2 San Francisco Neighborhoods Named Best in America

According to a recent study conducted by Trulia, both Excelsior and Noe Valley were ranked high on the 'live well' index.

Trulia took into account practical items such as health care access and good schools and amenities like access to shopping, restaurants, parks and trails. 

Neighborhoods with the best amenities

Neighborhoods with the best family amenities

Home to many urban professionals, especially young families, Noe Valley is known for its classic Edwardian and Victorian architecture. Often referred to as 'stroller town', it's proximity to Twin Peaks partially blocks the coastal fog and wind, making it sunnier and warmer than surrounding boroughs.

The Excelsior district is located along Mission Street and is comprised of many sub-boroughs including Mission Terrace, the Outer Mission neighborhood, Portola, and Crocker Amazon. It is one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco and is known for being the home of Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead.

If you are thinking of making a move to San Francisco or anywhere else within California or the United States, The Costa Group can help. With business partners around the country, we are a one stop shop and can help with all things real estate, no matter your final destination!

The History Behind the Names of San Francisco's Neighorhoods

San Francisco is a mere 49 square miles but is bursting with culture and diversity. The city's numerous neighborhoods each have their own distinctiveness, and for many, that also includes the uniqueness of their names. SFGate recently offered a glimpse into the history behind some of the neighborhood monikers that we found very enlightening. Below are a few of our favorites.

Noe Valley

Victorian homes in Noe Valley. Image courtesy of Creative Commons, author Allan Ferguson

This sunny enclave on the city's south side is named after Jose de Jesus Noe, who was given a large stretch of land by the Mexican governor of California in 1846. Noe started selling parcels in 1851. His rancho included what's now today Noe Valley, the Castro and Glen Park.

Tenderloin

There are multiple urban legends explaining the name behind this downtown area. One such story is that police officers assigned to this area in the 1930s received more pay and they named the neighborhood after the finer cuts of meat they could afford. Another explanation is that it's the "soft underbelly" (like the cut of meat) of the city. And many sources indicate the name was taken from a former red-light district in New York. 

Potrero Hill

This sunny residential neighborhood known for its skyline views used to be an open hill of shrub and grass. In the late 1700s, Spanish missionaries named the area ‘Potrero Nuevo’ (which translates to 'new pasture') after the land on which they would let their cattle graze. 

Cow Hollow

Cows actually did roam in what is now the boutique-lined Union Street. This ritzy neighborhood tucked between Russian Hill and the Marina District gets its name from the dairy farms located in the neighborhood. The industry peaked in 1880 when 38 farms were helping feed the growing city. 

Russian Hill

Throughout the 19th century, Russian merchant and military ships made stops in San Francisco. There are references in old newspaper articles about crew members being buried in a cemetery at the top of what's now known as Russian Hill. In the Gold Rush era, settlers discovered the cemetery gravestones inscribed in Cyrillic. The graves were eventually removed but the name stuck.

The Embarcadero

Embarcadero is derived from the Spanish verb embarcar, which means 'to embark,' and embarcadero means 'the place to embark.' This reference is fitting because, before the construction of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges in the 1930s, the waterfront along San Francisco Bay was a bustling port with boats ferrying 50,000 people to town on a daily basis.  

Looking to buy but are wondering which San Francisco neighborhood best fits your lifestyle? The Costa Group can help you find the perfect contemporary condominium in SOMA or a classic Victorian in Noe Valley.

New Seasons Market Coming to 555 Fulton?

Portland-based New Seasons Market is considering the large retail space on the ground floor of 555 Fulton. 

Though this is still speculation as it hasn't been officially confirmed, it seems that the rapidly expanding grocer is indeed being considered as a tenant. Rumors about a market taking over the long-vacant space has been swirling around since late 2013 and early 2014 with no news until now.

                                          555 Fulton, located between Laguna and Octavia.

Launched in 1999, New Seasons Market has a neighborhood vibe and offers a variety of products including organic, gluten-free and other 'health food' items as well as conventional food items, allowing them to be the grocer for all.

In addition to restaurants, nightlife and shopping, 555 Fulton includes 139 modern residences, all set in the sought-after Hayes Valley borough of San Francisco.

Click to read the entire article.

Will Trumark Urban’s The Pacific Live Up To The Hype?

In 2016, Trumark Urban’s The Pacific, one of San Francisco’s most-anticipated luxury condominium projects will give residents (likely some top tech-company executives) stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

It is being constructed in Pacific Heights, one of the city’s most luxurious neighborhoods, where new projects are a rarity.

                                      Click image to view more renderings of The Pacific.

The building Realtors are already speculating that the best units could go for $3,000 a square foot, right up there with top Manhattan properties.

Click here to read the entire article.

Arterra Condos of San Francisco, CA

As proud Realtors at Arterra, we love to see what people are up to around our vibrant neighborhood. 

More About Arterra

Live in modern luxury while reducing your carbon footprint at Arterra, a LEED-Certified modern high rise complex, built with renewable resourced, sustainable building materials and Kwan Henmi interior design finishes. Located at 300 Berry and 5th Street in the Mission Bay/South Beach neighborhood; offering the ultimate urban lifestyle with a myriad of cultural activities, services, restaurants, parks and an exciting night life at your fingertips. 

The amenities in this gorgeous building are bountiful, while the HOA fees are beyond reasonable.  At Arterra, it's easy being GREEN by simply living here!

With so much going on around Arterra, there is never a dull moment. 

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The Ferry Building Marketplace on the Embarcadero

 5 Best Foodie Spots Here!

Ferry Building Marketplace on the Embarcadero

1.      Slanted Door 

Vietnamese restaurant that anchors the north-east corner of the Marketplace. serves lunch and dinner seven days a week, has a full bar with signature cocktails, and offers outdoor seating. The menu ranges from Vietnamese street food to complex meat and seafood entrees.

HOURS

Lunch: Daily 11am-2:30pm
Dinner:
Sunday-Thursday: 5:30pm-10pm
Friday-Saturday: 5:30pm-10:30pm

2.      Gott’s Roadside  

A different kind of burger joint, serving juicy cheeseburgers with thick chocolate shakes, but their versions of these American classics are made-to-order from top-notch, locally sourced ingredients.

HOURS

Daily: 8am-10pm
Soft Serve from Frozen Yogurt: 11am-7pm

3.      Marketbar

Mediterranean menu mostly sourced from fresh ingredients sold at the Marketplace and the weekly Farmer's Market.

HOURS

Monday-Friday: 
Lunch & dinner from 11:30am

Saturday & Sunday:
Starting with brunch from 9am

4.      Hog Island Oyster Company

San Francisco oyster bar and retail outlet for the Tomales Bay oyster farm of the same name.

HOURS

Open Mon-Thu, 11:30am - 9:00pm.

Fri, 11:30am - 10:00pm.

Sat, 11:00am - 10:00pm.

Sunday, 11:00am - 9:00pm.

5.      Bouli Bar

Bouli Bar is chef owned and operated using the finest fresh Northern California farm fresh ingredients and fisheries. Check out Boulette's Larder, their sister restaurant.

HOURS

Mon, Closed
Tue, 11am – 3pm, 8am – 10:30am
Wed-Fri, 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 9:30pm, 8am – 10:30am
Sat, 11am – 3pm, 8am – 10:30am
Sun, 10am – 2:30pm

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AT&T – Home of our SF Giants!

AT&T IS a big part of our SF community, enjoy the many sporting events on nights during the week. 

AT&T Park, located at 24 Willie Mays Plazz and 3rd/King Street, is the home of our San Francisco Giants.

For the third time in five years, the Giants have earned their title as World Series champions. Aside from their hard work, a big reason for their success is due to their loyal fans.

At the stadium, there is a Costa Group favorite spot, Public House, where you can grab a delicious beer, fabulous eats, and catch the game on the TV or go into the stadium with the purchase of a ticket. You can purchase tickets at sfgiants.mlb.com/Tickets.

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Stay fit with the Costa real estate Group

Here are a few of our favorite fitness spots in the city!

Barry’s Bootcamp

236 King Street
San Francisco, CA 94107

• The Best Workout in the World®
• Hour-long workout includes 25-30 minutes of interval cardiovascular treadmill routines
• Hour-long workout also includes 25-30 minutes of strength training utilizing free weights, resistance bands, medicine balls and other equipment.
• Trainers, muscle groups and even workout segments vary throughout the week so that no one class is ever the same.
• Motivational intense music played during hour-long session.
• Smoothie bar for an after-work out nutritional boost.

 

Bay Tenis Club

645 5th Street 
San Francisco, CA 94107

• 12 indoor climate-controlled courts
• 12 rooftop outdoor courts
• Tennis programs for all ages and abilities
• State-of-the-art fitness space.
• Train with first-class pros and enjoy our quality fitness equipment and group exercise classes.
• Wind down after your workout at Match Point Café with a fresh, healthy snack or cocktail. Whatever you need to live life to the happiest, it's all at the Bay Club.

 

 

Pure Barre

3727 Buchanan St
San Francisco, CA 94123

•  Your teacher will set up the exercises and then circulate the room, correcting form to help you get the most out of your time with motivating music.
• High energy warm-up leading to sculpting and strengthen your arms with light weights and conditioning. Then, step up to the ballet barre to tone your thighs. lift and shape your seat with small and precise movements. Define and strengthen your abs with targeted exercises.wind down by stretching and elongating your muscle.
• The positions and movements are basic - it's how deep you work in them that makes the difference. 

 

COREPOWER YOGA

215 Fremont Street 

San Francisco, California 94105

• CorePower Yoga strengthens, balances, detoxifies and exhilarates the body and mind.
• Set to energizing music
• CorePower Yoga classes will have you moving, breathing and sweating.
• No matter your age, strength or flexibility level, CorePower Yoga has a yoga class to meet you where you are.
• Classes: Beginning Corepower yoga, CorePower Yoga Heated Yoga class, Hot Power Fusion class or Yoga Sculpt class [with weights].

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Golden State Warriors BIG win leads to BIG moves

“Warriors’ future Mission Bay arena a slam dunk for everyone.
”

— C.W. Nevius, SF Chronicle

The current Warriors Arena proposal for the development in San Francisco's Mission Bay neighborhood includes a 12-acre site with one million square feet of "Commercial/Industrial" entitlement. If approved, the arena will contain 18,000 seats, 580,000 sq ft of office space, 100,000 sq ft of retail space, 35,000 sq ft for the public plaza, 3.2 acres for plazas, landscaping, and other public space (over 30% of the site), including 950 parking spots for office users and site visitors. 

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