Adolph Sutro once owned all the land in Forest Hill, which his heirs sold to developers early in the 20th century. The first home in the neighborhood was sold in 1914, and it’s a safe bet that other than more mature trees and fancier cars in the garages, this stately neighborhood looks much the same as it did 100+ years ago.
Neighborhood Vibe
Off the grid — by which we mean: off the typical grid-like layout of the streets in many other San Francisco neighborhoods. The leafy, winding streets of Forest Hill follow the topography of the land instead of a T-square. Spacious homes are set on huge (for SF, at least) lots, with ample front yards as well as room to roam in the backyard.
Popular Home Styles
Homes in Forest Hill are exclusively single-family dwellings, almost always fully detached and situated on lots that are a generous size in comparison to most San Francisco lots. There are roughly 650 homes in the neighborhood, many designed in the Spanish Mediterranean style with arched windows, stucco facades, and terracotta roofing tiles.
Getting Around
The Forest Hill Muni station provides service from the K, L, M, and T trains. There are several bus lines that also make stops at the Forest Hill station. Almost all of the homes in Forest Hill have garages, and the neighborhood provides fairly direct access to I-280 via Glen Park.
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Forest Hill was developed as a residential neighborhood in the early 20th century on land that had been owned by Adolph Sutro. His heirs sold the large tract of land, and the first homes were sold in 1914. The south and east boundaries of the neighborhood are created by Laguna Honda, Dewey Blvd. and Taraval St. The northwest side of the neighborhood backs up against Golden Gate Heights and the Inner Sunset.
Residents of Forest Hill enjoy tree-lined streets, large lots, spacious homes, and good access to transit options. It’s a strictly residential neighborhood that’s governed by CC&Rs (covenants, conditions & restrictions) meant to maintain the look and feel of the area. On Magellan Avenue, the Forest Hill Clubhouse — designed by famed architect Bernard Maybeck — is a community gathering space available for parties and events.