A local's guideto the Richmond

I grew up in San Francisco, and the Richmond has always felt like the city's calm side. It runs from the Presidio down to Golden Gate Park and all the way out to the ocean, and it has a rhythm all its own.

Inner and Outer

The Inner Richmond, closer to downtown, is a little busier, with more restaurants and shops packed along Clement Street and Geary Boulevard. Past Park Presidio Boulevard, the Outer Richmond opens up into quieter residential blocks that end at Ocean Beach and Lands End.

Clement Street

Clement Street is the neighborhood's kitchen. Bakeries, produce stands, bookstores and some of the best dim sum in the city sit within a few blocks of each other. Green Apple Books is a neighborhood institution and a great way to spend a foggy afternoon.

The parks on every side

Golden Gate Park forms the southern edge of the whole neighborhood, and the Presidio sits just to the north. At the western tip, the Lands End trail winds along the cliffs with views toward the Golden Gate, ending near the ruins of the Sutro Baths.

About the fog

Yes, the Richmond gets fog, especially in summer and closer to the ocean. But the weather can change block by block, and plenty of homes have sunny yards and bright rooms. When I tour homes here with clients, the direction a house faces and where it sits on the block are some of the first things I look at.

The homes

Much of the Richmond was built in the 1920s and 1930s, so you will find rows of single-family homes with garages at street level, Edwardian flats and many two-unit buildings. Compared with some central neighborhoods, buyers often find more space and more yard for the money.

Staying involved

I collaborate with the Richmond Review, sharing real estate insight and highlighting the small businesses and events that make the neighborhood special. If you are curious about living here, read the full neighborhood guide or reach out. I am always happy to talk about home.