San Francisco Apartments With City Views

San Francisco does vertical living like few cities in the world. From Rincon Hill and the East Cut to SoMa and Mid-Market, glassy towers rise above classic neighborhoods, serving up panoramas of the Bay Bridge, Sutro Tower, Twin Peaks, and the glittering downtown core. If you’re searching for a rental where the view is part of the lifestyle, start with these five standouts.

Jasper — Floor-to-ceiling drama in the East Cut (45 Lansing St)

If your must-have list starts with floor-to-ceiling glass, Jasper is your benchmark. Perched on Rincon Hill at the edge of the East Cut, this 400-foot high-rise was designed for sightlines: sweeping window walls frame the Bay and skyline, with upper floors famously catching sunrise glow on the Bay Bridge and the evening shimmer on Salesforce Tower. Inside, you’ll find sleek finishes, an indoor/outdoor pool, fitness spaces, and resident lounges that extend the “hotel-style” vibe. Leasing notes: studios through two-bedrooms are common; the higher the stack, the bigger the wow.

Why the views impress: Jasper sits just far enough from the downtown core to create breadth—your windows don’t stare into another tower, they look over it. In clear weather, you’ll catch the Bay hugging the skyline like a silver ribbon.

Amenities (highlights): indoor/outdoor pool, theater room, pet spa, curated lounges, and a robust fitness center—ideal for “live, work, recharge” routines without leaving the building. 

Avery 450 — Designer finishes and glass-walled vistas (450 Folsom St)

Avery 450 (the rental portion of “The Avery” mixed-use project) combines striking architecture with interiors by Clodagh Design. Residences lean modern and warm—think tall ceilings, open kitchens, and expansive glass capturing the city in cinematic frames. With a location in SoMa/Transbay, you get angled perspectives of the skyline and Bay, especially from higher floors. Amenities are generous and geared toward wellness, remote work, and entertaining.

Why the views impress: OMA’s sculpted façade helps orient many residences toward long, uninterrupted vistas—Bay and skyline views that feel “pulled in” to the room. Upper floors are especially dramatic at blue hour. 

Amenities (highlights): multiple lounges, workspaces, and wellness areas; design-forward common spaces mirror the polish in the residences. 

399 Fremont — Bay Bridge glamour above the East Cut (399 Fremont St)

A 42-story tower set a few blocks up from the Embarcadero, 399 Fremont is beloved by view-seekers who want that Bay Bridge + skyline two-for-one. Many upper-stack homes face directly toward the bridge’s light display, and corner layouts are especially prized for wraparound angles. Expect a resort-leaning amenities package—lap pool and cabanas, Technogym-equipped fitness center, and a Sky Lounge reserved for suite/penthouse levels. 

Why the views impress: The siting on Fremont gives elevation and setback, translating to dramatic diagonals across Yerba Buena, downtown, and the East Bay. Sunrises are routinely spectacular. 

Amenities (highlights): concierge, conference rooms, a veranda with grills, pet park, spa, and private Sky Lounge—ideal for hosting friends when fireworks or Fleet Week flyovers light up the sky.

NEMA — Skyline terraces in Mid-Market (8 10th St)

NEMA popularized the modern “amenity campus” in SF rentals, and its Skyline Terrace (around the 24th floor) remains a signature spot to drink in the city. Residents praise the building’s mix of lounges, pool deck, fitness programming, and multiple outdoor terraces—each a different vantage point over the city’s low-rise fabric toward downtown. If you split your life between work, wellness, and socializing, NEMA’s programming and spaces make the building feel like its own urban resort. 

Why the views impress: Mid-Market’s lower surrounding height means clear “runway” views toward the skyline, Sutro Tower, and beyond—especially from the higher terraces, which are warmed by heaters for year-round use. 

Amenities (highlights): multiple terraces (including the Skyline Terrace), pool, expansive fitness center with classes, coworking lounges, and valet—convenience that helps you use those views daily, not just on weekends.

100 Van Ness — 360-degree rooftop panoramas (100 Van Ness Ave)

If your dream is rooftop “city-as-amphitheater” viewing, 100 Van Ness excels. The building’s roof terrace rises roughly 374 feet, opening up a 360-degree sweep: Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Twin Peaks, downtown, and the serpentine grid in between—perfect for sunrise coffee and sunset golden hour. Unique among SF high-rises, on-site courts (basketball and pickleball) and outdoor screening areas make the roof a bona fide social hub. 

Why the views impress: The position near Civic Center gives you breadth: fewer immediate high-rises crowd the horizon, so the city reads as a full panorama instead of a single focal point. 

Amenities (highlights): multiple view decks, bocce and pizza oven, sunbathing lawn, indoor/outdoor yoga studio, and rare full-court basketball—plus easy access to Hayes Valley cafés and restaurants a block away. 

How to Choose the Right “View” Building for Your Lifestyle

Orientations matter. For Bay Bridge and sunrise color, prioritize east- and northeast-facing stacks (think 399 Fremont and Jasper). For sunsets and moody fog over Sutro/Twin Peaks, target west-facing floors (NEMA, 100 Van Ness). For balanced city + Bay frames, Avery 450’s angled glass often delivers both. 

Height isn’t everything. Mid-to-high floors often hit the “sweet spot” where you clear neighboring roofs without getting so high that everything feels distant. Corner layouts (common at Jasper and 399 Fremont) amplify width—more skyline, more water. 

Amenity access = view access. A great rooftop or sky lounge lets every resident enjoy the panorama, not just those on upper floors. NEMA’s Skyline Terrace and 100 Van Ness’s multiple decks are built exactly for that. 

Consider your daily rhythm. If you host often, short-list buildings with reservable lounges (Avery 450, The Paramount as an alternate) and chef’s kitchens. If you recharge solo, aim for high-stack, quieter orientations that trade busier skyline views for serene bay or hill vistas.

Find Your Perfect San Francisco Apartment

Finding the right apartment in San Francisco—especially one with breathtaking city views—takes more than just browsing online listings. That’s where VIP Realty comes in. Our team knows the city’s most desired high-rises, hidden luxury rentals, and best floor plans with unobstructed skyline and Bay views. We’ll help you compare buildings, schedule tours, negotiate lease terms, and make sure you’re getting the best value for your lifestyle and budget. And to make it even better—when you lease your apartment through VIP Realty, you may qualify for our Rental Cash Back Program and receive up to $1,500 back at move-in. Whether you’re relocating, upgrading, or searching for that perfect view, VIP Realty is here to make the process seamless, rewarding, and stress-free.