Overview
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First developed in the late 1800s and significantly built up after the 1906 earthquake, the posh Pacific Heights neighborhood is filled with mansions and town houses worth millions and apartments and flats that also cost a pretty penny to rent. The lovely and quietly classy hilltop district is expensive for good reason: it not only offers dramatic panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay, and the city, but also boasts two excellent parks and a variety of chic boutiques and tasty eateries on Fillmore Street. The upmarket neighborhood is home to a mix of old and new money: here are many of the city's social uppercrust, affluent families, successful young professionals, and even several international consulates. Overall, the general feel of the neighborhood is polished and sophisticated.
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Pacific Heights is a very pretty place to live if you can afford it. Not too much for nightlife going on here, but plenty for day-time activities. Fillmore Street is filled with shops that cater to sophisticated tastes and thick wallets - think fancy European shoes, modern home furnishings, expensive lingerie, etc - but it's also loaded with cafes and parks that don't require you to have a huge budget.
Pac Heights, as it's commonly called, is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in San Francisco, but at least you get what you pay for: Historic Victorians, tree-lined streets, hip shopping, entertainment, and safety. The main drag on Fillmore offers all the services you need plus decent food, a few good coffee houses, and a handful of bars. (For better watering holes, head west a few blocks to Divisadero St. between Pine and Bush.) Japantown, Cow Hollow, Russian Hill, the Tendernob, and Presidio Heights flank the area, and downtown is walkable in about 45 minutes. I love hanging out in Alta Plaza or Lafayette Parks, both of which provide amazing views of the bay and Marin, tennis courts, and plenty of space for dogs to run about.
Many of the San Francisco's social elite reside in the prestigious Pacific Heights, from politicans and businessmen to authors and musicians. The balance of the neighborhood 's population is made up of affluent families and young professionals.
Pacific is a primarily residential neighborhood, with most of the commercial activity (including bars, restaurants, and cafes) found on Fillmore Street, Divisadero Street, and the district's perimeter. Bars are limited in number, but there are many excellent cafes and restaurants.
Bars
In general, the nightlife scene pretty mellow and limited to a handful of bars on Divisadero and Fillmore that also tend to serve food, such as Harry's Bar, Lion Pub, and Solstice. However, Pacific it is relatively easy to reach some other more popular nightlife areas such as the Marina.
Restaurants and Cafes
Pacific Heights residents don't have to leave their neighborhood for delicious dining-out options. Notable restaurants include SPQR, Quince, Fresca, and more low-key affairs like Elite Café and La Mediteranee. Also, with Japantown as a neighbor, Pacific Heights is close to a slew of Japanese restaurants. Fillmore Street has a real café culture, and coffee shops brim with patrons throughout the day. Cafes include The Grove, Bittersweet Chocolate Cafe, La Boulange, Peet's, Coffee Bean, Tully's, Royal Ground, and Starbucks.
Given its jaw-dropping views, peacefully sophisticated atmosphere, and variety of shopping and dining options, Pacific Heights is a wonderful neighborhood to live in. However, prices are very expensive: one-bedrooms start around $1900 but can easily reach $3000, while two-bedrooms go for around $3300-$4500.
Pacific Heights is serviced by the following Muni buses: 1-California, 1BX-California, 3-Jackson, 12-Folsom/Pacific, 24-Divisadero and 22-Fillmore. For routine commuters, a Fast Pass is a wise investment. The $45 monthly pass pays for unlimited rides on Muni, cable cars, and BART within the city.
Craigslist is the tried-and-true way to find apartments in the city, and the competition for units is fierce. Playing aggressively is essential: best practices include bringing your credit report and checkbook for a deposit to the first viewing. Be sure to provide valid information and references, because they will be checked. Another good search tactic is to simply drive around the neighborhood and look for the frequently posted "apartment for rent" signs, which are posted by old-fashioned landlords that don't bother to post on the Internet.
Pacific Heights is relatively pet-friendly and many residents have dogs. The steep hills are a consideration, but on the plus side there are two neighborhood parks where pups can stretch their legs: Lafayette Park and Alta Plaza Park.
Pacific Heights is largely residential, but the parks, shops, spas, and nearby musical venues supply a number of entertainment options.
Parks
Offering gorgeous views, the two parks of Pacific Heights are prime spots for some fresh air fun, regardless of whether your preferred method of relaxing outside involves a book, tennis racquet, scenic picnic, Frisbee, or swing set. Littered with eucalyptus and pine trees, Lafayette Park is bordered by Laguna, Sacramento, Gough and Washington streets. Cross west over Fillmore and you'll reach the terraced Alta Plaza Park, designed by John McLaren--a canny Scotsman and longtime park superintendent of Golden Gate Park. In addition to these parks within Pacific Heights, the Presidio is also nearby, just touching the northwest tip of the neighborhood.
Shopping
If your shopping list includes designer dresses, European shoes, top-notch beauty products, eclectic home furnishings, or vintage threads, the boutiques of Fillmore Street and Sacramento Street will never fail you.
Spa
Pacific Heights is also a significant destination for serious pampering, home several top-notch spas including the International Orange Spa.
Jazz Clubs
For jazzy entertainment you need only skip down Fillmore to Geary and just beyond, where the Fillmore District brings in world-class talent to fantastic jazz clubs such as Yoshi's and the Boom Boom Room.
If your idea of a good time is shopping chic boutiques for clothing, accessories, and home goods and then stopping for refreshment at a cute neighborhood cafe, Fillmore Street is your spot.
The most breathtaking views of the Bay are found on the north side of the hill, from Washington Street and the streets north of it.
Groceries
Pacific Heights has a Whole Foods (at California and Franklin) and a healthy sprinkling of neighborhood markets including Mayflower Market (at Fillmore and Jackson) and Molly Stone's (at California and Steiner). There are also a number of specialty food stores with high-end items. Just west of Pacific is a Trader Joe's (at Masonic and Geary).
Gyms
Pacific Heights has a number of gyms and many yoga and Pilates studios.
24-Hour Fitness Fitlite: California at Fillmore
Pacific Heights Health Club: Pine at Fillmore
Yogic Motion: California at Fillmore
The Mindful Body: California at Broderick
Simply Balanced Pilates Studio: California at Divisadero
Banks
There is a Bank of America on Fillmore at Clay and a Wells Fargo relatively close by at Divisadero and Bush.
Pacific Heights is a safe, affluent, and well-maintained neighborhood, and many families live here. There are two significant parks: Alta Plaza Park and Lafayette Park, both of which have children's playgrounds. A number of elementary, middle school and high schools are located in Pacific Heights, including The Hamlin School, Town School for Boys, San Francisco Waldorf School, Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary School, Stuart Hall for Boys, Newcomer High School, San Francisco University High School, Drew College Preparatory School, Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, Stuart Hall High School, and the Metropolitan Arts and Technology High School. For a complete list of the city's elementary schools, refer to the San Francisco Unified School District homepage
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