Pacific Heights, San Francisco, California

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This article is about the San Francisco neighborhood. For the 1990 film, see Pacific Heights (1990 film). For the Saskatoon neighborhood, see Pacific Heights, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Northern view from Alta Plaza Park. The Marina District and San Francisco Bay can be seen below.
Northern view from Alta Plaza Park. The Marina District and San Francisco Bay can be seen below.

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. Its idyllic location provides a temperate micro-climate that is clearer, but not always warmer, than many 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 some of San Francisco's wealthiest citizens.

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[edit] Geography

Pacific Heights is located on the crest of one of San Francisco's seven hills, and lies 370 feet above sea level at its peak. Altogether, it 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.

ZIP Codes: 94109, 94115

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

[edit] 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 The Russian Federation, 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 The Kingdom 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.

[edit] 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:

[edit] 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.

[edit] Schools

Pacific heights is home to many middle and high schools.

[edit] Colleges, universities and graduate institutions

[edit] High schools

[edit] Middle schools

  • The Hamlin School
  • Town School for Boys
  • San Francisco Waldorf School
  • Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary School
  • Stuart Hall for Boys
  • Newcomer High School
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

[edit] Trivia

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

[edit] Famous movies filmed in Pacific Heights

[edit] 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.

[edit] Current residents

[edit] Former residents

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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