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.

Getting to Know Washington, D.C.

On July 16, 1790, the Residence Act was passed, creating the Federal District of Columbia, or Washington, D.C., home base to all three branches of the United States federal government and more than 680,000 residents. The "District" is comprised of eight separate wards, each featuring vibrant neighborhoods along with eclectic dining, shopping and entertainment.

Attractions and Landmarks in D.C.

No trip to D.C. is complete without a visit to the National Mall, home to renowned monuments, including the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. Book-lovers should be sure to stop by the Library of Congress, which houses over 164 million books and maintains the largest law library in the world. 

D.C. Neighborhoods

Washington, D.C. neighborhoods represent a wide range of options, as you'd expect in such a culturally diverse city. Some notable neighborhoods include: 

• Foggy Bottom: Home to George Washington University, this is a favorite for students and the younger crowd. The area has been responsible for much of the industrial development of D.C., with a large concentration of breweries, glass makers and gas works.
• Adams Morgan:  Noted for its diversity, this area hosts the annual Adams Morgan Day Festival, a must-see local event featuring live music, art, food and more.
• DuPont Circle: Named for Civil War Union general, Samuel Francis DuPont, this neighborhood comprises the "Old Town". Queen Anne and Richards Roman revival architectural styles define the area's rowhouses.
• Columbia Heights: This area is home to the renovated Tivoli Theatre, Howard University and George Washington University. 
• Downtown: This is the official business district, located in the northwest, with numerous attractions, including International Spy Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Verizon Center.
• Georgetown: With its cobblestone walkways and Georgetown University, Georgetown is a picturesque neighborhood and a go-to for fine dining and shopping.

Public Transportation and Commuting in D.C.

The Metro connects all four quadrants of D.C. to parts of Maryland and Virginia, making it ideal for commuters. There are three airports in the area, including Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.

Fun, Free Things to do in D.C.

Check out our top picks for free attractions in D.C.:

• The White House: Tour the historic home of the nation's first family and learn about the history of such famous rooms as the Red Room, State Dining Room and the East Room.
• Lincoln Memorial: Read the words of the famous Gettysburg Address etched into the side of this iconic monument.
• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: Check out the planetarium and aircraft collections on display at this family-friendly museum.
• National Gallery of Art: From Henri Matisse to Claude Monet, the National Gallery of Art is filled with must-see works by renowned artists.
• National WWII Memorial: Stop by this breathtaking memorial which honors the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in World War II.

Top Washington, D.C. Adventures

Check out six of our favorite adventures as you get to know the city:

• Grab the peanuts and Cracker Jacks to watch the Washington Nationals play at Nationals Park.
• Rub elbows with your legislators (or at least eat in the same restaurant) at The Capital Grille, one of the city's top restaurants.
• The DuPont Circle Citizens Association promotes the circle traffic area and offers tours of historical buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Capture great photos of the 555-foot Washington National Monument at Washington National Monument Park.
• Visit the 17 museums and galleries owned by the Smithsonian Institution for an afternoon of discovery and exploration.
• Head to FedExField to catch the Washington Redskins in action for an NFL football game.

Did You Know?

• Do you know why American foreign policy has been described as "foggy?" The U.S. Department of State is headquartered in Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
• The Washington Nationals are the third Major League Baseball team to be based in Washington since 1901. The two previous teams, both called the Senators, moved out of the city to become the Minnesota Twins (1961) and Texas Rangers (1971). 

Family and Family Fun in D.C.

Kids have a blast exploring the interactive exhibits at the International Spy Museum, or spend the day at the Smithsonian National Zoo. D.C. is home to 59 different school districts, providing families with excellent school choices throughout the District.

Outdoor Living

Don't miss the world-renowned cherry blossom trees lining Tidal Basin that bloom every spring. Yards Park features a waterfall, gardens, a dog run and a boardwalk. The venue often hosts outdoor entertainment such as live music, free movies and fitness classes.

Getaways from D.C.

D.C. is close to the beaches of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey. Cape May, New Jersey is a 3.5-hour drive and offers a variety of family-friendly weekend activities.