“I can walk down the  
streets of San Francisco,  
and here I’m normal.”
Robin Williams

With all due respect, it’s not San Fran, and it’s most definitely not Frisco. San Francisco is The City — with a capital T and capital C. This is something with which all native San Franciscans can agree. In fact, there is quite a bit on which natives of The City by the Bay are in agreement. San Francisco was a great place to grow up in the 1960’s. It is one of the most scenic metropolitan areas in the world. Summer weather normally arrives in September and October. If you prefer cooler temperatures, stay west of Twin Peaks. The Giants’ ballpark is one of the most magnificent sports venues in the country. (The football field at Washington High School is another one.) 

Yes, San Francisco is a special place. Those who say it’s not what it used to be are correct. Much has changed, and not necessarily for the better. Still, The City is an amazing place which offers a plethora of activities and destinations for visitors and locals alike.

There is one particular topic, however, on which there is significant disagreement. It seems that there is some confusion as to the labeling of districts on The City’s west side. A look at the image above clearly, and accurately identifies the Richmond, Inner-Sunset, and Lakeshore districts. The point of contention seems to be whether the southwest corner of The City is part of the Sunset District or the Parkside District. I’m specifically referring to the area between Sunset Boulevard and the Great Highway, and Quintara Street to Sloat Boulevard.

I grew up on 38th Avenue, halfway between Vicente and Wawona Streets. I always considered this location to be part of the Sunset District. When my mother put our family home on the market in 2014, the realtor claimed our home was in the Parkside. It seems he’s not alone. I always thought the Parkside was within the boundaries from about 15th Avenue to Sunset Boulevard, and from Ortega Street to Sloat Boulevard, yet some claim that the Parkside extends west to the Great Highway.

This may not seem like an issue worthy of attention or discussion, yet whenever anyone asks me where in The City I grew up, my response is always The Sunset. I’m proud to identify with the Sunset District. There’s certainly nothing wrong with the Parkside. That’s where we went to go to the local public library, to Larson Pool for swimming lessons, to Zim’s for a cheeseburger and shake, to Herb’s for a meatball sandwich, to the movie theater on Taraval, and to the jet at 19th & Vicente. But that’s not the district in which I lived. I have a small piece of evidence to support my opinion.

Points of interest in the neighborhoods can be a good indicator of what district one is in. For example, Sunset Playground is located at 28th & Lawton. The reservoir situated between Ortega and Quintara Streets, from 24th to 28th Avenue is the Sunset Reservoir. West Sunset Playground extends along 41st Avenue between Ortega and Quintara. All of these are consistent with the Sunset (and inner Sunset) being labeled as they are.

On the south side of Vicente Street, from 26th to 28th Avenues is what used to be called Parkside Playground. It’s now called Parkside Square. The library at 22nd and Taraval is the Parkside Library. The theater on Taraval Street was the Parkside Theater. Again, this is consistent with the designation of this area as the Parkside.

If you travel west down Vicente Street and across Sunset Boulevard, there is another city playground on the southwest corner of 40th Avenue. It is circled in red in the photo above. The name of this park is South Sunset Playground. The names of the public recreation areas were decided by officials of the City of San Francisco.

Case dismissed.