Before you start looking for a home, start by identifying the best places to live, for your family . Use our Neighborhood Search feature to start your search. If you want to get an overall sense of the geographic layout of the Bay Area, view a map of the region and search for Bay Area schools, Bay Area Rapid Transit stations, local and state parks, or other Bay Area businesses and organizations. Most of the San Francisco suburbs are within commute distance to San Francisco - either by Bay Area Rapid Transit, other public transportation or by car.