Things to DoIn San Francisco's Pacific Heights
Shop, dine, and explore iconic sites in one of the city's most picturesque neighborhoods.
Pacific Heights has spent more than a century collecting superlatives: the city's most extravagant homes, some of its best bay views, and a shopping strip that locals guard like a well-kept secret. It's a neighborhood built for wandering—the kind of place where you turn a corner expecting another mansion and instead find a peaceful park bench, a bakery well worth the calories, or a location you definitely recognize from the movies.
Here's how to spend a day (or a very happy afternoon) in Pacific Heights.
See Famous Houses in Pacific Heights
The neighborhood is certainly famous for its houses—let's be real: it's a Zillow-crawler's dream—but did you know that Pacific Heights actually has a number of famous houses within its zip code?
The Mrs. Doubtfire House
The Mrs. Doubtfire House (2640 Steiner Street) is the neighborhood's most-photographed address, and for good reason. This handsome house was the Hillard family home in the beloved 1993 Robin Williams film. It's a private residence, so you can't go inside, but standing at the corner for a photo is a rite of passage for movie fans visiting the city. (A quick etiquette note: real people live here, so keep it to a photo from the sidewalk and keep your voice down.)
The Haas-Lilienthal House
For a look inside a grand San Francisco home, head to the Haas-Lilienthal House (2007 Franklin Street), the only fully intact Victorian house museum in the city, complete with original furniture. Built in 1886, it survived the 1906 earthquake and fire and is now run by SF Heritage. Docent-led tours run on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m .and 2 p.m., and Saturdays at noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for the general public and free for SF Heritage members. Space is limited, so reserve ahead—and note that hours can shift seasonally, so it's worth confirming before you go. It's genuinely one of the only ways to see a Pacific Heights interior up close!
The Spreckels Mansion
Keep walking to 2080 Washington Street for the Spreckels Mansion, a grand Neoclassical estate built for sugar baron Adolph Spreckels and later home to novelist Danielle Steel. You can't tour it, but the hedges alone are worth the detour.
Enjoy Parks and Public Spaces in Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights' elevation is its superpower, and three spots put it to best use.
Alta Plaza Park
Alta Plaza Park (bordered by Clay, Jackson, Scott, and Steiner streets) is the neighborhood's crown jewel: a 12.9-acre park with a grand staircase rising from Clay and Pierce streets that looks straight out to the bay, the Marina, and Alcatraz. Fitness buffs run the stairs at sunrise; everyone else comes for the view (and the dog-friendly lawns).
Lafayette Park
Lafayette Park (bounded by Washington, Sacramento, Gough, and Laguna streets) is the quieter sibling—big open lawns, mature trees, a playground, and a view across the street of the Spreckels Mansion. Bring a blanket and something to eat and settle in.
The Fillmore Street Steps
The Fillmore Street steps, running from Broadway to Green Street, were chiseled into the hillside in 1915 so that visitors to the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition could make it to the fairgrounds (the future Marina neighborhood) without risking a nasty fall. Halfway down the stairs, you'll get a stellar view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Lyon Street Steps
The Lyon Street Steps, running from Broadway down toward the Marina, are 332 steps flanked by some of the city's most spectacular private gardens, with the Palace of Fine Arts and the bay unfolding below. It's a serious workout for locals and an essential photo op for everyone else. Go near sunset if you can!
Shopping and Dining in Pacific Heights
If Pacific Heights has a main street, it's Fillmore Street—particularly the stretch through "Upper Fillmore" between Jackson and Sacramento streets. This is boutique shopping at its most San Francisco: independent labels next to legacy brands, all with a personal touch.
Shopping Highlights
- Browser Books (2195 Fillmore Street): An independent bookstore that's been on this block since 1976, with a small, thoughtfully curated selection.
- Sue Fisher King (1913 Fillmore Street): A home-goods institution for more than 40 years. Go for fine bedding, tabletop pieces, and beautiful Ginori dinnerware.
- Rothy's (2448 Fillmore Street): The San Francisco–founded shoe brand known for machine-washable flats made from recycled plastic bottles.
- Heidi Says (2426 Fillmore Street) and other independent boutiques dot the same blocks, alongside recognizable names. This is where Pacific Heights residents actually shop.
Dining Highlights
- B. Patisserie (2821 California St): French pastries, and a kouign-amann worth rearranging your morning for.
- Jane (2123 Fillmore Street): The neighborhood's unofficial living room, perfect for a quinoa bowl and a laptop.
- Harry's Bar (2020 Fillmore Street): A wood-paneled neighborhood institution open 365 days a year, great for happy hour or brunch.
- Salt & Straw (2201 Fillmore Street) or Smitten (2404 California Street): For a scoop (or two) between shops.
Take your time here. Fillmore Street rewards ambling more than any single stop.
How to Get to Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights sits between the Fillmore and Japantown to the south and the Marina to the north. It's best explored on foot. The streets are steep in places, but that's the price for the views. Muni bus lines serve the neighborhood. Street parking exists but fills up fast, especially on weekends, so budget extra time if you're driving.
However you arrive, come with comfortable shoes, an appetite, and a spending money. Pacific Heights gives you San Francisco at its most classically beautiful, one block at a time.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Here's everything you need to know to plan a visit to San Francisco's Pacific Heights.
Tyler is the Director of Global Content & Communications at San Francisco Travel. He has lived in San Francisco since 2015 and has been part of the San Francisco Travel team for just as long. He enjoys splashy production numbers and outdoor sporting events equally, which means you can usually find him at one of San Francisco’s many great theaters or at Oracle Park, cheering on the Giants.
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