5 Best Neighborhoods in San Francisco for Families
From The Golden Gate Bridge to the Waterfront at Fisherman’s Wharf to Chinatown to Union Square, the San Francisco Bay Area has something for everyone. If you’re looking to move to San Francisco with your family, you want a neighborhood that offers safe streets, affordable housing, great schools, and plenty of activities for the kids. Check out these five family-friendly San Francisco neighborhoods that cater to families of all shapes and sizes.
Bernal Heights
Median Home Price: $1.4M
Bernal Heights is a quiet neighborhood with a small-town feel. Sunny weather, green space, and tree-lined streets make it perfectly walkable, whether you’re headed to Bernal Heights Park or Alemany Farmers Market. There are tons of parks and playgrounds, making this neighborhood ideal for families with young children.
Glen Park
Median Home Price: $2.2M
West of Bernal Heights is Glen Park, a safe and quiet neighborhood known for its proximity to public transportation and small-city feeling. There’s a quaint downtown area with restaurants, a grocery store, a library, and some more shops. Glen Canyon Park is a beautiful escape from the city with rolling hills, hiking trails, and tons of space for kids to play.
Noe Valley
Median Home Price: $1.9M
With low crime rates and nearby parks, Noe Valley is a suburban relief in the big city. You’ll find a nice mix of single-family homes, and colorful Victorian, Edwardian, and Contemporary condos and townhomes. Noe Valley is centrally located and within walking distance to Douglass Playground and Mission Dolores Park. Make sure you visit Noe Valley’s 24th Street for a huge selection of some of the city’s best restaurants, cute boutiques, and family bakeries.
Presidio Heights
Median Home Price: $4M
Presidio Heights sits just south of San Francisco’s biggest green space, The Presidio. Situated near The Golden Gate Bridge, Presidio Heights is an excellent neighborhood for families who want to be near outdoor recreation. It’s near Baker Beach and Chrissy Field East Beach with easy access to activities like hiking, building sandcastles, and kitesurfing. While it’s a bit pricier than other neighborhoods, you get what you pay for - there are plenty of beautiful Victorian and Tudor-style homes to choose from.
Laurel Heights
Median Home Price: $2M
If education is your number one priority, then Laurel Heights is the neighborhood for you. It is home to award-winning Roosevelt Middle School and many other education options. Outside of school and work, Laurel Heights is close to Golden Gate Park and The Presidio. Laurel Heights offers a clean, safe, suburban environment and an abundance of Victorian homes.
Making Your Move to San Francisco
Whether you’re making the move to San Francisco for the first time or relocating within the city to start a family, I hope this list helps narrow your search. While this list represents some of my, and many other residents’ recommendations, it’s not the end all be all either. If you have any questions about available homes in these neighborhoods or any others in the Bay Area, don’t hesitate to reach out to me - contact information is below.
