Where is St. Francis Wood?
It sits on the western slope below Mount Davidson, in ZIP 94127. Portola Drive runs along the northeast side, and the stone entry gates on St. Francis Boulevard near Portola mark the main way in. West Portal is just to the north, and Balboa Terrace and Monterey Heights are nearby neighbors.
What makes it different from most of San Francisco?
It was laid out in the early twentieth century as a planned residence park, and it still feels that way. Instead of row houses built wall to wall, the homes are detached, set back behind lawns and gardens, with driveways and garages. A homes association looks after the common areas.
What does that mean for a move?
Usually easier truck access than in the denser parts of the city. Streets curve rather than following a grid, but traffic is light and many homes have a driveway or garage the crew can work from. The time goes into the house itself: several rooms, often two or more floors, plus garages that have filled up over the years.
Where does the truck park?
Often right in front of the house. If the curb is lined with cars or the driveway is shared, a reserved stretch of curb makes it dependable. The SFMTA authorizes temporary no-parking signs; our SF parking permit guide covers applying. Leave a week or more.
Portola Drive is a busy arterial, so homes near it are usually loaded from a residential street instead.
How should I prepare?
Go through the garage and any storage rooms early, since that is where moves in larger homes most often run long. List pianos, china cabinets and other heavy or fragile pieces. Measure your biggest items against the tightest doorway, and move cars out of the driveway the night before.
Do you move out of the city too?
Yes. Many moves from here head down the Peninsula or out to the East Bay, both covered by local moving. For moves beyond California, see long-distance moving.
