January 2001 Two Views to a Hill Touring Potrero Hill, San Francisco's Secret Neighborhood by Tamar Love Depending on your perspective, Potrero Hill can seem like a sunny oasis amidst the homelessness, dirt and urban sprawl of the neighboring Mission and SoMa districts-or a haven for dot-commers, digerati and Internet yuppies. However, echoing the melting-pot tradition of change, acceptance and versatility upon which San Francisco was built, Potrero Hill is both-and more. Traditionally defined as the area south of 16th Street between Potrero, Army/Cesar Chavez and Highway 280, Potrero Hill is rapidly becoming more than the eclectic and affordable housing district it once was. The Internet boom has brought new business to the neighborhood, expanding its parameters both economically and physically. Live/work spaces abound throughout the neighborhood, providing high-paying jobs not only for neighborhood residents, but also for commuters, whose cars have brought an end to the district's once-abundant parking situation. The boundaries of the neighborhood have expanded to include the once-industrial area abutting SoMa's design quadrant, north of 16th Street, east of Potrero and south of Division, where design firms, dot-coms, posh shops and fancy little eateries have nudged out the industrial, glassmaking, printing and lithographic businesses that once filled the neighborhood. But dot-com fallout notwithstanding, Potrero Hill is still one of San Francisco's best-kept residential secrets. Those lucky (or smart) enough to have nabbed a spot in Potrero Hill when it was still affordable enjoy spectacular views and relative peace and quiet among the neighborhood's startlingly steep hills, tucked-away corners and eclectic architecture. Despite the area's economic and population increase, Potrero Hill remains a very residential neighborhood, filled with parks, playgrounds, schools and community services such as the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, which houses a community meeting space and a multi-ethnic theater. From the sprawling San Francisco General Hospital complex at Potrero and 23rd, to the homeless shelters on 16th Street, to the community gardens on Vermont, to the low-income housing projects on the Army/Cesar Chavez side, to the public library on 20th Street, Potrero Hill is a self-contained urban suburb. The main strip on 18th Street between Texas and Connecticut features wonderful restaurants and neighborhood services. Favorite eateries include North Star Restaurant, Eliza's, Goat Hill Pizza and Thai Thanya and Salee Restaurant. Don't miss the brunch at Just For You, and try to stop in for a cup of joe at Farley's coffee shop. Christopher's Books is a wonderful independent bookstore where buyers add a picture of their pet to the store's wall of fame. Other services include an ice cream parlor, video rentals, an amazing appliance repair store and several other interesting little shops. Shopping in Potrero Hill reflects the eclectic quality of the neighborhood. Antique shops are abundant throughout the lower areas of Potrero Hill, as are design studios, fabric stores and housewares stores. Dandelion stocks the widest and most unique selection of gifts in San Francisco at affordable prices. Take the kids to Basic Brown Bears, where they can tour the teddy bear factory, then make their own bear. Or spend an hour browsing through the rare plants at Potrero Gardens. Like the rest of San Francisco, Potrero Hill offers an abundance of watering holes, including the Lilo Lounge, a Polynesian paradise, and Connecticut Yankee, one of the best sports bars in the city. For booze and music, check out the Bottom of the Hill, where knowledgeable music fans from around the Bay come to see new artists and eat free Sunday barbecue. Or skip the middleman and head directly for the Anchor Steam Brewery, where guests can tour by reservation or buy large quantities of San Francisco's favorite brew. locations... Potrero Hill Neighborhood House 953 De Haro Street @ 22nd 415.826.8080 Designed by architect Julia Morgan, this San Francisco landmark venue is both a community meeting place and a home to the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House Multi-Ethnic Theatre, which presents three plays a year. North Star Restaurant 288 Connecticut Street @ 18th 415.551.9840 Eliza's 1457 18th Street 415.648.9999 Excellent Chinese cuisine offered in a beautiful setting. Goat Hill Pizza 300 Connecticut Street @ 18th 415.641.1440 Traditional pizza parlor/sports bar combo offering delicious thin-crust sourdough pies and live jazz or piano Thursday through Saturday. Thanya and Salee 1469 18th Street 415.647.6469 Yummy Thai restaurant adjunct to the Lilo Lounge. Just For You Bakery and Cafe 1453 18th Street 415.647.3033 Tiny cafe serving hearty, Midwest-style breakfasts. Farley's Coffeehouse 1315 18th Street 415.648.1545 Coffehouse with outdoor seating, stunning views and Internet access. Christopher's Books 1400 18th Street 415.255.8802 Famous for its pet wall of fame, this tiny independent, named for the owner's dog, sells new books only. Good selection of art books and books by local authors. Dandelion 55 Potrero Avenue 415.436.9500 A well-stocked gift store featuring exquisite Japanese and themed gifts. Basic Brown Bear Factory 444 De Haro Street 415.626.0781 A 45-minute tour of this factory is held daily at 1 o'clock. Reservations are necessary for groups larger than eight and the cost is $9 per person, which includes a bear kids can make themselves. Potrero Gardens 1201 17th Street @ Texas 415.861.8220 An eclectic nursery selling houseplants, flowers, shrubs and trees. The emphasis is on the unusual, including rare species of trees, herbs and bulbs. Connecticut Yankee 100 Connecticut Street 415.552.4440 Great spot for beer, sports and drunken conversation. One of the Bay's best bars, the Yankee serves up hearty carnivore fare and a surprisingly delicious Caesar salad. Enjoy Sunday brunch on the patio. Lilo Lounge 1469 18th Street 415.643.LOST Retro-hip Polynesian bar attached to Thanya and Salee. Fabulous girl drinks and stiff martinis. Bottom of the Hill 1233 17th Street 415.621.4455 The Bottom of the Hill is a popular, safe and loud place to see live shows ranging from major-label acts to local new artistes. Cake, Pavement, Sleater-Kinney and the Beastie Boys have all played here in recent years. Anchor Brewing Co. 1705 Mariposa 415.863.8350 Take a tour of San Francisco's oldest brewery, which has been producing its signature ale for over 100 years. <<< Back to Districts

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