I picked Nob Hill. I love having a little bit of everything, and Nob Hill is perfect for that. Its central to Russian Hill, Polk-Gulch, Lower Nob, and Chinatown. Pretty much any whim that strikes can be satisfied with 15-20 minute walk in some direction.

I like to feel like I'm "downtown," but I don't love sirens and screaming crackheads and 4am dumpster trucks 5-7 times a wek. Nob Hill is super close to all the great things to do in those areas, but high enough above that it avoids a lot of annoying city tax stuff.

Also, I love the architecture and views in San Francisco, and Nob Hill is one of the "San Francisco-iest" neighborhoods you can be in. I can walk right out my front door to Huntington Park and Grace Cathedral, walk around the corner for amazing city scape views, and I live in (and am surrounded by) really pretty historical buildings.

There is a pretty killer hill to climb up after hitting the bars, but that just gives you nice calves and a good butt.