Noe Valley

 

 

Noe Valley is a charming neighborhood with many young families. Located in San Francisco’s center, Noe Valley offers a perfect blend of trendiness and sophistication with an up-and-coming restaurant scene and unique local shops and businesses. Noe Valley is sometimes called the Pacific Heights of the South Side thanks to its sunny weather, style, and walkability. The neighborhood is protected from the famous SF fog by the hills of the Twin Peaks and consequently enjoys some of the city’s sunniest year-round weather. There isn’t a lot of nightlife in Noe Valley, and its quiet atmosphere makes it one of the most popular SF neighborhoods for young families. In fact, Noe Valley is often referred to as Stroller City. Noe Valley also has one of the city’s highest concentrations of classic Victorian and Edwardian rowhouses. Another reason for Noe Valley’s popularity is that it’s perfectly located for commuting to tech companies in the South Bay area.

 

• Family-friendly atmosphere
• Locally-run shops and restaurants
• Excellent transportation links
• Some of the best weather in SF
  
  

Residents love Noe Valley for its self-enclosed community feel. Everything here feels local, from the unique shops and neighborhood restaurants to its parks. Noe Valley is tucked away from the bustle of the city but has excellent transportation links for getting to busier areas. That said, Noe Valley’s welcoming atmosphere and businesses catering to all niches and specialties may mean you rarely feel the need to venture outside the neighborhood.

 

Noe Valley’s dining scene consists of numerous family-run spots serving authentic cuisine from around the globe. Sardinian-style La Ciccia provides an intimate white tablecloth dining experience, pairing an extensive wine list with signature dishes, including homemade pasta and octopus stew. NOVY is a neighborhood favorite for delicious Greek brunch, lunch, and dinner fare, while stylish Uma Casa serves up delicious Portuguese shared plates along with excellent wines and cocktails.

 

Friendly baristas, comfortable seats, and great coffee make SF chain Philz Coffee’s Noe Valley location a favorite afternoon hangout for locals. An offbeat choice for combining a caffeine fix with running errands is Spin City Coffee and Launderette.

 

Other Noe Valley businesses include a welcoming array of charming mom ‘n’ pop stores and unique local businesses. Omnivore Books on Food is a one-of-a-kind spot selling contemporary and vintage cookbooks. It also hosts a range of events from featured authors and chefs. After reading up on recipes, head to Crimson Kitchen for some hands-on experience with cooking classes for all ability levels.

 

Noe Valley Wine & Spirits is your neighborhood go-to for take-home drinks. The expert staff here provides excellent advice to help you choose from the myriad of wines on sale. Saturday tasting sessions give visitors the chance to sample before making a decision. Saturday is also the day that the Noe Valley Farmers’ Market takes place at Noe Valley Town Square. Running from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., the farmers’ market has more than a dozen vendors selling fresh produce and gourmet foodstuffs.

 

This family-friendly neighborhood has plenty of spots for children and parents to go out and enjoy. Head to the hillside Douglass Playground for basketball and tennis courts, tree-shaded grassy fields, and a children’s play area. At the southern end of Douglass Playground, Upper Douglas Dog Park has an off-leash area for your four-legged family members. This is a great place to meet your neighbors, as dog meetups are organized by residents throughout the week. Billy Goat Hill is another delightful local greenspace. At an elevation of 500 feet, this small hill offers captivating views across San Francisco and the SF Bay. It also has a rope swing tied to a tree for the adventurous to take in the view in a completely unique way.

 

Public schools within Noe Valley are operated by the San Francisco Unified School District. Highlights include:

 

• The Mission Preparatory School, Public (Charter), K-8
• George R. Moscone Elementary School, Public, K-5
• Adda Clevenger School, Private, K-8
• Children’s Day School, Private, K-8
• Brightworks, Private, K-12