Breaking San Francisco news: Basking in the sun drinking Cutty Bangs at Dolores Park is out. Eating dim sum under overcast skies is in.
When we asked Chronicle readers where in San Francisco they’d most like to live, in a poll embedded in my recent love letter to Mission Bay, we were expecting sunnier neighborhoods to dominate. Places like Noe Valley, Mission District and Potrero Hill, where you might need to carry just one extra layer on an August afternoon.
But the biggest winner by far was the Richmond District, one of the foggiest corners in the city, which its advocates laud for its movie theaters, great parks in every direction, affordable homes (graded on the brutal S.F. curve) and every variety of food one can imagine.
“It is a diverse, bustling city within the city FOR FOODIES!” wrote Laura Elmore from Burlingame. “It’s filled with great restaurants boasting hand-crafted dumplings, noodles, tea leaf salads, duck confit spring rolls, sushi and dim sum galore.”
Nineteen out of 130 respondents chose the Richmond District, with readers making cases for 30 different neighborhoods total. The runners-up included more surprises: low-profile Bernal Heights (13) finished second, followed by North Beach (10), then Glen Park, Sunset and Noe Valley (8) in a three-way tie.
The once-trendy Mission received just five votes, with seven testimonials supporting the now-trendier Dogpatch. Unlike our previous reader-participation story, we allowed people to advocate for their own neighborhoods.
“It’s a small neighborhood on the waterfront. It’s airy and green, full of parks and flowers,” said Barb Fritz from her Dogpatch home. “People are friendly; we smile and say ‘Hi.’ There’s a community spirit we all feel and want to share.”
Here are more comments from readers about where they’d move.
SUNSET
Brandon Kim, 48, and Sovarr Kim, 4, from San Francisco, walk down the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps along the San Francisco Crosstown Trail. (Salgu Wissmath/S.F. Chronicle)
“I believe that it’s probably overall the best area to live in San Francisco in terms of quality of life. … These days it’s completely transformed and sadly somewhat gentrified, but Irving Street is a mecca for great Asian food and you have Golden Gate Park nearby, (plus) the ocean and easy access to the freeways. I left 13 years ago, but whenever I come to the city, I head to that neighborhood.” – James, Campbell
LOWER HAIGHT
“It was the first and last neighborhood I lived in S.F., and I truly did leave my heart there.” – Alex Baker, Alameda
DOGPATCH
People walk and bike through Crane Cove Park in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. (Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle)
“(It’s) always sunny and we’re just steps from the water! In the late 1990s I trekked over from the Mission to the Dogpatch waterfront to bail my car out of the tow yard. Now it’s a sandy beach where I swim and paddleboard with my kid in my own neighborhood.” – Rebecca Groves, Dogpatch
“It’s the fitness epicenter with Bay Padel, Dogpatch Boulders, Third Street Boxing Gym, the YMCA, Dogpatch Paddle and more. Best weather, best food, real community.” – Adam Zolot, Dogpatch
GLEN PARK
A view of Glen Park from the Burnside Mural and Steps. Last year, Time Out named Glen Park among the coolest neighborhoods in the country. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)
“(It’s) in the middle of the city, on a BART line and has good Muni options. It has cute shopping and dining options.” – John, South Lake Tahoe
“It’s less of a hidden gem than it used to be, but Glen Park is still one of the most special neighborhoods in the city. The village is great. A park big enough to hike in the middle of the city is amazing. Freeways are close and the Mission, Valencia and Noe Valley are all close enough to enjoy easily. What’s not to love?” – David Katz, Glen Park
RUSSIAN HILL
A view of Lombard Street in San Francisco,. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle)
“A true, walkable, car-free neighborhood with all services and amenities. Now I live in Manhattan, where I walk to almost everything I need. When I deem the distance is too far, I take the subway. San Franciscans delude themselves if they think S.F. is a walkable city. It is – but only in certain neighborhoods.” – Michael Bernard, New York City
BERNAL HEIGHTS
Olivia Witham, 7, swings on a tree swing at Bernal Heights Park as a rainbow appears above the city. Bernal Heights ranked second among readers who wrote in with the San Francisco neighborhoods they’d most want to move to. (Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle)
“Beautiful, quiet, clean and safe. Walkable and close to all the fun stuff in the Mission and beyond.” – Jake, Mission District
“I lived there in the late 1990s and still sometimes regret moving to Berkeley.” – Elizabeth Bucha, Berkeley
NOE VALLEY
“Because I lived there for 19 years, moved away and always want to come back. But I can’t afford it anymore. It’s always home.” – Daniela, Petaluma
POTRERO HILL
“I like that residents include artists, designers and musicians. I like the proximity to neighboring areas, parks, venues and amenities (especially recent ones along the Eastern Waterfront). And I like the relative ease of getting to … downtown, and on freeways heading north and south.” – Craig Scott, Potrero Hill
WEST PORTAL
“It’s conveniently located, it’s got a cool bookstore and one of my favorite restaurants (Bursa), and a very neighborhood feel.” – Sue, Alameda
COW HOLLOW
“Everything is at your doorstep in this neighborhood. Fort Mason Farmers’ Market, two movie theaters, a great grocery store (Luke’s!), beautiful architecture, gyms, good restaurants, and an easy walk to the Marina Green and Crissy Field to see the most beautiful and iconic Golden Gate Bridge.” – Erin in Cow Hollow
NORTH BEACH
Pink skies during sunset are seen above Columbus Avenue and the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. (Dan Hernandez/S.F. Chronicle)
“Walkable, great weather, public pool, views, bakeries. I’d join the Dolphin Club and have a regular table at Caffe Greco.” – Cynde Wood, Oakland
“It (has) great restaurants that have been thriving for years. The bars are always busy. North Beach Pool, playground and bocce court are a go-to meeting place. Washington Square and Saints Peter and Paul Church are a great resting spot. Right next door, Chinatown is an experience in itself.” – Michael Gemign, Mission District
“For its vibrant restaurants and night life. Who needs parking?” – Jeff Everett, Oakland
RICHMOND
Visitors to the Clement St. Farmer’s Market in the Richmond District stroll along Clement Street in San Francisco. The market, located between 2nd and 4th Avenues, operates year-round on Sundays between 9 a.m and 2 p.m. (Laura Morton/For the S.F. Chronicle)
“Because the homes, commercial nodes and open spaces have more architectural and historic character. The neighborhood is urban but offers pockets of quiet parks with spaces that feel like they are secret with amazing views.” – Wendy, Fillmore District
“Only a short walk away from Golden Gate Park. Great affordable food. Only issue is it’s far away from (Financial District) where I work.” – Matthew, Western Addition
“Inner Richmond hands down. I want to be nestled between the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, and walking distance to Clement Street.” – Samantha, Excelsior
“I love the clean streets, charming neighborhood architecture, access to Golden Gate Park and a friendly vibe when passing people on the streets.” – Laura Elmore, Burlingame
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This article originally published at We asked readers where they’d live in S.F. The top neighborhood was a foggy surprise.