A quiet but increasingly sought-after neighborhood, the Portola has long been overlooked in favor of trendier areas, but as affordability tightens in the Mission, Bernal Heights, and Glen Park, more buyers are taking notice. Historically home to multi-generational families, the area still retains its close-knit community feel, with a mix of stucco-clad junior-5 and Marina-style homes, along with mid-century properties that reflect the neighborhood’s development from the 1940s through the 1960s.
The district is anchored by University Mound, where a senior home of the same name sits near the massive twin covered water reservoirs, one of the City’s key water storage sites. McLaren Park, San Francisco’s second-largest park, provides expansive open space, playgrounds, hiking trails, dog parks, and newly installed pickleball courts, making it a major outdoor amenity for the area. The neighborhood’s main commercial corridor, San Bruno Avenue, is lined with long-standing family-run businesses, reflecting the area’s Maltese, Jewish, and Asian immigrant roots.
Bordered by 101 to the east and Visitacion Valley to the south, the Portola sits in a prime location for commuters, offering quick freeway access while maintaining a quieter, residential atmosphere. Homes higher up toward Mandel Street enjoy sweeping views of the City and Bay, marking a natural transition between the Portola and Visitacion Valley. With new buyer interest and rising property values, the Portola is solidifying itself as one of the last hidden gems in San Francisco real estate.
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Up and Up.
The Portola District has long flown under the radar, but as affordability tightens elsewhere, more buyers are recognizing its value. It retains the feeling of an old-school San Francisco neighborhood—quieter, family-oriented, and with a strong sense of community. San Bruno Avenue is the district’s main commercial corridor, lined with small markets, bakeries, and family-run businesses that reflect the area’s diverse population. Over the years, many Asian immigrants settled here, adding to the mix of cultures and cuisines, while long-time Maltese and Jewish residents maintain deep roots in the neighborhood.
One of the most distinctive features of the district is its abandoned greenhouses along Woolsey Street, relics of the Portola’s past as the “Garden District.” These structures once defined the neighborhood as a major flower-growing hub, but today they stand as eerie yet fascinating reminders of that legacy. The fate of these greenhouses has been a subject of ongoing debate, with community members divided over whether they should be preserved, repurposed, or redeveloped entirely. In the meantime, the area’s resident goats—yes, real goats—continue to roam, seemingly indifferent to the controversy.
A recent sale we had in the Portola is a prime example of how this neighborhood is changing—our listing at 927 Dwight (www.927-Dwight.com) proves the point. Our client bought this junior five home as a single professional in 2013 and is now leaving as a married mother of two, heading to Berkeley (see our Berkeley/Oakland discussion). In those 11 years, her home doubled in value, thanks in part to a thoughtful set of updates we helped execute. The market spoke loudly—13 offers within 7 days of open houses, with all but two over the list price. Clearly, buyers are paying attention, even if not everyone has caught on yet.
Another defining feature of the Portola District is its proximity to McLaren Park, San Francisco’s second-largest green space. This sprawling park offers hiking trails, lakes, scenic overlooks, baseball fields, basketball courts, and (new) pickleball courts, making it a major outdoor amenity for the neighborhood. The park also serves as a natural boundary, reinforcing the area’s slightly removed, suburban feel while still keeping it connected to the city.
Along the northeastern edges of the district, the streets are named after colleges and universities, and this section of the Portola features some of the area’s most distinctive mid-century homes. These houses, built primarily between the 1940s and 1960s, reflect a shift in architectural style—earlier homes retain more classic features, while those built later tend toward a boxier, angular aesthetic. Most properties feature two to three upper-level bedrooms, a one- or two-car garage, and either an undeveloped ground floor or a finished space that serves as an in-law unit, rental space, or extended family housing.
Structurally, these homes were built with redwood framing, concrete slab floors, and perimeter foundations, but many still have original galvanized plumbing, Federal Pacific electrical panels (which are now considered a fire hazard), and asbestos-containing materials. While these older systems can raise concerns, many homeowners have modernized their properties over the years, and buyers willing to make updates will find opportunities here. See our Architectural Discussion for insights on how people are addressing these issues.
One quirky feature of the Portola is the sheer number of home-based daycare centers scattered throughout the neighborhood. You’ll spot brightly colored signs on garage doors and windows, advertising small childcare businesses—a reflection of the area’s family-friendly reputation and long-standing multi-generational living arrangements.
While the Portola has remained quiet and relatively under the radar, rising home values in neighboring areas like Bernal Heights and Glen Park have driven more buyers to take a closer look. Streets like Paris and Edinburgh in the Excelsior are also seeing increased demand, as buyers priced out of the Mission and Noe Valley search for more space and value.
With its rich history, green space, and affordability compared to the rest of San Francisco, the Portola District is poised for even greater appreciation—especially as more people recognize the lifestyle and opportunities it offers.