Welcome to
Potrero Hill
Family-friendly and with some of the sunniest weather in the city, Potrero has a tight-knit neighborhood feel, spectacular views of the city skyline, and proximity to both downtown San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, and the Peninsula. It was named after the original Spanish land grant of Rancho Potrero de San Francisco, which was given to Francisco de Haro in 1835. In the early 1850s, Potrero Hill was mostly undeveloped land and was used for grazing livestock. However, with the gold rush in full swing and San Francisco rapidly growing, developers began to eye the hill as a potential site for residential development. The first residential development on Potrero Hill was the Irish Hill subdivision, which was established in the 1860s. By the end of the century, the hill had become a desirable neighborhood for the city's working class, and many of the homes that still stand today were built during this time. During World War II, Potrero Hill was home to a large shipbuilding industry, which helped to bolster the local economy. However, after the war, the industry declined and many of the shipyards were closed.
Dogpatch, SoMa, The Mission, Mission Bay, Bernal Heights
At A Glance
THE NEIGHBORS
A family-friendly, mostly residential neighborhood with a bit of urban edge.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A hilly neighborhood located in the eastern part of San Francisco is known for its stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and the city skyline.
THE LIFESTYLE
Away from the hustle and bustle, with sunny days and low-key nights.
UNEXPECTED APPEAL
Neighborhood institutions that draw outsiders to this quiet corner of the city.
NEIGHBORHOOD AESTHETIC
The neighborhood vibe changes from north to south, going from a lot of lofts and workspaces for fledgling startups to condos and a mix of Victorians and small homes heading up the hill.
YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
Celebrated restaurants, charming bookstores, and cafes that are gathering places.
Located In Potrero Hill
Nearby Neighborhoods
Dogpatch, SoMa, The Mission, Mission Bay, Bernal Heights
East to West Boundaries
Potrero Ave or 101 Freeway to the west, 280 Freeway to the east
North to South Boundaries
16th St. to the north, Cesar Chavez St. to the south
Commute Times
- Financial District via auto: 20 minutes
- Financial District via transit: 30 minutes
- South San Francisco via auto: 15 minutes
- Silicon Valley via auto: 45 minutes
AROUND THE BLOCK
On the sunny south side of San Francisco’s downtown, Potrero Hill has unsurpassed skyline and bay views and a reputation for family-friendliness. The neighborhood’s abundance of beautiful Victorian homes and only-in-San Francisco charm has made it beloved by those in the know while its out-of-the way location—tucked between two freeways South of Market—has allowed it to remain largely off-the-radar, retaining its distinct character in a fast-changing city.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Next door to the ultra-trendy Mission District and walking distance from booming SoMa, Potrero Hill is nothing if not a calm port in the storm. With its quiet residential streets, tidy flower boxes, yards and beautiful historic architecture, this area can feel a world apart from San Francisco’s boomtown bustle.
THE LIFESTYLE
When the fog burns off, as it often does in Potrero Hill before the rest of the city, this sweet, sunshiny neighborhood fills with families strolling, playing at one of the area’s several parks and playgrounds, or grabbing coffee and making conversation with neighbors at Farley’s.
UNEXPECTED APPEAL
From the brunch at one of San Francisco’s quintessential weekend spots, Plow, to beers at the new kid-friendly Anchor Brewing Public Taps beer garden, to art exhibitions at the California College of the Arts’ Wattis Institute, which expanded in 2013, Potrero Hill is more happening than you might think.
NEIGHBORHOOD AESTHETIC
On the sunny south side of San Francisco’s downtown, Potrero Hill has unsurpassed skyline and bay views and a reputation for family-friendliness. The neighborhood’s abundance of beautiful Victorian homes and only-in-San Francisco charm has made it beloved by those in the know, while its out-of-the way location, tucked between two freeways South of Marke, has allowed it to remain largely off-the-radar, retaining its distinct character in a fast-changing city.
YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
Not every neighborhood has a beating heart but Portrero’s 18th Street seems to have something for everyone crammed into a few blocks of tree-lined urban asphalt. Restaurants like Goat Hill Pizza, Chez Mamam East, Mochica, and Umi rub shoulders with indie bookstores, long-established coffeehouses, and quirky boutiques, offering much of the charm of city living without the chaos.
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