San Francisco Neighborhoods · Parkmerced
Parkmerced
Persistent Fog zoneA planned garden-and-towers community on San Francisco's far southwest edge, where mid-century apartment living meets Lake Merced air and the bustle of SF State next door.
- Master-planned green space
- Steps from SF State and Stonestown
- Beside Lake Merced and Stern Grove
- M-line and 19th Avenue transit at the door
On the map
Open Parkmerced on the map →The story
In 1941 the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company assembled nearly 200 acres of former Spring Valley Water Company land to build a 'city within a city' of rental housing. The garden apartments and townhouses went up between 1941 and 1951, joined in the 1950s by a ring of high-rise towers, with landscape architect Thomas Church shaping the radiating street plan and lawns. The community totals roughly 3,200 units and was designed for the post-war middle-class housing boom. In May 2011 the SF Board of Supervisors approved a long-term redevelopment plan that would phase out most low-rise garden units in favor of denser mid-rise housing over several decades.
Things most people don’t know
A planned community
MetLife began building Parkmerced in 1941 as a 'city within a city,' with about 3,200 rental units.
Ring of towers
Thirteen-story residential towers added in the 1950s rise above the original two-story garden apartments and courtyards.
Lake Merced at the edge
The neighborhood sits between 19th Avenue and Lake Merced, near Harding Park and Stern Grove.
Next to SF State
Parkmerced lies just south of San Francisco State University and is popular with students and faculty.
M-line through the door
The M Ocean View Muni Metro runs the 19th Avenue median past the neighborhood and SF State.
Eating and drinking near Parkmerced
Parkmerced is primarily residential — these sit in Stonestown, SF State.
Restaurants
- Le Soleil · 3251 20th Ave, Ste 221
- Marugame Udon · 3251 20th Ave
Bars
- Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya · 3251 20th Ave, Ste 172
Getting around and getting care
Transit. M Ocean View Muni Metro runs the 19th Avenue median past Parkmerced and SF State. Buses 28 and 28R (19th Avenue), 18 (46th Avenue) and 57 (Parkmerced) serve the area; Daly City BART is nearby with a 28 bus connection.
Nearest hospital. UCSF Health Hyde Hospital, 900 Hyde St
Thinking about Parkmerced?
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.