Communities

Borders:
North – Presidio & Marina District
South – Lakeshore, Excelsior & Visitation Valley
West – Richmond & Sunset Districts
East – Embarcadero, Dogpatch & Bayview Hunters Point

General Feel: Urban
POSH Neighborhoods: Pacific Heights, Nob Hill and Russian Hill
Hot Spots: South Beach, SOMA (South of Market), The Mission and Noe Valley
Hidden Treasures: Cole Valley, Corona Heights and Bernal Heights

Climate: San Francisco has as many micro-climates as it does neighborhoods. In general, annual temperatures range from 46°F to 75°F, and while certain areas tend to be warm and sunny, others feel much colder. Even within neighborhoods, while hills or ridges block the marine influence for some, while other topographical features like valleys and large open spaces funnel-in the ocean fog and cold breezes. As a very simplified rule of thumb, draw a line from the Marina District (north) to Oceanview (south) – Everything west tends to be more prone to cold and fog, and everything east, prone to sun and warmth. And despite what the calendar says, the San Francisco Summer is at its peak in September and October. For climate specifics in any neighborhood, by street, just ask Pamela.

Of Interest: SFMoMA, Asian Art Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora, Galeria de la Raza, de Young Museum, Palace of the Legion of Honor, California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, Yerba Buena Cultural Center, Fort Mason Center, Walt Disney Family Museum, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Davies Symphony Hall, SF Ballet, LINES ballet; 826 Valencia Writing Project, SF Conservatory of Music, Diego Rivera mural at City College of San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay, and San Francisco Zoo

Recreation Spots & Events: Golden Gate Park, AT&T Park, San Francisco Zoo, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, North Beach Festival, San Francisco Street Food Festival, Bay to Breakers (cross-city 12K race for serious or costumed runners), Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, Stern Grove Festival, and Fleet Week

Utilities & Services: Resource links and contact information for schools, water, electric, sewer, and garbage for this county available here.

Borders:
Bay Side – Brisbane to San Mateo/Foster City
Ocean Side – Daly City to Moss Beach

General Feel: Urban & Industrial San Francisco bedroom communities
POSH Neighborhoods: Hillsborough, San Mateo Park and Baywood
Hot Spots: Burlingame and San Mateo
Hidden Treasures: Brisbane

Climate: Bay side generally a mild Mediterranean climate while the ocean side is more prone to fog. Occasional rain occurs December to March.

Of Interest: Hiller Aviation Museum, Asian restaurants and markets, San Mateo Japanese Tea Garden, Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia, San Mateo County Event Center, Skyline College, Peninsula Library System including Burlingame and San Mateo Public Libraries, and the CuriOdyssey Museum, and Pacifica Center for the Arts

Recreation Spots & Events: Crystal Springs Reservoir, San Bruno Mountain Recreation Area, Cow Palace, Coyote Point, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Montara Lighthouse, Oyster Point Marina, Concourse d’Elegance, and City of Stars

Utilities & Services: Resource links and contact information for schools, water, electric, sewer, and garbage for this county available here.

Borders:
Bay Side – Redwood Shores/City and Belmont/Menlo Park to East Palo Alto
Ocean Side – Half Moon Bay to Pigeon Point

General Feel: High-end residential
POSH Neighborhoods: Atherton, Woodside and Portola Valley
Hot Spots: Central Menlo Park and The Willows
Hidden Treasures: Skyline and Woodside Glen

Climate: Moderate and comfortable year-round with less fog ocean side than in the Northern part of the county. Occasional rain occurs December to March.

Of Interest: San Mateo County History Museum, Marine Science Institute, Runnymede Sculpture Farm, US Geological Survey Visitor Center, and Old Woodside Store

Recreation Spots & Events: Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Filoli Gardens, Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail, Pulgas Water Temple, Pescadero Creek County Park, San Mateo County Beaches, Kings Mountain Art Fair, Millbrae Art & Wine Festival, Mavericks Surf Contest, Redwood City Music on the Square, Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, and Lemos Farm

Utilities & Services: Resource links and contact information for schools, water, electric, sewer, and garbage for this county available here.

Borders: Palo Alto through Mountain View/Cupertino/Sunnyvale

General Feel: Tech Residential
POSH Neighborhoods: Palo Alto, Crescent Park, Old Palo Alto and Professorville
Hot Spots: Palo Alto through Mountain View
Hidden Treasures: Downtown Sunnyvale

Climate: Mediterranean climate is temperate year round. Generally warm and dry with occasional rain in winter months.

Of Interest: Stanford University, NASA Ames Visitor Center, Moffett Field Historical Society Museum, Cantor Arts Center, Rengsdorff House, Picchetti Brothers Winery, Computer History Museum, Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, Google Tours, and Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

Recreation Spots & Events: Baylands Park, Rancho San Antonio County Park, Stevens Creek, Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, Shoreline Park, Shoreline Amphitheatre, and Permanente Creek

Utilities & Services: Resource links and contact information for schools, water, electric, sewer, and garbage for this county available here.

Borders: Santa Clara and San Jose/Campbell/Willow Glen south to Los Gatos/Saratoga

General Feel: Mix of Urban, Suburban and High-end Residential
POSH Neighborhoods: Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Rose Garden
Hot Spots: Willow Glen and Happy Valley
Hidden Treasures: Old Town in Santa Clara, Naglee Park in San Jose, and Campbell

Climate: Mediterranean climate is temperate year round and generally warm and dry with occasional rain in winter months with snow topping the local mountains.

Of Interest: The Tech Museum, Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose Museum of Art, Triton Museum of Art, The Mountain Winery, San Jose Jazz, Children’s Musical Theater San Jose, Symphony Silicon Valley, Opera San Jose, Ballet San Jose, San Jose Repertory Theater, Phantom Galleries, Winchester Mystery House, Mount Hamilton and Lick Observatory, Villa Montalvo and Arts Center, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and Alviso Marina County Park/Salt Marshes & Wetlands

Recreation Spots & Events: HP Pavilion/Shark Tank, South FIRST FRIDAYS, SubZERO, Santa Clara County Fair, Roosevelt Roller Hockey Rink, Great America, Santa Cruz Mountains, Gilroy Gardens, and Raging Waters

Utilities & Services: Resource links and contact information for schools, water, electric, sewer, and garbage for this county available here.