Neighborhood Guide: The Marina
Looking much nicer than following the 1989 earthquake that rocked the neighborhood.
Beautiful views, beautiful people.
If Fisherman’s Wharf is for families, its neighbor – the Marina – is for reliving US-style Greek life, but with an upscale twist. The Marina is flat with lovely residential streets, a commercial corridor on Chestnut St (and another on Union St if you want to group neighboring Cow Hollow, as many do) that has a mix of pure Americana in its shopping and restaurant options, and beautiful San Francisco Bay views. It’s buzzy morning, noon, and night for those pre-brunch yoga-goers, midday sports enthusiasts, evening diners, and late-night shots-and-a-beer.
If you’re looking for a sense of familiar, safe, comfortable spaces that won’t rock the boat (see what I did there?), this is a nice place to be. Retail chains are permitted on Chestnut St unlike some other commercial corridors in the city, so you’ll see familiar brands. It’s a nice place to grab a glass of wine or an Anchor Steam, have a multi-course meal that’s delicious and not entirely pretentious, and watch the crowds go by. You’re likely to find people hanging out in coffee shops talking about their startups or beauty tips, so if that’s your jam, you can certainly find someone to bounce ideas off of. The uniform is Lululemon athleisure and baseball caps during the day shifting to cute heels and button-down plaid at night. If you didn’t pack this for your visit, no worries because you can buy it right on Chestnut.
Doing some midday shopping and want to grab a quick lunch? Blue Barn salads and sandwiches are a solid choice. Yep, it’s kale central, but it’s good. Catching a movie at the local-vibe Presidio or Marina Theaters? Grab an A16 pizza or pasta or more casual Delarosa beforehand. There’s an unoriginal Little Original Joe’s (the original OJ’s was actually in the Tenderloin, this is a spin off with a re-imagined menu) that’s a lovely and busy space with great windows.
The most beautiful, flat walking route in the city is in the Marina neighborhood. Fort Mason to Crissy Beach to the Warming Hut to Fort Point along the Bay is a dream. You can stroll with a view for hours.
Locals will tell you that The Marina represents parts of what San Francisco has become and less of the spirit of what made it what it is, but it’s a perfectly pleasant place to be for a bit.