Balboa Terrace is a small, upscale neighborhood located along the southern edge of the exclusive St. Francis Wood area. Many of the homes here are Spanish Mediterranean and Mission-style houses with well-kept lawns and pretty landscaping. Along the neighborhood’s quiet streets and green belts, one will often see residents out for a stroll or on their way to West Portal Avenue.
Within the blocks of that busy shopping district are all the conveniences of city living, from organic grocery stores and coffee shops, to award-winning restaurants, day spas, gift stores, and even a first-run movie theater. Families appreciate that there are great schools, parks, and playgrounds in the area, as well as a large indoor mall that boasts dozens of retail stores. And commuters enjoy easy access to the 280 freeway and the convenience of a nearby MUNI Metro line that can take them directly downtown. ©2016 Maryann LoRusso
The K-MUNI line provides easy access to downtown and other parts of the city.
Commodore Sloat is one of the highest-rated elementary schools in the San Francisco Unified School District.
Aptos Park is an urban green space that contains a children’s playground, baseball diamond, tennis court, and landscaped path.
Beautiful Mediterranean-style homes with manicured front lawns line the streets of Balboa Terrace.
Stonestown Galleria is a large indoor mall flanked by a Nordstrom and Macy’s, and featuring a wide array of stores and restaurants.
The Lakeside Shops along Ocean Avenue offer everything from great ethnic restaurants and bakeries to drugstores and specialty shops.
Zanze’s Cheesecake on Ocean Avenue is a dessert lover’s paradise.