeled several times, the hotel has maintained much of its original architecture. The Palace has been host to several high profile guests, including Queen Victoria and many US presidents.

Mission Bay
Neighborhood Link
Mission Bay also known as Mission Rock, Mission Creek and China Basin is a rapidly evolving area of the city, thanks in part to the new San Francisco Giant's stadium. This eclectic neighborhood features san Francisco's houseboat enclave, as well as the Lefty O'Doul drawbridge and a new University of California, San Francisco campus.
Mission Bay affords great city and bay views from its freestanding homes, town houses, flat-style condos, warehouse spaces and lofts, and multi-unit buildings that make up the area. It is hard to beat the convenience and proximity to Highways 80 and 101, as well as the Caltrain Station.

Potrero Hill
A large plateau within the sunshine belt of San Francisco, overlooking the eastern waterfront and downtown San Francisco. Artists and professionals live here. The housing styles range from older family style houses, to architect designed spec houses, to modern condominium complexes. The commercial area offers a few coffee shops and bakery, health food store, library and a few good restaurants.

Bernal Heights
South of the Mission District and bordered by Caesar Chavez/Army Street, Bayshore Boulevard and Alemany Boulevard, Bernal Heights and its pastel-colored houses sits quietly away from the hustle and bustle of Urban San Francisco. Its open-space hill keeps Bernal Heights from straying too far from rural, remaining distantly connected to its farming history. in 1776, this are was deeded to soldier Juan Francisco Bernal and continued for a century to serve as grazing grounds for goats and sheep.

China Basin
Originally dockyards, China Basin is home of the new Pacific Bell Park, a downtown ballpark to replace Candlestick Park. The neighborhoods include warehouses and a hangar like structure, home to design studios and offices.

Dog Patch
Factories and new loft developments stand beside old Victorian homes. Some soul food restaurants can be found here. Packs of dogs apparently inspired the name.

Inner Mission
Neighborhood Link
This area has been a focus of many recent loft developments as well as office buildings. By some it is known as Multi-Media Gulch. Shops and restaurants with a Latino flair are mixed with the Victorians and lofts, interspersed between second-hand furniture stores, and two Bart stations. Mission St. is a bustling commercial street.

Outer Mission
Neighborhood Link
A culturally diverse area, less crowded than the Inner Mission. Mostly single family homes can be found here traditionally home to the working class. This district gave root to a large share of the city's leaders.

South Park
In South Park, cool bohemian lofts and hi-tech companies have replaced the posh homes of the 1860s. Traces of the architectural styles can still be found, which were modeled around this park, on an oval street, on the terrace designs of Georgian England, by John Nash.

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