San Fran's Western Addition

[phatgirl]

Can anyone from San Fran give me the low down/description of the Western Addition area?

I know, I'm lazy and I don't want to fly there myself and check it out. This is my way of doing research.

Thanks.

[Bill Marquardt]

The Western Addition is one of the older sections of town. Most of the homes there are really old Victorians, with the different floors now converted into flats. Nearly every front door is guarded by an iron gate. It is a relatively high crime area and predominantly occupied by non-whites, although the racial mix is better nowadays. It is not the ghetto that Hunters Point is. The area has actually improved somewhat over the last two decades.

Incidentally, the New World Liberation Front used to rent a house there, just off the freeway on Oak Street. They liked to do things like blow up electric power stations back in the 70's.

[phatgirl]

Thanks Bill!
Now I know that section doesn't work for me. I'm looking for an area in San Fran that's lower-middle class, kind of run-down houses but "no crime," just people that don't have alot of $$ to spare. Somewhere to contrast with the very rich Presidio area - preferably sharing the same school disctrict with Presidio?

So what about:
- Cow Hollow?
- Richmond?

(yes, I'm looking at a map...)

Thanks!!

[Bill Marquardt]

The Richmond District is probably what you want. That's where I used to live! It is a middle class neighborhood of rented Victorian flats, with a large number of newer buildings intermixed. There are several apartment buildings. Crime is comparatively low.

A large number of the building owners are now Asians, and the area just north of Geary Blvd., especially on Clement Street is unofficially known as New Chinatown. Chinese restaurants are everywhere.

The Presidio is a former Army Base whose buildings were sold off as private property. I don't know what the property values are there now, but when it was first opened for sale, the prices were extremely high.

The Susnset District is to the south, and farther from the Presidio, is a similar neighborhood, but not so dominated by the Asian culture.

San Francisco is truly one of the most cosmopolitan cities around, with different cultures and ethnicities in evidence everywhere. You can walk past a Vietnamese restaurant into the front of a Greek Orthodox church.

[PeekABooBang]

I agree with Bill - Richmond is probably what you're looking for. Cow Hollow is very yuppified. The Sunset is probably the most "suburban" area of the city, right on the fringe to the south.

Presidio Heights, Pacific Heights, and the Marina are all very $$.

[phatgirl]

You have been so incredibly helpful. Thanks Bill and Peek.

One more question - what's the closest amusement park to that area? It can be kind of small, as long as there are rides and games.

Thanks!!

[PeekABooBang]

Well there aren't any amusement parks too close -- you have Six Flags Marine World which is about 30 miles from SF, Paramount's Great America which is about 40 miles from SF and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk which is about 60-70 miles away.

There are a few children's type rides on Pier 39, I believe.

Hope that helps.

[Bill Marquardt]

Not too far from the Presidio is the Exploratorium, which is a hands-on science museum. No rides, but a lot of displays that kids can manipulate and have fun with while learning something about science. San Francisco does have a zoo, but not a very large one. Inside Golden Gate Park, which sits between the Richmond and Sunset districts, is a large natural history museum which includes an aquarium and an observatory, but again, no rides.

I don't remember much about Pier 39. It has a lot of "touristy" seafood restaurants and shops. One shop was set up to create video tapes of kids riding on a magic carpet against a background of the city (using the cinematic "blue background" technique.)

Many years ago there was an amusement park at Ocean Beach, which is at the outer edge of the Richmond District and Golden Gate Park. It has long since been torn down. The only thing that remains is a restaurant, a game arcade, and a giant wooden "camera." Actually, I am not sure the camera is still there.

[pantalone]

Yes, if you want a cool amusement park, take a trip down to Santa Cruz. In fact, you can do it on public transportation. If you drive stop in Half Moon Bay. While in SF, be sure to eat at Cafe do Brasil.

[phatgirl]

Hey, thanks! Very helpful responses!

[OkeyDokey]

Phatgirl, I used to live in Hayes Valley, which is a tiny neighborhood close to the Western Addition. It's become somewhat gentrified but still has an authentic neighborhood feel. I can't say it's entirely crime-free, but I enjoyed living there.

Also nearby is Duboce Triangle, which is closer to the Lower Haight area.

[phatgirl]

Thanks Okey. I actually just finished my script today, but I may hit you up for more details when I dive in for a re-write.