Welcome to West Portal
Charming suburb with a classic small-town vibeWest Portal is a charming San Francisco suburb located at the southwestern edge of the city’s central hills. West Portal takes its name from its development as a streetcar portal to the area west of Twin Peaks in the early decades of the 20th century. The neighborhood remains a transport hub, being conveniently located at the last Muni stop before the K, L, and M lines’ paths differ.
The main commercial corridor along West Portal Avenue is lined with quaint mom-and-pop stores that give it an inviting and self-contained small-town vibe. West Portal’s real estate mix is mostly characterized by rows of colorful single-family homes on peaceful streets either side of its central commercial avenue. 1920s and mid-century modern properties are most common, though there are also some newer constructions and condominium complexes.
Family-run businesses dominate West Portal Avenue, giving it a pleasantly timeless feel. Restaurants along this street serve delicious homestyle meals in a friendly atmosphere. Standouts include the authentic Southern Italian dishes, delectable desserts, and Italian wine pairings at
Trattoria da Vittorio and
Orexi's freshly-prepared menu of traditional Greek cuisine.
In terms of shopping,
Bookshop West Portal is a community hub, hosting regular events and author appearances.
Ambassador Toys is stocked floor-to-ceiling with new and classic toys, art and craft supplies, and educational items.
CinéArts at the Empire has been a West Portal Avenue mainstay since the 1920s and is a great place to catch a film. This cozy vintage movie theater continues to delight new generations of West Portal residents with its screenings of the latest releases and $5 Tuesday movie nights.
The 33-acre green space of
Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove–popularly known as Stern Grove–is located just southwest of West Portal. This verdant open space contains several distinct sections.
Pine Lake at Stern Grove’s western edge is one of only three natural lakes in San Francisco. The lake is surrounded by steep forested slopes, a trail, and picnic areas. Stern Grove’s Concert Meadow is a spacious natural amphitheater capable of holding crowds of upward 20,000 people. Since 1938, the Concert Meadow has hosted world-class dance, orchestral, operatic, and musical performances during the summer months as part of the free admission
Stern Grove Festival.
Mount Davidson’s hiking path begins at West Portal’s eastern edge. Ascending through 927 feet of eucalyptus rainforest, the trail leads to San Francisco’s highest natural point at Mount Davidson’s summit, providing captivating views over the entire city.
