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Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights

Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights

Neighborhood in San Francisco, California

San Francisco 94117

$2,281,344 Average Value
$1,236 Average Price per Sq Ft
5 Homes For Sale

A big-city vibe with the friendliness of a small town

One of the city’s smaller neighborhoods, Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights makes a big impression. Highly desirable for its exquisite Victorians, hilltop views and quaint commercial district, the neighborhood is buzzing with young families and longtime residents. “It’s one of the few remaining areas of San Francisco that feels like a small town. It’s got local shops instead of chains, and classic homes on tree-lined streets,” says Realtor Marcus Lee of Compass Realty. “People are always out and about on evenings and weekends.”

Local eateries and markets on upbeat Cole Street

Three northern blocks of Cole Street are the neighborhood’s main commercial center, a mecca for small businesses and local eateries. Once a comedy club where Robin Williams performed, the family-owned Crepes on Cole now serves savory and sweet crepes from morning through dessert. Locals can dine at the 1930s-style soda fountain at Ice Cream Bar or try Middle Eastern comfort food like hummus and falafel at Beit Rima. Beloved since it opened in 1992, traditional French bistro Zazie is a local favorite with an extensive wine list. Residents stop off for snacks and groceries at Luke's Local and pore over the global vintages at Adel’s Wine Cellar. Fresh produce can be found a few blocks east of the neighborhood at Upper Terrace Market, while Whole Foods is just north in The Haight district.

Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights has a popular local grocery and deli.
Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights has a popular local grocery and deli.
Crepes on Cole is a cozy Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights eatery.
Crepes on Cole is a cozy Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights eatery.
Sidewalk dining at small restaurants is common in Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights.
Sidewalk dining at small restaurants is common in Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights.
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Golden Gate greenery

This area used to be a humbler landscape of dairy farms, which helps to explain the hundreds of acres of green space that now surround it. These days, locals enjoy the oak woodlands of Buena Vista Park, the trail-laced Mount Sutro Open Space and the sprawl of Golden Gate Park. Near the latter’s border with Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights is Koret Children’s Quarter, with an epic playground for climbing and swinging, plus the delightfully detailed menagerie of the 1914 Herschel-Spillman carousel. Elevation is a thing in Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights, and it gets sunnier and windier in the community’s upper reaches. The rocky tumble of Tank Hill, the romantic Monument Way Stairs and the memorial-capped Mount Olympus invite residents and visitors to climb, stroll, linger and watch the city unfurl below. Closer to sea level, the neighborhood’s Grattan Park includes a wooden climbing structure, a small community center and lighted tennis courts.

Tank Hill Park overlooks all of San Francisco from Cole Valley/ Parnassus Heights.
Tank Hill Park overlooks all of San Francisco from Cole Valley/ Parnassus Heights.
Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights families can enjoy the nearby skate-park.
Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights families can enjoy the nearby skate-park.
Pickleball players love the playground in Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights.
Pickleball players love the playground in Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights.
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Colorful, bombastic Victorian architecture

Dating from the 1870s through the early 1900s, the well-preserved Victorian homes and buildings here are a colorful display of ornate woodwork and decorative trim, peaked and flat rooflines, raised front porches, bay windows and stained glass. Single-family houses are peppered amid three-story homes carved into condos. Both tend to have one-car garages, small backyards and a little tree shade. Higher in the hills, homebuyers will find a dashing display of architectural styles, from earthy, eccentric Craftsman homes to renovated Marina style dwellings. Condos are more commonly found on the market, ranging from $1.2 million to $3 million, while single-family homes list for $3 million to $5 million.

In Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights many old homes are carved into three-story condos.
In Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights many old homes are carved into three-story condos.
Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights also has distinctive single-family homes.
Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights also has distinctive single-family homes.
Well preserved Victorian homes are a common sight in Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights.
Well preserved Victorian homes are a common sight in Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights.
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Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights's Lycee Francais serves Pre-K through 12th grade.
Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights's Lycee Francais serves Pre-K through 12th grade.

Highly rated public and private schools

Students can attend Grattan Elementary, which earns an A-minus rating from Niche, before moving on to A-minus-rated Giannini Middle School, where test scores soar well above average. Nearby Independence High, rated B-plus, is an alternative school offering independent courses of study. Also in the neighborhood is the private, international Lycée Français de San Francisco, a French immersion school serving Pre-K through 12 that earns an A-plus rating.

The Cole Valley Fair

Events inspire residents of all ages to gather. During the Belvedere Street Halloween festivities, kids and adults show off their costumed creativity, while the Cole Valley Improvement Association hosts the annual Cole Valley Fair. The festival features local artists, food vendors, live music, kids’ events and a block’s worth of neighbors’ vintage cars.

Getting around San Francisco

About 100 years ago, there was a streetcar stop at the intersection of Cole and Carl streets; today it’s home to a stop for the Muni light rail's N Judah Line. Several bus lines serve the neighborhood, and the 16th Street Mission BART station is about a mile east. For air travel, it’s about 15 miles to the San Francisco International Airport, a heavily trafficked airport with dozens of nonstop flights departing daily.

Daniel Berti
Written By
Daniel Berti
Jahlil Harris
Video By
Jahlil Harris

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 Sean Engmann, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

San Francisco International

26 min drive

Subway

Carl And Cole

Subway

Carl And Stanyan

Subway

Carl Street And Hillway Avenue

Bus

Stanyan St & Frederick St

Bus

Cole St & Alma St

Bus

Parnassus Ave & Shrader St

Bus

Cole St & Frederick St

Bus

Cole St & Carmel St

Bus

Cole St & 17th St

Bus

17th St & Belvedere St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,750,000
Median Single Family Price
$3,701,125
Median Townhouse Price
$1,775,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$1,405,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$1,056,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,236
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Last 12 months Home Sales
41
Months of Supply
1.50
Median List Price
$1,780,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
10%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,005
Median Year Built
1913
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,300
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,955
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,184
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
759
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
464
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,613

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 4pm

    1089 Clayton St, San Francisco, CA 94117

    $1,995,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,655 Sq Ft
    • 1089 Clayton St
    • New 2 days ago

    Exceptional Ashbury Heights home showcases panoramic views from Sutro Forest to the Golden Gate. Designed for privacy and light, this rear-facing retreat features expansive windows that frame stunning city and bay vistas. Spanning three levels, the home offers 3 bedrooms, an office, and 2 baths. The top floor includes a light-filled living room with a marble hearth fireplace, formal dining area,

    Venisa Portillo King Realty Group

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  • Friday, Apr 25
    10am - 12pm

    1480 Willard St, San Francisco, CA 94117

    $2,495,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,581 Sq Ft
    • 1480 Willard St
    • New 8 days ago

    First time on the market in > 70 years. This stately Edwardian, built in 1904, sits proudly atop Willard with sweeping views that look out at nearby Cole Valley, beyond to the San Francisco skyline, and at night, a full moon rise over the East Bay hills. Lovingly held by one family for generations, the home is rich with history, architectural beauty, timeless charmand ready for its next chapter.

    Natalie Rome Compass

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 3pm

    568 Belvedere St, San Francisco, CA 94117

    $1,895,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,641 Sq Ft
    • 568 Belvedere St
    • New 15 days ago

    Elegant and light-filled top-floor condo in coveted Cole Valley. Nestled on the picturesque, tree-lined Belvedere Street, this classic Marina-style home blends timeless charm with thoughtful, modern updates. A well-designed and gracious floor plan flows beautifully from the spacious entryway into the expansive West-facing living room with bay windows, a wood-burning fireplace, built-in

    Stephen Bartlett 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 Sean Engmann, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
6,267
Median Age
40
Population Density
41 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$176,896
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$195,258

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98%
College Graduates
79.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
39.2%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
77%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

65 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

95 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

69 / 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
Cole Valley/Parnassus Heights