8 Best College Neighborhoods in San Francisco, CA

Sunny, mostly foggy, San Francisco is home to many college students. Are you going to be one of them?

If you plan on studying in San Francisco, it’s important to find a neighborhood that best suits you and your needs.

We can help.

We've put this guide together to help students find great apartments in San Francisco neighborhoods.

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about choosing a good college neighborhood in San Francisco.

Let’s dive in.

What Makes a Good College Neighborhood?

A good college neighborhood is one that you feel comfortable and happy in for the duration of your college career.

That said, every neighborhood is unique.

When looking for a neighborhood that meets your needs and suits your lifestyle, the sheer volume of options can feel overwhelming.

Fortunately, there are a few essential factors to consider when choosing a college neighborhood. Once you have a grasp on these features and your preferences, you can narrow down your options.

Here’s a look at the top features you should consider when choosing a college neighborhood.

Discounts for Students

Student discounts may be a little hard to find, but the reward is definitely worth the effort.

Like move-in specials, student discounts often come in the form of reduced or waived fees or rent. In addition, if you’re lucky, you may gain access to additional apartment amenities.

Finding student discounts is all about using the right search tool. When navigating through an apartment listing site, check filters for discount categories. (Hint: Apartment List makes this easy.)

If you can’t find specific student discounts, increase your search parameters to include apartments offering move-in specials.

Walkability of the Neighborhood

Fortunately, San Francisco is one of the nation’s most walkable cities. Pair that with an extensive public transit system, and it’s easy to see why many residents go without cars in the city.

If you plan on owning a car during your time in San Francisco, you should pay very close attention to parking options offered by your university and your apartment.

Otherwise, you’ll find it very challenging to navigate the city’s parking rules and may have to pay large sums for private parking. In short, finding an apartment with a garage or off-street parking options will be key.

You may also consider looking into cheaper modes of transportation like cycling. You’ll find that cycling is prevalent in San Francisco. Dedicated bike lanes throughout the make cycling a notably safe transportation option.

Just be sure to invest in a solid bike lock!

Entertainment Options

Not all neighborhoods are created equal when it comes to catering to entertainment options.

While many students searching for housing options focus on the amenities within their apartments, it’s important to consider the amenities in the neighborhood as a whole.

Of course, everyone is different. Your favorite entertainment options include walks in the park or bar hopping (or both). Or you may prefer bingo nights and karaoke.

Regardless, knowing whether it will be easy to practice your hobbies in your chosen neighborhood is the key to finding a great neighborhood match.

8 Best College Neighborhoods in San Francisco

As a college student, moving to San Francisco can seem like a herculean task if you don’t know where to start. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a look at the eight best college neighborhoods in San Francisco to help you get your search started.

1. Mission Bay

There’s a lot to say about Mission Bay and everything the neighborhood can offer to college renters.

First and foremost, you couldn’t wish for a better location than Mission Bay. The neighborhood is within walking distance of many of San Francisco’s best neighborhoods.

Public transit options serve Mission Bay very well, so getting around without a care is a breeze.

You’ll find many newer buildings, both residential and commercial, popping up in Mission Bay. Hailed as one of San Francisco’s newest neighborhoods, the area is rife with new development.

As a student, you’ll enjoy Mission Bay’s public library. The sprawling, bright building features modern architecture and plenty of space to spread out while studying.

During your downtime, you can head down to one of the many parks and green spaces in the Mission Bay Park System. You’ll find dog parks, open fields, sports courts, and, of course, a glittering waterfront.

Or you can head to the neighborhood farmer’s market, which offers fresh produce, artisanal wares, and plenty of fun.

2. Mission District

Mission District is the site of one of San Francisco’s oldest buildings: San Francisco de Asis church. However, the neighborhood’s most famous feature is Dolores Park.

Residents flock to this large green space to picnic, play with their dogs, or simply enjoy the city’s skyline, which the park overlooks.

Whether you’re trying to stay in shape by partaking in some outdoor fitness or you want a designated outdoor study spot, the Mission District’s premier park will deliver.

Beyond Dolores Park, the Mission District neighborhood is a great match for college students that plan on staying long-term to break into the tech industry.

The neighborhood is full of young professionals who have landed jobs in the tech sphere, so you’ll fit right in.

Mission District tends to feel like a respite from the city because the neighborhood lacks tall structures due to zoning laws.

So, if you’re renting in Mission District, you won’t find high-rise apartments.

However, you will find tons of restaurants selling some of the best Latin food in the city, bustling bars, and even mini-golf.

Mission District is a solid option for students looking to put down roots that will endure well into their post-college careers.

3. Noe Valley

Noe Valley is an interesting neighborhood with streets that look as if they’ve come out of a magazine. The neighborhood is densely packed, hilly, and lacking high-rise buildings.

Small shops and boutiques with private apartments on upper floors line Noe Valley’s streets. However, there are plenty of other rental options available in the neighborhood if you are looking for a more traditional apartment.

Noe Valley features an actual town square, contributing to the “small town in a big city” vibe that the neighborhood has got going for it.

For students, Noe Valley offers affordable rentals, a strong, close-knit community feel, and easy access to public transit.

That said, the neighborhood is surprisingly lacking in grocery options, meaning you may need to travel outside of the neighborhood for your necessities.

Fortunately, Noe Valley is located in the central part of San Francisco, so getting around is relatively easy.

4. Potrero Hill

Potrero Hill boasts gorgeous views of the San Francisco skyline if you’re living in the neighborhood’s highly-coveted North Slope area.

Potrero Hill is another of San Francisco’s wealthier neighborhoods, but it’s still possible to find an apartment on the lower end of the cost spectrum if you start your search at the right time and have a bit of patience.

Students will enjoy the neighborhood’s quietness and wealth of recreation options.

When you’re not studying or working, you can visit Jackson playground or the Potrero Hill Recreation Center. Play a pickup game at the park or get a workout in at the rec center.

When you do have to study, the neighborhood has an awesome public library that offers academic resources at a preferred price for college students — free.

You’ll likely need or prefer a car in Potrero Hill. The neighborhood lives up to its name with plenty of hills and elevation that could make riding a bike or walking more of a workout than a convenience.

If you own a car, you’ll find the neighborhood's access to the 101 and 280 Interstate freeways pretty convenient as a commuter.

5. Presidio Heights

Students often have a hard time renting in Presidio Heights.

For one, the cost of rent is exceptionally high. Additionally, there are very few apartments available within the neighborhood.

That said, finding an affordable apartment in Presidio Heights is possible if you have a larger rent budget.

Despite Presidio Heights’ high-cost barrier to entry, the neighborhood ranks on this list because it’s one of San Francisco’s most beautiful and upscale neighborhoods.

The streets are tree-lined and well-maintained, and the neighborhood is quiet, aside from the sounds of children playing outdoors.

If you land within this neighborhood’s borders, you’ll have easy access to the impressive Julius Kahn Playground, which includes a basketball court and plenty of sports fields.

It’s a great place to spend time outside enjoying the sun or unwinding after Finals Week.

In short, while there are few very expensive apartments available in Presidio Heights, it’s a wonderful place to spend your college years.

6. Showplace Square

Showplace Square is an odd mix of a family-friendly community and a thriving nightlife scene. So, it’s relatively quiet during the day and pretty busy at night.

For college students looking for a comfortable and quiet place to study, renting a Showplace Square apartment could be a great fit.

Moreover, Showplace Square is a relatively affordable place to rent. If you’re on the hunt for a decent apartment that won’t break the bank, this neighborhood is a great place to start.

However, be mindful of your apartment’s proximity to the neighborhood’s busiest bars and restaurants when searching. The noise and nuisance may not be welcome if you plan on studying in the evening hours.

If you prefer to go out in the evening hours, you’ll likely fit in well with the crowd of young professionals that reside in Showplace Square.

Finally, if you’re looking to avoid the dreaded “freshman 15,” Showplace Square is home to many fitness centers and gyms.

Although fitness club memberships in San Francisco are on the high end of the cost spectrum, many clubs offer student discounts.

7. South Beach

San Francisco’s South Beach neighborhood is home to many students attending the Academy of Art University. So, it’s no surprise that the neighborhood boasts a trendy, hip vibe.

Beyond students, the demographic breakdown of this neighborhood includes a large number of high-earning tech professionals and their families. Still, the area is pretty young.

You’ll find crowds frequenting the many South Beach bars and restaurants. The neighborhood has some seriously good eats if you know where to look.

However, it’s best to explore on your own two feet or cycle, as parking can be a huge hassle. The trouble gets even worse on game days when fans flock to Giants’ home games.

On the upside, the neighborhood is very well-served by MUNI. Students can easily forego car ownership in the neighborhood.

If you plan on going carless during your San Francisco college career, you’ll fit right in with South Beach’s many runners, cyclists, and skateboarders.

If you’re looking to rent in the neighborhood, expect your search to take some time. Many students are priced out of the neighborhood’s high-rises and condo options, so finding an affordable apartment will take some time and effort.

8. South of Market (SoMa)

South of Market or SoMa for the San Francisco initiated is one of the city’s premier neighborhoods.

Students living in SoMa will enjoy the neighborhood’s bustle and the many recreation options to choose from. SoMa boasts an urban vibe with lots of foot traffic within the neighborhood.

On game days, you’ll find masses of Giants fans milling about, and bars will be crammed full with patrons looking to support the home team.

There are a few breweries in the neighborhood, as well. So upperclassmen can grab a bite to eat and a solid IPA on their off days.

Additionally, the neighborhood’s many museums, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Cartoon Art Museum, attract tourists and locals who are looking for a bit of cultured entertainment.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast or simply want to enjoy San Francisco’s warm weather, head to Yerba Buena Gardens sometime. The greenery and gorgeous views are well worth the trip.

Otherwise, you’ll likely spend a lot of time frequenting the neighborhood’s many cafes and coffee shops, working with friends, or cramming for a test.

Apartments in the area are San Francisco affordable, so they’ll test the limits of your bank account. However, you could do a lot worse in terms of affordability.

Final Thoughts

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