Forest Hill station (Muni Metro)
| Company type | Transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | February 3, 1918 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | San Francisco, California |
Forest Hill station serves the Muni Metro system and is located in the Forest Hill and Laguna Honda areas on San Francisco's West Side. Built between 1916 and 1918 as a component of the Twin Peaks Tunnel, it holds the distinction of being the oldest subway station situated west of Philadelphia and east of Istanbul. The station was initially called Laguna Honda, a name still visible on the headhouse’s stonework.
This station has appeared in prominent films such as Dirty Harry (1971) and Milk (2008), underscoring its importance both culturally and as a transit hub.
Station layout and architecture
Designed in a "restrained classical revival" manner, Forest Hill Station retains much of its original style, complemented by subtle Art Nouveau details, including malachite-hued trim above the elevator entrances.
The station consists of two side platforms situated at a depth greater than any other Muni Metro stop, necessitating elevator use for entry and exit. The first elevator became operational approximately eighteen months after the station’s opening, with a second added in 1928, notable for being the largest elevator on the West Coast at that time. Unlike typical underground stations featuring subterranean concourses, Forest Hill’s concourse is positioned at street level within the main building.
Initially outfitted with low platforms to accommodate streetcars requiring steps for boarding, Forest Hill became unique following the closure of Eureka Valley station as the sole low-platform stop within the Muni Metro subway system. In contrast, stations along Market Street and West Portal were constructed with high-level platforms to speed boarding for Boeing LRVs. A $6 million renovation completed in 1985 upgraded Forest Hill by installing high-level platforms, enhancing accessibility with elevators, and improving ventilation—all while preserving its historic architectural character and aligning it with newer stations’ standards.
History
The station opened as Laguna Honda alongside the Twin Peaks Tunnel on February 3, 1918.
Temporary closures occurred from June 25 to August 24, 2018, during maintenance on the Twin Peaks Tunnel. Additional shutdowns took place from March 19 to August 22, 2020, and again from August 25, 2020, to May 15, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated service modifications.