Stroll down West Portal Avenue — the heart of this charming west-side neighborhood — and you might feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Many shops and restaurants have been in operation for decades. The houses are spacious and many are detached from their neighbors, but you’ll feel welcome and at home.
West Portal Neighborhood Vibe
West Portal Ave. is the commercial heart of the neighborhood with numerous restaurants, coffee shops, and local small businesses. You won’t find a wild nightlife scene in West Portal, but you’ll be more than satisfied with options for everything from coffee to pizza to sushi.
Popular West Portal Home Styles
Developed by prolific San Francisco builders Fernando Nelson & Sons, the majority of homes in the West Portal neighborhood were built in the 1920s. Originally it was entirely single-family homes, many of which are fully detached. Lots are smaller than adjacent neighborhoods like St. Francis Wood and Forest Hill. There is a condominium complex – The Grove – on the southwest corner of the neighborhood.
Getting Around in West Portal
The SF Muni train lines K, L, M, and T exit the Twin Peaks tunnel onto West Portal Ave. There are also several bus lines, including the 48 and 17, that provide service to the West Portal station. Access to I-280 via Portola and Junipero Serra is fairly painless, and commuters headed north to Marin County are close to 19th Ave.
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West Portal is known for its lively commercial corridor where you can catch a movie, drop off your dry cleaning, peruse some fresh produce, and top it all off with a meal at any number of local eateries. Some fun tidbits about the area:
* The Muni tunnel that surfaces at the West Portal station was the longest underground streetcar tunnel at the time of its opening in 1918.
* Arden Wood was built in the 1920s on the south-west side of West Portal by The First Church of Christ, Scientist as their west coast nursing facility, and it continues under their care to this day.