ST. FRANCIS WOOD

Tucked into the western slope of Mount Davidson, St. Francis Wood is one of San Francisco's most distinguished residential enclaves — a master-planned neighborhood that has retained its character for more than a century. Bounded by Portola Drive and Sloat Boulevard to the north and west and Monterey Boulevard to the south, the neighborhood was established in 1912 by the Mason-McDuffie Company as a "residence park," where architecture and landscape would exist in deliberate harmony with streetcar access to downtown.

Daily life here unfolds at an unhurried pace. Curving, tree-lined streets replace the city's familiar grid, and the absence of commercial activity within the neighborhood gives St. Francis Wood a stillness unusual for San Francisco. Residents gather at private tennis courts and a children's playground, maintain connections through the St. Francis Homes Association, and step just beyond the neighborhood's edge for dining and shopping on West Portal Avenue.

A Planned Landscape of Enduring Design

The Olmsted Brothers designed the curvilinear street plan to follow the site's natural contours. St. Francis Boulevard, the main arterial, features a broad central concourse lined with trees and anchored by two ornamental fountains inspired by Italian Renaissance gardens. Brick-diamond sidewalks, decorative lampposts, and stone entryway pillars — designed by UC Berkeley architect John Galen Howard — lend the neighborhood an architectural cohesion rare in San Francisco. Underground utilities, seven miles of landscaped parkways, and more than 1,200 significant trees reinforce the parklike setting. In 2022, St. Francis Wood was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Architecture and Residential Character

The homes reflect a rich range of Period Revival styles — Spanish Colonial, Tudor, French Norman, Italian Renaissance, and English Cottage among them. Many were designed by prominent Bay Area architects, including Julia Morgan, Bernard Maybeck, and Willis Polk. Lots are roughly twice the size of a typical San Francisco parcel, and homes commonly exceed 3,000 square feet. Generous setbacks, mature gardens, and an absence of visible power lines give the streetscape a composed, almost pastoral quality.

Parks, Recreation, and the Outdoors

Mount Davidson, San Francisco's highest point at 938 feet, rises directly to the east with forested hiking trails and panoramic views. Within the neighborhood, four community parks and two tennis courts provide everyday recreation. To the west, the 33-acre Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove offers athletic fields, walking trails, Pine Lake, and the beloved Stern Grove Festival each summer.

A Market Defined by Heritage and Scarcity

St. Francis Wood's market is shaped by limited inventory and enduring demand. The neighborhood is composed almost entirely of single-family homes on large lots, and turnover is notably low — many properties change hands within families. When homes become available, they typically attract multiple offers and sell between $3 million and $6 million depending on size, condition, and architectural significance. Buyer interest reflects the National Register of Historic Places designation, Olmsted-designed grounds, architect-designed homes with private yards, proximity to strong schools, and Muni light rail access. For families seeking space, privacy, and lasting quality within city limits, St. Francis Wood remains one of the city's most compelling addresses.

The San Francisco Association of Realtors (who runs our local MLS) has very specific definitions of each neighborhood in San Francisco,
which can affect statistics, home values, and much more. Here is how St. Francis Wood (4g) is defined.