A guide to Dogpatch from resident and business owner Susan Eslick

The People’s Guide is a series examining the Bay Area’s many neighborhoods, led by our most loyal readers, favorite writers, and other notables of our choosing. Have something to say about your neighborhood? We’ll be happy to give you a voice.

This time around, we welcome designer Susan Eslick, longtime Dogpatch resident and business owner who tells us all about her neighborhood, recipient of the Curbed Cup 2017 award.

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What’s the neighborhood housing stock like?

Historically Dogpatch is made up of some of the oldest houses in SF—this area wasn’t affected by the 1906 earthquake. The historic core of Dogpatch is filled with single-family homes and two-unit buildings. Over the past 10 years, live-work lofts and now new apartment buildings have been filling in.

Better for buyers or renters or both?

It is for both. Since this is such a small neighborhood, it means there isn’t a whole lot of housing and rental stock. Within the next five years, that will change because so many already approved projects will break ground. Not a lot of turnover with the single-family homes. Over the past year several new apartment buildings have opened—Abaca, O+M, The Knox (not technically in Dogpatch but the developer thins so), to name a few.

Do you need a car to get around?

You do not need a car to get around. Dogpatch is flat, so it’s perfect for riding a bike. We are directly on the Muni T line and next to the 22nd Street Caltrain stop. It’s a 12-minute walk to the commercial strip on Potrero Hill. We now have two Ford City bike share locations—22nd Street and 19th Street near Esprit Park.

Most reliable public transit?

The T line is crowded and slow going, but it’s main way into the city.

Nearest grocery store?

This is the single biggest missing thing in Dogpatch. There’s Good Life Grocery on 20th Street on Potrero Hill, Whole Foods on Rhode Island and 17th Street in Potrero Hill, and Safeway on 16th Street in the Potrero Center. There are rumors of a grocery store moving into the area, but we shall see.

Good for kids?

We have lots of preschools in the neighborhood, all private. We don’t have a ton of open space—Esprit Park has been mostly taken over by dogs, so that’s a challenge. It’s a very urban area in which to raise a kid. But that’s SF, right?

Notable residents?

We have the SF chapter of the Hells Angels and Dennis Herrera, the city attorney, living on the same block. Michael Recchiuti, the famed chocolate maker, lives here. Mark and Alison Sullivan from the Bacchus Management Group (Spruce, The Saratoga, The Village Pub), to name a few.

Best place to get a coffee?

We have some amazing coffee places in Dogpatch: Piccino, Neighbor Bakehouse, La Stazione, and now Philz Coffee.

Best park?

Progress Park—a park conceived of, designed by, funded by, and maintained by neighbors. Also good, Esprit Park. Dogpatch is one of the first places in California to create a Benefit District. Dogpatch and Northwest Potrero Hill Green Benefit District was voted into law in 2015.A Green Benefit District (GBD) is an innovative way for San Francisco residents to directly invest in the beautification and greening of their neighborhood. A new type of neighborhood-based property assessment district, a GBD is voted into existence by the property owners within the property district.

Beloved neighborhood joint?

Dogpatch Saloon, Yield Wine Bar, Piccino, Serpentine, Glena’s, Sea Star, Just For You, Neighbor Bakehouse, Alta, Philz, and Aina.

Best-kept secret?

It’s so quiet here on the weekends. Since Dogpatch is the city’s original mixed-used neighborhood, during the week it’s busy and noisy with commercial businesses, industry noises, construction, et cetera. On the weekends, however, it feels to some like nothing is happening, a wasteland. But to area residents, the weekends are time to chill, run into to neighbors, and enjoy the relaxed feel. Stem is a hidden gem on the weekends since it’s quiet and you can sit outside in the public open space = bring your own coffee and watch the water and sit in their nice garden.

Stereotypical residents?

It used to be filled with funky, crusty oddballs. Now it might be more geared toward hip, youthful creative types. More families with kids than ever!

Are the stereotypes true?

We have terrific people in Dogpatch. People who are authentic, creative, innovative, artistic, and neighborly. Might be more people walking around in scrubs than in previous years thanks to UCSF.

Who wouldn’t be happy here?

Someone who is into to glitz, fancy stuck-up restaurants, lots of retail, and who wants to dress up all the time.

Most common sight?

People walking dogs, trucks being loaded and unloaded with freshly made chocolates, meats, pastries, ceramics, paintings, and just a whole lot of stuff made by hand. And people hanging out and relaxing talking to other neighbors.

Stay away from?

The fog, because you won’t find it here.

Piece of neighborhood lore?

Some people think Dogpatch got its name from the packs of dogs that used to roam around the old meatpacking area south of the neighborhood, but my old neighbor who lived in Dogpatch for 79 years (who has since passed away) said the name came from a bunch of “koots” drinking at the bar on the corner (Dogpatch Saloon), who came out and said, “It ain’t nothing but a dogpatch ‘round here.” And it stuck.

Describe Dogpatch in one sentence?

Dogpatch is the city’s original mixed-use neighborhood with the best weather and with a bit of a rough-and-tumble feel.

What do people not know about your neighborhood?

Don’t judge Dogpatch by riding the T line along Third Street. Get off the train and walk around to get the feel and vibe of the neighborhood. Check out our arts district and visit Minnesota Street Project of many galleries, and the newly opened McEvoy Collection.