GlitterGirl

Much like the housing in the rest of the Sunset districts, this are features modest homes with driveways and good off street parking options – a good thing if you’ve ever confronted the DPT parking enforcement folks and the endless street cleaning tickets. Even if you don’t have a driveway or garage, this area has more parking than most.

Looking to go out or for supplies? You can hit up the ethnic foods, bar and hardware store over by Noriega ad 32nd. If you’re farther south, try Taraval and 32nd. Also, if you’re looking for gardening supplies, check out Urban Farmer where the service is amazing and the sales people know their product well.

This area of town has buildings that give a sense of antiquity to San Francisco. Walking through the green park at Jackson and Scott, you can look out across Jackson and see a copper topped entry way to a beautiful brick building that has pillars holding up the awning.

As you drive down Jackson and look north from Presidio Heights, you’ll have view after view at each corner. Even on an overcast and foggy winter day, you’ll be able to catch glimpses of the lush greenery of Marin and views of the Bay. After checking out these views – all of them marvelous – it makes me wonder what the view from inside the older buildings set up on the hills must be like.

For a real flavor of the way things used to be, drive up the well manicured block of Octavia between Jackson and Washington where you’ll be driving on brick.

This area is literally on the dividing line between Daly City and San Francisco. Having lived in Portola a few years and feeling like that area was a bit removed from the urban lifestyle I prefer in the metropolis of San Francisco, Crocker Amazon seems a bit like that for me. Where Portola offers easy access to the highways, Crocker Amazon does not.

On the other hand, Crocker Amazon has a bit more lively activity on Mission Street. While shops are plentiful on Mission and there is lots of hustle and bustle, traffic is equally challenging and congestion dominates the driving experience.

The area, though full of life, doesn't give a sense of lavishness. Instead, it's a practical spot with a sense of being both a part of the city and being out of the way and on the edge of town.

Ingleside Heights is an area on the southern part of San Francisco. Because it is bordering Daly City and the grid layout is so standard, I generally don't feel like I'm in the city when I'm over there.

The benefit of this area is easy access to the ocean, easy access to 280 South, and fairly easy access to Lake Merced, Stonestown, the Golf Course and Stern Grove. Brooks Park, dotting the northern edge, offers a bit of greenery, though it's so easy to go west or south to get a bigger dose, you won't feel like you're missing nature over here.

Still, the area has a sense of "sprawl" to it and just doesn't really feel like the urban center San Francisco is.

Ingleside is conveniently located just south of San Francisco City College. This part of town is a practical choice for college students with easy access at the Balboa Park Bart stop to both BART and connections to the trains nearby (M, K) and many bus lines as well.

Though the area is practical for college students, it is also somewhat gritty. The grid like layout with the houses on top of each other sport less greenery than some other areas on the south west side of San Francisco. But the sun is more ample than some other spots because it is farther south. Lots of places are equipped with back yards which makes gardening, decks and pets a bit easier to manage.

Sherwood Forest, like the name, is a somewhat magical area in San Francisco. Dotting the western side of Twin Peaks -- right next to the nearly 1000 foot elevation of Mount Davidson Park -- this district boasts more greenery than most and ample size houses. (Imagine living on Robinhood Drive in Sherwood Forest and being your own modern day legend!)

The roads here are uncharacteristically windy and do not sport the oft found grid like layout San Francisco's western side is known for. Sadly though, this area is on the west side of Twin Peaks which means more fog than some of the more eastern neighborhoods of San Francisco.

Near the somewhat crazy and confusing intersection of Ocean Ave, Junipero Serra Blvd, Portola and West Portal Avenue, Ingleside Terrace is another one of those south western San Francisco districts that boasts easy highway access and a less than urban feel. While it is not as grid like as the neighboring Merced Heights or the areas of the Sunset to the west of 19th, this area still has a suburban flavor to it.

On the northern edge (Ocean Ave), you'll be able to find some great shops and food and for people looking for easy access via the public transit system, you'll have the K line with all the transfers to/from it that are offered (half a dozen lines at least). That said, Ocean can be a slow road to drive on, so leave plenty of time when you're going anywhere by car.

This district is 2 by 10 blocks wide and full of some beautiful looking but not so tiny houses. Along Junipero Serra Blvd You can get a sense of spaciousness with greenery dotting the front of people's houses (or is that their back yard? Hard to say, really.)

As you wander the grid like streets, this area gives the feeling of safety and a bit of a removed sense from the urban throng. Given it's proximity to the southern 280 exit from San Francisco, though, that's not too surprising. Merced Heights, because of how removed it is from the urban center of SF, barely even feels like it is in the city limits, though it has a distinctly different aesthetic than areas bordering Daly City.

Inner Parkside offers a low key neighborhood. Like the geography -- grid like and stable -- the area itself is that way. Stable without much night life going on.

For those who like to head north to Marin or south on weekend, 19th Ave. is close by and makes getting out of town (especially south) fairly convenient, though beware of traffic backups on 19th.

One of the nicest features of Inner Parkside, especially if you live in the south, is the easy access to Stern Grove where you can catch free concerts and cultural events in the summer. The festivities go on each summer and have been since 1938 -- check their web site for details of upcoming events. http://www.sterngrove.org/

This district features some really great nature right in the middle of the city throng. On the north end of Golden Gate Heights, You can enjoy Grand View Park and on the southern end, Sunset Heights Park is right there, bordering the nearby Forest Hill.

As a matter of fact, if you prefer the trains to the busses and you want to cut across town, you can use the nearby Forest Hill station to make your way.

Regardless, this area, unlike much of the grid like terrain in the Sunset District, breaks from that tradition to have more twists and turns than is commonly found on the west side of the city.

Mount Davidson Manor boasts some great conveniences. On the western part of this district, you'll enjoy Aptos Playground and on the southern edge of this area is Ocean Avenue. Ocean is not ideal for travel by car, but for those who are on a lower budget an enjoy Muni, you're set up for some decent commuting around the city with easy access to the K and relatively quick transfers to the L, M, 9, 36, 43, 49, 54, and 88 lines.

The area is modest and near lots of shops (on Ocean or in the near by West Portal Area, or even by Stonestown) and if you're driving out of the city, you can take 19th north to the Golden Gate and Junipero Serra to 280 South.

If you're looking for a secluded part of town that is hidden away from it all -- not too easy to get to, though not too far away from it all, look at Westwood Highlands. Going through this area you'll experience quite a few twisty streets with these houses dotting the hills. While you can access this part of town from Monterey (an exit of 280) or Portola, the streets are tucked back from the main throng of things -- reducing the traffic and accessibility concurrently.

Never fear though -- you have an amazing view of the surrounding area by heading over to Mt. Davidson which is the closest park with a nice peak (a 925 foot elevation).

Enjoy good eats at 32nd and Clement where you’ll be right near the Legion of Honor. The greenery at the Legion of Honor and the park along Clement is amazing and lush, especially after the winter rains.
Bike riders will appreciate the bike lane on Clement where you still have some hills to navigate, but the wide lanes make up for it.

One fun thing for bike riders and drivers alike is the way Point Lobos and Geary come together at the Walgreen’s in the western part of town. The road is very wide and the spaciousness is unusual in such an urban area.

One drawback to this area is that even if other parts of the city are experiencing sun, you may still be caught in the wet and not so warm fog.

Oceanview is a small neighborhood on the south western part of San Francisco. This area has easy access out of town to the south with the nearby 280 freeway -- undoubtedly a better drive than 101 if you're going south if you prefer a more scenic to industrial road.

This part of town doesn't quite feel like the city, as it is on the southern edge near to Daly City. The area is great for people who commute to the south bay, for folks looking to visit the beach often, San Francisco State University students and anyone who wants to be able to get into the heart of the city quickly but doesn't want to live in the heart of the city.

If you're looking for a little greenery, be sure to check out Ocean View Playground at Lobos and Plymouth.

This area of town features large houses on some hills steep enough to wind you when you walk up them if you’re out of shape. There are several spaces in this area that feature brick and have a bit of an older feel to them. The housesBiker’s will enjoy the more modest hill on Presidio with a marked bike lane and slick pavement.

Enjoy all the cute little boutiques along Sacramento around Presidio and Baker. For those who enjoy the movies but don’t like the multiplex feeling, you can enjoy the old school movie stylings at the theatre at Presidio and Sacramento.

The really amazing part of this area of town is the unique and beautiful brick building on the corner of Arguello and Clay. This Dome shaped building (I assume it is a Church of some kind) is magnificent to look at and pretty shocking to happen upon as you go west on Clay.

One of the great things about Golden Gate Park -- if you want to be in the park rather than driving through it -- is the fact that John F. Kennedy Drive is closed between Stanyan and Park Presidio. This is such a fabulous thing for people who want to use the pavement (skaters, roller blades, biking) with out worry about cars.

The amphitheater near the De Young Museum is an awesome site you'll want to check out if you're in the park and especially if you're at the De Young or the Japanese Tea Garden. The Tea Garden is free after 4 daily (or used to be), so save a few bucks by going later in the day.

The botanical garden is not to be missed. Nor is Stowe Lake -- where you can paddle boat if you're so inclined.

Mission Bay is great. The area is relatively easy for parking when there are not games, but really is awful when there are games.

Public transit is pretty ample, though somehow inconvenient to get many places directly. The N and T are your friend to get to BART heading to the east bay, but if you're looking to go to the heart of mission, don't be surprised to get on a few different busses.

King Street boasts lots of good stuff -- Mizu spa, though pricey, is really great and the service rocks. BJs has a great Burger, but then, so does 21st Amendment. The sushi place near 4th, Nama, is also great and has some excellent rolls (plus the plum wine is great too!).

If you're looking for some Italian food, this is the place to go. There are lots of restuarants here to enjoy, though I have liked The Steps of Rome many a time -- good for a later part of the night and a wonderful berry topped cake.

Nearby is The Stinking Rose. This is an absolute must as a stop when you're in town if you're a garlic fan as they have all sorts of garlic in everything for every course, including garlic ice cream.

After eating at either of these places, take a stroll to Washington Square Park and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Noe Valley is a great area of town to be in. Around 24th and Castro you'll be able to find some great shops, specialty stores and some wonderful food. Enjoy Toast and Savor while you're over there. Or get your nails done.

If you're driving and looking to get out of town or to the west side of town, Clipper's a great route to take and comes out where Portola and Market change names. The climb up the hill is a bit steep -- be careful shifting. Remember to enjoy the view when you get to the top because it's another one of those spectacular ones.

This part of the city is hopping with activity. People are out late, bars are open and you can even get some late night eats. Enjoy the burrito shop at 24th and Mission for the late night eating, or on weekends, thursday -saturday night, enjoy one of the best places to eat in the Mission, the Pork Store on 16th. The piggy special is the way to go and they have the best French Toast of anywhere I've been in the city.

Burners will enjoy the clothing and accessories at 5 and Diamond. There's a great hat store on Valencia near 15th. And if you want some inexpensive and great Indian food, try Pacwan on 16th.

For those who are building things, Discount Builder Supply is the biggest supply location in the city that I know of and they have so much of what you might need.

Be careful parking here and consider avoiding 16th and Van Ness.

At the top of the hill where 20th meets Church Street is a fabulous view of San Francisco at dark. This is at the top of Mission Dolores Park, often called "Dolores Park" for short.

Some great neighborhood places to check out other than this fabulous park (where you'll often find hula hoopers on Sunday afternoon's from 2-4 pm) include Dolores Park cafe at 18th and Dolores and Maxfield's Coffee shop at 17th and Dolores. Both places have free wi-fi to customers.

These are great places, as is the Bi-Rite market on 18th. Though my favorite place is Bi-Rite Ice Cream on 18th across from Dolores Park Cafe. They have excellent flavors of their tasty ice cream including my two favorites, ginger and honey lavender. Enjoy this treat for the mouth if you're in the area.

Down where Columbus and Broadway meet, you'll find the edge of North Beach where you can enjoy City Lights Bookstore (a landmark in this city) and some great restaurants. Among those is my favorite speciality location, the Stinking Rose. This place specializes in garlic -- garlic spread, garlic on pasta, garlic on pizza and even garlic ice cream. If you like garlic, this is a place to go at least once.

Nearby is Pioneer Park, home of the biggest landmark on Telegraph Hill -- Coit Tower. The tower is an interesting round building on a hill which sports a nice view of the north eastern part of San Francisco. Just be careful driving -- the roads are narrow and everything on the streets seems densely packed in.

The TV show "Full House" used to feature the outside of the houses right across the street from Alamo Square Park -- a site I've heard referred to as "The Painted Ladies." While this is a "picture perfect" view often seen on postcards, I think it just misses the mark. Just a bit down the hill and past the Painted Ladies you'll find the intersection of Grove and Steiner.

From here you get an absolutely spectacular view of city hall. I went to do some filming with my friend last year and we filmed at sunset. When the sun came down and hit the top of City Hall, the colors just lit up this amazingly vibrant shade of golden hues. The site is profoundly beautiful at just the right time because of all the gold paint reflecting the dying rays of the day's sun.

Visit Clement Street between Arguello and 12th and you'll find a vast array of places to go. There's bars and food and lots of amazing tasty treats to enjoy. If you head down to Balboa, various corners will boast their own tasty treats. And Geary has quite a few pubs you can enjoy for a drink if that's what you prefer. Nearby you'll find one of the Mel's Diner locations -- it's a fun location to eat for the whole family for a reasonable price.

All of that is great, though this area of town can get a little foggy in the summer especially, so it isn't the warmest part of town, nor is it the sunniest, like say SoMa or the Mission. Parking isn't that bad as long as you know the street cleaning schedule.

The Inner Richmond does boast easy access to Golden Gate Park and that is a wonderful place to visit again and again and again.

With easy access to both 101 and 280, this part of town is perfect for people who want to be near the city, but not in the heart of it, and also able to get to the south bay easily. I lived in Portola when I was working in Mountain View and the commute was often under 40 minutes during non rush hour times because I was so close to the highway. I also travelled a lot so this location made getting to and from the airport a breeze.

While eating out and the night life in this area are quite limited, you do have the amazing McLaren Park right near by with trees and open space as well as views and nature.

I did get my car stolen from this area -- right in front of my house. But it was recovered quickly (totaled, sadly). Still, the houses are mostly free standing with back and/or front yards and it's a great place for families.

Chestnut Street offers retail enthusiasts a great array of places to go and get some retail therapy out of the way. You'll find regular chains over there that are well put together, like the Gap and Pottery Barn, to name a few.

Nearby you'll be able to enjoy a walk by the water -- or even a bike ride -- on Marina Blvd. This is often a good way to get to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The real gem over here though is the Palace of Fine Arts. The architecture is amazing and the water is just a lovely addition. Plus the Exploratorium is a great little science museum with interactive exhibits. And you can even catch shows over in the auditorium.

Buena Vista Park is an absolutely amazing little spot. There are many trails that climb and descend their way around the hill and offer lots of tree covered trails to make your way up the steep climb to the top. The view is pretty nice. I uploaded a photo of a spider we found in the park when we were walking around -- a wonderful look at nature.

On the corner of 17th and Market, you can begin the climb up 17th. I recommend you have comfort with driving a stick before making this climb because it is pretty steep. When you peak the hill at the corner of Ashbury, you'll have a fabulous view if you look back down toward Market Street. It's truly a sight to behold.

Masonic and Ashbury is one of the best corners in this area. As you crest masonic heading down the hill, you see an amazing view. At sunset, the way the sun hits the church up near Stanyan and Fulton is just amazing looking.

Nearby is the amazing view you can only get on the hill in Corona Heights Park. The view is amazing and so is the wind. I've been there and thought I'd get blown off the side of the hill!

Over by Cole and Parnassus you can enjoy lots of good eats, natural foods and at Carl and Cole there's a wine bar and fabulous crepery as well. If you're looking for hardware, check out the original branch of Cole Hardware at Cole between Parnassus and Carl.

The Panhandle is an fascinating juxtaposition of experiences. On both sides of this lush green area you'll find 4 lanes of one way traffic zipping along. Yet, somehow, you can find serenity in the urban sprawl in this one block wide strip of well kept greenery.

There's a bike path for walking and riding, courts for playing, and Bay Laurel trees for the wonderful aroma. One end of the park has a statue overlooking DMV which you can sit on and enjoy watching traffic go by. The other end is the eastern edge of Golden Gate park, where you can continue to ride with relative ease.

The Boom Boom Room boasts lots of shows and tout themselves as a "Juke Joint providing cocktails, dancing live Blues, Boogie, Groove & Soul music six nights a week." It's a cultural icon, situated across the way from The Fillmore.

Within walking distance you'll find a completely different cultural taste of things. Japantown is just across the way, with lots of little shops, Japanese eats, furniture, and bonsai trees as well as the Kabuki theatre.

If you need to unwind, take advantage of the communal bath portion of the Kabuki Springs. While they offer treatments and massage, I don't find their massage to be that good. Using the facilities though is an amazing way to nourish the body -- with steam, sauna, salt scrubs and pools to soak in. http://www.kabukisprings.com/ Be sure to check which day is Men's vs. Women's vs. Co-Ed. Clothing optional only on single gender days.

Fort Mason is an historic area in San Francisco. As such, you can appreciate conference centers and rental halls where you'll get a lot of space at a fairly reasonable price. You can check the Fort Mason web site where they give you lots of information on rental prices (http://www.fortmason.org/venuerental/index.shtml) and talk to the representatives there who can help you find the right spot for your event. When I've called, I found out they had other spots not even listed on the web site which were a better value (less money for more space) so be sure to call them even if you don't know if they have what you're looking for.

If you're looking for an unusual treat and you're a vegetarian, I absolutely must recommend "Greens" restaurant. Though they are pricey, it's a treat worth enjoying. The food, service and view are all absolutely fabulous. http://www.greensrestaurant.com/

As a local, I only go to Fisherman's Wharf when I'm interested in taking someone out for a tourist's look at San Francisco. It is quite a site for these purposes.

You can enjoy the ferry rides to Alcatraz from here, as well as Angel Island. You'll see human statues doing performance art. You'll hear musician's playing. You can even take a horse drawn buggy around the area.

I recommend a stop a Boudin's where you'll be able to see them making sourdough bread or enjoy the museum. The restaurant, while pricey, is quite lovely.

And an absolute must for a tourist is the ride the SF Trolly Car from Powell Street to the Wharf or back again. Be sure to dress warmly (even in the summer) because SF can get chilly and foggy and the trolly is open air. It's a beautiful opportunity to appreciate the more modern ways we travel.

The Financial District is a thriving part of San Francisco. There's some wondering things to be enjoyed here. Justin Herman Plaza is the starting point for many parade routes in San Francisco. You can enjoy the sculpture that adorns the plaza and in the winter time, the skating rink that is temporarily installed.

The Ferry Building hosts a farmer's market on weekends which is a great place to enjoy yummy treats while shopping for your favorite foods and flowers. Across the way where Market ends at Embarcaderro, you can also enjoy some wonderful shopping experiences right next to Justin Herman Plaza. And right off the very same plaza is a really lovely Osha Thai restaurant which is part of a chain of great Thai fusion food in SF.

Duboce Triangle is a public transit riders heaven. With all the major train lines stopping in this area either at Duboce and Church or 14th and Market, getting from here to other places in the city is a breeze. If you're driving, however, this area is somewhat challenging for parking so it makes good sense to take the MUNI when you can.

You can enjoy the small but lovely Duboce Park on the north edge of this area, the cute coffee shops on Noe, the bars on 14th, the comforts of "Home" at the restaurant on Market and Church and my favorite place to go in this area: The fruit and veggie market between 14th and Duboce on Church where you'll find the best prices on produce.

Chinatown is such a great place to shop for the unusual gift. There are so many shops that are just loaded with beautiful items, sometimes far too many items in such a small space. Wood carvings abound. If you're into origami, there are also quite a few places to find origami paper.

Beautifully adorning the bottom of China Town on Grant street is the arch which you can think of as the entrance to Chinatown -- a site to enjoy for certain.

If you're into active wear and/or Yoga, you must stop by Lululemon and enjoy their fabulous clothing. Saturday afternoons they often have someone doing some sort of activity in the window so you'll want to enjoy that also. :)

Union Square Park is a beautiful square in the heart of San Francisco. In the winter you can enjoy the skating rink they put up temporarily as well as the Christmas tree. During the year there are events you can enjoy -- The Congo Line during Bay Area Dance week is lots of fun (http://www.bayareandw.org/).

You can even enjoy fire dancing there. 2 times per year Temple of Poi does a show. In the late fall (typically first Monday of December) as part of the San Francisco Food Bank's Canned Food Drive (http://www.sffoodbank.org/) you can see one show. And as part of Bay Area Dance Week you can enjoy another show (http://templeofpoi.com/events/expo09.php).

If you're looking for pancakes late at night and just can't be without, check out the iHop on Lombard Street down in Cow Hollow. There are lots of little hotels and motels over there, some of which you can even get a good rate at (nothing like Union Square hotels).

An absolutely site to behold is the Palace of Fine Arts Dome which is up where Richardson meets Lyon. It's amazing -- the architecture and beauty of it. If you're lucky, you'll catch some fire dancing there. Right next door is the Exploratorium -- a great place to take kids for some exposure to cool science experiments.

When I ride around this area, the streets feel a lot more spacious than some other parts of town. They seem a bit wider and somewhat less hectic because of it. I did a little birthday block party event over in this area, and the vibe is very family oriented.

over by the corner of Euclid and Masonic as you head north on Masonic is one of my favorite views of San Francisco when you look out to the East. It's one of those unexpected moments where out of nowhere you suddenly see something beautiful.

If you're looking for a great shopping value, try the Trader Joe's at Masonic and Geary.

Potrero Hill boasts one of the most windy streets in San Francisco. Look for that section of Vermont that is just as windy as Lombard Street but not nearly as well groomed for tourists. In that way, it's a find.

If you're looking for views, just ride along 19th and 20th and look out into the city down the hill. Fabulous.

For an unexpected treat, head to the dog park over at 20th and San Bruno where the wild flowers dot the hills in the spring the views are just amazing and fun.

I lived in the inner sunset for years. It's a great place to be, even where I was on Lincoln by 4th. The park is right there so you have lots of greenery.

Head up to 9th and Irving and you'll enjoy some great places to eat. Pluto's has meals at a price that simply can't be beat. And Crepevine nearby is a great place to get some wonderful crepes -- both sweet and savory.

If you need to get your nails done, there's a corner shop at 8th (maybe 7th?) and Irving on the north west side of the street. It's small and the ladies in there do a great job, even if they don't all speak English that well. Plus, the price can't be beat.

My amazing massage therapist is at the Momentum Chiropractic office and simply kicks butt, so check him out if you're in need of a rub down.

The N line is great -- just check next bus to know when you're train will arrive.

Sports enthusiasts will enjoy PacBell Park, though the prices are insane for everything from parking to beer. All the same, the stadium is lovely. If you go behind the stadium you can see inside which is always fun.

Bike riders, roller bladers, joggers and even walkers will enjoy the paved route along the water. It's a fabulous path, especially as you pass behind the Park.

The view is amazing and it's a great place for a photo shoot. Go down by the arrow sculpture (near Howard and Embarcadero). Look one way and you see the Bay Bridge. The other is the Ferry Building. Either make a great back drop.

If you want a good steak, check out Paragon.

If you're driving in South Beach, parking is a nightmare during baseball season when there's a game, so check the schedule and see if it makes more sense to take public transit.

In the last few years, this area has really taken a turn for the better. First there's the new Bloomingdales and the expansion of San Francisco Center with a food court to die for. You can get just about anything you want in the food court. They even have free range meat at the Bistro Burger joint.

Nearby is one of my favorite parks and in city views. Yerba Buena Gardens has a lovely park with the MLK water fountain memorial. Upstairs, enjoy Samovar tea lounge with a great view and fabulous menu of tea choices.

Want some IMAX? Never fear! The Metreon has an IMAX theatre as well as 12+ more. Still can't find the movie you want to see, slip back to the Bloomingdales building and enjoy the Century Theatre's in there.

For you art and culture buffs, enjoy the MOMA and Yerba Buena cultural center on the east side of SOMA.

Downtown has so much to offer - hotels, spas, shopping and the cultural mecca of Union Square. In the winter time, Union Square hosts a skating rink, one of 2 that are put up temporarily for the holidays.

2 times a year (December and April) you can witness some amazing Fire Dancing in Union Square hosted by the premier poi fire and flow dancing school in the world, Temple of Poi (http://templeofpoi.com). Don't know what fire dancing is? Check out this clip from Union Square:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgU95bBfUmk

If you want some retail therapy, enjoy the shopping at Macy's, in San Francisco Center and in and around Powell Street. If you want some classy night life and dancing, Vessel is a great spot to check out.

Mission Terrace is a great place to be if you want to both get into the heart of the city quickly and also have somewhat of a suburban feel in your world. On the west side, there's also easy access to BART at the Balboa Park Station.

Mission Terrace is also situations close to the ALC Lifecycle kick off route along Geneva coming up from the Cow Palace. It certainly is a cultural wonder to experience the energy of the ALC ride kickoff, and I highly recommend it -- you'll have to look up the date and time for this year at AidsLifecycle.org. As a rider, I can only say the traffic jam we bicyclists created was a thrill, but the cheers from the side of the road was and even more impressive as an expression of supportive.

For a dose of some spiritual bliss, check out Grace Cathedral. Apart from the inside, you can enjoy the amazing, though somewhat gruesome, brass sculptures on the doors on the outside. In the courtyard nearby you can walk the labyrinth.

Across the way is a lovely little park. If you're a night owl, you'll surely enjoy it late at night in the spring-fall seasons.

Looking for rejuvenation? Enjoy the plus treatments at the Nob Hill Spa.

And just down the block you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city while taking in a drink at the Top of the Mark in the InterContinental Mark Hopkins hotel.

There are so many wonderful things in the Presidio, it's hard to know where to begin. For sports freaks, enjoy the huge Sports Basement. If you're a bike rider, there are many ALC training rides (check the AidsLifecycle.org web site for dates) that leave from that very Sports Basement parking lot.

For surfers, take Marine drive to the end and hook up with the locals at Fort Point National Historic Site. If you want amazing views, head to the western side of the Presidio and enjoy Lincoln Blvd -- this is where one of the opening scenes from Interview With a Vampire was filmed -- and enjoy the view from the vista.

And for the scenic route onto the Golden Gate bridge, following Lincoln up the hill from the vistas, go left and you'll be able to park and walk on the bridge.

Drives, watch for Bikers. Bikers, make sure you're prepared for hills. :)

Unlike tropic islands where the water is warm, the water by San Francisco is often rather chilly. This means that when you see the windsurfers and regular surfers, they are often fully suited up in their wet suits.

Another common site on the beach are the seals by Seal Rock on the north end of Ocean Beach. When the seals are around en masse, I've looked at them and thought they looks surreal.

Where Lincoln meets the Ocean is the section where bonfires are allowed. This is where you're mostly likely to see night gatherings of people and if you're lucky, catch some fire dancing. A beautiful site to be sure.

If you're hungry, cross the way and on the other side of Great Highway is a nice little place to each just north of Lincoln.

The Outer Sunset is perhaps the foggiest part of the city. On the western edge of this area you can not only hear the waves, but you can feel the wind and visit the ocean regularly. The Pacific in all its glory is a fabulous site.

The lights on Great Highway are timed -- perfect for a bike ride and even a car ride, though do be careful of the sand if you're riding your bike.

Where Great Highway meets Lincoln you'll be able to head out to the ocean and enjoy a bonfire (while it is still legal), perhaps catch some fire dancing on the sand, and if you look east, you'll be able to site the windmill in Golden Gate Park.

if you have to travel north/south on the west end of town, Great Highway is a great way to go with Sunset Blvd being a great second choice. This is a nice suburban part of SF with wide streets.

Castro and Market Street is the start of a really straight stretch of Market that runs towards the Bay. At this corner stands the Pride flag and is a landmark in San Francisco.

Stroll down Castro street and you have the Castro theatre, known for all types of movie festivals which are highly entertaining. Cross the street and enjoy the shops -- you can find everything you'd need of an eclectic nature, much of which is geared towards the homosexual culture. I have enjoyed the fountain shop there -- so many lovely fountains to gaze at and listen to.

If you're looking for a bite to eat and you're on the run, try New York Pizza -- they have the best pizza on Castro street. if you head east on 18th street, you can also enjoy the Sit and Spin laundry mat cafe where you can both eat and get your laundry done.

There's nothing quite like the view from Bernal Heights Park. It's not really anything like Twin Peaks, but then, nothing is. But the view from this end of town is also somewhat awe inspiring when you look out and see the houses dotting the side of the hill.

There's some shops over on Courtland that I've really enjoyed, especially the pizza I used to get over there at this Indian Restaurant that served Pizza. They would put Indian Food on top of pizza which really works well -- it's like naan with sag paneer or something like that. I can't recall the name of it any more, but it's a short way from mission up the hill, I think at the corner of Coleridge.

I've heard stories (and it's even mentioned in a Michael Franti song when he was part of the group called "Disposable Heroes of Hypocrisy" in the 90's) that they did work over in Hunter's Point on radioactive waste coming from ships. I have no idea if this is true or not.

I was told stories by other artists when I had my art studio over in the shipyard. It never stopped me from using the space though.

The area is off the beaten path -- nice place to ride a bike out to if you enjoy riding. I also did a great photo shoot by Indian Basin Park where you can sometimes find renegade dance parties.

There isn't much over there though so I'm not sure why you'd head out that way.

Glen Park has lots of Bay Laurel trees and is really a wonderful fragrance to inhale (well, if you like the smell of eucalyptus that is). Set in among the hills are some great drives, walks, shops and trees to enjoy.

On the southern edge is easy access to public transit through BART where a few buses connect as a transfer point. For those interested in getting on the highway, the Monterey exit is right there.

Beware though -- I had a horrible 4 car head on collision making a left onto the highway heading toward Monterey Blvd from the BART station. There's a little hill that makes it tough to see oncoming traffic and tough for them to see you also.

Conveniently located for those enjoying the west and southern parts of San Francisco (great if you want to get to the ocean or south bay), West Portal is a lovely residential spot. Along Taraval are some cozy spots to check out and a bit more activity.

If you're looking for some greenery, take a drive up Portola -- and I do mean up! Portola is hilly here. To the east you'll be able to enjoy the view of Twin Peaks. The good news is the view. The bad news is there might be fog, especially in the summer.

The north eastern part of this area touches on one of the few traffic circles San Francisco has and connects to the charming neighborhoods of Forest Hill and Forest Hill Extension.

No, I don't mean the residents of this beautiful and hilly spot in San Francisco. Rather, I mean the institutions near by -- both for juvenile detention and psychiatric care -- just on the other side of Woodside Ave.

Apart from that, like the neighborhood next door (Forest Hill), Forest Hill Extension is a charming spot. Kensington Way and Dewey Blvd lead to the traffic circle that borders Forest Hill, one of the few to be found in San Francisco. On the Southern edge of this residential area you'll have a climb up Portola with lovely twists and turns in the road.

As I drive through the streets with the gentle hills, I keep getting the feeling that this area is a sort of quiet and insulated haven in the middle of a booming city.

Forest Hill is a charming spot in San Francisco. At the bottom of Laguna Honda you'll find a few spots and then up the hill toward the Sunset you'll have an amazing (though short) interaction with nature.

San Francisco has very few traffic circles. One of them can be found at the intersection of Dewey, Kensington, Montalvo and Taraval at the southern edge of this area.

Getting into and out of this area can be a little indirect, which also adds to the charm and appeal of living in such a spot. While it is highly residential, you're just a short way from places down near and on Taraval.

I lived on Sweeny street and rented an awesome house with some close friends. The area is friendly, neighbors are polite, parking is plentiful and it really isn't too hard to get to from public transit. Slip up to Silver and over to the Glen Park bart if you're heading out of the city or simply take the bus up Mission street.

A bit on the hilly side, though they are gentle hills, this street is a fun place for bike riding. Kid are plentiful and the area is alive with a nice suburban feel and easy access to the highway.

This area of town boasts two amazing places to enjoy in San Francisco. The first is simply a piece of architecture that is somewhat awe inspiring. This is the Church located at Gough and Geary. The arcs and curves of the structure really stand out, especially considering all the open space around it. You can see the church from lots of different spots in the city and once you've seen it, you'll be spotting it from all over town.

If you're not into architecture but you enjoy great music, the Fillmore is a music hall not to be missed. Inside has a bit of an older feel to it and the history of the place is obvious once you're inside. It isn't large, nor is it small, but it definitely has it's own unique style.

Part way across the Bay Bridge as you head east to Oakland, you can exit onto Yerba Buena Island. If you continue along the road, after a short bit you'll come to Treasure Island.

This little island is a hidden gem of San Francisco. For one thing, it is spacious and secluded, so it can be a nice little retreat from the urban life without requiring too much travel to get there.

If you're someone who likes to go out and enjoy electronic music, there are some very large hangers over here that have been used for some massive electronic music dance parties thrown by the underground community since Fall of 2008 -- ask around if you're interested.

But my personal favorite is the absolutely amazing view on the San Francisco skyline on the west side of the island. There's a great park along the edge of the island from which you could do a phenomenal photo shoot -- a highly recommended post card picture perfect site to see!

If you've ever driven around Lake Merced in the summer time with any sort of regularity, you're sure to see some action by the Golf Course. This part of town is dotted with traffic all around it and is a little bit of a mess to get through on weekends -- especially during the day, though it's a breeze at night.

I'm not a golfer myself, so I can't speak to the actual golf course. But that doesn't stop me from enjoying bike rides around this area, appreciating the wider lanes and the beauty of Lake Merced on the north west side of this neighborhood.

With the installation of the new 3rd street light rail, this part of town is really starting to pick up. The Dog Patch area has a few bars down near 3rd between 20th and Cesar Chavez, and who can ignore the growing cultural mecca Burning Man headquarters has?

For those who are looking for artist's spaces to work in with high ceilings and industrial elevators, check out the spaces along 3rd street on the waterfront side. There is also some great housing to be found between 280 and 3rd street, including some fun loft spaces.

And for those who like to get out and interact with the community, check out Cafe Cocomo which has great events all year round. Not to be missed is the Decompression Street Faire held annually on Columbus Day Weekend (on the Sunday I think) -- check BurningMan.com for details.

I did the AIDS Lifecycle Ride (7, in 2008) which originated at the Cow Palace. As we rode out of town, we went through some of the Outer Mission Terrace. The roads were dotted with people cheering us on -- quite surprisingly considering how early in the morning we road out on a Sunday.

This part of town has some lovely hills and is easily accessible from public transit on the north side at the Balboa station and at the south west end the Daly City station. If you're looking for an urban feel, this isn't really the best place in SF to be as it is at the city's edge. But if you want to be close to the action with easy access in and out of town on the highway, this is a great location to settle in.

Deadheads, hippies, potheads and piercings are all common to this part of town. Enjoy the culture of San Francisco and visit Gerry Garcia's old home in the Haight.

If you walk down Haight street, don't be surprised to see young kids who smell like weed and ask for donations. You're likely to see some dreads and get a friendly vibe, even if you don't give them a donation.

Some of the more industrious among these "street kids" might even offer up some cool art. I've found a few nice pieces I've purchased here -- far better than panhandling as they are at least working for their money.

If you're looking for a piercing, this is the place to go in San Francisco, though tattoos and funky clothing are also easy to find around here.

The area is easily accessible by public transit and the train line runs right through Lakeside. Getting out of town to the south is a snap with easy access to 280.

Students will also enjoy this part of town as it is close to San Francisco State University. And if you're a nature fan, while Lake Merced is close by, you're really just a stone's throw from Stern Grove on the north end of Lakeside.

The real draw though might be that this area is great for those interested in some fun retail therapy. Along Ocean Avenue there are some great little shops. And if you're into bigger chains, just on the west side of 19th Avenue you'll find Stonestown Galleria.

Not many neighborhoods are nestled between such amazing areas as Merced Manor, but this small residential section of town boast the thing so many folks are looking for: location, location, location!

To the south is the San Francisco State University Campus which is just beyond the fun little "mall" - Stonestown Galleria. For those in need of retail therapy and education, you're all set. With the location so close to 19th Avenue, you're also able to get out of town quickly by heading south on 280.

But the real treat you get living here is the easy access to Stern Grove without any of the parking hassles. Each year Stern Grove hosts *free* concerns in the park over the summer. They run a full season of shows which is quite an amazing contribution to the community. Last year I got spend a fun day nestled in the trees watching a Brazilian group called Bajofondo (who I highly recommend) as well as some fun hula hooping in the park.

This area is not quite worth a 4, but a 3 seems too low. I'd give it a 3.5 if I could.

The streets in Excelsior boast the names of cities around the world including Madrid, Lisbon, Paris, Naples and Persia, to name a few. The area has gentle hills and a real suburban feel to it.

Having lived in nearby Portola, I frequented this part of town when going to and from my friend's place over here. The area is pretty clean and relatively safe, not too upscale and not too depressed. A solid area that I'd recommend for living if you don't mind being so far out of the rest of the city.

One of the more inspiring sites is seeing more families than you might see in some of the other neighborhoods and the pace over here is accordingly a bit less frenetic than you might find in more urban parts of the city. Not much in the way of shops over here, but you can enjoy the lovely McLaren Park instead and retail therapy often does not mix with nature. ;)

Now that I live near by to PacBell Park, I wonder how it is that sports teams actually used Monster Park for games of any kind. It's in such a remote part of town and it seems so much less likely for people to actually get to. Of course, people coming up from the south had it much easier down there than at PacBell Park, so I guess it's a trade off.

All the same, Monster Park is certainly one of, if not the biggest landmark of this area. Several years ago the Burning Man organization held a Fire Arts Festival here (which I was lucky enough to perform in) which was great because the space is so open and expansive.

If you're in the southern easter part of SF you can always enjoy Bayview park, though really, McLaren Park which is not that far away is a lot better in my opinion.

This area of town is quite industrial. I used to live here in a hidden away artist studio, but shhh! don't tell the city! It's a dream for artists with lots of space to spread out and make noise, doing highly industrial projects. It was also always pretty easy to find a place to spin fire outside because traffic dies down at the end of the day.

Enjoy the wonders of "Scrap" -- a store where you can get recycled parts for art projects. I use the term "store" loosely because it's much more like a co-op or warehouse in feel than a store, which is apt because it is in this industrial neighborhood.

If you're on foot, watch yourself in the underpass where 101 meets Cesar Chavez -- you can find a homeless community there, so it's good to know before you head there.

If you're into the nightlife you might be able to connect with other's at Club 550 which can be found at 550 Barneveld. It seems to have gone through many changes over the years and I'm not even sure if it's still open, though the space has been a really great place to enjoy events.

Westwood Park is in the southern part of the city. On the east side of this neighborhood is the active City College campus where lots of folks around create a hustle and bustle. It's somewhat young though not necessarily what would be described as "hip" -- rather it seems a bit more utilitarian and functional.

Ocean Avenue throughout this area is somewhat crazy to drive on, though public transit may be a bit better. If you're going through here by car though, leave lots of time because things just seem to take a while on Ocean.

One of the cooler spots nearby for those who like to stay active is the 24 Hour Fitness up the road on Ocean just a little bit. It is one of the largest (if not THE largest) one of their facilities in San Francisco.

Unlike the downtown area, the west part of San Francisco lacks the plentiful Starbuck's-on-every-corner-theme you might see, say, around Market and 4th Street. If you're looking to get one of their special drinks, the shop at Fulton and Divisidero is the place to go.

Also in this part of town is the ever-so-hard-to-find-parking for DMV located between Fell and Oak and Baker and Broderick. If you can make an appointment before you go, do -- things typically go faster this way.

If you like to bike, there's a fun part of the bike path to take along the panhandle where you can feel somewhat immersed in the city feeling with the 4 lane wide roads Oak and Fell surrounding you while also getting a feeling of the woods by inhaling the lovely smell of the bay laurel trees around you.

If you enjoy a thriving city life with lots of people, this area is for you. On the east side of the area is the Embarcadero, a lovely stretch of road perfect for cars. For bikers, you can either use the bike lane or enjoy the wide sidewalks which have a sometimes bike path. You'll often see skateboarders and runners along the way over here too.

This area leads to Fisherman's Wharf (heavy tourist area) as you continue north and as you head south, you'll find yourself nearing the Financial District and PacBell Park. Along the whole route, expect to find lots of people walking around and traffic while you're driving. Also prepare for heavy delays during rush hour heading south (people trying to get on the Bay Bridge) and during baseball season as the Giants game traffic causes detours just a bit south.

Every time I've been over to Sunnyside, it has felt a bit more spacious than other areas of the city. The streets seem a little wider and everything seems a bit more sprawling to me. The area is conveniently located next to 280, so access to the highway is pretty simple.

For those who are more inclined toward other transportation, the Glen Park BART is nearby to the East and the Balboa Park BART Station is just a bit south. For students looking to live near San Francisco City College, Sunnyside is a great option with lots of residential housing and a short commute to the campus.

This part of town is a bit on the foggy side in the summer time. The area seems highly influenced by Oriental and Russian heritage and sushi and Russian food abound.

If you happen to be coming south from the Presidio traveling on 25th Avenue toward Golden Gate Park, you might really enjoy the downhill on your bike as you move through the lights, though they do have a recommended bike route a few blocks over from 25th that is a little less hectic.

For those in the rental market, apartments are fairly spacious for the price and parking is generally not too bad, though you'll want to be sure to take note of street cleaning sign and residential permit requirements.

This part of town is not too hilly and if you're learning how to use clip-in pedals on your bike, learning here was is too bad, or at least I didn't think so. It's a bit more residential than a few blocks south where Geary is and has more houses and fewer shops.

Also of note is the proximity to the Presidio and the easy access to the lovely and scenic Lincoln Blvd, as well as the proximity to the awe inspiring Point Lobos and Sea Cliff.

This area is well off, to be sure, though seemingly not quite as much as Sea Cliff. I'd rate it a 3.5 if I could, though I can't quite manage to give it a 4.

Undoubtedly, this is one of the least safe areas of San Francisco. Though there are worse areas, I have a friend who was assaulted in this part of town.

Every time I've been through there, the streets were full of lots of vagrants and it was not uncommon to get approached on the street. I also notice when I drive by car through there, especially late at night, that some of the folks cross the street without care or concern for what color the light it and if it is safe or not. Sometimes they seem completely oblivious. Sometimes they seem like they just have an attitude.

I suggest you walk swiftly and keep your belongings close to you. You'll want to use your wits and walk with confidence over here.

Unless you're looking to pick up a hooker, in which case you might have the most luck up by O'Farrell.

Colorful is just one way to describe this part of town. ;)

I've lived in San Francisco since 1996. One site that has persisted in all these years that is visible from so many places in the north west side of San Francisco is the church right around Parker and Fulton. It is especially lovely when lit up at night, especially as you're cresting a hill and unexpectedly see it.

You can see the church from Twin Peaks, when you ride down Masonic from the top of it and from various points around the area. It's a beautiful landmark.

For those who are athletic and outdoorsy, enjoy Ross Playground and which offers park activities for various sports.

The best thing this part of town is good for is getting out of town to go south or go to the San Francisco Airport. If you travel a lot or work in the South Bay, but want to be in San Francisco, this is a great compromise (and rents are somewhat cheaper too!). Because it is South of the Cesar Chavez exit, the highway experiences less backup and subsequently, getting to and from here can also be easier.

That said, the area is somewhat run down and feels a bit on the lower end of things economically. Part of this can be attributed to the more industrial feel this part of town has -- with glass shops and manufacturing areas and more 18 wheelers than other parts of town.

This area of town is simply awe inspiring. As you head up 25th toward the water, you'll be able to head north-east into the presidio and take the long climb up Lincoln Blvd with those amazing views. Alternately, you can head west toward Point Lobos and cut over to the California Palace of Legion of Honor or the Lincoln Park Golf Course. I've heard rumor you can get on the course for free, though I'm not a golfer so I have no idea if this rumor is accurate or not.

Regardless, the ride (car or bike) along El Camino Del Mar is lovely and you can tell as you look at the houses in this area that these folks have some money. Robin Williams is rumored to live now or have lived in the past in this area -- you can even find pictures on the internet: http://www.flickr.com/photos/livenature/425564432/

I'd rate this area a 4.5 if I could, and it just doesn't *quite* deserve a 5.

That does not, in any way, take away from how amazing this area is. For one thing, there is Maritime Aquatic Park and the whole view by the water in this historic park area. A stroll by there after passing Fisherman's Wharf is a must for tourists in that part of town and even better for residents who are looking for a view of water and/or a part of the city to explore since it's not quite as bustling with tourists as a wharf.

Enjoy Russian Hill Park, even if it is small, and then you can appreciate Columbus street whe you want to cut toward the south part of the neighborhood. If you're on a bike, be sure to pick up a bike map which will help you get around a lot easier since the map shows the road gradients well.

The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is simply not to be missed. If you can catch the view when the fountain is on, I highly recommend it. Even if you can't go inside, the space is magnificent, including the view. This is not just a great destination for biking, but also a fun date spot -- day or night. If you're a bike rider, this area of town is completely lovely, though not without it's challenging hills -- great for training for the AIDS ride though.

Head over to the western most part of this area and you'll be able to see Seal Rock -- not surprisingly, where seal's can be seen at certain times of the year. Down on the beach you might even find my friends doing some sand painting -- an amazing site to behold. http://www.andresamador.net/

If you've never driven around Twin Peaks, you might not be aware of the funky nature of how the road works. You can go in a circle around each peak, or you can go around the outside of both, but you can't actually make a figure 8 around the both hills because the streets are one way. I was so confused the first time I drove there because of that. And it's somewhat disorienting to figure out how to get back down if you don't know what the streets are doing -- I strongly recommend you look at a map first!

I imagine it is obviously that the view is not to be missed -- look down at Market Street, appreciate the bridges, or simply go and make out - if you can find a parking spot. I've even gone there to spin fire and shoot a music video, but it's pretty windy and no matter how warm it might be down below, bring something to keep you warm up the hill because you're likely to catch a chill if you don't.

Yerba Buena Island is a beautiful spot in San Francisco, though it's a bit off the beaten path when you're thinking about the city because you have to take the bridge toward Oakland to get there. The island itself has lots of trees and hills and boasts some great views. I have a friend who lives there and have enjoyed a bit of the splendid trees of nature it offers.

Be careful when you're driving there though. As you are heading east and exit from the highway, the turn is very sharp, so be sure to slow down, especially in the rain. When you're coming back and merging onto the highway, there's a stop sign and very short merge, so be careful in that direction as well. Finally, watch out for the police traps right near the bridge entrance as well - I never quite figured out if they are for speeding or drunk driving, but I've seen with regularity on that trip.

I lived just north of this area in Portola back in the late 90's and early 2000. I had my car stolen from Portola and then driven to Visitacion Valley where it got totaled and abandoned.

This area is relatively safe, though not a thriving nor particularly active area to be in. Working class dominate the city scape with kids and families around. Parking is much easier in this southern part of the city, but then, you're not really very close to anything either and getting anywhere that isn't local but is in SF takes some doing.

If you're working in the South Bay, this might be a good place to live as the commute is shorter because of the southern location.

If you're just moving to San Francisco having recently graduated or are about to start attending San Francisco State University, Stonestown might just be the area for you. There are several taller buildings here (they remind me of my dorms from college back east) that are apartment buildings.

This area is right off Lake Merced, so fresh air and nature are close by. For those who are more inspired by the urban pleasures, hop over to Stonestown Galleria and enjoy the plentiful shops, food court and seemingly endless cars.

Because this area is on the edge of the city (and prone to fog, especially in the summer), rents are somewhat cheaper. Of course, getting to the heart of the city also takes longer, so in a sense, you get what you pay for.

This area has a fun city feel to it. 19th Avenue is seemingly endless in width, at point approaching what seems like 8 lanes wide because of turn lanes. Add to that the tracks for the MUNI in the middle and it's all a bit crazy near the Galleria.

And if you're down by Stonestown when the holiday's come, be sure to leave lots of extra time to do anything because the road backs up, the parking lot gets full, people seem to forget how to press the gas pedal and you might sit through the light a few times.

All the same, you'll find lots of great stores inside with a reasonable food court and a post office nearby -- just in case you want to shop and immediately mail your holiday gifts.

Driving in this area is absolutely crazy. Getting off the 280 south exit is particularly crazy as the roads all come together in an odd way. Public transit dominates Ocean and the traffic just moves slowly. Sadly, it's a road many must travel to get through that area.

If you can get off the main streets and slip onto the roads north of Ocean, you'll have lots of traffic of a different kind -- the sort that comes with the youthful vibe associate with college. If you can get to the college by public transit -- relatively easy considering the proximity to the Balboa Park Bart station -- you may have an easier time getting around. And if you can't, stay alert if you're driving! I'd rate this a 2.5 if I could, but 2 just seems too low, so I give it a 3.

If you own a bike and you enjoy riding in a mostly flat area, this is actually a part of San Francisco where you can get a good ride in without too much traffic, too many traffic devices, nor too many hills. Be careful of cars on Sloat as you ride west toward the Ocean, though it shouldn't be too much trouble as it is a main road and fairly wide. When you hit Lakeshore, turn left and head down to Lake Merced.

A ride around the lake is a great way to go, heading back up Skyline toward Sloat. If you're up for the challenge and want a few hills, take Sunset Blvd. north to Golden Gate. Or you can simply stop and rest by Lake Merced and enjoy the view of the water.

If you're traveling by car, remember to leave extra time to get around here in the summer, especially on weekends.

This tiny little neighborhood is tucked away in the ever so suburban part of San Francisco. Like it's adjacent areas, St. Francis Wood and Balboa Terrace, you'll get that feel of well to do residence who have a little bit of money and a lot of fun view.

I imagine growing up there and walking to school every day might actually make possible the idea of walking up hill, every day, in both directions, to get back and forth.

After you've been around San Francisco, you are likely to see the big steel tower on the hill. There are photographs of the wind moving the clouds across it in several calendar's I've seen. I've also heard this three pronged tower called "The Devil's Tower" -- I assume because it looks somewhat like a pitch fork.

Not too far from the tower you can head over to Twin Peaks for THE panoramic view of San Francisco. If you can find a clear night, you might even see something! It's fun to look out over the city and notice where the parks are on the western side -- both Golden Gate Park as well as Buena Vista -- because these are the dark spots in an otherwise well lit view.

Follow the lights up Market Street and look down to the beginning where it meets Castro Street. On a clear day you can even see the Pride Flag.

The staggered houses allow glimpses of the city as you drive around this hilly part of town. You're sure to enjoy a view of something gorgeous, as long as it isn't a foggy day.

I have a friend who lives up on the hill there and her house has several decks on it -- not uncommon in this area. One day a group of girlfriends and I played dress-up and converged on her deck in prom gowns. Then we had a fun filled photo shoot enjoying the view of the city as we did so.

If you're driving stick, be sure you know how to shift in this part of the city!

If you haven't seen the lovely new row of palm trees put in as you exit from 101 onto Octavia Street you must check out the beautiful new stretch of road, including a great bike lane -- freshly paved -- going in both directions. Octavia terminates where it meets Fell street a lovely park is there. Continue to the other side and you'll also enjoy Stacks dinner.

If you enjoy going out to bars with food as well as some great DJing and dance music, Triple Crown on Market Street is not to be missed. This sizzling new location is owned by some of San Francisco's dance communities hottest promoters and DJs so you're bound to have a great time there.

Be sure to look around on the corners. One of the fenced in North East corners has a set of hand painted signs made to help rejuvenate the neighborhood. My favorite sign: "The Land of Plenty is Already Here"

One of the most surprising sites in San Francisco is the amazing gorge on the west side of Forrest Knolls. This drive down 7th Avenue as it turns into Laguna Honda Blvd is a few minutes of bliss. Suddenly, you're immersed in an unexpected place where it seems like you're inside of a mountain in the country with no houses around at all. The drive is lovely with nature enveloping you.

At the Kirkham end of the drive, there's a beautiful community garden which is a joy to witness. And on the north end of Forrest Knolls, you'll find the University of California campus at the top of the hill where 3rd Avenue meets Parnassus.

The South part of the Financial District in SF is a thriving part of the city and here you'll find some wonderful culture. Shops, business people and restaurants abound, as do homeless people, bringing you a real flavor for the fullness of San Francisco residence.

Have a great dinner at Osha Thai on 2nd Street then go around the corner to Howard and grab a beer at Kate O'Briens. If you'd rather look than eat, you can enjoy the Cartoon Art Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, some lovely ladies at the Gold Club and may even notice some of the tiles in the sidewalks have glitter in them, sparkling in the sunshine.

Like it's neighboring area, St. Francis Wood, Balboa Terrace is a delightful area filled with lovely streets, trees, bold houses and a general feeling of fiscally comfortable people living there. The area is conveniently located near 280 for easy retreats to the south and following 19th Avenue north to the Golden Gate makes a Napa retreat a breeze. The southern part of this neighborhood is bordered by Ocean Avenue, providing access to some smaller shops and food establishment. This area deserves a 4.5 star rating, not a 4.

This part of San Francisco has some tucked away houses, one of the main campuses for Kaiser, and a shopping center topping the hill at Geary and Masonic. The houses are moderate in this area and nothing special to take note of, though they rest atop a hilly section of the city. Traversing this area can be somewhat challenging with the one way movement of O'Farrell and the lack of left turns onto Geary. So if you're trying to get around, be sure to check your map first and make sure you know which streets will get you where. I'd like to rate this area a solid 2.5, though I'll kindly go up the half point because of Kaiser's excellent services.

Civic Center proudly lights up City Hall and the square around it. In the center of the square is a beautiful little park, including a children's area (monitored for adults). The Ballet, Opera House, Court House and main branch of the SF Public Library are all a football's throw away -- well, at least for a quarterback. ;)

BART is conveniently located right there with the Civic Center station being a transfer point between MUNI and the BART system, as well as a stopping point for many lines in the city, so it is very easy to get to and without worrying about parking. Even so, parking is fairly abundant for such a busy area and parking garages are nearby as well.

Lots of food can be found from the upscale and ever impressive Jardiniere to more moderate yet classy Soluna Lounge to the more hip Vegetarian hot spot, Ananda Fuara. Like to cook for yourself or get some hand made crafts? Then visit the Farmer's Market happening on Sundays in UN Plaza.

Diamond Heights boasts some of the best hills in San Francisco, twisting and turning as you descend/ascend on so many streets, especially O'shaughnessy Blvd and Diamond Heights Blvd. As you drive on these streets, you can easily get caught up in the views that peak through the houses and breaks in the road.

While the views are amazing, you may be more impressed by nature when, at certain times of year, you can smell the beautiful aroma of eucalyptus/bay laurel. Unlike some of the more dense urban areas in SF, there's more more greenery in Diamond Heights and when it comes to earthquakes, it is one of the safer places to be in San Francisco because there's more bedrock (as opposed to sand like the Marina) which survives the shaking quite a bit better.

I would like to rate the overall vibe of this area 3.5 because it isn't quite a 4 star area, and neither is it a 3 star area, though this system only allows for full star rating.

If you've ever visited San Francisco, you'll notice a diverse array of styles of homes. St. Francis Wood boosts some of the largest houses tucked away on some of the quieter street. Trees line the areas and lawns abound, with a lot more space than you might normally see in San Francisco.

Driving around and viewing the neighborhood and houses is an inspiring experience. The houses are large -- some might even say grand -- each offering a unique style. The area looks flush with money. The south western part of St. Francis Wood also offers some lovely street signs to really give the area some special magic as you ride through. As you climb up the hill, you can expect to see some lovely vistas from the area. And although this neighborhood is in this booming metropolitan city, it has a quiet feeling and seems nestled away, as if a hidden spot in the woods.