San Francisco Neighborhoods · Lakeshore
Lakeshore
Persistent Fog zoneSan Francisco's quiet southwest corner, where streets curve around Lake Merced and the city trades fog-bound bustle for a near-suburban calm of golf greens, lakeside trails, and Pacific air.
- Lake Merced's 4-mile loop at your doorstep
- Steps from Harding Park golf
- Quiet, family-friendly streets
- Minutes to Ocean Beach and Stonestown
On the map
Open Lakeshore on the map →The story
Lake Merced is one of San Francisco's few natural freshwater lakes and supplied the city's drinking water from the late 1860s until 1934, when Hetch Hetchy took over. The city-run Harding Park golf course opened along its shores on July 18, 1925, designed by Willie Watson and Sam Whiting. The surrounding Lakeshore tracts were developed mid-century as planned residential subdivisions, including the Gellert brothers' Lakeshore Park, marketed from 1939 as a deluxe subdivision south of Sloat Boulevard. Lakeshore Plaza, the neighborhood's main shopping center at Sloat and Lake Merced boulevards, anchors the area's everyday commerce today.
Things most people don’t know
A rare natural lake
Lake Merced is one of the largest freshwater lakes in San Francisco and once served as the city's water source until 1934.
The four-mile loop
A flat, paved multi-use path circles Lake Merced, drawing walkers, runners, cyclists, and birders past golf courses and eucalyptus groves.
Championship golf
Harding Park opened in 1925 and, as TPC Harding Park, has hosted PGA Tour and major championship events along the lakeshore.
Pine Lake Park
Just north, Pine Lake is one of the city's few remaining natural lakes, ringed by a birding trail into Stern Grove.
Boathouse on the water
The Lake Merced Boathouse at 1 Harding Road offers picnic areas, a fishing pier, and a boat launch on the lake's edge.
Eating and drinking near Lakeshore
Lakeshore is primarily residential — these sit in Stonestown, West Portal.
Restaurants
- Chipotle Mexican Grill · 1523 Sloat Blvd
- Le Soleil · 3251 20th Ave, Ste 221
- Crumbl · 1567 Sloat Blvd
Bars
- The Dubliner · 328 W Portal Ave
Getting around and getting care
Transit. M-Ocean View Muni Metro serves nearby SF State and Stonestown along 19th Avenue. Buses include the 18-46th Avenue, 23-Monterey, 28-19th Avenue, and 57-Parkmerced. Daly City BART is a short ride south.
Nearest hospital. AHMC Seton Medical Center, 1900 Sullivan Ave, Daly City (about 2.5 mi)
Thinking about Lakeshore?
Send me an address and I will come back with its sun, wind and fog, what is under it, and what has closed on the block.