Long before his political career spanned the divide between Sacramento and Marin County, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s family history was deeply anchored at a wooded, midcentury retreat nestled in San Francisco’s Upper Cole Valley neighborhood. Positioned quietly on the rugged edge of the century-old Mount Sutro Forest, the property has a storied past tied directly to the governor’s early life and family lineage.
Originally built in 1951, the residence was first owned by Newsom’s maternal grandfather before eventually being passed down to his mother, Tessa. The family ultimately parted with the home in the 1970s. While Newsom’s memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, reflects primarily on his upbringing elsewhere in the Bay Area, the historical significance of the Stanyan Street address remains intact. His father listed the home as his official residence in late 1967 when launching a campaign for the city’s board of supervisors—notably, the exact year the future governor was born.
Now, after changing hands in 2025 for $3.9 million, the distinctive architectural property has resurfaced on the open market with an asking price of $4.5 million. John DiDomenico of Compass holds the listing for the residence, which blends midcentury character with thoughtful modern updates accumulated over decades of stewardship.
Resting privately on two gated parcels that span nearly a quarter of an acre, the two-story home offers roughly 1,400 square feet of well-preserved living space. The interior layout centers on an open-concept design that maximizes its natural surroundings. Prominent features include an updated kitchen outfitted with a functional eat-in island and modern appliances, creating a seamless flow for daily living.
The main gathering space highlights the home’s midcentury roots, featuring warm wood-beamed ceilings and an elevated living area that gracefully steps down into a sunken dining room. Large windows frame the surrounding greenery, connecting the indoor experience directly to the wooded landscape of Mount Sutro. A curving staircase positioned next to a convenient main-floor bedroom and bathroom leads upward to a private, full-floor primary suite. This elevated sanctuary includes a dedicated office nook, a walk-in closet, a modernized bathroom, and a private balcony. From this vantage point, occupants can enjoy striking north-facing views stretching across the downtown San Francisco skyline and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
The property’s layout extends beyond the primary structure. Tucked away on the second lot is a small, finished cabin that offers versatile square footage. This detached space can easily serve various functions, such as an artist’s studio, a quiet home office, or private accommodations for visiting guests. The surrounding park-like grounds are enhanced by stacked-stone retaining walls and an outdoor patio area featuring a Japanese soaking tub, creating a private woodland sanctuary within the dense urban fabric of San Francisco.
The return of the Stanyan Street property to the real estate market coincides with a period of significant personal and professional transition for Governor Newsom. As he prepares to exit his gubernatorial office in January 2027 following the conclusion of his second term, Newsom has been actively restructuring his real estate portfolio. Recently, he placed his sprawling, eight-acre estate in the suburban Sacramento city of Fair Oaks—situated roughly 15 miles from the State Capitol—on the market with an asking price of $7.5 million.
With his tenure in Sacramento drawing to a close, Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, are fully transitioning their primary domestic base back to the San Francisco Bay Area. The couple previously acquired a $9.1 million residence in Kentfield, an affluent and private unincorporated community located in Marin County. This latest real estate move also comes amid mounting speculation from political analysts and observers regarding the outgoing governor’s potential plans to launch a presidential campaign ahead of the 2028 election cycle.
As the historic Stanyan Street home searches for its next chapter, it remains a tangible physical link to the early days of one of California’s most prominent political families, offering a rare blend of secluded forest living and classic San Francisco architectural pedigree.
