Friday, June 27, 2014

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.

12 comments:

Windlost said...

Gorgeous homes Stefan - thanks for sharing...I loved that "Veranda" entryway - I love this combination of pale exterior with dark accents and just enough detail to appeal to my traditional side, but still somehow clean and modern. A perfect combination. I will add this to my travel bucket list...!
Were you just there for a visit, or work?!
xo

ArchitectDesign™ said...

I was there for a vacation a few weeks ago -traveling throughout northern California for my birthday.

Chronica Domus said...

Such a beautiful neighborhood indeed, always a favorite to stroll and admire the gorgeous homes. Also, Pacific Heights is a must see next time you are in our neck of the woods.

Hels said...

I would not have ever visited Sea Cliff, if it wasn't for a visit to the Legion of Honour Museum. And you are spot on, this part of California is made for gorgeous outdoor living and sea views.

So the red brick is a bit of a surprise - it is not a Mediterranean-type colour or material. If you pulled the stucco off the other homes, would you find red brick in all of them?

Lord Cowell said...

Gasp is right! What was that house with the colonnade and triumphal arch?

Karena said...

Stefan, SeaCliff is one of those historic neighborhoods I long to visit! There are so many equisite details, not to mention the ocean views!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Gorgeous photographic tour of a beautiful area. I hope one day to see it all in person. Thank you Stefan for showing us the beauty of Sea Cliff.
Vera

Stephilius said...

Yes,a wonderful neighborhood. But then there are so many wonderful areas in SF. I lived there for several years when I was in my twenties - ma jeunesse dorée - and one of the great delights was just walking about the different neighborhoods, looking at all the wonderful houses.... : )

Mark D. Ruffner said...

Hi, Stefan,

What I like about that entry one approaches through a grove of olive trees is that one goes inside to get the best outside view — the ocean.

Blue said...

I love the houses that have walled courtyards and the entry you show having olive trees, rosemary, and lavender should be very fragrant in the sunshine.

David said...

That whole area is so beautiful. We're going to CA to get married at some point and if we don't do it at the court house I told Brett I want to do it by the recumbent lions on the lawn at the Legion of Honor.

Paisley Curtain said...

Thanks for sharing this visual treat with us, what a great neighborhood. Drove through there long time back, you have brought the memories back. :)