Potrero Hill

Show Map

Close Map

View Larger Map

Now: If a giant cat lived in San Francisco, Potrero Hill is where it would pick as its spot to sleep. It's that coveted high cozy corner, peaceful but not too far from the action. Like Bernal Heights, Potrero is absolutely rich with little surprises that require some dedicated exploration to find - lovingly cultivated mini-gardens and hidden stairways that someone cared enough to build and maintain.

Then: Farming and shipbuilding both figure in Potrero's past - its name refers to pasture, and its streets are named after battleships (which in turn were mostly named after states).

How To Get There: The 22-Fillmore Muni bus line (which travels all the way up and down Fillmore) also somewhat oddly makes its way directly to the heart of Potrero Hill at 18th Street (via 16th Street in the Mission). This bus has very long and slow route, so catching it can be iffy. The 10-line also skirts Potrero Hill at 17th Street, and can be boarded near Montgomery Station, at 2nd Street. Parking is usually available around 18th Street if you're willing to drive up or down a cross street to look for it.


  • Looking north toward downtown, from Potrero Hill

  • Texas Street at 18th Street, looking north toward downtown

  • New Potrero Market, at the corner of 18th and Texas Streets

  • 22-Fillmore bus on 18th Street in Potrero Hill

  • Baked, on 18th Street near Missouri Street

  • Aperto Italian Restaurant, on 18th Street at Missouri Street

  • Chez Maman, on 18th Street near Connecticut Street

  • Blooms Saloon, on 18th Street near Texas Street

  • Collage Gallery on 18th Street

  • Houses in Potrero Hill

  • 22-Fillmore bus on 18th Street at Texas Street in Potrero Hill

  • Farley's Coffee Shop, on 18th Street at Texas Street

  • Chez Papa Bistro, on 18th Street near Missouri Street

  • Goat Hill Pizza, on Connecticut Street at 18th Street

  • The 53 Southern Heights bus at Connecticut Street and 18th Street in Potrero Hill

  • Sunflower Vietnamese Restaurant, on Connecticut Street at 18th Street

  • Connecticut Street near 20th Street

  • Thinker's Cafe, on 20th Street near Connecticut Street

  • Jay's Cafe on 20th Street at Connecticut Street

  • Good Life Grocery, on 20th Street at Connecticut Street

  • The edge of the Potrero Hill Recreation Center, on 22nd Street at Connecticut Street

  • Looking east toward the bay from the Potrero Hill Recreation Center

  • Bench at the Potrero Hill Recreation Center

  • Walking path on the north edge of the Potrero Hill Recreation Center

  • Playground at the Potrero Hill Recreation Center

  • Stairway connecting 22nd Street between Arkansas and Wisconsin Streets

  • Path to Arkansas Street in the Potrero Hill Recreation Center park

  • Arkansas Street at Madera Street, across from the Potrero Hill Recreation Center

  • Wisconsin and 22nd Streets, near the top of the stairway leading up from Arkansas Street

  • Looking west down 22nd Street from Carolina Street

  • Southern Heights Avenue, off Carolina Street near 22nd Street

  • Corner of Starr King elementary school across from Coral Road at Carolina Street

  • Front of Starr King school on Wisconsin Street at Connecticut Street

  • Intersection of Coral Road and Carolina Street at the back of Starr King Elementary School in Potrero Hill

  • Clearing at the edge of Coral Road at Carolina Street in Potrero Hill

  • Northwest view from Coral Road in Potrero Hill

  • South view from Coral Road

  • Southeast view from Coral Road

  • View to the west from Coral Road in Potrero Hill

  • Mini-park bench on Southern Heights Avenue between De Haro Street and Rhode Island Street

  • Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, on De Haro Street at Southern Heights Avenue

  • Intersection of 20th Street and Vermont Street, at the corner of McKinley Square Park

  • Playground in McKinley Square Park

  • West view from McKinley Square Park

  • The crooked section of Vermont Street, between 20th and 22nd Street, adjacent to McKinley Square Park

  • Vermont Street, near the bottom of the crooked section

  • Southwest view from the hillside along Vermont Street

  • West view from the edge of Vermont Street hill

  • Potrero Hill Community Garden Entrance

  • Potrero Hill Community Garden, at 20th Street and San Bruno Avenue, next to McKinley Square Park

  • West view from Potrero Hill Community Garden

  • Potrero Hill Community Garden

  • Path connecting 19th Street between Rhode Island and De Haro Streets

  • 19th Street near Arkansas Street, facing west

  • The corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 19th Street in Potrero Hill

  • At the east end of 19th Street in Potrero Hill, facing the bay

  • Not a Through Street

  • Franklin Square Park, at 17th Street and Bryant Street

  • Potrero Center, on 16th Street across from Franklin Square Park

  • House on Bryant Street near 16th Street

  • Buses at the Muni facility on 17th Street between Bryant and Hampshire Streets

  • Muni facility gate

  • Parkside bar on 17th and Wisonsin, across the street from Jackson Playground

  • Jackson Playground, at 17th and Wisconsin Streets

  • Connecticut Yankee Sports Bar, on 17th Street at Connecticut Street

  • Bottom of the Hill, at 17th Street and Texas Street

  • San Francisco Bay Guardian Building, on Mississippi Street near 17th Street

  • City view from Potrero Hill

  • Looking east toward 3rd Street and the bay, from Pennsylvania Avenue and 20th Street

  • Whole Foods Market, on Rhode Island Street between 17th and Mariposa Streets in Potrero Hill

  • Rainbow Grocery, all-vegetarian co-op market, at Folsom Street and 13th Street

  • Industrial building at 17th Street and Treat Avenue

  • Tiled mural at The Benches park

  • The Benches park at 18th Street and San Bruno Avenue, just west of Vermont Street

  • Walkway bridge over the freeway

  • View over James Lick Freeway (101) from walkway bridge

  • Utah Mini-Park at 18th Street and Utah