PaulR2

Merced Heights is a neighborhood in the best sense. It is small enough to have a sense of community, some great spots like Brooks Park, at the top of the hill, which hosts a community garden that helps provide the area with an identity and because Merced Heights is built on a hill; homes have views, views, views; fantastic vistas of Lake Merced, and the Pacific Ocean, Point Reyes and Mt. Tamalpais. Brooks Park at the peak of the hill or "The Rock" at the intersection of Shields, Orizaba and Lake Streets provide great views via only a short walk. Merced Heights Park has tennis and basketball courts as well as a grass play field and a decent childrens playground which is overdue for a planned upgrade. This has been your average San Francisco middle class neighborhood for quite some time, but just recently, in 2015, the property values have been soaring as people discover one of the last "affordable" neighborhoods. Merced Heights, although very quiet, is well positioned for public transportation access. The 29 Bus line bisects the area and connects to nearby Stonestown Shopping Center and S.F. State to the West and the Ocean Avenue Business district, City College and BART to the East. For those who drive; I280, Hwy 1 and even US101, via 280 are easily accessible. The Ocean Avenue Business District and the "K Ingleside" Light Rail line is only 3 blocks, albeit, 3 long blocks away. Ocean Avenue, which has been under an extended upgrade process, has improved considerably. Whole Foods, Target Express, CVS, Walgreens, several awesome coffee shops such as "Foglifters" and "Java on Ocean" as well as "Champa Gardens" Thai food and some newly planned Indian and Sushi places join many other business along a rapidly improving business district thanks to the "Ocean Avenue Association" which has provided leadership in order to upgrade the strip. The area weather tends toward the foggy. The type of misty fog that blows in and soaks everything in it's path.The best time of year is September through early spring before the summer fog envelopes the area for a few months. The area is home to many students as it is situated right between S.F. State and City College. Many homeowners rent rooms to students which adds an essential vibrancy to the neighborhood. The Police district that covers the area, The Taraval Station, has the lowest rate of crime in San Francisco. Unpretentious, quiet, safe, yet vibrant and community oriented pretty much sums up Merced Heights.