San Francisco is best known for its busy streets, historic landmarks, tasty food and now, its walkability. The city was named the second most walkable area in the nation, based on a ranking by Walk Score and Redfin, which measure how accessible daily errands and commute are by foot.
In a similar list looking exclusively at Bay Area neighborhoods, Downtown Berkeley was named number one.
Walk Score assigns a number between 0 and 100 to every address to measure its walkability. A score between 0 and 24 indicates a “car-dependent” area, where almost all errands require a car, whereas scores from 70 to 89 are deemed “very walkable,” and most errands can be accomplished on foot. The highest category is labeled “walker’s paradise,” where daily errands do not require a car.
The Golden Gate metropolis was given a walk score of 86, just three points behind New York City, which was first on the list. Chinatown, Downtown-Union Square and Lower Nob Hill were named the most walkable neighborhoods within San Francisco.
Downtown Berkeley ranked a nearly perfect score, with a walkability number of 96.
“This area is especially unique because of the culture, the access to everything within walking distance and the combination of housing offered; from student housing through the university, to apartments, to traditional single family homes,” Redfin Agent Tom Hendershot stated on the website.
San Rafael and Downtown San Mateo were second and third behind Berkeley, with a tied walk score of 93. Burlingame and Redwood City also placed in the top 10.
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Aside from just being high on the list, residents of these walkable areas also enjoy numerous health, environmental and monetary benefits.
People who live in walkable areas weigh six to 10 pounds less than those who live in less walkable areas, decrease pollution by cutting out cars’ carbon dioxide emission and avoid spending money on cars, which are the second largest household expense, according to Red Fin. The website states that just a one point fluctuation in walk score corresponds to a difference of $3,000 in home value.
The high score corresponding to high home prices is something Bay Area residents know all too well. With a median home value of $1.25 million, San Francisco is currently the most expensive place to live in the country.
