South Beach - San Francisco, CA Area Guide

Once a dilapidated waterfront with dingy warehouses, the South Beach neighborhood has undergone a complete transformation. Home to AT&T Park, South Beach also supports many museums, art establishments and entertainment venues.

Head out to Pier 24, which proves to be a hidden gem in San Francisco and serves as a must for any photography buff. You can also find the International Museum of Women, Gap Art Gallery and Ideami Studios providing video and film production for aspiring artists. Additionally, annual races, festivals and concerts occur throughout the year. The locals truly enjoy the festival, A Taste of South Beach and Mission Bay Street Fair.

A variety of restaurants and sandwich shops open their doors to those who inhabit South Beach. If your mouth waters for a tasty sandwich, head out to Roli Roti Gourmet Rotisserie. Try the porchetta sandwich, which consists of juicy meat, crisp arugula and caramelized onions layered on a fresh Acme roll.

Prospect Restaurant serves as another appetizing dining option in South Beach. For a lighter side, try the green goddess salad. Locals love the crispy pig trotters and liberty duck. Save room for dessert because the ice cream sandwiches and blueberry pie satisfy every sweet tooth.

Another tantalizing restaurant in South Beach, called Saison, presents a relaxed atmosphere perfect for a date night. The intimate setting consists of a mere eight tables surrounding a beautiful kitchen and a wood fire.

Nightlife in South Beach has really emerged in recent years. People looking to mingle should head out to Alchemist Bar and Lounge. Although this venue does not serve as a dance club, it offers a great place to catch up friends over a couple of drinks. Those who want to party stop by EPR SF or Monarch. EPR SF features big name performers and a social atmosphere, while Monarch boasts a swanky, vintage cocktail bar on the main floor and a dance club in the basement.

Locals prefer to move about South Beach via public transit. If planning to use public transportation, buses, the infamous cable cars, cabs, trolley rides and even Uber all await its passengers to jump aboard and travel throughout the city. Consider purchasing a Muni Passport, which will grant commuters access to these public transportation services at a discounted price. Passes are available for one, three and seven days. Quite honestly, walking and biking serve as the most efficient ways to really get around and see the city. Although some areas are a bit hilly, the waterfront is perfectly flat. Combine walking with a cable car ride and ditch the car.

Located in the heart of the city, you can access SFO Airport in 30 minutes by cab or 56 minutes by BART. By public transit, commuters can reach Golden Gate Park in 54 minutes, Fisherman's Wharf in 37 minutes and The Ferry Building in 11 minutes. South Beach lies at a mere two miles from downtown San Francisco; the travel time checks in at approximately eight minutes via car and roughly ten minutes via public transportation. Walking also proves to be a great option when traveling to the downtown area from South Beach.

Serene atmospheres and stunning views encompass the various parks located throughout South Beach. Soak in the sun and check out the amazing view of the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island at Pier 14. To avoid the touristy crowd, be sure to visit Pier 14 during the day for some outstanding photo ops. Another favorite spot to view the Bay Bridge and AT&T Park is Rincon Park. This location serves as a wonderful place to have lunch and take the kids. All dog lovers must head to Rincon Hill Dog Park. An area for both large and small dogs with a double gate lie on the premises. This clean park provides poop bags for its furry friends.

As far as annual activities and events in the area, most of the action revolves around the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Situated right outside of the bay, this park offers residents the opportunity to either attend a ballgame within the stadium or rent a boat to wait out a home run ball from one of the Giants sluggers.

The median price for a one-bedroom apartment checks in at $3500 per month. The price of gas ranks at 9 percent higher than the national average, and the price for a beer at a local pub can be as low as $5 and as high as $9. Although above average in price compared to other locations in San Francisco, the amenities of the area make the cost of living worth it.

South Beach offers trendy shops for locals and visitors alike. Many flock to Style Lend, which consists of women's clothing, vintage and consignment, as well as formal wear. Purchase some unique clothing at the fraction of the cost. Anyone looking to buy San Francisco Giants gear must visit Giants Dugout. Many locals rock Giants clothing to support their much-loved team. Check out Bike Hut for bike rentals, bike repair and maintenance, or to buy a bike to pedal around the city.

For your grocery needs, farmer's markets provide great places to stock up on fresh produce grocery items. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, Frog Hollow Farm Market and Cafe and The Embarcadero Waterfront all serve as wonderful options. If you prefer a larger supermarket, head out to Rincon Market. Here shoppers can buy everyday grocery items as well as fresh produce and spirits.