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San Francisco - Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks-Lake Merced is an area consisting of most of Southwestern San Francisco. It runs from the Twin Peaks to Merced Park at the very southwestern corner of the city, and includes the Twin Peaks neighborhoods, West Portal, and Miraloma Park before stretching west to SFSU and Lake Merced. It is bordered by the Sunset neighborhood on the northwest, the Castro-Noe Valley district to the northeast, and the neighborhood of Ingleside to the southeast.

Understand

The name Twin Peaks stems from the fact that it consists of two almost identical peaks. It is practically at the geographical center of the City, and at an elevation of over 900 feet - it offers spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of the City and the Bay. Although the peaks remain undeveloped, the foot of the hillside is peppered with residential houses, taking advantage of the spectacular vistas.

Miraloma Park is a residential district of single-family homes. Homes were first built in the neighborhood in the late 1920s. Construction continued in waves through the 1950s. The neighborhood therefore offers a variety of architectural styles: from 1920s classic to mid-century modern. The Miraloma Park Improvement Club (MPIC) is a voluntary neighborhood association that works to maintain the charm of the area, and hosts occasional get-togethers at the MPIC Club House located at 350 O'Shaughnessy (at Del Vale Ave). Miraloma's easy proximity to all that San Francisco has to offer while maintaining a comfortable distance from the hustle and bustle, caused San Francisco Magazine to declare it the "City without the gritty" in 2004.

Get in

MUNI Metro K, L and M lines serve the area. From downtown, all three lines travel underground, stopping at the Forest Hill and West Portal stations. After West Portal, the lines run on the surface. The L-line runs west through the Sunset neighborhood to the San Francisco Zoo. The K and M lines split up as they head toward Ingelside, with the M-line stopping at the San Francisco State University.

Muni bus lines which serve the area include the 36-Teresita, 37-Corbett, 43-Masonic, 44-O'Shaughnessy and the 48-Quintara/24th Street lines in the Twin Peaks area, and the 17-Parkmerced, 18-46th Avenue, 23-Monterey, 28-19th Avenue and 29-Sunset lines in the Lake Merced and SFSU area.

See

  • San Francisco Zoo, on Sloat Boulevard at 47th Avenue, [1]. Adults $11 ($9 for SF residents), Youths/Seniors $8 ($4.50 for SF residents), Children $5 ($2.50 for SF residents), Children 2 and under are free.  
  • Twin Peaks, accessible by car or on foot via Twin Peaks Boulevard(north of Portola Drive, just east of Laguna Honda). The small parking area at the northern tip of Twin Peaks Boulevard (875' above sea level) is near the physical center of the city, and one of its highest points, providing spectacular views in all directions. Tour buses can get backed up here during the day, but it's a great place to really appreciate the city from above, especially at and after sunset. Temperatures up there can be quite a bit lower than in the rest of the city, so bring a jacket. Muni bus #37, a scenic ride from the Haight-Ashbury or Castro and Market streets, gets you close, so you only have to climb the last 120' up. 
  • Mt. Davidson Park. Though primarily a residential neighborhood of single family homes, Miraloma does lay claim to one of San Francisco's great parks. Mt. Davidson Park (which boasts the highest point in San Francisco) offers great hiking trails. Mt. Davidson's most distinguishing feature is a 6-story cross nestled among the many eucalyptus trees, which can be seen from various spots in The City depending on which angle your looking from. It was constructed as part of the WPA program of the 1930s, and is the site of a sunrise mass every Easter. At the peak, you're rewarded with great views of downtown and the bay. 
  • Lake Merced. Freshwater lake in the southwest corner of San Francisco. 
  • Fort Funston. Scenic section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a favorite for hikers, bikers and beach-goers. 

Do

  • San Francisco State University Gators, SF State campus, [2]. Various college sports including baseball, basketball and soccer. 

Buy

  • Mollie Stones Tower Market, 635 Portola Drive(at Teresita), ☎ +1 415 664-1600, [3]. Daily 8AM-9PM. Boutique market with butcher and deli departments 
  • Miraloma Market, 755 Portola Drive(between Fowler and Evelyn), ☎ +1 415 681-2474. Neighborhood convenience store that also sells lottery tickets; Its also home to the Miraloma Tacqueria. 
  • Stonestown Galleria Shopping Center, 3251 20th Ave. Shopping mall next to SFSU. 
  • Walgreens, 685 Portola Drive(at Fowler). Smallish store with a pharmacy. 

Eat

  • Tower Burger, 729 Portola Drive(at Fowler), ☎ +1 415 504-6340. Burgers made from Niman Ranch beef. 
  • Round Table Pizza, 737 Portola Drive(at Fowler), ☎ +1 415 681-9595, [4].  
  • Creightons, 673 Portola Drive(between Teresita and Fowler).  
  • Miraloma Tacqueria, 755 Portola Drive(between Fowler and Evelyn), ☎ +1 415 681-2471. Daily 9AM-9:30PM.  

Drink

  • Starbucks, 675 Portola Drive(between Teresita and Fowler), ☎ +1 415 682-9477. Ubiquitous coffee shop offering wi fi internet access. 
  • Miraloma Club, 749 Portola Drive(between Fowler and Evelyn), ☎ +1 415 564-1131. Neighborhood watering hole with a pool table. 

Sleep

  • Sunset Motel, 821 Taraval Street(at 18th Ave), ☎ +1 415 681-3306.  
  • Ocean Park Motel, 2690 46th Ave(at Wawona), ☎ +1 415 566-7020(ocnprk36@aol.com, fax: + 1 415 665-8959), [5]. 1930's 'Art Deco' motel. Just a short stroll to the beach and San Francisco Zoo.Under $100.  
  • Robert's-at-the-Beach-Motel, 2828 Sloat Blvd(at 46th Ave), ☎ + 1 415 564-2610(fax: + 1 415 681-1376), [6]. Has restaurants and shopping nearby as well as the beach and San Franciso Zoo.$65 & up.  

Contact

  • San Francisco Public Library - Merced Branch, 155 Winston Dr, ☎ +1 415 355-2825, [7]. Su Closed, M 10-6, Tu 10-9, W 1-9, Th 10-6, F 1-6, Sa 10-6.  
  • San Francisco Public Library - West Portal Branch, 190 Lenox Way, ☎ +1 415 355-2886, [8]. Su 1-5, M 1-9, Tu 10-9, W 10-9, Th 10-6, F 1-6, Sa 10-6.  

This page was last edited at 10:27, on 12 October 2008 by Chris Waigl. Based on work by Wikitravel user(s) Eco84, MarinaK, PerryPlanet and Asterix and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.