Fidelity National Title Company

Transcription

Compliments of
Fidelity National Title Company
San Francisco is the perfect location for those looking to
move to the Bay Area. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the
Bay, the “Peninsula” provides a mild climate, unique communities,
and easy access to the rest of the Bay Area.
This guide provides information, which we hope, will help
you decide which area of San Francisco is in your future. We
take pride in what we believe to be an exceptional quality of life
formed through a balanced blend of environment, economy and
diversity.
Here at Fidelity National Title we know the process of
moving from one community to another can be filled with a broad
spectrum of emotions ranging from frustration, fear, and trauma
to excitement, anticipation, joy and wonder. We hope this guide
will help you in your relocation to what many call the “best city to
live in the world”.
We encourage you to explore our city and neighborhood
communities. When you have found the ideal location, we are
confident there is no other place that you and your family would
want to call home.
Please join us in the experience that is San Francisco.
San Francisco Relocation Guide
Baker Beach
Bowley St. and Lincoln Blvd., Presidio, San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.331.1540
San Francisco's most popular and locally beloved nude beach is nestled in the western
shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge. Aside from being the birth place of Burning Man, the
great qualities of Baker Beach are its size, close shore breaks, tide pools, steep bluffs, and
climbable rocks, and a totally nude north end that rubs friendly elbows with a decidedly
family-style south side, complete with barbeque grills and picnic tables. While this stretch of
the Pacific makes for rough swimming, it bodes well for panoramic sun bathing and
excellent shore fishing.
Cable Cars
949 Presidio Ave San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.923.6162
The Powell-Hyde line begins at Powell and Market streets,
terminating at Victorian Park near the Maritime Museum
and Aquatic Park; the Powell-Mason line also begins at
Powell and Market, but ends at Bay and Taylor near
Fisherman's Wharf; the California Street line runs from
California and Market streets to Van Ness Avenue.
Castro District
Castro and Market, San Francisco CA
The universally agreed Mecca of gay life is San Francisco's Castro District. The affluent
North side of Market is home to a predominantly gay and lesbian community, excellent
bakeries, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and of course, gender bending bars. The famed
Castro Theatre, the Castro's historic art deco movie palace, screens old and independent
films from around the world. On Halloween, the center of San Francisco is the Castro, with
crowds in the thousands celebrating in the streets.
Chinatown
Enter at "Dragon's Gate" at Grant Avenue and Bush Street.
San Francisco's bustling Chinatown is a tightly-packed warren of Chinese restaurants,
shops, temples and street vendors. Great for gifts, and fireworks on Chinese New Year.
Cliff House
1090 Point Lobos, San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.386.3330
The third Cliff House, which was built in 1909, after its two predecessors burned, is
considerably more modest than the eight-story French chateau built by Adolph Sutro in
1896. This newest one, built in 1909 by Sutro's daughter, is operated by the National Park
Service as a restaurant and boast commanding views of the Pacific Ocean and Ocean Beach.
Coit Tower
1 Telegraph Hill Blvd., San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.362-0808.
The wild local heiress Lillie Hitchcock donated the money for her posthumous tribute the
San Francisco fire department, the 180-foot tall Coit Tower which overlooks an impressive
360 degree panorama view of the Embarcadero, Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Sutro,
and the Financial District all in one dizzying sweep. Work up an appetite for North Beach's
Italian flair by trekking your way up Telegraph Hill to peruse the view and the Diego Rivera
style frescoes housed inside the Tower.
Conservatory of Flowers
JFK Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA; Tel. 415.666.7001
Conservatories became popular in the 19th century and the white iron and glass building at
Golden Gate Park does look like a relic of the Victorian era. It is newly opened, however,
after suffering wind damage in 1995. Inside, the four main rooms house different plant
environments: Low and Highland Tropics, Aquatic and Potted plants. The Aquatic Plants
room is home to Victoria Amazonica water lilies, which can reach six feet in diameter. Their
tube-like roots are visible by means of a clever glass cutaway. The conservatory is within
walking distance of the Haight and can be viewed in a worthwhile 30 to 45 minutes.
Exploratorium
3609 Lyon St., San Francisco CA; Tel. 415-561-0360
Founded in 1969 by noted physicist and educator Dr. Frank
Oppenheimer, the Exploratorium houses a playful array of
over 650 hands-on science, art, and human perception exhibits.
From salt volcanos and bubble bombs to fault lines and frogs,
the line up tests imaginations young and old. Just the building
itself, a palatial domed structure left from the San Francisco
Pan Pacific Exhibition of 1916, is worth a visit.
Fisherman's Wharf
The Embarcadero & Taylor St San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.474.8796
Popular with tourists and sea lions, Fisherman's Wharf is full of
shops, silly museums and family fun. Still a working wharf, its
vendors sell thousands of tons of fish and shellfish. Take an early
morning walk down "Fish Alley" to see fisherman at work. Later,
the Wharf is boardwalk-style family entertainment with decidedly
tourist attractions such as Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, the
Red & White Fleet, a the Wax Museum. For maritime-lovers and
WWII buffs, the San Francisco Maritime Musuem is at the foot of
Polk St. and massive USS Pampanito is docked right at Pier 45.
Ghirardelli Square
900 North Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Shopping and waterfront dining at fine restaurants and shops in historic San Francisco
Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory near San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf. The building was saved
from destruction in one of the U.S.'s first examples of adaptive reuse. Ghirardelli Square
Chocolate Festival takes place in early September.
Golden Gate Bridge
US Hwy 101 San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.921.5858
Arguably the world's most beautiful bridge, the mammoth
rust-red deco San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge connects
San Francisco with Marin County and can be experienced
from near countless angles. Drive, bike, or walk across the
two-mile long suspension bridge or get down to the base
and look up from the tide pools at Baker's Beach or from a
Frisbee toss at Crissy fields, both in the adjoining Presidio.
Golden Gate Park
Larger than Central Park, the 1,000-acre Golden Gate Park;s treasure trove of attractions
includes Stybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a biodiversity hub where 6,000 plant
species, including a towering display of California redwoods, thrive; the ethereal Japanese
Tea Garden; a children's playground; the Asian Art Museum; MH de Young Memorial
Museum; and the California Academy of Sciences, with its aquarium, Morrison Planetarium
and laserium. Even more, the open tennis courts, horse stables, baseball diamonds, polo
grounds, croquet and lawn-bowling greens, an archery field, a golf course and a fly-fishing
pool draw an outdoorsy crowd year-round. For a full experience, follow the green panhandle
between Fell and Oak streets straight into the park.
Grace Cathedral
1100 California Street at Taylor San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.749.6300
The gothic landmark of the west coast, the ornate beauty of Grace Cathedral is home to
hidden gardens, curling dragon statues, and a redwood pulpit that has seen the likes of Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr., Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the Dalai Lama. The Grace hosts
glorious concerts year round and its Columbarium is the only sacred landmark in San
Francisco where freshly cremated remains may be laid to rest.
The Haight
Haight-Ashbury was the center of '60s psychedelia and despite gentrification and
proliferation of stores like Ben & Jerry's and The Gap, it still retains its hippie counterculture
credentials, and is dotted with Victorian houses, anarchist bookstores, piercing salons and
clothing funky shops.
Lombard Street
Bet. Hyde and Leavenworth Streets, San Francisco CA
A drive over any of San Francisco's mind-blowing hills leaves
the impression that building a city here took some guts. On
world-famous Lombard Street, developers chose the easy way
out by making a series of switchbacks to ease Russian Hill's
40-degree grade. Half the delight of America's Crookedest
Street is the lush plantings that adorn each inner-curve, and
the top-notch views of Coit Tower and the Bay. The street can
be prone to tourist gridlock; a good option is to park nearby
and make use of the pedestrian staircases.
Lyon/Broadway Stairway
2900 Broadway, San Francisco CA
With more than 40 hills in seven square miles, no wonder San
Francisco is home to some of the most scenic stairway hikes in
the world. Climb the Lyon/Broadway stairway to heaven and see why the Pacific Heights
neighborhood is so named. Reward yourself at the end of this five-story ascension with vim,
vigor, and a bird's eye view of prime real estate rooftops, the Palace of Fine Arts, Alcatraz,
and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Pacific Bell Park
24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.972.1800
Anyone who has seen the Giants play at Pac Bell Park knows that Barry Bonds and other
star players are not the only draw. Like a ship in harbor, the three-year-old park is nestled
against the bay. Zen moments can be had and baseball forgotten when dizzy seat-searchers
realize that yes, the water is right down there. A waterfront promenade allows spendthrift
oglers to catch glimpses of the games through a fence. Pac Bell Park, located in San
Francisco's SoMa district, is easily accesible by public transportation.
Palace of Fine Arts
3301 Lyon St., San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.397.5673
If San Francisco had a palace, the beloved Palace of Fine Arts would be the place. Designed
by Bay Area architect Bernard Maybeck to be a romanticized Roman ruin, San Francisco's
Palace of Fine Arts is surrounded by lush gardens and a lagoon and the whole dynamic has
an otherworldly and transportive effect. Originally meant to be a temporary open-air art
gallery for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exhibit, the Palace has been built and
rebuilt, a testament to the love San Franciscans have for their ruddy masterpiece. While
currently not a gallery, the Palace of Fine Arts' theater does host film festivals, concerts and
performing arts as well as being home to the Exploratorium.
Palace of the Legion of Honor
34th Ave. and Clement St., Lincoln Park, San Francisco, CA; Tel. 415.863.3360
Perched atop a hill in the very Northwest corner of the city, the most striking thing about
this San Francisco museum is the vistas its location affords (aside from the grand, chateauesque mood). If you've forgotten what a gorgeous city San Francisco is, a glimpse of its
glinting whiteness, the Pacific behind you, will set you straight. Built by a wealthy couple in
the twenties, the Palace of the Legion of Honor replicates a World War I tribute in Paris.
Among the small collection, French and Italian works, as well as sculpture, including
noteworthy Rodin holdings, stand out. Temporary special exhibits are usually good; all
ahead on weekends to reserve a spot. The Palace offers free admission on Tuesdays.
The Presidio
San Francisco, CA; Tel. 415.561.4323
Driving through the sea-swept and verdant Presidio, it's hard to believe the area was once a
stretch of grassy dunes. Beginning with Spain in 1766, 200 years of military occupants
altered the ecosystem by planting forests. United States Army control ended a decade ago
and the Presidio is clearly still finding its identity. Peaceful forest settings and beaches,
historic buildings and an eclectic range of attractions, from an idyllic, white-stoned cemetery
to a bowling alley to a native plant nursery, make up an odd but charming world. Former
military buildings are leased for residential and business use. New projects are also
underway, most notably the George Lucas Letterman Digital Arts Center. The setting is ideal
for a lazy drive: forgo the map and see what turns up. Cycling and hiking are also popular.
Union Square
A lone Corinthian column surrounded by newly installed palm
trees marks SF's mecca for shopaholics. Ringed by Macy's,
Saks, Neiman Marcus, Nike Town and Levi's stores along with
colorful flower stands and street performers. Surrounding streets
feature superstores like Virgin Megastore, FAO Schwarz, Gump's
and Britex Fabrics along with boutiques for Coach, Bulgari,
Cartier, Thomas Pink, Louis Vuitton, MaxMara, Emporio Armani,
Diesel, Prada, Celine, Escada, Gucci, Guess, Hermes,
Agnes B., Betsey Johnson and Wilkes Bashford.
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
701 Mission Street @ 3rd, San Francisco, Tel. 415.978.2700
Fumihiko Maki's daring architecture is home to eclectic exhibitions, performances and films.
The lawn of Yerba Buena Gardens above is great for frisbee throwing. The nearby Sony
Metreon, which opened in 1999 has become a major South of Market destination with
350,000 square feet of shopping, restaurants, movie theaters, interactive arcades and
attractions.
Bay Area Airports
San Francisco International Airport
San Jose International
Oakland International
Half Moon Bay
650.876.2377
408.277.4759
510.577.4000
650.573.3701
San Francisco International Airport Airline Tenants
SFO Airport Information
Air New Zealand
Air Canada
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines & Eagle
American Trans Air
British Airways
Cathay Pacific Airways
China Airlines
China Eastern Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta Airlines 800.
Frontier Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
Horizon Air
Jet Blue Airways
Korean Air
Lufthansa
Mexicana Airlines
Midwest Express Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Philippine Airlines
Quantas Airways
Shuttle by United
Singapore Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Taca International Airlines
United Airlines
US Air & US Air Express
821.4636
800.262.1234
888.247.2262
800.252.7522
800.426.0333
800.433.7300
800.247.9297
800.233.2742
875.1248
875.2367
415.397.8818
221.1212
800.432.1359
800.367.5320
800.547.9308
800.538.2583
800.438.5000
800.645.3880
800.531.7921
800.452.2022
800.225.2525
800.435.9725
800.227.4500
800.748.8853
800.742.3333
800.435.9792
800.535.8780
800.241.6522
800.428.4322
Public Transportation
MUNI (San Francisco Municipal Railway)
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
CAL TRAIN - www.transitinfo.org
415.673.6864
650.992.2278
800.660.4287
TELEPHONE / DSL
SBC Pacific Bell
140 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-542-9000
The SBC offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5:00 pm. No deposit is required for new
service unless the customer has a record of unpaid telephone bills.
GAS/ELECTRIC
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E)
525 Market Street
800-743-5000
The PG&E offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. A deposit is required for
first time customers. The deposit plus interest will be applied to the customer’s account after twelve
months if the bills have been paid in a timely manner.
WASTE DISPOSAL
Golden Gate Disposal
900 7th Street
415-626-4000
Sunset Scavenger Corporation
Tunnel Avenue and Beatty Road
415-330-1300
Call either of these collection agencies to determine which one picks up garbage in your neighborhood.
No deposit required. Billing is once every three months.
WATER
San Francisco Water Department
425 Mason Street
415-923-2400
The Water Department offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 pm to 5:00 p.m. There’s no
charge for turning on or disconnecting your water supply when service has been disconnected for nonpayment of bills. A deposit may be required.
CABLE
Comcast
260 Potrero Ave,
800-945-2288
Academy of Sciences
Golden Gate Park
415.750.7145
Board of Supervisors
City Hall, #1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
415.554.5184
Administrative Services
415.554.4851
Building Inspection
1660 Mission Street
415.558.6088
Aging, Commission on
25 Van Ness Avenue, Ste. 650
415.626.1033
City Attorney
City Hall, #1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 234
415.554.4700
Agriculture / Weights and Measures
501 Cesar Chavez, Ste 109-A
415.285.5010
City College of San Francisco
50 Phelan
415.241.2327
Airports Commission
San Francisco International Airport
P.O. Box 8097
650.876.2377
Civil Service Commission
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 720
415.252.3247
Animal Care and Control
1200 15th Street
415.554.6364
Art Commission
25 Van Ness, Ste. 240
415.252.2591
Assessment Appeals Board
415.554.6778
Assessor / Recorder
415.554.5596
Community Health Network
2789 25th Street, 2nd Floor
415.206.5166
Controller
415.554.7500
County Clerk
415.554.4950
Delinquency Prevention Committee
1390 Market Street, Suite 901
415.554.9516
District Attorney
Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant Street, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA
415.553.1744
Housing Authority
440 Turk Street
415.715.3220
Department of Elections
415.554.4375
Human Resources
44 Gough Street
415.557.4800
Emergency Communications Department
1011 Turk Street
415.558.3800
Human Rights Commission
415.252.2500
Environment
415.554.6390
Human Services
3801 3rd Street, 1st Floor
415.970.3900
Ethics Commission
415.554.9510
Laguna Honda Hospital
375 Laguna Honda Boulevard
415.664.1580
Fine Arts Museums
Golden Gate Park
415.750.3666
Law Library
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 400
415.554.6821
Fire
398 Second Street
415.558.3403
Library – San Francisco Public Library
Civic Center, 100 Larkin Street
415.557.4400
General Hospital (SFGH)
1001 Potrero Avenue
415.206.5166
Mayor
415.554.7111
Department of Public Health
101 Grove Street
415.554.2500
Medical Examiner
Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant Street
415.553.1694
Mental Health Services
1380 Howard Street, 5th Fl.
415.553.1694
Public Utilities Commission
1155 Market Street, 4th Floor
415.923.2467
MUNI – SF Municipal Railway
949 Presidio Avenue, Room 219
415.923.6164
Public Works
San Francisco, CA
415.695.2101
Parking & Traffic
415.554.9811
Purchasing
San Francisco, CA
415.554.6743
Permit Appeals
1660 Mission Street
415.554.6720
Real Estate
San Francisco, CA
415.554.9850
Planning
1660 Mission Street, 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA
415.558.6411
Recreation and Park
McLaren Lodge, 501 Stanyan
San Francisco, CA
415.831.2700
Police Department
Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant Street
San Francisco, CA
415.553.0123
Redevelopment Agency
770 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA
415.749.2400
Port of San Francisco
Ferry Building, Suite 3100
415.274.0400
Rent Stabilization Board
25 Van Ness Avenue, Ste.320
415.252.4600
Public Administrator – Public Guardian
875 Stevenson, Suite 3100
415.554.5055
Public Defender
555 7th Street
415.553.1671
Football
San Francisco 49ers
Monster Park (Candlestick Park)
415.656.4900 www.forty-niners.com
Oakland Raiders
Network Associates Coliseum
7000 Coliseum Way (North of Coliseum)
Hegenberger Road. (off I-880) Oakland, CA 94621
800.949.2626 www.oaklandraiders.com
Baseball
San Francisco Giants
SBC Park
24 Willie Mays Plaza • San Francisco, CA
415.467.8000 www.sanfranciscogiants.com
Oakland Athletics (A’s)
Network Associates Coliseum
7000 Coliseum Way (North of Coliseum)
Hegenberger Road. (off I-880) Oakland, CA 94621
510.638.0500 or 510.762.BASS www.oaklanda’s.com
Basketball
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Arena
7000 Coliseum Way • Oakland, CA 94621
510.638.6300 or 510.762.BASS or 888.479.4667
www.goldenstatewarriors.com
Hockey
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Arena
525 West Santa Clara Street • San Jose, CA 95113
408.287.7070 or 408.998.BASS www.sanjosesharks.com
Horse Racing
Bay Meadows Racetrack
2600 South Delaware Street
P.O. Box 5050 • San Mateo, CA 94402
650.574.RACE (7223) www.baymeadows.com
BERNAL HEIGHTS
You hear that from a lot of city dwellers when you mention the unique hilltop neighborhood, but Bernal
Heights residents don’t mind. They’re happy to keep it that way. Looking south from the Mission
District, you can see a bald hill encircled by little pastel houses. It’s brown in the summer and fall,
turning a magical green during the winter and spring. Bernal Heights enjoys the same sunny weather as
its neighbor, the Mission District. But unlike the Mission, not much about Bernal Heights is trendy. You
see fewer tattoos and piercings, and more small children. The neighborhood is generally understated
and low-key. But don’t assume that just because the streets are quiet, the residents are apolitical; they
have a long history of taking ownership of the neighborhood to preserve its village-like feeling. An
eclectic mix of people live here –gay, straight, black, white, Asian, Latino, artsy, blue-collar, old and
young – and when asked, they cite diversity as the area’s greatest virtue.
CASTRO
Formerly Spanish ranch land, the Eureka Valley – now called the Castro – was parceled out in the 1860’s
and quickly became filled with the bang and clatter of Victorian housing construction. When the Market
Street Cable Railway extended to Castro Street around the turn of the century, this strip became the
central artery to the neighborhood, and the Castro Theater, built in 1922, its elegant new centerpiece.
Then not much happened in this blue-collar neighborhood for about 50 years. The street life may
compete for your attention, but as you walk along Castro admire the handiwork of both the city’s early
craftsmen and its more recent restoration specialists. A riot of color, these Victorians never looked better
and there are plenty of diversions in the unique and sometimes outrageous shops you’ll pass along the
way.
CHINATOWN
With its crowded streets and bustling markets, curled eaves and pagodas, mysterious alleys, hidden
temples and busy restaurants, Chinatown is easily San Francisco’s most colorful neighborhood. It is also
among the city’s most famous, and therefore teems with visitors. For a peek at the hidden Chinatown,
explore the neighborhood’s alleys. Waverly Place is probably the best known and it abounds with
Buddhist temples and community associations. When it’s quiet, you can hear monks and nuns singing
and playing Chinese instruments from behind the walls of their sanctuaries. Unfortunately, many of the
buildings are not open to the public except for the Tin Hou Temple on Waverly, and the nearby Gold
Mountain Monastery on Sacramento (call ahead for hours).
CIVIC CENTER
Civic Center is the pulse of San Francisco where local politicians graze, where the opera, symphony and
the new Main Library beckon music and book lovers. City Hall is an impressive beaux-arts-style building
that opened in 1916. It’s capped with a dome measuring 308 feet, a full 16-feet higher than the Capitol
Dome in Washington, D.C., a visible landmark from every city vista. The Mayor’s office, the Board of
Supervisors chambers, and a number of other offices now found in City Hall. Across Civic Center Plaza is
the site of the old Main Library, which closed in 1995 and was replaced by a brand new building right
across the street. The old library’s site is now home to the new Asian Art Museum, which moved from
Golden Gate Park. The new library opened in 1996 to mostly rave reviews. Inside is a six-story high
atrium illuminated by natural light. The library has specialty rooms sponsored by corporate donors,
which include the Gay and Lesbian room, the San Francisco History Center and the Entrepreneur Room
COLE VALLEY
Tucked between the chaotic hipness of the Upper Haight and the sleepy affluence of Sutro Forest and
Buena Vista Heights, Cole Valley is a tiny, quiet neighborhood that feels more like a village than a big
city. Flowers seem to be everywhere, gracing the tops of tall wooden gates, color-coordinated to match
the Spanish tile on the front steps. For a birds-eye view of the neighborhood, and one of the most
spectacular views in the city, climb Tank Hill via the rickety, wooden staircase the end of Belgrave Street
off 17th. Locals frequent the spot for watching fireworks. This is a neighborhood unpopulated by chains
and franchises, and shoppers are likely to find the store’s owner working behind the counter.
COW HOLLOW
Cow Hollow is the neighborhood outlined by Broadway, Lyon and Lombard Streets and Van Ness Avenue.
It is best known for its Union Street commercial district and the well-groomed yupsters who enjoy the
many restaurants, bars, cafes, boutiques and galleries. If you can afford the high rents, Cow Hollow is
among the city’s most livable neighborhoods, offering residents the safety of a suburb, the nearby green
spaces of Marina Green and the Presidio and the urban convenience of Union and Fillmore Streets. For
these reasons, the neighborhood is popular with families and single white-collar professionals. Union
Street , especially between Octavia and Steiner Streets, is Cow Hollow’s most obvious claim to fame.
There you will find a continuous promenade of well-dressed shoppers and restaurant goers interspersed
with the fresh faced, athletic looking locals returning from errands or a job. Chi-chi shops abound, such
as Nine West, Armani Exchange and Kenneth Cole, as well as numerous chic women’s clothing boutiques.
Union Street is also home to art galleries, antiques shops, and prices furniture stores.
THE EXCELSIOR
The Excelsior is to the Marina District what Che Guevara is to the Queen of England. In this refreshingly
real life section of town there are no Starbucks, no Noah’s, no juice joints, no boutiques with overpriced
gadgets. Latin culture dominates this multicultural community. Next to the Salvadoran owned grocery
you’re likely to find a Vietnamese restaurant across the street from a Chinese-owned laundry, and so on.
In nearby Crocker-Amazon playground, Hispanic kids play baseball while Irish guys play soccer in the
next field. The produce markets, butcher stores and live seafood places season the air with complex
aromas. Locals drop in on old-time coffee shops, hair salons, hardware stores and bakeries. In another
charmingly unpretentious aspect of this neighborhood, the east/west streets are named after nations of
the world – Brazil, France, Italy – while the north/south streets are named after major international cities.
THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT
Thousands and thousands of hard shoes hitting hard
sidewalks, moving, moving, always moving, efficiently
moving, effectively moving, glancing at watches and
passersby, nice eye wear, nice bag, a sea of suits,
reflections in glass canyons, glimpses of bay and
bridge, bike messengers, cable cars, taxis ,
cappuccino, newspaper, shoe shine and flower stands
it’s already 5 p.m. Some transplanted New Yorkers
say they find the Financial District both comforting and
familiar, as if they’re not camping out after all. The
Financial District’s gray glassy towers are bordered by
Washington, Market and Montgomery Streets and the
bay. Times have changed; this is now where San
Francisco gets down to business: insurance, banking,
oil, power, telecommunications and engineering. On
Columbus Avenue, there’s the iconic quartz-aggregate
Transamerica Pyramid, and on California Street, the
dark granite Bank of America World Headquarters.
These monuments leave no doubt as to where the
money is.
FOREST HILL
Forest Hill is another one of those tucked away secret
parts of San Francisco that tourists and even locals
usually don’t see unless they’re visiting someone who
View of the San Francisco Financial District
lives there. People make it up to Twin Peaks, but they
from Montgomery Street
rarely take notice of Forest Hill nestled on the other
side. Since Forest Hill is strictly residential, it’s not much of a draw for visitors. But if you’re into seeing
different parts of San Francisco, walk down the Grand Pacheco Stairway (which some say is the grandest
and most elegant stairway in the city) from Castenada Avenue to Magellan. The residents of Forest Hill
are primarily upper middle class, in part because the houses in the neighborhood are large and
prohibitively expensive for most people.
THE HAIGHT
There are dozens of bars and record shops filled with Jersey girls, Berkeley grads, and environmentally
correct slackers. Rehab centers and outrageous clothing boutiques also color the main drag of Haight
Street from Masonic to Stanyan, where the homeless and other tribes camp out in the lobby of Golden
Gate Park. The intersection of Haight and Ashbury Streets, formerly referred to as Hashbury, was the
gathering lace for Deadheads who came to pay tribute to Jerry Garcia when he died in 1995. Many of
these aimless gypsies remain on this famous corner, playing guitars, stringing colored beads and studying
their pierced faces in the windows of modern stores such as the Gap and Ben & Jerry’s. Suburbanites
and city dwellers appear occasionally to enjoy the fantastic views from the top of Buena Vista park.
For a more bucolic view of the Upper Haight, visit Golden Gate Park’s eight block “Panhandle”, which
slices this neighborhood in half with a swath of majestic trees – an urban playground for running dogs,
basketball players, baby walkers and early morning tai chi practitioners. Gorgeous, century-old Victorian
houses dominate the area’s residential streets.
HAYES VALLEY
For San Franciscans who attend theater openings and symphony galas, Hayes Valley is the place to buy a
one-of-a-kind gown, eat a terrific meal and then dash off to hear Michael Tilson Thomas without traveling
more than three blocks. But dashing from here would be a shame. This is a neighborhood designed for
browsing. It is lined with galleries, antiques shops, boutiques and restaurants that cover most tastes
from soul food to grilled ahi. For window shoppers and their moneyed friends, Hayes Valley offers a lot
of diversions. There’s the San Francisco Women Artist’s Gallery on Hayes, as well as the Polanco Gallery
of Mexican Art, with beautiful crafts and paintings by some of Mexico’s well known artists. There’s also
an impressive blown glass gallery and a cramped shop with an assortment of kitsch including Star Trek
action figures and Batman lunch boxes. Other serious shoppers should not miss Bella Donna, a boutique
where healthy looking blondes order their custom-designed and stitched wedding gowns.
INGLESIDE
Perhaps more than anywhere else in San Francisco, the Ingleside is the epitome of diversity.. Located in
the southwestern corner of the city, Ingleside is where you’ll find a Jaguar parked around the corner from
a Gremlin. Sandwiched between the well-to-do Forest - Hill and the rough-around-the-edges Excelsior
districts. The main drag is Ocean Avenue, feeding traffic between 19th Avenue and Highway 280. It’s
the commercial heart of the district and thousands of students use it to get to and from class at City
College of San Francisco’s main campus on Phelan Street. Ingleside locals seem open, friendly and
willing to chat to outsiders. Few tourists ever visit here, so residents can enjoy their privacy and take life
at a slower speed than those in the Mission or downtown.
INNER SUNSET
This narrow little neighborhood squeezed between Golden Gate Park and Kirkham Avenue sprouted out
of the sand. From the eastern boundary of Stanyan Street, the Inner Sunset district runs along the four
wide avenues of Lincoln, Irving, Judah and Kirkham and ends at 19th Avenue. Once a wasteland of
billowing dunes, the Inner Sunset is now a family neighborhood, chock full of outstanding restaurants,
cafes and sandwich shops. The border with Golden Gate Park gives residents easy access to the wild
green forests and man-made green fields of this San Francisco landmark. Though Lincoln Way is the
neighborhood’s main artery, the main commercial district runs along the length of Irving Street. Blessed
by a wave of Asian-American immigration in the 1970s and ‘80s, the area boasts some of the city’s finest
Asian restaurants, including the ward winning Ebisu Sushi. Two doors down from Ebisu is the aptly
named House, which serves California-style cuisine in a quirky modern atmosphere. Around the corner is
P.J.’s Oyster Bed, which serves some of the city’s finest seafood – as cold as a raw bar oyster and as hot
as the blackened redfish on Cajun Tuesday. There are no shortage of sub shops, sandwich shops,
creperies and coffee houses as well. The area’s oldest watering hole, The Little Shamrock, has been
serving locals since 1893.
LAKE MERCED
In the southern-most part of the city, bordered by the Ocean, Sloat and Junipero Serra Boulevards, and
the county line you’ll find the Lake Merced Area, home to San Francisco State University, Stonestown
Galleria, Fort Funston, the San Francisco Zoo and Lake Merced herself. Spaniards named the lake
Laguna de Nuestra Senora de la Merced, or Lake of Our Lady of Mercy. One amazing fact about Lake
Merced is that somewhere between 1869 and 1895 the lake metamorphosed from salt water to fresh
water. Stonestown Galleria is just up the street. An indoor mall identical to those in suburbia, you’ll find
the standard chain stores: Gap, Williams-Sonoma, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, etc. If you don’t
want to deal with parking downtown, Stonestown provides an alternative, if generic, shopping
experience. For a little exercise, there are several choices in the neighborhood. Lake Merced a five-mile
circular path around the edge of the lake popular with joggers, walkers, rollerbladers, bicyclists and dog
walkers. You can also fish in Lake Merced in designated zones, and rent small boats. If you’re more in
the mood for salt water, head to Fort Funston. It’s an old army fort that sits on top of bluffs overlooking
the Pacific. Walk its myriad paths or stroll down to the beach. On windy days, hang gliders take off from
their designated launch and landing site.
LAUREL HEIGHTS
Laurel Heights? Which one is that? Isn’t it called Presidio Heights? You’ll hear different stories, but one
area melts into the other, so they’re both under the Laurel Heights heading. Generally, this is the area
west of Divisadero Street, north of Pine Street and Geary Boulevard, east of Arguello Boulevard and south
of Broadway and the Presidio. The area’s main commercial drag is California Street between Laurel and
Spruce. Laurel Heights Village looks more like a strip mall than a village, but regardless of what it’s
called, the shopping center has just about everything: books, coffee, toys, clothes, fresh fish and
kitchenware. For coffee, choose between Bay Area-based Peet’s and upstart Starbucks. Noah’s offers
bagels and Eppler’s Bakery sells old time bakery goods such as bear claws, crumb cakes and Danish. If
you want to make your own sushi at home, Bryan’s sells sushi quality fish as well as excellent meats.
Laurel Super, the neighborhood supermarket, stocks standard grocery items, but there’s also a deli, meat
and fish counter and a salad bar.
THE MARINA
With spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the Bay, the Marina is one of the most
scenic and user-friendly neighborhoods in the city. Thanks to its many amenities – museums, shops,
restaurants, and a grassy flat stretch of land perfect for kite flying, running or sunning – the Marina is
desirable real estate for the young and affluent. The side streets are lined with cozy old-fashioned flats,
distinguished by Art Deco design. Originally an Italian neighborhood, the Marina now houses some of the
communities’ oldest and wealthiest families who live in the elegant homes that line the waterfront.
Residents enjoy an unobstructed view of the activities that take place outside their windows: sailboats
wait impatiently for their owners to release them from their slips while rollerbladers gleefully whiz by on
the smooth pavement of Marina Boulevard. A grassy park, aptly called Marina Green, runs parallel to the
Bay and plays host to volleyball tournaments, dog walkers and fitness fanatics.
THE MISSION
Centrally located between urban thoroughfares and mellow hillside dwellings, the Mission District
stretches along Mission Street from Cesar Chavez (Army) to Market Street, bordered by Dolores Street to
the west and Potrero Street to the east. Its busy streets are lined with bookstores, thrift stores and
produce stands. Artists, the working class and financially disadvantaged apartment hunters are drawn to
the district’s disappearing low rents. Visitors are attracted to the cheap and numerous burrito joints,
Vietnamese restaurants, greasy diners, Spanish tapas bars, trendy creperies and upscale California
eateries. In the neighborhood bars and sidewalk cafes, you’re as likely to be entertained by a wandering
mariachi band as a jukebox, while you rub shoulders with feminists, freelancers and confused German
backpackers. Not surprisingly, suits, ties and evening gowns are not often spotted in the vicinity; you’re
more likely to see adventurers heading to Mission Cliffs for a little indoor rock climbing or artistes and
wannabes flocking to Southern Exposure, the Marsh and the Elbo Room for experimental theater, poetry
readings, photography exhibits, and jazz and rock gigs. Perhaps the wildest time to visit the Mission is on
Hispanic holidays when this neighborhood shows its true colors, such as the Day of the Dead, Cinco de
Mayo and, especially, Carnaval.
NOB HILL
One day, many years ago, the elite of San Francisco’s Rincon Hill looked up to see Arthur Hayne building
a house on the big hill. Hayne’s inspiration was his bride, actress Julia Dean. Mining car designer
Andrew Hallidie’s inspiration came while watching a horse-drawn wagon struggle, slip and slide down the
sandy knob with horses tumbling in tow. Hallidie responded with a significant feat of engineering, the
California Street Cable Railroad. The Fairmont, Mark Hopkins and Huntington hotels, as well as
Huntington Park, Grace Cathedral, the Pacific-Union Club and the Masonic Temple Auditorium now grace
Nob Hill’s summit, still a prized address. The grand hotels best exhibit the ostentation of the railroad and
silver barons. Now their palatial lobbies, lavish ballrooms and elegant suits serve as prime locations for
filmmakers and photographers.
NOE VALLEY
“This place is great! You can see for miles from here! And sunny? Wow!” Jose de Jesus Noe, San
Francisco’s last Mexican mayor, liked the little valley so much he built his ranch there. These days Noe
Valley is roughly bordered to the north by 22nd Street on the north, to the east by Dolores Street, Glen
Park on the south and Glen Canyon Park and Market on the west. Noe Valley is a true community, and a
smart one too. It realizes that gentrification is a dragon to slay – or at least to keep at bay. Residents
and merchants seem to have bonded here in a singular effort to keep life reasonable. Even the
neighborhood paper, “The Noe Valley Voice” emanates from the Noe Valley Ministry, which serves as an
informal community awareness center. On 24th Street, the shopping area of this urban bohemia, there’s
a mix of whole foods stores, coffee houses, ethnic restaurants, clothing and crafts shops, new and used
CD stores, New Age gewgaw emporia, all complemented by a couple of fine Irish pub. The success of
24th Street’s shops spills south down Church Street where cafes and specialty stores now predominate.
NORTH BEACH
North Beach is a food lover’s paradise. The smell of garlic wafts through
the streets. For truly authentic Italian sandwiches, pasta, breads, wines
and salads, head to Molinari’s Delicatessen, which still makes its own
cold cuts and pasta. Or try Panelli Brothers on Stockton, owned and run
by the Panelli family since 1934. Another venerable establishment is
Capp’s Corner on Powell Street west of Columbus, where the meals are
served family style and atmosphere at the bar is anything but
pretentious. It’s a popular spot with older locals, families and groups
that come from Club Fugazi next door, hungry after a performance of
the riotous Beach Blanket Babylon. Further down Columbus, the Gold
Spike is a classic, no-frills eatery where patrons of days past have
adorned the walls and ceiling with hundreds of quirky collectibles and personal messages. Another
landmark is Fior d’Italia on Union Street, which claims to be the oldest Italian restaurant in the United
States. It was established in 1886 and continues to be an important gathering place for prominent
members of the Italian community.
PACIFIC HEIGHTS
There’s a palpable quiet among the mansions and stunning bay views,. Just who lives here, anyway?
There go some school children with good haircuts and tailored uniforms. Caterers, florists and delivery
people dart in and out of their vans. There’s a bit more activity at night. Sometimes limousines idle at
the curb. Maybe it’ll be one of those society events you read about in the morning paper, or a political
fundraiser. The people we vote for come here for their campaign funding. As palatial as these homes
appear, their rear gardens are equally impressive. Stand at the corner of Broadway and Fillmore and
look down toward the Golden Gate Bridge to catch glimpse of a few of these backyard beauties. Other
real estate worth viewing include Arthur Page Brown’s Temple Emanu-El, Northern California ‘s largest
and most expensive synagogue, and the Swedenborgian Church, with its refined rustic interior and
fireplace.
POTRERO HILL
This urban suburb perches high above the neighboring SoMa and Mission districts, seemingly peering
down on its noisier neighbors. Screaming ambulances and endless freeway construction keep a pleasant
distance from this hillside enclave, where residents take in admirable views of the Bay, the downtown
skyline and points south. Parks, playgrounds and schools give way to a mass of furniture stores, antique
dealers, auto-body shops and design firms in the tangled blocks near 16th and Division. Local
architecture varies from mod, brushed aluminum condo towers to shocking pink and lime green row
houses, mid-70s Bauhaus styles and pastel Palm Springs stucco units. A handful of mellow pubs,
delicatessens, and sun-drenched cafes on 18th Street between Texas and Connecticut make up the
neighborhood scene.
THE PRESIDIO
Capping the northern-most tip of the San Francisco peninsula, the Presidio is 1,500 acres of cypress,
eucalyptus, and pine forests, grasslands, meadows, ocean bluffs, trails, beaches, a sea of wildflowers, the
city’s last free-flowing creek and what remains of 220 years of military occupations. Now part of the
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the park possesses spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge
and San Francisco Bay. Long abandoned as a fortification, the Presidio developed into an army
administrative, then medical, center. It’s still home to a research institute, the century-old San Francisco
Military Cemetery and an 18-hole golf course. Today’s visitors are drawn to Baker Beach and the preCivil War era Fort Point which both offer spectacular views of the big orange bridge. At high tide,
fantastic waves bash, crash and smash the seawall approach to Fort Point, a favorite destination for
runners and dog walkers. Surfers and windsurfers love the water under the bridge and off Crissy Field.
THE RICHMOND
Welcome to the avenues. Forty-eight of them, one after another. Tightly framed by the Pacific Ocean,
the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park, the Richmond District is within easy access to anywhere in
the city. The neighborhood’s main arteries, Geary Boulevard and Clement Street, parallel each other east
and west, just one block apart, all manner of shops serve lively Clement Street that is becoming more
Chinese and Vietnamese by the day. Curiosities off the beaten path in the Richmond include the
Columbarium, a turn of the century, neo-classical which houses urns and ashes of former San
Franciscans., and Louis’ at the Beach, an unpretentious diner that includes arguably the best view of the
Pacific coast in San Francisco. Lincoln Park, out at Land’s End, is home to the newly renovated California
Palace of the Legion of Honor art museum and a fantastic 18-hole golf course that skirts the Golden
Gate. Land’s End itself is easily San Francisco’s most remote and rugged place
RUSSIAN HILL
The summit of Russian Hill became a haven for intellectuals, writers, artists and architects. Consider that
Mark Twain, Jack London, Frank Norris, Ambrose Bierce and the amazing Willis Polk all enjoyed the
creaking narrow stairways, the salubrious air, and the dramatic views, Jack Kerouac pounded out much
of his work in Neal Cassady’s tiny attic on Russell Place. Russian Hill is meant to be experienced on your
feet. Start with breakfast at the charming Sinclair’s Petit Café. Enjoy its library, sip cappuccino, and
nibble on fresh-baked pastry. You’ll appreciate the quiet streets; this is not a tourist destination. On the
way up, you’ll see a lot of San Francisco – the bridges and islands in the bay and beyond – from this
serene vantage point. Russian Hill Antiques and La Folie restaurant, an epicurean’s delight, are draws to
the west on Polk Street. Lombard Street’s twists and turns attract even the most jaded tourists, and the
real estate along this landmark is splendid. Should you elect to head down toward North Beach, two of
the city’s landmarks await you: Diego Rivera’s mighty mural honoring the American worker in the San
Francisco Art Institute and Tower Records on the corner of Columbus and Bay, where you can get any
music you desire at the best prices.
SOMA (SOUTH OF MARKET)
Most people think of nighttime fun when they think of South of Market. An incomparable array of
culinary expectations can be fulfilled at restaurants such as Gordon Biersch Brewery, a dressy, young
place that serves up tasty entrees and freshly brewed beers; Cadillac Bar and Grill, a lively noisy Mexican
fiesta; and the whimsical escapist getaway that is the Caribbean Zone. There’s also the upscale Fly Trap;
South Park’s delicious Ecco, and the Delancey Street restaurant, staffed by folks busy rebuilding their
lives with the support of this nationally-renowned program. Hip clubs come and go in the warehouse
space South of Market. When Boz Scaggs opened Slim’s, it firmly established 11th Street as the epicenter
of San Francisco’s live music scene. This fine club features the city’s best blues, rhythm and blues, and
rock bands, night after night.
THE SUNSET
The district is a mosaic of Mediterranean-style stucco homes and neighborhood specialty shops with its
major commercial centers on Irving, Judah, Noriega and Taraval Streets, as well as 9th Avenue and Sloat
Boulevard. The area is ethnically split and the number of Irish pubs indicates that the Irish settled here
after they finished building the Mission District. The Inner Sunset is populated by students and young
families. The fog begins at 19th Avenue in the Outer Sunset. This area is home to working class families
and seniors, with a heavy concentration of Asian residents, many of whom own business on Noriega and
Irving Streets. Adventurous surfers head to Ocean Beach’s phenomenal and often difficult waves, while
in-line skaters relish the gradually sloping hills. On Friday and Saturday nights watch for campfires on
the beach (burning permits are not required). The federal government sometimes hires park rangers as
natural history interpreters and folklore storytellers for people gathered around the fires.
TELEGRAPH HILL
Pick up your cup of morning coffee. Pet the cat. Step out on
your landing and stretch. Cat stretches too. Scan the horizon.
See your neighbors., your bay, your bridges, your city and your
dreams from here. Hummingbirds flit by, as satisfied as you.
Telegraph Hill dwellers just might live in San Francisco’s most
idyllic spot. But the views! The panoramic vistas and easy
access to the colorful neighborhoods of this corner of the city
add to the charm of living here. Gazing at the sun setting
behind the Golden Gate from Coit Tower is just magnificent. It
seems as if you can see the world
from here and all’s well. Nothing exemplifies the charm of
Telegraph Hill so vividly as the Filbert Steps with its hillside
gardens, benches, unique to the Hill houses, and superb views.
The steps still creak, especially down around the nooks of Napier
Lane. A luminous art deco delight of an apartment building
greets you as you descend the steps to Montgomery Street. A
closer look will reveal the decorative detail on this building,
once an exterior set for Bogart and Bacall’s “Dark Passage”. Pass the toy poodles-only canine
convenience on your way to the Julius’ Castle restaurant, said to be a former speakeasy, which boasts
more fabulous views.
TWIN PEAKS
There are about 12,000 people who call this neighborhood home. They are mostly white, affluent, gay or
straight, and generally mature (less than eight percent are under the age of 17). They endure the daily
climb up and down the steep roads, and bundle up against whipping winds and chilling fog. But the
rewards include the best view of the Bay Area south of Marin’s Mount Tamalpais. The view of the city
offers an opportunity for a birds-eye view of nearly all of San Francisco’s neighborhoods. The cheap tract
homes and apartment buildings that were inexplicably approved by the planners of the day are draped
across the ridges of Twin Peaks, while the homes along the northern and western sides are statelier.
These affluent areas, now home to empty nesters, include Miraloma Park, Midtown Terrace, Forest
Knolls, Parnassus Heights, and Clarendon Heights. The Peaks is a haven for walkers, hikers and nature
lovers. Several stairway walks and steep hikes are rewarded with some of the city’s last remaining
natural areas. Nestled among the winding streets of Twin Peaks is one of the city’s most enjoyable
children’s attractions, the Randall Museum. It offers kids and adults hands-on nature exhibits, a youth
art gallery, minerals, and an activity center with classes in woodworking and ceramics.
UNION SQUARE
The square is surrounded by upscale retail powerhouses such as Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth
Avenue, and is just two blocks from Market Street and the San Francisco Centre, home of the NordstromIn-The-Sky. The department stores are flanked by specialty shops that draw cable cars full of whitegloved ladies and bustling tourists downtown for their shopping excursions. Well-funded shoppers visit
Union Square’s stores such as Shreve and Co., Gump’s, Rims & Goggles and, of course, Tiffany & Co.
Large and elegant hotels, led by the Westin St. Francis, the Sir Francis Drake, the Grand Hyatt and
Campton Place are nearly as famous as Union Square shops and department stores. Many of the hotels
feature magnificent lobbies with elevators that whisk you to their rooftop bars. There are many exquisite
hotel bars, perfect for pre-dinner drinks, such as St. Francis’ Compass Rose (an international art museum
disguised as a bar); the Clift Hotel’s Redwood Room (Venerably elegant old San Francisco with a great
piano man) or the Harry Denton’s Starlight Room, a 1930s deco extraordinaire with a cigar terrace at the
Sir Francis Drake Hotel.
WESTERN ADDITION
The centerpiece of the Western Addition is Alamo Square and the row of Victorian “painted ladies”
homes, which are the subject of postcards sent all over the world. On a clear day, with the Victorians in
the foreground and the downtown skyline behind, Alamo Square presents San Francisco as a livable city.
This picture is not entirely complete though, as Western Addition housing projects still attract crime
(especially on weekend nights). They are, however, receiving more attention from City Hall. As the new
housing attracted young professionals, upscale shops sprung up. The Western Addition is also the city’s
richest repository of classic San Francisco homes, such as the Archbishop’s Mansion at Fulton and Steiner
Streets (now converted into a Bed & Breakfast), the Chateau Tivoli at Steiner and Golden Gate, the
homes in the 1800 block of California Street and the 1700 block of Franklin Street.
WEST PORTAL STREET / SAINT FRANCIS WOOD
St. Francis Wood, this is the elite tract of southwest San Francisco. It is also sedate. Street landscaping
here is exceptionally attractive. John Galen Howard, the noted Beaux Arts-era architect, designed the
gates at the St. Francis Boulevard/Portola Drive entry as well as the fountain in the circular plaza on St.
Francis. Boundaries are Monterey Boulevard, San Anselmo, Santa Paula, San Pablo Avenues, Portola
Drive and Junipero Serra Boulevard. West Portal, after half a century or so, this neighborhood continues
to uphold its sedate, upper middle class air, because of appearance and location. Nesting as it does at
the foot of three green hills – Mt. Davidson, Forest Hill and Edgehill Heights – it’s like a Swiss village with
diagonal and curving streets. It also has one of the more attractive neighborhood shopping areas in
town. If its shops can hold out against the trend of being replaced by banks and savings & loan
associations. Boundaries are 19th Avenue, Taraval Street, Claremont Boulevard, Portola Drive and Sloat
Boulevard.
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS
AIM HIGH ACADEMY
Michael Selkis, Principal
1351 Haight Street
333-5836
BALBOA HIGH SCHOOL
Ms. Patricia Gray, Principal
1000 Cayuga Avenue
469-4090
JUNE JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL
Shane Safir, Administrator
San Francisco State University
405-2463
LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL
Ronald Pang
2162 24th Avenue
759-2700
BAY HIGH
1950 Mission Street
241-6232
LOG CABIN HIGH SCHOOL
James Fithian, Asst. Principal
P.O. BOX 329
241-6553
BURTON HIGH SCHOOL
Fredna Howell, Coordinator
400 Mansell Street
469-4550
LOWELL HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Paul Cheng, Principal
1101 Eucalyptus Drive
759-2730
DOWNTOWN
Patrick K. Preminger, Principal
110 Bartlett Street
695-5860
MARSHALL, THURGOOD
Dr. Samuelo Butscher, Principal
45 Conkling
695-5612
GALILEO SCIENCE ACADEMY
Ms. Chiung-Sal Chou, Asst. Superintendent
1150 Francisco Street
749-3430
MISSION HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Ted Alfaro, Principal
3750 18th Street
241-6240
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Ms. Jennie Won Chin-Low, Principal
1717 44th Avenue
242-2528
NEWCOMER HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Herbert Chan, Principal
2340 Jackson Street
241-6584
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES ACADEMY
Cam Van Nguyen, Administrator
693 Vermont Street
695-5866
O'CONNELL, JOHN H.S
Joan Hepperly, Principal
2355 Folsom Street
695-5370
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS
CONT.
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC MIDDLE
SCHOOLS
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Joseph Rosenblatt, Principal
555 Portola Drive
695-5700
AIM HIGH ACADEMY
Michael Selkis, Principal
1351 Haight Street
333-5836
RAOUL WALLENBERG HS
Mattie Mae Walker, Principal
40 Vega Street
749-3469
APTOS
Linal Ishibashi, Principal
105 Aptos Avenue
469-4520
WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Camille Morishige, Principal
600 32nd Avenue
750-8400
BURBANK, LUTHER
Avelina Leanos
325 La Grande Avenue
469-4547
IDA B. WELLS HIGH SCHOOL
Ms. Ann Austin, Principal
1099 Hayes Street
241-6315
DAVIS, GLORIA R
Dr. Rejois Frazier, Principal
1195 Hudson Avenue
695-5390
DENMAN, JAMES
Ms. Nancy Evangelho, Principal
241 Oneida Street
469-4535
EVERETT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Luz Valentin, Principal
450 Church Street
241-6344
FRANCISCO MIDDLE SCHOOL
Marian Seiki, Principal
2190 Powell Street
291-7900
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC MIDDLE SCHOOLS
CONT.
FRANKLIN, BEN
Marilyn Swartz, Principal
1430 Scott Street
749-3476
GIANNINI, AP MIDDLE SCHOOL
Brian Lee, Principal
3151 Ortega Street
759-2770
HOOVER, HERBERT
Jeannie Pon, Principal
2290 14th Avenue
759-2783
KING, MARTIN LUTHER MS
Leslie Trook, Principal
350 Girard Street
330-1500
MAXWELL, ENOLA D.
655 Deharo St
695-5905
PRESIDIO MIDDLE SCHOOL
Alvin Dea, Principal
450 30th Avenue
750-8435
ROOSEVELT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Diane Panagotacos, Principal
460 Arguello Boulevard
750-8446
VISITACION VALLEY
James Dierke, Principal
450 Raymond Street
469-4590
LICK, JAMES MIDDLE SCHOOL
Janice Daniels, Principal
1220 Noe Street
695-5675
MANN, HORACE MS
Thomas Fell, Principal
3351 23rd Street
695-5881
MARINA MIDDLE SCHOOL
Dennis Chew, Principal
3500 Fillmore Street
749-3495
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC ELEMENTARY
SCHOOLS
ALAMO
250 23rd Avenue
750-8456
ALICE FONG YU ALTERNATIVE
1541 12th. Avenue
759-2764
ALVARADO
625 Douglass Street
695-5695
ARGONNE YEAR ROUND ALT
680 18th Avenue
750-8460
BRET HARTE
1035 Gilman Avenue
330-1520
BRYANT
1050 York Street
695-5780
BUENA VISTA ALT
2641 25th Street
695-5875
CABRILLO
735 24th Avenue
750-8464
CARMICHAEL, BESSIE/FEC
55 Sherman Street
241-6294
CARVER, DR. GEORGE WASHINGTON
1360 Oakdale Avenue
330-1540
CHAVEZ, CESAR
825 Shotwell Street
695-5765
CHIN, JOHN YEHAL
350 Broadway
291-7946
CHINESE ED CENTER
657 Merchant Street
291-7918
CLARENDON ALT
500 Clarendon Avenue
759-2796
CLEVELAND
455 Athens Street
469-4709
COBB, DR WILLIAM L
2725 California Street
749-3505
DE AVILA, WILLIAM R
1351 Haight Street
241-6325
DREW, DR CHARLES R
50 Pomona Avenue
330-1526
SCHOOLS CONT.
EL DORADO
70 Delta Street
330-1537
FAIRMOUNT
65 Chenery Street
695-5669
FLYNN, LEONARD R
3125 Cesar Chavez Street
695-5770
GARFIELD
420 Filbert Street
291-7924
GLEN PARK
151 Lippard Avenue
469-4713
GOLDEN GATE
1601 Turk Street
749-3509
GRATTAN
165 Grattan Street
759-2815
GUADALUPE
859 Prague Street
469-4718
HILLCREST
810 Silver Avenue
469-4722
JAPANESE BILINGUAL WEST (JBBP)
3045 Santiago Street
242-2684
JEFFERSON
1725 Irving Street
759-2821
KEY, FRANCIS SCOTT
1530 43rd Avenue
759-2811
KING, STARR
1215 Carolina Street
695-5797
LAFAYETTE
4545 Anza Street
750-8483
LAKESHORE ALT
220 Middlefield Drive
759-2825
LAU, GORDON J
950 Clay Street
291-7921
LILIENTHAL, CLAIRE
3950 Sacramento Street @ Arguello
750-8603
LONGFELLOW
755 Morse Street
469-4730
SCHOOLS CONT.
MALCOLM X
350 Harbor Rd
695-5950
MARSHALL ELEMENTARY
1575 15th Street
241-6280
MCCOPPIN, FRANK
651 6th Avenue
750-8475
MCKINLEY
1025 14th Street
241-6300
MILK CIVIL RIGHTS AC, HARVEY
4235 19th Street
241-6276
MIRALOMA
175 Omar Way
469-4734
MISSION ED CENTER
1670 Noe Street
695-5313
MONROE
260 Madrid Street
469-4736
MOSCONE GEORGE R
2576 Harrison Street
695-5736
MUIR, JOHN
380 Webster Street
241-6335
NEW TRADITIONS
2049 Grove Street
750-8490
ORTEGA, JOSE
400 Sargent Street
469-4726
PARKER, JEAN
840 Broadway Street
291-7990
PARKS, ROSA
1501 O'Farrell Street
749-3519
PEABODY, GEORGE
251 6Th Av
750-8480
REDDING
1421 Pine Street
749-3525
REVERE, PAUL
555 Thompkins Av
695-5656
ROOFTOP
443 Burnett Avenue (Twin Peaks)
695-5691
SCHOOLS CONT.
SANCHEZ
325 Sanchez Street
241-6380
SERRA, JUNIPERO
625 Holly Park Circle
695-5685
SHERIDAN
431 Capitol Avenue
469-4743
SHERMAN
1651 Union Street
749-3530
SLOAT, COMMODORE
50 Darien Way
759-2807
SPRING VALLEY
1451 Jackson Street
749-3535
STEVENSON, ROBERT L
2051 34th Avenue
759-2837
SUNNYSIDE
250 Foerster Street
469-4746
SUNSET
1920 41st Avenue
759-2760
SUTRO
235 12th Avenue
750-8525
SWETT ALT, JOHN
727 Golden Gate Avenue
241-6320
TAYLOR, E.R.
423 Burrows Street
330-1530
TENDERLOIN COMMUNITY
627 Turk Street
749-3567
ULLOA
2650 42nd Avenue
759-2841
VISITACION VALLEY
55 Schwerin Street
469-4796
WEBSTER, DANIEL
465 Missouri Street
695-5787
WEST PORTAL
5 Lenox Way
759-2846
YICK WO
2245 Jones Street
749-3540
SAN FRANCISCO PRIVATE ELEMENTARY
SCHOOLS
ADDA CLEVENGER JUNIOR PREPARATORY & THEATER
SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN
180 Fair Oaks, San Francisco
415/824-2240
Grades: K – 8
School Info: School for gifted children
www.addaclevenger.org/
CHINESE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
150 Oak Street, San Francisco
415/865-6000
Grades: PK – 8
School Info: Bilingual curriculum taught in
English and Mandarin Chinese
http://www.cie-cais.org/
BRANDEIS HILLEL DAY SCHOOL
655 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco
415/406-1035
Grades: K – 8
School Info: Jewish day school
http://www.bhds.org/
CONVENT OF SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2222 Broadway Street, San Francisco
415/563-2900
Grades: K – 8
www.sacred.sf.ca.us/
School Info: Catholic; girls school; part of
Schools of the Sacred Heart
BRIDGEMONT CHRISTIAN HIGH & JUNIOR HIGH
415/333-7600
Grades: 6 – 12
www.bridgemontschool.org/
CATHEDRAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS
1275 Sacramento Street, San Francisco
415/771-6600
Grades: K – 8
School Info: Episcopal Boys school
www.cathedralschool.net/
CHILDREN’S DAY SCHOOL
333 Dolores Street, San Francisco
415/861-5432
Grades: PK – 8
www.cds-sf.org/
CORNERSTONE ACADEMY
801 Silver Avenue, San Francisco (PK - 4
campus)
415/587-7256
501 Cambridge Street, San Francisco (5 - 10
campus)
415/585-5183
Grades: PK – 10
School Info: Preschool and kindergarten
instruction is offered in bilingual Cantonese,
Chinese, and English; Chinese is offered as a
second language in upper grades
http://cornerstone-academy.tripod.com/cgibin/start.html
CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL
75 Francis Street, San Francisco
415/587-7014
Grades: K – 8
School Info: Catholic
www.corpuschristisf.org/
SCHOOLS CONT.
DE MARILLAC MIDDLE SCHOOL
Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco
415/552-5220
Grades: 6 – 8
School Info: Opened in 2001, Catholic, serves
underprivileged children in the Tenderloin
http://www.demarillac.org/
ECOLE NOTRE DAMES DES VICTOIRES
659 Pine Street, San Francisco
415/421-0069
Grades: K – 8
www.ndvsf.org/
EPIPHANY SCHOOL
600 Italy Avenue, San Francisco
415/337-4030
Grades: 1 – 8
www.sfepiphany.org/
FRENCH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
415/558-2000
Grades: PK – 12
School Info: Offers programs of study in French
and English
www.fais-ihs.org/
HAMLIN SCHOOL
415/922-0300
Grades: K – 8
School Info: Girls school
/www.hamlin.org/
HEBREW ACADEMY SAN FRANCISCO
645 14th Avenue, San Francisco
415/752-7333
Grades: PK – 12
School Info: Jewish day school
www.hebrewacademy.com
FELLOWSHIP ACADEMY
495 Cambridge Street, San Francisco
415/239-0511
Grades: PK – 8
HILLWOOD ACADEMIC DAY SCHOOL
2521 Scott Street, San Francisco
415/931-0400
Grades: K – 8
www.hillwoodschool.co
FREEMAN SCHOOL
415/379-6949
Grades: K – 8
http://www.freemanschool.com/
HOLY NAME SCHOOL
415/731-4077
Grades: K – 8
www.holynamesf.com
HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX SCHOOL
415/581-8451
Grades: K – 8
SCHOOLS CONT.
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
22 Waller Street, San Francisco
415/863-1691
Grades Preschool
www.internationalchristianschool.org/
KATHERINE DELMAR BURKE SCHOOL
7070 California Street, San Francisco
415/751-0177
Grades: K – 8
School Info: Girls school
http://www.kdbs.org/
KATHERINE MICHIELS SCHOOL
1335 Guerrero Street, San Francisco
415/821-1434
Grades: PK – 5
KITTREDGE SCHOOL
2355 Lake Street, San Francisco
415/750-8390
Grades: 1 – 8
www.kittredge.org/
KROUZIAN ARMENIAN SCHOOL
415/586-8686
Grades: PK – 8
School Info: Christian bilingual school
www.kzv.org/
LA MEL SCHOOL
1801 Bush Street, San Francisco
415/931-1972
Grades: K – 12
School Info: Special Edschool
LAUREL SCHOOL
415/752-3567
Grades: PK – 8
Live Oak School
1555 Mariposa Street, San Francisco
415/861-8840
Grades: K – 8
www.liveoak.pvt.k12.ca.us/
LYCEE FRANCAIS LA PEROUSE SAN FRANCISCO
755 Ashbury Street, San Francisco
415/661-5232
Grades: PK – 12
School Info: French school
www.lelycee.org/
MARIA MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
678 Portola Drive, San Francisco
415/731-8188
Grades: PK – 6
http://montessoriinstitute.citysearch.com/
MEADOWS-LIVINGSTONE SCHOOL
1499 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco
415/695-7735
Grades: 1 – 6
MISSION DOLORES SCHOOL
3371 16th Street, San Francisco
415/861-7673
Grades: K – 8
www.missiondolores.org/schoolframes.htm
MOTHER GOOSE SCHOOL
415/221-6133
Grades: PK – 2
SCHOOLS CONT.
OUR LADY OF VISITACION SCHOOL
795 Sunnydale Avenue, San Francisco
415/239-7840
Grades: K – 8
www.olvisitacion.com/
PRESIDIO HILL SCHOOL
3839 Washington Street, San Francisco
415/751-9318
Grades: K – 8
www.presidiohill.org/
RIVENDELL SCHOOL
4501 Irving Street, San Francisco
415/566-7454
Grades: K – 5
www.rivendell.san-francisco.ca.us/
RUSSIAN-AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
1250 Quintara Street, San Francisco
415/837-0901
Grades: K – 4
www.russianamericanschool.org
ST. ANNE SCHOOL
415/664-7977
Grades: K – 8
School Info: Catholic; Chinese language classes
offered
www.stanne.com
ST. ANTHONY-IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL
299 Precita Avenue, San Francisco
415/648-2008
Grades: K – 8
ST. BRENDAN’S SCHOOL
940 Laguna Honda Boulevard, San Francisco
415/731-2665
Grades: K – 8
www.stbrendansf.com
ST. BRIGID SCHOOL
2250 Franklin Street, San Francisco
415/673-4523
Grades: K – 8
www.stbrigidschool.com
ST. CECILIA SCHOOL
660 Vicente Street, San Francisco
415/731-8400
Grades: K – 8
www.stceciliaschool.org
ST. CHARLES SCHOOL
415/861-7652
Grades: K – 8
ST. DOMINIC’S SCHOOL
2445 Pine Street, San Francisco
415/346-9500
Grades: K – 8
www.stdominics.org/school/
ST. ELIZABETH SCHOOL
450 Somerset Street, San Francisco
415/468-3247
Grades: K – 8, Catholic
SCHOOLS CONT.
ST. EMYDIUS SCHOOL
301 De Montfort Avenue, San Francisco
415/333-4877
Grades: K – 8
ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL
925 Chenery Street, San Francisco
415/584-8383
Grades: K – 8
www.stjohnseagles.com
ST. FINN BARR SCHOOL
419 Hearst Avenue, San Francisco
415/333-1800
Grades: K – 8
www.stfinnbarr.org
ST. MARY’S CHINESE DAY SCHOOL
910 Broadway, San Francisco
415/929-4690
Grades: K – 8
www.stmaryschinese.org
ST. GABRIEL SCHOOL
2550 41st Avenue, San Francisco
415/566-0314
Grades: K – 8
www.stgabrielsf.com
ST. MONICA SCHOOL
5920 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco
415/751-9564
Grades: K – 8
ST. JAMES SCHOOL
321 Fair Oaks Street, San Francisco
415/647-8972
Grades: K – 8
www.saintjamessf.org
ST. JOHN OF SAN FRANCISCO ORTHODOX ACADEMY
415/221-3484
Grades: K – 12
School Info: Centered around Orthodox calendar
and life
www.stjohnsacademysf.org
ST. PAUL OF THE SHIPWRECK ACADEMY
1060 Key Avenue, San Francisco
415/467-1798
Grades: K – 8
www.stpaulshipwreck.com
ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL
180 Fair Oaks Street, San Francisco
415/648-2055
Grades: K – 8
ST. PETER’S SCHOOL
1266 Florida Street, San Francisco
415/647-8662
Grades: K – 8
SCHOOLS CONT.
ST. PHILIP’S SCHOOL
665 Elizabeth Street, San Francisco
415/824-8467
Grades: K – 8
www.saintphilipschool.com
ST. STEPHEN’S SCHOOL
401 Eucalyptus Drive, San Francisco
415/664-8331
Grades: K – 8
www.st-stephen.org
ST. THOMAS MORE SCHOOL
50 Thomas More Way, San Francisco
415/337-0100
Grades: K – 8
www.stthomasmoreschool.org
ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE SCHOOL
3801 Balboa Street, San Francisco
415/221-2711
Grades: K – 8
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL
2350 Green Street, San Francisco
415/346-5505
Grades: K – 8
STS. PETER AND PAUL SALESIAN SCHOOL
660 Filbert Street, San Francisco
415/421-5219
Grades: K – 8, School Info: Catholic
SAN FRANCISCO ADVENTIST SCHOOL
66 Geneva Avenue, San Francisco
415/585-5550
Grades: K – 10
San Francisco Chinese Parents Committee
843 Stockton Street, San Francisco
415/391-5564
Grades: PK – 5
SAN FRANCISCO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
25 Whittier Street, San Francisco
415/586-1117
Grades: K – 12
SAN FRANCISCO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
302 Eddy Street, San Francisco
415/673-2992
Grades: K – 4
SAN FRANCISCO DAY SCHOOL
350 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco
415/931-2422
Grades: K – 8
SAN FRANCISCO FRIENDS SCHOOL
117 Diamond Street, San Francisco
415/552-8500
Grades: K – 8
Info: Accepting applications in K - 2 for 2003;
growing to 8th grade
SAN FRANCISCO WALDORF SCHOOL
415/931-2750
Grades: K – 12
SCHOOLS CONT.
SAND PATHS ACADEMY
169 Stillman Street, San Francisco
415/281-9155
Grades: 6 – 12
School Info: Specialize in education for
emotionally disturbed children with learning
differences
STAR OF THE SEA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
415/221-8558
Grades: K – 8
STERNE SCHOOL
2690 Jackson Street, San Francisco
415/922-6081
Grades: 5 – 12
School Info: Education for students with
learning difficulties
STUART HALL FOR BOYS SCHOOL
415/563-2900
Grades: K – 8
School Info: Catholic boys school
www.sacred.sf.ca.us
SYNERGY SCHOOL
1387 Valencia Street, San Francisco
415/567-6177
Grades: K – 8
THE DISCOVERY CENTER SCHOOL
65 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco
415/333-6609
Grades: K – 8 (with high school connection)
THE SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOL
300 Gaven Street, San Francisco
415/239-5065
Grades: PK – 8
www.sfschool.org
TOWN SCHOOL FOR BOYS
415/921-3747
Grades: K – 8
School Info: Boys school
www.townschool.com
Voice of Pentecost Academy
415/334-0105
Grades: K – 12
WEST PORTAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL
200 Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco (K, 4-8
campus)
1711 37th Avenue, San Francisco (1-3 campus)
415/665-6330
Grades: K – 8
www.westportallutheran.org
WOODSIDE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
1555 Irving Street, San Francisco
415/564-1063
Grades: 6 – 12
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL
415/221-7500
Grades: K – 8
www.zionsf.org
SAN FRANCISCO PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS
ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL
175 Phelan Avenue, San Francisco
415/586-8200
Grades: 9 – 12
THE BAY SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO
8 Funston Avenue, PO Box 29610, San Francisco
415/561-5800 (415/296-7303 till 9/15/03)
Grades: 9 – 12 (opening in 2004 with grades 9
& 10)
School Info: Independent, co-ed, college prep
school with an emphasis on science, technology,
ethics, and world religions
BETHEL CENTER
2557 Alemany Boulevard, San Francisco
415/586-4977
Grades: 9 – 12
School Info: Special Ed Program
BRIDGEMONT CHRISTIAN HIGH & JUNIOR HIGH
415/333-7600
Grades: 6 – 12
CORNERSTONE ACADEMY
801 Silver Avenue, San Francisco (PK - 4
campus)
415/587-7256
501 Cambridge Street, San Francisco (5 - 10
campus)
415/585-5183
Grades: PK – 10
School Info: Preschool and kindergarten
instruction is offered in bilingual Cantonese,
Chinese, and English; Chinese is offered as a
second language in upper grades
CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL
415/563-2900
Grades: 9 – 12
School Info: Catholic; girls school; part of
Schools of the Sacred Heart
http://www.sacred.sf.ca.us/
DREW COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
2901 California Street, San Francisco
415/409-3739
Grades: 9 – 12
www.drewschool.org/
FRENCH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
415/558-2000
Grades: PK – 12
School Info: Offers programs of study in French
and English
www.fais-ihs.org/
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ACADEMY
415/824-2052
Grades: 9 – 12
School Info: Catholic; all girls
LA MEL SCHOOL
1801 Bush Street, San Francisco
415/931-1972
Grades: K – 12
School Info: Special Edschool
Lick Wilmerding High School
415/333-4021
Grades: 9 – 12
www.lwhs.org
SAN FRANCISCO PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS
CONT.
LYCEE FRANCAIS LA PEROUSE SAN FRANCISCO
755 Ashbury Street, San Francisco
415/661-5232
Grades: PK – 12
School Info: French school
www.lelycee.org/
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL
415/334-0525
Grades: 9 – 12
www.mercyhs.org/
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL PREPARATORY
1055 Ellis Street, San Francisco
415/775-6626
Grades: 9 – 12
www.shcp.edu/index.shtml
ST. JOHN OF SAN FRANCISCO ORTHODOX ACADEMY
415/221-3484
Grades: K – 12
School Info: Centered around Orthodox calendar
and life
www.stjohnsacademysf.org
STS. CYRIL AND MEHODIUS HIGH SCHOOL
415/752-5122
Grades: 9 – 12
School Info: Offers program in Orthodox
religion, Russian language, literature and
history; classes on Tues & Thurs 4:10 - 6:00
pm, Sat 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
SAN FRANCISCO UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL
415/447-3100
Grades: 9 – 12
SAN FRANCISCO WALDORF SCHOOL
415/931-2750
Grades: K – 12
169 Stillman Street, San Francisco
415/281-9155
Grades: 6 – 12
School Info: Specialize in education for
emotionally disturbed children with learning
differences
S.R. MARTIN COLLEGE PREPARATORY
2660 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco
415/715-0102
Grades: 9 – 12
STERNE SCHOOL
415/922-6081
Grades: 5 – 12
School Info: Education for students with
learning difficulties
STUART HALL HIGH SCHOOL
1715 Octavia St, San Francisco
415/563-2900
Grades: 9 – 12
School Info: Catholic boys school
URBAN SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO
1563 Page Street, San Francisco
415/626-2919
Grades: 9 – 12
www.urbanschool.org
Fidelity National Title
Escrow Information
Steps For a Successful Escrow
1. Open Escrow
Request that your Real Estate Agent opens your escrow with Fidelity National Title.
2. Deposits to Escrow
Make initial deposit to escrow. These funds will be deposited into a non-interest bearing
account. If the deposit is large, and it is a long closing you may want to request that
these funds be placed in an interest bearing account. If requested, your Escrow Officer
will provide you with the necessary forms for this. Initial deposits and increases may be
in the form of a personal check, providing there is time to clear that check with the bank.
Final deposits and lenders funds must be deposited to escrow at least one day proir to
close of escrow in the form of either a California Cashier’s check or a wire transfer.
3. Power of Attorney
If any of the principals to a transaction will be unavailable to sign loan and escrow document, a Power of attorney may be used. Be sure to provide both your lender and Fidelity
National Title Company with a copy of the Power of Attorney form for review and approval prior to signing documents.
4. Title Insurance Policy
You will be required to purchase an Owner’s Title Policy and if you are obtaining a new
loan, you will also need to obtain a Lender’s Title Policy. Although there are many different forms of Title Insurance, the most common Owner’s policies are the CLTA and the
new ALTA homeowner’s policy. Compare your options, and choose the policy that best
suits your needs.
5. Vesting
Prior to signing, you will need to determine how you would like to hold title to the property. If your are unsure of the advantages and disadvantages to each form of holding
title, you should discuss it with your Attorney or Tax advisor.
6. Fire Insurance
It will be necessary for you to obtain fire insurance, which will protect both you, the
homeowner and your lender. Once you have selected an Insurance agent, provide your
Escrow Officer with his/her name and contact information.
Escrow Information
Steps For a Successful Escrow (con’t)
7. Closing Costs
Closing costs are charges associated with the buying, selling or refinancing of real estate.
Some of the items associated with closing costs are:
•
•
•
•
Lender’s Loan fees
Title and Escrow fees
Notary fees
Home Warranty
•
•
•
•
Recording fees
Transfer Taxes
Inspections
Real Estate Commissions
8. Signing Your Documents
Once the loan documents are prepared by your lender and delivered to the escrow office,
the Escrow Officer may now prepare the escrow instructions for signing. The signing of
the documents does not constitute the close of escrow. The actual day of recording is
the close of escrow. The signing should take place approximately 3-5 days prior to the
close of escrow. Once yo have signed the loan documents, the papers are returned to
your lender for final review. This process can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours.
9. Close of Escrow
Once all of the documents are signed, funds are in and all conditions have been met,
the Escrow Officer will release the file for recording. This needs to occur before 5pm the
day prior to close of escrow. All title documents are recorded with the County Recorder’s
Office at 8am. On the day of recordation, the Escrow Officer will prepare the final statements, disburse all of the funds and the property is now yours.
Escrow Information
Property Taxes - The Repetitive Charge?
Perhaps one of the most confusing aspects in dealing with real estate is the taxes. Taxes
can be addressed in several ways in your escrow. If you are obtaining a new loan, the
lender may require tax impounds and tax service. If you are involved in a purchase,
the seller may require tax prorations. There may be taxes to be paid based on delinquent or current tax bills. Your escrow instruction may contain a disclosure and release
regarding future supplemental taxes.
*The following is a review of each of these aspects of taxes.
Taxes to be Paid
The fiscal year commences on July 1st of each year, BUT liens for that tax year begin on
the preceding January 1st. This means that every property in the state subject to taxes
automatically has a tax lien on it commencing January 1st of each year for the coming
fiscal year. The end of each fiscal year is the following June 30th. Taxes are payable in
two installments (although you have the option to pay them in full when you pay the first
installment). The 1st installment is due and payable on November 1st, becoming delinquent December 10th. The 2nd installment is due and payable February 1st, becoming
delinquent April 10th. NOTE: If the tenth falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the delinquent
date is extended until after 5pm of the next business day.
Tax Impounds
The lender may collect taxes monthly in the payment. The amount is equivalent to
1/12th of the projected tax payment due annually. At closing, the lender calculated the
number of payments that they need to be in receipt of at the time the next tax installment is due. Then, at closing, they collect the necessary monthly taxes to ensure that
when the taxes become due they are in receipt of a minimum of six months of tax payments. Each lender differs slightly on its calculation; therefore, it is important to check
with your lender regarding the formula it uses.
Escrow Information
COMMON WAYS TO HOLD TITLE
Parties
Division
of Interest
Title
Possession
Conveyance
Only Husband and
Wife
Ownership & management of property is
equal
Title is in the community & each interest is
separate but management is unified
Both co-owners have
equal management
and control
Require written consent of other spouse or
actual conveyance by
deed. Separate interest
is devisable by will.
Community
Property w/
right of
survivorship
Only Husband & Wife
should sign the acquisition deed to accept
this special form of
vesting title
Ownership & management of property is
equal
Title is in the community subject to special
survivorship right
Both co-owners have
equal management
and control
Require both spouses
to join for valid
conveyance except for
security for attorney
fees
Joint
Tenancy
Any number of persons. Can be Husband
& Wife alone or with
others-no corporations- no partnerships
Interests are equal
and undivided. Yet
each person controls
his/her own interest.
Ownership is joint.
Sale by one severs
tenancy as to others
Equal right of
possession
Conveyance by one
owner severs the joint
tenancy-but only as to
that owner’s interest
Any number of persons and/or corporations and partnerships
Ownership can be divided into any number
of interests-equal or
unequal
Each co-owner has
a separate legal title
to his/her undivided
interest
Equal right of
possession
Each co-owner’s interest may be conveyed
separately by its owner
Any number of persons and/or corporations & partnerships
MUST be at least two
Each partner’s share is
personal property in
partnership entity
Ownership is by partnership entity only
Possession by partnership by managing
partner(s)
Conveyance MUST be by
designated general partners. All limited partners
need to consent if sale is
100% of assets
Any individual, group,
partnership of corporations. Other special
requirements
Ownership is a personal property interest
& can be divided
into any number of
interests
Title is held by trustee
or trustees pursuant to
the trust agreement
Depends on provision
in trust agreement
Designated parties in the
trust instrument authorize
the trustee to convey property. Also a beneficiary’s
interest may be sold separately (as personal property)
unless restricted
Only Husband & Wife
Property retains its
character of
community property
Title is held by trustee
or trustees pursuant to
the trust agreement
Depends on provision
in trust agreement
By the trustee pursuant to the powers
contained in the trust
instrument
Community
Property
Tenancy
in
common
Partnerships
Trust
Arrangements
Community
Property
Trusts
Disclaimer: The comparisons shown above are provided for informational purposes only. This chart should NOT be used to determine how you acquire your ownership in the property. It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice from an
attorney an/or your tax advisor to determine the legal and tax consequences of how your title should be vested.
Escrow Information
COMMON WAYS TO HOLD TITLE
Purchaser’s
status
Effect of
Death
Successors’
Status
Creditor’s
Rights
Presumptions
Community
Property
Purchaser can only
acquire 100% of title of
community. Both spouses
must consent or convey.
Cannot be a co-owner
with his/her spouse
On the death of the first
spouse, half interest
belongs to the surviving
spouse. Other half interest is devisable by will,
or passes by succession
under probate statutes
If the first spouse’s
interest is devised by will
or passes by succession,
remaining spouse and
devises or heirs hold title
as tenants in common
Property of the community is liable for debts of
either spouse made before
or during marriage. Entire property may be sold
at execution sale to satisfy
debt of either spouse
Strong presumption that
any property acquired by
either husband or wife
during marriage is community property
Community
Property w/
right of
survivorship
Purchaser can only
acquire 100% of the
title. Both spouses must
convey. Cannot be a
co-owner with his/her
spouse.
On the death of the first
spouse, the individual
half interest passes to the
surviving spouse, just the
same as joint tenancy. No
separate interest is devisable by will.
Due to surviving right,
the surviving spouse owns
100% of the title
Property of the community is liable for debts of
either spouse made before
of during marriage. Entire property may be sold
at execution sale to satisfy
debt of either spouse
Property is specifically
stated in the deed to be
community property with
right of survivorship
Purchaser will become a
tenant in common with
the other co-owners in
the property as to the
purchaser’s interest. Other
owners may remain joint
tenants.
Upon each owner’s
death, his/her interest
passes to the remaining
survivors by operation
of law. Such interests are
not devisable by will
Unless joint tenancy is
broken, last surviving
joint tenant owns entire
property interest, which
is now devisable by will
Each owner is subjected
to execution sale to satisfy
debt. Joint tenancy is
broken. Buyer at sale
(usually Creditor) becomes tenant in common
with other owners.
Must be expressly stated
that property acquired as
joint tenancy
Purchaser will become a
the other co-owners in
the property
Each owner’s interest is
devisable by will or passes
by succession under
probate statutes. No right
of survivorship
Heirs or devisee become
tenants in common with
other owners
Each owner’s interest
is subject to execution
sale. Buyer at sale (usually Creditor) becomes
other owners
When conveyance is
unclear, tenancy in common is presumed, unless
community property
presumptions apply
Purchaser acquires
interest that partnership
owned
Partner’s share in partnership is devisable by
will or succession under
probate statutes. May
cause a dissolution of
partnership dependent
on terms of partnership
agreement
Heirs or devisee have
rights in partnership interest but not in specific
property
Partnership real property
only subject to execution sale by partnership
creditor. If debt of individual partner, only that
Partner’s share (personal
property) is subject to
execution sale
Should be clear from
conveyance that grantees
have status. If not, could
be found to be tenants in
common
Purchaser acquires interest held by the trustee.
Beneficiary’s interest may
be conveyed separately (as
personal property) unless
restricted
Depends on terms of
trust instrument. Death
of trustee may terminate
of convert trust to other
arrangements. Successor beneficiaries may
be named in the trust
instrument
Depends on terms of
trust instrument. Trust
may terminate or other
trust arrangements may
be created
Creditor needs to obtain
a final court order for
any execution sale of the
beneficial interest of an
order to have specific
trust property to be sold
to satisfy the debt
Trust arrangement is
ONLY created by written
instrument. Conveyance
MUST be to trustee of
the trust. The trust itself
is NOT a legal entity
capable of holding title
Purchaser acquires the
interest held by the
trustee
Trust instrument may
provide for distribution
on death of first spouse’s
half interest. May be
devisable by will. Surviving spouse may elect to
have his/her interest put
under testamentary trust.
Seek advice of counsel
Distribution depends
on the terms of the trust
instrument
Creditor needs to obtain
final court order for
execution sale to satisfy
debts of either or both
spouses
Property is still presumed
to be community property. Status may change
upon death, dissolution
of marriage, revocation
of the trust
Joint
Tenancy
Tenancy
in
common
Partnerships
Trust
Arrangements
Community
Property
Trusts
Disclaimer: The comparisons shown above are provided for informational purposes only. This chart should NOT be used to determine how you acquire your ownership in the property. It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice from an
attorney an/or your tax advisor to determine the legal and tax consequences of how your title should be vested.
Escrow Information
The Life of An Escrow
The Life of an Escrow
It all begins with the offer and acceptance skillfully negotiated by the real estate agents representing Buyer and Seller.
The Buyer(s)
The Escrow Officer
The Seller(s)
• Submit a written offer to purchase (or accepts the
Seller’s counter-offer) accompanied by a good faith
deposit amount.
• Receives an order for the title and escrow services
for Fidelity National Title.
• Accepts Buyer’s offer to purchase and initial
good faith deposit to open escrow.
• Orders the title search and examination on subject
property.
• Submits documents and information to the
escrow holder, such as : addresses of lien holders, tax receipts, equipment warranties, home
warranty contracts, any leases and/or rental
agreements, etc.
• Applies for a new loan, completing all required
forms and often prepaying certain fees such as
credit report and appraisal costs.
• Approves the preliminary report and any property
disclosure, or inspection reports called for by the
purchase and sale agreement (Deposit Receipt).
• Approves and signs the escrow instructions, new
loan documents and other related instruments,
required to complete the transaction.
• Fulfills any remaining conditions specified in the
contract, lender’s instructions and/or the escrow
instructions.
• Acts as the impartial “stakeholder” or depository,
in a fiduciary capacity, for all documents and monies
required to complete the transaction per written
instructions of the principals.
• With authorization from the real estate agent or
principal, orders demands on existing deeds of trust
and liens or judgements, if any. For an assumption of
subject to loan, orders the beneficiary’s statement of
formal assumption package.
• Orders inspections, receives clearances and approves final reports and/or repairs to the property
as required by the terms of the purchase and
sale agreement (Deposit Receipt).
• Approves and signs the escrow instructions,
payoff demands, grant deed and other related
documents required to complete the transactions.
• Deposits sufficient funds in the escrow to pay the
remaining down payment and closing costs.
• Reviews documents received in the escrow: preliminary report, payoff or assumption statements, new
loan package and other related instruments. Reviews
the conditions in the lender’s instructions including the
hazard and title insurance requirements.
The Lender (when applicable)
• Prepares the escrow instructions and required
documents together with a preliminary estimate of
settlement statement charges for the Buyer and Seller
in accordance with the terms of the sale.
• Accepts the new loan application and other related
documents from the Buyer(s) and begins the
qualification process.
• Presents the instructions, documents, statements,
loan package(s) and other related documents to the
principal(s), for approval and signature.
• Determines the requirements and documents
needed to complete the transaction and advises
the Escrow Officer and/or agents.
• Orders and reviews the property appraisal, credit
report, verification of employment, verification of
deposit(s), preliminary report and other related
information.
• Reviews, the signed instructions and documents,
returns the loan package, and requests the lender’s
funds.
• Reviews and approves the signed documents,
releases and the order for title insurance, prior to
the closing date.
• Receives the balance of funds required from the
Buyer and/or the proceeds of the loan from the lender.
• When authorized by the Escrow Officer,
records the signed documents with the County
Recorder’s office and prepares to issue the title
insurance policies.
• Approves any final changes by signing amendments to the escrow instructions or contract.
• Submits the entire package to the loan committee
and/or underwriters for approval. When approved,
loan conditions and title insurance requirements are
established.
• Informs Buyer(s) of loan approval terms and commitment expiration date and provides a good faith
estimate of the closing costs.
• Deposits the new loan document and instructions
with the escrow holder for Buyer’s approval and
signature.
• Reviews and approves the executed loan package
and coordinates the loan funding with the Escrow
Officer.
• Determines when the transaction will be in the position to close and advises the parties.
• Assisted by title personnel, records the deed, deed
of trust and other documents required to complete the
transaction with the County Recorder and orders the
title insurance policies.
• Closes the escrow by preparing the final settlement
statements disbursing the proceeds to the Seller,
paying off the existing encumbrances and other obligations. Delivers the appropriate statements, funds and
remaining documents to the principals, agents and/or
the lenders.
• Approves any final changes by signing amendments to the escrow instructions or contracts.
• Examines the title to the real property and
issues a preliminary report.
Moving Checklist
At Your Present Address
Post Office: Submit “Change of Address” forms.
Banks, Deptartment Stores or Vendors, Charge accounts, Credit cards: Give frowarding
address.
Subscriptions: Change of Address will require several weeks to go into effect.
Call, email or send note to Friends and Relatives
Bank
Transfer funds, arrange check cashing in new city.
Obtain cashier’s check necessary for closing real estate transaction.
Be sure to ask your bank if this check is drawn on a California (your State) Institution.
Insurance
Notify company of new location for coverages: Life, Health, Fire and Auto.
Utility Company
Gas, electrical, water, telephone, fuel, garbage, cable. Get refunds on any deposits
made.
Delivery Service
Laundry, newspaper, milk, or water.
Medical, Dental, Prescription History
Ask Doctor and Dentist for referrals: transfer need prescriptions, eyeglasses, x-rays.
Obtain birth records, medical records, etc.
School
Obtain school transcripts
Church, Club, Civic Organizations
If possible, transfer memberships; get letters of introduction.
Pets
Ask about regulations for licences, vaccinations, tags, etc.
Moving Checklist
Don’t Forget to...
• Empty freezer and plan use of foods. Defrost freezer and clean refrigerator.
• Place charcoal to dispel odors.
• Have appliances serviced for moving.
• Remember arrangements for TV and antenna.
• Clean rugs or clothing before moving; have them moving-wrapped.
• Check with your Moving Counselor, insurance coverage, packing and unpacking labor,
arrival day, various shipping papers, method and time of expected payment.
• Plan for special care needs of infants.
• Carry enough cash or traveler’s checks to cover cost of moving services and expenses
until you make banking connections in new city.
• Carry jewelry and documents yourself, or use registered mail.
• Plan for transporting pets; they are poor traveling companions if unhappy.
• Carry traveler’s checks for quick available funds.
• Let a close friend or relative know your route and schedule, including over
night stops; use him/her as message headquarters.
• Double check closets, drawers, shelves to be sure they are empty.
• Leave all old keys and garage door opener needed by new tenant or owner with
realtor or neighbor.
• Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity, and water.
• Check pilot light on stove, hot water heater, incinerator, and furnace.
• Have appliances checked.
• Ask Mailman for mail he may be holding for your arrival.
• Have new address recorded on driver’s license.
• Visit city offices and register for voting.
• Register car within five days after arrival in state or a penalty may have to be paid
when getting new licence plates.
• Obtain city inspection sticker and transfer motor club membership.
• Apply for state drivers license.
• Register family in your new place of worship.
• Register children in school.
• Arrange for medical services; doctor, dentist, etc.
TM
20% Discount
We at Fidelity National Title would like to insure your next transaction. As
the nation’s number one title insurer, we are proud to offer the most
competitive premiums in the industry. You can count on us to deliver top
quality service and protection at a good value to you, our customer.
This 20% discount is redeemable on any property you purchase, sell, or
refinance, provided the property has been insured in the last 5 years.
(Not inclusive with any other discounts)
Specify Fidelity! You’ll appreciate the difference.

Fidelity National Title Company

Transcription

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