How To Write San Francisco Address
Listen up, dude, because writing a San Francisco address is a piece of cake—seriously, it's not rocket science. But you gotta make sure it's on point or that sweet package, letter, or postcard is gonna get lost in the fog, and nobody wants that bummer. We're talking United States Postal Service (USPS) rules, which are pretty much the law of the land when it comes to mail.
This is the ultimate, no-sweat guide to getting your SF mail game totally legit.
Step 1: Lock Down the Recipient's Info
First things first, you need to know who the mail is for and where they live. No need to be extra, just the core deets.
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| How To Write San Francisco Address |
1.1: The Name's the Game
The very first line is reserved for the recipient's name.
Write the person's full legal name. Nicknames are chill for a birthday card inside, but not on the envelope.
If it's going to a business, the company name should go here or right below the person's name. You can use an "ATTN:" (Attention) line if you're sending it to a specific person at a big company.
Example: MARTHA K. MAILER (Individual) OR THE GOLDEN GATE GIZMO CORP (Business) ATTN: MARTHA K. MAILER
1.2: Check Your Vibe on Punctuation
For maximum mail-sorting speed, the USPS machines prefer you skip the punctuation on the street address and city/state/ZIP code line. Keep it clean. Less is more, fam.
Step 2: Nailing the Street Address Line
This is the meat and potatoes of the address, the real MVP. It tells the mail carrier exactly where to drop the goods.
QuickTip: Skim the ending to preview key takeaways.
2.1: The Number and Street Name Combo
In the USA, we always put the building number before the street name.
If the address is 123 Main Street, you write: 123 MAIN ST.
San Francisco is old school, so you'll see a lot of "Street," "Avenue," "Boulevard," and "Place." The USPS loves those two-letter abbreviations because it’s quicker for the automated sorting machines.
Pro-Tip: Check out the USPS website's official abbreviation list if you're ever in doubt, but the ones above are the bomb.
2.2: Apartment, Unit, or Suite: Don't Mess Up the Digs
If your person lives in an apartment, condo, or a business suite, you need to include that unit number.
The easiest way is to use the pound sign (#) or the correct abbreviation, and place it after the street name.
For an Apartment 4B: #4B or APT 4B
For a Suite 200: STE 200
For a Unit A: UNIT A
Leaving this out is a straight-up fail. The mail carrier will be scratching their head, and your package is going straight back to the sender.
Example: 345 MARKET ST STE 200 OR 1820 LOMBARD ST APT 4B
Step 3: The City, State, and ZIP Code Line—The Power Trio
This is the bottom line (literally) and it's crucial for getting that mail to the right region.
3.1: City and State Abbreviation
The city is, you guessed it, SAN FRANCISCO.
The state for San Francisco, California, must be written using the official two-letter abbreviation: CA.
Leave one space between the city name and the state abbreviation.
Tip: Don’t just glance — focus.
3.2: The Five-Digit ZIP Code
The ZIP code is mandatory. Without it, you're pretty much playing a guessing game.
San Francisco ZIP codes almost always start with 941. You can search for the exact one if you only have the street address.
You can optionally use the extended nine-digit code (ZIP+4), which looks like 94105-1234. This gets your mail sorted even faster, but the basic five-digit code is totally fine for most mail.
Example: SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105 OR SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1234
Step 4: Putting the Whole Shebang Together (The Grand Finale)
When you look at the entire address, it should be centered and all uppercase for the sorting machines—it just hits different when it’s all caps.
Residential Address Example (Your Buddy's Spot):
RECIPIENT NAME STREET ADDRESS WITH UNIT CITY STATE ZIP CODE
MARTHA K. MAILER 1820 LOMBARD ST APT 4B SAN FRANCISCO CA 94123
Business Address Example (Your Gig):
RECIPIENT NAME OR COMPANY STREET ADDRESS WITH SUITE CITY STATE ZIP CODE
THE GOLDEN GATE GIZMO CORP ATTN: JOSHUA T. SMITH 345 MARKET ST STE 200 SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105
Remember, the return address (your address) goes in the upper-left corner. If there's any bummer of a problem with delivery, the mail will get sent back to you. No cap, that return address is your safety net.
FAQ Questions and Answers
Tip: Skim once, study twice.
How do I write a San Francisco address without an apartment number?
If there is no apartment or unit number, simply omit the unit line. The format should be: Recipient Name, Street Address, City State ZIP Code.
Should I use the full state name or the abbreviation for California?
Always use the two-letter USPS abbreviation, CA. It ensures the fastest processing by automated sorting equipment.
Can I write out 'Street' instead of 'ST' on the envelope?
Yes, you can, but it is highly recommended to use the official abbreviations (like ST, AVE, BLVD) and uppercase letters for better machine readability and quicker delivery.
What are the main ZIP Codes for San Francisco?
San Francisco ZIP codes generally range from 94101 to 94134, with the most common range being 94102 through 94134. Always check the specific address for the exact code.
Where does the address go on a standard envelope?
The delivery address should be written in the center of the envelope, and the return address (your address) should be in the upper-left corner.
Tip: Jot down one takeaway from this post.
Do I need to include "USA" if I'm mailing from within the United States?
No, you do not. The state abbreviation (CA) is enough to signal that it is a domestic US address. Only include "USA" if mailing from another country.
Is it better to use all caps when writing the address?
Absolutely. USPS machines read all caps much more efficiently than mixed case, so using all capital letters is a smart move.
What's the deal with the four-digit extension (ZIP+4)?
The ZIP+4 code is an optional four digits added to the basic five-digit code. It helps target a specific block, building, or even part of a building. It's dope for precision but not strictly required.
What if I'm sending mail to a P.O. Box in San Francisco?
A P.O. Box address replaces the street address line. Use the abbreviation "PO BOX" followed by the number: JANE DOE PO BOX 900 SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105
Can I use a comma between the city and state?
While grammatically correct, the USPS prefers you omit the comma between the city (SAN FRANCISCO) and the state abbreviation (CA) on the envelope. Just use a single space.
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