Welcome to San Francisco
Comfortable climate, rich with culture, and the tech capital of the world
San Francisco is for the creative, the ambitious, and the bold. The bustling city offers a little bit of everything for everyone. No matter what hobbies or cultural activities you are into, you can probably find them in downtown San Francisco.
What to Love
- Full of beautiful street art and murals
- One of the best cities for foodies
- Lots of street performers
- A vibrant culture unlike any other American city
- A great city for those who like to have fun on the water
Local Lifestyle
San Francisco is well known for being a tech hub and the home of counter-culture. While this reputation is well deserved, there is much more to the city. For starters, you will have no shortage of finding fun things to do. San Francisco is full of history, art, sidewalk cafes, and endless summer fairs.
San Francisco is also great for nature lovers. There are plenty of hiking trails within reach of the city. Golden Gate Park is popular both with locals and tourists, and some consider it to be the best park in America. If you want to enjoy the bay, windsurfing and paddle boarding are popular options.
Dining, Entertainment, Shopping
Every local in San Francisco knows about the
House of Prime Rib. The restaurant serves English-style Prime Rib and traditional cocktails. Getting a reservation can be tough, so be sure to plan in advance.
If you want to do a little shopping and dining,
Union Square is an excellent place to spend a weekend afternoon. The square contains boutiques, department stores, upscale restaurants, and luxury hotels.
San Francisco has no shortage of historical landmarks, but the
Ferry Building may be our favorite. 100 years ago, the Ferry Building was the primary way for travelers to visit the city. Today, it hosts a grand farmers market full of artisanal vendors.
For more recent history, we recommend the
Haight-Ashbury District. This neighborhood is often considered the birthplace of the 1960s counterculture movement. Inside you'll find the Grateful Dead House, vintage clothing stores, and record shops.
Things to Do
Located just north of
Union Square is Nob Hill. Once the home of the Big Four railroad barons, Nob Hill hasn't lost its luxurious charm. Within the neighborhood, you'll find the Cable Car Museum, Grace Cathedral, and numerous high-end cocktail lounges.
On the eastern edge of the city is
Embarcadero. This district is home to the aforementioned Ferry Building and a great place to spend the day with the kids. The Exploratorium is an exciting hands-on science museum designed by leading educators. The neighborhood intersects with the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge, providing amazing views.
Last on our list of recommendations is
SoMa, also known as South of Market. You could say SoMa is the Tribeca of San Francisco. Both neighborhoods used to be full of warehouses, but have since been converted into upscale neighborhoods. It is home to the Yerba Buena Gardens, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), and AT&T Park (home of the Giants baseball team).
Schools
Niche gives San Francisco Public Schools a B+ grade. Notable Schools include:
- Lowell High School. Grades 9-12. One of the oldest high schools in the western US.
- Galileo High School. Grades 9-12. STEM-focused high school.
- Saint Ignatius. Grades 9-12. Private high school focused on college prep.
- Jefferson Elementary School. Grades K-5. Has an A rating from Niche.
- Ulloa Elementary School. Grades K-5. Ranked fifth-best elementary school in San Francisco by US News & World Report.
- Lafayette Elementary School. Grades K-5. Has a 9/10 rating from Great Schools.
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