The Best Parks in San Francisco
August 27, 2019San Francisco’s countless urban parks help to make it one of the most beautiful and desirable cities to call home. While Mission Dolores (opens in a new tab) and Golden Gate Park (opens in a new tab) draw national attention, some of the best parks in San Francisco are harder to find. Let’s explore The City to learn what makes each of these unique parks so great!
Fort Mason (opens in a new tab)
This former Army coastal defense site now serves as one of the premier gathering places in San Francisco with arts, music, culture, and food coming together in a scenic setting. Alternating art galleries are available weekly with musicians and food trucks offering up their local flavors. However, Fort Mason (opens in a new tab) sees its most prominent action on warm weekend afternoons. The grassy park adjacent to the Marina Cove Apartments (opens in a new tab) with sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marina District (opens in a new tab) is known as the “Great Meadow.” This hilltop landscape has an excellent vantage point of ships entering and exiting the bay and the sun setting behind the Golden Gate. Fort Mason consistently attracts locals and tourists each weekend to enjoy food, drinks, and games in the sunshine.
Alta Plaza Park (opens in a new tab)
One wonderfully scenic option in Pacific Heights (opens in a new tab) is the steeply tiered Alta Plaza Park (opens in a new tab). This hillside park claims to offer “San Francisco’s Perfect View” (opens in a new tab) due to the plaza’s breathtaking glimpse at the various landmarks around The City. Nestled in the center of Pac Heights between Jackson (opens in a new tab) and Clay Street (opens in a new tab), Alta Plaza is a short walk from all the tremendous dining and shopping opportunities on Fillmore Street (opens in a new tab). This peaceful and coveted community provides wonderful recreational spaces, beautiful homes, and an easy commute downtown.
Lafayette Park (opens in a new tab)
Another fantastic Pacific Heights (opens in a new tab) spot to visit is the similar Lafayette Park (opens in a new tab) just four blocks east of Alta Plaza also between Jackson (opens in a new tab) and Clay (opens in a new tab). The residents of the area certainly have no shortage of open spaces to enjoy with friends, family, and pets of course! This family-friendly space includes an off-leash dog area, playgrounds, tennis courts, and a picnic area. Residents of the nearby Clay Park Tower (opens in a new tab) and 2000 Broadway apartments (opens in a new tab) certainly benefit from living so close to such a lovely public space!
Piazza Angelo Courtyard (opens in a new tab)
San Francisco’s newest public oasis is placed in the center of the 1188 Mission (opens in a new tab), 1190 Mission (opens in a new tab), and 33 8th (opens in a new tab) apartments in SoMa (opens in a new tab). The sparkling courtyard is home to the largest statue in San Francisco standing at 92 feet. This shining piece of artistry is modeled after Venus de Milo and is just one of many beautiful pieces of art to be be found in the piazza at Trinity Place (opens in a new tab). Marble and granite sculptures line the walkways and peaceful seating areas are available for the public to enjoy their lunch. A popular option on hot days, Piazza Angelo (opens in a new tab) has plenty of shade for those looking to find a comfortable resting place away from the sun.
Ina Coolbrith Park (opens in a new tab)
An Instagram aficionado’s (opens in a new tab) favorite park is likely this small hidden gem atop Russian Hill (opens in a new tab). Although there is not much to do here, this is the perfect place to plan your next photoshoot. Breathtaking views allow you to enjoy an up-close glimpse at the downtown skyline and Bay Bridge extending out of The City. Ina Coolbrith Park (opens in a new tab) is the ideal spot to watch the sunrise on a beautiful day in San Francisco.
Fay Park (opens in a new tab)
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Another fashionable but modest Russian Hill (opens in a new tab) park is Fay Park (opens in a new tab) on Chestnut Street just one block from the luxurious 1000 Chestnut apartments (opens in a new tab). This quaint garden has three terraces complete with connecting stairs and ramps lined with hedges, planters, and stone balustrades leading to wooden gazebos with San Francisco Bay views. Due to its scenic landscape, Fay Park has become a trendy location for weddings despite its small quarter-acre size.
Washington Square (opens in a new tab)
If you’re looking for a slice of pizza and a place to picnic, Washington Square (opens in a new tab) has you covered. Positioned in North Beach’s (opens in a new tab) Italian neighborhood, there is a surplus of fantastic dining options. While the area has plenty of entertainment options, this lovely park is one of the only free ones! Every day is a great day to grab lunch at Tony’s (opens in a new tab) or Original Joe’s (opens in a new tab) at the corner of Stockton (opens in a new tab) and Union Street (opens in a new tab) in Washington Square!
Pioneer Park (opens in a new tab)
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Just up a few blocks from Washington Square on Telegraph Hill lies Pioneer Park (opens in a new tab). This hilltop lookout point is the site of the famed Coit Tower (opens in a new tab), one of San Francisco’s most well-known landmarks. Pioneer Park also showcases a fantastic vantage point of the San Francisco Bay, both bridges, Alcatraz, and surrounding Bay Area. Tourists often venture over to Telegraph Hill to experience Coit Tower, but many miss some of the great hidden features located nearby. Locals, such as the ones living at 350 Union (opens in a new tab), have become familiar with the colorful wild parrots that call the area home.
Mission Dolores Park (opens in a new tab)
Undoubtedly one of the most popular parks in San Francisco, Mission Dolores (opens in a new tab) attracts thousands of visitors to its grassy confines weekly. This large park becomes filled with people on weekends looking to enjoy stunning views of the downtown skyline in one of San Francisco’s warmest neighborhoods. Grab lunch from one of the many local restaurants, some cold drinks, and bring your friends to one of the most lively urban park atmospheres around. Whether you’re a resident to the Mission/Castro (opens in a new tab) community or traveling to The City from afar, Mission Dolores Park is a must-visit!
Mountain Lake Park (opens in a new tab)
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Beautiful day in The Richmond at Mountain Lake Park ?
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Positioned in the southwest corner of The Presidio near the golf course, Mountain Lake Park (opens in a new tab) is a beautiful spot in the Inner Richmond (opens in a new tab) to kick back and relax. Complete with a full playground, sports courts, and dog areas, this expansive park will give you plenty of space to enjoy your favorite activities. You can also explore the Mountain Lake Trail which circles the entirety of the scenic lake.
Golden Gate Park (opens in a new tab)
Known as one of the largest and most beloved parks in the world, Golden Gate Park (opens in a new tab) easily takes the cake as the “Best Park in San Francisco,” Whether you enjoy sports, science, art, architecture, festivals, nature, or really anything outdoorsy, Golden Gate Park has it. Between Kezar Stadium (opens in a new tab), California Academy of Sciences (opens in a new tab), the SF Botanical Garden (opens in a new tab), and a multitude of lakes (opens in a new tab), the options are endless. This massive park extends all the way to Ocean Beach (opens in a new tab) and borders both The Sunset and The Richmond (opens in a new tab) Districts in the outer avenues of San Francisco. If you’re looking to cover all the activities available at Golden Gate Park, you will need more than a few days!
Aquatic Park (SF Maritime National Historical Park) (opens in a new tab)
San Francisco’s Aquatic Park and Maritime National Historical Park (opens in a new tab) are located between Van Ness and Hyde St. next to Ghirardelli Square (opens in a new tab). The wonderful Aquatic Cove features calm waters for swimmers, and nearby bleachers allow spectators to view all the action in the water. Next door to the Hyde Street Pier (opens in a new tab), many historic boats and shipping vessels are docked nearby for your viewing pleasure. This bustling area filled with bars and restaurants is at the base of Russian Hill (opens in a new tab) just a short walk from the available 1000 Chestnut Apartments (opens in a new tab).
Sutro Heights Park (opens in a new tab)
If you are a San Francisco local who has never experienced the view from Sutro Heights (opens in a new tab) on a sunny day, you are certainly missing out! Although typically a little foggier and cooler than the weather in other San Francisco neighborhoods (opens in a new tab), this hilltop park features a magnificent glimpse at Ocean Beach (opens in a new tab), The Cliff House (opens in a new tab), and Sutro Baths (opens in a new tab). A quick walk down the Sutro Heights Stairs (opens in a new tab) through the Balboa Natural Area (opens in a new tab) will take you to Ocean Beach and the beginning of the Great Highway. Sea Cliff (opens in a new tab)is known as one of the more glitzy areas of San Francisco, making the community a pristine place to live.
Civic Center Plaza (opens in a new tab)
After experiencing major redevelopment in recent years, San Francisco’s Civic Center (opens in a new tab) has become a destination point for party-goers, families, and daytime-workers alike. This lovely plaza now features two playgrounds, grassy space for sports, street-soccer, food vendors, and much more. The Civic Center and UN Plaza (opens in a new tab) also host the Heart of The City Farmer’s Market (opens in a new tab) each Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
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