Earlier this month, we asked locals to reflect on their favorite features of the Outer Sunset neighborhood, and we got a big response from readers.
Amongst some general grumbling about hipsters, gentrification, and the weather, here's what we heard about what locals love.
Food and Drink
"The breakfast sandwich at Devil's Teeth Bakery is a thing of perfection," said one fan of the Noriega Street favorite (3876 Noriega St.).
"Gotta be the incredible Asian food," said another local, with a friend weighing in: "Yes! Toyose (3814 Noriega St.), Old Mandarin Islamic (3132 Vicente St.), Marnee Thai (2225 Irving St.), King of Noodles (1639 Irving St.), San Tung (1031 Irving St.)..."
"Real Chinese food" got a nod from another, and Irving Pizza (1825 Irving St.), Celia's (4019 Judah St.), Thanh Long (4101 Judah St.), El Burrito eXpress (1601 Taraval St.), and El Toreador (50 W Portal Ave.) all got mentions.
Other Local Businesses
"Outer Sunset merchants have created an amazing, supportive community for each other—activating the neighborhood in the process," said one local. "Park and beach access, meditative. And don't forget the Western Neighborhoods Project!"
"Two things," said another: "Coffee n Cream Press (2071 33rd Ave.) and New Skool (2309 Noriega St.)!"
Another reader notes the "great pottery studio on 47th," referring to the Letofsky Pottery Studio (1235 47th Ave.), which is open by appointment. Others also expressed their appreciation for The San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society ( 4134 Judah St.) and Playmates Preschool (2340 42nd Ave.).
More of What Locals Love
Other readers chimed in with general thoughts on what's great about the neighborhood, from ample free parking to family-friendly vibes to transportation options, affordable fiber Internet, peace and quiet, and "minimal hipsters."
"I can have conversations with my neighbors over my backyard fence," said one local, while another appreciates the "houses painted circus tent colors like zombie orange, bazooka bubblegum pink or plutonium blue!," and another loves the "smell of the ocean and the fog."
"Being able to walk my dog at 11 at night and feeling completely safe," said one local. Another said, "The generations of native San Franciscans that exist out here is fantastic. I have not seen that in other parts of the city."
Here's one person's list of top ten things about the Outer Sunset:
1. It's quiet. So very quiet.
2. Free fireworks on special occasions.
3. Relatively cheap rent. Very relatively.
4. Only foggy 50% of the time, and decreasing.
5. Tuesday Tattoo. (4025 Judah St.)
6. Easy train access.
7. Noriega Produce (3821 Noriega St.).
8. Papa Mak's (3755 Noriega St.).
9. We have a zoo.
10. Practically no murder.
Still more readers chimed in with thoughts on the many things that make the Outer Sunset great.
"I love that people that don't know the area think it's just boring and foggy. It's such an amazing mix of urban access and the outdoors. I've lived in the Mission, Russian Hill, NoPa and I'd take the Sunset over all of them, especially with all the crazy changes in the aforementioned 'hoods. It's such a great piece to the beautiful San Francisco puzzle."
"Sunset is one of the most peaceful districts in San Francisco. This might be too cold for many but for me, the weather is just right. I can see the Pacific Ocean whenever I want to. During sunny days, around 6 to 8pm, I see the most beautiful sight ... Sunset! However, nothing is perfect. The fog is not good for cars parked outside. They get rusty very fast. As to the public transportation, Muni is not bad! I live here for almost 45 years! If you come here, please observe civility and respect for others!"
"The fog, the park, the ocean, falling asleep to the waves, knowing your neighbors, the quiet, Kingdom of Dumpling (713 Taraval St.), Devil's Teeth, Establish (3811 Noriega St.), Three Fish Studios (4541 Irving St.), no techie assholes, hot surfer dudes of all ages, nice-ass succulents, the yellow submarine house at great highway, never getting lost because it's a grid, catching a view of the ocean."
"I love bonfires at Ocean Beach, cheap Asian food, access to Golden Gate Park, the San Francisco Zoo, streets in alpha and numeric order, and actual sunsets on clear nights."
"The schools are outstanding. Our district supervisor is wonderful. The neighbors are kind and friendly people. The local businesses cater to a wide variety of needs. You can find street parking in less than ten minutes. The beach is right there, and the constant hum of ocean waves is so calming. I love this neighborhood and I hope my children and grandchildren will always call the Sunset their home."
"I love the peaceful, quiet neighborhoods & how it is very easy to navigate, streets being alpha and numerical order. The length of the blocks are walkable, the eateries are local and very reasonable, even cheap (we'd like to keep it that way, thank you). There are also plenty of options for snacks/small bites. As for people, I love the generation mix: older people, families, singles, we got 'em all!"
"This is easy. I love the Outer Sunset because I live in a large, beautiful 2 bedroom apartment that costs less than $2,000 a month and is located close to a Muni line that gets me to work in a half hour. There are great bars and restaurants and so on, but that's all just icing on the cake."
"The Outer Sunset has a peculiar edge-of-civilization type of eccentricity going on. People arrive at first because it's cheap. The ones who stay become like knotted driftwood over time. It isn't for everybody, but for me it's home."
"The coastal cypress at Lands End. The lights out on the water from the crab boats during the season. Seeing the Farallon Islands on a clear day. The fog. The secretly perfect days in February that southsiders never see or believe happen. Andytown (3655 Lawton St.). The Angler's pond. Walking through Golden Gate Park and always finding a new route. The '90s cafe vibe in the evenings at Java Beach (1396 La Playa St.) when there's music playing and people hanging out. The sunsets (duh). Other Avenues (3930 Judah St.). Noriega pizza place. The Riptide (3639 Taraval St.)."
"The schools are outstanding. Our district supervisor is wonderful. The neighbors are kind and friendly people. The local businesses cater to a wide variety of needs. You can find street parking in less than ten minutes. The beach is right there, and the constant hum of ocean waves is so calming. I love this neighborhood and I hope my children and grandchildren will always call the Sunset their home."
"As the city has changed, it seems [the Sunset] has still retained some of the realest people in San Francisco," said one local.
"The simple answer," another concludes, "is absolutely everything."
