SF: Potrero Hill
Potrero Hill is a trending neighborhood that sits between the hip Mission and Dogpatch neighborhoods. The peninsula can be easily accessed by 101, 280 or the 22nd Street Caltrain station. It was not always a popular place to live but that has changed dramatically in recent decades.
The Dogpatch and Potrero Hill have intricately linked histories. The bayfront section that’s now considered modern-day Dogpatch was once known as Potrero Point. That area was first industrialized in the 1850s, and slowly workers began settling in the hills above it, eventually transforming Potrero Hill into a developed, residential area. It became a working class neighborhood with factory workers a close distance away from the power plant, gunpowder factory, shipyards and warehouses they worked at. It remained a working class neighborhood with the addition of four public housing projects around WWII. There is currently a complete public housing redevelopment underway.
Potrero Hill rose to popularity amongst young professionals because it was more developed than its industrial neighbors but less expensive than many of the already gentrified communities in San Francisco. Plus, it was close to the ever-growing number of high-tech offices in SOMA. Remodels and new construction followed suit and prices have quickly gone up in this now very desirable residential area.
Most restaurants are along 18th Street, including sourdough-crusted Goat Hill Pizza, Farley’s coffee and Plow, my absolute favorite breakfast spot for pancakes. A block away, you can grab a draft beer and enjoy the hip warehouse vibe at Anchor Brewing Company. In bordering neighborhoods you’ll find equally cool breweries like Seven Stills, Harmonic and Magnolia. There’s a Whole Foods to the north right before it turns into the Design District. You’ll also find an eclectic mix of musicians playing at popular venue, Bottom of the Hill.
Though most people think to visit Lombard Street when looking for a famous crooked street, Vermont Street actually has more sharp turns. The street borders McKinley Square which is a grassy space with playground and great views. Potrero Hill Recreation Center is at the center of town surrounded by sports fields, tennis courts, playground, dog play area and places to picnic and BBQ.
There are so many reasons people want to live here. Potrero Hill has less fog and cleaner streets than a lot of the city. Front yards are tidy with pockets of greenery and there are many 2- to 4-story homes with some truly spectacular views. It’s a family-friendly place but there’s also nightlife and trendy restaurants close by. Its once industrial neighbors are full of new developments like the Chase Center (home of the Warriors) that are bringing more action into this area of the city.