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
Last month brought cheer to many readers as AAA and Gas-Buddy data reported gasoline prices declined to a $2.90 per gallon nationwide average, although not in California where the best locations charge $3.95 per gallon. The aforementioned $2.90 is 17 cents lower than November and 7.3 cents lower than 2024. You naughty non-electric motor vehicle drivers can consider this your holiday present.
Recent police activity in the Richmond District.
Nail artist Kristen Valdez-Doherty is a maximalist in terms of nail design, which is reflected in the kitschy, crowded décor of her Nails of Modern Art Clement Street studio.
This month, in partnership with SF Mayor Daniel Lurie, I am introducing legislation to allow prosecutors to file felony charges when abusers violate protective orders in high-risk cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.
What a busy year’s end it was for the Richmond, Sunset and Parkside neighborhoods!
December in the Richmond District is a month of holiday celebration, shopping and local film screenings. The Balboa Theater has hosted the independent film festival, Another Hole in the Head, for 22 years. The festival ran throughout the month of December at the theater.
Newly-appointed District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong is calling out some supporters of the Sunset Dunes park who claimed he had not meaningfully engaged with them before announcing his support of a ballot measure that would return the question of the future of the Upper Great Highway to San Francisco ballots.
Plans to replace the Safeway supermarket near the beach at 850 La Playa St. with a couple of eight-story buildings – including 526 new residential units – have been submitted to the San Francisco Planning Department.
As 2025 draws to a close, the real estate market has experienced yet another interesting year. The recurring question at this time is: Where is the market headed next?
Send up to three photos of your pet to Editor@RichmondSunsetNews.com for consideration for “Pet Pix.” Please include your pet’s name.
Things to do on San Francisco’s west side in December 2025.
Many Outer Richmond businesses have been landmark hotspots for decades. Establishments like Mandalay Restaurant and Schubert’s Bakery have cultivated an inviting environment, bringing food and community to the area.
The holiday season can be a wonderful time to give back to the community. As the end of the year rolls around, here are some of my reccomendations for organizations on the west side to volunteer with or donate to.
You have all heard me say it before, but small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods. They are where we find community and gather for celebrations. We rely on them for everyday essentials, delicious meals, special treats, local artisan products and so much more. Which is why I have been working to find ways to both protect and support our small businesses and neighborhood commercial corridors.
When you retire or get older and have time on your hands, one of the most dramatic things you discover is how much you miss the mental challenges and your work-life social connections.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 