Pacific Heights, San Francisco, California
From wiki.travel.com
Pacific Heights is an affluent neighborhood of San Francisco, California, on the north side of California Street in 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’ idyllic location provides a temperate micro-climate 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.
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Geography
Pacific Heights is located on the crest of one of San Francisco’s seven hills, lies 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 Street extending from Divisadero to Lyon Street is known as the "Gold Coast". Pacific Heights features two parks, Lafayette and Alta Plaza, each with spectacular views of the city. To the north of Pacific Heights, and easily visible from the top of the hill, are the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, as well as the Marina District. The neighborhood of Lower Pacific Heights, meaning the area located south of California Street down to Pine Street, was invented by real estate agents in the early 90s. It was formerly considered part of the Western Addition.
Population (2000[1]): 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
The neighborhood was first developed in the 1870s, with small Victorian homes built. Starting at the turn of the century, however, many were replaced with period homes. Still residential, the area is characterized by painted Victorians, chateaus and 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 Pacific Heights buildings. Today, there are also many consular residences in Pacific Heights, including the Consular Generals of Norway (Normadie Street), Italy (Webster Street), Germany (Jackson Street) and France (Jackson Street). It also serves as home to many San Francisco's first families, as well as to successful entrepreneurs and artists.
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's boutiques and restaurants can be found along Fillmore Street, south of Pacific Avenue. Other businesses in Pacific Heights are located on California and Divisadero Streets, as well as on Van Ness Avenue.
Pacific Heights is also home to California Pacific Medical Center.
Adjacent neighborhoods are:
- Lower Pacific Heights, to the south, with California Street as the border.
- Japantown
- 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 to the north.
- Marina District, to the north of Cow Hollow (between Lombard Street and San Francisco Bay).
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 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.