SF surf housing advice

While none of these are terribly beach-close, I've lived in a few surf-friendly places.

Inner sunset: The N is known for it's fail. Fail after fail. That said, I did enjoy living in the inner sunset. Great neighborhood, friendly people, ample parking. Little hard to get home from bars late night. Still pricey but quality for price was higher than other places I've lived. Golden Gate park w/in walking distance was a big plus.

I lived in the mission/dolores terrace before I got my surfboard. Carrying gear multiple blocks was unfun, but the access to the freeway and bart was very helpful. Can't beat the food and bars either. Little sketchy. My car was broken into almost immediately. Prices have gone way up on single bedroom apt with all the hipsters and renovations. Dolores park is great for dogs.

Right now I'm in hayes valley. Easy public transit to the sunset (71 and N) as well as to the rest of the city. Parking is decent, usually don't have to walk more that 3 blocks with my board. I'm glose to the 101 and I can zip down fell to OB in no time. My apt has HIGH ceilings and a deck which are great for gear. Moderately priced but also not that great. (My apt is freezing and in some mild disrepair). Dog parks nearby.

The problem I have with the beach areas is the fog, I just can't hang. I live on the Noe/Mission border by clipper, which affords me relatively quick ~15-20 minutes beach access to ######. Also 28o is close so if I want to shoot down the peninsula for a surf that is quick too. The best part of it all is the sun, its so warm in my neighborhood I love it.

i live in the outer ###### and wouldn't change it for the world, granted i find the fog cozy and sexy. i hate driving in the city so I'm very muni oriented. living off of ######, there are multiple options- the N-###### naturally, the 71 near ###### and just a quick walk across the park allows you the 31, 5, 38L. yeah muni fails but what doesn't? the best part when i head into the city, i always have a seat :) grab a book and it's all good.

At the risk of exposing this super-secret, exclusive, gated community by posting on SR, I'd say check out The Presidio. Rents are very reasonable when considering what you get for it--designated covered parking, free express shuttle to downtown, trails out the door, and (for us) a view of Mile Rock and the surrounding waters. There are some neighborhoods that don't allow dogs, though. I live in one of those, so instead of my own dog I'm feeding and taking the coyotes for walks. They can be tricky and protective of their territory. Good training for surfing the surrounding area.

Inner Richmond, and I love it. Walking distance to the Presidio, GG Park, Mountain Lake Park, Clement Street & all its delicacies, Laurel Heights, and if you have the time, the Inner Sunset's 9th & ###### area.

8 minute drive to ###### & ######, 13 minute drive to ######. 5 minutes to the GG Bridge.

Not nearly as foggy as the Outer Richmond but still really close to OB.

I'm with @Sticker. I'm at ###### and 33rd, and it's great. Coffee, bars, restaurants, GG Park and 4 bus lines within walking distance make it the perfect balance.

Oh, and OB is a short walk away :)

Outer Sunset for me: access to 280 (I commute to Palo Alto). Reasonable rent; reasonable drives to the real city; close to OB (though my "skills" send me to Pacifica). Its a city/suburb hybrid.

I'm game with @gamed (witty much?) in the Outer Sunset. I'm at OB constantly, whether to surf or walk the dog, and that has become hands-down my favorite part of the city. also for dogs, Stern Grove and Ft. Funston are close and super fun. The fog and cold is a manageable by-product of having proximity to the beach, but it's not as bad as people hype it to be. Also, if you have a good protected backyard, it can get really warm back there, even on windy or hazy days. Also, let's not overlook the surf community that is out here. Lots of very good people live in the Outer Sunset, great way to commune with your fellow surfer. There are better places to grub than it gets credit for. I wouldn't leave this place for anything. The L-###### takes like 28 minutes to get to the financial district. I actually commute down 280 and, so having easy access there is great. In other words, I am stoked living out here.

On the Sunset commute rant... If your buddy is looking at outer sunset, then best to be right smack dab in the middle of the two Muni lines. Like Tracey said, the N-###### in the morning is a big fail (or has been recently). The L-###### is very quick and seldom has problems. I live in the mid-sunset (west of 19th) but in between the two lines. I take the L-###### in the morning. I work near the ballpark so I always take the N-###### home and grab a seat before the crowds descend at Montgomery. Don't bother with the 16X or the 71L for morning commutes - now that the 16AX and 16BX lines were consolidated, those bus lines get packed quick with Outer Sunset folks trying to get downtown. But the 71 (combined with the 28 for north/south trips) is pretty easy for non-commute trips around the city. And the 71 picks up right outside my favorite beer bar in the city - Toronado!

Heh Kok, I'm looking at that pic thinking "Iiiiiiiii haaaaaaavvvvveeeee exxxcelleeeeent creeeeeeeddddiiiiiiiit aaaaand rreferenceeees"

If I'm ever a landlord I will demand my tenants interview for the place while getting barreled.

Pacifica is where its at.

inner sunset! Our yard is twice the size of our house & the rent is less than a 1BR in the mission!

inner sunset ftw :)