10 Most Popular Streets in San Francisco

A famous San Francisco landmark, Lombard Street, with its 8 winding, hilly hairpins, is known as the “most crooked street in America.” The scenic road is paved with bricks and passes through several historical, upscale neighborhoods, including Russian Hill and the Marina.

While walking up or down the twisting sidewalk, you can peek at the historic houses and enjoy spectacular views of The Bay, Bay Bridge, and Coit Tower. For an Insta-worthy photo of cars and pedestrians winding their way down the switchbacks, stand at Lombard and Leavenworth Streets. To reach the top of Lombard Street, take the Hyde Street aerial cableway line.

Haight Street (and the surrounding neighbourhood) was a famous stomping ground for hippies seeking a bohemian lifestyle in the 1960s. Walking along the intersection of Haight Street and Ashbury Street, you can still see remnants of San Francisco’s counterculture.

The beautifully restored Edwardian and Victorian homes, old-school record stores, vintage shops, and dive bars draw an eclectic mix of locals and visitors. Classic tie-dyed shirts are very popular souvenirs. You can take a Muni bus or the light rail N train to Haight Street. For an afternoon of fun, hire some skates and skate along Haight Street to Golden Gate Park.

Castro Street runs through San Francisco's famously open LGBTQ+ neighborhood known as "The Castro." The buzzing vibe, inclusive hangouts, and fun nightlife make it a popular tourist destination, and the street is incredibly alive and colorful during the annual summer San Francisco Pride Parade.

Throughout the year, though, you'll find the rainbows painted on the crosswalks, as well as flags draped on many buildings in the district. Learn about the history of the city’s gay community and gay pioneers via informative plaques on the Rainbow Honor Walk, followed by brunch or an infamous adults-only cookie from Hot Cookie. 

Market Street stretches for miles through downtown San Francisco and is one of the city’s main thoroughfares. Beginning at Embarcadero in front of the Ferry Building, the street runs past many major tourist destinations. These include the Financial District, the trolley rides in Union Square, Westfield Mall, and the City Hall in the Civic Center.

As part of a movement to protect pedestrians and cyclists, a section of Market Street recently became car-free. For 2 miles, between Main Street and Van Ness Avenue, you can enjoy the lively cityscape, restaurants, and sidewalk entertainment without worrying about cars at every corner.

A walk down Valencia Street takes you through the trendier side of San Francisco. Located in Mission District, a colorful neighbourhood known for its artist atmosphere and Latino heritage, Valencia Street has bloomed in recent years. The most popular corridor is between 14th and 28th Streets, where you’ll find unique dining experiences, niche cafes, and quirky boutiques.

Pop into Four Barrel Coffee or hang out with friends at Craftsman and Wolves. The street is also home to often-forgotten craftsmanship such as cobblers and belt makers. They can create unforgettable mementoes right before your eyes. Don’t forget to turn into Clarion Alley, between 17th and 18th Streets, to snap pics of some of the city’s best street art.

The Embarcadero extends some 3 miles from Pier 39 to South Beach Harbor on San Francisco's eastern bay shoreline. The palm tree-lined walkway is one of the most scenic parts of the city and is lined with renovated piers, restaurants, and shops.

At the Ferry Building, you can choose from an excellent selection of locally made goods and handicrafts. On weekends, join locals at the farmers’ market selling superb California produce. And on an evening stroll, you can enjoy the twinkling lights of the Bay, Alcatraz Island, and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

Grant Avenue, the main street in San Francisco's Chinatown, is part of the oldest and largest Chinese community in the U.S. This street is a fantastic destination to shop for affordable and oriental-style souvenirs like traditional paper lanterns and pretty trinkets.

Begin your walk at the landmark of Dragon Gate, the emerald, pagoda-topped entrance at Bush Street, and head toward North Beach. Along the way, try egg tarts from Golden Gate Bakery, visit a Buddhist temple, and watch fortune cookies being made at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Try to time your visit during Chinese New Year for an unforgettable experience as the celebrations are very elaborate and lively. 

Divisadero Street, or “Divis” to the locals, stretches from the Marina District to Lower Haight, cutting through some of the hippest neighborhoods in San Francisco. Once a sleepy district, it’s now a hot destination for experiencing the city away from the city’s main tourist spots.

An excellent place to start exploring is to turn on to Divisadero from Haight Street. You’ll pass a kaleidoscopic mix of cute brunch spots and arty boutiques. Get a caffeine fix and a quick bite at The Mill and stylish keepsakes from The Perish Trust before enjoying incredible rotating art exhibits and live shows at the Madrone Art Bar. For a tasty craft cocktail, we recommend the coffee-based High Karate or the sweet Waffle Party.

Union Square is a lively 1-block plaza in downtown San Francisco. Because of its diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment options, it’s often considered the city's beating heart. It's undoubtedly the most famous square in the city. In the vicinity are art galleries, upscale department stores, chic boutiques, and off-Broadway theaters.

You could easily spend an afternoon window-shopping and people-watching. In summer, you can watch live entertainment and open-air ice-skating and other festivities in the winter. Getting to Union Square is possible by the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason aerial cableway, Muni, trolley bus, and BART service.

Ghirardelli Square sits near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, and is full of stately brick buildings that house award-winning restaurants, specialty boutiques, and a 5-star hotel. The square is a pleasant place to stroll, shop, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

It's the original site of the 1895 Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, and kids and adults with a sweet tooth will probably want to make a beeline to the legendary ice cream and chocolate shop. The queue may be long, but it moves fast. You'll then need to decide from the overwhelming menu of sundae options, but if you’d like a suggestion, try the Ghirardelli’s World-Famous Hot Fudge Sundae.