St. Francis Wood
Homes for Sale

The large lot sizes and fully detached single family homes of the St. Francis Wood neighborhood are in strong contrast to most San Francisco neighborhoods that have homes that are semi-attached on smaller lots, with a mix of single-family homes, condos, and unit buildings.

St. Francis Wood homes aren’t known for their views, but instead for their generous sizes and “family-friendly” neighborhood reputation. That said, depending on where the home is located, it may have a stunning partial or full ocean view, at least on days where the fog has burned off.

There are also several parks and open spaces within the neighborhood that are for the exclusive use of the neighborhood.

Homes in St. Francis Wood are subject to neighborhood covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) that govern property use and property appearance. In addition, neighborhood homes are subject to an annual HOA fee to pay for the communal neighborhood spaces.

St. Francis Wood Neighborhood Vibe

St. Francis Wood is a strictly residential area, with wide streets, large lots, stately homes, and plenty of open green space. It’s a world away from the attached or semi-attached homes of the surrounding neighborhoods, but so close to West Portal and the commercial corridor on Ocean Avenue.

Popular St. Francis Wood Home Styles

Grand homes line wide, leafy streets in St. Francis Wood. Spanish Mediterranean influences are common, with many stucco homes topped with terracotta roofs. A homeowners’ association governs the look and feel of the neighborhood, so it looks today much like it did over 100 years ago when it was established.

Getting Around in St. Francis Wood

For commuters who work downtown, the West Portal Muni stop is within walking distance, while commuters headed to Silicon Valley will find that the location provides almost immediate access to I-280 down Junipero Serra.

Median Sales Price

Median sales price is calculated based on sold data and doesn’t account for seller concessions. Median price represents the point at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less. In smaller neighborhoods like many of those found in San Francisco, this metric is less likely to be influenced by extremely high or low sales prices that don’t represent the typical neighborhood home.

Days on Market

Days on Market indicates how quickly or slowly homes are selling in the neighborhood. The lower the days on market (DOM), the stronger the market is for sellers, all other things being equal.

Number of Active Listings

The number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of a given month. Fewer homes available for sale may indicate a seasonal trend or market dynamics that favor a seller more than a buyer.

Sales Price Compared to List Price

In strong or balanced markets, homes in San Francisco typically sell over asking. In a buyer’s market, homes will sell at list price or slightly under. If a home has had price reductions, the calculation is based on the last listed price.

Price per Square Foot

Price per square foot is most useful when the homes are almost identical in size, age, layout and other factors important to buyers. Our experience suggests it is a more valuable metric in larger condo buildings and less valuable for homes in neighborhoods built with a diverse selection of styles, sizes, and ages.

Where is the St. Francis Wood neighborhood in San Francisco?

St. Francis Wood is a residential neighborhood located in southwestern San Francisco, south of the West Portal neighborhood and west of Mount Davidson. St. Francis Wood is one of eight master-planned residence parks in the city and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as St. Francis Wood Historic District. On an SFAR (San Francisco Association of Realtors) MLS (add internal link) map, St. Francis Wood is identified as neighborhood 4G.

Are there any notable historical landmarks or sites in St. Francis Wood?

St. Francis Wood is lauded as one of the nation’s finest examples of a “residence park.” The master-planned residence parks were landscaped plots designed to replicate the feel of suburban living in close proximity to downtown San Francisco. Residence parks featured curving boulevards, lush landscaping, and neoclassical ornamentation such as pillars, gateways, and sundials. 

In 1912, the Mason-McDuffie Company purchased 175 acres of land to create St. Francis Wood. Duncan McDuffie, responsible for numerous developments around the Bay Area, hired the Olmsted Brothers to design the landscape of the community one year later. Today, much of the neighborhood remains unchanged from Olmsted’s original design. Prominent names in local architecture are attached to many of the early houses, including Willis Polk, Martin Rist, Timothy Pflueger, Bernard Maybeck, and Julia Morgan.

What is there to do in St. Francis Wood?

St. Francis Wood is home to multiple lush parks and green spaces. The St. Francis Homes

Association owns and maintains these spaces for the private use of residents and their guests. As one example, Terrace Green Park was designed by the Olmsted Brothers to provide a recreation area for residents and included lawn areas, tennis courts, and a clubhouse. Its original sidewalk system divided the park into a series of three level lawn areas separated by graded slopes. These sidewalks were later removed, and the park now features a long lawn with trees and greenery. a basketball court, a children’s play area, and two tennis courts. 

How does the community vibe in St Francis Wood contribute to its real estate appeal?

Developed as a residence park in the 1920s, St. Francis Wood is often called the “Pacific Heights of the West of Twin Peaks neighborhoods.” Until recent zoning changes, the neighborhood was entirely single-family in nature with no multi-unit or commercial/retail real estate within its bounds. Large homes on big lots with easy access to freeways are all part of this neighborhood’s appeal. 

Where can I find new construction in St. Francis Wood?

Like many San Francisco neighborhoods, St. Francis Wood is essentially fully developed and complete, save for the occasional re-development of existing structures. You can consult with planning and building department resources to check open and pending neighborhood permits and proposed developments (or just let your friendly Jackson Fuller Real Estate agent do it for you). 

What are the average home prices in St. Francis Wood, and how have they trended over time?

Scroll up to see our market charts   showing current neighborhood prices and other real estate trends for St. Francis Wood. These charts are updated dynamically as new data becomes available. Reach out to us to learn more about prices, trends, and possibilities in Buena Vista Heights.