Sea Cliff, San Francisco

 My favorite neighborhood in San Francisco (for houses) is Sea Cliff.

Located just down the hill from the Legion of Honor museum, seen below, the neighborhood perches on a cliff above the Pacific Ocean.

The neighborhood is beautifully landscaped and many of the houses you pass with a gasp: "It looks like a magazine shoot!".

 I particularly loved this entry above through a grove of Olive Trees - right out of Veranda magazine, no?

 This bubbling fountain was in front of another house with beautiful landscaping.

Many of the houses have private front yards with walls. I loved the tastefully quiet entry above: black door, boxwoods, beautiful lanterns.

 Suited to the climate many of the houses are Mediterranean style.

 Another great entry with olive trees, rosemary, and lavender.

This was one of the lone modern houses which I loved. Notice the sculptural trees surrounding the property.

 This French Norman styled house is super charming.

 A few of these houses which appear to be the oldest have side entries. Notice the ocean to the right.

 The side facing the street is discrete and symmetrical. I think this house is actually concrete.

 Many of these houses, even the newer ones like this above, have great details.

 Looking back you can see how these houses perch on the cliff, capturing that ocean view.

 This house had some amazing old Mediterranean stucco work.

 This house, inland, captures the ocean views by going tall.

 Many of the houses not directly facing the water have rooftop decks and pergolas.

California was made for outside living! Even the interiors here focus on the outside view. Of course you recognize the name Sea Cliff as houses here have regularly been showcased in shelter magazines for decades.

 This house was one of my favorites but look closely -notice anything unusual?

I think that originally this was a stucco house and at some point someone removed the stucco to reveal the tile structure. Notice how the bricks at the door surround above are normal thickness while the rest are about 1/2" thick - a thin veneer.  If you visit the Legion of Honor museum be sure to enjoy the views and some great houses by walking down the Lincoln Highway.