Pacific Heights, San Francisco, California

Pacific Heights is an affluent neighborhood of San Francisco, California, on the north side of the city. Pacific Heights is located in one of the most scenic and park-like settings in Northern California, offering panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz and the Presidio. Pacific Heights’s idyllic location provides a temperate microclimate that is clearer, but not always warmer, than the other areas in San Francisco. The neighborhood extends from Presidio Avenue to Van Ness Avenue, and from California Street to Broadway. It is home to young urban professionals and many wealthy people.

Geography

Pacific Heights is located on the crest of one of San Francisco’s 42 hills, 370 feet above sea level at its peak, and covers 130 city blocks. The Streets of Jackson, Pacific, and Broadway extend along some of the most scenic areas along the hilltop crest. The section of Broadway extending from Divisadero to Lyon Street is know as the "Gold Coast". Pacific Heights features two parks, Lafayette and Alta Plaza, each with spectacular views of the city. To the north of the neighborhood, easily visible from the top of the hill, are the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, as well as the Marina District.

ZIP Code: 94115
Population (2000^*): 33,115
Male: 15,947 (48%)
Female: 17,168 (52%)
Housing units: 18,422
Single-family owner-occupied homes: 1,293
Elevation / Land area: 370 feet above sea level and covers 130 square blocks.
Water area: zero

Real Estate

Pacific Heights is home to the most breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the San Francisco Bay. The neighborhood was first developed in 1870s with small Victorian homes built until the turn of the century when many were replaced with period homes. Still residential, the area is characterized by painted Victorians, historic chateau's and architecturally superior mansions. Many international consulates are located in San Francisco and several including the consulate generals of Russia, Greece, Egypt, Vietnam, Italy and Indonesia are located in stately Pacific Heights buildings. Today, there are also many consular residences in Pacific Heights including the consular generals of Norway and France. It is home of many San Francisco's first families, as well as successful entrepreneurs and artists. Pacific Heights is also home to the City's best private schools and finishing schools.

The oldest building in Pacific Heights, located at 2475 Pacific Avenue, was built in 1853, though the majority of the neighborhood was built after the 1906 earthquake. The architecture of the neighborhood is varied; Victorian, Mission Revival, Edwardian, and Chateau styles are common.

Shopping

Most of the neighborhood boutiques and restaurants are along Fillmore Street, south of Pacific Avenue. Other businesses in Pacific Heights are located on California and Divisadero Streets, along with Van Ness Avenue.

Pacific Heights is also home to California Pacific Medical Center.

Adjacent neighborhoods are:

Japantown and the Lower Pacific Heights to the south with California Street as the border.
Polk Gulch to the east with Van Ness Avenue as the border.
Presidio Heights and Presidio Park to the west with Presidio Avenue (formerly Central Avenue) as the border.
Cow Hollow and Marina District to the north.

Transportation

Franklin and Gough Streets are often used as alternate routes to busy Van Ness, and Pine and Bush Streets are used as alternate routes to busy California Street. As for public transportation, the following Muni lines service the area: 1-California, 1BX-California 'B' Express, 3-Jackson, 12-Folsom/Pacific, 24-Divisadero and 22-Fillmore.

Schools

Pacific heights is home to many middle and high schools.

High Schools

San Francisco University High School
Drew College Preparatory School
Newcomer High School
Sacred Heart High School
Stuart Hall for Boys High School

Middle Schools

Hamlin School for Girls
Town School for Boys
San Francisco Waldorf School
Sacred Heart
Stuart Hall for Boys

Trivia

The house in the movie Pacific Heights is not in this neighborhood; it is in Potrero Hill.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) shows two Pacific Heights properties. The family house is a white Victorian located at 2640 Steiner Street. From his apartment located at 1200 Washington Street, Robin Williams's character has a panoramic view of the city.

Famous Movies Filmed in Pacific Heights

Famous residents

The social elite includes many of San Francisco's first families, famous authors, business people, successful entrepreneurs, artists, musicians and even an actor or two who call Pacific Heights their home.