Visitacion Valley, San Francisco

Located in the south eastern quadrant of San Francisco, the Visitacion Valley neighboorhood is roughly defined by McLaren Park to the East, Mansell Blvd to the North, Bayview Hill and Candlestick Cove to the West, and San Francisco / San Mateo county line to the South.

Visitacion Valley was Rancho named in July 1777 by a party of Spanish priests and soldiers who lost their way in heavy fog while en route to the Presidio. This area was the only Mexican land grant within San Francisco deeded to an Anglo. Windmills pumped water to irrigate the fields of early settlers’ cattle farms, nurseries, and vegetable gardens, leading to the nickname “Valley of the Windmills.” Over the years, however, the pastoral scenery gave way to a mix of housing and commerce, and today Visitacion Valley is one of the city’s most ethnically diverse neighborhoods.