The Baby Boom in Mission Bay

Mission Bay is one of the few start-from-scratch neighborhoods in San Francisco. Before AT&T Park was built in 2000, it was empty land and abandoned warehouses. When the Mission Bay neighborhood was just starting to fill in the vacant lots near the ballpark with housing, the San Francisco Unified School District asked an analyst to project how many children would live in the emerging development. The answer at the time was: not many.

With most of the housing in Mission Bay being high price-point one- and two-bedroom apartments and condominiums, the thinking was couples would move in, have one child and then go elsewhere to grow their families.

Mission Bay continues to attract young, upscale couples who want to grow their families.

But over the past 10 to 12 years, housing in this borough has filled in the open area between AT&T Park and the UCSF campus. 

And, when the Mission Bay Public Library branch opened in 2007, offering Story Time for toddlers, the library staff were amazed at the response. With only 55 spots for each of the two daily sessions, all are filled in under ten minutes 6 days in advance. Strollers line the entry and hallways of the library well before the event begins.

Obviously, Mission Bay IS a place for children. There is an amazing Children's Park and talks are underway for Mission Bay to have its own Elementary School so children don't have to attend schools 30 minutes away.

The neighborhood itself is still growing, with the opening of the 267-unit Arden condominium complex and its neighbor, the Azure apartment complex with 273 units. Realtors often refer to Mission bay as 'the suburbs of San Francisco', attracting upscale, engaged families who want amenities in their homes as well as community amenities for their children.

Mission Bay's waterfront is the ideal location to call home with absolutely everything walkable needed for city living. An eclectic variety of cafes, shops and restaurants as well as Whole Foods and Safeway are all within just blocks. Nearby outdoor activities include waterfront trails, kayak and paddle board rentals, basketball courts and a children's park.  To commute out of the city, there is no better location with close access to BART, MUNI, Caltrain and the freeway.

Franck and Sara Costa of The Costa Group were among the first to own property in Mission Bay, and like many other young couples, started a family while living there. The Costa Group has many clients who've chosen to reside in Mission Bay. In fact, they have a 2 bed, 2 bath Arden condominium available now. If you might be interested in living in 'the suburbs of San Francisco', contact us to schedule a showing of this stunning property.