It's a generous 4 star cause this neighborhood isn't for everyone. I think if you live here you love it. I mostly drive through on my way to the 5 star ocean. The streets are wide, flat or hilly. The houses look the same, nice 40s architecture all the way to brutalist apartment boxes with flat dirty facades & aluminum trimmed windows. Extra points for diversity. Russian, Middle East, Asian, etc. businesses Retail pretty sad here, like a suburb that time forgot. Parking pretty tight. Because I'm a photographer this area is a wonderland of quirk & intrigue. read more

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Mellow beach town in San Francisco The neighborhood of Outer Richmond in San Francisco is close to the coast with lots of bars, restaurants, coffee shops and parks. When we are in the Outer Richmond area I know we are close to the beach and Golden Gate Park! Residents who enjoy hiking are in for a treat with all the hiking trails nearby. I have yet to try the amazing restaurants along Geary and Clement Streets but that will have to wait when they are open for dining in. I have enjoyed visiting landmark places in the Outer Richmond area including: Sutro Bath ruins and Sea Rock at the Lands End Lookout. The Historic Cliff House restaurant is here too (permanently closed). There are coastal trails along the ocean. We've stopped by the Holocaust Memorial at California Palace of the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park at the Golden Gate Park. Lots to do and places to eat in the Outer Richmond area. Review #2075 read more

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Residential side of San Francisco aka suburbs of the city aka the Avenues. Hella good dim sum restaurants, Russian bakeries, Korean restaurants, Mexican & Italian fare, cool brunch spots, late pizza joints, fun Irish bars, hella generations of San Franciscans reside here, hella scenic, hella expensive, hella OG with iconic places like Playland @ the Beach, Cliff House, Golden Gate Park to explore & enjoy concerts, Balboa Theater, best public schools I attended Lafayette, Presidio & George Washington, home of Sugar Bowl Bakery when it was a donut shop in 1984, original tiki bar Trad'r Sam, etc. I can go on & on forever. Don't want anyone to know about this side of the city, but what ya gonna do? This is where I grew up, 'nuff said! Just keep exploring SOMA, Chinatown, Embarcadero & Fisherman's Wharf, lots to do there. Peace, love & happiness - see you on Yelp (SYOY)! P.S. The same goes for Inner Richmond & Sunset districts. read more

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Does sleeping on your brother's green couch for a month while you're looking for a place to live in your new city count as living at your brother's address and, transitively, in your brother's neighborhood? If so, then I lived in the Outer Richmond for almost an entire month in the summer of 2003. If not, well who asked you? The fog! The dogs! The clogs! I think of those things in that order. I also think of other stuff, but I won't write about it, but I do miss that ramshackle house in the early 40s (the avenues) that was probably built in the early '40s (the decade). Clement Street changes so much from the Inner Richmond to the Outer Richmond. People just don't talk about this often enough. They go on and on about all kinds of other idiocy, but they don't discuss how steep Clement gets. They also don't discuss how much more of a battle parking is way out here even though it should be easier even though it technically is but even though it really isn't because who wants to park that far away because it's so much steeper out here? I found a Little Free Library on 33rd Avenue, and I had to give it a double take and a commitment to return to peruse its offerings even though I haven't yet because I thought I was parked illegally and I just wanted to try Pagan (again), but when I returned to my car, I found out that it was legit to park there at that hour, but I had too many books to read already, so I'm returning in the future. I am. You can hold me to it. The Walgreens way out here is pretty depressing, and it reminds me of the day I learned (quite unexpectedly but nevertheless tragically) that Love N Haight was no more, so I kind of try to avoid it now even though it reminds me of funny down-the-hill toilet-paper runs and buying Halloween candy for my niece and nephew with my mom--and we did this after I ever-associated it with Love N Haight's demise, so see what a trooper I am? And Sutro Park and walking down the bluffish street and old motels and weekly kibbutzim and Lori's lovely view and the great Great Highway debate. Sand and seal lions and brews and brohams. All that stuff. And you know this? Man! Simple Pleasures for the win. read more

#150/2016 The long stretch of "the avenues"- as the Richmond and Sunset Districts are known, both separated by Golden Gate Park- the Outer Richmond has a diverse charm and lonely abandon that moves me. You traverse from the nexus of the shopping and restaurant hub of the Inner Richmond and into the quieter area of the city filled with rows of Russian bakeries, dotted with Korean hot pot restaurants and utilitarian dry cleaning, laundromat, test prep centers, nail salons & no-name tax and residential realty companies. As you drive past the avenues perpendicular to the major thoroughfares, you need to be mindful that, without notice, intersections suddenly become 2-way and you risk being broadsided by a car. (The good news is you've never felt more alive!) Driving west until literal Land's End, you know you're nearing the Pacific Ocean as the air becomes saltier, the Juliet balconies on the tall apartment buildings become rusted and the signs warning of tsunamis send a slight frisson of fear down your spine. Ocean Beach with its longing look towards the Golden Gate always seems melancholy because of the fog and patchy light. It suits my mood, especially when I'm pondering a problem or contemplating the New Year. If inspiration is what you need, one of the city's best museums, The Legion of Honor, awaits you. read more

I'm not about to compare this 'hood to any others in town. They each have their own charm, and each one boasts something that none other has. So it's not for me to say which is "better" or "preferred" or any kind of subjective description like that. What I can do, though, is say what I like so much about The Outer Richmond. Before diving into that, though, let's define what we're talking about. The Yelp map puts a line at 19th Avenue, and includes the swath from 19th Ave, down to about 48th Ave, just shy of the ocean, and the southern border is the park. There's only one more chunk of land the spoons the Outer Richmond -- Sea Cliff clings there on the north shore and wraps around western and nothwestern edge. The boundaries aren't too terribly important, as most folks just identify the neighborhood as the suburbs, with all those Avenues. Fair enough. So what is it that I like about this part of town? To start, a lot of it seems to be well taken care of. There are certainly exceptions, and SF went through a really not attractive period of architecture where the homes don't have as much personality and aren't quite yet old enough for demolition, but for the most part, it's holding up against time. You have such a wide variety of homes here, from the Victorians, to the freestanding properties, and many are actually very very nice, though unassuming from the outside. The feel is suburban. You don't have terrible traffic, you don't have highrises, you just have neighborhoods where people live, and streets where people do business. Clement Street is a fave, and while you won't find too many hot-and-mighty SF restaurants, you also shouldn't overlook them. There's a nice mix of old school neighborhood hangouts and a small but growing number of up-and-coming spots I've noticed over the past few years. There's something special about seeing a family-owned deli of 35 years down the block from a hot new pizza spot that really demonstrates the persistence of dreams in this town. Geary has even more options, but it's those isolated spots not found on the main drags that really hold the neighborhood character and charm. It's not trendy, and I quite like that sometimes when you've been bopping around trendier spots, you can come out here and get re-centered. Besides the eating and shopping, you're also quite close to some relaxing spots. You're only a quick ride away from Land's End, and the beach, and you can take the trail down to China Beach, which is fantastic. If you want to go out for a run, you've got a loads of easy options; I once ran through the Presidio all the way to the bridge. I found what I thought was a running group and joined them, then noticed it was a race of some kind. Well, they kept a tight pace and I had fun doing and impromptu race, without the race tag. I can hardly think of a more beautiful run. Sure, the weather's not always amazing. You get the fog that sometimes skips the hills or the city. It can get a little oppressive, but I choose to think of it as moody and interesting rather than dark. And honestly, I've spent a ton of time here and never gone more than two consecutive days without some burst of sunshine. I love nothing more than to come here and take a walk. Wander into Sea Cliff and see how the 1% live. I'm not suggesting you wander on to their property for a photo opp, but I'm not saying you can't do that, either. Whatever the reason I'm here, I really do love The Outer Richmond because it holds a charm and draw all its own. read more

Over the last 8 years, I have grown to love the Outer Richmond more and more. I know what you're thinking - it's cold, foggy, windy and at the edge of the city. Yeah, but it also borders the Pacific Ocean, has Land's End and Golden Gate Park, the Legion of Honor and Sutro Heights and plenty more that I won't bother to mention. It's one of the safest neighborhoods and more young folks are moving out here which is overall a good thing. The neighborhood businesses are friendly and have a real community feel to them. Even though I'll be moving soon, the Outer Richmond will always be my home. read more

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A nice friendly neighborhood area with shopping centers and many varieties of food places. What more can I ask for in SF! I truly enjoy coming to the Outer Richmond! The Outer Richmond contains a neighborhood feel along its main shopping streets. You can find Mexican, Russian, French and Italian restaurants with ease. Geary street itself is a long street with many different varieties of things on the street: *Sushi Restaurants *Grocery Stores *Chinese and seafood Restaurants Like the Outer Richmond itself, Geary calms down considerably after 25th Avenue as it meanders off into the fog and ends at the Pacific Ocean. Beautiful! Bus lines and Muni run along the Outer Richmond so transportation is not an issue. Parking can be a hassle at times but they have parking garages where you can park your park, but trust me NOTHING is free and cheap in SF! Haha so be prepared to pay baby! The best times to go to the Outer Richmond? The weather in the Outer Richmond is notoriously random, ranging from full sun to gusty winds to a thick blanket of fog, often shifting by the hour. The fog simmers down usually during the hours of 1-3pm but don't let this be a reason why you wait to come here! Push through the fog and come visit this beautiful neighborhood! Things to do in the area? -Balboa Theatre:- 3630 Balboa St. (at 37th Avenue) -Giant Camera/Camera Obscura: The Giant Camera is housed in a square yellow building at Point Lobos, overlooking the sea. You can see views of the sea, Seal Rocks, the Cliff House, the Great Highway, Sutro Cliffs and Ocean Beach if you stay around for the full six minutes it takes to do a complete rotation. -Lincoln Park: Most people know Lincoln Park for two things: The Palace of the Legion of Honor and the golf course. -Ocean Beach: Spanning about four miles from the Cliff House to Fort Funston, Ocean Beach looks as inviting as Malibu from a distance. Places to eat? -Simple Pleasures Café: 3434 Balboa Street (at 35th Avenue) -Shanghai Dumpling Shop: This small, bright place is known for Shanghai-style dishes as well as delicious soup dumplings: 3319 Balboa St. (at 34th Avenue) -Minami Sushi:- 1900 Clement Street (at 20th Avenue) So what else can I say? Ive done all my talking, now its time for you to explore! :) read more

I can see George Washington High School from my bedroom window! For a long time I considered myself a Richmond district outsider, when I was living in the Sunset and commuting to Wash. But for the past four years, I've lived on Clement Street. It's the same street where my parents met. Back in the day, rent for the apartment my family and I used to live in was seventy five bucks a month. Unbelievable. It's not far from Zion Lutheran Church and School where I spent my first 10 years of academia. Nor from Ocean Beach along the edge of the Pacific Ocean where the photographer Ansel Adams used to daydream. I tell people the Outer Richmond is a great place to live. It's quiet, but there's a lot of good stuff around here. I live in a two block radius where I have access to peppercorn dungeness crab at PPQ, burritos at Gordo's, soul food at Hard Knox, and even a Michelin 1-star worthy meal at Aziza, whose executive chef, Mourad Lahlou, kicked Bobby Flay's ass on Iron Chef. Ok, so Aziza is leaving. Just like Chapeau! and all the other eateries that will come and go in due time. But right now, it's not so bad. Sure it can be a bitch to get to the freeway, but nothing beats cruising along the Great Highway during twilight hours, the weighty husk of corn blue clouds, the crops of beach grass delicately brushed by the wind under the shadow of majestic Monterrey cyprus, the waves crested with golden sunlight, sinking into the earth like they have since the beginning of time. It's a part of San Francisco that you won't see in the movies, or on TV shows, save for the few iconic spots where you can see the rust red arches of the Golden Gate Bridge. But it's a place where you take in the view of the 24-karat gold onion domes of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral while eating Dim Sum at Mayflower Seafood Restaurant. A place where families commute back to, to come home to a home-cooked meal. Where high schoolers cut class and fall in love. A place that's neither glamourous nor gloomy. But still, an essential district in the City I call home. read more

I find it outrageous that I'm not the baron of the district I live in. Transportation is absolutely convenient and every several blocks connects you to a bus line that takes you downtown (2, 38AX, 38, 38L, 31, 31AX, 1AX, 1, 5). Also, other lines take you to attractions (18, 29, 28, 28L). Very close proximity to several parks and playgrounds such as Golden Gate Park, Sutro Heights Park, Lands End, Cliffhouse, Ocean Beach, neighborhood centers, golf clubs, etc. Nearby schools are some of the highest performing and test-scoring, if not the best in the City. Many of the houses get stunning views of the Bay, the beach, the Golden Gate Bridge, twin peaks, and skyline. Access to groceries is not far at all. Safeway, DeLano's IGA, and plenty of smaller produce markets on Geary Boulevard, Clement Street, and several others on Balboa and California Streets. Unlike the inner richmond, the outer richmond is a lot quieter and safer. I'm not sure if it's due to demographics. I always walk alone at night after I get off the bus and I am highly paranoid in dark environments. I'm not guaranteeing a crime-less neighborhood but it's much more on the safer end than other districts closer to the bustling areas. However, I wish the community was closer in terms of bonding. It's a big city but it doesn't mean that suburban values (if that makes any sense) can't be upheld. read more

Sure, it might take me longer to get to work on public transportation than my east bay co-workers... but this is why I drive! Oh, yes, I move my car because I have plenty of parking where I live. I don't need to have one of those stickers on my car that always me to park in my hood. I live by two awesome parks, golf course, museums, and my favorite feature... Ocean Beach. I have all sorts of restaurants right off the Geary corridor and once you get to my area which is truly the Outer Richmond, it is like living in suburbia within a bustlin city. What is there not to love. There is a mix a Irish, Russian and Chinese in the neighborhood making services available quite multicultural. And then there is the fog. People always ask me how I can live with it. Well, I have been here VERY long... so I obviously LOVE it! There is nothing cooler than hearing the smooth sounds of the fog horn in the background at night. Something even romantic about it. Also, for what I pay in rent, I could get a small closet in Pac Heights. So, Outer Richmond district.... I LOVE YOU! read more

For years I was such a dunce, driving right by these great businesses to get to downtown hair salons and shopping centers but I have learned. The Outer Richmond is rich in diversity and full of family owned businesses that aim to please. Anything I need is right here, and probably costs less and will provide me with better, more personal service. I am constantly surprised by how much more affordable and better quality the majority of local businesses are. There's no place like home. read more

Nice peaceful side of SF. Parking is not impossible and there are a lot of outdoor things to do (Land's End, Sutro Bath's, Golden Gate Park, Lincoln Park, Ocean Beach). Great views, cheaper rent, and hidden gems of restaurants. read more

About 45% less hipsters than the Mission, give or take, on any given day. Better parking and slightly cheaper rent. Weather isn't as nice, however. read more

3.5 stars. This is a very interesting neighborhood, of all neighborhoods in SF. It's so different, and a bit hard to put my finger on. It's very out of the way, and most San Franciscans don't have a reason to ever go there - unless, maybe they're movie fans and like to go to Balboa Theater. People in the Bay Area, outside SF, probably have no idea this neighborhood even exists. It's a pretty refreshing area - it doesn't wear its generation badge too strongly, like lots of hoods in SF. Unlike the Inner Sunset, the SOMA area near Whole Foods, the Haight, or Bernal Heights - it doesn't seem stuck in the hippie dippie or alt rock 90s-early 2000s. It doesn't seem ghetto or working class, but it doesn't seem cool or trendy, either. I still see rice rockets there - whoa! Now that's a blast to the past. The outer neighborhoods of SF are behind the inner neighborhoods trend-wise. Mid-Market is maybe the epicenter of cool these days, and geographically it's in the center of SF, too. For people who hate Asians, well, you're not going to avoid them here, but lucky for you, Asians don't make up like 90% of the neighborhood. This place is probably like some Washington state cities - fairly diverse, meaning no ethnicity overly dominates, with a more equal distribution of different ethnicities. Is that a good thing, or merely a curious thing? I see Vietnamese restaurants, and classic SF white people who aren't hipsters, lots of Russian immigrants, random Hispanic-looking types, the odd Indian-looking person, and your run-of-the-mill stereotyped Asians (Chinese Americans). It's foggy and overcast, so people don't seem all that happy there. One day, I saw two strangers get mad at each other, and one claimed the other was so rude. At the same time, I saw a young Asian guy look at a rice rocket(?) with a smashed window, while a Russian(?) store owner in front looked on with a slightly disgusted expression. It's out in the boondocks, and the way of dress reminds me of a boondocks at the opposite end - the Stonestown/ParkMerced/28 bus area. It also reminds me of the mid to Outer Sunset, not including the hip Ocean Beach area. Funny how people seem a bit similar even at opposite ends of the city. read more

At this point I feel like I'm just reiterating the well-written thoughts of the other reviewers, but hey, you can never have too many 5 star reviews, amirite? My high school had an unobstructed view of the Golden Gate Bridge. I ride my bike to the beach every day and enjoy the waves, the views, and the people. The fresh ocean breeze is the first thing I smell in the morning and the somber distant foghorns are the last things I hear when I go to bed. I wander Golden Gate Park not just when there's a music festival or an event, but even on the quiet days, when it's just me and the bison. I eat the best burritos in the city (yes, that's right, Mission, I just threw down the gauntlet) from Gordo's, I have tasty piroshki from the Russian bakeries, and in general I have amazing UNPRETENTIOUS food. I know my neighbors (I don't necessarily like them all, but that's another story) and I have parking outside my house. I hate the suburbs with a passion, so the Richmond satisfies my desire to live in a city while still retaining certain suburbans pros. I watch sunsets on the beach, take shots at Tee Off in between kicking ass at shuffleboard, have breakfast at Louis' on gorgeous clear mornings, and get my culture on at the Legion of Honor. The DeYoung is fancy and new but it looks like the tower of Sauron to me. Nothing compares to old world charm of the Legion of Honor. read more

Each time I look up from my work I am amazed to see the Pacific ocean and Dutch Windmill from my home office. I feel so lucky to live in this beautiful neighborhood where I can easily ride my bike in Golden Gate Park without having to circumvent tons of traffic, run along the beach, watch the amazing sunsets, and hike Land's End. I have lived here less than a year, but have already seen whales spouting, watched dolphins and porpoises play in the ocean, and encountered numerous coyote and raccoon on early morning runs. Plus we have loved sharing outdoor meals with friends at the Beach/Park Chalet. Balboa Theater is awesome--love the Popcorn Palace. I'm looking forward to discovering more about the Outer Richmond the longer I live here. read more

There's really not much to The Outer Richmond . It's very quiet and nice if you like the ocean ...

All the neighborhoods in San francisco are very diverse. I love going through them and seeing the different places and buildings. And I love how this one ends at the beach! read more

Restaurants. Shopping. Dives. The Presidio. Ocean Beach. Golden Gate Park. Friendly people. Hasn't yet been totally invaded by hipster a-holes. Views of he Golden Gate Bridge and beyond. I love it here. read more

The outer lands. Great little neighborhood Unknown to most of san francisco. Great beaches parks and dive bars.

This is where I'm from, when people ask i'm from Richmond not the east bay location but here. Many people may have not heard of this small location but its here. When you get a chance you should come out here and try the food this hidden sub-burn of S.F is different from downtown and the Haight things move and much slower pace. read more

A nice friendly neighborhood area with shopping centers and many varieties of food places.