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Central Sunset

Central Sunset

Neighborhood in San Francisco, California

San Francisco 94122

$1,595,638 Average Value
$984 Average Price per Sq Ft
10 Homes For Sale

Colorful San Francisco neighborhood next to Golden Gate Park

Central Sunset, located on the western side of San Francisco, is a highly walkable neighborhood notorious for its vibrant housing landscape – where colorful row houses with decorative accents uniformly line along the residential streetscapes. While slightly removed from the bustling inner-city districts but still close enough to commute, the neighborhood is conveniently minutes away from authentic local establishments and the city’s iconic Golden Gate Park. Central Sunset also sits between two other corridors that make up the city’s greater Sunset District – with beachy Outer Sunset to the west and trendy Inner Sunset to the east. “Sunset has become really hip as people have been moving away from the city center. It’s a suburban part of San Francisco that has excellent schools,” says Realtor Janice Lee of Coldwell Banker, who grew up in the city. Central Sunset is considered the more residential-focused neighborhood in the greater Sunset area. “Outer Sunset is next to us, and it’s a little more bohemian with cool spots, but Central Sunset has many more homeowners, which makes a difference,” says Tom Iglesias, a longtime resident and Facilities Coordinator at the neighborhood’s Sunset Rec Center. “A lot of people know each other and have been living here for years, so this makes people more invested in the community. It’s a little more affluent than other parts of the city with less crime too, and it’s also widely considered one of the top neighborhoods in San Francisco.”

An aerial view of Central Sunset.
An aerial view of Central Sunset.
Central Sunset's homes blend many different architectural styles together.
Central Sunset's homes blend many different architectural styles together.
Irvine Street buzzes with energy, embodying the dynamic spirit of Central Sunset.
Irvine Street buzzes with energy, embodying the dynamic spirit of Central Sunset.
Golden Gate Park has a wealth of places to gather and enjoy the outdoors.
Golden Gate Park has a wealth of places to gather and enjoy the outdoors.
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Marina-style homes with stucco roofs

The neighborhood’s wide streets feature narrow sidewalks and are lined with uniform rowhouses, often painted with a patchwork of soft pastel colors. The housing architecture is predominantly Marina- and Spanish-style homes, typically adorned with stucco roofs, large bay windows and ornate balconies that give off a Mediterranean feel. Homes here were largely built in the 1920s and ‘30s and are typically two stories, with a garage on the first floor and a living space above. While not as well-shaded due to the neighborhood’s lack of front property lawns, pops of greenery, such as California Bay Laurel trees and the occasional palm tree, are still sprinkled throughout Central Sunset’s streetscapes. The neighborhood also connects to a few mixed residential and commercial thoroughfares, allowing residents to conveniently walk from their homes to many area stores, service shops and eateries. Home prices range from $770,000 for smaller, 1,500-square-foot homes and can go up to $3.1 million for larger, around 3,500-square-foot properties with at least four bedrooms.

The Sunset is filled with two-story homes.
The Sunset is filled with two-story homes.
Central Sunset during spring is bright and full of colors.
Central Sunset during spring is bright and full of colors.
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Local breweries and longstanding coffee shops

Residents benefit from being within walking distance of many local shopping and dining offerings. Noreiga Street, running along the southern portion of the neighborhood, is lined with restaurants, grocery stores such as Safeway and coffee shops. The longstanding Henry’s House of Coffee has been around since 1965, offering pastries and house-roasted Armenian coffee that pays homage to the owner’s Lebanese roots. Next door, Sunset Reservoir Brewing Company’s two-level, natural wood-beamed warehouse interior is where locals can explore an assortment of award-winning beers along with American-style food items. This trendy spot is also a popular place to come listen to live music or socialize over a special brunch and entertainment lineup on the weekends. Even more dining and shopping options reside along Judah Street, with highly rated spots like Terra Cotta Warrior. This authentic Chinese eatery is known for its hand-pulled noodles and decorative interior, where visual depictions of China’s history are showcased through paper-cutting-style wall art.

Friendly faces brew perfection, making every visit to Diamond Coffee a delight.
Friendly faces brew perfection, making every visit to Diamond Coffee a delight.
Central Sunset is also home to BB Tea, for bubble tea and sweet crepes.
Central Sunset is also home to BB Tea, for bubble tea and sweet crepes.
Central Sunset is home to many businesses that take advantage of the parklet system.
Central Sunset is home to many businesses that take advantage of the parklet system.
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Greater Sunset District area community gatherings

Residents can enjoy community events that focus on the greater Sunset area. The annual Sunset Community Festival takes place in September along 37th Ave and Ortega – Pacheco streets, just a block from the neighborhood’s southern border. The event features family-friendly activities, from a kid’s bounce house to carnival games and a petting zoo. The event also features live musical performances, food trucks and vendors. When the holidays roll around, residents can head to the Sunset Holiday Mercantile at the County Fair Building at Golden Gate Park for two days of festive local vendors, food trucks, live music and regional beer and wine tastings.

Public schools with special academies

Students can attend Lawton Alternative Elementary School, which serves Kindergarten through Grade 8 and Giannini A.P. Middle School. Both schools receive an A-minus rating from Niche. Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High also receives an A-minus score and offers special academy programs in Arts, Media, and Entertainment, Engineering, Health Sciences and the Performing Arts.

Community center and Golden Gate Park amenities

The Sunset Rec Center is located in the heart of the neighborhood, offering residents abundant recreational amenities, from tennis and basketball courts to ping-pong stations and a colorful modern playground. “The community center was previously a World War II hangar,” says Iglesias. “Then, after the war, the President commissioned it to turn into a recreational building, so it’s interesting to think that what was once a hidden storage area for military tanks and equipment is now where people today come to play basketball and volleyball.” Sunset Reservoir is just south of the neighborhood, a popular overlook area with unobstructed views of the city’s famous Golden Gate Bridge. Close access to nearby Golden Gate Park, located less than a few miles north of the neighborhood, is a big-ticket item for Central Sunset residents. Sprawling over 1,000 acres, the site provides numerous walking trails, glittering lakes, botanical gardens and even art museums, all within one vast recreational hub. The park is also home to San Francisco’s iconic Japanese Tea Garden, the oldest one of its kind in the United States. A few miles west, locals can head to the wind-swept Ocean Beach area in Outer Sunset, which is a popular destination for windsurfing, kite flying and strolls along the shoreline.

Central Sunset's Sunset Rec Center has multiple ping pong tables that are regularly in use.
Central Sunset's Sunset Rec Center has multiple ping pong tables that are regularly in use.
Central Sunset's Sunset Recreation Center has multiple tennis courts.
Central Sunset's Sunset Recreation Center has multiple tennis courts.
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Nearby main thoroughfares and public transportation

Central Sunset may feel slightly remote in the fogbelt of west San Francisco, but the MUNI Metro light rail runs up and down Judah Street, making for an easy commute to the inner city. The neighborhood also sits next to the Route 1/Shoreline Highway, the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare. When looking for domestic or international flights, the San Francisco International Airport is 15 miles south of Central Sunset.

Central Sunset's N Judah Light Rail connects the neighborhood to downtown SF.
Central Sunset's N Judah Light Rail connects the neighborhood to downtown SF.
Central Sunset is serviced by many SF MUNI Bus lines.
Central Sunset is serviced by many SF MUNI Bus lines.
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Britni Petersen
Written By
Britni Petersen
Sheldon Steere
Photography Contributed By
Sheldon Steere
Jordan Sain
Video By
Jordan Sain

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Denis Lancerin, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

San Francisco International

26 min drive

Subway

Judah And Sunset

Subway

Judah And 34Th Avenue

Subway

Judah And 22Nd Avenue

Subway

Judah And 25Th Avenue

Subway

Judah St & 23Rd Ave

Subway

Judah St & 28Th Ave

Subway

Judah St & 31St Ave

Bus

22nd Ave & Lawton St

Bus

Noriega St & 27th Ave

Bus

22nd Ave & Kirkham St

Bus

23rd Ave & Kirkham St

Bus

Judah St & 22nd Ave

Bus

Judah St & 31st Ave

Bus

Judah St & 28th Ave

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Central Sunset US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,610,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,650,000
Median Townhouse Price
$2,090,444
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$1,100,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$984
Number of Homes for Sale
10
Last 12 months Home Sales
111
Months of Supply
1.10
Median List Price
$1,599,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
4,829
Median Year Built
1936
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,685
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,394
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,350
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
624
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,049

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    2 - 4pm

    1706 31st Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

    $950,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 1,386 Sq Ft
    • 1706 31st Ave
    • New 3 days ago

    Sunset tunnel entrance FIXER. Located in the heart of the Sunset District, the home offers endless potential for investors, flippers or homeowners looking to bring their vision to life. This classic 1940s-era Tunnel Entry 2-bed, 1-bath home retains its charming character, featuring original parquet hardwood floors, vintage lighting, a cozy breakfast nook, and a full bathroom with a separate tub

    Peter Fong Compass

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 4pm

    1462 20th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

    $1,195,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 1,050 Sq Ft
    • 1462 20th Ave
    • New 5 days ago

    First time on the market! Step into style and comfort in this light-filled, beautifully reimagined home nestled in the desirable Sunset neighborhood — thoughtfully updated for modern living. Enter through a secure front door into a spacious, open-concept layout featuring a fully remodeled kitchen with elegant cabinetry, marble countertops, and stainless steel appliances. The kitchen flows

    Nicole Harden Realm Real Estate

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    2 - 4pm

    1418 27th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

    $2,750,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 4 Baths
    • 2,403 Sq Ft
    • 1418 27th Ave
    • New 7 days ago

    Must See! Exceptional remodel and redesign of a home that has been in the same family for 50 years. The renovation was led by an award-winning architect, featuring a studs-out renovation with all new systems, roof, and a redesigned floor plan that works for today's buyers. Thoughtful space planning has allowed for three bedrooms, including a primary suite on the main level, with a great room

    Amanda Jones Compass

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Denis Lancerin, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
17,760
Median Age
45
Population Density
30 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$133,871
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$162,088

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
87.8%
College Graduates
56.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
17.9%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
22''
Average Winter Low Temperature
46°F
Average Summer High Temperature
68°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

73 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

81 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

61 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Central Sunset
Denis Lancerin
City Real Estate
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