ZIP Code Guide
94122
Sunset District Grid
San Francisco's most populous ZIP — a fog-belt grid of row houses stretching from Golden Gate Park to the Pacific dunes
- Sunset District
- Outer Sunset
- Parkside
- Golden Gate Heights
ZIP code 94122 encompasses the heart of San Francisco's Sunset District within San Francisco County — the city's largest postal area by population and a defining example of uniform row-house development west of Twin Peaks. The code spans the central and outer Sunset grid, from Golden Gate Park's southern edge to the Pacific Ocean, with N-Judah Muni Metro and Sunset Boulevard arterials connecting residents to downtown and the Peninsula.
Geographic Position
94122 occupies the southwestern bulk of San Francisco, bounded by Golden Gate Park to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Sunset Boulevard to the east. Noriega Street, Taraval Street, and Judah Street form major east-west commercial corridors through the Sunset grid.
The ZIP sits on former sand dunes leveled into a regular street grid in the 1920s through 1950s. Golden Gate Heights rises on a hill at the ZIP's southeastern corner, offering views across the district. The San Francisco Zoo and Ocean Beach lie along the western edge.
Neighborhood Character
Sand dunes and scrub dominate; the Sunset remains largely undeveloped as streetcar lines extend west.
Development accelerates as the Sunset grid is laid out; row houses and single-family homes fill blocks between Golden Gate Park and the ocean.
Twin Peaks Tunnel opens, enabling streetcar service to the Sunset and spurring residential construction.
Sunset District reaches build-out; the uniform grid of stucco row houses becomes San Francisco's dominant residential pattern.
In-law units, ADU construction, and modest infill add density; N-Judah Muni Metro and L-Taraval lines serve the grid.
Within 94122, the central Sunset presents a dense grid of row houses, duplexes, and corner stores on numbered avenues and lettered streets. The Outer Sunset approaches Ocean Beach with similar housing stock and commercial nodes along Judah and Taraval Streets. Golden Gate Heights offers hillside homes with views above the flat grid. The Parkside neighborhood interfaces with Golden Gate Park along the northern edge.
Economy & Employment
Residents of 94122 draw income from technology, healthcare, education, retail, and public sector employment across the Bay Area. Noriega, Taraval, and Judah Street commercial corridors employ workers in retail, dining, and personal services. San Francisco Unified School District and city agencies employ residents throughout the district.
Local commercial activity concentrates along east-west commercial streets — Noriega, Taraval, Judah, and Irving in adjacent areas. Neighborhood grocers, cafes, dim sum restaurants, and bakeries serve the residential grid. San Francisco State University lies near the ZIP's southern boundary, generating education-sector employment.
Market & Housing Context
According to U.S. Census Bureau data for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 94122, the area had a population of approximately 55,819 and 24,208 housing units as of the 2020 Census. American Community Survey estimates for the 2019–2023 period indicate that roughly 48 percent of occupied housing units are owner-occupied and 52 percent are renter-occupied.
The housing stock consists overwhelmingly of 1920s–1950s row houses and single-family homes on standard 25-foot lots — the Sunset's signature stucco-fronted, two-story structures. Duplexes and flat buildings appear on corner lots. Golden Gate Heights includes hillside single-family homes with varied architectural styles. In-law units and ADU additions provide supplementary rental stock throughout the grid.
Living in 94122
Public parks and open space within and near the ZIP include Golden Gate Park along the northern boundary, McCoppin Square, Larsen Park, and Sunset Reservoir recreation area. Ocean Beach and the San Francisco Zoo lie along the western edge.
Public schools are operated by the San Francisco Unified School District. Campuses serving portions of the ZIP include Abraham Lincoln High School, A.P. Giannini Middle School, and multiple elementary schools throughout the grid. School assignments depend on specific addresses and district enrollment policies.
Muni Metro N-Judah and L-Taraval lines serve the Sunset, with underground stations at West Portal and surface stops along Judah and Taraval Streets. Sunset Boulevard carries multiple bus routes north toward downtown.
94122 Today
55,819
Population (2020 Census ZCTA)
24,208
Housing Units (2020 Census)
52%
Renter-Occupied Units (2019–2023 ACS)
1920s–1950s
Dominant Housing Era
Government and Civic Life
94122 falls within the consolidated City and County of San Francisco. Sunset District neighborhood associations participate in planning hearings, Sunset Boulevard traffic advocacy, and Golden Gate Park programming input. Community organizations serve the district's large residential population across multiple supervisorial districts.
Culture and Community
The ZIP's civic life reflects fog-belt residential community character. Sunset farmers markets, neighborhood block parties, and Golden Gate Park events draw residents. Commercial corridors along Noriega and Taraval Streets serve diverse dining and retail needs. The Sunset Branch Library and multiple community centers provide programming.
Geography & Environment
94122 spans flat fog-belt terrain across most of the grid, with Golden Gate Heights rising at the southeastern corner. The Mediterranean climate brings cool, fog-influenced summers and mild winters — the Sunset receives consistent fog from the Pacific. Ocean Beach provides a three-mile sand corridor along the western edge.
Golden Gate Park forms a major green buffer along the northern boundary. Sunset Reservoir offers recreation and open views from its elevated berm. Urban tree canopy is modest compared to older eastern neighborhoods, reflecting the district's dune-era origins.
Transportation & Connectivity
Muni Metro N-Judah and L-Taraval lines provide rail service through the Sunset grid. Sunset Boulevard, 19th Avenue, and Junipero Serra Boulevard carry bus routes toward downtown and the Peninsula. Interstate 280 is accessible via Junipero Serra Boulevard at the ZIP's southeastern edge.
Ocean Beach and the Great Highway provide coastal cycling and walking routes. San Francisco International Airport is reachable via Muni Metro to downtown BART connections.
Looking Forward
San Francisco planning documents address Sunset District ADU construction, affordable housing production, and Sunset Boulevard pedestrian safety improvements. Golden Gate Park management and Ocean Beach erosion management affect the ZIP's park and coastal interfaces. N-Judah capacity and accessibility improvements proceed through Muni planning.
Residents participate in land-use decisions through community meetings and district supervisor advocacy across multiple supervisorial districts within the large ZIP.
The ZIP's Character
94122 is the Sunset District at scale — a fog-belt grid of row houses from Golden Gate Park to Ocean Beach, N-Judah streetcars on Judah Street, and the largest residential population in San Francisco County.
"94122 fills the Sunset grid from park to ocean — a ZIP where stucco row houses, fog-belt avenues, and Muni Metro lines define San Francisco's largest residential population."
From Noriega Street's commercial strip to Ocean Beach's sand dunes, the ZIP offers the quintessential western San Francisco residential experience within a single postal boundary. Buyers, sellers, and investors evaluating 94122 benefit from understanding its grid submarkets and position within the broader San Francisco County real estate landscape.