CALL US! 1-415-766-2722 Fun@SanFranciscoJeepTours.com
CALL US! 1-415-766-2722 Fun@SanFranciscoJeepTours.com

Pacific Heights & Billionaires Row – San Francisco’s Most Exclusive Neighborhood

Discover Pacific Heights & Billionaires Row - Mansions, Movie Locations, and Skyline Views

Explore One of San Francisco’s Most Luxurious Neighborhoods on a Small Group Jeep Sightseeing Tour

High above the city’s hustle lies Pacific Heights, San Francisco’s most exclusive neighborhood. With its grand mansions, sweeping bay views, and an unmatched sense of prestige, it’s where old-money elegance meets modern billionaire boldness. Add in cameos from Hollywood films and a secret staircase with million-dollar views? You’ve got a must-see stop on any San Francisco private tour.

And trust us, you’ll want a guide. Our small group Jeep tours take you straight to the city’s most glamorous hilltop, packed with panoramic vistas, backstories, and celebrity homes you won’t find on a typical map.


View of the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco from Pacific Heights Levi Clancy, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Pacific Heights: A Neighborhood Built on Bedrock and Bragging Rights

After the 1906 earthquake, San Francisco’s elite moved west—literally—to Pacific Heights, building anew on solid bedrock. Today, the neighborhood is a blend of classic architecture, diplomatic residences, and modern megamansions owned by some of the tech world’s most recognizable names.

It’s not just where you live. It’s how you live—with skyline views, lush parks, and stately homes that make you pause and say, “Wait… who lives there?”


Billionaires Row: Where “Millionaire” Just Doesn’t Cut It

Located along Broadway between Lyon and Divisadero, Billionaires Row is home to some of the most extravagant residences on the West Coast. These are not your average mansions—they’re architectural marvels with Golden Gate Bridge views, private garages, and layers of privacy.

Notable Residents Include:

    • Laurene Powell Jobs purchased 2840 Broadway in 2024 for $70 million, the most expensive home ever sold in San Francisco.

    • Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, helped usher in the “Billionaires Row” era.

    • Jony Ive, Apple’s legendary design chief, resides nearby.

    • Jeremy Stoppelman, CEO of Yelp, also calls the area home.

    • Jan Koum (WhatsApp), Mark Pincus (Zynga), Trevor Traina (entrepreneur & diplomat), Peter Thiel (PayPal), and the late Gordon Getty have all owned homes here.

These addresses aren’t just expensive—they’re exclusive, discreet, and dripping with stories.


Filming Locations: Pacific Heights on the Silver Screen

Hollywood loves a gorgeous backdrop, and Pacific Heights delivers:

    • “The Princess Diaries” (2001) – While Mia’s firehouse home is in the Excelsior, key scenes—including the private school and rooftop basketball court—were filmed near 2601 Lyon Street and Alta Plaza Park.

    • “Pacific Heights” (1990) – This psychological thriller was named for and filmed in the neighborhood.

    • “Basic Instinct” (1992) – Shot near Alta Plaza Park.

    • “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993) and “Big Little Lies” also used Pacific Heights exteriors.


 

Book a San Francico private group sightseeing tour nowExperience San Francisco Like Never Before – Book Your Private Jeep Tour Now!

5 Stars “Awesome and amazing experience! The best way to see San Francisco is in an open-air jeep!” 

See the city’s top sights on your terms with a Private Jeep Tour! Your personal guide takes you to San Francisco’s must-see locations, ensuring unforgettable views and photo stops—including a breathtaking drive across the Golden Gate Bridge.

    • Exclusive, personalized adventure
    • Best photo opportunities at iconic landmarks
    • Every tour crosses the Golden Gate Bridge

Don’t just visit—experience San Francisco in style! Spots fill fast—Book your Jeep adventure today!

Jeep Tour Highlights Through Pacific Heights

On your private Jeep sightseeing tour, you’ll wind through these storied streets with plenty of chances to stop, snap photos, and hear the stories behind the bay windows.

Lyon Street Steps Pacific Heights San Francisco Photo by: Wally Gobetz CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

 

Lyon Street Steps: Scenic, Steep, and Full of Stories

You might not expect a grand, manicured staircase with million-dollar views to be tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac—but that’s exactly what the Lyon Street Steps are. Built in 1916 by architect Louis M. Upton, they connect Pacific Heights to the Presidio below.

Though locals still debate the exact number (is it 288 or 332 steps?), everyone agrees: the climb is worth it.

Highlights along the way:

    • Pass 2460 Lyon Street, the Italianate mansion once owned by Senator Dianne Feinstein, complete with manicured gardens.

    • Admire the “Migrant Heart” sculpture by Hung Liu, a heartfelt piece in the Hearts in San Francisco project.

    • Look down from the upper landings for breathtaking views of the Bay, Alcatraz, and Marin.

    • And just below the stairs? A grand neoclassical house featured as the high school facade in The Princess Diaries.

Whether you’re climbing for the view, the history, or just the workout, locals call it the “best gym in the world.”


Pacific Heights house entrance Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Pacific Heights Fun Facts

    • 2840 Broadway broke records with a $70 million sale to Laurene Powell Jobs.

    • The area is home to consulates from Germany, Greece, and Italy (2590 Webster Street).

    • The neighborhood was rebuilt post-1906 on solid bedrock, ensuring both safety and soaring real estate value.

    • Danielle Steel, one of the best-selling authors of all time, lives nearby in the historic Spreckels Mansion.

    • Many homes include hidden garages, private elevators, and unobstructed views of the Bay.


Why a Jeep Tour is the Best Way to Explore

The steep hills and narrow lanes of Pacific Heights were made for scenic cruising—but not in a bus. Our open-air Jeeps offer the perfect mix of comfort, access, and storytelling. You’ll:

    • Get unparalleled photo ops without crowds

    • Cruise up to exclusive streets like Broadway

    • Hear the gossip, history, and film trivia from your local guide

    • Customize your experience to your interests

Make it a combo tour with stops at the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more.


FAQs About Touring Pacific Heights

Can I see inside the mansions? Not unless you’re invited—but our guides will tell you who lives there and what makes the home legendary.

Is the Princess Diaries school real? Yes—it’s a combo of real SF mansions and rooftops, including spots near Lyon Street.

Is the Lyon Street Steps worth it? Absolutely. It’s one of the most scenic (and sneaky) staircases in the city.

What’s the best time to tour? Late morning or early afternoon for the best light and clearest skies.


Book Your Private San Francisco Jeep Tour Today

From mega-mansions to movie magic, Pacific Heights offers one of the most scenic and storied slices of San Francisco. Whether you’re into skyline views, billionaire estates, or hidden staircases, this neighborhood delivers.

Book your small-group private Jeep tour today and experience Pacific Heights like a true insider—from the bottom of the Lyon Street Steps to the very top of Billionaires Row.

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