Apartments for Rent in Cow Hollow Under $3,500
As of September 2, 2026, Rentomatics tracks 6 apartments for rent in Cow Hollow under $3,500/month, starting at $900/month. Listings are aggregated from Craigslist, Zumper, and other Bay Area sources and refreshed continuously.
Cow Hollow is a compact, affluent neighborhood on San Francisco's northern edge, wedged between the flat, waterfront Marina District to the north and hilly Pacific Heights to the south, with the Presidio bordering its western side. The name is a holdover from the 19th century, when the low-lying valley held dairy farms and grazing cows before the city grew around it. Today its spine is Union Street, a walkable stretch of restored Victorian storefronts filled with boutiques, cafes, brunch spots, and bars between roughly Van Ness Avenue and Steiner Street. Housing is a mix of ornate Victorian and Edwardian flats, mid-century apartment buildings, and newer condo infill, giving the streets a varied, low-rise texture. Lombard Street cuts through the north end as a busy arterial carrying Highway 101 traffic toward the Golden Gate Bridge, while the quieter residential blocks climb gently toward Pacific Heights.
Capping your search at $3,500/month keeps Cow Hollow realistic. That's a comfortable ceiling here — above the current average of about $2,122, so you'll have real choice.
6 listings available — updated September 2, 2026, refreshed continuously
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Living in Cow Hollow
The vibe
The mood is polished but relaxed, leaning residential and neighborly rather than nightlife-driven. Union Street is the social heart, drawing weekend brunch crowds and shoppers to its independent boutiques and sidewalk cafes, and Fillmore Street to the east adds another upscale retail corridor as it runs up into Pacific Heights. Small green spaces like Allyne Park offer pockets of quiet, and the neighborhood sits within easy walking distance of Marina Green, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the trails of the Presidio. Landmarks such as the eclectic, turreted Old Vedanta Temple at Webster and Filbert Streets hint at the area's older layers beneath the contemporary sheen. It feels prosperous and well-kept, tilting toward young professionals and established households rather than students.
Getting around
Cow Hollow is served entirely by Muni buses, with no BART or Muni Metro rail lines nearby. The 45 Union-Stockton runs along the Union Street corridor toward downtown and the Financial District, while the 22 Fillmore crosses north-south along Fillmore Street and connects to the Mission and beyond. Golden Gate Transit regional buses use the Lombard Street and Van Ness corridors, offering North Bay connections. The neighborhood is highly walkable within its own bounds and flat in the north near the Marina, though blocks rising toward Pacific Heights get steep. Proximity to Highway 101 on Lombard makes it convenient for drivers headed to the Golden Gate Bridge or Marin, but street parking is tight and competitive.
The rental market
The rental stock is a blend of period charm and newer construction: subdivided Victorian and Edwardian flats with bay windows and original detail sit alongside mid-century walk-ups and a smaller supply of modern condos. Older units often trade updated interiors and in-unit laundry for character, high ceilings, and hardwood floors, while newer buildings are more likely to offer parking, elevators, and contemporary finishes. Studios and one-bedrooms are common given the neighborhood's professional renter base, though larger flats suited to families or roommates exist in the converted Victorians. Rents run at a premium consistent with San Francisco's northern waterfront neighborhoods, generally sitting just below the levels commanded by Pacific Heights proper. Dedicated off-street parking is a genuine amenity here and tends to carry a noticeable premium.
Who it's for
Cow Hollow suits professionals and couples who want a walkable, upscale neighborhood with strong retail and dining, quick access to the Presidio and Marina waterfront, and an easy drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. It rewards renters who value neighborhood charm and a mix of housing eras over the glass-tower amenities found in newer parts of the city. The honest tradeoffs: transit is bus-only and can be slow or crowded for downtown commutes, so anyone dependent on rail will find it inconvenient. Rents are steep, street parking is scarce, and blocks near Lombard Street carry constant traffic noise from the Highway 101 corridor. It is also quieter at night than nearby nightlife hubs, which appeals to some renters and disappoints others.
Frequently asked
How many apartments are available in Cow Hollow right now?
As of September 2, 2026, Rentomatics tracks 6 apartments for rent in Cow Hollow under $3,500/month. Listings refresh continuously from Craigslist, Zumper, and other Bay Area sources.
What is the rent for a typical apartment in Cow Hollow?
Among current Rentomatics listings, apartments in Cow Hollow start at $900/month, with an average of $2,122 and a median of $2,250/month. Prices reflect 6 active listings updated September 2, 2026.
How often are Rentomatics listings updated?
Rentomatics continuously refreshes listings from Craigslist, Zumper, and other Bay Area rental sources. Stale listings are removed within 5 days of last sighting.
Does Rentomatics show broker fees?
Yes. Every Rentomatics listing displays whether a broker fee applies, and users can filter to show only no-fee apartments.
What is Cow Hollow like?
Cow Hollow sits between the Marina and Pacific Heights, anchored by Union St's boutiques and brunch spots. A mix of Victorian flats and newer condos. Bus-only transit (45, 41, 22). Premium rents, though slightly under Pacific Heights proper.