Potrero Hill
Episode 25:
September 2, 2025
Today on The Bay Insider, Amanda Martin and Ying He continue their neighborhood series where they talk about the history, lifestyle, and real estate of the Potrero Hill neighborhood in San Francisco.
In this episode of The Bay Insider, Amanda and Ying sit down with longtime Potrero Hill resident and neighborhood historian Peter Linenthal to uncover what makes this hillside community so special. Peter shares personal memories of moving to the neighborhood in the 1970s, the quirks of his century-old home, and stories passed down about local legends and everyday life on the hill. They talk about the resilience of Potrero Hill through the 1906 earthquake, the transformations brought by public housing and community activism, and the way the neighborhood has always been a mix of longtime families, newcomers, and creative voices.
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Along the way, Peter reflects on music, art, and the small businesses and gathering spots that shape daily life, as well as his work to preserve the neighborhood’s history through the Potrero Hill Archive Project. This is a conversation about memory, place, and community, about how a hill in the middle of San Francisco has managed to keep its own identity while continuing to evolve.
History
Restaurants, Cafes & Bars
Standard Deviant Brewery
Thee Parkside
Umi Sushi
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Shops
Christopher’s Books
Good Life Grocery
Whole Foods
Recreation
Portrero Hill Archives Project
Potrero Hill Festival
Potrero Hill Recreation Center
Pier 70
Potrero Hill Neighborhood House (“the NABE”)
Star King Open Space
Vermont Street