Is there a San Francisco equivilent to the Lincoln Park Area of Chicago? Please Advise.?

I just moved to the San Francisco Bay Area from Chicago and I could use some help getting oriented. I have been here for about 3 months and I have been able to do a moderate amount of exploration and I am yet to find somewhere similar to Lincoln Park. My goal is to find something kinda similar to the intersection of North Clark, Diversey and Broadway. I know that every city is different and has a particular charm, I'm just trying to find the nearest thing to Lincoln Park in San Francisco. I'm looking for an area that is comfortable, !SAFE!, with pretty good food and has some OK, non-blockbuster movies to see. I guess I'm looking for a little mini-epicenter within the city of San Francisco. Does anyone know of an equivilent to the Lincoln Park area of Chicago within San Francisco?Is there a San Francisco equivilent to the Lincoln Park Area of Chicago? Please Advise.?
I don't think there's any one place that's exactly like the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago. It's not all in one place like that.



In terms of the park itself, Golden Gate Park has a similar range of recreational and cultural facilities. But the neighborhood surrounding GGP is much more quiet and subdued. The 9th Avenue entrance is the most lively, with a smattering of decent restaurants and sports bars.



http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/sf/鈥?/a>



In terms of the surrounding streets, Hayes Valley is more like Lincoln Park than the Golden Gate Park area. That's where young families and professionals congregate. Unless they're "old money", in which case, they're in Pacific Heights (or Marin County).



http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/sf/鈥?/a>



For independent film, the largest venue is the Embarcadero Cinema. Not the most atmospheric location though. It's tucked inside a concrete office building. The building has full-service restaurants, but it's pretty uninspired (mid-range chains like Tony Roma's, Fuzio, Gaylord, Siam)



http://www.embarcaderocenter.com/ec/attr鈥?/a>



If you're willing to venture into the Mission District (exercise caution at night), there is a nice outdoor cinema there:



http://www.foreigncinema.com/home.html