New San Francisco neighborhood perspectives

October 26, 11:24 AMSF Real Estate ExaminerCece Blase

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Haas Lilienthal House: part of SF Walking Tours
San Francisco Historical Society

Those of us who have lived in San Francisco for awhile pride ourselves on knowing San Francisco’s secret corners. In the past I’ve written about places like the Vulcan Stairway, the views from Green and Leavenworth, and the tower at the De Young Museum.

Even with all (I think) I know, however, I’m still surprised at what other people can teach me about SF’s neighborhoods and history. Following are three resources rich with ideas and info about new ways to learn and explore the City-

San Francisco City Guides

City Guides volunteers offer free walking tours design to share the fun of discovering San Francisco and its neighborhoods. Along the way they help preserve and perpetuate the history and folklore of San Francisco. Decades ago, I trained to become a City Guide– a phenomenal 6-month experience of Saturday seminars which led to a short career as a walking tour guide of North Beach-my tour started at northwest corner of Washington Square Park and ended at the North Beach Museum hidden away on the second floor of the Eureka Bank building at 1435 Stockton St.

Today’s City Guides have an incredible, eclectic array of tours. There are between fifty to seventy different walking tours depending on the time of year. Among the unusual offerings are the “Cityscapes” tour through the Financial District’s hidden parks and rooftop gardens, and an “Inner Sunset: The Birth of a Neighborhood” tour which explains how this charming neighborhood rose from windswept dunes.

To see what tours are on tap for October, click here.

SFGate.com Neighborhood Guide

Buried deep in SFGate.com is the most comprehensive San Francisco neighborhood guide I’ve ever found. Written by San Franciscans for San Franciscans, it breaks down the City into 24 different districts. Whenever I read it, I learn something about something new-like the shoe garden in Alamo Square or Erich von Stroheim’s filming of the 1924 epic “Greed” at the corner of Hayes and Laguna.

The guide is particularly rich with shopping, dining and entertainment tips. Even though some info is outdated (A-1 Hubcaps in NOPA land is sadly gone, as is the Lotta Jansdotter store on Lower Nob Hill), it’s still an amazing site to visit for a refresher on the cool spots you may have forgotten about and a good way to learn new ones.

Joie de Vivre’s Joy of Life

Joie de Vivre’s boutique hotel chain is renowned for offering inspired, creative lodgings. I recommended a perusal of these guides a few months ago when talking about my hidden views and secret spots. They are regularly updated and perfect for out-of-town visitors on their second, third or twentieth visit to San Francisco. Guide titles include “Mommy I’m Bored,” “Help!!! It’s Raining,” and “Romantic Hideouts and Peaceful Retreats.”

The JDV Guides are also a treat for those who want to act like tourists for a day. Take a peek and I guarantee that you’ll find fresh inspirations on how to enjoy San Francisco. If you'd like to discuss San Francisco neighborhoods in further depth, please call me at (415) 577-0809 or email me at cblase@paragon-re.com.