Home to historic piers, fabulous waterfront views, and prestigious highrise real estate, South Beach is one of the most coveted neighborhoods in San Francisco. The neighborhoods here put you at the center of the activity in the city, close to commercial hotspots and the financial district. Add the seaside allure and you have a winning mix that makes South Beach, San Francisco real estate so attractive to homebuyers and investors.
Here we’ll explore South Beach’s real estate market and also give you an insider’s look at life in South Beach. Who knows? It might be the perfect place for you to call home.
South Beach’s real estate market features a large number of luxury condos and highrises. The condos here embody luxury, providing an unmatched living experience with sweeping views of the bay. These limited and exclusive real estate properties are also high-grade investments, with the area attracting not only home buyers, but also those looking to take advantage of the opportunities to rent out luxury condos.
Deluxe Housing Options
Demand is strong for prime real estate in South Beach, San Francisco. As of June 2023, the median sale value of a property in South Beach was over $1.13 million, up by nearly 6% from the previous year. It is worth noting that at the start of 2023, the median price for homes sold in the area was slightly less than $1 million. This is an indication that the South Beach market is emerging from the difficulties of the high-interest rates brought in by lenders in 2022.
South Beach offers an abundance of modern high-rise condos in prized Bay Area locations offering easy access to commercial areas. You will find many South Beach condos valued between $1 million to $2 million spanning around 1,000 to 1,700 sq ft that come with deluxe finishes and luxurious features. These homes regularly include 1 to 2 spacious bedrooms and 1 to 2 elegant bathrooms, gourmet kitchens, floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, and private balconies.
There are some properties in the area that are priced north of $5 million, with a few valued at up to $8 million. Condos at these price points typically offer top-grade designs with expansive unit sizes over 3,000 to 4,500 sq ft commanding some of the most captivating views of the bay. Apart from multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and balconies, these exclusive properties boast cutting-edge rooms for media and entertainment, as well as large office and storage spaces.
Additional amenities of condos for sale in South Beach include fitness and spa rooms, outdoor swimming pools, club lounges, private dining, and beautifully landscaped rooftop terraces.
Luxurious homes offering beautiful seaside views, a dynamic set of amenities, competitive schools, and comprehensive public transportation options make South Beach one of the most desirable neighborhoods in San Francisco.
Getting Around South Beach
San Francisco offers an extensive transportation system that makes it easy to get to and around South Beach, as well as other parts of the city. A wide network of highways and expressways connects to San Francisco, including US 101 and I-280 in the Peninsula, I-680 and I-880 in the East Bay, and I-505 in the north.
The Bay Area is also frequently cited as having one of the most comprehensive public transportation systems in the US. According to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SMFTA), over 332,000 rode the city’s Muni transport services (buses, cable cars, and streetcars) on a daily basis as of June 2022, though this was over two times higher before the pandemic. SMFTA also notes that nearly all San Francisco residents have access to a Muni transport service within two to three blocks of their homes or work. South Beach residents can also use the 4th & King light rail station to conveniently get to other parts of the city.
Another popular mode of public transport in San Francisco is by train via the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which runs all the way to the East Bay through areas like Oakland and San Mateo. The closest BART stations near South Beach are the Embarcadero and Montgomery Street stations. In addition, Caltrain provides commuter rail services in San Francisco and San Mateo. It has a stop at San Francisco at 700 Fourth Street and connects to BART at Millbrae Station.
San Francisco has four airports, the busiest of which is San Francisco International Airport, a major international hub in California. The Bay Area is also served by San Jose International Airport, Oakland International Airport, and Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport.
Cost of Living in South Beach
As with any highly desirable location, the Bay Area has a high cost of living. Specifically, the overall price of goods in San Francisco, including food, education, and medical expenses is about 20% higher than the US average. A large number of people coming into the area are workers in the technology sector, who have higher-than-average wages and tech jobs make up over 30% of San Francisco’s private wages. This along with all the advantages that come with living in South Beach add up to higher value for real estate in neighborhoods like South Beach. Clearly, it is a trade-off many are willing to make. Even with the expected high cost of living, home buyers and investors are still only too happy to relocate to South Beach.
Schools in or Near South Beach
There is a good mix of public and private schools here in South Beach. Some of the elementary schools include:
- The New School of San Francisco
- Yu Ming Charter School
- Mission Preparatory
For high school, a few of the highest-rated are:
- The College Preparatory School
- San Francisco University High School
- Lick-Wilmerding High School
There are also competitive colleges here such as City College of San Francisco, where over 60,000 students enroll in more than 250 degrees and certificate courses each year. Then there is San Francisco State University, classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in 2022. There are also several private colleges and universities offering specialized programs in fields like law (San Francisco Law School), art (Academy of Art University), and film (San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking).
Residents of South Beach with young children can be assured of an excellent education for their kids and later when the children wish to pursue higher education, there will be top institutions and Universities close to home.
Owning real estate in South Beach puts you within touching distance of several attractions and hotspots in San Francisco. From historic landmarks to entertainment hubs, here are some popular attractions in and near the area:
- Take snaps of the Golden Gate Bridge – the world’s most photographed bridge. The iconic 746-foot-tall Golden Gate Bridge never fails to impress as it stands tall among the rocky seascape of San Francisco Bay. The recreational area by the bridge is notable for beautiful secluded beaches and scenic bayside trails, one of which leads to the Point Bonita Lighthouse, which offers panoramic views of the bay. For postcard-worthy shots, head to the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point overlooking the city. This orange wonder is just over 6 miles away from South Beach via Embarcadero S. and US-101.
- Let your imagination run wild at the Exploratorium. Located at Pier 15 in Embarcadero, the Exploratorium offers a great learning experience for both kids and adults. This public “learning laboratory” features six main galleries with 600 engaging exhibits that cover a range of scientific and artistic displays on topics like engineering, geography, and biology. Some popular interactive exhibits include “All Eyes on Me”, “Café Wall Illusion”, and “Bird in a Cage”.
- Let your imagination run wild at the Exploratorium. Located at Pier 15 in Embarcadero, the Exploratorium offers a great learning experience for both kids and adults. This public “learning laboratory” features six main galleries with 600 engaging exhibits that cover a range of scientific and artistic displays on topics like engineering, geography, and biology. Some popular interactive exhibits include “All Eyes on Me”, “Café Wall Illusion”, and “Bird in a Cage”.
- Wander around Chinatown. One of the oldest neighborhoods in the US, San Francisco’s Chinatown, it’s also one of the most popular. Less than a mile from the Embarcadero BART station, some popular things to do here include taking photos by the Dragon’s Gate, eating streetside dumplings, and discovering your fortune at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Walking around and just observing Chinatown is always an eye-opener, and always raises an appetite.
- Take a stroll at South Beach Park. An outdoor escape with a lovely location by the water, South Beach Park features an open lawn, a children’s play area, and several benches where you can sit down and take in the San Franciscan splendor. The park is close to South Beach Harbor and other popular destinations like Pier 40 and Oracle Park.
- Watch baseball and basketball. Home of the San Francisco Giants, Oracle Park is a 40,000-plus seater, LEED-certified baseball stadium that offers scenic views of the bay and the city skyline. If you prefer basketball, there’s Chase Center where the mighty Golden State Warriors with their star-studded roster hold court.
South Beach’s seaside locations put it close to some of San Francisco’s most popular restaurants. From fresh seafood to culinary fusions, here are some of the top restaurants near the area:
- La Mar at Pier 1 ½ The Embarcadero 3033 is one of the go-to restaurants for fresh seafood in San Francisco. They serve Peruvian-style dishes that range from seafood to meat to vegetarian, so there is surely something for everyone here. They also serve fruity pisco cocktails at their bar, as well as scrumptious cakes that set the scene for multiple visits. It’s upscale dining that’s far from ostentatious and great fun.
- Harborview Restaurant & Bar at 4 Embarcadero Center provides a relaxing outdoor dining experience with splendid waterfront views. But this restaurant offers more than just stunning views, as it serves some of the city’s most well-loved dim sum, including siu mai, har gow, and baked barbecue pork buns. They also offer signature cocktails and local draught beer at their bar.
- Señor Sisig at the SF Ferry Building has been serving delicious Mexican burritos stuffed with Filipino sisig for more than a decade. Do not miss out on their Ube Colada – a frozen blend of rum and mezcal mixed with ube, pineapple, and coconut. Their strategic location at the SF Ferry Building makes it a popular lunch stop for residents and tourists passing by and enjoying beautiful waterfront views.
Discover Luxurious Bay Area Living With Elite Realtor Robyn Kaufman
Live the luxurious lifestyle you deserve with the help of Robyn Kaufman – one of San Francisco’s top luxury real estate agents. Robyn has spent over 20 years closing deals and brings to the table elite marketing and negotiation skills, as well as a network of trusted professionals. All this is at the disposal of her clients who receive complete support in achieving their goals when buying and selling luxury condos.
With over $550 million in condo sales, Robyn's real estate services have won her multiple accolades through the years, including:
- Part of America’s Best Realtors List
- Ranking in the top 1.5% of real estate agents by sales volume nationwide
- Number 2 ranking in South Beach and Mission Bay
- REALTRENDS America’s Best Realtor Award
However, something that Robyn is very proud of is that 69% of Robyn’s yearly sales come from repeat business and client referrals, a testament to her continued dedication to providing the best service for her clients.
Ready to explore your luxury real estate options in South Beach and other top San Francisco neighborhoods like Mission Bay? Give Robyn a call at 415.497.1798 or send an email here. We’d love to hear from you.
