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Noe Valley today is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in San Francisco, but the roots of this “Village within the City” are remarkably modest. The area takes its name from the southern peak of Twin Peaks (the other called Eureka and overlooking Eureka Valley, today known as the Castro). The precipice was named for Don Jose de Jesus Noe, the holder of the original Mexican land grant of Rancho de San Miguel that included present-day Noe Valley, and the last Mexican alcalde (mayor) of Mission San Francisco de Asís. However, Noe actually had little to do with the area’s development and he sold most of his holdings after California was granted statehood in 1850.

The layout of the neighborhood, including many of the street names, traces its origin to John Meirs Horner, who acquired a tract of over 5,000 acres of the much larger Rancho de San Miguel in 1852. Although he lost most of the land during the economic downturn later that decade, the die had been cast for a grid of streets that paid no heed to the hilly topography of the area (a common theme in the development of San Francisco). 

For many years the neighborhood was known as Horner’s Addition, and in the late 19th century it became the new home for successive waves of immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Russia, Scandinavia and the German states. Many of the beautiful Victorian buildings for which the neighborhood is rightly acclaimed were built by or for these early residents and merchants in the 1880s and 1890s. Spared the devastation of the Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906, most of the homes in Noe Valley proudly bear the distinction of being from the “pre-quake” era.

For much of the 20th century Noe Valley remained a small-town haven for working class immigrants and newcomers in the midst of a booming city. The quality of life in the neighborhood has kept many families from leaving as one generation passes their property to the next, which lends a sense of rootedness. As the cultural and aesthetic value of this intact Victorian village came to the attention of families with more substantial means in the last quarter of the 20th century, land values skyrocketed. But even with these changes the “Village within the City” charm of Noe Valley endures and beckons a warm welcome to you and yours.

 

 

 

 

 

NOE VALLEY TOWN SQUARE

After six years in the planning, San Francisco’s newest public space, Noe Valley Town Square, opened in the fall of 2016. The community group Residents for Noe Valley Town Square, in collaboration with Supervisor Scott Weiner’s office and the San Francisco Parks Alliance, turned this former parking lot into a beautiful multi-use open plaza and playground space.

 

Located at 3861 24th Street, it’s the only open space in Noe Valley’s commercial corridor and it is the permanent home of the Noe Valley Farmers Market every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

The Town Square hosts a growing number of neighborhood events in addition to the Farmer’s Market, including the twice-weekly Bootcamp on the Square workout, theatre productions, music events, dances, dinners on the Square, the Noe Valley County Fair and much more.

The open plaza is designed to serve many purposes for the neighborhood, from gathering place to event space and more. Grab a coffee or tea across the street and sit under the trellises and soak in this urban oasis.

While enjoying the Town Square, don’t miss Mona Caron’s beautiful murals which frame the space on each side.

Artist Mona Caron Creating the Town Square Murals

noevalleytownsquare.com

 

NOE VALLEY FARMERS' MARKET

The Noe Valley Farmers’ Market is a year-round California certified farmers’ market operated primarily by community volunteers.

You’ll find Noe Valley Farmers’ Market every Saturday, from 8am-1pm in the Noe Valley Town Square at 3861 24th Street, between Sanchez and Vicksburg Streets, across from Martha and Bros. Coffee Company. noevalleyfarmersmarket.com

NOE VALLEY ASSOCIATION

For over a decade the Noe Valley Association (NVA), a Community Benefit District, working with property owners, merchants and residents, has improved the quality of life on 24th Street. Funding for the many improvements comes from property assessments and from major grants NVA has pursued and acquired.

NVA Street Furnishings

Working with Friends of Noe Valley, Noe Valley Farmers Market and Noe Valley Merchants & Professionals Association, the NVA strives to create a strong sense of community. The NVA has made 24th Street a comfortable and attractive place, fostering sociability and community pride.

NVA's Crosswalk Paving Project

We have accomplished much to promote the development of a vibrant 24th Street commercial district. We invite you to visit Noe Valley and experience our neighborhood village within this great City.

NVA's Neighborhood Bulletin Board

noevalleyassociation.org

 

NOE VALLEY VOICE

The Noe Valley Voice is an independent free newspaper created for and about Noe Valley. It is published monthly except January and August and it is distributed the first week of the month.

noevalleyvoice.com

 

FRIENDS OF NOE VALLEY

Friends of Noe Valley is an organization of people who believe that knowing your neighbors creates community and that creating community is key to having a safe and vibrant neighborhood. They sponsor and promote several events in the neighborhood, including their popular Noe Valley Garden Tour every spring. 

friendsofnoevalley.com

 

NOE VALLEY RECREATION CENTER

Upper Noe Recreation Center houses a full-size indoor basketball court, an outdoor basketball court, a baseball field, an outdoor tennis court, a fenced playground designed for children five and under, and a large auditorium that doubles as an indoor play area.

The park is also home to Joby’s Run dog play area, which is open whenever the gates of the park are open, typically from 7am to 10pm. The Center is also home to many local functions such as birthday parties, athletic leagues, conferences, and public events, including the annual Easter Egg Hunt.

noevalleyreccenter.com

 

There is no better way to experience the “real” San Francisco than to get out into our amazing neighborhoods, and Noe Valley is the perfect place to feel what it’s like to be a local in our unique City.

First of all, getting here is a piece of cake! From downtown, just enter any MUNI Metro station on Market Street and hop on an outbound J-Church light-rail car. You’ll soon emerge from the subway in the Castro and enjoy great views of the City as you pass by Mission Dolores Park, then climb your way along Church Street up and over to 24th Street. Get off at 24th and you’ll find two delightful commercial corridors to captivate you. Due south, Church Street beckons. Due west, 24th Street welcomes you. And yes, you can do both of these walking/shopping/dining/drinking tours in the same day!

CHURCH STREET

Amble down Church Street for culinary delights. Walk into Lehr's German Specialties (1581 Church) and you’ll be surrounded by all things Deutschland, from savory wursts and hearty spätzle to lucky marzipan pigs. At Regent Thai (1700 Church) will offer savory Southeast Asian palate pleasers. And just next door, fine meats, seafood, and poultry at Barons Quality Meats and Seafood (1706 Church).

While you're there, don’t forget to visit the towering St. Paul's Catholic Church at the corner of Church and Valley. An historic parish and structure in its own right, the parish was the architectural star of the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg comedy Sister Act.

At the bottom of Church Street hop back on the J-Church inbound and get off again at 24th Street. Walk towards the impressive heights of the Twin Peaks mountain to your west and prepare to be enchanted by Noe Valley’s “downtown.”

SHOPPING

Looking for unique gifts to take home and remind you of your San Francisco adventure or to share with your family and friends back home? These unique boutiques will fit the bill! (Running up 24th Street from Church Street to Douglass Street.)

Stephen Moore Home (3845 24th) is a home mercantile featuring curated home accessories, kitchen and bath products, and more.

Olive This Olive That (304 Vicksburg Street) features a huge selection of California olive oils and vinegars from around the world. They also sell beautiful and thoughtfully curated gift boxes that you won’t find anywhere else. 

As you walk up 24th Street, stop by and marvel at America’s newest urban park, Noe Valley Town Square, between Sanchez and Vicksburg. A multi-million-dollar civic improvement project spearheaded by local activists and myriad allies, don’t miss the amazing murals by Mona Caron on both sides of the park. If you’re lucky enough to be here on a Saturday, don’t miss the Noe Valley Farmer’s Market from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Astrid's Rabat Shoes (3909 24th) delivers hand-picked, exciting, wearable, high-quality footwear for men and women along with handbags, wallets and much more!

Folio Books (3957 24th) celebrates four years as a uniquely successful brick and mortar bookstore and they host great neighborhood literary events. Ready to relax and read?? 

Ambiance (3979 24th) will leave the ladies scrambling to pare down the scores of great clothing options on offer to what they can fit in their suitcases on the trip home. 

Just for Fun & Scribbledoodles (3982 24th) will draw you in and stimulate your creative juices. From arts and crafts supplies to exquisitely designed custom printed stationery, you can, and should, spend an hour here taking it all in.

When Modern Was (4037 24th) invites you to pick up a unique piece of reinvented vintage furniture or home décor accessory to make your mark back home.

Small Frys (4066 24th) has been outfitting the babies and kids of San Francisco with wonderful clothing and accessories since 1984. Got a little one in your life? Don’t miss this chance to pick up a few unique items to make their day.

Sean (4080 24th) features the distinctive men’s wear collection of Paris designer Emile Lafaurie.

Gallery of Jewels (4089 24th) curates the high-quality work of over 140 jewelry designers in a sparkling and cheery space.

Cotton Basics at the corner of Castro and 24th has been designing, sewing and dyeing its own garments locally for more than thirty years.

Two Birds (1309 Castro) offers handpicked women’s clothing, jewelry, handbags and accessories.

Walgreens (1333 Castro) has all of the goods you depend upon them for back home.

Mapamundi Kids (1306 Castro) is an independent kids' lifestyle store fostering learning through discovery and play.

Terra Mia Ceramic Studio (1314 Castro) let’s you (and your kids) create unique hand-painted pottery to take home to decorate your home or share as gifts.

Charlie's Corner (4102 24th) is another independent neighborhood bookstore and caters exclusively to children with daily story times and other programming for youngsters.

Cliché Noe Gifts + Home (4175 24th) is an award-winning local retailer featuring uniquely San Francisco gifts and accessories for the home.

DINING

Hungry? 24th Street serves everything your taste buds desire (Running up 24th Street from Church Street to Douglass Street.):

Saru Sushi Bar (3856 24th) makes everything in-house and features a great sake and beer selection.

Martha & Bros. Coffee (3868 24th) have been serving their own custom roasts here since 1987. Their parklet out front is a great place to watch the people go by as you enjoy your latte.

Casa Mexicana (3917 24th) is a great place to get your burrito fix satiated. Make it a super, right?

Fresca (3945 24th) specializes in authentic Peruvian cuisine served with San Francisco style.

Toast Eatery (3991 24th) serves up satisfying old-school diner favorites for breakfast and lunch.

Novy Restaurant (4000 24th) offers a casual and affordable menu of California cuisine with ingredients that are as fresh, local and organic as possible.

Easy Breezy (4028B 24th) brings you organic, premium self-serve frozen yogurt, custard and decadent non-dairies and toppings in a fun and friendly environment.

Noe Valley Bakery (4073 24th) has been making handcrafted breads, breakfast pastries, cookies and more since 1995.

Hamano Sushi (1332 Castro) has been serving a blend of traditional and modern Japanese Food for over twenty years.

Little Chihuahua (4123 24th) is a unique taqueria focusing on sustainability and good, wholesome Mexican food, with a cozy heated patio out back.

Firefly (4288 24th) has consistently remained a favorite San Francisco restaurant for over two decades.

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL

Are you staying in Noe Valley this trip? Lucky you! Here are some great merchants who will make your life easier here in the heart of San Francisco:

To stock your larder, Whole Foods Market (3950 24th) features all of the organic offerings you’ve come to expect from them.

Noe Valley Wine & Spirits (3821 24th) features a great selection of wines, beers and spirits, and they offer free delivery with a minimum purchase. 

St. Clair's Liquor (3900 24th) offers a broad selection of popular spirits, beers and wines. 

PlumpJack Wine & Spirits (4011 24th) curates an exciting assortment of wines, spirits and craft beers for the most discerning beverage palate.

Hankering for a sports fix with beverages attached? 

Valley Tavern (4054 24th) is a friendly pub with over 40 beers on tap and big screen TVs lining the walls.  

The Dubliner (3838 24th) has been a local favorite sports bar for over twenty-five years.

Hair, face, nails need a tune-up? Heads Up Hair Care (1233 Castro), JV Skin & Beauty (4207 24th) and Moe's Barber & Beauty (4008 24th) are waiting to serve you.

Want to keep fit on this trip? Check our Precision Fitness-SF or personal trainer, Dylan Phillipy.

Phone, tablet, notebook giving you a hard time? Castro Computer Services (1500 Castro) will have you back up and running in no time.

Why go home with a suitcase full of dirty clothes? Sea Breeze Cleaners (1420 Castro) is there to do your laundry and dry cleaning.