Across the Bay

San Francisco

CallKarki’s second major pillar. The East Bay is our home base, but the Bay Area story is incomplete without the city across the water.

Bay bridges at sunset · Photo: wbaiv / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.

49Square miles

ConsolidatedCity & county

Golden GateStrait & bridge

Bay AreaConnected by road and transit

Get to Know San Francisco

Explore a city through everyday places.

Start with neighborhood streets, libraries, coastal trails and cultural places. Use this guide to plan a visit and connect everyday questions with the right city service.

San Francisco’s Richmond District and the City of Richmond in the East Bay are different places. Check the city and address when looking up a destination.

Plan Your Day

Start with an outing you can use.

Our San Francisco summary includes the Main Library’s location and opening hours. The visitor ideas below introduce a library stop and a coastal walk so you can choose a day that suits you.

Explore San Francisco places

Neighborhoods

A city of neighborhoods, not one skyline.

Mission District

Murals, taquerías and Dolores Park — one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods.

Richmond District

North of Golden Gate Park, with residential streets and commercial corridors such as Clement Street and Geary Boulevard. This is different from the City of Richmond in the East Bay.

Sunset District

Quiet, residential, and closest to Ocean Beach.

North Beach

The city’s historic Italian district, near Coit Tower and the waterfront.

Castro

A historic center of LGBTQ+ culture and community in the city.

Financial District

Downtown San Francisco’s high-rise core, near the Ferry Building.

Daily Life

The everyday resources San Francisco residents actually use.

Official sources for schools, libraries, recreation and getting around.

SchoolsSFUSD Enrollment
San Francisco uses a choice-based assignment system, not strict address zoning — start at the Educational Placement Center.

LibrarySan Francisco Public Library
Main Library plus branches citywide, with a 24-hour virtual library.

RecreationSF Recreation & Parks
Classes, sports leagues and 230+ parks including Golden Gate Park.

Getting AroundMuni covers the city; BART connects downtown to the East Bay. The Golden Gate Bridge and Richmond–San Rafael Bridge are the two crossings north.

People & Places

Two ways to spend time in San Francisco.

A library stop in Civic Center

The Main Library provides a place to read, explore collections and find public programs. Use the event’s own listing for its age range and registration requirements.

Address: 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Hours: Monday 9 AM–6 PM; Tuesday–Thursday 9 AM–8 PM; Friday noon–6 PM; Saturday 10 AM–6 PM; Sunday noon–6 PM. Holiday hours may differ.

Read our San Francisco outing summary →

Official library details · Checked September 30, 2026.

A coastal walk at Lands End

At San Francisco’s northwestern edge, coastal trails pass cypress and eucalyptus with views toward the Golden Gate. The area also offers a way to explore the history around Sutro Baths.

Choose a route that fits your mobility and time. Accessible trails begin at the Merrie Way parking area; other routes include uneven ground or steps. Stay on designated trails and away from cliff edges.

Visitor information: Lands End Lookout, 415-426-5240.

Official trail map and accessibility details

Getting Around the Bay

Choose the crossing for your destination.

The Bay Bridge links San Francisco with Oakland and the East Bay. The Golden Gate Bridge links San Francisco with Marin County. The Richmond–San Rafael Bridge connects Richmond and Marin; it does not run directly into San Francisco.

For public transportation, compare BART, local bus connections and ferry options for your exact origin and destination. Consider the last return trip as well as the outward journey when planning an evening out.

Explore our Bay Area community guides →

Home & Living

What San Francisco homeowners actually need to know.

Local rules and safety information, straight from the city — always verify current details for your specific address.

Sewer LateralsBefore a purchase, sale or major project, identify the property’s sewer connection and ask the relevant city agency which inspection, maintenance or permit requirements apply to that address.

Earthquake RiskEQ Zapp
The state’s official tool for checking if an address sits in a liquefaction or landslide hazard zone — landfill areas like the Marina and SoMa are known liquefaction zones.

Emergency AlertsUse the city’sAlertSF for official city emergency notifications.

Real Estate

Understand the numbers before making a decision.

A useful San Francisco market comparison should identify the reporting month, neighborhood, property type and source. Citywide averages alone cannot describe a particular home.

Compare similar properties

Separate condos from detached homes and compare size, condition and location. Ask how many closed sales support a figure and which period it covers.

Read each measure carefully

Median sale price describes the middle sale in a group. Days on market describes marketing time; active inventory describes what is available. These answer different questions and should be read together.

Read our real estate guides Ask Mohan about your neighborhood →

Keep Exploring

Rooted in the East Bay, connected across the water.

Back to Richmond Explore Homes