West Portal is one of San Francisco's most transit friendly neighborhoods with 4 train lines converging at West Portal Station. West Portal’s shopping district features many small, locally owned shops and restaurants and a movie theater. West Portal is also in close proximity to many excellent schools and a branch of the San Francisco Public Library. The ride in the subway from West Portal to
Union Square is about twenty minutes.
Because of its small size and
mom and pop stores, restaurants, and saloons, the neighborhood is often described as having a village atmosphere. The neighborhood is served by a branch of the San Francisco Public Library. Like
Glen Park, the neighborhood is one of San Francisco's metro-centered communities. Though small, the neighborhood has many restaurants, salon and nail services, a movie theatre, and spas, among other businesses. and on a clear day, the park above the tunnel provides a view of the
Marin Headlands and the
Farallon Islands in the
Pacific.