6.2 out of 10

Anza Vista

Ranked 76th best neighborhood in San Francisco
37.7808650950036 -122.442867169513
Great for
  • Medical Facilities
  • Public Transport
  • Pest Free
  • Internet Access
  • Resale or Rental Value
Not great for
  • Parking
  • Cost of Living
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Safe & Sound
Who lives here?
  • Singles
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Trendy & Stylish

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
2yrs+

"Great views, good neighborhood"

Anza Vista is a small plot of land, specifically about five square blocks between Geary Boulevard to the north and Turk Boulevard to the south. It is split between a residential and commercial neighborhood with some of the streets lined with lush green trees. Rents are rather expensive in this neighborhood with people paying upwards of $1200. Just as you’d imagine most of the residents are of upper middle class status, primarily of white or asian ethnicity.

For shoppers, the neighborhood offers a handful of chain stores including Best Buy and Payless Shoe Source. Moreover, there are plenty of big name grocery stores that lie within the district’s boundaries including a Trader Joe’s and a Safeway. Restaurants and fine dining are scarce, and consequently, most residents head outside the area. However, the area boasts KFH (Kaiser Foundation Hospital), one of the great hospitals in San Francisco with exceptional services and specialties.

While the neighborhood lies on a hillside, many of the high altitude locations offers sweeping views of downtown San Francisco. Bus lines come somewhat frequently while public parking is hit or miss. The houses look relatively boxy as if it was built during Picasso’s cubism period. But nonetheless, there is nothing too special about this area.
Pros
  • Close to Everything
  • Great Hospitals
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Small Houses
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"For Doctor Types or Those with Doctor Salaries"

I never realized that this area was its own neighborhood, though I suppose I should have since it does have its own feel to it with the medical center and mall. Still, I have never heard of Anza Vista and I’ve lived in the Bay Area my whole life. I always just thought of this areas as the Western most point of Western Addition or the North of the Panhandle area.
I am actually fairly surprised at how expensive the rents are in the area. $4000 for a 2 bedroom, $3800 for a one bedroom. There was also a listing for a studio at $1100 which is okay I suppose. Perhaps they are getting a lot of doctors from the nearby school and medical center?
The homes are short and squat in this area, not the three story Victorians that you get in a lot of the city. There’s a little bit of a view, the neighborhood being on a bit of an incline in spots but it’s not the rolling views of places like Russian Hill.
Here is a couple of restaurant tips as well. The Bistro Centro Parc is great place (though a bit expensive) to go for breakfast. It’s French and has the feel of the kind of place your grandmother would open if she had a restaurant. A good place to take the girlfriend after a first night sleep over.
Also great is NOPA—it is a super classy, high-ceiled place serving a continental menu. Great for a date or double date after catching a live show downtown. Sort of a theater dress –up feel.
By the way, for the little tykes in this area, there is a Les Petit Canards—a French immersion school. So if you have the money and want to have your kids watching “le Spongebob” from an early age, you’re all set. I don’t really know what prices are like or space arrangements—but I am guessing, like everything else in SF—more expensive than average.
Pros
  • Great Hospitals
  • Good Shopping and Restaurants
  • Close to Everything
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Not as Beautiful as Other Spots
  • Small Houses
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"For Doctor Types or Those with Doctor Salaries"

I never realized that this area was its own neighborhood, though I suppose I should have since it does have its own feel to it with the medical center and mall. Still, I have never heard of Anza Vista and I’ve lived in the Bay Area my whole life. I always just thought of this areas as the Western most point of Western Addition or the North of the Panhandle area.
I am actually fairly surprised at how expensive the rents are in the area. $4000 for a 2 bedroom, $3800 for a one bedroom. There was also a listing for a studio at $1100 which is okay I suppose. Perhaps they are getting a lot of doctors from the nearby school and medical center?
The homes are short and squat in this area, not the three story Victorians that you get in a lot of the city. There’s a little bit of a view, the neighborhood being on a bit of an incline in spots but it’s not the rolling views of places like Russian Hill.
Here is a couple of restaurant tips as well. The Bistro Centro Parc is great place (though a bit expensive) to go for breakfast. It’s French and has the feel of the kind of place your grandmother would open if she had a restaurant. A good place to take the girlfriend after a first night sleep over.
Also great is NOPA—it is a super classy, high-ceiled place serving a continental menu. Great for a date or double date after catching a live show downtown. Sort of a theater dress –up feel.
By the way, for the little tykes in this area, there is a Les Petit Canards—a French immersion school. So if you have the money and want to have your kids watching “le Spongebob” from an early age, you’re all set. I don’t really know what prices are like or space arrangements—but I am guessing, like everything else in SF—more expensive than average.
Pros
  • Great Hospitals
  • Good Shopping and Restaurants
  • Close to Everything
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Not as Beautiful as Other Spots
  • Small Houses
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Shopping Center!"

Anza Vista has a little shopping center that use to attract a lot of customers, but not so anymore. Shopping here is what I usually associate Anza Vista with. There are big name stores such as Best Buy, Office Depot, Payless Shoes, and a few others. Sadly Mervyns closed down a while back, which was one of the stores that would attract people to the area. The only place I really know to get food at is at Tony’s Cable Car. I’ve only eaten there once and the burger there was amazingly good, definitely worth a short stop to grab a bite there. There is also a Kaiser Hospital in the area.

What’s great and scary (well for me at least) is that Anza Vista is a super big hill. When you reach the top of Anza Vista you’ll get a great view and such. Once you pass the shopping center you’re literally going straight vertically downwards, it’s crazy. I use to ride my bike through Anza Vista to get to school, which was a really bad choice my part as my brakes burned out quickly. Definitely try to avoid taking a bike to Anza Vista.

In the vicinity is Wallenberg High. Beyond the school is a bunch of homes set up in like their own little community, I remember once going through this neighborhood and only finding a couple exits/entrances, there are only four I believe.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"A pretty average neighborhood, just beware of the ghosts"

Anza Vista may be haunted, but it’s got a great view of downtown. Seriously though, I have no proof this neighborhood is haunted, but it was built on the San Francisco Calvalry Cemetery. All the graves were moved in the 30’s. So if you decide to live in Anza Vista, don’t be surprised to see floating chairs in your house. I don’t know if I believe in ghosts, but even so, I am not sure I would be completely comfortable. I am just sayin'...

One thing to note is that Anza Vista can be rather full of traffic, no matter what time of day you travel through it. Plus, you may feel as though you have a rather long commute to work given the traffic and all. On the positive side though, you are pretty close to the University of San Fransisco.

If you are looking to rent and you don't have a lot to spend, there are lots of apartments for rent at a fairly reasonable rate. Unfortunately, these apartments tend to be housed in ugly buildings. Since Anza Vista was built up in the 30’s, some parts of this neighborhood offer a bit of a historic flair. On the plus side, Anza Vista is nearby Alamo square, which as we all know is a nice neighborhood with a great park.
Recommended for
  • Singles
2/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 1/5
  • Safe & Sound 1/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 1/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Busy streets abound"

Anza Vista is rather plain compared to its lively neighbors Lower Pacific Heights and The Fillmore. Anza Vista’s buildings are boxy, excepting the occasional Victorian home or apartment building. Zoning feels haphazard in the area with tall commercial buildings intermingled with smaller homes and apartment buildings. Major transportation arteries surround the area including Geary Street, Divisidero Street, Turk Street and Masonic Street. No matter what time of day, these streets tend to be filled with an endless stream of traffic. Geary, Divisidero and Masonic are four-lane streets with timed streetlights. Although the timing is nice when drivers hit it properly, I have seen cars speed up to 50 miles an hour and zoom recklessly through intersections in an attempt to sync with the lights. This creates a dangerous situation for pedestrians and bicyclists. Also, I imagine it creates a lot of noise for anyone living above the busy streets.

Despite its bustling boundaries, from Anza Vista you can quickly make your way via bus or walking to several exceptional areas such as Golden Gate Park, NoPa (North of Panhandle), Japantown, The Fillmore and The University of San Francisco. There are also several major grocery stores nearby such as Trader Joe’s on Masonic and the Fillmore Safeway complex.
Recommended for
  • Singles
3/5
2yrs+

"Challenging drive and walk"

Anza Vista is not my favorite neighborhood in San Francisco. It is located atop an old cemetery, the former San Francisco Calvary Cemetery. It can also pose a challenge to get around. As Anza is referenced among locals as "The Hill." The semi-arid neighborhood does sit at approximately 1250 meters above sea level.

Schools are rated at about a 6 out of 10, commute time to the city is about 30 minutes, and the air quality is fairly good when there's no fog. Overall I rate Anza Vista 3 stars. There just isn't anything great about it. I hate to be blunt, but sometimes there's no other way.

Shopping must be done at adjacent neighborhoods. Geary Blvd and Divisadero Street make for an easy commute to a great restaurant and club.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
3/5
2yrs+

"Kaiser Hospital, One Way Street Challenges"

This part of San Francisco has some tucked away houses, one of the main campuses for Kaiser, and a shopping center topping the hill at Geary and Masonic. The houses are moderate in this area and nothing special to take note of, though they rest atop a hilly section of the city. Traversing this area can be somewhat challenging with the one way movement of O'Farrell and the lack of left turns onto Geary. So if you're trying to get around, be sure to check your map first and make sure you know which streets will get you where. I'd like to rate this area a solid 2.5, though I'll kindly go up the half point because of Kaiser's excellent services.
Recommended for
  • Singles

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Best Streets in Anza Vista

1

Barcelona Ave

2.5/5
"Quiet Neighbhood, great for kids"
37.7800990970423 -122.44455159448
2

Fortuna Ave

2.5/5
"Just houses and apartments on thie street"
37.7805116240592 -122.442686636208

Unranked Streets in Anza Vista

"May get busy at times on this street"
37.7794960799273 -122.444178638953

Broderick St

3.5/5
"There is a Doctor in the House"
37.781463148566 -122.440812360071

Encanto Ave

2.5/5
"Street with just houses and apartments"
37.7805608317916 -122.443597560674

Geary Blvd

2.5/5
"Nothing to get all excited about"
37.7828293952651 -122.443946620134
"Mainly apartment buildings here"
37.7814130418894 -122.443549793574

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