Destination West Portal

Named after the Twin Peaks Tunnel that connected this southeast swath of San Francisco to the rest of the city by streetcars in 1918. Bounded by St. Francis Wood, Forest Hill, and the Inner Parkside neighborhoods, West Portal lies directly west of Mount Davidson, one of San Francisco's infamous seven hills. That cross-topped hill also serves as a fog-stopper that keeps the neighborhood conveniently (depending on your point of view) air-conditioned year-round. While West Portal lacks the culinary cachet of the Mission and other destinations, there are a number of distinctive restaurants and cafes worth a visit on your way to or from Ocean Beach, Stern Grove, and Stonestown. Here are a few of our favorites…

Ballast Coffee: 329 West Portal Ave. ballastcoffee.comNoe Valley Bakery West Portal: 28 West Portal Ave. noevalleybakery.comSubmarine Center: 820 Ulloa St. submarinecenter.com