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 Corporation, has long been one of Pacific Heights most high-profile residents and helped usher in the modern “Billionaires Row” era with his ownership of a prominent estate at 2850 Broadway. Ellison quietly sold that Pacific Heights mansion in an off-market deal in December 2025 for about $45 million — marking one of San Francisco’s biggest luxury home transactions of the year. The 10,742-square-foot residence, which Ellison bought in 1988 for roughly $3.9 million, was known for its sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and bay before the sale to an anonymous buyer entity. 
    • 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 Gordon Getty (Getty Oil) all own or have owned homes here.

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

 

A Wild New “Neighbor” on Billionaire’s Row

Pacific Heights recently had a very unexpected visitor: a young mountain lion spotted roaming near Lafayette Park and California Street in late January 2026. Residents even shared videos of the animal calmly lingering on front steps, as if it belonged in the neighborhood.

After a brief standoff, San Francisco Animal Care & Control and local authorities safely tranquilized, captured,
and relocated the lion to a more suitable natural habitat.

Fun Mountain Lion Fact

This is not San Francisco’s first surprise cougar visit. Mountain lions have appeared in city neighborhoods before, including Diamond Heights (2017) and Bernal Heights (2021), and were safely relocated.

 


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.


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.

Pacific Heights & Billionaires Row FAQ

Pacific Heights and Billionaires Row showcase San Francisco at its most elegant—grand architecture, quiet streets, and sweeping bay views that feel worlds away from the busy downtown. These FAQs answer the most common questions visitors ask.

What is Billionaires’ Row in San Francisco?

Billionaires Row is a famous stretch of mansions along Broadway in Pacific Heights, known for its jaw-dropping homes and panoramic views across the bay toward the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the Marin Headlands.

What makes Pacific Heights special?

Pacific Heights is known for its historic mansions, tree-lined streets, elegant apartment buildings, and dramatic vistas overlooking the bay. It remains one of San Francisco’s most prestigious and visually striking neighborhoods.

Can I see Pacific Heights and Billionaires Row on a Private Jeep Tour?

Yes. Many Private San Francisco Jeep Tours include a scenic drive through Pacific Heights and along portions of Billionaires Row, with guides pointing out notable homes, architecture, and famous viewpoints.

Can I see inside the mansions on Billionaires Row?

No. The homes are private residences and not open to the public. However, guides often share stories about famous owners, architectural details, and why certain homes are especially well known.

Is the Princess Diaries school real?

Yes, partly. Scenes from The Princess Diaries used a combination of real San Francisco mansions and rooftop locations, including spots near the Lyon Street Steps in Pacific Heights.

Are the Lyon Street Steps worth visiting?

Absolutely. The Lyon Street Steps are one of the city’s most scenic staircases, offering beautiful views and a classic San Francisco photo opportunity.

What’s the best time to tour Pacific Heights?

Late morning to early afternoon is ideal for clear skies and the best lighting for views across the bay.

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Keep Exploring Nearby

Pacific Heights is peak “wow houses” — mansions, views, and enough real estate drama to power a TV season.

Nearby Attractions to Pair with Billionaires Row on a Jeep Route

Pacific Heights and Billionaires Row sit right between hilltop views and waterfront icons, making it easy to see a lot in a short time. These nearby spots are all quick hops and totally worth it.

  • Lafayette Park A quiet hilltop park with big views of the bay, Alcatraz, and the Marina—one of the city’s most underrated viewpoints.
  • Alta Plaza Park  Classic SF scenery with palm trees, open lawns, and Golden Gate Bridge views right in the middle of Pacific Heights.
  • Fillmore Street A lively stretch of shops, cafés, and restaurants—perfect for a coffee stop or casual bite.
  • Marina Green  Flat, waterfront, and iconic, with sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, sailboats, and Alcatraz.
  • Crissy Field  Wide-open paths, beach access, and postcard-worthy bridge views with a relaxed, outdoorsy vibe.
  • Palace of Fine Arts A stunning historic landmark with a grand rotunda and reflective lagoon—one of SF’s most photographed spots.
  • The Presidio of San Francisco A massive park with trails, overlooks, and historic sites, all wrapped around Golden Gate Bridge views.
  • Lucas Film Studios and Yoda Statue
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