The Nerdy Girl on the Go is ready to start the new year with new adventures. As part of our new initiatives, we welcome our newest writer, Ella. As an East Bay native and local SF resident, she shares her current, favorite neighborhood: NoPa.

Hi, I’m Ella from the city and a contributing writer for Nerdy Girl on the Go. I am a bay area native who was born in Oakland, CA. I now live and work in San Francisco, CA. For a little over a year, I have been living in the North of the Panhandle neighborhood, or as what we locals call, NoPa. I couldn’t be more content with the location as well as the buzzing, lively energy that comes with the neighborhood.

What is NoPa? 

NoPa stands for North of the Panhandle. It is a trendy residential area in central San Francisco full of Victorian houses. It is popular for its hip bars, quality restaurants, and the Bi-Rite grocery store. Alamo Park, situated in front of the Painted Ladies, attracts many tourists and locals since it is in the middle of the city. It is perfect for dog walking, playing tennis, having picnics, and taking outdoor classes. 

NoPa gets its name from the thin strip of parkland that runs from the eastern border. This area of San Francisco spans around a .3 mile radius that housed over 11,000 people in 2019. You can feel the bustling, urban environment around you as people speed by on their bikes. 

With the many parks and surrounding nature, I can easily get around and find pockets of quiet, green spaces. This allows for clarity and calm amidst the city’s bustling sounds.

Types of People You Will Find in the NoPa Neighborhood

NoPa is a popular location for living among all different types of people. If you don’t have a car, due to its prime and versatile location, you can walk, bike or bus anywhere in SF pretty quickly.

You’ll also find many college students here, as the University of San Francisco (UCSF) makes up the neighborhood’s western border. Families abound with NoPa’s safe city feel, traditional homes, plentiful parks, and local schools in the area. 

There’s also a great dog community thanks to the number of park spaces. The small pockets of greenery are easily accessible and are a great place for dogs to roam around and play with other cute pups.

People who enjoy outdoor exercise congregate here, as there is always someone running through the panhandle or around the block, holding yoga classes outdoors, and playing basketball in the park. Living in this area is a sure-fire way to get inspired to move your body and burn a few calories. There is definitely something for everyone!

Typical Activities I Like To Do in NoPa, San Francisco

One thing I particularly enjoy is walking. It’s just nice to know how easy it is to walk from one place to another. By walking down Divisadero Street, you will pass many boutiques and restaurants. You may even grab a coffee at the Mill on your way to Alamo Square for your mid-day tennis session, but before you play, make sure to admire the city views. And if you’re not tired yet, walk to Haight for thrifting, live music, and more! 

The entrance to Golden Gate Park starts where Haight Street ends and meets Stanyan, so if you still have it in you, walk straight into the park to watch the sunset. I hope I painted a good picture for you, but the point is, there’s a lot to do and I’m not even getting into half of it. 

Whether you take my local advice or decide to come up with your own city plan, the options for day or night outings are endless. It’s great to know that you can get around the bay area with no car, and still have an amazing time.