The North Panhandle neighborhood has quickly become a household name in San Francisco, although it is better known as NoPa.
NoPa is a tiny section carved out of the larger Western Addition neighborhood. It’s named after its location, the streets sitting north of the panhandle (the narrow eastern strip of Golden Gate Park). It’s a trendy area with popular, highly rated bars and restaurants along Divisadero Street, its eastern border, and rising costs because of its prime central location within the city. You’ll also find college students in the area, as the University of San Francisco makes up the neighborhood’s western border.
It’s easily walkable to other neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury, the Lower Haight, Hayes Valley, or to daily conveniences like Target and Trader Joe’s. Plus, the college residents in the area make for an abundance of babysitting options.
NoPa developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with many residences built no later than 1939, reflecting the architectural styles of that era. The neighborhood experienced significant changes in the late 20th century, as rising real estate prices in San Francisco led homebuyers to seek more affordable alternatives in areas like the North Panhandle.
The North Panhandle neighborhood has a population of approximately 10,171 residents. The racial composition is predominantly White (63.5%), with Hispanic or Latino (12.8%), Asian (8.4%), and Black (7.2%) communities also present. The median household income is $173,225, and the average household size is 2.1 people.
Residents of NoPa have access to several Muni lines, including the 5-Fulton and 21-Hayes buses, facilitating travel throughout the city. The neighborhood's proximity to Fell and Oak Streets provides easy access to major roads and freeways. San Francisco International Airport is approximately 13 miles south, with a travel time of around 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions.
As part of San Francisco, NoPa is influenced by the city's political landscape, which includes policies on housing, transportation, and public services that affect the neighborhood. Local representation and community involvement play roles in addressing neighborhood-specific concerns.
Try not to sing the theme song from Full House when you come upon the famous view of the historic Painted Ladies Victorian homes and downtown skyline behind them. The entire park was recently renovated, including the playground that gives you prime views while you watch the little ones play.
A short walk along the panhandle takes you to Golden Gate Park proper and all that it has to offer whether it’s biking or strolling along winding paths, visiting the buffalo out at the Bison Paddock, feeding ducks or boating at Stow Lake or exploring one of the many other attractions within the park.
Koret Children’s Quarter Playground & Carousel
This is said to be the oldest public playground in America and is always full of local and visiting families stretching their legs or taking a spin on the well-known carousel. It’s located in the southeastern section of the park.
California Academy of Sciences
This is a go-to spot on rainy days for the toddler room, rainforest exhibit, and large aquarium with hands-on activities. If you plan to come even just a handful of times a year, the annual membership is worth it.
The museum offers programs for kids of all ages including toddler tours, art classes after school, summer camp, and a Saturday Studio Series. Join us every Saturday for our free Family Art Making.
San Francisco Botanical Gardens
Regular activities like children’s story time and special events like Flower Piano mean families spend a lot of time in this beautifully maintained urban oasis showcasing 8,500 different kinds of plants from around the world.
Geared toward children ages 5-11 years old, the Renegade Girls Tinkering club runs exciting summer camps and afterschool programs that bring science, technology, engineering, and math concepts to life through fun hands-on project. Girls only, boys only, and coed programs are all available.
Baseball games are particularly easy to watch, as the stadium sits off of Mason Street on the western border of the neighborhood. Inexpensive tickets, easy to access seating and a very friendly staff will make you and your family feel welcome and excited to cheer on the Dons.
For such a tiny area, the restaurant choices are great, but charming Manitas is a local favorite. Stop for espresso drinks and deli sandwiches or for their breakfast and lunch menus straight for their Salvadoran kitchen.
Your personal situation will determine the right fit for you, and, while there are options in this neighborhood, your best bet is to check out Winnie.com for an interactive map and comprehensive list of daycares and preschools across the city.
Likewise, for K-12 schools, we can’t tell you whether the schools here are “good” or not because a good school is based on so many other factors besides test scores. Check out our Tips for Moving to San Francisco with Kids for more help navigating childcare and schooling and a local mom’s take on raising a family in San Francisco.
The median real estate price in NoPa is approximately $1,911,836, which is higher than 87.7% of neighborhoods in California and 97.4% in the U.S. The area primarily consists of small to medium-sized apartment complexes and small apartment buildings, with a high proportion of renter-occupied properties. Many residences are historic, built no later than 1939.
City of San Francisco has committed to make it easy for homeowners and developers to build more in the city. Learn what are the investment opportunities in the articles below. Next, look up an address for its Development Score that tells you if that property has any development potential and if this is an opportunity you should not miss.
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