Forest Knolls, San Francisco: Homes, History & Local Life

Forest Knolls was built in the late 1950s and early 1960s on land that had been part of Adolph Sutro’s 1,100-acre eucalyptus forest. Trees were cleared first for Midtown Terrace (to the north), then for Forest Knolls, on hillsides that had been part of Rancho San Miguel before Sutro planted the forest in the 1880s, per the Forest Knolls neighborhood history. Some of the original homeowners are still there. The neighborhood sits below the Twin Peaks ridgeline and above the Forest Hill Muni station on Laguna Honda Boulevard, accessible primarily via the 36 Teresita bus.

Is Forest Knolls right for you?

Forest Knolls is a hilltop residential neighborhood with panoramic views of the bay, hills, and downtown from many homes, with no commercial district of its own. Transaction volume is very thin.

How do you get around Forest Knolls?

Forest Knolls is served by one Muni bus line: the 36 Teresita, which runs between the Forest Hill Muni Metro station (K, L, M, T lines) and Forest Knolls, and continues to Glen Park BART station.

Walk Score: 50. Transit Score: 64. Bike Score: 43. Source: walkscore.com, Forest Knolls.

The history of Forest Knolls

The land belonged to Jose Jesus Noe as part of Rancho San Miguel, then sold to Adolph Sutro, who planted the 1,100-acre eucalyptus forest in the 1880s. Forest Knolls was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s on cleared hillside parcels above the Forest Hill Muni station. The neighborhood is immediately adjacent to Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center at 375 Laguna Honda Boulevard, one of the largest skilled nursing facilities in the United States (62 acres), per SF.gov.

What does the housing look like in Forest Knolls?

Detached single-family homes built primarily in the late 1950s to early 1960s define Forest Knolls. These are ranch-style and modest Mid-Century Modern homes with stucco or wood siding, typically 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on hillside lots. Many homes have views of the bay, downtown, Twin Peaks, or the surrounding hills. Current listings include homes in the $1.35M to $1.65M range for typical 3-bedroom homes.

Where locals eat, drink, and shop in Forest Knolls

Forest Knolls has no commercial district. The neighborhood is hilltop residential, with daily life running to the West Portal Avenue corridor a short drive south, the Cole Valley cluster a short drive east, and the Inner Sunset’s 9th Avenue corridor a short drive west.

The closest historic anchor walkable downhill is Zazie at 941 Cole (1992) in Cole Valley. Forest Knolls itself sits in dense Sutro-Mt-Davidson tree cover, with most addresses requiring a car for groceries and weeknight dining. The pattern is consistent with the other quiet hill-residential pockets in The City’s central spine.

Forest Knolls Pros:

• Views of the bay, downtown, and hills from many homes, particularly on Forest Knolls Drive at the ridge
• Quiet, low-traffic residential neighborhood with a genuine community character
• Forest Hill Muni Metro station (K, L, M, T lines) accessible via the 36 Teresita bus, providing downtown access
• Average home values in the $1.6M range are competitive relative to neighboring Forest Hill at substantially lower price points
• Twin Peaks Park and Sutro Forest are within walking distance for trail access

Forest Knolls Cons:

• Single-bus access via the 36 Teresit. Frequency is limited (30-minute headways) and last bus at 11pm
• Walk Score of 72 reflects hillside character and distance from commercial corridor. Most daily errands require a car or transit
• No commercial amenity within the neighborhood
• Very thin transaction volum. Median price data can swing with one or two sales
• Steep hillside terrain limits practical cycling and makes the return walk to Forest Hill station an uphill proposition

What’s the Forest Knolls market doing?

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Forest Knolls is a neighborhood where views and lot position determine value more than zip code or neighborhood averages. I have worked throughout the central west side for over two decades. Reach out when you have a specific property.

Forest Knolls frequently asked questions

What is Forest Knolls like to live in?

Forest Knolls is a hilltop residential neighborhood with panoramic views of the bay, hills, and downtown from many homes, with no commercial district of its own. Transaction volume is very thin.

Who is Forest Knolls right for?

Forest Knolls is a hilltop residential neighborhood with panoramic views of the bay, hills, and downtown from many homes, with no commercial district of its own. Transaction volume is very thin.

How do you get around Forest Knolls without a car?

Forest Knolls has a Walk Score of 50, Transit Score of 64, and Bike Score of 43. Forest Knolls is served by one Muni bus line: the 36 Teresita, which runs between the Forest Hill Muni Metro station (K, L, M, T lines) and Forest Knolls, and continues to Glen Park BART station.

What kind of homes are in Forest Knolls?

Detached single-family homes built primarily in the late 1950s to early 1960s define Forest Knolls. These are ranch-style and modest Mid-Century Modern homes with stucco or wood siding, typically 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on hillside lots. Many homes have views of the bay, downtown, Twin Peaks, or the surrounding hills.

What’s one thing people don’t know about Forest Knolls?

The land belonged to Jose Jesus Noe as part of Rancho San Miguel, then sold to Adolph Sutro, who planted the 1,100-acre eucalyptus forest in the 1880s. Forest Knolls was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s on cleared hillside parcels above the Forest Hill Muni station.