Known for its various Michelin-starred restaurants, top-notch hotels, and swanky style, Nob Hill is an excellent destination for those who prioritize comfort as much as fun. If this sounds right up your alley, you may want to consider staying in this neighborhood next time you’re in San Francisco.
What is it like to live in Nob Hill, San Francisco?
Nob Hill is not only famous for its dining scene and vibrant nightlife but also for offering some of the hands-down best views in San Francisco. In this elevated neighborhood that sits atop a giant hill, you will be able to get views of the cityscape and the Bay at the same time, with the added charm of cable cars traversing through the area.
Residents of Nob Hill also enjoy being close to parks, having many great sunset spots, and an incredible selection of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. For all these reasons, Nob Hill continues to attract young professionals and remote workers alike.
What to do in Nob Hill?
1. Ride the iconic cable cars to enjoy the views of San Francisco.
Riding a cable car is a quintessential San Francisco experience, and Nob Hill is one of the best places to catch one. The steep hills of the neighborhood offer stunning vistas, which you will appreciate as you tour the city in a cable car. There are three lines you can take: California Cable Car, Powell/Hyde Cable Car, and Powell/Mason Cable Car lines. You can check their schedules online and purchase tickets easily through the MuniMobile app.
2. Visit Grace Cathedral.
Grace Cathedral is more than just a cathedral with beautiful architecture — it has a whole other world inside. Featuring stained glass windows and a labyrinth, it attracts visitors from all over the world. Thanks to its interactive displays, you can explore this landmark at your own pace. You can take a meditative walk on one of the outdoor labyrinths, as well.
3. Discover the restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.
San Francisco is one of the cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. And some of these classy restaurants are located in Nob Hill. From seafood specialists like Swan Oyster Depo to famous chefs’ restaurants such as Gary Danko, you will find endless dining options in the area.
Nob Hill’s residents also praise the neighborhood’s trendy bars and cozy cafes. One of the best-hidden gems is The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, located inside the luxury Fairmont Hotel. Offering Polynesian-fusion food, tropical cocktails, and entertainment like no other, this place was named “the greatest place in the history of the world” by Anthony Bourdain.
4. Attend a concert or a live performance at The Masonic.
The Masonic is a historic event venue that hosts world-famous artists every year. Make sure to check their website to see if there are any events during the time you will be there. They often have concerts, live performances, and shows.
5. Go shopping at Polk Street.
Take a walk on Polk Street and check out its vibrant shops. This long street offers a wide range of shopping options, including clothing boutiques, vintage shops, home decor stores, and gourmet food shops. When you need to take a break from shopping, you can stop at one of the many cafes on the street, grab a bite to eat, or people-watch while sipping on a drink.
6. Go to the San Francisco Cable Car Museum.
If you’d like to learn more about the history of cable cars, San Francisco Cable Car Museum is the place to be. In this free museum, you will also get to learn how cable cars operate. It is open every day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm except on Mondays.
7. Explore the nearby neighborhoods of Russian Hill and North Beach.
Russian Hill and North Beach are two neighborhoods that are less than a 20-minute walk away from Nob Hill. In Russian Hill, you will find Lombard Street, also known as “the most crooked street in the world,” although there are technically more curvy streets in San Francisco. You can also have the unique experience of playing tennis against the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge by visiting Alice Marble Courts located in the same neighborhood.
North Beach is a must-visit neighborhood for literature enthusiasts. It is home to the City Lights Bookstore, which is one of the most famous independent bookshops in the USA. The bookshop has also been a meeting place for literature lovers since 1953, the year it was founded.
Similar to the other neighborhoods, North Beach is not short of panoramic views — climbing the Coit Tower will get you some amazing ones. You’ll find amazing Italian food here, as well, if you’re looking for a pasta fix.
How to find accommodation in Nob Hill?
For short-term travelers, hotels are always an option. But what if you’re a slow traveler, remote worker, a relocator, or a professional on a business trip? If you’re staying for more than a couple of days, you might want an equipped accommodation with additional amenities. This is where serviced apartments come in. These types of apartments include a stocked kitchen, utilities, fast WiFi, and other amenities such as housekeeping, private parking spaces, coworking areas, and more.
Let’s take one of Anyplace’s popular one-bedroom apartments in Nob Hill as an example. This 15th-floor apartment is only a few minutes away from Grace Cathedral and some top-rated restaurants. Besides all the benefits that come with flexible-term apartments, it contains a remote work setup and gigabit-speed internet. The workspace includes a dedicated workspace, an ergonomic chair, an ultra-widescreen monitor, a wireless keyboard and mouse, a webcam, and more.
Time to go to Nob Hill?
If you’d like to experience a taste of luxury and comfort in one of the most vibrant cities in the world, Nob Hill can be your next base. And there’s no time like the present, they say.
Interested in other popular neighborhoods in the busiest US cities? Here are our guides for East Village, San Diego, and Chelsea, New York City.
Where to next? Find monthly rentals designed for remote workers on Anyplace.
