Inner Sunset, located just south of Golden Gate Park’s museums and gardens, attracts families and UCSF students to its quaint, often fog-shrouded residential blocks. Asian and Mexican restaurants, cozy cafes and dark watering holes cluster near the corner of Irving Street and Ninth Avenue. Urban hikers can climb the colorful 16th Avenue Tiled Steps to see citywide panoramas at hilltop Grand View Park.

Restaurants: Arizmendi Bakery, San Tung, Nopalito, um.ma

Hotels: Ronald Mcdonald House, Arguello Guest House