Russian Hill’s claim to fame is Lombard Street, often called the world’s most crooked road (which isn't actually true!). Every day cars line up to drive down this one block stretch of twists and turns and tourists stand at the bottom taking pictures. But since this is the neighborhood’s only tourist attraction, Russian Hill is less of a destination and mostly a lovely residential neighborhood.
Russian Hill is bordered on the north by Fisherman's Wharf, on the east by North Beach, on the south by Nob Hill, and on the west by Pacific Heights. It keeps to itself but is tucked between very popular attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square to the north, areas dense with shops, restaurants, and throngs of tourists gazing out at the beautiful Marin County coastline across the Bay.
The heights can either be daunting for less resilient pedestrians or cyclists, or exhilarating for those interested in getting a workout whenever they leave the house. Buses are pretty easy to come by and the surrounding neighborhoods are within walking distance (as long as you’re willing to get a calf workout).
The term "Russian Hill" refers to the graves of numerous Russian sailors (perhaps seal hunters) at the top of the hill on Vallejo Street, which were engraved in Cyrillic and marked with black Orthodox crosses (reported by Bayard Taylor in El Dorado, 1851).
Russian Hill has 16,342 residents, with a median age of 40. Males account for 51.08 percent of the total, while females account for 48.92 percent. In Russian Hill, US-born citizens make up 64.59 percent of the population, while non-US-born citizens make up 21.39 percent. Furthermore, non-citizens account for 14.03 percent of the population.
Muni is San Francisco's bus and metro system that operates buses, trains, cable cars, and the F-line heritage streetcar throughout the city.
The steep hills in this upscale neighborhood with a diverse selection of shopping and dining will keep you in shape. Russian Hill has a higher than average violent crime rate and a high property crime rate in comparison to the rest of San Francisco.
Pockets of restaurants and shops give residents everything they need, especially on Polk and Hyde Streets towards the south of the neighborhood. Polk Street is crowded with boutiques, antique shops, trendy restaurants, and a few night spots. Some French influence has popped up around Polk and Green Streets, where you’ll find a café-boulangerie, a French antiques store, and a few gift and home décor shops.
Although it boasts some low-key nightlife, it’s primarily a quiet and clean neighborhood with an upscale vibe. You can find extravagant Victorian and Edwardian homes, along with a few high rise apartment buildings (some of the city’s first and finest). It’s a beautiful neighborhood in the middle of everything, dotted with parks with incredible views. It’s perfect for families and young couples who like to be active.
The public schools in Russian Hill are above average.
Russian Hill is a prestigious San Francisco neighborhood. It is named after one of San Francisco's 44 hills, as well as one of the city's original "Seven Hills."
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.
Articles about Development Opportunities ...
How to add more units than the zoning allows or how HOME-SF helps you achieve higher density?
What means Discretionary Review in San Francisco?
See Development Opportunity Report for 1501 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1503 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1505 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1507 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1509 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1511 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1513 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1515 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1519 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1521 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1523 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1529 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1531 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1533 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1537 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1539 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1541 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1547 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1549 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1551 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1553 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1555 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1557 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1561 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1563 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1615 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1617 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1631 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1635 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1641 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1643 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1645 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1651 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1653 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1655 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1657 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1659 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1711 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1717 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1725 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1727 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1731 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1733 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1737 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1739 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1741 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1743 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1745 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1747 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1753 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1755 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1757 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1759 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1761 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1763 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1765 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1767 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1769 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1771 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1773 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1775 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1777 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1779 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1807 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1809 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1811 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1813 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1815 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1817 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1819 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1827 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1829 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1831 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1833 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1835 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1839 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1841 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1843 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1845 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1847 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1849 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1851 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1853 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1857 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1859 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1921 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1923 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1925 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1931 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1933 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1937 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1939 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1941 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1943 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1945 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 1947 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 2005 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 2007 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 2009 Mason St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 2011 Mason St San Francisco CA