At-a-Glance

Earning its name from the Cyrillic-inscribed gravestones discovered at its peak by California gold rushers (Cyrillic script is a writing system employed across Eastern Europe), Russian Hill has long been prized for its history, elegance, and stunning views.

But when it comes to the style of homes that hug the area’s steep slopes and surround its tiny parks and manicured gardens, you’ll have to look beyond Eastern Europe for influences. Here, cottages and mansions alike take their design from Spanish Colonial, Italianate, Neo-Georgian, Mission Revival and Arts and Craft architectural styles.

It’s been well over a century since the last Russian crew members found their final resting spot on this hill (don’t worry; the cemetery has since been moved), but the name that they inspired remains.

In a Word

Prestigious

Living Here

Russian Hill residents include the well-to-do as well as a young, hip and affluent white-collar crowd. However diverse, all are drawn to the array of fine restaurants and boutiques that line Russian Hill’s main shopping district, Polk Street. Here, your options are many and varied:

• Fine dining is always on the menu at La Folie, Yabbies Coastal Kitchen, Aux Delices, and Antica Trattoria.
• Sip and savor coffee or tea at La Boulange de Polk or Royal Ground.
• And for some of the most unique shopping in the City, don’t miss Flipp, Spring, Limonaia, Cat Seto, or (for the pets in your life), Bow Wow Meow.

Good-to-Know

Armistead Maupin drew his inspiration for his groundbreaking newspaper-serial-made-novel, Tales of the City, from Russian Hill’s winding, wind-swept streets.

Why Russian Hill?

Impressive architecture and a fine style of life. Need we say more?