Oh the history, architecture and beauty of Nob Hill. It is enhanced by reading Adah Bakalinsky's book "Stairway Walks in San Francisco". The author is quite thorough with the history of neighborhoods in SF. We use her book to explore different neighborhoods every month. Each walk offers fascinating information. Nob Hill was no exception. One must walk the area to truly observe the beauty. Grace Cathedral is a special place to see and the Fairmont during the holidays is always incredibly festive. read more

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Review #1,000. A review about Nob Hill and a specific personal memory of this place. Today is my friend KW's birthday. Or at least that's what I was told by her many year's ago. But then when she passed away a few years ago, I read a different birthday date posted on her obituary. So maybe I messed up and always celebrated her birthday one month sooner than her actual birthday, but she never corrected me. She's that kind of person. A kind person, a truly wonderful person, someone who just kind of goes with the flow. KW lived in Nob Hill. She was my dad's (an artist) student when I met her. I admired her as a child because she did things her way even though nothing was easy as I learned as an adult. Her life was somewhat glamorous, but not without difficulties that we all have to go through in this life and although I won't go into too much details, I will always remember her being beautiful and had a harp and cats in her apartment. She lived just a few steps down the hill from the Ritz. I remember her kindness, her appreciation for life which was contagious, her love of cats, especially black cats, and her love of people. She helped a homeless/unhoused person found housing/shelter. She loved this vibrant neighborhood. Nob Hill is famous for many fine hotels, the Grace Cathedral, and tons of history in the many buildings that surrounds it. But in these hills, there are many stories, some known and many untold. Time moves on, continuous, every day with new people and experiences. Many of these stories/experiences --forgotten. Thus why I want to write these thoughts down. Whether you are local or a visitor, Nob Hill has lots to offer. If you want fancy hotels or hole in the wall restaurants, this place has them. Probably most visited as it's nearby to downtown, Chinatown, Fishermans' Wharf, North Beach and Pacific Heights. I hope you enjoy the history of this place, the diversity of food offerings, and the cable car rides, ding ding as each one slides up and down these storied hills. read more

Nob Hill - Taylor and Pine. - Local Flavor Near Me

The good news is that it's a great neighborhood. And it's close shopping, hotels and restaurants. But it's not an easy walking area, especially as you get older. There are pretty strenuous climbs that are literally not for the faint of heart. read more

Nob Hill - Mason up to California - Local Flavor Near Me

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The Views!! Grace Cathedral and it's labyrinth! The gingerbread house during the holidays at the Fairmount! The Tonga Room! Cable Cars! Wild parrots! The Masonic! This might be Snob Hill but it has a lot going for it. And I don't think it's snobby; it's just that the restaurants are a little expensive...but no worse than Noe Valley. So go , have fun, and there are cheap eats in Chinatown just next door. read more

This is a nice part of the city of San Francisco. There are still homeless people and drug addicts hanging around here and there, but so far none of them have bothered anyone that I've seen. You are within walking distance of many restaurants and cafés as well as public transportation. I like this place. Rent is also surprisingly affordable for San Francisco here. read more

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Nob Hill is where most of the older buildings are located. In some places, the buildings are run down, while in other places, the buildings are really well kept and some modernized architecturally. Nob Hill area houses places like The Cable Car Museum, and many small businesses. The area is relatively owned by "old money" meaning many landlords have been in this area for quite sometime. This is a nice neighborhood to walk through and browse the small businesses. I think it's A-OK because it is quaint, older part of The City. Would I stay in the area? Not really, because it's noisy with all the vehicular traffic and cable car lines running from 5:30am to 1am the next morning. read more

Nob Hill - Local Flavor Near Me

Nob Hill is where I grew up. I was born in Nob Hill at St. Francis Memorial Hospital. You can't get any more local than that. Growing up here is magical. I rode the cable cars (which are so much fun! Like Disneyland!) up and down the hills. I walked everywhere. I played in the sandboxes of Huntington Park and strolled through Grace Cathedral on regular basis. The Fairmont hotel felt like home. Isn't it wonderful to live in a place so beautiful with the views, amazing ambiance and cosmopolitan people around you? Lucky me! read more

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I'm in love with Nob Hill. I've lived in this area for 6 years...compared to others, that's not very long, but regardless, it's still home. So many gorgeous sights here. This location in the city is both a local and tourist spot. Cable cars go right through this area, Grace Cathedral is here, and the most famous/top notch hotels are located here. Only downside here is the parking. Hard to find, but when you do, it feels like you have found gold (and diamonds/rubies/etc.) read more

Nob Hill - Gorgeous morning view - Local Flavor Near Me

It's an amazing place. I highly recommend riding both directions of the Cable Car through here. Huntington Park up top is SO cool. Grace Cathedral is a quite an onion-like study if you want to spend a few hours peeling back the layers. I've lived on the West side on the Cable Car line for two years. There are great people here. I love the neighborhood. I'll elaborate more, but for now, I'll leave it there. It's an amazing place. Period. Bring your wallet. :) read more

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If you're as dyslexic as I am then you think this neighborhood is called Hobgoblin so it is instantly awesome just on its name alone. Lots of tourists. I say that as a tourist. But I blend in since I'm a bland corporatey type and always here on business, I look like I belong just like every other entitled big-four-mentality prick you can find. But not these other tourists. The hills are no joke. Bring your mountain climbing shoes, leave grandma at home. I like how in Michelle H.'s review she favorably described the hills as there to shape your booty. Please note that tourists. read more

The name "Nob Hill" conjures up images of a wealthy little neighborhood set, naturally, on a lovely hilltop. Well, it turns out that that is exactly what the area is. I really enjoyed walking around here and passing by the lovely, historic buildings (many of which, unlike other areas of the city, date back before the 1906 earthquake). As the name suggests, the neighborhood is indeed at the top of a hill - it's quite the climb, though you can also take a cable car. There weren't as many cutesy cafes and boutiques as I would have expected, and also, it seems that the residents of Nob Hill consider themselves above cleaning up after their dogs. Nice place to walk around! read more

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This is a neighborhood that gets very upscale as the altitude climbs. Nice homes, condo, and hotels are at and close to the top. Most of the buildings are tall. The hill also plays home to part of Chinatown. Its pretty diverse. Its either a short climb from Union Square or Fishermans Wharf or a short cable car ride. My favorite thing on the top of the hill is Grace Cathedral. It is beautiful with its huge metal doors (I've heard they are reproductions of some famous cathedral doors in Europe.) Inside the cathedral is beautiful as well, If you time it right there are musical events here (the acoustics are great). Tip. Take the California Cable Car its less crowded then the other lines (by far) usually has no lines and takes you up Nob Hill. Tip 2 as you walk around, watch where you are stepping (good advice anywhere in San Francisco. read more

That's right. 5 stars. Why? I live here, and I love it. I think it's about time for a poem: Sometimes I take the 27 if I'm feelin' real lazy, Though it runs through the 'loin where the people are crazy. Caught my first glimpse of a dirty crack pipe, Too bad thugs and drunks are not my type. If it weren't for that damn cable car outside my window, Life on top of the Nob would be so perfecto, I got the New Russian Hill market down the street, Hardwood floors underneath my feet. Let's not discuss parking, Because there is none, If you do find a spot, I could use one. Thank the lord for rent control or else I'd pay a grip, And have no money for my next exotic trip. The hike back home sometimes is a pain, But if I lived anywhere else, I wouldn't be the same. Word. read more

- For being central to most everything I'd want or care to do in San Francisco - - 5 stars. - For the hustle and bustle from being only a few blocks from Union Square - - 5 stars. - For being a quick downhill walk to Union Square - - excellent. - For making me realize I desparately need to exercise my legs when I am walking back home, UPHILL - - blasphemous! - For having a market, liquor store, laundromat, restaurant, bar, and dry cleaner on every single block - - 5 stars. But if ONE MORE FRIEND gets their car towed after they spend the obligatory minimum of 45 minutes looking for parking where parking is nonexistent - - - I'm coming back to edit this review. read more

This "hotel" is more of a cozy bed & breakfast. The rooms are tiny, but very well-kept and clean. PROS: smack dab center of the city, good continental breakfast, beautiful decorations, Victorian-esque setting... CONS: small, enduces claustrophobia. read more

Not sterile or snobby, Nob Hill presents itself at the top of the class. One of the finer neighborhoods in SF (and consequently more expensive) this neighborhood is in the center of it all. 10 min walk from Pac Heights, 20 min walk from SOMA, Financial district, North Beach and Lower Pac (all a $5-7 cab ride as well)...and 25 from the Marina. You've also got heaps of bars/food/boutiques/coffee houses just down the hill on Hyde and Polk. The Powell-Hyde cable car runs smack dab through Nob Hill so you can easily head to the warf or to downtown. The hills. I must say, the hills...they are a real glute-tightening event, as noted by Deanna T. Be sure to keep close with your Nob Hill friends as the rooftops in Nob Hill are the 'ish. You can see nearly the entire city. Amplified. read more

I really left a piece of my heart in SF!!! I recently moved back to the DC area from SF and I miss it. Nob Hill, is one of those amazing neighborhoods that you can walk up stairs to get to the next block bc of the hills/ mountain. I lived near Grace Cathedral and its one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in the US. It is also close to a lot of the hotels Fairmont and Ritz but it doesn't feel like a tourist trap. Not to mention, China town is next door & North Beach is less than 10 minutes away. It's also close to Union Square a central transportation spot with the Muni, Cable cars & Bart your one stop to getting around the Bay Area. The mall & the food and did I mention the shopping is to die for!!! Sigh, the fashion possibilities. Also the famous twins live off California Ave. I feel that if you're young single and free this is place to be to find yourself. Its expensive but well worth it. It's beyond obvious that I'm a fan of this neighborhood had a wonderful journey in this town. There are so many hidden gems such as visiting Agatha Christie's mansion for a tour, or savory some wine in small cellar or viewing some art at a nearby gallery. So now, I'm going to wrap up this review. read more

Nattering nabobs? sNobs? Tenders? I'll go with Tenders. What the French am I talking about, Toast? (Hi, Alyssa!) Why, nicknames for people who live in Nob Hill, silly. Or on Nob Hill. Or who have rent-controlled apartments here but haven't actually lived in San Francisco since the 1970s. People who are afraid of _____ people and who think San Francisco was a fine old town until the _____s moved in and ruined it for the rest of us. Never mind that the _____s built the warships you used to beat back fascism in Europe in imperialism in Asia. And now, my friends, on to the real review. I really like Nob Hill. It has its fair share of Tenders, sure, but what neighborhood doesn't have residents you'd rather not see or hear? It also has a dominating slope that can get ridiculous at times. There are walking-distance hospitals, Walgreenses aplenty, a partially underground post office. Again, walking-distance cable-car stops that are actually useful, old new old stores, chipped sidewalks, even non-froufrou restaurants. My advice to all you people who don't live here (including me) is to come early and often. Maybe we can scare the Tenders away. Or get them to stay in their $435-a-month 1,800-square-foot apartments. Or we could always just make them uncomfortable in a general way. You have no idea. You really don't. read more

I grew up trekking up these hills; returning from school or the movies and I always enjoyed the views of the City along the way from any direction. Now that I work at the bottom of Nob Hill, or the Lower Nob, I spend most of my lunch hour making the same trek up the same hills and back down neighboring Russian Hill for a glute-tightening energy boost. read more

Nob Hill has it's ups and downs. Up: Some good restaurants that aren't too busy. Down: PARKING Up: Central to most of what you would want to do in SF Down: Hills Up: Great, legendary hotels Down: I live here so I never get to stay at these hotels Up: First place I moved when living in SF Down: Will try another area very soon Up: Telling people I live in Nob Hill Down: walking 3 blocks south of Nob Hill and being i the tenderloin Overall, Nob Hill is okay. read more

I love Nob Hill. Never lived there...probably never will...but I love it. Cable cars passing through, smiling tourists on those cable cars, views of the Golden Gate bridge, the water, AND the bay bridge...hills to shape your booty, adorable cafes, restaurants, and bars, a great neighborhood feel, friendly people, and endless charm. Bad side? Parking. It's nearly impossible to find. But goodness, if I didn't have/need a car, I truly wish I could have lived in this neighborhood at some point. read more

Nob Hill is one of those neighborhoods that have alot in it.. I personally hate parts of Downtown, but this part has alot of places I like to check out/go to. PARKING SUCKS THO. read more

Access to Chinatown, Muni, and restaurarants are ideal. I get homesick for the hills when I stay in Japantown or Tendernob. I love hiking the slopes. I prefer this area of the city the most because a laundromat and Union Square are close by. My friend had managed to live here as an art student. read more

What a cool neighborhood! I am still relatively new to the area and I'm learning neighborhoods. If I lived in the city, I would most definitely consider checking out this area to live in in the future. Plenty of stores, shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and people seemed quite nice! Lots of dogs everywhere which would be nice since I have one. It's in the middle of the city, beautiful buildings all around, and I look forward to exploring it more soon! read more

So many good restaurants and bars, I almost can't keep up with it all!

Terrible experience. I had a reservation today , I arrived to the hotel the front desk was so rude , the elevator door is an old fashion hit my shoulder twice , I got to the room , the key didn't work. I went on the stairs because the elevator is harmful , the I got to the room after she reset the card , the room was too small , my husband was using the bathroom when he noticed that the toilet is broken ( couldn't FLUSH) We tried to call from the room , it keep giving us busy signal, we called from our cell phone. She said no technician here but she will try hopefully she will get one , we went for couple of hours shopping. Then at 9 pm we came back to the hotel asked if the problem is fixed. , same employee who is the only employee anyway. Said no , and asked us to use a bath room for the hallway I said really. You want me to wake up at night and go outside my rooms d use outside bathroom , she called me rude and made up a phone call to the police #FAKE CALL Immediately I called Expedia and asked them to reserve me a jogger hotel because it seems that the front desk is CRAZY WE LEFT AND GOT ANOTHER HOTEL. STAY AWAY FROM NOB HILLS DOWNTOWN SAN FRANSISCO VERY RUDE FRONT DESK FAILTHY MOTEL I CANT EVEN CALL IT read more

Wedged between downtown, Polk Street, the Tenderloin, Chinatown and Little Italy, Nob Hill represents a true cross-section of San Francisco in my mind. Great architecture, great shopping and great food are the hallmark of this neighborhood. read more

My favorite neighborhood in all of San Francisco! When you see this city in the movies, you're probably watching Nob Hill. It's quite a steep hill. And that is why there are cable cars! They're only here. And of course tourists love it, they are everywhere. That's part of the reason I like it so much (most of the time), there are always people everywhere. If I'm bored inside my apartment I just walk outside and voila! Life! Lots of restaurants, lots of markets, lots of shops, lots of nightlife, lots of everything. Parts of it are immaculate, others are gritty. But as a whole, it's perfect. Perfectly livable, perfectly visitable. I love it! (So does my dog) read more

Nob Hill is one of the most romantic parts of the city. There are very few actual homes left so keep your eye out for one. Nob Hill is like stepping back into time to time more romantic. read more

We love upper Nob Hill we have lived there almost 2 years now. We have a large apartment that we got at a steal. We feel generally safe there and my daughter works evenings so is walking home at night so that was a must to have a safe place. It is close to everything. The people are friendly and for the most part keep to themselves. It is clean and pleasant. On the edges of Nob Hill you do get close to the Tenderloin area, but for the most part they leave everyone alone. We love SF what can I say and we came from a small town in Oklahoma. It has stolen our heart. Great places to eat, close to everything. read more

I was hesitant to move from the Haight to Nob Hill. I mean, those are two pretty different locations in the city and I really loved living in the Haight. However, Nob Hill has been a fantastic change. It really is close to everything! I have found myself walking a ton more than I used to and there is just so much to do and see in the neighborhood. Great sights, restaurants, views and so on. Plus, I think the weather is a little better over here :) read more

I like Nob Hill . I've been living here for the last 13 years . It's a nice quiet clean neighborhood . No bums or crackheads . It's near Chinatown which is nice . Only complaint I have is the lack of good restaurants / stores around here . Also , there is no Safeway , 7 Eleven , or Safeway in the area .. only Cala Foods , Walgreens , and liquor stores . BUT the funny thing is that there's lots of cleaners and laundromats . Oh , last thing is that parking is a bitch around here ! Unless you have a aptment w/ a garage , I don't suggest living here if you own a car because you will spend HOURS looking for parking . read more

This is the neighborhood where I spent my early childhood so it hold special memories. However, now that I'm an adult, I simply hate the traffic and parking (I mean lack of parking). The neighborhood is charming with all the SF flats. Nob Hill is the neighborhood featured in many Hollywood movies/TV shows about SF. The car chase scene in the Alcatraz tv show's season finale was filmed on the streets of Nob Hill. I have no idea how they were able to get permits to close off the streets for the filming, but the car chase scene was wonderful as it drove through the hilly streets. In real life, a car chase like that in Nob Hill would surely cause a ton of accidents. Parts of Nob Hill are very steep and the famous Lombard St, the crookedest street, is located in this neighborhood. read more

Love Nob Hill. Central location. Clean. Good Food. Old SF Charm. Classic neighborhood.

As you drive thru this area or take the cable car, it is a place of older structures that have lasted all this time considering the earth quakes that have been apart of the Frisco area, they had a quake one week after we visited. This is when the cable cars come in handy, so take that ride and enjoy the scenery. Hills galore. If you come upon gold mines left by the pooches, don't blame the dog, blame the owners, lazy as they are. Cable car anyone, no stepping in any thing when you take the ride. read more

I live right below the Fairmont so I guess I live on the "lower Nob Hill". Nevertheless, it's such a convenient place to live. Extremely close to school so thats the biggest plus. Sometimes, I jog up the hill to Huntington park at 12 midnight and its such a peaceful moment without people and the steepness gives you a nice workout. definitely A PLUS for me. read more