The grand estates of San Francisco. Commanding views. Lavishly large lots. Neighbors that you could name drop, but that’s not your style. Pacific Heights says it all, without saying a word.
Featuring block after block of large-scale, architecturally significant mansions and stately Victorian luxury homes (some of which have City or Bay views to die for), this neighborhood is truly a noteworthy and unique San Francisco destination.
While most people think of single-family luxury homes when they think of Pacific Heights, there are also plenty of luxury condominiums, tenancies-in-common, and stock cooperative homes sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. Pacific Heights is also site of many consulates, with plenty of diplomats and international heavyweights (and a few American politicians as well for good measure) choosing to make their San Francisco home in the neighborhood.
If you do decide to search homes for sale in this amazing neighborhood, you’ll discover several well-known architectural masterpieces as your neighbors including the Spreckels and Flood Mansions and the Haas-Lilienthal House. Almost any history of San Francisco will include plenty about the neighborhood, and a casual stroll can easily take you past many a building with a long and colorful history from the days when San Francisco was just getting started.
Breathtaking views complement the stunning homes of Pacific Heights. Neighborhood businesses are upscale – as one would expect – with many designer clothing boutiques, independent bookstores, wine and spirit shops, and cafes serving the area, primarily clustered along Fillmore Street. A night out could easily find you dining at one of the many delicious and acclaimed restaurants along Fillmore Street or catching the latest documentary or foreign must-see at one of the independent movie theaters.
Planning on sharing your home with a dog or a kid (or both)? Both Alta Plaza and Lafayette Park are great spots to catch up with the neighbors while getting some outdoor time.
Pacific Heights Neighborhood Vibe
Understated luxury is de rigueur here. Breathtaking views compliment stunning homes. Neighborhood businesses are upscale – as one would expect – with many designer clothing boutiques, independent bookstores, wine and spirit shops, and cafes serving the area, primarily clustered along Fillmore street. A night out could easily find you dining at one of the many delicious and acclaimed restaurants along Fillmore Street or catching the latest documentary or foreign must-see at one of the independent movie theaters.
Popular Pacific Heights Home Styles
While most people think of single-family luxury homes when they think of Pacific Heights, there are also plenty of luxury condominiums, tenancies-in-common, and stock cooperative homes sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. Styles range from Victorian to Edwardian to mid-century to ultra-modern.
Getting Around in The Pacific Heights
Pedestrians require quads of steel to traverse the hilly neighborhood; the “Heights” in Pacific Heights is not just a marketing ploy. Public transportation options consist of a handful of Muni bus lines. Car commuters have relatively easy access to points north via the Golden Gate Bridge, but drivers commuting south and across the Bay Bridge will spend some time getting across town.
Median sales price is calculated based on sold data and doesn’t account for seller concessions. Median price represents the point at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less. In smaller neighborhoods like many of those found in San Francisco, this metric is less likely to be influenced by extremely high or low sales prices that don’t represent the typical neighborhood home.
Days on Market indicates how quickly or slowly homes are selling in the neighborhood. The lower the days on market (DOM), the stronger the market is for sellers, all other things being equal.
The number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of a given month. Fewer homes available for sale may indicate a seasonal trend or market dynamics that favor a seller more than a buyer.
In strong or balanced markets, homes in San Francisco typically sell over asking. In a buyer’s market, homes will sell at list price or slightly under. If a home has had price reductions, the calculation is based on the last listed price.
Price per square foot is most useful when the homes are almost identical in size, age, layout and other factors important to buyers. Our experience suggests it is a more valuable metric in larger condo buildings and less valuable for homes in neighborhoods built with a diverse selection of styles, sizes, and ages.
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Pacific Heights (often called Pac Heights) is a neighborhood in the northern half of San Francisco. It’s bordered by Cow Hollow and the Marina to the north, Nob Hill and Russian Hill to the east, Lower Pacific Heights and Japantown to the south, and the Presidio National Park and Presidio Heights to the west. On an SFAR (San Francisco Association of Realtors) MLS (add internal link) map, Pacific Heights is identified as neighborhood 7B.
Pacific Heights was first developed in the 1870s and primarily featured small Victorian-inspired homes. The oldest building in Pacific Heights, Leale House, was built in 1853. Starting at the beginning of the 20th century, and accelerating after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, many of the small residences were replaced with period homes. The architecture of Pacific Heights is varied and includes Victorian, Mission Revival, Edwardian, and Château styles.
Victorian lovers can visit the Haas-Lilienthal House, built in 1886, which is the city’s only Victorian that also serves as a museum. This Queen Anne-style beauty has been welcoming guests since 1973, when the family of the original owners turned it over to San Francisco Heritage. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and San Francisco Landmark #69, and was designated a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
At every turn, Pacific Heights residents and visitors are treated to sweeping vistas that redefine the meaning of breathtaking. Many corners of Pacific Heights provide jaw-dropping panoramas, with the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay serving as picturesque backdrops.
But Pacific Heights offers more than just great views to its residents. You can take a leisurely stroll through its streets to admire its well-preserved and ornate homes, or join a neighborhood walking tour to get the low-down from a knowledgeable guide. Some of the historic mansions in Pacific Heights are open to the public or offer guided tours as well. Fillmore Street is the area’s main commercial corridor, offering a variety of boutique shops, upscale retailers, and gourmet restaurants. You can relax in Alta Plaza Park or Lafayette Park, featuring green lawns, playgrounds, and those stunning views. For a fantastic workout, run the Lyon Street Steps, a popular spot for locals. And of course, the stunning Presidio National Park is a short walk or drive away, offering hiking trails, historic sites, and a refuge from the commotion of the city.
As a neighborhood known worldwide, elegant Pacific Heights attracts affluent and urbane buyers looking for a peaceful neighborhood that doesn’t sacrifice proximity to San Francisco’s many diversions. Home to many of the city’s high-society families and wealthy tech execs, Pacific Heights features some of San Francisco’s largest, most exclusive, and most expensive homes in the neighborhood, including those found along Billionaire’s Row.
Existing homes within Pacific Heights are often remodeled, expanded, or otherwise modified but there are no large-scale development opportunities or plans in the neighborhood. Although much of the neighborhood has long been developed, construction does occur along Van Ness Avenue at the eastern edge of Pacific Heights. Lots there have been redeveloped into boutique condo buildings like Union House, The Amero, and The Belvedere.
Scroll up to see our market charts showing current neighborhood prices and other real estate trends for Pacific Heights. These charts are updated dynamically as new data becomes available. Reach out to us to learn more about prices, trends, and possibilities in Pacific Heights.