ZIP Code Guide
94116
West Portal and Inner Sunset
Fog-belt residential blocks, village retail at West Portal Station, and Muni Metro access at the southwestern edge of the Sunset grid
- West Portal
- Inner Sunset
- Forest Hill
- St. Francis Wood fringe
ZIP code 94116 covers West Portal, the Inner Sunset, and portions of Forest Hill within San Francisco County — a postal area where single-family homes, Muni Metro connectivity, and village-scale commercial districts define the southwestern transition from the Sunset grid to the San Mateo County foothills. The code spans some of the city's highest owner-occupancy rates and a residential character distinct from downtown neighborhoods.
Geographic Position
94116 occupies the southwestern portion of San Francisco, bounded roughly by Golden Gate Park to the north, Junipero Serra Boulevard to the south, and Twin Peaks to the east. West Portal Avenue forms the commercial spine of the West Portal village, while Irving Street and Judah Street carry Inner Sunset retail corridors toward the park.
The ZIP sits on relatively flat to gently sloping terrain west of Twin Peaks, in the transitional zone between the dense Sunset grid and the more varied topography of Forest Hill and St. Francis Wood. Muni Metro K-Ingleside, L-Taraval, and M-Ocean View lines converge at West Portal Station.
Neighborhood Character
West Portal tunnel opens for streetcar service; West Portal Avenue develops as a commercial village serving new residential subdivisions.
Forest Hill and St. Francis Wood develop as planned residential communities with deed restrictions and varied architectural styles.
Inner Sunset fills with row houses and single-family homes as the Sunset District expands westward.
Muni Metro opens West Portal Station, replacing surface streetcar lines with subway service through the Twin Peaks Tunnel.
West Portal commercial corridor retains village character; Inner Sunset adds restaurant and retail density near Golden Gate Park.
Within 94116, West Portal presents a concentrated village of shops, restaurants, and the West Portal Library along West Portal Avenue near Muni Metro station. The Inner Sunset features row houses, single-family homes, and commercial strips along Irving and Judah Streets. Forest Hill and adjacent areas include planned residential communities with varied architectural styles on curving streets.
Economy & Employment
Residents of 94116 draw income from technology, healthcare, education, retail, and professional services across the Bay Area. West Portal's commercial village employs workers in retail, dining, and personal services. Proximity to UCSF Parnassus campus, downtown, and Peninsula employment centers supports diverse commuting patterns.
Local commercial activity concentrates along West Portal Avenue, Irving Street, and Judah Street corridors. Neighborhood-serving businesses — grocers, cafes, dry cleaners, and professional offices — line the village streets. Golden Gate Park's museums and recreation facilities generate cultural and hospitality employment nearby.
Market & Housing Context
According to U.S. Census Bureau data for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 94116, the area had a population of approximately 43,791 and 16,546 housing units as of the 2020 Census. American Community Survey estimates for the 2019–2023 period indicate that roughly 73 percent of occupied housing units are owner-occupied and 27 percent are renter-occupied.
The housing stock consists primarily of single-family homes, row houses, and duplexes built from the 1920s through the 1950s. Forest Hill and St. Francis Wood areas include architect-designed homes on larger lots. Condominium conversions and in-law unit additions appear in portions of the Inner Sunset. The high owner-occupancy rate reflects the area's single-family residential character.
Living in 94116
Public parks and open space within and near the ZIP include Golden Gate Park along the northern boundary, Larsen Park, Edgehill Mountain Open Space, and West Portal Playground. The San Francisco Zoo lies within reach of the ZIP's southwestern edge.
Public schools are operated by the San Francisco Unified School District. Campuses serving portions of the ZIP include Lowell High School, West Portal Elementary School, and Herbert Hoover Middle School. School assignments depend on specific addresses and district enrollment policies.
Muni Metro K-Ingleside, L-Taraval, and M-Ocean View lines serve West Portal Station, connecting to downtown via the Twin Peaks Tunnel. Multiple bus routes serve West Portal Avenue and Sunset corridors.
94116 Today
43,791
Population (2020 Census ZCTA)
16,546
Housing Units (2020 Census)
73%
Owner-Occupied Units (2019–2023 ACS)
1920s–1950s
Dominant Housing Era
Government and Civic Life
94116 falls within the consolidated City and County of San Francisco. West Portal and Inner Sunset neighborhood associations participate in planning hearings, traffic safety initiatives, and commercial corridor advocacy. Forest Hill community organizations engage in preservation and land-use discussions.
Culture and Community
The ZIP's civic life reflects village-scale community character. West Portal's annual street fair, Inner Sunset farmers market, and Golden Gate Park events draw residents. The West Portal Library and neighborhood cafes serve as community gathering places. Forest Hill's curving streets and architectural variety contribute to the area's residential identity.
Geography & Environment
94116 spans flat to gently sloping terrain in the Inner Sunset, with more varied topography in Forest Hill and toward Edgehill Mountain. The Mediterranean climate brings cool, fog-influenced summers and mild winters — the area sits in San Francisco's western fog belt. Golden Gate Park provides a major green buffer along the northern edge.
Urban tree canopy is well established along residential streets and in Golden Gate Park. Edgehill Mountain Open Space preserves native habitat on a rocky outcrop within the ZIP.
Transportation & Connectivity
Muni Metro lines converge at West Portal Station, providing subway service to downtown via the Twin Peaks Tunnel. Multiple bus routes serve West Portal Avenue, Sunset Boulevard, and Junipero Serra Boulevard. Interstate 280 is accessible via Junipero Serra Boulevard at the ZIP's southern edge.
San Francisco International Airport is reachable via Muni Metro to downtown BART connections. Peninsula employment centers are accessible via I-280 and Junipero Serra Boulevard.
Looking Forward
San Francisco planning documents address accessory dwelling unit construction, West Portal commercial corridor improvements, and seismic retrofit requirements for older homes. Golden Gate Park management plans affect the ZIP's northern boundary. Forest Hill preservation discussions balance architectural heritage with accommodation of modest infill.
Muni Metro capacity and West Portal Station accessibility improvements proceed through regional transportation agencies. Residents participate in land-use decisions through community meetings and district supervisor advocacy.
The ZIP's Character
94116 bridges the Sunset grid and planned hillside communities — a ZIP where West Portal's village retail, Muni Metro tunnels, and owner-occupied row houses define southwestern residential San Francisco.
"94116 gathers at West Portal Station where Muni Metro lines meet village shops — a ZIP of fog-belt row houses, Forest Hill curves, and Golden Gate Park at the northern doorstep."
From West Portal Avenue's commercial village to the Inner Sunset's residential grid, the ZIP offers a family-oriented residential slice of San Francisco within a single postal boundary. Buyers, sellers, and investors evaluating 94116 benefit from understanding its village commercial nodes and position within the broader San Francisco County real estate landscape.