ZIP Code Guide
94127
West Portal and St. Francis Wood
Planned hillside estates, curving boulevards, and San Francisco's highest owner-occupancy rate west of Twin Peaks
- West Portal
- St. Francis Wood
- Sherwood Forest
- Balboa Terrace
ZIP code 94127 covers West Portal, St. Francis Wood, and adjacent planned residential communities within San Francisco County — a postal area of low-density single-family homes, architect-designed estates, and village retail at West Portal Station. The code spans some of San Francisco's most exclusive residential enclaves, with owner-occupancy rates exceeding 80 percent and a character distinct from the city's apartment-dominated core.
Geographic Position
94127 occupies the southwestern hillside portion of San Francisco, bounded roughly by Junipero Serra Boulevard to the south, Ocean Avenue to the north, and the San Mateo County line to the south. West Portal Avenue forms the commercial village at the ZIP's northern edge, while St. Francis Wood's curving boulevards occupy the hillside interior.
The ZIP sits on varied topography west of Mount Davidson and Forest Hill, with St. Francis Wood and Sherwood Forest developed as planned communities with deed restrictions and architectural guidelines. Muni Metro lines converge at West Portal Station at the ZIP's northern boundary.
Neighborhood Character
West Portal tunnel opens for streetcar service; West Portal Avenue develops as a commercial village.
St. Francis Wood is platted as a planned residential community with curving streets, landscaped boulevards, and architectural restrictions.
St. Francis Wood, Sherwood Forest, and Balboa Terrace fill with architect-designed homes in Mediterranean, Tudor, and Colonial Revival styles.
Muni Metro opens West Portal Station, providing subway service through the Twin Peaks Tunnel.
St. Francis Wood and adjacent communities maintain low-density character; West Portal village retains neighborhood-serving retail.
Within 94127, St. Francis Wood presents curving boulevards, landscaped medians, and custom single-family homes on generous lots. Sherwood Forest and Balboa Terrace offer similar planned-community character with varied architectural styles. West Portal provides village retail, dining, and Muni Metro access at the ZIP's northern edge.
Economy & Employment
Residents of 94127 draw income from finance, law, medicine, technology, and professional services across the Bay Area. West Portal's commercial village employs workers in retail, dining, and personal services. The ZIP's professional-class residents commute to downtown, UCSF, Peninsula corporate campuses, and regional employment centers.
Local commercial activity concentrates along West Portal Avenue. Neighborhood grocers, cafes, restaurants, and professional offices serve village needs. The ZIP's low commercial density reflects its primarily residential character.
Market & Housing Context
According to U.S. Census Bureau data for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 94127, the area had a population of approximately 20,288 and 7,673 housing units as of the 2020 Census. American Community Survey estimates for the 2019–2023 period indicate that roughly 83 percent of occupied housing units are owner-occupied and 17 percent are renter-occupied.
The housing stock consists overwhelmingly of single-family detached homes built from the 1920s through the 1940s in planned communities. St. Francis Wood features architect-designed estates with Mediterranean, Tudor, and Colonial Revival details. Lot sizes are larger than typical San Francisco parcels. Limited apartment and rental stock appears near West Portal and along peripheral corridors.
Living in 94127
Public parks and open space within and near the ZIP include West Portal Playground, Larsen Park, Edgehill Mountain Open Space, and Mount Davidson Park. The San Francisco Zoo and Stern Grove lie within reach of the ZIP's western and northern edges.
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 converge at West Portal Station, connecting to downtown via the Twin Peaks Tunnel. Interstate 280 is accessible via Junipero Serra Boulevard.
94127 Today
20,288
Population (2020 Census ZCTA)
7,673
Housing Units (2020 Census)
83%
Owner-Occupied Units (2019–2023 ACS)
1920s–1940s
Dominant Housing Era
Government and Civic Life
94127 falls within the consolidated City and County of San Francisco. St. Francis Wood and West Portal neighborhood associations participate in planning hearings, architectural preservation advocacy, and West Portal commercial corridor discussions. Homeowners associations in planned communities maintain architectural guidelines and common-area stewardship.
Culture and Community
The ZIP's civic life reflects planned-community residential character and West Portal village scale. St. Francis Wood's landscaped boulevards and annual community events maintain neighborhood cohesion. West Portal's street fair and neighborhood cafes serve as gathering places. Mount Davidson and Edgehill Mountain provide hiking and views within the postal area.
Geography & Environment
94127 spans varied hillside topography from West Portal village to St. Francis Wood's interior boulevards. The Mediterranean climate brings cool, fog-influenced summers and mild winters. Mount Davidson — San Francisco's highest natural peak — rises within the ZIP's eastern reach. Edgehill Mountain preserves rocky open space on a neighborhood outcrop.
Urban tree canopy is extensive along St. Francis Wood's landscaped boulevards and residential streets. The ZIP's low density preserves open sky and hillside views from many properties.
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 and Junipero Serra Boulevard. Interstate 280 provides freeway access to the Peninsula and San Francisco International Airport.
West Portal village offers walkable access to transit, dining, and daily errands. The ZIP's hillside streets are primarily residential, with commercial activity concentrated at West Portal.
Looking Forward
San Francisco planning documents address accessory dwelling unit construction in single-family zones, West Portal commercial corridor improvements, and seismic retrofit requirements for older homes. St. Francis Wood preservation discussions balance architectural heritage with accommodation of modest infill. Mount Davidson and Edgehill Mountain open- space management proceed through city parks department planning.
Residents participate in land-use decisions through community meetings, homeowners association governance, and district supervisor advocacy.
The ZIP's Character
94127 holds San Francisco's planned hillside estates — St. Francis Wood's curving boulevards, West Portal's village station, and an owner-occupancy rate that sets it apart from the city's apartment core.
"94127 curves through St. Francis Wood's landscaped boulevards to West Portal Station — a ZIP of architect-designed estates, Muni Metro access, and San Francisco's highest owner-occupancy rate."
From St. Francis Wood's Mediterranean estates to West Portal's commercial village, the ZIP offers a low-density residential slice of southwestern San Francisco. Buyers, sellers, and investors evaluating 94127 benefit from understanding its planned-community character and position within the broader San Francisco County real estate landscape.

