A truly iconic city, just thinking of San Francisco instantly brings to mind cable cars rolling along steep hills, the tall and proud Painted Ladies, the legendary Fisherman’s Warf, and Alcatraz. There are songs written about the city, movies are filmed here, and there are even commercial jingles associated with it. If you are planning to rent an apartment in San Francisco, you’ll be making your home in one of the world’s most-loved cities.

San Francisco is located in Northern California along the Pacific Ocean. It is famous for its rolling fog and cool summers. It is also famous for having some of the best restaurants in the world, for its Chinatown district, for the famous “Summer of Love” in the 1960s, and of course for its legendary neighborhoods and historic locations. Before searching for San Francisco apartments, find out more about the City by the Bay … and why you’ll leave your heart in San Francisco.

Things to Do in San Francisco:

San Francisco treats? They’re everywhere! San Francisco enjoys high-quality, year-round produce and fresh seafood. Chefs take advantage of this bounty to create some of the most delightful dishes you’ll ever eat. Restaurants, pubs, and cafes are everywhere. Once you are settled into your San Francisco apartment, hop on the trolley to Fisherman’s Wharf to enjoy an amazing (fresh!) Dungeness crab sandwich while watching the sea lions hang out on Pier 39. While you are there, visit the San Francisco Maritime Museum, the Red & White Fleet, the Wax Museum, “Fish Alley,” the USS Pampanito at Pier 45, and the wide variety of unique shops.

Next, walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. This magnificent bridge is considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world, so don’t drive across – take a leisurely stroll and enjoy it! The bridge opened in 1937 after four years of construction that took the lives of 11 workers and was often impeded by high winds, fog, and dangerous tides. The towers are 746 feet tall, and were once taller than any building in the city. Be sure to take advantage of the vista points and the north and south ends of the bridge – the views are amazing!

Craving culture? You’ll find plenty of it in San Francisco! Museums include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, San Francisco Museum at the Mint, and Alcatraz Island. Enjoy musical events and shows at the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, the War Memorial Opera House, Davies Symphony Hall, the Herbst theatre, and the Fillmore.

When you want to head out to the ball game, you can cheer on the 2014 World Series winners, the San Francisco Giants, at AT&T Park. The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers have won five Super Bowl titles – they play at Levi’s Stadium in nearby Santa Clara.

San Francisco is a pedestrian-friendly city filled with shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and entertainment venues. The ideal weather makes this city an outdoor adventurer’s paradise, and residents are often out walking, biking, and enjoying afternoons at local parks. Golden Gate Park offers 1,017 acres – larger than Central Park but similar in shape. This park dates back to the 1860s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a US Historic District. The park contains the Japanese Tea Garden, De Young Museum, the Music Concourse, the California Academy of Sciences, a botanical garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, the Beach Chalet, and the Bison paddock.

San Francisco is bicycle-friendly with a Gold rating from the League of American Bicyclists. The city has over 200 miles of bike paths and bike routes. The San Francisco Bay is popular for boating, sailing, and windsurfing. San Francisco is also home to rowing clubs at the historic Aquatic Park. Other landmark destinations include Ocean Beach, Alamo Square (a park with the best view of the Painted Ladies), and Coit Tower.

What to Consider When Moving to San Francisco:

San Francisco is home to San Francisco State University, the University of California-San Francisco, and it is across the bay from UC-Berkeley. In addition to Alcatraz Island, San Francisco is also home to Angel Island State Park, Treasure Island, and Yerba Buena Island.

While tourism is considered important to the San Francisco economy, this city is a major commercial and technology hub. Biomedical, biotechnology, financial, and high-tech industries all call San Francisco home. Companies headquartered in San Francisco include Yelp, Pinterest, Twitter, Uber, Craigslist, Gap Inc., Pacific Gas and Electric, and Craigslist.

As you start your San Francisco apartment search, be aware that San Francisco has some of the most diverse, most loved, and most famous neighborhoods in the world. People will know you by the neighborhood you choose, so pick the one that fits you best. Haight-Ashbury is hip and funky. You’ll find renegade bookstores, tattoo parlors and piercing salons, and trendy shops. The Mission District is filled with taquerias and Mexican bakeries, brilliant murals, Dolores Park, and the Mission Dolores, the oldest building in the city.

North Beach is often called “Little Italy.” This quirky neighborhood is filled with cafes, bars, strip clubs, bookstores – and Tai Chi in Washington Square. Potrero Hill is a collection of cute lofts and condos, while Presidio is famous for its lush landscape and historic homes. SOMA (South of Market) is offbeat and unique. It contains dance clubs, warehouses, and a collection of funky shops. The Castro District has a large LGBT community as well as the famous Castro theatre, a historic movie palace, boutiques, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants. Nob Hill is fancy, glitzy, has amazing views, and is home to the Grace Cathedral and the Fairmont Hotel.

Why San Francisco Apartments Are Hot:

There’s a reason Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco … high on a hill … where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars. The City by the Bay has claimed many hearts with its dazzling sunshine, stunning architecture, brilliant location, and friendly residents. Filled with natural beauty, fantastic weather, a strong and diverse economy, gorgeous architecture, and an endless supply of things to do, San Francisco is one of America’s favorite cities for good reason. Renting an apartment in San Francisco means you’ll be able to stroll along the rocky shore of the Pacific Ocean, go surfing or sailing, ride a cable car, stroll across a stunning piece of American history (the Golden Gate Bridge), visit one of the nation’s most unique museums (Alcatraz Island), and dine at some of the world’s top restaurants.