Like an urban jewel box, San Francisco has a treasure trove of hidden, local gems that lay waiting to be discovered. Even repeat visitors find themselves constantly trying to keep up with the latest farm-to-fabulous bistro, playful speakeasy, or pocket park tucked into a leafy neighborhood.
The jewel box that is San Francisco: Which neighborhood will you choose to explore? (Photo Credit: Davey Heuser)
We know, there are so many neighborhood acronyms — NOPA (North of the Panhandle), SOMA (South of Market), et al. — so where do you start?
One of the city’s most buzz-worthy enclaves — a rarefied trifecta where The Fillmore, Pacific Heights, and Japantown neighborhoods meet — may not have the acronym du jour, but we think it’s worth exploring. Here’s our shortlist of haute spots to get you started.
First Stop: Japantown
Head south into Japantown where an enticing tableau of ramen shops, sushi bars, pagodas, and quirky storefronts backed by a J-Pop soundtrack give you sensory dislocation of the very best kind — it’s like Japan without the jet lag.
The Peace Pagoda in Japantown. (Photo Credit: Meritt Thomas)
- Peace Pagoda: Japantown’s signature site, this five-story pagoda was designed by famed architect Yoshiro Taniguchi.
- Kinokuniya Bookstore: Located in the Kinokuniya Mall, this Japan-fan wonderland is filled with books and magazines covering everything from the latest graphic novels to tomes on samurai culture.
- Marufuku Ramen: Love ramen? Take a break and grab some authentic Japanese noodles and an ice cold Asahi — the best Japanese beer that marries perfectly with a hot ramen.
Second Stop: The Fillmore
To the west, the beat goes on in the Fillmore, where the ghosts of beatniks, Deadheads, and jazz legends define a lo-fi texture that continues to riff in new and creative ways. This is where to find anything from a cozy jazz joint where Duke blew and Billie crooned to a Michelin-starred restaurant.
The Fillmore is a cozy neighborhood complete with Michelin-starred restaurants, of course. (Photo Credit: Daniel Abadia)
Take a walk to get to the Fillmore — you will come upon countless gems on the journey. (Photo Credit: Vladimir Kudinov)
This neighborhood is one of the most creative hubs in the whole of the city. (Photo Credit: Kimberly Sterling)
- Fillmore Auditorium: This iconic concert venue continues to draw crowds with shows featuring major headliners, up-and-comers, and comedy legends.
- Social Study: A hip lounge that serves gourmet coffee and pastries by day, and craft beer and California wine by night. Taco Tuesdays are also popular with the local crowd.
- State Bird Provisions: Book way ahead to score a table at this famously popular Michelin-starred restaurant. Walk-ins are also accepted, so another option is to line up early and hope for a little Fillmore magic. Can’t wait? Try their sister restaurant, The Progress, which can be easier to wiggle into and is right next door.
Third Stop: Pacific Heights
North points you to Pacific Heights (Pac Heights for short) and its immaculately restored Victorians perched on leafy lanes interspersed with trendy designer boutiques, cushy cafes serving addictive cappuccinos, and hip galleries.
Victorian mansions dot the skyline of the Pacific Heights neighborhood. (Photo Credit: Kimberly Sterling)
Which neighborhood gem will you pick to explore when in San Francisco? (Photo Credit: Mihaly Koles)
- Jane on Fillmore: A popular cafe that’s a favorite spot for locals to sip and surf the web while enjoying top-shelf coffee, teas, pastries and salads.
- SPQR: A restaurant curated by celebrated local chef Matthew Accarrino and his award-winning take on modern Italian cuisine.
- Alta Plaza Park: Meditative spaces under large shade trees, inviting expanses of grass, and beautiful bay views make this the quintessential San Francisco hilltop park. Come for the amazing views, but stay for events like Pug Sunday (a pug-fest, first Sunday of the month).
And the perfect launchpad for your urban escapades? Tucked away next to Japantown you’ll find Kimpton Hotel Enso, a boutique space that offers some minimalist Zen in the heart of the city.
Rest easy at Kimpton Hotel Enso when visiting Japantown. (Photo Credit: @ensohotelsf)
And don’t forget the fur babies. (Photo Credit: @ensohotelsf)
The property is a bento box full of Japanese cultural touchstones: Lobby accents rendered from charred Japanese whiskey barrels alongside hand-dyed indigo textiles and earthy pottery deftly infuse the property with a distinctly Eastern ambiance.
Are you ready to visit this gem-of-a-neighborhood yet? We can’t wait to see you.
Where to stay: Kimpton Hotel Enso
