8.0 out of 10

California St, Downtown

Ranked 2nd best street in Downtown
37.7912387636782 -122.41548653442
Great for
  • Childcare
  • Internet Access
  • Medical Facilities
  • Schools
  • Clean & Green
Not great for
  • Parking
  • Resale or Rental Value
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Singles
  • Retirees
  • Tourists

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
2yrs+

"Huge thoroughfare with few but special places to go"

California Street is one of the biggest streets in San Francisco. It runs almost the entire city. Because it's such a big street, there's not really a neighborhood feel to it (a lot of San Fran is like this, though). There's not much to see or do in the part of California Street that I am around most of the time, but I still have a special place in my heart for it. My mom works right around California so it's the street I first became familiar with. It's loud and commercial and there are mostly giant buildings (around the Embarcadero, anyhow) but I love it. It reminds me of New York in a lot of ways. There's a distinct architecture to San Francisco that this street is completely bereft of. The buildings make a massive wind tunnel and its a little bit darker on this street than surrounding streets. There is a Starbucks about every four feet on California, so if you like coffee shops, you are in luck here. It's an easy street to drive on, though, because it's so big and it lacks
Pros
  • Less traffic than other major streets
  • Embarcadero Center
Cons
  • No ambience
  • Huge commercial buildings
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Tourists
  • Students
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
2yrs+

"Cross Town ThoroughFare"

California Street runs through many neighborhoods, from the Financial District to Lincoln Park on the other side of the city. Mostly residential west of Park Presidio bypass. Starting at the Embarcadero and going through the Financial District it is loaded with office building high rises and restaurants. Coming up through Nob Hill there are hotels, spas and churches. Once you get across Van Ness there's Whole Foods and then mostly residential until you get into Laure Heights, where you get into shops, restaurants, grocery stores and a hospital.

Can take a cable car from Embarcadero through Van Ness. After that you need to take MUNI bus.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
2yrs+

"Looks like that San Fran street from that old 80's TV show."

I can't remember what the name of that show was, but you know the one-- with the multi-story houses lined up next to each other. It looked like a really great place as we were driving through it. It reminded me very much of a neighborhood I used to live in in Jamaica Plan. The houses were 1800's or early 1900's with nice paint jobs to show off the architecture. The small green spaces were attractive and well maintained. Looked like a great place to live in a city.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
3/5
2yrs+

"Excellent inner city living."

Located off of the busy, one way Pine Street, in the heart of San Francisco, Vine Terrace, is a small residental street of mostly apartments. It is the optimal location for young professionals working in the city. Parking is tight and you will get towed if you park on Pine Street before the street sweeper comes by each morning.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
4/5
2yrs+

"Street with a view"

This is a famous cable car street running from the Financial District to Nob Hill. Noteworthy hotels include the Fairmont, whose lobby was recognizable in the TV series “Hotel” and across the street we have the Mark Hopkins whose bar on the top floor gives sweeping views from inner bay pass Alcatraz all the way through the Golden Gate Bridge.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5
2yrs+

"Long street, something for everyone...."

Start on the top of Nob Hill at the Mark Hopkins. From our hotel on Pine, we felt like part mountain goat getting up to it. Check out the Grace Cathedral, with its bronze Ghiberti doors in front and the gorgeous stain glass windows. Walk the labyrinth inside. Outside, hop on the trolley and go down the hill to the Tadich Grill, an institution in San Francisco. If you like fish, you will be in heaven. If you don’t, the atmosphere is worth the trip. California Street is long and you will get a great feeling for the city, just by staying on the trolley.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Living on California"

California Street
California St. is one of the longest and most historical streets of San Francisco, extending from the east side of town (Richmond District) to downtown San Francisco (the center). The east side of California St. is filled with spacious and highly livable houses, apartments and flats that are suitable for seniors, families and couples. Many public buses run on or near California St. The main bus line for California is the number 2. The east side which is mostly residential with some local stores and businesses is generally more peaceful, but towards the west side and further downtown is the more commercial and metropolitan part of the street. The part of California St. that extends beyond Van Ness Ave is infamous for its hills and very steep slopes. This western part of California St. that extends towards downtown and Chinatown offers great views, but one of the most crowded and poorest housing conditions in San Francisco. This area is also one of the busiest and hardest areas to drive through in the city. The hills and steep slopes scare tourists and locals (parking is impossible-that’s why most people in the area take public buses or the historical and very popular cable cars). California St. offers a unique, diverse and dynamic atmosphere and is moderately safe.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5
2yrs+

"A Great Calm But Busy Place"

California Street around Laurel Village is a great spot. Since there are a few schools nearby, the students will flock here during their lunch breaks. There are some good places to eat. I recommend Café LoCubano which has sweet coffee and some delicious pastries. Rigolos is also a good place for lunch. Of course, there are also your standard Noah’s Bagels, Starbucks, and Jamba Juice. It is a very safe neighborhood and easily accessible on public transportation. The 1 California line comes very often but is also very crowded, especially during rush hours. Luckily, you can also take the 2 Clement and 4 Sutter lines.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5
2yrs+

"A great place to feel the urban city vibe"

California street is always busy and very lively. This street doesn’t have good roads and the houses do not look that good, but it’s a great street for transportation. The bus line that runs along this street is the #1 California. There are a lot of corner stores, parks, and decent shopping places that make California street and great place to visit. There are always a lot of street lights on at night and stop signs. The sidewalk is nicely paved and clean due to great street cleaning around this area. California street is a great place for children to live and get a good experience of San Francisco.
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
5/5
2yrs+

"Great street with something for everybody"

California street is a very long street that spans throughout several districts including the richmond district. One highlight of this street is the Jewish comunity center which is located on the corner of presidio and california. This is a great center to join if your looking for a fitness facility in the area. A great are to live is near the begining of the street aroud 33rd to 25th ave. This area is centered around seacliff and is a prime spot to go joging or exercising due to the nice surroundings.(its also a sweet spot to go trick or treating with your children on halloween). The 1 line is a great bus route that runs along california. A nice place to hang out on california street is between spruce and laurel where you an find shops and cafes such as starbucks, gap, and noahs bagels.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Wonderful street I still enjoy"

California St is a very good street because there are a lot of activities you could do there. 32 ave is a very good place to have a jog in morning and enjoy the wonderful view of the city from the tip of the 32 ave stairs. There is also very good bus the 1, which goes all the way from the Richmond District to the Financial District. But if you drive on a car there are a lot of stop signs and it is slow compared to Geary our Fulton, and the street often has heavy traffic. But overall the street vibe is friendly and is know for all the nice people who surround it
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
5/5
2yrs+

"There's parks and food and street cars..."

..and there's traffic. My god, is there traffic. I'm almost tempted to use the old Yogi Berra-ism "nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded," but clearly everybody does go there. And it's worth braving the traffic, too, if for nothing other than the food.

Keep the kids and grandparents on a short leash, lest they get hit by a passing streetcar.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
5/5
2yrs+

"Delicious and excellent service"

California Street is known as one of the famous street in San Francisco. It is most famous for good hotel, restaurants and medical centers. People staying around are very friendly and helpful to each other. This street is a very busy area, all the time people go up and down, it’s a polluted area but a good place too. Since it is busy area it’s a risky for children, parents do not send their children alone on this street.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5
2yrs+

"Beautiful and comfort area"

The most famous streets in San Francisco is California Street. One of the beautiful place where people are living happily, they are really very happy and satisfy with this place. Municipal Railways which is the public transit is also passing through this street. Children come to see the railway passing and they enjoy the scene. This area is fully developed, we can do good quality shopping at the valuable price. There are some good hotels where people are staying, they given good service to the patrons.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5
2yrs+

"Place for family vacation"

California street is the most important street in San Francisco. Its four and six lanes also carry cable cars at intervals. It is an awesome place to be in as it has some famous buildings like the Grace Cathedral and the California Pacific Medical Center. If at all California street is in news is because of the cable cars that were installed long back in the 20th century. Being here with family and friends is sure to be enjoyable.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5
2yrs+

"So much to offer in the city"

This street is awesome for the simple fact that it is so long and has so much to offer. Living on this street and exploring it is such an event that one could live on it for years and still not be bored because they have yet to see everything there is. Go one way and there is shopping, another way is more family oriented. Whatever you want, you will find along this street.
Recommended for
  • Singles
5/5
2yrs+

"So Many Aspects..."

California is such a long street that it is hard to rate it as a whole. Like Geary, California Street runs all the way through the city, East to West. My favorite area of California St. is Laurel Village. It is a super duper kid-friendly area. There is a Baby Gap, a Gymboree, Noah's Bagels, Jamba Juice...you get the picture. There is a hospital and several doctor's offices, as well. It's a great place to stroll around with your little ones, grab a coffee and just hang out for a while. There are a few higher-end markets in Laurel Village, as well. Books, Inc. makes for a great place to read to your kids and Pasta Pomodoro is a nice, affordable restaurant for families.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5
2yrs+

"California Street is one of the Major Thoroughfares in San Fransisco"

California Street is one of the longest and most important streets in San Francisco, running in a more-or-less straight 5.2 mile East-West line from the Financial District to Lincoln Park in the far Northwest corner of the City. It begins at the intersection of Market Street and Spear Street in front of the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero Center, one block from the Ferry Building, then travels past Nob Hill, Lower Pacific Heights, Laurel Hights, and the Lake District. It makes a slight bend in at the intersection of Cornwall Street and 7th Avenue, then parallels the edge of the Presidio through the Richmond District until its terminus at 32nd Avenue, several blocks from the Golden Gate. It has four to six lanes for its entire length, and a cable car line on the Eastern portion from Market to Van Ness Street.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5
2yrs+

"Varying street with great transportation."

California Street is one of the longer streets in the city. It starts at the Lincoln Park Golf Course and ends at the Embarcadero. This street runs through many famous neighborhoods, like the Richmond and Chinatown. This street is full of things to do. There is Laurel Village which has small stores, like Emily Lee’s, as well as well known ones like Starbucks. CPMC hospital is nearby as well for any medical assistance. Transportation is great along this street; there is a bus line that runs up and down it that comes frequently and crosses major streets like park presidio which have convenient transferring busses. California Street also ends at the Embarcadero which has BART and ever MUNI train line. Most parts of this street are ideal for living however there are some areas that are mainly business which are loud and usually avoided when looking for housing.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5
2yrs+

"Very long street with many nice shops, restaurants, and housing!"

California Street is one of the bigger streets that begin in the Richmond district. The street nearly runs through the entire city starting from the west side of the city all the way to the eastern water front.

The western side of the street mainly consists of residential buildings and small offices and shops. Compared to the east end, there isn’t too much going on here. As you go east on California, the action starts to pick up and there is more and more going on.

California Street is home to many nice and popular restaurants. The shopping complex, Laurel Village lies on California and Laurel Street and is a popular and busy place consisting of grocery stores, restaurants, and small shops. California and Divisadero is a very busy area as well with many restaurants and shops.

The housing on California Street ranges from very average Richmond district housing to very elegant and more expensive housing. There are many apartment buildings on California and it is a very desired place to live.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

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