Navigating San Francisco postal zones can feel tricky because multiple overlapping districts, steep hills, and dense neighborhoods share tight geographic footprints. San Francisco spans over fifty postal codes, but roughly thirty primary residential and commercial zones handle the vast majority of daily mail, deliveries, and local geographic boundaries.
Whether you're relocating to the Bay Area, verifying shipping addresses, or researching real estate markets, understanding how these zones map to actual neighborhoods matters. Postal districts range from the waterfront financial hub down to the southern residential stretches near Daly City, each carrying a distinct microclimate and community identity.
Downtown, Financial District, and Eastern Waterfront
The eastern edge of the city acts as the economic engine, packed with high-rises, historic maritime districts, and rapidly developing tech corridors.
- 94102: Covers the Tenderloin, Hayes Valley, and Civic Center. This bustling central area features dense urban housing, city government offices, and vibrant arts venues.
- 94103: Encompasses South of Market (SoMA) and parts of Yerba Buena. Known for tech headquarters, museums, loft conversions, and major transit hubs like the Transbay Terminal.
- 94104: A compact, high-density financial core often called the Wall Street of the West, centered around Montgomery Street.
- 94105: Spans the southern portion of the Financial District down toward the Embarcadero and Rincon Hill, featuring modern glass skyscrapers and waterfront apartments.
- 94107: Covers Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, and parts of SoMA. This zone has transitioned from industrial roots into trendy residential blocks, craft breweries, and biotech campuses.
- 94108: Primarily houses Chinatown, one of the oldest and most vibrant ethnic enclaves in North America, packed with historic markets and dense tenement housing.
- 94111: Includes the Financial District north and Embarcadero waterfront, connecting corporate offices to cruise terminals and historic piers.
Northern Waterfront, Marina, and Historic Hills
Moving north and west from the financial core brings you to hilly residential neighborhoods, tourist landmarks, and sweeping bay views.
- 94109: Covers Nob Hill, Russian Hill, and parts of Polk Gulch. Characterized by classic cable car lines, steep inclines, and grand apartment buildings.
- 94123: Encompasses the Marina District and Cow Hollow. Known for flat terrain, Mediterranean-style architecture, bustling commercial strips on Chestnut Street, and proximity to Crissy Field.
- 94133: Spans North Beach and Telegraph Hill. This zone blends Italian heritage bakeries, historic coffee shops, and views from Coit Tower.
- 94115: Covers Pacific Heights, Western Addition, and Japantown. Features grand historic mansions alongside cultural hubs and modern multi-family housing.
Central, Mission, and Cultural Corridors
The central bowl of the city holds some of its most famous residential communities, cultural landmarks, and historic counterculture roots.
- 94110: Encompasses the Mission District, Bernal Heights (north), and St. Mary's Park. Known for mural-lined alleys, sunny weather, diverse culinary spots, and a lively arts scene.
- 94114: Covers the Castro and Noe Valley. This area pairs historic LGBTQ+ civil rights landmarks with family-friendly neighborhood shopping strips.
- 94117: Spans Haight-Ashbury and parts of Inner Sunset near Golden Gate Park. Famous for 1960s counterculture history, painted Victorian homes, and dense student populations.
Western Neighborhoods and Coastal Living
Stretching out toward the Pacific Ocean, the western half of San Francisco offers a quieter, neighborhood-centric pace dominated by fog and ocean breezes.
- 94118: Covers Inner Richmond and Presidio Heights. Known for incredible international dining, particularly along Clement Street, and quiet residential tree-lined streets.
- 94121: Encompasses Outer Richmond and Sea Cliff, stretching out to Ocean Beach and Lands End with dramatic coastal cliffs.
- 94116: Spans Parkside and parts of Forest Hill, featuring classic mid-century row houses and quiet residential grids.
- 94122: Covers the Inner Sunset and Outer Sunset. Located directly south of Golden Gate Park, this zone offers dense rows of Edwardian homes and a growing surf culture.
Southern and Southwestern Districts
The southern boundary transitions into hillier terrain, expansive parks, and major academic and medical institutions.
- 94112: Encompasses Excelsior, Crocker-Amazon, Ingelside, and Oceanview. A diverse, largely residential area with strong community roots.
- 94124: Covers Bayview and Hunters Point. A historic industrial waterfront district experiencing substantial revitalization and community-led development.
- 94127: Spans St. Francis Wood, Miraloma Park, and West Portal. Characterized by winding hillside streets, detached single-family homes, and charming commercial villages.
- 94131: Covers Twin Peaks, Diamond Heights, and Glen Park. Offers dramatic elevation changes, hidden canyon paths, and a village feel in Glen Park.
- 94132: Encompasses Lake Merced, State University area, and Stonestown, dominated by academic campuses, golf courses, and parklands.
- 94134: Covers Visitacion Valley and Sunnydale, sitting in the southeastern corner near McLaren Park.
Specialized and Institutional Zones
Certain postal codes don't map to standard residential neighborhoods, serving instead specific large facilities or institutions.
- 94129: Assigned specifically to the Presidio, a former military base turned national park site featuring restored historic buildings and wooded trails.
- 94130: Covers Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island, situated in the middle of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
- 94158: Encompasses the Mission Bay neighborhood, a master-planned biomedical and biotech hub anchored by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) medical campus.
To verify specific property boundaries or look up exact delivery routes, you can check the official USPS Location Finder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many zip codes are in San Francisco?
San Francisco contains over fifty postal codes, though this count includes unique business codes, government facilities, and post office box clusters alongside standard residential zones.
Do zip codes change when neighborhoods overlap?
Some dense areas share postal codes across overlapping neighborhood boundaries. For instance, code 94110 covers portions of both the Mission District and Bernal Heights. Always verify the full street address rather than relying solely on the neighborhood name for shipping.
What is the oldest zip code area in the city?
Postal routing numbers were introduced nationally in the 1960s, so individual codes aren't historically old by city standards, but codes covering downtown and North Beach serve the city's oldest settled districts.
Are there P.O. Box-only postal codes in San Francisco?
Yes, several codes are designated exclusively for post office boxes or major corporate buildings rather than standard residential mail delivery routes.
