San Francisco is a great town to walk, especially in certain parts of the city. If you don’t know where the best places are to walk, shop, browse, and explore, then keep reading. These are the best walkable streets in the city.
- Columbus Avenue - Lombard to Jackson Street
Snap Man/Flickr The heart of Little Italy in San Francisco is on Columbus Avenue in North Beach. Walking along Columbus you’ll find Beat history at City Lights, cool cafes, colorful bars, beautiful buildings, lively nightlife, and more.
- Valencia Street - Mission District (14th/Valencia - 25th/Valencia)
Lynn Friedman/Flickr In the Valencia corridor of the Mission, the sidewalk bustles with activity, quirky shops, and one-of-a-kind retail. Also, check out Clarion Alley, just south of 17th Street off Valencia Street. Beware, this is a hip area!
- Chestnut Street - Laguna Street to Broderick
Jack Parrott/Flickr Chestnut Street, in the Marina district, is a cool mix of shops, restaurants, cafes and boutiques. While upscale in parts, the street has a distinctive and charming neighborhood feel.
- Upper Haight Street - Haight/Masonic to Golden Gate Park.
Torbakhopper/Flickr The Upper Haight is packed with a dynamic mix of locals, tourists, and street activity. Many shops are aimed toward attracting visitors with some kind of reflection of the neighborhood’s rich past.
- Market Street - Ferry Building to Powell Street
Schill/Flickrl If you walk from the Ferry Building on Market Street to Powell Street, you’ll enjoy the lively cityscape. Many restaurants, attractions, shops, sidewalk entertainment, and more are prominent here.
- Cole Street - Cole Valley
Davidwilson1949/Flickr If you’re on Cole Street between Beulah and Grattan Street, you’ll see the heart of Cole Valley. A very charming neighborhood with lots of eclectic cafes and boutiques. You’ll find Victorian charm here.
- Hayes Valley - Hayes Street area around Patricia Green Park
Roshan Vyas/Flickr Hayes Valley is particularly active on Hayes Street starting at Hayes/Franklin until Alamo Square. You can walk around Patricia Green Park for added fun and amusements too.
- Grant Avenue - Chinatown
Ken Lund/Flickr Start your walk on Grant Avenue at Bush street at the Dragon Gate, and continue toward North Beach. This is the oldest Chinatown in the USA, so this is a jewel and a wonderland of surprises.
- Divisadero Street - North of Panhandle (NOPA)
Tim Riley/Flickr The main walking area of Divisadero includes Lower Haight, Alamo Square, Pacific Heights, and Marina. The area is nicknamed NOPA and offers a vibrant mix of dining, grocery, and merchant fronts. Check out the restaurant called NOPA on this street too.
- 24th Street - Noe Valley
Throgers/Flickr The heart of the 24th Street action is going through Noe Valley. Enjoy the backdrop around Diamond Heights and Twin Peaks. This area feels like a peaceful village, where San Francisco still seems less techie and start-up obsessed.
What do you think of these streets? Let us know. Share this too! If you’re into eclectic city history then check out The 8 Weirdest And Strangest Things That Have Ever Happened In San Francisco.
Snap Man/Flickr
The heart of Little Italy in San Francisco is on Columbus Avenue in North Beach. Walking along Columbus you’ll find Beat history at City Lights, cool cafes, colorful bars, beautiful buildings, lively nightlife, and more.
Lynn Friedman/Flickr
In the Valencia corridor of the Mission, the sidewalk bustles with activity, quirky shops, and one-of-a-kind retail. Also, check out Clarion Alley, just south of 17th Street off Valencia Street. Beware, this is a hip area!
Jack Parrott/Flickr
Chestnut Street, in the Marina district, is a cool mix of shops, restaurants, cafes and boutiques. While upscale in parts, the street has a distinctive and charming neighborhood feel.
Torbakhopper/Flickr
The Upper Haight is packed with a dynamic mix of locals, tourists, and street activity. Many shops are aimed toward attracting visitors with some kind of reflection of the neighborhood’s rich past.
Schill/Flickrl
If you walk from the Ferry Building on Market Street to Powell Street, you’ll enjoy the lively cityscape. Many restaurants, attractions, shops, sidewalk entertainment, and more are prominent here.
Davidwilson1949/Flickr
If you’re on Cole Street between Beulah and Grattan Street, you’ll see the heart of Cole Valley. A very charming neighborhood with lots of eclectic cafes and boutiques. You’ll find Victorian charm here.
Roshan Vyas/Flickr
Hayes Valley is particularly active on Hayes Street starting at Hayes/Franklin until Alamo Square. You can walk around Patricia Green Park for added fun and amusements too.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Start your walk on Grant Avenue at Bush street at the Dragon Gate, and continue toward North Beach. This is the oldest Chinatown in the USA, so this is a jewel and a wonderland of surprises.
Tim Riley/Flickr
The main walking area of Divisadero includes Lower Haight, Alamo Square, Pacific Heights, and Marina. The area is nicknamed NOPA and offers a vibrant mix of dining, grocery, and merchant fronts. Check out the restaurant called NOPA on this street too.
Throgers/Flickr
The heart of the 24th Street action is going through Noe Valley. Enjoy the backdrop around Diamond Heights and Twin Peaks. This area feels like a peaceful village, where San Francisco still seems less techie and start-up obsessed.
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