The North Panhandle neighborhood has quickly become a household name in San Francisco, although it is better known as NoPa.
NoPa is a tiny section carved out of the larger Western Addition neighborhood. It’s named after its location, the streets sitting north of the panhandle (the narrow eastern strip of Golden Gate Park). It’s a trendy area with popular, highly rated bars and restaurants along Divisadero Street, its eastern border, and rising costs because of its prime central location within the city. You’ll also find college students in the area, as the University of San Francisco makes up the neighborhood’s western border.
It’s easily walkable to other neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury, the Lower Haight, Hayes Valley, or to daily conveniences like Target and Trader Joe’s. Plus, the college residents in the area make for an abundance of babysitting options.
Try not to sing the theme song from Full House when you come upon the famous view of the historic Painted Ladies Victorian homes and downtown skyline behind them. The entire park was recently renovated, including the playground that gives you prime views while you watch the little ones play.
A short walk along the panhandle takes you to Golden Gate Park proper and all that it has to offer whether it’s biking or strolling along winding paths, visiting the buffalo out at the Bison Paddock, feeding ducks or boating at Stow Lake or exploring one of the many other attractions within the park.
Koret Children’s Quarter Playground & Carousel
This is said to be the oldest public playground in America and is always full of local and visiting families stretching their legs or taking a spin on the well-known carousel. It’s located in the southeastern section of the park.
California Academy of Sciences
This is a go-to spot on rainy days for the toddler room, rainforest exhibit, and large aquarium with hands-on activities. If you plan to come even just a handful of times a year, the annual membership is worth it.
The museum offers programs for kids of all ages including toddler tours, art classes after school, summer camp, and a Saturday Studio Series. Join us every Saturday for our free Family Art Making.
San Francisco Botanical Gardens
Regular activities like children’s story time and special events like Flower Piano mean families spend a lot of time in this beautifully maintained urban oasis showcasing 8,500 different kinds of plants from around the world.
Geared toward children ages 5-11 years old, the Renegade Girls Tinkering club runs exciting summer camps and afterschool programs that bring science, technology, engineering, and math concepts to life through fun hands-on project. Girls only, boys only, and coed programs are all available.
Baseball games are particularly easy to watch, as the stadium sits off of Mason Street on the western border of the neighborhood. Inexpensive tickets, easy to access seating and a very friendly staff will make you and your family feel welcome and excited to cheer on the Dons.
For such a tiny area, the restaurant choices are great, but charming Manitas is a local favorite. Stop for espresso drinks and deli sandwiches or for their breakfast and lunch menus straight for their Salvadoran kitchen.
Your personal situation will determine the right fit for you, and, while there are options in this neighborhood, your best bet is to check out Winnie.com for an interactive map and comprehensive list of daycares and preschools across the city.
Likewise, for K-12 schools, we can’t tell you whether the schools here are “good” or not because a good school is based on so many other factors besides test scores. Check out our Tips for Moving to San Francisco with Kids for more help navigating childcare and schooling and a local mom’s take on raising a family in San Francisco.
See Development Opportunity Report for 10 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 110 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 111 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 112 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 113 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 114 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 115 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 116 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 118 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 119 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 120 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 122 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 124 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 125 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 126 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 130 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 131 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 132 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 133 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 134 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 135 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 137 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 139 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 14 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 141 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 143 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 15 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 153 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 155 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 157 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 159 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 17 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 180 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 182 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 184 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 186 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 188 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 19 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 192 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 20 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 200 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 201 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 203 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 205 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 206 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 207 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 209 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 21 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 210 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 211 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 212 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 214 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 215 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 217 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 219 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 22 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 220 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 221 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 222 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 223 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 224 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 225 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 227 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 228 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 229 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 230 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 233 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 239 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 240 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 25 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 26 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 27 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 28 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 31 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 32 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 33 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 34 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 37 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 38 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 39 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 40 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 42 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 43 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 44 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 45 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 49 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 50 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 51 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 52 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 55 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 57 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 58 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 7 Clayton St San Francisco CA
See Development Opportunity Report for 8 Clayton St San Francisco CA