San Francisco Neighborhoods · Monterey Heights
Monterey Heights
Persistent Fog zoneA hushed 1920s residence park of grand period-revival homes curving up Mount Davidson's wooded slopes, where mature trees, hilltop views, and quiet prevail.
- 1920s residence-park elegance
- Grand period-revival homes
- Mount Davidson views
- Quiet, leafy, residential
On the map
Open Monterey Heights on the map →The story
Monterey Heights was laid out in the 1920s by the Baldwin & Howell real-estate firm as one of San Francisco's planned residence parks on the slopes near Mount Davidson, west of Glen Park and beside St. Francis Wood and Westwood Highlands. The developers platted gently curving, tree-lined streets and filled them with large single-family period-revival homes — Spanish, Mediterranean, and Tudor styles. Purely residential by design, it remains an affluent, view-rich enclave a century later.
Things most people don’t know
A planned residence park
Developed in the 1920s by Baldwin & Howell as a single-family residence park with large period-revival homes and no commercial lots.
Mount Davidson next door
At 938 feet, adjacent Mount Davidson is the highest natural point in San Francisco, crowned by a 103-foot concrete cross.
Curving by design
Streets were deliberately laid out to curve with the hillside contours, giving the neighborhood its leafy, parklike feel.
Trees and trails
Mature street trees and the eucalyptus groves of Mount Davidson Park, planted in Adolph Sutro's era, frame the slopes.
West Portal nearby
The closest shops, restaurants, and Muni Metro station sit a short distance away along West Portal Avenue.
Eating and drinking near Monterey Heights
Monterey Heights is primarily residential — these sit in West Portal.
Restaurants
- Trattoria da Vittorio · 150 W Portal Ave
- Bursa · 60 W Portal Ave
- Elena's Mexican Restaurant · 255 W Portal Ave
- Spiazzo Ristorante · 33 W Portal Ave
Bars
- Philosopher's Club · 824 Ulloa St
- Bullshead Restaurant · 840 Ulloa St
Getting around and getting care
Transit. West Portal Station (K Ingleside, L Taraval, M Ocean View) is the nearest Metro; the 36 Teresita and 48 buses wind through the hills.
Nearest hospital. UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus, 505 Parnassus Ave (about 3 mi)
Thinking about Monterey Heights?
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.