Welcome to
The Sunset
Bordering Golden Gate Park and the Pacific Ocean plus home to the UC-San Francisco campus, the Sunset seamlessly blends urbanity with natural tranquility. The Sunset is the largest neighborhood in San Francisco and is actually Golden Gate Heights, the Inner Sunset, Outer Sunset as well as the Inner Parkside and Outer Parkside Districts. It has a variety of commercial districts with thriving local markets and a multitude of ethnic cuisines that fuel the varied student populations, whose relaxed presence creates a small-town feel just a short trip away from downtown San Francisco. The "Sunset" name's origin is unclear, with claims that it was coined by a developer named Aurelius Buckingham in 1886 or came from an exhibition in Golden Gate Park in 1894. The Sunset was once a sparsely inhabited area of sand dunes, some maps even referred to it as the "Great Sand Waste”, but development began in the 1870s and 1880s with the construction of Golden Gate Park. After the 1906 earthquake, tract homes were built into the sand dunes and displaced the original Carville settlement. The district was transformed into a streetcar suburb in the 1930s and saw significant development in the post-WWII era. The Sunset was historically an Irish and Italian enclave but saw an influx of Chinese immigrants starting in the late 1960s.
Hip, laid back, surfers, ocean views
Things We Love Most
At A Glance
THE NEIGHBORS
Largest and most populous neighborhood in the city.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
THE LIFESTYLE
Laid back urban retreat where you can spend a day in the park or at the beach.
UNEXPECTED APPEAL
Cooler temperatures and foggy mornings give way to beautiful sunsets.
NEIGHBORHOOD AESTHETIC
A mix of architectural styles, single-family homes and buildings exhibiting simple and utilitarian designs.
YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
The natural beauty and the laid back vibe.
Located In Sunset
Nearby Neighborhoods
Parkside, Golden Gate Heights, Cole Valley, West Portal, Inner Parkside, Forrest Hill, Golden Gate Park
East to West Boundaries
Pacific Ocean along the Great Highway to the west, 7th Ave. to the east
North to South Boundaries
Golden Gate Park along Lincoln Way to the north, Taraval St. to the south
Commute Times
- Financial District via auto: 40 minutes
- Financial District via transit: 40 minutes
- South San Francisco via auto: 40 minutes
- Silicon Valley via auto: 80 minutes
AROUND THE BLOCK
The Sunset District is one of the largest and most diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco, covering a large area on the city's western sides. The housing stock in the neighborhood is diverse, ranging from modest homes and apartments to large, upscale residences.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The area is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Park, and Lands End's rugged cliffs.
THE LIFESTYLE
The community is family-friendly, with many parks and playgrounds. The multiple commercial centers offer vibrant food scenes, with restaurants, cafes, and markets serving diverse cuisine, including traditional Chinese dim sum and artisanal ice cream. The neighborhood also has a strong sense of community, with many locally owned and operated businesses that give the area an authentic feel.
UNEXPECTED APPEAL
While the mornings can be cool and foggy the afternoons can give way to the most beautiful sunsets. Enjoy a stroll along the beach and watch the sun meet the horizon.
NEIGHBORHOOD AESTHETIC
The architecture in the Sunset District is predominantly of the mid-20th century style, with many homes and buildings constructed in the 1940s and 1950s. The neighborhood features a mix of architectural styles, including Spanish Colonial, Art Deco, and Modernist, with many buildings exhibiting simple and utilitarian designs.
YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
When the fog lifts in the Sunset, you’ll find one of San Francisco’s most livable urban neighborhoods.
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