Nob Hill, San Francisco

Nob Hill, San Francisco

The embodiment of "swank" in San Francisco's history, Nob Hill is perched on a hilltop above Union Square and Chinatown. The neighborhood elegantly preserves some of the character brought to it by the early railroad and financial barons who built their mansions here.

One of the prime reasons why Nob Hill attracted (and still does) affluent classes is its centralized location. Over the years, it was once home to some of the most prominent names in America's political and business history, including Leyland Stanford (governor of California and US Senator in the late 1800s), Collins Huntington (19th-century industrialist and railway magnate), as well as Mark Hopkins and Charles Crocker, founders of the Central Pacific Railroad. Strolling the area, you can get a glimpse of their grand mansions poised with majestic galore atop the Hill.

After the 1906 earthquake and ensuing fire, some mansions were revamped into luxury hotels. The most expensive of them, such as Fairmont, Hopkins, Stanford Court, or Huntington, stand literally on the ruins of the 1906 disaster.

Presently, the neighborhood attracts thousands of visitors each year, who either walk all the way up (if fit) or drive or take a cable car to wander around, see the architecture, and, perhaps, stroll occasionally into the Fairmont Hotel lobby for a drink. You can also admire the scenery at the Top of the Mark in the Mark Hopkins Hotel, have lunch or dinner at one of the several local restaurants, or enjoy a peaceful interlude in the beautiful Grace Cathedral. There is also pleasant Huntington Park with the Tortoise Fountain worth checking out, where you can sit, stretch your weary feet and relax.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Francisco. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Nob Hill on Map

Sight Name: Nob Hill
Sight Location: San Francisco, USA (See walking tours in San Francisco)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in San Francisco, California

Create Your Own Walk in San Francisco

Create Your Own Walk in San Francisco

Creating your own self-guided walk in San Francisco is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
San Francisco Introduction Walking Tour

San Francisco Introduction Walking Tour

A commercial and cultural hub of northern California, San Francisco is a popular tourist destination known for its steep rolling hills and eclectic mix of world-famous landmarks. The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the teeth-rattling cable cars carrying riders up and down Nob Hill, Alcatraz Island, and the oldest Chinatown in North America are just some of the city's prominent attractions, each...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.3 Km or 3.3 Miles
Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour

Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour

If it's a hot, sunny day or the one filled with San Francisco's iconic fog, a walk through Fisherman's Wharf can feel quite special all the same. Sure, you'll be surrounded by tourists, but the smells of good food and the sights of a legendary seaport (the one where a few lovingly preserved, historic vessels are still docked and open to visitors) will make you happy.

At the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Castro District Walking Tour

Castro District Walking Tour

It's a well-known fact that San Francisco is the place where the gay and lesbian culture flourished in its modernity in the mid-20th century. The Castro District, where the rainbow flag is flying high, houses several iconic locations that have played pivotal roles in LGBTQ+ history and continue to be celebrated today.

One such is the Castro Theater. This renowned landmark, which has been...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Famous Architecture Walking Tour

Famous Architecture Walking Tour

San Francisco is one of the world's top travel destinations, famous for its spectacular tourist attractions like Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. But besides that, it also boasts a huge variety of world-known architecture fit to delight the eye of any beholder. Let's give ourselves an aesthetic treat, too, and check out some of the city's most...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
North Beach Walking Tour

North Beach Walking Tour

North Beach is one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco, known as San Francisco's Little Italy. Bursting with history, culture, and diverse attractions, this fun area features a great mix of architecture, museums, restaurants, and old shops.

Perhaps the most iconic landmark here is the Transamerica Pyramid, a distinctive skyscraper that has become a symbol of the city's...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Chinatown Walking Tour

Chinatown Walking Tour

The San Francisco Chinatown is home to one of the largest Chinese communities outside Asia. It is also renowned as a major tourist attraction in the city, drawing annually more visitors than the Golden Gate Bridge. Since its establishment, in 1848, this enclave has been instrumental in the preservation of the history, culture, language, religion, and identity of the ethnic Chinese in the United...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles

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