12 Safest Neighborhoods in San Francisco
- Noe Valley
- Outer Sunset
- Bernal Heights
- Crocker-Amazon
- Oceanview
- Pacific Heights
- Excelsior
- Financial District
- Sea Cliff
- Nob Hill
- Presidio Heights
- SoMa
1. Noe Valley
The safest neighborhood in San Francisco is Noe Valley. The neighborhood has a very suburban feeling with easy access to urban amenities, which attracts a lot of growing families. It’s a quiet area full of classic Victorian and Edwardian homes and plenty of coffee shops, crafts stores, and restaurants. Noe Valley is also very safe compared to the rest of San Francisco, and the total crime rate is 99% lower than the citywide average. The violent crime rate is also 61% lower than the national average, and Noe Valley is safer than 81% of cities in California. Living in Noe Valley comes at a price, though, as it's one of the most expensive neighborhoods in San Francisco.
2. Outer Sunset
Outer Sunset is also one of the safest neighborhoods in San Francisco.. This charming neighborhood offers a peaceful suburban feel in the middle of the city. The Golden Gate Bridge borders Outer Sunset and sits within view of the Pacific Ocean. Sunset has a great school system and public transit, making it easy to get around the neighborhood. The overall crime rate in Outer Sunset is 1.5 per 1,000 residents, making it 80% safer than the state average.
3. Bernal Heights
Bernal Heights is also one of the safest places to live in San Francisco. This historic Victorian-style neighborhood is located in southeastern San Francisco. Bernal Heights has a great view overlooking the San Francisco skyline and is known for having dozens of independent art galleries. The overall crime rate in Bernal Heights is 3.2 per 1,000 people. Its population is just over 28,000. Overall the Bernal Heights neighborhood is 57% safer than the California average.
4. Crocker-Amazon
Crocker-Amazon is an extremely safe suburban San Francisco neighborhood bordering the Excelsior District. Crocker-Amazon is a winding, hilly neighborhood that is ideal for families. Crocker-Amazon’s homes feature various architecture, including Victorian, Edwardian, and Mid-Century Modern Homes. The neighborhood is very diverse and offers many Mexican and Salvadorian dining options. The total crime rate is 1,041 per 100,000, which is 60% lower than the California average.
5. Oceanview
Oceanview is a safe San Francisco neighborhood that is considered one of the best places to live for families in the city. Oceanview offers great schools, reasonably priced housing, and great public transportation. The total crime rate in Oceanview is 1,443 per 100,000, which is 44% of the national average. Oceanview is known for being one of the cleanest neighborhoods in San Francisco, with a relatively low vagrancy problem. Many of Oceanview’s residents are staff or students of nearby San Francisco State University and the City College of San Francisco.
6. Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights is another one of the safest neighborhoods in San Francisco. It’s known for being an upscale residential neighborhood with historic homes, high-end fashion boutiques, and panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s also adjacent to the Presidio of San Francisco and home to parks like Alta Plaza Park and Lafayette Park. Pacific Heights is a very affluent neighborhood with a median household income of $148,800 and a median home price of $1,925,000. Although it suffers from some minor property crime, it has a violent crime rate that’s 38% lower than the national average, and the total crime rate is 55% lower than the rest of the city. Pacific Heights is safer than 51% of cities in California.
7. Excelsior
Excelsior is a quiet, diverse neighborhood located on San Francisco’s south side. Excelsior offers great public transportation while still maintaining great walkability. Excelsior has a strong sense of community, with its local community watch group sponsoring concerts, events, and neighborhood cleanups. With a population of 37,796, Excelsior has a crime rate that is 48% safer than the California average.
8. Financial District
Financial District is a safe and popular neighborhood that younger people love due to its prime location near downtown. Many of this neighborhood’s residents work in the tech and finance industries due to the close proximity of many offices. Financial District of also near Chinatown and Embarcadero, which offers a wide variety of dining options. The total crime rate in this neighborhood is 32% lower than the California average, and apartments tend to be quite expensive.
9. Sea Cliff
Sea Cliff is also one of the safest areas in San Francisco. The neighborhood is located in northwestern San Francisco, directly along the Pacific Coast. Sea Cliff is one of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods and has been home to many celebrities. Sea Cliff has a population of 36,000, with a crime rate that is 26% lower than the national average. Due to Seal Cliff’s high-profile status, the median home price is over a million dollars.
10. Nob Hill
Nob Hill is another highly affluent neighborhood known for its luxury hotels and historic mansions. Being a luxury destination, Nob Hill is home to numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, boutiques, cultural centers, and art galleries. Nob Hill contains many of the city’s tourist landmarks, including many famous parks such as Huntington Park. The median home price in Nob Hill is $924,939.
11. Presidio Heights
Presidio Heights is a scenic, tree-lined neighborhood featuring many historic Tudor-style homes. Presidio Heights is a popular tourist destination that offers access to high-end country clubs, golfing, and hiking trails. It's also a popular neighborhood for A-listers, with many of the celebrities who live in San Francisco being residents of Presidio Heights. The total crime rate in Presidio Heights is 2,613 per 100,000, which is on par with the US average. Presidio Heights is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in San Francisco, with a median home price over $1.5 million.
12. SoMa
SoMa, also called South of Market, is located near downtown. SoMa is home to many of San Francisco’s museums and serves as the headquarters for many tech companies. With a population of 36,000, SoMa is made up of many smaller communities that make up the neighborhood. SoMa has a crime rate of 5,202 per 100,000 which is only slightly higher than the California average.