Potrero Hill
About Potrero Hill
Potrero Hill catches sun when the rest of San Francisco disappears in fog. This hillside neighborhood between the Mission and the waterfront has the microclimate that makes locals smug and visitors jealous.
What to See & Do
The views from the hilltop parks rank among the best in San Francisco. McKinley Square looks out over downtown and the bay. The slopes of Potrero Hill Recreation Center face the opposite direction toward the Mission and Twin Peaks. Dog walkers congregate at both, their pets running while owners take in panoramas that never get old.
The neighborhood’s industrial edges transformed over the decades. Design showrooms occupy former factories along the waterfront. Tech offices filled the warehouses. The commercial center stayed small though, resisting the development pressure that changed other neighborhoods beyond recognition.
Where to Eat & Drink
Eighteenth Street provides the village center, a modest commercial strip where neighbors actually know each other. Plow serves brunch with a wait list that starts before they open. Chez Maman does crepes that justify the tiny space and limited seating. Farley’s has poured coffee and hosted laptop workers since before anyone called it coworking.
The Character
The architecture mixes working-class cottages from the early twentieth century with newer construction that chases those views. The hills make everything harder. Parking is scarce and walking is strenuous, but residents accept the tradeoff for sunshine and sightlines. Potrero Hill feels like a small town that happens to sit inside a major city.
Getting There
The 22 Fillmore bus climbs the hill from the Mission, or you can walk up from the 22nd Street Caltrain station if your legs can handle the grade. Come on a clear day and bring a camera.
Where to Drink
All bars →
Things to Do
All activities →
Vermont Street
Seven switchbacks between 20th and 22nd Streets on Potrero Hill. Curvier than Lombard Street but with no tourists, no flowers, just cracked asphalt. Free, always open, and you'll probably have it to yourself.
Alemany Farmers Market
Saturdays starting at 6 AM. California's first farmers market, running since 1943. No frills, lowest prices in the city. Off Alemany Boulevard near the 280 freeway. Bring cash and your own bags.
Potrero Stage
A 99-seat theater in Potrero Hill that produces new plays and intimate dramas. The small house means every performance feels close and immediate. Tickets are reasonable and the company consistently picks smart, challenging material.
