8.8 out of 10

Sea Cliff

Ranked 1st best neighborhood in San Francisco
37.7864194401432 -122.487751887934
Great for
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Safe & Sound
  • Clean & Green
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Parks & Recreation
Not great for
  • Nightlife
  • Parking
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Families with kids
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Singles
  • Beach Lovers

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 1/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+
Editors Choice

"Beverly Hills North"

If egalitarian San Francisco has one elitist holdout, it is Sea Cliff. This enclave for the wealthy and renown, though by no means terribly rich or even hugely famous, is a solid, substantial parcel barely half-a-mile square. Though it has some impressive mansions, splendid piles perched on cliffs overlooking the Golden Gate, it also has a reputation for privacy and discretion. Most San Franciscans have heard of Sea Cliff, and although they are free to walk its streets and sidewalks, few have the means to live here, so it has become a kind of well-kept secret. And although some of its streets and homes look like Beverly Hills North, with manicured yards and incongruous palm trees swaying in the fog, there is little to suggest that residents here would call the cops simply because you look suspiciously like you don’t actually belong here.

The houses are an eclectic mixed bag, most of them vaguely Spanish colonial revival (orange terra cotta roofs and pastel stucco walls are pretty much the rule here), with a French chateau or Georgian manor thrown in here and there, and a 1960s modern plunked down less felicitously amid the curving blocks. As if to say “look at me,” a few of the more ostentatious homes along El Camino Del Mar and Sea Cliff Avenue have no trees or other greenery blocking them from the street (though this might be for the sake of unobstructed ocean views, too). One or two estates on a couple of blocks sit behind walls that keep curious eyes from prying too much, but there’s a remarkable openness about the neighborhood as well, especially if you’re on foot and simply stroll the various streets, marveling at the diverse architectural styles and materials as well as the sheer engineering feats some of the homes on the steep cliffs above the sea required to be built in the first place.

Part of the peace and quiet is owing to the city law prohibiting tour buses and vans on most streets in the area. Though few people actually come here looking to gawk, a number do come seeking to find out what Sharon Stone’s former mansion looks like, what kind of fancy digs Robin Williams lived in, and how San Francisco native Kirk Hammett of Metallica might have spent his off-tour hours. Few neighbors offer much information beyond a shrug or a smile, so it keeps the curious guessing.

Sea Cliff has a history surprising for this area adjacent to the Richmond District, developed so much later in the 20th century. The first real residents of the neighborhood (after the native peoples, of course) might have been Chinese fishermen, who established a camp at China Beach in the late 19th century. (Today, the site of their activity is a public beach maintained by the National Park Service, with access from the neighborhood’s north side, off Sea Cliff Avenue near El Camino Del Mar—the only way to legally access the protected strand, which sits between two cliff outcroppings and is thus sheltered to a degree from high winds). Mark Daniels, the famed landscape architect who created the 17-mile drive around Pebble Beach, began laying out the neighborhood and designing the landscaping of some of its finer homes in the 1910s, shortly after the earthquake and fire of 1906, when people were looking to get away from the rubble and charred remains of places like Nob Hill. Over the decades, the blocks filled in with houses grand or, grand’s evil stepchild, ostentatious. The result is an agglomeration of exquisite and tacky, much like the rest of the city.

Not all of Sea Cliff properly defined (California Street on the south, 32nd Avenue on the west, Sea Cliff Avenue and El Camino Del Mar on the north, and 24th Avenue on the east) is grandiose. The southeastern quadrant of the neighborhood has a number of modest single-family homes, condo buildings, and apartment houses and looks quite similar to the adjoining Richmond District. But wherever the stone corner markers herald the Sea Cliff name, the houses evoke wealth and class (if not taste).

Sea Cliff has two links to public transit: the 29 bus, which maneuvers along 25th Avenue on the neighborhood’s eastern edge, before ducking into the Presidio, and the 1 bus, which heads back and forth on California Street (the 1AX is an option for downtown commuters). For the most part, the residents of Sea Cliff drive (or are driven) to their destinations. For those wishing to park on the street (not necessary if you live in one of the area’s homes, many of them with three- and four-car garages), there are few limitations, outside of the standard weekly street-sweeping restrictions and the San Francisco prohibition on parking in any one area for more than 72 hours. The city’s Department of Parking and Traffic doesn’t issue any residential parking permits for Sea Cliff.

Crimes committed here are few and far between. Because of its well-guarded houses and garages, burglaries are uncommon as are robberies, according to San Francisco Police Department data. Vandalism and other nuisance crimes, such as disturbing the peace, are not unheard of, however, and the neighborhood follows the city trend of an increasing incidence of car break-ins and vehicle thefts. Assaults are the exception rather than the rule, and there have been no homicides for a number of years.

The Kittredge School (co-ed, K-8) and Katherine Delmar Burke School (girls, K-8; just “Burke’s” for those who attend) are the decidedly exclusive private schools that cater to the area’s pampered youth. No public schools lie within the neighborhood, though an elementary, middle, and high school each lie to the south of California Street, Sea Cliff’s southern border.

Rochambeau Playground on 24th Avenue is the sole “park” (it’s really just that—a playground with swings and gym equipment for kids, a tennis court and some basketball hoops for older denizens). China Beach qualifies as the only other public-access open space in the neighborhood. (With all those private yards, who needs public parks, after all?)

There’s nary a commercial strip in the neighborhood, unless you count the gas station at 25th Avenue and California Street, with Bikram Yoga Seacliff across the way. To get any necessities at all, you’ll have to venture a block south of California, to Clement Street, with its assortment of Asian restaurants, grocery stores, and shops. But then, you’re really in the Richmond District at that point.

The area’s 5,000 or so residents are overwhelmingly white (75 percent), the remaining being predominantly Asian, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Almost 80 percent of all residents own their homes. Pretty much everyone is well off, with median household income ranging from $150,000 upward. As for property holding its value—well, it’s all relative (depending on what you initially paid for that five-bedroom, four-bath, two-story “cottage”), with a big dose of that real-estate truism “location, location, location.” In Sea Cliff, “location” generally means El Camino Del Mar, Sea Cliff Avenue, or Lake Street and the avenues in between. A red-brick mini-mansion (looking straight out of Boston’s Beacon Hill) with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, an entry hall with dramatic staircase, and other upper-crust essentials went on the market recently for $3.9 million. Finding an apartment in the northern half of the neighborhood is well-nigh impossible (unless, of course, you’re talking servant’s quarters); and to rent one of these homes, you’ll need to pack your Vuitton valise with cash. For instance, a seven-bedroom mansion on El Camino Del Mar was recently advertised for $15,000 a month—not including staff, of course. That such a home at such a price even exists shows that the privileged of Sea Cliff are few, and that a few can pay for the privilege.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
PureKrome
PureKrome Awesome writeup about this secret pocket of San Fran :) Now .... how to get into this pocket .....
2yrs+
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5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Sea Cliff"

Sea Cliff is known as a neighborhood that caters to the wealthy and even has a few celebrity names on its list of residents. The area feels like an isolated piece of suburbia dropped into the middle of the city. It's bordered on both sides by two parks: the Presidio to the east and Lincoln Park to the west. The north side of the neighborhood overlooks the Pacific and boasts great views. Being enclosed on three sides makes this area feel more cozy and adds to the isolation. The only buses that reach Sea Cliff are the 29, which runs north and south, and the 1, which run along California Street.
5/5
2yrs+

"Sea Cliff...My New Aspiration"

My daughter lives in San Francisco with her new husband. During my last visit there, we caught a bus in the cold rainy weather (something I'm not use to as a resident of Miami), walked a ways down El Camino Del Mar, to the park and walking trail at the end of the road. This area is so beautiful, it didn't appear real. It looks like something you only see in films.

Nevertheless, at this moment in my life, I'm re-evaluating my goals and I want to figure out how I can live there with my family one day (including my daughter and her husband). I meditate on this daily. Sea Cliff is that beautiful.
Pros
  • Amazing Views
  • Immaculate Streets
Cons
  • Not So Diverse
Recommended for
  • Tourists
  • Beach Lovers
5/5 rating details
  • Safe & Sound 1/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 1/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 1/5
  • Internet Access 1/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 1/5
  • Medical Facilities 1/5
  • Schools 1/5
  • Childcare 1/5
2yrs+

"1976 on Sea Cliff Ave."

We imbibed epic 74' Cabernets from Napa Valley, looking out the window at the Golden Gate.

Our close friend, successful Oregonian, Ciff Abbey owned this home, directly on Seacliff Avenue.
He and his three, Univ. of Oregon graduate, inside friends, frequented the unique, awe inspiring S.F. eclectic, period mansion.
Cliff had an immense stained glass window, custom built to suit the huge stairwell/foyer.
The fresh air that comes of the Pacific is invigorating.
Kerouac you say ?
This tight band of brothers, knew the Kerouac material, inside and out.
And they had each adopted their alias" from On The Road.
Cliff was Babbs.
In fact, they knew some of the Merry Pranksters from Eugene, OR, their home, and the home of Ken Kesey.
------
Stretch, black Cadillac...to the S.F. Opera.
"... a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac." [ Don Henley, The Eagles.]
Yes, they had one.
And myself.
My grand parents built their house in the Sunset District in 1907.
Eight houses in from the Golden Gate Park.
1271 - 29th Avenue.
And as a 20 year old College Student, I was proud to pack boxes full of jeans, for Sticky Finger jeans of San Francisco.
And be graced and included in the Brotherhood of Seacliff, Oregonian comraderie, and a shared respect and immersion in 1970's San Francisco.
---------
Cliff went on to own a vineyard in St. Helena. And to marry a great and profound woman and spirit, from the Luce Family.
Pros
  • You had to be there.
  • Amazing Views
  • Immaculate Streets
  • Neighborhood feeling
  • Spacious Homes
  • easy parking
Cons
  • none
  • A Touch Snobby
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Hipsters
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
2yrs+

"Beautiful and Tranquil"

We moved to the sea cliff area about six months ago from another neighborhood in the city. Initially, we were a bit concerned about living too far up in the corner of the city, but now that we've been here we love it. The city has become so crowded downtown with tech companies and tech workers it's nice to come home where it is tranquil and beautiful. I never grow tired of seeing the Golden Gate bridge and ocean, or running lands end. The downside of sea cliff would be the lack of stylish restaurants and bars. The outer richmond is made up of very good ethnic food but pretty much all of the restaurants are basic functional. With the exception of Aziza, which is excellent, the neighborhood just hasn't gotten the surge in swank like other neighborhoods. But with Uber who cares.
Pros
  • easy parking
  • Amazing Views
  • Immaculate Streets
  • Neighborhood feeling
  • Spacious Homes
Cons
  • lack of swanky restaurants and watering holes
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
  • Beach Lovers
5/5
2yrs+

"Top of the Heap in San Francisco"

San Francisco’s tony Sea Cliff neighborhood boasts some of the city’s most sweeping views and its grandest homes.

While architecture in the neighborhood varies, many Sea Cliff homes for sale are Mediterranean in style. They range in price from about $1.8 million to more than $20 million.

Sea Cliff residents enjoy easy access to China and Baker beaches, the spectacular Lands End trail, and Lincoln Park with its golf course and Legion of Honor museum. Sea Cliff homes, particularly those on El Camino Del Mar, offer stunning views of the Bay and the San Francisco skyline seen through the Golden Gate Bridge.

Because neighborhood streets don’t lie in a grid pattern, there is very little cut-through traffic, making the area exceptionally peaceful and quiet.

A number of celebrities have called the Sea Cliff home over the years including actress Sharon Stone, comedian Robin Williams, and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett. Stone’s former home at One 25th Ave. features a private entrance to Baker Beach.

The neighborhood is entirely residential, but a number of eateries including El Mansour Moroccan restaurant, Oyaji Japanese restaurant, and Tee Off Bar and Grill line Clement Street near Lincoln Park. The Cliff House and Louis’ are also nearby.

Katherine Delmar Burke School, a K-8 private girls’ school, is located at 7070 California St. and has long attracted families with girls to the neighborhood.
Pros
  • Amazing Views
  • Immaculate Streets
Cons
  • expensive
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Internet Access 2/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
2yrs+

"A suburb in the city"

I have lived in Sea Cliff since I was two years old, and as frustratingly boring as the neighborhood can be as a teenager, I still love the quiet neighborhood I have always called home. When my family first moved here in 1991, we were the only Asians on the block, but the neighborhood has gotten considerably more diverse since then, especially since a lot of the older, longtime residents have passed away. However, it's still extremely white (a lot of Jewish people though); I know of only one African-American family and no Hispanic families. The neighborhood was created in the 1910s as a whites-only residential neighborhood; the architect also created St. Francis Wood as a whites-only neighborhood with similarly wide, winding tree-lined streets, large, detached houses with gardens, and pillars designating the boundaries of the neighborhood. Commercial businesses are not allowed in Sea Cliff, and houses can't be subdivided into apartments/condos, so if you're looking to rent an apartment, it will have to be south of California street and therefore outside of Sea Cliff.

It's a great place to raise a family, not so great for young, single people who want to have fun. Growing up, it always took me forever to get places on the Muni (ex: 30 minutes on the 1 California to get to Fillmore, 45 minutes on the 38 Geary to get to Union Square, etc.). Public transportation is awful in comparison to the rest of the city, and if you want a taxi, you'll have to call it. Luckily, I went to Katherine Delmar Burke School like all the other girls in the neighborhood (boys usually go to Town or Cathedral), so I was able to safely walk to and from school everyday. My brother briefly went to Alamo School, which is a top public elementary school down the street for Outer Richmond kids. Presidio Middle School and George Washington High School (both of which were attended by my parents) are also great public schools within walking distance, although most Sea Cliff parents send their kids to private schools.

One of the best things about Sea Cliff is the neighbors; it's probably the only neighborhood left in SF where you can literally go next door to borrow a cup of sugar. We know everyone on our block, and we still have block parties. All the houses have gardens/backyards, so teenagers in the neighborhood tend to throw a lot of ragers (especially because of the proximity to China Beach, Baker Beach and Land's End), but usually it's dead quiet at night. The closest bars are Trad'r Sam's, which is a tiki bar on 26th and Geary that's always filled with college kids and has alcoholic ice cream drinks, and the Tee Off Bar and Grill, which has $4 pints, an awesome beer selection, surprisingly sophisticated food, an outdoor backyard area, and a cute dog named Olive (Sea Cliff is very dog friendly). Other than that, there's nowhere to go out. There are quite a few cheap, awesome Asian restaurants on Clement (albeit the quieter end in comparison to the part closer to Arguello), Geary and Balboa, plus a few cafes, Gordo's, etc. (mostly Asian food though); the only "nice" restaurant in the area is probably Aziza on Geary. All the stores and restaurants are pretty cheap and unpretentious, and they've all been around forever; it isn't a trendy area. Houses here can stay in the same families for generations, and most of the families have been in San Francisco for a long time. People who move into the neighborhood are usually looking to put down roots here.
Pros
  • Amazing Views
  • Immaculate Streets
  • Neighborhood feeling
  • Spacious Homes
Cons
  • expensive
  • Not So Diverse
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • Beach Lovers
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
2yrs+

"If you can't beat 'em, join 'em"

Sea Cliff is the perfect descriptive name for this small region that lays on the northwest end of San Francisco. The neighborhood is home to some of the most affluential residents in the city, living in enormous Spanish style estates or luxurious condominiums with eye popping views of the bay. The streets are clean, the natural landscape is well-groomed and the palm trees are plotted along the sidewalks as if it was part of Southern California. Crime is almost unheard of in this area. With houses guarded by lofty fences, its almost as if their living in a gated community.

As expected, the neighborhood is somewhat isolated from its surrounding community. Public transit rarely visits the area with only the 29-line cutting along 25th Avenue. This doesn’t seem like a problem considering most of the residents make use of their expensive cars and multi-car garages.

Sea Cliff is not just for show. The neighborhood also offers plenty of enthralling attractions. Lincoln Park Golf Course is an 18-hole course that flanks Sea Cliff to the north. Hiking trails carve along the steep hills and cliffs with beautiful views of the geographic landscape. For beachcombers, Sea Cliff offers a small secluded beach accessed by steep staircases.

The neighborhood doesn’t offer any restaurants or shops. Consequently, many of the residents must venture out of the area for food and supplies.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Very, Very Green in More Ways than One"

Sea Cliff is one of those places that doesn’t seem quite real to me—sort of like Monaco on the Pacific. The place is just so immaculate and exudes such wealth, that you are almost afraid of breaking something while you are there.
Of course, there is no real question about living here. It is way beyond the means 99.9% of everyone. The combination of Mediterranean style mansions, bay/ocean front property (it is right at the mouth of SF Bay) and a postcard view of the Golden Gate Bridge—I can hardly fathom the bank people must make to live here.
In case you are wondering, here are the official numbers that I looked up:
Average Income: $175K
Average Rent: $2,200 (though I very much doubt there are many renters here)
In other words, beautiful homes, great views and matchingly spectacular costs!
Pros
  • Amazing Views
  • Immaculate Streets
  • Spacious Homes
Cons
  • Not So Diverse
  • A Touch Snobby
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Peopla aspire to live here"

Sea Cliff is known as a neighborhood that caters to the wealthy and even has a few celebrity names on its list of residents. The area feels like an isolated piece of suburbia dropped into the middle of the city. It's bordered on both sides by two parks: the Presidio to the east and Lincoln Park to the west. The north side of the neighborhood overlooks the Pacific and boasts great views. Being enclosed on three sides makes this area feel more cozy and adds to the isolation. The only buses that reach Sea Cliff are the 29, which runs north and south, and the 1, which run along California Street.

The houses in the neighborhood tend to be large and expensive. A lot of them share the same architectural look and have red-tiled roofs that are common in California. Walk through the area gawking at the sites. You'll want to see these houses. Maybe you'll even spot Robin Williams house! If you walk toward the Pacific, you can take the steps down to the one public beach in the neighborhood, China Beach.
Pros
  • Neighborhood feeling
Cons
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 1/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 1/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Wealthy neighborhood, home to a celebrity or two"

Sea Cliff is a beautiful neighborhood mainly for the higher class or wealthy people. Just coming into this neighborhood you can already feel the presence of the rich, or just by looking at the house. If there is anything noticeable this neighborhood, it would definitely have to be the homes. All the houses here have a sophisticated look to them, most have a olden- style feel to them, especially one home in particular. On El Camino Del Mar is where the largest house (I’d say) in the neighborhood resides. This home is owned by Robin Williams, which many San Franciscans know him as Mrs. Doubtfire. That home in particular looks like a mini-mansion, it is even a gated home, all this really shows the true colors of the Sea Cliff, it screams “high class.”

What’s also great about the Sea Cliff is its location. The Sea Cliff lies between Lincoln Park and The Presidio. So if you’re ever looking to do recreational activities, you’re never far from a park. And for golfers, you’re really close to both golf courses in Lincoln Park and The Presidio. The Sea Cliff is also right next to Baker Beach.

I myself would like to live in this neighborhood; it’s a great neighborhood at a great location to raise a family and such. But you would definitely need to have the money to do so. The Sea Cliff also has a suburban-ish feel to it as the neighborhood itself is relatively quiet.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"A girl can always dream"

Who wouldn’t like Sea Cliff? This is a gorgeous neighborhood. Sea Cliff is in an absolutely beautiful spot between Lincoln Park and The Presidio of San Francisco. In fact, it is even home to many celebrities and impressive mansions. You will find a lot of fog and mist in Sea Cliff, but it gives the area a romantic dreamy feel.

In this neighborhood, you are slightly north of Central Richmond. This means that there are plenty of dining and shopping options. Some of San Francisco’s best Asian food is in the Richmond area.

If you live in Sea Cliff, you really can’t beat the beauty of being right near the Presidio. This park has a famous golf course and ample hiking. The Lands End Trail is particularly popular. It is known for having some of the most spectacular views in all of San Francisco. If you want some pristine hiking, don't miss the Lands End Trail. Of course, there is additionally the great beach access that you get in Sea Cliff.

If you are in San Francisco, it only makes sense to take a look at Sea Cliff. Even if you can’t afford to live here, you can always dream!
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Scenic and ritzy"

Sea Cliff is a small and wealthy neighborhood in a park-like setting. Tucked in-between Lincoln Park and the Presidio, Sea Cliff has breathtaking views of the Marin Headlands, Golden Gate Bridge, and the Pacific Ocean. The parks protect Sea Cliff from strong ocean winds and provide a lot of greenery. Sea Cliff’s winding streets are lined with beautiful mansion-like homes, many owned by celebrities such as Robin Williams, Kirk Hammett and Sharon Stone.

Sea Cliff contains one of the prettiest beaches in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, China Beach. Although small, its view of the front side of the Golden Gate Bridge is outstanding. China Beach has picnic tables, clean restrooms and a sea wall to protect the surrounding cliffs from stormy seas. Sea Cliff is also close to Baker Beach, a half-mile swath of golden sand that stretches from the edge of the neighborhood to the Golden Gate Bridge. Baker Beach is part of the historic Presidio and is more scenic and clean than Ocean Beach. There are great picnic areas nestled into the beach’s forested cliffs.

Sea Cliff is primarily residential and there are no shops or restaurants. However, the neighborhood is located near a charming stretch of Clement Street and has quick access to the bustling Inner Richmond area. The Legion of Honor, a lovely fine art museum is located to the west of the neighborhood, as is the Lincoln Park Golf Course.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5
2yrs+

"Well To Do"

This area of town is simply awe inspiring. As you head up 25th toward the water, you'll be able to head north-east into the presidio and take the long climb up Lincoln Blvd with those amazing views. Alternately, you can head west toward Point Lobos and cut over to the California Palace of Legion of Honor or the Lincoln Park Golf Course. I've heard rumor you can get on the course for free, though I'm not a golfer so I have no idea if this rumor is accurate or not.

Regardless, the ride (car or bike) along El Camino Del Mar is lovely and you can tell as you look at the houses in this area that these folks have some money. Robin Williams is rumored to live now or have lived in the past in this area -- you can even find pictures on the internet: http://www.flickr.com/photos/livenature/425564432/
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

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Best Streets in Sea Cliff

1

Lake St

4/5
"A Seclusive Yet Lovely Place to Live"
37.7850852682862 -122.489876059676
"Luxury living at its finest"
37.7886357550419 -122.488579812078

Unranked Streets in Sea Cliff

McLaren Ave

3.5/5
"Simply and breathtakingly beautiful"
37.786257279681 -122.48929784557

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