A peaceful and hilly enclave with enviable views above a buzzing San Francisco.

Walk to downtown if you want, or to any of the charming cafes in neighboring North Beach — or simply revel in Telegraph Hill’s iconic vistas and old-school architecture.

What to expect:
Tourists, some of the time, but peace and quiet most of all.

Telegraph Hill is home to Coit Tower and the Filbert Steps, both of which draw visitors, but the quiet up here is attentively preserved by longtime residents, as are the gardens that decorate the lanes and steps around the neighborhood.

The lifestyle:
Attractive, tranquil and historical, just how the locals like it.

It’s far enough away from the North Beach bustle that you can relax and take it easy, but not too far that you can’t indulge in a walk down to your favorite cafe in the mornings.

Unexpected appeal:
Hills that bring more value than you’d expect.

The steep inclines of Telegraph Hill can be daunting, but you’d be wise to remember that with the worst hills come the best views, which makes this neighborhood ideal for walking to nightlife or great restaurants when you want them, and escaping to your hilltop paradise when you don’t.

The market:
Variety and history come together here.

Grand Italianate homes, steep-roofed Carpenter Gothic houses, and charming cottages — many with the same ornate facades from over 150 years ago — stand next to modernist homes designed by renowned architects, meeting at a median home price of around $1.2 million.

You’ll fall in love with:
The neighborhood that’s a world above a city full of life.

You’ll be enchanted by the sounds of the neon green parrots who famously call this hill their home and the well-earned views you’ll get from just about any window up here on Telegraph Hill.