Get to Know: Nob Hill

Photo by Corbin Bell on Unsplash

Nob Hill is one of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods. Perched in the heart of the city, it’s long been home to many of the city’s most famous — and famously wealthy — denizens going back to its foundation. Specific to real estate, SFAR District 8c (Nob Hill) is flanked by California Street to the south, Stockton Street to the east, Broadway to the north, and Van Ness Avenue to the west.

A Brief History

Nob Hill was originally called California Hill, after California Street, which scales its southern flank. It earned its current moniker in the mid-19th century when the Big Four of the Central Pacific Railroad, who were known as "Nobs" in local slang (short for nabobs), built their mansions atop the hill. From California's Gold Rush era through the beginning of the 20th century, Nob Hill was the pinnacle of society.

However, tragedy struck in April 1906 when a devastating earthquake and subsequent fire razed much of the neighborhood to the ground, including all four mansions belonging to the Big Four. The newly constructed Fairmont Hotel, the James Flood Mansion, and Grace Cathedral were all gutted, but due to having concrete foundations were ultimately restored. The Flood Mansion is now the Pacific-Union Club, at the very top of the hill.

Many of the owners of destroyed mansions moved westward to Pacific Heights or Cow Hollow, but Nob Hill remained an affluent district, if a more densely populated one. (It is still sometimes referred to jokingly as “Snob Hill.”) Some of the most famous hotels in the neighborhood — the Mark Hopkins, Huntington, and Stanford Court — stand on the former location of mansions. All are named after members of the Big Four.

Architectural Marvels

Nob Hill boasts a stunning array of architectural styles that reflect its rich history, from Victorian and Edwardian mansions to Beaux-Arts and Art Deco buildings. Grace Cathedral, with its French Gothic-inspired architecture, is a focal point of Nob Hill. Its majestic twin towers and intricate stained glass windows draw visitors from far and wide to marvel at its beauty and serenity. The two labyrinths, one inside and one out, are beautiful places for meditative moments. The Fairmont Hotel, another architectural gem, is the epitome of luxury, with opulent interiors and sweeping views of the city and Bay.

Culture and Lifestyle

Much of Nob Hill is high-density, high- and mid-rises, with a smattering of businesses on the street level. A stretch of California Street in the western end of the neighborhood, as well as along Polk Street, contain the bulk of retail and dining. Still, the area is home to some of the more notable places in the city, including Michelin-starred restaurant Acquerello, the iconic House of Prime Rib, and world-famous Swan Oyster Depot. The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, the famed tiki bar in the Fairmont Hotel, is a fun throwback to midcentury faux-Polynesian camp.

All three of the historic Cable Car lines pass through the neighborhood, running up Powell, Mason, Taylor, and California Streets. The Cable Car Museum is also within the confines of Nob Hill, at the corner of Mason and Washington Streets. (Related reading: 12 Things You Never Knew About San Francisco’s Cable Cars.)

With its central location, Nob Hill offers easy access to other vibrant areas, including Chinatown, North Beach, Russian Hill, Union Square, the Tenderloin, and of course Downtown and the Financial District, making it a great place to live for people who want access to everything.