San Francisco's West Side
A quiet, forest-edged neighborhood where the city and the wild exist in unlikely and beautiful balance.
The Neighborhood
Forest Knolls is a residential neighborhood on San Francisco's west side, situated on the southwestern slopes of Mount Sutro — at 918 feet, one of the highest inhabited places in the city. It is bounded by Warren Drive to the south and west, Mount Sutro to the north, and the Midtown Terrace neighborhood to the east.
Because of its steep hills, hidden staircases, and eucalyptus canopy, the neighborhood has long been described as "Marin-like" — but it's thoroughly San Francisco in character. Homes are mostly detached, many with views of the Bay or the Pacific. The main UCSF campus sits directly to the north on Parnassus Avenue.
It is close to the charming West Portal shopping street, and surrounded by hills: Mount Sutro and Mt. Davidson for hiking in the forest; Twin Peaks and Tank Hill for panoramic views.
Forest Knolls and the Mount Sutro eucalyptus forest, September 2014
Quick Facts
Boundaries
North: Mount Sutro / Parnassus Ave
South & West: Warren Drive
East: Midtown Terrace neighborhood
Nearest cross-street: Clarendon Ave
Representatives
District Supervisor: Myrna Melgar
State Assembly: Catherine Stefani
State Senate: Scott Wiener
Area Code: 415 / 628
Character & Feel
The eucalyptus and native forest of Mt. Sutro forms a living green wall on the neighborhood's northern edge. Views from upper streets look directly into the canopy.
Most homes in Forest Knolls are fully detached, which is genuinely uncommon in San Francisco. Many were built in the late 1950s and early 60s, and some residents are the original owners.
Tucked against the cloud forest, Forest Knolls is consistently cooler and foggier than nearby neighborhoods. The fog rolls in off the Pacific and catches in the eucalyptus — locals love it.
Great horned owls, coyotes, gray foxes, red-tailed hawks, and raccoons are regular visitors. The neighborhood sits at the edge of one of the city's richest urban wildlife corridors.
Hidden hillside staircases thread through the neighborhood and connect into the Sutro forest trails. Twin Peaks, Tank Hill, and Mt. Davidson are all accessible on foot.
Close to West Portal's shops and restaurants, UCSF's medical campus, and the Castro. The 36 Teresita Muni line connects residents to the broader city.
Location