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Central District

It's San Francisco's geographic center, but the Central District is anything but middle-of-the-road. Whether it's the topography, the economic climate, or the sociology of the area, the Central District is diverse, varied, and always changing. The neighborhoods in this district include:

• Eureka Valley/The Castro
• Haight
• Mission
• Noe Valley
• Twin Peaks

Eureka Valley/The Castro
Originally Spanish ranch land, Eureka Valley saw its biggest period of development after a cable car line was installed on Castro Street in 1887. For several decades this neighborhood was a solidly working-class, family-oriented community. By the late-1940s, however, many families sought homes in the suburbs, and the exodus caused real estate prices in Eureka Valley to drop drastically. It wasn't until the 1970s that Eureka Valley was rediscovered by those looking for affordable housing. The charming Victorian and Edwardian homes and the relatively low selling prices were an unbeatable combination. Eureka Valley was renamed "the Castro," after the neighborhood's busiest thoroughfare, Castro Street.

Today, the neighborhood is known as a safe, friendly, community-oriented, and socially diverse place to live. The housing options range from newer apartments to the older, restored Victorians, and its residents are a mix of "yuppies" and young families. The neighborhood's boundaries are Market Street to the north, Dolores Street to the east, 30th Street to the south, and Diamond Heights Boulevard to the west. Castro Village, an area of several blocks centered along Castro Street, features boutiques, card shops, bookstores, hair salons, cafés, restaurants, juice bars, and dozens of other unique and funky shops. The ornate Castro Theater, a vintage movie palace built in the early 1920s, is a neighborhood landmark.

Photo Credit: SFCVB

Haight
The Haight arguably is best known by its 1960s-era reputation as a gathering place for hippies, artists, and "flower power" advocates, and much of the neighborhood still evokes images of the '60s counterculture. Although the Haight is divided into two distinct areas—Lower Haight (also known as Haight Fillmore) and Upper Haight (or Haight Ashbury)—all residents have a strong sense of community. Neighborliness transcends any economic or ethnic differences, and there tends to be lots of foot traffic throughout the neighborhood.

Almost all the housing in Upper and Lower Haight is renovated Victorians, but there are a number of flats and apartments, many of which are situated near wooded areas like Golden Gate Park and Buena Vista Park. The Lower Haight still has some of the edginess it had in the '60s. Bordered by Oak Street to the north, Webster to the east, Divisadero to the west, and 14th Street to the south, the Lower Haight is home to a diverse population and is known for its alternative, slightly off-center nightlife. In addition to several nightclubs and restaurants, the neighborhood boasts lots of hippie-themed shops and boutiques. The Upper Haight—bordered by Oak Street to the north, Masonic Avenue to the east, Stanyan Boulevard to the west, and 17th Street to the south—has become more upscale, with its high-end boutiques, name-brand stores, sidewalk cafés, and commercial businesses.

Mission
In 1776, Spanish missionaries built Mission Dolores, the first church in San Francisco, in the area that is now known as the Mission neighborhood. The Mission is multicultural and multiethnic, and although it once had a reputation for low-priced rentals, this neighborhood has become pricier in recent years as its popularity has increased among young professionals. Housing consists mainly of renovated Victorian homes, flats, and condominiums. Most recently, a number of warehouses have been converted into loft-style apartments.

The Mission is bordered by 16th Street to the north, Potrero Avenue to the east, 24th Street to the south, and Church Street to the west. The neighborhood is famous for its painted murals, which are displayed on the walls of dozens of apartment buildings and businesses. You'll find a large number of thrift shops in this area, as well as an incredible variety of restaurants. The neighborhood encompasses Mission Dolores Park, a great place to play tennis or softball, toss a Frisbee, have a picnic, or walk the dog.

Noe Valley
Once considered a working-class area, Noe Valley has become "gentrified" in recent years and is now one of the most popular neighborhoods for upwardly mobile young professionals and young families. The housing is predominantly restored Victorians, although there are a number of charming smaller houses here, too. The laid-back, slow-paced atmosphere of the neighborhood is reminiscent of a small town, and the residents have a strong sense of community. Noe Valley has its own public tennis courts and a double-size soccer field, as well as coffee shops, boutiques, bookstores, cafés, and a number of ethnic restaurants.

Its northern and southern borders are 22nd Street and 30th Street; with Guerrero and Castro Streets to the east and west. The weather in Noe (say "No-ee") Valley is consistently warm and sunny, which, for many folks, makes up for the lack of an ocean view.

Twin Peaks
Named for two 900-foot hills, Twin Peaks offers panoramic views of the city and the Bay. The neighborhood wasn't developed until 1920, making it one of San Francisco's newer areas. Most of homes on the northern side of Twin Peaks are large, single-family dwellings with a Spanish-style architecture, while the eastern and southern slopes mainly have apartment houses and condominiums, and smaller, single-family homes.

The area is bordered on the north by Market Street, on the east by Upper Market, on the south by Portola Drive, and on the west by Aquavista Way. Residents here have a daily trek up and down the steep and winding roads, and have to endure whipping winds and chilling fog, but most see it as a minor inconvenience. It's a small price to pay for the spectacular views and the advantage of being close to the city, yet removed from the hustle and bustle. Additionally, the Twin Peaks neighborhood has one of the city's most enjoyable children's attractions, the Randall Museum, which offers hands-on nature exhibits, a kids' art gallery, and an activity center with classes in woodworking and ceramics.

Healthcare facilities in the Central District:

• California Pacific Medical Center, Davies Campus
• St. Luke's Hospital
• UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus