CENTRAL RICHMOND
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Richmond was a recreation destination, with visitors flocking via toll road, street car or steam train to its beaches and popular attractions: The Cliff House, Sutro Baths, and eventually Playland at the Beach.
Today, visitors to the city still gravitate to Ocean Beach and Land’s End, yet for its full-time residents the Central and Outer Richmond offers year-round outdoor recreation and entertainment – all within a pleasurable walk from their front doors. Rain or shine, there’s always something fun to see or do or eat nearby.
Once known as the “Outside Lands” of San Francisco, the area’s vast sand dunes were annexed by the United States in 1848 and by San Francisco in 1866, at which time acreage was set aside for the establishment of Golden Gate Park – the treasured 1,000+ acre park that forms the southern boundary of the district. But before 1900, the area was considered far from the city center, just as pre-GG Bridge Marin County was deemed a vacation getaway akin to today’s Lake Tahoe. That all changed when the motor vehicle came along to shorten distance and time. The farms, roadhouses, saloons and amusement parks of the Richmond gradually gave way to residential development. Gardens and homes took root in the fledgling neighborhood’s grid, and the area was transformed from monotonous dune to a thriving residential community.
Today the neighborhood offers some of the finest city living imaginable, with a friendly and diverse population, historically significant architecture, terrific public transportation, fabulous civic venues and parks, bustling shopping streets, an enviable safety record, and clean air flowing fresh and steady from the Pacific Ocean.
831 25th Avenue has the distinction of being one of a row of unique Spanish-Mediterranean style duplexes designed by architect Laurence O. Ebbets and constructed in the early 1930s on the west side of 25th Avenue. Built on 30' wide lots, they are exceptionally capcious and comfortable in a city where 25' is the norm. Add irreplaceable architecture, sensible floor plans and nearness to Golden Gate Park and you've got a winning, hard-to-find combination!
Below is a list of Richmond district features. Note, some attractions are currently inaccessible or closed due to shelter in place order.
Art and culture
- Richmond Branch of SF Public Library
- Anza Branch of SF Public Library
- Balboa Theater
- Camera Obscura
- Four-Star Theater
- Historic WPA Murals at the Beach Chalet
- Palace of the Legion of Honor
- Sutro Baths ruins
Favorite restaurants
- Angelina’s (deli cafe)
- Aziza (Moroccan nouveau)
- Bazaar Café (casual food, live music)
- Beach Chalet (American, ocean views)
- Breadbelly (breakfast, lunch, lovely)
- Cassava (casual breakfast and lunch)
- Chino’s Taqueria (Mexican)
- Cliff House (new American, cocktails)
- La Vie (Vietnamese)
- Le Bread (bakery)
- Pacific Café (fresh seafood, very popular)
- Park Chalet (American, park views)
- Pizetti 211 (gourmet pizza)
- Shanghai Dumpling King (out-of-this-world soup dumplings)
- Simple Pleasures Café (coffee, sandwiches)
- Tee Off Bar (drinks, snacks)
- Tommy’s (Mexican)
- Ton Kiang (Chinese, dim sum)
- Zephyr (coffee shop)
Outdoor recreation
- Baker Beach (swimming, sunbathing, wading, walking)
- Buffalo pen at Golden Gate Park
- Cabrillo Playground (38th Ave. and Cabrillo)
- China Beach (smaller than Baker Beach, picnicking, sunbathing)
- Dog Run at Golden Gate Park (38th Avenue and Fulton)
- Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club in GG Park
- Golden Gate Archery Park in GG Park
- Golden Gate Park (walking, cycling, more)
- Lands End (vista points, walking trails, secret beach, shipwreck viewing)
- Lincoln Park Golf Course (golf)
- Lincoln Park Playground (33rd Ave. and Clement)
- Ocean Beach (walking, sunbathing, sand play, surfing, boogie boarding)
- Rochambeau Playground (238 25th Avenue)
- San Francisco Disc Golf Course in GG Park
- Spreckels Lake (walking, remote-control boats)
- Sutro Park (walking, vistas over Ocean Beach and north)
Public transportation and driving routes
- Park Presidio on the east, Great Highway on the west for driving north/south on 1 or 280
- MUNI lines: 1, 5, 18, 29, 31, 38
- Fulton for driving east/west, quick access to Fell/Oak and 101, 80E
