Luxury real estate in the Marina District of San Francisco is interesting to real estate professionals because of the overwhelming demographic shift from middle class families and retirees to affluent young urban professionals in their twenties and thirties, who make up more than half of the population in this area. These swingers frequent the bars, nightclubs and singles scenes along Fillmore and Lombard streets. In fact, this area is colloquially referred to as “Singles Safeway,” “Dateway” and “one of the city’s best pick-up spots.” Some credit this perception to Armistead Maupin, whose 1970 novel Tales of the City featured the chronicles of a model, a bisexual hippie, a gay man, a gynecologist and a brothel owner – characters which many said revealed an accurate snapshot of the Marina District during that time period.
Todays young professionals frequent Marina Bars like Delaney’s, the Horseshoe Tavern, La Barca and establishments along the Marina Safeway. Residents of Marina District luxury real estate also enjoy unique dining establishments like Bistro A16, Aix, Ace Wasabi, Circa, Greens, the Tipsy Pig and The Plant Café along Chestnut Street. Shoppers can visit stores like Books Inc, BeneFit Cosmetics, Giggles baby clothes, Pottery Barn and Rabat Shoes. The historic Presidio Theater and Marina Theater offer movie showings and the active types can break a sweat at Crunch or 24 Fitness.
Today the luxury real estate is full of brightly colored Mediterranean style homes with brilliant views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and the Marina Green. Flats and apartments from the roaring twenties have largely been redesigned as luxury condos. At one time, this neighborhood housed the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition, but now the only remnant is Bernard Maybeck’s crown jewel, The Exploratorium.