Tree-lined streets, grand Victorian and Edwardian homes, and a neighborhood commercial district where everyone knows your name…that’s Cole Valley. Close to the Haight, Buena Vista Park, and Golden Gate Park, it’s a quaint enclave with an early 20th century San Francisco vibe.

More About Cole Valley

The Painted Ladies of Alamo Square may show up on postcards, but Cole Valley has an equally San Francisco vibe. The tree-lined streets are home to picturesque Victorian and Edwardian homes, and the area benefits from weather with a reputation for being fairly mild and sunny, with a geography that shelters it from the fog fairly well. If you choose to make Cole Valley your home, you’ll also find yourself within walking distance to Golden Gate Park, Kezar Stadium, the UCSF Parnassus Campus, and the Haight. You’ll also be able to take advantage of good public transit access to downtown via the N-Judah as well as several bus stops.

If Halloween is your favorite holiday, then Cole Valley should be your favorite neighborhood. Every year the residents of Belvedere Street go all out, blocking off their street and turning it into a collection of awesome decorated Halloween houses with plenty of ghosts and goblins handing out tricks and treats to children in costume. It’s always a wonderful time to try and watch the neighbors outdo each other, and kids absolutely love it.

Cole Valley Neighborhood Vibe

Truly a quintessential San Francisco neighborhood, with tree-lined streets, Victorian and Edwardian homes, a bustling commercial area, and proximity to Golden Gate Park. It’s a cozy enclave known for one of the best Halloween block parties in the City (hello, Belvedere Street) and the birthplace of SF’s beloved Cole Hardware.

Popular Home Styles

Properties in Cole Valley are a mix of single-family houses, condominiums in smaller buildings (often conversions from apartment buildings), and some units in 5- or 6-unit buildings. It was mainly built out in the early 1900s to 1920s, so Edwardians and Victorians are quite common.

Getting Around 

The N-Judah runs on Carl Street near the northern edge of Cole Valley, giving commuters to downtown easy access to work. A few bus lines serve the area as well. It’s also a great neighborhood for walking — a bit hilly, but the commercial corridor on Cole Street is flat and pedestrian-friendly.

Cole Valley FAQs

Where is Cole Valley?

Cole Valley is a neighborhood in the central part of San Francisco. It is bordered by Forest Knolls and the Inner Sunset to the west, Haight Ashbury and Golden Gate Park to the north, Ashbury Heights to the east, and Clarendon Heights to the south. On an SFAR (San Francisco Association of Realtors) MLS map, Cole Valley is often coupled with Parnassus Heights, and is identified as neighborhood 5e.

Are there any notable historical landmarks or sites in Cole Valley?

Cole Valley grew up around the western end of the Sunset Tunnel, built in 1928, that connected the city to the “Outside Lands” of the Sunset district, and helped spur development of the districts closer to the Pacific Ocean. For the exclusive use of the N-Judah line, the Sunset Tunnel, like its cousin the Twin Peaks Tunnel, had a major impact on the city and its history, and continues to play a central role in the local transit system.

What is there to do in Cole Valley?

Locals shop and dine along Cole Street’s small but delightful commercial corridor. Stop by the hardware store for home supplies, grab dog biscuits at the pet store, or treat yourself to an oversized, store-made ice cream sandwich at a 1930’s-era soda fountain. Cole Valley is also walking distance from the more bustling Haight Ashbury shopping scene, and a short stroll brings you to all that Golden Gate Park has to offer – trails, biking, bisons, and museums, just for starters.

How does the community vibe in Cole Valley contribute to its real estate appeal?

Cole Valley is a ridiculously charming, family-friendly, self-contained neighborhood with easy access to all the city’s diversions, not to mention convenient public transit on the N-Judah line. With an active neighborhood association and next-door status to UCSF, Cole Valley residents are proud of their little community, and a Sunday stroll through its streets will show you why.

Where can I find new construction in Cole Valley?

As an “already built” neighborhood, Cole Valley is not a neighborhood where you should expect to find substantial new construction projects. Smaller developers may renovate/flip existing properties, or may take advantage of recent housing laws to add additional units to already existing housing. Transit corridors and major neighborhood streets are the most likely areas for new construction buildings in already built neighborhoods with existing housing stock.

What are the average home prices in Cole Valley, and how have they trended?

You can scroll up to see our market charts showing current neighborhood prices and other real estate trends for Cole Valley. We update these charts dynamically as new data becomes available. Reach out to us to learn more about prices, trends, and possibilities in Cole Valley.