NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION
The Richmond District is located in the northwest corner of San Francisco, nestled in between Presidio National Park and the city’s Golden Gate Park. The neighborhood, which includes Sea Cliff and Laurel and Presidio Heights, is home to about 80,000 people. About half of Richmond residents are of Asian ancestry, primarily of Chinese and Korean descent. There is also a large Irish population and many recently arrived Russian immigrants.
Several vibrant commercial areas, including California Street, Clement Street and Geary Boulevard, serve the neighborhood. The 1,400 merchants and small offices in the Richmond District offer a wide range of goods and services.
Local landmarks include the Cliff House and the Beach Chalet at Ocean Beach, the V.A. Hospital at Fort Miley, University of San Francisco and numerous holy houses, including Temple Emanuel, St. John’s Orthodox Church and St. John’s Presbyterian Church. There are numerous attractions in Golden Gate Park, including an American Bison pen, M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Strybing Arboretum, the oldest children’s playground west of the Mississippi River and a 9-hole golf course.
NEWSPAPER INFORMATION
Distribution by Neighborhood: Presidio and Masonic Avenues to the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Park to the Presidio, Sea Cliff
Distribution by Zip Code: 94118 and 94121
Circulation: 25,000
From my home facing Ocean Beach I’ve been daily observing and photographing trucks, emergency vehicles, sand removal equipment, and the occasional car driving on the closed Great Highway/Sunset Dunes Park. Clearly, this 4-lane highway that was driven on by nearly 20,000 vehicles every day when it was open, had not lost its utility at the time of its closure, nor has it lost its utility yet. My photographic proof indicates at least one or more vehicles drive on it nearly every day.
I’m a senior and go there frequently to walk, and I see so many people there. I always see a lot of other walkers of all ages, families with young children, couples, friends walking together, as well as runners and bicyclists.
Light rain did not seem to slow things down, but the San Francisco power outage left many neighborhood residents and small businesses in the dark, all through what are often the busiest two days of the year – the weekend before Christmas. And, on already dangerously unlit roads, Waymos halted traffic.
Richmond neighbors and city officials celebrated a Geary Boulevard decorative tree and window lighting with a ceremony in front of Joe’s Ice Cream on Geary and 18th Avenue.
Many here in the Richmond District have started to notice the recent uptick in the hustle and bustle of Clement Street – the brand-new shops and dining options that are drawing in San Franciscans from all over the City.
I first took office as District 1 supervisor in 2021, first became a member of the Board of Supervisors’ Budget Committee in 2022 and became the Committee chair in 2023. Since then, I have overseen three fiscal years of the City’s budget during some of the most volatile times in San Francisco – from COVID-19 recovery through the attacks and funding cuts from the Trump Administration.
As we enter the new year, I want to take a moment to celebrate some recent wins that are making San Francisco safer for everyone.
Comparison photos of Geary Boulevard and Sixth Avenue 5 years apart.
Cartoon by Paul Kilduff.
Things to do on San Francisco’s west side in January 2026.
Motorists commuting through the Sunset District will have to deal with fewer lanes on 19th Avenue this year, as the traffic artery gets completely repaved between Lincoln Way and Holloway Avenue.
Flavorful beverages made with Vietnamese sugar cane, fruit, seeds, aloe, ginger and other healthy ingredients are freshly pressed to order at the new Pure Cane Juice at 839 Irving St. Owner Cory Sullivan and his helpful staff can advise you on which flavor might appeal to you, from pineapple, passion fruit, lychee, golden lime and more. Thai tea, brown sugar milk boba, bubble waffles and sponge cake round out the offerings.
Workers are cutting down about 800 trees around Lake Merced as part of larger ongoing series of projects to remove species not native to the area and revamp the watershed to help it drain into the lake.
San Francisco District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong has been on the job since Dec. 1, 2025. Thus far, his primary concern has been keeping the lights on for Sunset District businesses and residents.
Richmond Review crossword puzzle and solution, January 2025.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 