Adolph Sutro once owned all the land in Forest Hill, which his heirs sold to developers early in the 20th century. The first home in the neighborhood was sold in 1914, and it’s a safe bet that other than more mature trees and fancier cars in the garages, this stately neighborhood looks much the same as it did 100+ years ago.

More About Forest Hill

Forest Hill was developed as a residential neighborhood in the early 20th century on land that had been owned by Adolph Sutro. His heirs sold the large tract of land, and the first homes were sold in 1914. The south and east boundaries of the neighborhood are created by Laguna Honda, Dewey Blvd. and Taraval St. The northwest side of the neighborhood backs up against Golden Gate Heights and the Inner Sunset.

Residents of Forest Hill enjoy tree-lined streets, large lots, spacious homes, and good access to transit options. It’s a strictly residential neighborhood that’s governed by CC&Rs (covenants, conditions & restrictions) meant to maintain the look and feel of the area. On Magellan Avenue, the Forest Hill Clubhouse — designed by famed architect Bernard Maybeck — is a community gathering space available for parties and events.

Neighborhood Vibe

Off the grid — by which we mean: off the typical grid-like layout of the streets in many other San Francisco neighborhoods. The leafy, winding streets of Forest Hill follow the topography of the land instead of a T-square. Spacious homes are set on huge (for SF, at least) lots, with ample front yards as well as room to roam in the backyard.

Popular Home Styles

Homes in Forest Hill are exclusively single-family dwellings, almost always fully detached and situated on lots that are a generous size in comparison to most San Francisco lots. There are roughly 650 homes in the neighborhood, many designed in the Spanish Mediterranean style with arched windows, stucco facades, and terracotta roofing tiles.

Getting Around

The Forest Hill Muni station provides service from the K, L, M, and T trains. There are several bus lines that also make stops at the Forest Hill station. Almost all of the homes in Forest Hill have garages, and the neighborhood provides fairly direct access to I-280 via Glen Park.

Forest Hill FAQs

Where is Forest Hill?

Forest Hill is one of eight master-planned residence parks in San Francisco. Forest Hill is located in the central part of the city and is bordered by the Inner Sunset to the northwest and West Portal to the southwest. On an SFAR (San Francisco Association of Realtors) MLS (add internal link) map, Forest Hill is identified as neighborhood 4C and Forest Hill Extension is 4J.

Are there any notable historical landmarks or sites in Forest Hill?

Developers broke ground in Forest Hill in 1912, with a master plan designed by landscape architect Mark Daniels. You can still find many of the plan’s original features including ornamental balustrades, urns, artistic embellishments, and numerous staircases throughout the neighborhood, all provided by the famed Sarsi studios.

The homes in Forest Hill represent a range of architectural styles including Neoclassical, Cotswold Cottage, Arts and Crafts, Prairie, Edwardian, and California Modern, all surrounded by the natural harmony of plants, trees, and gardens.

Forest Hill is well known for three structures by Bernard Maybeck, the renowned architect of the
Palace of Fine Arts. You can still gaze upon his Arts and Crafts gems like the Forest Hill Clubhouse
(built in 1919), 270 Castenada Avenue (1916), and 51 Sotelo Avenue (1914).

What is there to do in Forest Hill?

An oasis from the urban hustle and bustle of the City, Forest Hill is just blocks from the charming shops, restaurants, and businesses of West Portal Avenue, and less than a mile from both the Chinese markets of Irving Street and the eclectic shops and exceptional restaurants of the Inner Sunset. Union Square and the Financial District are less than 20 minutes away by MUNI train from the Forest Hill or West Portal underground stations; and for trips farther afield, MUNI connects to BART. Nineteenth Avenue provides easy access by car to the Peninsula and San Francisco Airport to the south, and to the counties of Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino to the north.

How does the community vibe in Forest Hill contribute to its real estate appeal?

Winding, landscaped and heavily treed streets follow the hill’s contours, with charming scenes of natural beauty that open here and there to spectacular vistas of the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Forest Hill Clubhouse is an architectural gem and a bustling community center for the neighborhood. Located in the heart of Forest Hill, the clubhouse hosts events like the annual Easter Egg Hunt, summer barbeques, children’s Halloween Party, and the yearly Holiday Party. The clubhouse also hosts concert and solo performances by local theater productions and artists.

Where can I find new construction in Forest Hill?

As with most San Francisco neighborhoods, Forest Hill is almost completely built-out and has no apparent or immediate large parcels for development. When looking for brand new construction in the neighborhood, you’ll more likely find small in-fill condo or unit buildings of 2-6 units, and single-family homes that have been remodeled from the foundation up.

What are the average home prices in Forest Hill, and how have they trended?

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