'''Twin Peaks-Lake Merced''' is an area consisting of most of Southwestern San Francisco. It runs from the Twin Peaks to Merced Park at the very southwestern corner of the city, and includes the Twin Peaks neighborhoods, West Portal, and Miraloma Park before stretching west to SFSU and Lake Merced. It is bordered by the Sunset neighborhood on the northwest, the Castro-Noe Valley district to the northeast, and the neighborhood of Ingleside to the southeast.
Understand
The name '''Twin Peaks''' stems from the fact that it consists of two almost identical peaks. It is practically at the geographical center of the city, and at an elevation of over 900 feet it offers spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of the city and the bay. Although the peaks remain undeveloped, the foot of the hillside is peppered with residential houses, taking advantage of the spectacular vistas.
'''Miraloma Park''' is a quiet, pleasant residential district of single-family homes. Homes were first built in the neighborhood in the late 1920s. Construction continued in waves through the 1950s. The neighborhood therefore offers a variety of architectural styles: from 1920s classic to mid-century modern.
'''West Portal''' is a small business district on the western side of San Francisco's largest hills. The name refers to the western end of the Twin Peaks Tunnel, a subway tunnel which runs under the Twin Peaks and connects to the Market Street subway tunnel in downtown.
'''Lake Merced''' is a freshwater lake which now serves mainly as a recreational spot, surrounded by much parkland. It was the last area of San Francisco to develop, making it the best place to put the large San Francisco Zoo and the campus for San Francisco State University, which is the heart of another small business district.
Get in
MUNI Metro '''K, L and M''' lines serve the area. From downtown, all three lines travel underground, stopping at the Forest Hill and West Portal stations. After West Portal, the lines run on the surface. The L-line runs west through the Sunset neighborhood to the San Francisco Zoo. The K and M lines split up as they head toward Ingelside, with the M-line stopping at the San Francisco State University.
Muni bus lines which serve the area include the 36-Teresita, 37-Corbett, 43-Masonic, 44-O'Shaughnessy and the 48-Quintara/24th Street lines in the Twin Peaks area, and the 17-Parkmerced, 18-46th Avenue, 23-Monterey, 28-19th Avenue and 29-Sunset lines in the Lake Merced and SFSU area.
See
Fort Funston. ttp://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park.asp?park=42. A scenic section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a favorite for hikers, bikers and beach-goers, with rugged coastal highlands and deep sand dunes. Hang gliding is quite popular here, with several shops for hang gliders in the area. Nearby is the remnants of Battery Davis, a WWII-era military defense mechanism.
Glen Canyon Park. long O_fShaughnessy Blvd south of the Twin Peaks. A quiet city park great for hiking, dogwalking and nature viewing, containing a steep canyon situated amidst some residential neighborhoods. The park offers a rare glimpse into what the hilly landscape of San Francisco looked like before development. A small creek, Islais Creek, runs through the canyon and is one of the last free-flowing streams in the city.
Lake Merced. A freshwater lake in the very southwestern corner of San Francisco. It's a scenic place to hike and a popular place to fish at.
Mt. Davidson Park. In the middle of a residential neighborhood, Mt. Davidson Park (which boasts the highest point in San Francisco) offers great hiking trails. Mt. Davidson's most distinguishing feature is a 6-story cross nestled among the many eucalyptus trees, which can be seen from various spots in the city depending on which angle your looking from. It was constructed as part of the WPA program of the 1930s, and is the site of a sunrise mass every Easter. At the peak, you're rewarded with great views of downtown and the bay.
San Francisco State University. 1 415 338-1111. ttp://www.sfsu.edu.
:* <see name="SF State Art Gallery" alt="" address="SF State, Fine Arts Building, Room 238" directions="" phone="+1 415 338-6535" email="" fax="" url="http://gallery.sfsu.edu/" hours="Tu 12PM?4PM, W 12PM?5PM, Th-Sa 12PM?4PM" price="Free"></see>
San Francisco Zoo. n Sloat Boulevard at 47th Avenue. 1 415 753-7080. ttp://www.sfzoo.org/. aily 10AM-5PM. dults $15 ($12 for SF residents), seniors $12 ($7.50 for SF residents), Children $9 ($5.50 for SF residents), Children 3 and under are free. A large zoo with all the animals you'd expect, and then some. Some of the highlights exhibits are the African area (where you'll see many African animals living together in the same exhibit), a primate center, a children's zoo, and a family farm (a large petting zoo), but there's plenty more, along with events like wildlife shows.
Twin Peaks. ccessible by car or on foot via Twin Peaks Boulevard. orth of Portola Drive, just east of Laguna Honda. The small parking area at the northern tip of Twin Peaks Boulevard (875' above sea level) is near the physical center of the city, and one of its highest points, providing spectacular views in all directions. Tour buses can get backed up here during the day, but it's a great place to really appreciate the city from above, especially at and after sunset. Temperatures up there can be quite a bit lower than in the rest of the city, so bring a jacket. Muni bus #37, a scenic ride from the Haight-Ashbury or Castro and Market streets, gets you close, so you only have to climb the last 120' up.
Do
San Francisco State University Gators. F State campus. ttp://www.sfstategators.com/. Various college sports including baseball, basketball and soccer.
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Buy
<listing name="Miraloma Market" alt="" address="755 Portola Drive" directions="between Fowler and Evelyn" phone="+1 415 681-2474" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Neighborhood convenience store that also sells lottery tickets; its also home to the Miraloma Tacqueria.</listing>
<listing name="Mollie Stones Tower Market" alt="" address="635 Portola Drive" directions="at Teresita" phone="+1 415 664-1600" url="http://www.molliestones.com" hours="Daily 8AM-9PM" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Boutique market with butcher and deli departments</listing>
<listing name="Stonestown Galleria Shopping Center" alt="" directions="" address="3251 20th Ave" phone="+1 415 759-2626" email="" fax="" hours="M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 12PM-6PM" price="" url="http://www.stonestowngalleria.com/">Shopping mall next to SFSU. Anchor stores are Nordstrom, Macy_fs, Williams-Sonoma, Borders, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and an Apple Computer store.</listing>
<listing name="Walgreens" alt="" address="689 Portola Drive" directions="at Fowler" phone="+1 415 504-6200" url="" hours="M?F 8AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 10AM-6PM" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Smallish store with a pharmacy.</listing>
Eat
Creightons American Bakery. 73 Portola Drive. etween Teresita and Fowler. 1 415 753-0750. Local coffee shop and bakery.
Taqueria Miraloma. 55 Portola Drive. etween Fowler and Evelyn. 1 415 681-2471. aily 9AM-9:30PM.
Round Table Pizza. 37 Portola Drive. t Fowler. 1 415 681-9595. ttp://www.roundtablepizza.com. aily 11AM-10PM.
Tower Burger. 29 Portola Drive. t Fowler. 1 415 504-6340. Burgers made from Niman Ranch beef.
Drink
Miraloma Club. 49 Portola Drive. etween Fowler and Evelyn. 1 415 564-1131. Neighborhood watering hole with a pool table.
Starbucks. 75 Portola Drive. etween Teresita and Fowler. 1 415 682-9477. Ubiquitous coffee shop offering wi fi internet access.
Sleep
Days Inn at the Beach. 600 Sloat Blvd. t 44th. 1 415 665-9000. 1 415 665-5440. ttp://www.daysinncalifornia.com/html/days-inn-hotel-california-sanfrancisco.asp. 125-$160.
Ocean Park Motel. 690 46th Ave. t Wawona. 1 415 566-7020. ttp://oceanparkmotel.ypguides.net/. nder $100. cnprk36@aol.com. 1 415 665-8959. 1930's 'Art Deco' motel. Just a short stroll to the beach and San Francisco Zoo.
Robert's-at-the-Beach-Motel. 828 Sloat Blvd. t 46th Ave. 1 415 564-2610. 1 415 681-1376. . 65 & up. A dive motel, but if you're desperate for a cheap place to stay, it's across the street from the zoo and right next to the MUNI Metro line.
Contact
<listing name="San Francisco Public Library - Merced Branch" alt="" directions="" address="155 Winston Dr" phone="+1 415 355-2825" email="" fax="" url="http://sfpl.lib.ca.us/" hours="Su Closed, M 10-6, Tu 10-9, W 1-9, Th 10-6, F 1-6, Sa 10-6 " price=""></listing>
<listing name="San Francisco Public Library - West Portal Branch" alt="" directions="" address="190 Lenox Way" phone="+1 415 355-2886" email="" fax="" url="http://sfpl.lib.ca.us/" hours="Su 1-5, M 1-9, Tu 10-9, W 10-9, Th 10-6, F 1-6, Sa 10-6" price=""></listing>