Apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA

Getting to Know San Francisco

Famous for its rolling hills, cable cars, foggy summers and Golden Gate Bridge, "San Fran," as it's affectionately called, is home to more than 860,000 residents. A dynamic environment of incomparable natural splendor and unbeatable year-round mild temperatures, the City by the Bay offers a unique blend of entertainment and culture in bustling urban centers spread throughout this Northern California metropolis.

Considered one of the most walkable cities in the U.S., San Francisco continues to attract young professionals seeking neighborhoods that are culturally rich, diverse and progressive. Not only are newcomers attracted by the city's financial stability and pleasant year-round weather (the average temp is about 60 degrees Fahrenheit), but they love the sense of community, its arts and cultural opportunities and the abundance of outdoor adventures that make living in San Francisco so attractive.

Whether you're enjoying a picnic with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge as your backdrop, zig-zagging down crooked Lombard Street or capturing a photo of Alcatraz Island from Pier 39, you'll discover there's plenty of fun to be had in San Francisco.

San Francisco Apartments and Neighborhoods

You may be hard-pressed to find an available apartment in downtown San Francisco, but redevelopment in progress in such outlying areas as South of Market and Mission Bay provide potential markets for young professionals and families. Noe Valley and Bernal Heights, where you can find a vibrant mix of businesses, restaurants and entertainment venues next to each other, are two more areas young families with kids love. If you prefer waterfront living, Marina just north of Pacific Heights is an attractive area for young professionals. The West Salinas area on the outskirts of Daly City and sandwiched between the Pacific Coast and San Francisco Bay also offers young families a vibrant suburban community of twisting side streets, verdant parks and cozy homes.

Whether you're a young professional looking for a trendy live-work loft or a young family with children seeking a sense of community, San Francisco accommodates with a diverse mix of homes and high-rises in established, emerging and redeveloping neighborhoods. Look no further than ApartmentGuide.com to find San Francisco apartments for rent and to learn more about this city's exciting neighborhoods.

San Francisco Public Transportation

You can live comfortably and conveniently in the suburbs of San Francisco and still take advantage of city adventures thanks to the city's Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).

Fun Things to Do in San Francisco

San Francisco celebrates everything from craft beer and wine to film and music with year-round festivals and street fairs; make a point to attend the Bay Area Brews Festival in March, the International Film Festival in April and the Gay Pride Parade and Festival in June.

If you're looking for free things to do on the weekend, head to Lands End park at the mouth of the Golden Gate to walk the Coastal Trail and snap shots of the San Francisco Bay, or visit Fat Grape Winery at Treasure Island to sample their vintages for free.

There are plenty of things to do in San Francisco on the cheap, including these five favorites:

• Play Classic Video Games: If you love playing vintage video games, you'll love Brewcade at Duboce Triangle or the Musée Mécanique at Fisherman's Wharf. Be sure you bring quarters and pennies to play the games.
• Walk along the Stepping Stones: Perfect for a first date or to simply unwind, the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park beckons explorers with winding stepping stone paths, koi ponds and pagodas.
• Bask in Bay Bridge Lights: Hop the ferry from San Francisco to Alameda for awesome photos of the Bay Bridge lights and city skyline. Beer and wine are for sale so you can sip while you ride.
• Flea Market Finds: For a minimal admission fee, you can browse a collection of discarded treasures at the open-air Treasure Island Flea Market, which is also home to food trucks and live bands.
• Alcatraz Island: Take the ferry for a memorable tour of the infamous Alcatraz prison. The self-guided audio tour is an insider's look at life on The Rock, right down to the grim 9-by-5-foot cells.

You can almost always find a sporting event happening in San Francisco since this city is home to numerous professional teams, including the MLB's Giants, NFL's 49ers, NHL's Sharks and the NBA's Golden State Warriors.

Things to Do in San Francisco for Families with Kids

Families with children in San Francisco have no shortage of things to do thanks to more than 180 playgrounds, nearly 85 recreation centers and numerous recreational fields scattered throughout this 49-square-mile metropolis. Plus there are family-focused attractions like Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio of San Francisco and the 600+ exhibits at the Exploratorium at Pier 15. For parents of school-aged children, your options for equipping your child with a great education are limitless with public (114 to be exact), private and charter schools to consider throughout San Francisco.

Pet-friendly San Francisco

One of the best things dog owners love about this city is the number of dog-friendly beaches. Both Fort Funston Doggie Beach and Lands End Beach are off-leash beaches for well-behaved dogs. Baker Beach not only offers on- and off-leash areas, but an excellent view of Golden Gate Bridge.

Natural Beauty and Outdoor Living

San Bruno Mountain State Park, ideal for weekend hikes, and Mussel Rock Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean, are two of the city's 220 parks and recreational spaces that make San Francisco a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Explore the city's iconic waterfront, peppered with restaurants, parks and shops, starting from Bay Bridge to Pier 39, or head to Fisherman's Wharf on the northern waterfront to browse souvenir shops or watch the local sea lion colony.

San Francisco Dining and Shopping

The nearby shopping plaza, Serramonte Center, offers 120 stores. There you can find new threads to complement your wardrobe or do your holiday shopping. Retailers include H&M, Foot Locker, Macy's, Bath and Body Works and Claire's Boutique. Serramonte offers a diverse range of eateries, including Panda Express, Cinnabon and Anderson Bakery, so you won't have to worry about hunger inhibiting your shopping spree.

San Francisco Getaways

Enjoy weekend trips from San Francisco to a number of exciting destinations, including exuberant LA, a six-hour drive south on I-5 South. Head northeast on I-80 for about an hour to visit Napa Valley vineyards. To the south via I-280, San Jose offers amazing museum, gorgeous gardens and the Winchester Mystery House.