If you’re searching for the best neighborhood to buy property in San Francisco, look no further than Golden Gate Heights. Located on the west side of the city, this hidden gem offers breathtaking views, a tranquil atmosphere, and tremendous long-term investment potential.
While neighborhoods like Pacific Heights and Noe Valley have traditionally dominated the conversation, post-pandemic trends are favoring areas with more space, better value, and less density—making Golden Gate Heights a hidden gem of a neighborhood to live and own real estate in 2025 and beyond.
Why Golden Gate Heights Stands Out
Golden Gate Heights is a quiet, residential neighborhood primarily composed of single-family homes, many of which boast stunning panoramic ocean views. These types of views command a significant premium in cities like Los Angeles, Hong Kong, or Sydney, yet in San Francisco, Golden Gate Heights still remains relatively affordable compared to prime east-side neighborhoods.
With more people working from home, the demand for homes with additional space, private yards, and scenic vistas has skyrocketed. Golden Gate Heights offers all of these advantages, making it an ideal choice for families, remote workers, and real estate investors alike.
The Lifestyle in Golden Gate Heights
Unlike denser neighborhoods like SOMA or the Mission, Golden Gate Heights provides a suburban feel with all the benefits of city living. The streets are quiet, crime rates are low, and there is an abundance of parks and green spaces, including the picturesque Grand View Park, which offers some of the best panoramic views of the entire city.
The neighborhood also benefits from its proximity to the vibrant Inner Sunset district, home to some of San Francisco’s best restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques.
For more outdoor space, there is the 7-acre Golden Gate Heights Park that provides a newly-renovated kids' playground and a tennis court, as well as more green vistas.
Muni access and major transit routes make commuting to downtown San Francisco easy, but many residents find they don’t need to travel far for entertainment and daily necessities.
Bus Routes Serving Golden Gate Heights:
- 6 Haight/Parnassus – Connects Golden Gate Heights to Downtown SF via the Inner Sunset, Haight-Ashbury, and Civic Center.
- 66 Quintara – Runs along Quintara Street, providing access to the Inner Sunset, West Portal, and Forest Hill Muni Station.
- 48 Quintara/24th Street – Connects the Sunset District to Noe Valley, Bernal Heights, and the Bayview.
- N Judah (Limited Access) – While the N Judah streetcar does not pass directly through Golden Gate Heights, it runs along Judah Street at the base of the neighborhood, making it a nearby transit option.
Closest Muni Metro Stops:
- Forest Hill Station (K, L, M Metro Lines) – A short bus ride or a downhill walk away, this underground station connects to Downtown SF and the broader Muni Metro network.
- West Portal Station (K, L, M Metro Lines) – Located just beyond Forest Hill, this station provides additional access to the Muni Metro system.
- N Judah Stops (9th & Judah, 16th & Judah, etc.) – These stops along the N Judah light rail line serve as key connections for Golden Gate Heights residents commuting downtown or to the beach.
Real Estate Value and Investment Potential
One of the biggest reasons Golden Gate Heights is the best neighborhood to buy in San Francisco is its relative affordability and strong appreciation potential. While San Francisco real estate remains expensive overall, Golden Gate Heights offers a unique opportunity to buy single-family homes with ocean views for under $1,500 per square foot, significantly lower than prime areas like Pacific Heights or Russian Hill, where prices can exceed $2,000–$3,000 per square foot.
For example, this 5-bedroom remodeled home with panoramic ocean views on three levels would easily sell for over $5.5 million in Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, or maybe Cow Hollow. In Manhattan, the home would easily cost over $6.5 million. But you can buy the home for less than $3.5 million in Golden Gate Heights at the moment. The neighborhood is great value.
San Francisco’s restrictive building codes and geographical limitations ensure that supply remains low. With AI and tech innovation fueling the city’s job market, demand for housing in desirable neighborhoods will only grow. Buying in Golden Gate Heights now is like getting into Noe Valley 10-20 years ago—it’s a smart investment before the rest of the market catches on.
How Golden Gate Heights Compares to Other Top San Francisco Neighborhoods
Forest Hill
Another fantastic option, Forest Hill is a peaceful residential neighborhood that feels like a gated community without the gates. It consists entirely of single-family homes with larger lots and a more traditional feel. However, Forest Hill generally commands higher prices than Golden Gate Heights due to its larger homes and larger lots on average. If tranquility is your top priority, Forest Hill is an excellent choice.
St. Francis Wood
St. Francis Wood is also one of the most desirable areas on the west side. However, home prices in St. Francis Wood tend to be even higher than Forest Hill and Golden Gate Heights, making it less accessible for first-time buyers or those looking for the best value.
West Portal
Located just south of Golden Gate Heights, West Portal offers excellent schools, a charming shopping district, and convenient transit access via the Muni Metro. However, homes in West Portal tend to be smaller and less likely to have expansive ocean views, which is one of Golden Gate Heights’ most significant advantages.
The Future of Golden Gate Heights
San Francisco is experiencing an AI-driven economic boom, with companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Databricks, and major tech giants expanding rapidly. Google is spending $75 billion in CAPEX in 2025, much of it on AI equipment and research. This is expected to drive another wave of high-income buyers into the real estate market, especially those looking for space, privacy, and long-term appreciation potential.
Additionally, major infrastructure and institutional investments in the west side of San Francisco—such as UCSF’s $4.3 billion Parnassus campus expansion—are poised to bring over 1,400 high-paying jobs to the area.
In addition, the Chinese American International School, with over 550 students, moved to the west side of San Francisco in September 2024 and will continue to attract 60+ new families a year to the area. Then there is the expansion of St. Ignatius Prep in the Outer Sunset.
This increase in demand for housing on the west side will likely lead to further price appreciation in Golden Gate Heights and surrounding neighborhoods.
Key Reasons to Buy in Golden Gate Heights
- Affordable Ocean View Homes – One of the few San Francisco neighborhoods where panoramic ocean views are still relatively affordable.
- Quiet, Safe Streets – Low crime rates and a suburban feel while still being close to urban conveniences.
- Access to Top Schools – Near high-quality public and private schools, making it an excellent choice for families.
- Strong Appreciation Potential – Home values in Golden Gate Heights are expected to rise significantly due to ongoing demand and limited supply.
- Work-From-Home Friendly – Larger homes with extra space for offices and breathtaking views create an ideal WFH environment.
- Proximity to Nature – Grand View Park, Larsen Park, and access to the coastline make this a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Excellent Public Transit & Highways – Convenient access to downtown and major freeways for those commuting to Silicon Valley or other parts of the Bay Area.
Should You Buy Now?
If you’re considering buying property in San Francisco, Golden Gate Heights should be at the top of your list. The area is still relatively under-the-radar compared to more well-known luxury neighborhoods, but this won’t last forever. The combination of growing demand, continued job growth, and the desirability of single-family homes with space makes the neighborhood one of the best long-term real estate investments in the city.
With interest rates expected to decline in the coming years and pent-up demand building, 2025 may be the perfect time to lock in a prime property before prices climb higher. Whether you’re looking for your dream home or a smart investment, Golden Gate Heights offers the best of both worlds.
One final note on home buying. In the past, buying a fixer and putting in some sweat equity was usually a profitable endeavor. Today, the cost to build has increased at a faster rate than the appreciation of homes in San Francisco. In addition, getting permits approved is a long and arduous process. Savvy contractors are now squeezing any profits a homeowner hoped to have remodeling for themselves.
As a result, I highly recommend buying a fully remodeled move-in ready home instead of a fixer. Your wallet and your relationship will thank you.
About The Author
Sam Dogen is the founder of Financial Samurai, the leading independently-owned personal finance site today with over 1 million organic page views a month. Sam is a 24-year resident of San Francisco and owns multiple properties in the city, including in Golden Gate Heights, Pacific Heights, The Marina, and Lake Tahoe. Read more about Sam here.
Listen and subscribe to The Financial Samurai podcast on Apple or Spotify. I interview experts in their respective fields and discuss some of the most interesting topics on this site. Your shares, ratings, and reviews are appreciated.
To expedite your journey to financial freedom, join over 60,000 others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. Everything is written based on firsthand experience and expertise.