First American Title is helping us define each neighborhood in the city. As a first time homebuyer where do you want to live? Here is a brief overview into the “Tucked Away” areas in the city by the bay: St. Francis Wood and West Portal
St. Francis Wood
Quiet, residential, affluent and secluded, St. Francis Wood and West Portal are two of San Francisco’s lovely little secrets. Curving, tree-lined streets absent of overhead wires give the neighborhoods quaint, village-like appeal. The gates of the St. Francis Boulevard-Portola Drive entry and the fountain in the circular plaza on St. Francis Boulevard were designed by noted Beauz Arts era architect John Galen Howard. Many St Francis residents have chosen the location for its relative proximity to the private St. Ignatius College Prep. The neighborhood’s borders are defined by Monterey Boulevard, San Anselmo, Santa Paula and San Pablo Avenues, Portola Drive and Junipero Serra Boulevard.
West Portal offers smaller homes with neatly manicured lawns centered around a charming shopping district. The commercial zone sits in the front of the entrance to the Twin Peaks street-car tunnel. An interesting find in itself, the Goodwill Boutique is where the best of the booty collected from all of the city’s donations is presented for sale. A funky Mexican Toreador Fonda, is a great place for dinner before crossing the street to the Empire movie theatre for a flick. To find the neighborhood, follow Market Street west until it turns into Portola Drive and drops down the back side of Twin Peaks. Boundaries are 19th Avenue, Taraval Street, Claremont Boulevard, Portola Drive and Sloat Boulevard. **Note: our office is located at 215 West Portal Ave. You can can catch us up and down the street having lunch or shopping in between clients. The Goodwill Store is the best (shoes and handbags never looked so good!) and Just Because just helped me make the cutest personalized bridal shower invitation 🙂
