Today the area is known as a suburban haven for young singles and families looking for a quiet lifestyle with the option to venture into a colorful, fun-filled city. And due to its extraordinary views and beautiful parks, it's also visited by a number of locals who live in the surrounding neighborhoods. It's recently been named one of the "hottest" regions in the Bay Area, mainly because many of its real estate listings are bought over asking price.
However, this isn't necessarily an area that one would consider booming. You won't find shopping malls or bustling streets here. It's mainly humble homes and lavish landings in Golden Gate Heights.
Unfortunately, whether this is due to the age of the area or difficulty in placing footpaths that hug the curves of hills, sidewalks in Golden Gate Heights are spotty - sometimes existing on only one side of the street, sometimes vanishing once you turn a corner, and sometimes not present at all. Streets and sidewalks in the area can be a little rough, showing the wear and tear of time in their cracks and holes, but it's never anything too precarious for four paws and the two feet that lead them.
If you're up for conquering hills, this neighborhood is for you. Two of SF's steepest peaks call Golden Gate Heights home: Grand View Hill and Larsen Peak. Some of the steeper inclines or declines - depending on your direction - are on Ortega and Moraga (has stairs) streets. However, you and your pooch will be rewarded as both of the streets' highest points come to an end inside parks.
There are unnamed peaks in the neighborhood, as well, reaching over 750 feet, and close by is Forest Hill, which is over 800. While these heights are impressive, they still don't surpass the elevation of other SF-famous inclines, such as Twin Peaks, Mt. Davidson, or Mt. Sutro (all over 900 feet). So if you're looking for even more of a challenging adventure then tour all the peaks San Francisco has to offer by mapping a little tour of your own.