Once a dairy farm. Now it’s where global day-traders and future financiers in training come to rest their spreadsheet-weary eyes at night. Home to Union Street shops and restaurants, as well as classic north end style, served in slightly smaller sizes than the estates of Pacific Heights.

More About Cow Hollow

Perched between the flats of the Marina and the heights of Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow used to be a bucolic scene of dairy cows grazing the hill above the Bay. The dairies are long gone, but the name is still around. 

Homes in Cow Hollow enjoy close proximity to the neighborhood shopping district along Union Street. It’s a bustling and busy thoroughfare, with high-end stores that import their clothes from the finest fashion capitals of the globe nestled next to frozen yogurt chain stores, with pretty much everything in between. Some of the city’s best restaurants call Cow Hollow home, and after a long day of shopping or exploring, it’s hard to beat sitting on an outside patio for some relaxing people watching.

The Presidio, once an Army base but now site of many offices, rental homes, and open space, bounds the neighborhood to the west, so Cow Hollow residents are able to take advantage of the multitude of trails and open spaces within the Presidio.

Cow Hollow Neighborhood Vibe

Upscale eateries, boutiques, spas, and bars line trendy Union Street, but believe it or not, cows and dairies once occupied this prime tract of real estate, which is how the neighborhood came to be known as Cow Hollow. While the pastures have long since been developed and the only dairy you’re likely to encounter is the pre-packaged kind at a corner market, the name stuck.

Popular Cow Hollow Home Styles

Cow Hollow housing stock is primarily a mix of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, although there are some art-deco buildings popped in here and there. Ranging in size from comfortable to palatial, many homes in Cow Hollow have gorgeous views of the Bay.

Getting Around in The Cow Hollow

Muni trains do not serve the neighborhood, but there are plenty of bus lines for commuters who rely on public transit to get to and from their jobs. If your commute takes you to the North Bay, access to the Golden Gate bridge is very convenient. Pedestrians will probably like the walk north (i.e., down the hill) more than the walk back up.

Cow Hollow FAQs

Where is Cow Hollow?

Cow Hollow is a neighborhood along the northern edge of San Francisco’s peninsula. It is bordered by the Presidio National Park to the west, the Marina to the north, Russian Hill to the east, and Pacific Heights to the south. On an SFAR (San Francisco Association of Realtors) MLS map, Cow Hollow is identified as neighborhood 7d.

Are there any notable historical landmarks or sites in Cow Hollow?

The name Cow Hollow dates back to the area’s use for cattle grazing in the mid-1800s, and the neighborhood’s main commercial corridor, Union Street, was once a dirt road connecting the Presidio with the developing city.

The Octagon House is one of the notable landmarks of Cow Hollow. An eight-sided home at the intersection of Union and Gough Streets, it was built in 1861 and followed a fad of octagon-shaped homes at the time. The structure now serves as a Colonial and Federal period decorative arts museum open to the public.

The Metro Theater was built in 1924, and the single-screen movie theater was in business until 2006. Now a gymnasium, the developer preserved some historic features inside, including a series of murals by interior designer Anthony Heinsbergen, Ionic columns, grilles, and urns on the stage.

What is there to do in Cow Hollow?

Today’s Cow Hollow is probably best known for its lively, affluent commercial corridor along Union Street, full of some of the city’s best fine dining, coffee shops, and pilates and hair studios. Residents have easy access to many of the city’s best outdoor recreation (and stunning views) in the Presidio, Crissy Field, and the Marina Green. Nearby, the Fort Mason Arts Center operates out of a former military facility, offering an ever-evolving rotation of artistic programming that includes theater and dance performances, art installations, and educational and cultural classes.

How does the community vibe in Cow Hollow contribute to its real estate appeal?

Though its homes may be a bit less grand, they’re no less beautiful than the ones above them on the hill of Pacific Heights. Cow Hollow offers some of the city’s finest upscale living, with well-tended Victorian and Edwardian homes and a lively shopping district.

Where can I find new construction in Cow Hollow?

As an “already built” neighborhood, Cow Hollow is not a neighborhood where you should expect to find substantial new construction projects. Smaller developers may renovate/flip existing properties, or may take advantage of recent housing laws to add additional units to already existing housing. Transit corridors and major neighborhood streets are the most likely areas for new construction buildings in already built neighborhoods with existing housing stock.

What are the average home prices in Cow Hollow, and how have they trended?

You can scroll up to see our market charts showing current neighborhood prices and other real estate trends for Cow Hollow. We update these charts dynamically as new data becomes available. Reach out to us to learn more about prices, trends, and possibilities in Cow Hollow.