Thinking about living in San Francisco? As one of the best places to live on the West Coast, SF offers affordable rental homes and apartments, spacious parks, and amazing food. Check out these five best places to rent a home in San Francisco!
Haight-Ashbury
- Home Price: $2,397 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 35% of San Francisco neighborhoods
- Renter-Occupied Homes: 80%
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Known as the “the hippie district” and home to the iconic Grateful Dead House, Haight-Ashbury is an eclectic San Francisco neighborhood recognized for its connection to the 1960s Summer of Love counterculture movement. Today, Haight-Ashbury is a hub for arts and culture and draws in a hip crowd with its vintage stores, trendy restaurants, and laid-back dive bars. Also great for young families, Haight-Ashbury offers close proximity to the biggest park in San Francisco, Golden Gate Park—which contains outdoor recreation amenities like the Koret Playground, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Goldman Tennis Center, and more. Those moving to Haight-Ashbury will find an abundance of apartments and a mix of historic single-family Victorian homes for rent. Plus, this popular neighborhood’s central location makes it convenient for commuting throughout the city, providing residents with quick access to Downtown San Francisco!
Things to Do in Haight-Ashbury
Browse rows of new and vintage CDs and vinyl, or attend free live music performances at Amoeba Music—one of the best San Francisco record stores. Shop for high-end women’s and men’s vintage clothing at Wasteland. Play fetch with your pup, reserve a court for a singles or doubles match, or stroll the trails while taking in scenic views of the city at Buena Vista Park—the oldest park in San Francisco. Meet Lyra the raccoon in The Live Animal Exhibit, or let your kids explore interactive exhibits like Riding the Rails and Food for Thought at the Randall Museum. Looking for Haight-Ashbury breakfast options? Try the Chorizo n’ Eggs, Chicken Apple Sausage, and Garden Veggie Burger at Pork Store Cafe. Order an extra large Miss Figgy, Popeye & Olive, or You Say Potato pizza at Escape From New York Pizza—an SF staple since 1986. Craving Caribbean food in San Francisco? Enjoy small-plate tapas like the Cajun Shrimp, Lechon Asado, and Platanos Maduros at Cha Cha Cha. Or catch up with friends over seasonal cocktails like the Ruby Slipper, West Coast Flip, and Cherry Coloured Funk at The Alembic.
Marina District
- Home Price: $2,757 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 32% of San Francisco neighborhoods
- Renter-Occupied Homes: 72%
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
With prime views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, the Marina District is a great place to rent a home in SF—offering everything from chic, Mediterranean-style homes to a mixture of low and high-rise apartments. As one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in San Francisco, the Marina District allows you to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy some peace and quiet. But there’s still plenty to do! Not only is this area home to large parks like Marina Green and well-known landmarks like the Palace of Fine Arts and Fort Mason, but there are tons of Marina District shopping options along Chestnut Street, as well. Residents love how walkable and bikeable the area is, providing quick access to swimming at Aquatic Park Cove, kayaking in the San Francisco Marina, and more. Not to mention, there are trendy restaurants, lively bars, and fun annual events like the San Francisco Art Fair and Union Street Festival for residents to explore.
Things to Do in Marina District
Go windsurfing, relax on the beach, or ride your bike on the trails at Crissy Field. Catch the latest Hollywood blockbuster or watch classic noir films at Presidio Theatre. View art galleries and exhibits like Yunfei Ren At The Guardhouse, or attend the Renegade Craft Fair at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture. Solve complex puzzles and clues in The Attraction Escape Room, or check out Lollyland: A Mini Golf Puzzle Adventure at Palace Games. Get your caffeine fix with an Iced Americano, Horchata Latte, or Golden Milk Latte at Twisted St. Cafe. Enjoy brunch in the Marina District with an order of Tater Tot Nachos paired with Dulce De Leche Pancakes or a Chorizo Frittata at Home Plate San Francisco. Try the Roasted Potato Pizza, Grilled Polenta, and Black Bean Chili at Greens Restaurant. Or sink your teeth into authentic Mexican cuisine like the Pork Chile Colorado, Traditional Carnitas, and Baja-Style Fish Tacos at Tacolicious.
Nob Hill
- Home Price: $1,967 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 53% of San Francisco neighborhoods
- Renter-Occupied Homes: 80%
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Nestled near iconic spots like Chinatown and Union Square, offering stunning views of the San Francisco skyline, you’ll find Nob Hill—one of the most historic neighborhoods in San Francisco. With housing options ranging from affordable Victorian homes to newly built high-rise condos and lofts, Nob Hill is one of the best places to rent a home in San Francisco. Residents can easily get around the neighborhood thanks to its excellent walkability, convenient SFMTA Cable Cars, and quick access to Downtown SF. Plus, Nob Hill provides close proximity to higher education opportunities at Northeastern University’s San Francisco Satellite Campus and City College of San Francisco’s Chinatown/North Beach Center. This, in addition to Nob Hill’s bustling nightlife scene and great foodie spots, make it one of the best neighborhoods for singles and young professionals looking to rent in SF—though residents of all ages are sure to appreciate this neighborhood’s top-notch amenities!
Things to Do in Nob Hill
Turn your kids loose on the playground, have lunch next to the fountain, or go for an evening walk with your four-legged friend at Huntington Park. Learn more about SF’s history at the Chinese Historical Society of America and the San Francisco Cable Car Museum. Grab tickets to see performances from musical artists like Chelsea Cutler and comedians like Tim Robinson at The Masonic. Shop for unique gifts, home decor, candles, apparel, and more at Picnic SF. Enjoy Italian dishes like the Polla alla Parmigiana, Margherita Pizza, and Penna Bettola at Nob Hill Cafe. Order the Panko Prawns, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, or Kabocha Squash Curry Risotto at Aliment. Go out for date night to try the French Onion Soup and Bone-In Ribeye with a slice of Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Cake for dessert at Osso Steakhouse. Or meet up with friends to sip on craft tiki cocktails like the Mermaid Margarita, Tiny Bubbles, and Tropical Itch at Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar—one of the best bars in Nob Hill.
South of Market
- Home Price: $2,216 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 12% of San Francisco neighborhoods
- Renter-Occupied Homes: 71%
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
If you’re looking to rent a home in one of the most lively SF neighborhoods, its hard to find a better spot than South of Market, also known as SoMa. This huge neighborhood is surrounded by trendy areas like Mission Bay, the Design District, South Beach, and Yerba Buena—making it a hot spot for San Francisco renters wanting to be near the heart of the city! Residents can choose from housing options like historic buildings, converted warehouses, and modern high-rises. While young adults flock to SoMa’s many SF nightlife venues and Michelin-star restaurants, families enjoy attractions like the Children’s Creativity Museum. You’ll also find vast green spaces like Yerba Buena Gardens and Salesforce Park, as well as premier shopping hubs like Emporium Centre San Francisco. In addition, SoMa is home to a variety of great companies to work for—including Airbnb, Lyft, Yelp, LinkedIn, and Figma—helping to make San Francisco one of the best cities for jobs. And those commuting to and from work have convenient access to SF public transportation options like SFMTA Muni and BART.
Things to Do in South of Market
Cheer on the San Francisco Giants (MLB) at Oracle Park—one of the best MLB stadiums! Catch live music in San Francisco from artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Luis Miguel, and Blink-182, or watch the Golden State Warriors (NBA) on the court at the Chase Center. Celebrate artists at Art Bash or explore the exhibits and art installations at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art—one of the largest modern and contemporary art museums in the U.S. Play a pick-up hockey game, take skating lessons, or knock some pins down at Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center. Looking for the best SoMa restaurants? Order the Super Burger with a side of Garlic Fries and wash it down with a milkshake at Super Duper Burgers. Try the Fritto Misto, Fava Bean Hummus Sandwich, and Grilled Skirt Steak Salad at Marlowe. Make reservations to experience the thoughtfully-curated tasting menus and beverage pairings at Birdsong, one of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Or enjoy decadent craft cocktails like the Ube Colada, Rhinestone Cowboy, and Dr. Quinzel at popular SoMa bar The Harlequin.
Western Addition
- Home Price: $1,540 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 24% of San Francisco neighborhoods
- Renter-Occupied Homes: 78%
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Made up of smaller neighborhoods like Lower Pacific Heights, the Fillmore District, and Hayes Valley, Western Addition is a diverse San Francisco neighborhood that’s perfect for renters! Located just north of the Panhandle, Western Addition is an extremely walkable and bikeable SF neighborhood filled with art, local boutiques, and trendy eateries and bars to explore along Divisadero Street. Not only is the area home to the iconic Painted Ladies and Japantown, it also attracts music lovers with its variety of jazz clubs and concert venues, as well as the annual Western Addition Music Festival. On top of all that, this neighborhood is one of the best places to rent in San Francisco thanks to its affordable housing options, which include Victorian-style duplexes, refurbished apartments, and modern high-rises. The neighborhood is also just a few blocks away from the University of San Francisco, making it a convenient spot for those looking to further their studies or pursue a career in education!
Things to Do in Western Addition
Have a picnic, play a game of tennis, or let your furry friend run around the dog play area at Alamo Square Park. Jam out to popular artists and bands such as Brittany Howard, Niko Moon, and The Record Company at iconic SF venue The Fillmore. Bust out your roller skating moves and dance along to the music at Church of 8 Wheels. See theater productions like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Dos Mujeres, and Swan Lake Encore from the San Francisco Ballet at the nearby War Memorial Opera House. Pick up a loaf of freshly baked bread or pastries like Ciabatta, Cinnamon Rolls, and Savory Turnovers at Jane the Bakery. Give Southern breakfast a try by ordering the Pulled Pork Hash, Low Country Gumbo, or the Granny Smith Apple Beignets at Brenda’s Meat & Three. Enjoy upscale Italian food in San Francisco with dishes like Tagliatelle Al Ragu, Animelle Di Vitello, and Carne Cruda at Che Fico. Or sample pirate and tiki-themed craft cocktails like the Captain’s Grog, Puka Punch, and Banana Daiquiri with over 500 different types of rum to choose from at Smuggler’s Cove.
***
Moving to San Francisco? Extra Space Storage has self storage facilities throughout the Bay Area that can help you have a smooth transition. Find affordable storage units in San Francisco!
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
