Pacific Heights, San Francisco, California
Encyclopedia
Pacific Heights is a neighborhood of San Francisco
, California
.
, offering panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge
, the San Francisco Bay
, Alcatraz and the Presidio
. Its idyllic location provides a temperate micro-climate that is clearer, but not always warmer, than many other areas in San Francisco.
The Pacific Heights Residents Association defines the neighborhood as inside Bush Street, Presidio Avenue, Union Street, and Van Ness Avenue.
Pacific Heights is situated on a primarily east-west oriented ridge that rises sharply from the Marina District and Cow Hollow neighborhoods, to the north, to a maximum height of 370 feet above sea level. The streets of Jackson, Pacific, and Broadway extend along some of the most scenic areas along the hill's crest. The section of Broadway Street extending from Divisadero to Lyon Street is known as the "Gold Coast." Pacific Heights features two parks
, Lafayette
and Alta Plaza
, each with spectacular views of the city and the bay. Easily visible to the north, for example, are the Golden Gate Bridge
, the Marin Headlands
, and Alcatraz Island
.
Lower Pacific Heights refers to the area located south of California Street down to Post Street. Though previously simply considered part of the Western Addition, this new neighborhood designation became popularized by real estate agents in the early 1990s.
built. Starting at the turn of the century, and especially after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
, many were replaced with period homes. Still residential, the area is characterized by painted Victorians, châteaux and mansions.
The oldest building in Pacific Heights, located at 2475 Pacific Avenue, was built in 1853, though the majority of the neighborhood was built after the 1906 earthquake
. The architecture of the neighborhood is varied; Victorian, Mission Revival
, Edwardian
, and Château
styles are common.
Several countries have consulates in Pacific Heights. They include Germany
, Greece
, Italy
, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, and Vietnam.
Most of the neighborhood's boutiques and restaurants can be found along Fillmore Street
, south of Pacific Avenue. They include stores like Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren
and Design within Reach. Other businesses in Pacific Heights are located on California and Divisadero Streets, as well as on Van Ness Avenue.
Because of its affluence, Pacific Heights has many elite private schools. This includes San Francisco University High School
; Drew School
(formerly Drew College Preparatory School); The Hamlin School; Convent of the Sacred Heart High School; Stuart Hall High School
and Town School for Boys, among others.
Universities and colleges include Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
, part of the University of the Pacific and the Academy of Art University
Famous bestselling author Danielle Steel
also lives in Pacific Heights.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Location
Pacific Heights is located in one of the most scenic and park-like settings in Northern CaliforniaNorthern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
, offering panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, the structure links the city of San Francisco, on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to...
, the San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining from approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean...
, Alcatraz and the Presidio
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio of San Francisco is a park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
. Its idyllic location provides a temperate micro-climate that is clearer, but not always warmer, than many other areas in San Francisco.
The Pacific Heights Residents Association defines the neighborhood as inside Bush Street, Presidio Avenue, Union Street, and Van Ness Avenue.
Pacific Heights is situated on a primarily east-west oriented ridge that rises sharply from the Marina District and Cow Hollow neighborhoods, to the north, to a maximum height of 370 feet above sea level. The streets of Jackson, Pacific, and Broadway extend along some of the most scenic areas along the hill's crest. The section of Broadway Street extending from Divisadero to Lyon Street is known as the "Gold Coast." Pacific Heights features two parks
Parks in San Francisco, California
-Federal:National Park Service*Golden Gate National Recreation Area , including**Alcatraz**China Beach**Fort Funston**Fort Mason**Fort Miley **Lands End**Ocean Beach**The Presidio, including***Baker Beach***Crissy Field***Fort Point...
, Lafayette
Lafayette Park, San Francisco, California
Lafayette Park is a small park in San Francisco, California, USA. It is located in the neighborhood Pacific Heights between the streets Washington, Sacramento, Gough and Laguna. Located on a hill in a residential area it offers view towards other parts of the city....
and Alta Plaza
Alta Plaza
Alta Plaza is a park in San Francisco, California, USA and caps the top of the western edge of Pacific Heights. It falls under the jurisdiction of the City's Supervisorial District 2...
, each with spectacular views of the city and the bay. Easily visible to the north, for example, are the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, the structure links the city of San Francisco, on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to...
, the Marin Headlands
Marin Headlands
The Marin Headlands is a hilly area at the southernmost end of Marin County, California, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Headlands are located just north of San Francisco, immediately across the Golden Gate Bridge. The entire area is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
, and Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. Often referred to as "The Rock" or simply "Traz", the small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a Federal...
.
Lower Pacific Heights refers to the area located south of California Street down to Post Street. Though previously simply considered part of the Western Addition, this new neighborhood designation became popularized by real estate agents in the early 1990s.
History
The neighborhood was first developed in the 1870s, with small Victorian homesVictorian house
In the United Kingdom, and former British colonies, a Victorian house generally means any house built during the reign of Queen Victoria...
built. Starting at the turn of the century, and especially after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was a major earthquake that struck San Francisco, California, and the coast of Northern California at 5:12 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 1906. The most widely accepted estimate for the magnitude of the earthquake is a moment magnitude of 7.9; however, other...
, many were replaced with period homes. Still residential, the area is characterized by painted Victorians, châteaux and mansions.
Attractions and characteristics
1906 San Francisco earthquake
The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was a major earthquake that struck San Francisco, California, and the coast of Northern California at 5:12 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 1906. The most widely accepted estimate for the magnitude of the earthquake is a moment magnitude of 7.9; however, other...
. The architecture of the neighborhood is varied; Victorian, Mission Revival
Mission Revival Style architecture
The Mission Revival Style was an architectural movement that began in the late 19th century for a colonial style's revivalism and reinterpretation, which drew inspiration from the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions in California....
, Edwardian
Edwardian architecture
Edwardian architecture is the style popular when King Edward VII of the United Kingdom was in power; he reigned from 1901 to 1910, but the architecture style is generally considered to be indicative of the years 1901 to 1914....
, and Château
Châteauesque
Châteauesque is one of several terms, including Francis I style, and, in Canada, the Château Style, that refer to a revival architectural style based on the French Renaissance architecture of the monumental French country homes built in the Loire Valley from the late fifteenth century to the...
styles are common.
Several countries have consulates in Pacific Heights. They include Germany
Diplomatic missions of Germany
This is a list of diplomatic missions of Germany. Historically, the German state of Prussia and several smaller German states, had sent emissaries abroad prior to the establishment of the North German Confederation, the precursor to the modern State of Germany.In 1874 Germany had only four...
, Greece
Diplomatic missions of Greece
This is a list of diplomatic missions of Greece, excluding honorary consulates.-Europe:** Tirana ** Gjirokastër ** Korçë ** Yerevan ** Vienna ** Baku...
, Italy
Diplomatic missions of Italy
This is a list of diplomatic missions of Italy, excluding honorary consulates. Italy has a large global network of diplomatic missions. It is the only country in the world to have an embassy on its own territory - the Italian embassy to the Holy See is in Rome....
, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, and Vietnam.
Most of the neighborhood's boutiques and restaurants can be found along Fillmore Street
Fillmore Street
Fillmore Street is a street in San Francisco, California, named after American President Millard Fillmore which starts in the Lower Haight neighborhood, and travels northward through the Fillmore District and Pacific Heights and ends in the Marina District...
, south of Pacific Avenue. They include stores like Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and business executive; best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand.-Early life:...
and Design within Reach. Other businesses in Pacific Heights are located on California and Divisadero Streets, as well as on Van Ness Avenue.
Because of its affluence, Pacific Heights has many elite private schools. This includes San Francisco University High School
San Francisco University High School
San Francisco University High School is an academically focused, college preparatory, private high school located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, California...
; Drew School
Drew School
Drew School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory high school located in San Francisco, California, United States...
(formerly Drew College Preparatory School); The Hamlin School; Convent of the Sacred Heart High School; Stuart Hall High School
Stuart Hall High School
Stuart Hall High School is a college-preparatory high school located in San Francisco's Pacific Heights district. Stuart Hall opened in the fall of 2000...
and Town School for Boys, among others.
Universities and colleges include Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is one of the graduate schools of University of the Pacific. It is an American dental school located in the Pacific Heights Area in San Francisco, California.-Three Year Curriculum:...
, part of the University of the Pacific and the Academy of Art University
Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art University , a for-profit university owned by the Stephens Institute, was founded in San Francisco, California in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens...
Famous bestselling author Danielle Steel
Danielle Steel
Danielle Fernandes Dominique Schuelein-Steel , better known as Danielle Steel, is an American romantic novelist and author of mainstream dramas....
also lives in Pacific Heights.