Washington St, Presidio Heights

If you know anything about Presidio Heights, you know that it is one of those neighborhoods in San Francisco like Sea Cliff and Saint Francis Wood where the creme-de-la-creme, the richest of the rich, live. Presidio Heights in general and Washington St. in specific, does not have the amazing Golden Gate Bridge views of Sea Cliff, nor does is it tucked away quite in the way that Saint Francis Wood is--but what it does have going for it is truly historic homes largely built in the decade or so after the Great 1906 Quake, which brought many San Franciscans out to these then “peripheral” areas.

When a resident of Washington Street steps out of his or her house in the morning they find a lane that except for the modern cars and other modern additions looks much like it a may have a century ago. These are grand old manors with short front yards and beautiful walk-up entry ways. Some are quite ostentatious, with Doric or Corinthian columns book-ending the entrance, and palladian windows giving way onto tiny Romeo and Juliet style balconies. Some make use of the top floors (most of these are three story structures) to create open air verandas, perfect for sunbathing on that one day per year that the weather is clear and warm enough. Other buildings along Washington Street are a touch more modest, and look much more like the older buildings that you might find throughout the city.

Nevertheless, the wealth in the area raises all home prices. The most expensive homes to sell in the last year in Presidio Heights have been within a block or so of the corner of Washington Street and Cherry Street. The one on Washington Street is a 1927 3-story home with more 3500 ft. of space and a beautiful back yard. It really is an amazing structure. I personally however much prefer the Mediterranean style home a house or two away that recently sold for $3.5 million. It was built in 1924 and has a really attractive open air deck on the top floor. The style also is much more modern in feel--very European in a good way.

That gives you a sense however of the the kind of neighborhood this is: multi-million dollar homes with luxury cars parked out front. You can’t beat this location either. You are a block away from the Presidio on the north and within walking distance of Golden Gate park on the south. The schools are also some of the best in the city and the commute to most other parts of the city is pretty good.

Overall it is great area to live if you are a CEO or CFO with a family who hates commuting or needs to be somewhat near the action of the city.