The Best Park / Open Space in San Francisco

El Polin Spring

Located in the heart of the Presidio's largest watershed, Tennessee Hollow, El Polín Spring is central in the area's history. From time immemorial the spring was a source of fresh water for native families. The native Ohlone lived just downstr... more

Emerald Park

In between the high-rise city that has transformed Rincon Hill, a half-acre patch of green gives residents and workers a semblance of calm. more

Esmeralda Walkway

The Esmeralda Walkway cuts through from Lundy's to Colridge. more

Espirit Park

This little strip of green is a wonderful urban park in Dogpatch. Usually quite and bordered with trees, the open space is a popular play area for dogs. If you had time, it would be a fine place to picnic before an early Warriors game. more

Esprit Park

Esprit Park is a little patch of green in Dog Patch popular with dog owners. There are a few picnic tables on the side of the park and it's close to the bustle of Chase Center and Third Street. It's a great retreat for lunch goers in one of the sunn... more

Eureka Valley Rec Center

The Eureka Valley Rec Center offers a wide selection of groups, clubs and classes at this vibrant community center in the Castro District. After a full renovation, the indoor basketball court and play area look brand new again.  The auditorium,... more

Fillmore Center Plaza

Saturday Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9am - 1pm A Certified Farmers' Market is your best source for sweet and juicy fruits, crisp and healthy vegetables, delicious salad greens, and much more - all California-grown and freshly picked by the very farmer... more

Fillmore Turk Mini Park

Look for the 'rainbow'-brightly painted bricks next to the McDonalds and across the street from the police station.   The park is not the place you'd want to hang out on most days, although there are events in this mini park from time to time. more

Fort Funston

With 200-300ft high bluffs on the South-Western most edge of San Francisco, Fort Funston is one of the premier hang-gliding spots in the country. Most San Franciscan's who have dogs know that this is one of the best place to bring Fido to run, walk a... more

Fort Mason Center

Fort Mason Center, located in the historic piers and buildings of Lower Fort Mason, offers a variety of activities of the highest quality at minimum or no cost, suitable for all ages and interests. This former military base offers the opportunity to... more

42 Upcoming events

Fort Miley Military Reservation

Fort Point - Presidio

From its vantage point overlooking the spectacular Golden Gate, Fort Point was planned as the most formidable deterrence America could offer to a naval attack on California.   Special Park Use Permits The Office of Special Park Uses is located... more

Fort Scott Field & Meadow

This open area features a field that is used for baseball and soccer games in the always beautiful Presidio. History of Fort Winfield Scott: Fort Winfield Scott was established in the western part of the Presidio as a coast artillery post and the... more

Francisco Park

After an extensive community outreach, the planners of the park arrived on a design that incorporated native plants and trees, as well as an ADA-accessible pathway linking features including a central green lawn, children's playground, fenced dog-run... more

Franklin Square

Bring the whole family to explore this newly renovated play space. The lighted, artificial turf soccer field is the pride of the neighborhood, and the bright, modern playground will entertain kids of all ages. A dual-level design provides small tots... more

Friends of the Urban Forest

Friends of the Urban Forest is a non-profit committed to the belief that trees are a critical element of a livable urban environment. Since 1981, we have offered financial, technical, and practical assistance to individuals and neighborhood groups... more

Garfield Square

Garfield Square is located in the city's Mission District, and has a swimming pool, athletic field, playground, courts and areas for passive recreation. The newly renovated Garfield Center comprises a 3,550 square foot clubhouse and pool building... more

George Christopher Playground

Behind the Diamond Heights Safeway, there is the George Christopher Playground. Joggers circle the adjacent baseball diamond, while parents watch their children play. West of the baseball diamond is the staircase entering Glen Canyon. more

1 Upcoming events

Gilman Park & Playground

Gilman Baseball Diamond is a great neighborhood field to play ball at. There is a clubhouse and playground on the other side of the park - http://sfrecpark.org/754/Gilman-Clubhouse . more

Glen Park Canyon & Rec Center

Why go to the Grand Canyon when you can get all the canyon you want right here in SF? The beautiful walking trails offer you a little bit of "wilderness" in the middle of the city. Stay on the trail or go off the beaten track (watch out for the poiso... more

1 Upcoming events

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

One of the largest urban parks in the world, Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) welcomes over 17 million visitors a year. The park is as diverse as it is expansive; it contains attractions such as Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, the Marin He... more

Golden Gate Park

What can one say about Golden Gate Park that hasn't already been said... From it's unique flora and fauna, to it's sports fields and picnic spots... From Hippy Hill to the Carousel... This is the park that's uniquely connected to San Francisco.... more

170 Upcoming events

Golden Gate Park - Bandshell (Music Concourse)

Singer-Songwriter Wednesdays, Jazz and Soul Fridays, Cultural and Community groups on Saturdays, and Reggae Sundays, as well as many special events. ~~~~~~~~~ Schedule - https://sfrecpark.org/calendar.aspx?CID=35 ~~~~~~~~~ The Music Concours... more

50 Upcoming events

Golden Gate Park - Casino Meadow

The Casino Meadow (a.k.a. Bunny Meadow) is surrounded by a grove of trees that block the chill ocean wind. Free Shakespeare in the Park is staged here each fall and it's relative shelter and privacy make it an excellent place to picnic and / or rela... more

Golden Gate Park - Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden endures as one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, featuring classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds and a zen garde... more

Golden Gate Park - Lindley Meadow

Lindley Meadow is a grassy area stretches along the south edge of JFK Drive in the center of the park, spilling down a steep bank into a wide flat space with picnic tables and grills tucked into the eucalyptus border. Lindley Meadow is a splendid pla... more

Golden Gate Park - Old Speedway Meadow

Old Speedway Meadow stretches back from the parking lot along the east side of 41st Avenue/Chain of Lakes Boulevard, between MLK and JFK Drives. There is no sign marking Old Speedway Meadow, but the parking lot is visible from the street. more

Golden Gate Park - Peacock Meadow

Peacock Meadow in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco - along JFK Drive, near the Fell Street entrance - between the Conservatory of Flowers & McLaren Lodge. more

Golden Gate Park - Polo Field

The Polo Fields sits in a little bowl. The grassy fields play host to youth soccer games on many weekends; whereas the the cycle track around the polo fields are open when there are not games on the field. The dirt track around the "top" of the Polo... more

1 Upcoming events

Golden Gate Park - Rose Garden

With the sun peeking through a cluster of trees lining the road beside the Rose Garden located at Golden Gate Park, an award-winning spread of flowers greet visitors. A unique variety of roses bloom as the public is enlightened by the beauty, fragran... more

Golden Gate Park Carousel

Generations of San Franciscans (and young visitors from around the world!) have fond memories of the children's playground and carrousel in Golden Gate Park's southeast corner. The playground, called the Sharon Quarters for Children when it opened in... more

Golden Gate Park Tennis Center

The object of The Golden Gate Tennis Club is to promote and stimulate tennis activities in general. more

Grandview Park

This aptly-named hilltop park in the Sunset District has stunning views stretching from downtown San Francisco and Golden Gate Park to Pt. Reyes and around to Lake Merced. The park features a dune plant community atop 140-million-year-old rock called... more

Great Lawn on Treasure Island

This stretch of lawn is usually the setting for big concerts on Treasure Island, offering amazing views of The City and Bay. more

Great Meadow at Fort Mason

A National Historic Landmark and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Center houses about 30 nonprofit organizations and is the setting for more than 15,000 meetings, conferences, performances, and special events, attended by 1.5 mil... more

Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center

The Visitor Center offers hands-on activities that create an intimate experience with our marine world, which promotes understanding, while underscoring the importance of our protected marine sanctuaries. Our Visitor Center is open Wednesday –... more

Hans Schiller Greenway Plaza

A cute little walk through green area that cuts through from Raymond to Leland. Next to Mission Blue cafe on Leland. more

Harvey Milk Plaza

There are many public institutions named after Harvey,Milk including a school and a recreational center. The plaza in front of the Muni Metro station at Market and Castro is known as Harvey Milk Plaza. On November 7, 1997, the 20th anniversary of Mil... more

Hayes Valley Playground and Community Center

The Hayes Valley Playground is little quarter-acre inner city playground and clubhouse. The clubhouse is a regular gathering space for residents and provides much needed programming for youth from the neighborhood.  The playground is a stone's t... more

Head Brotherhood Mini Park

Head Brotherhood Mini Park features a single play structure mounted on rubber tiles, and a full-size basketball court. Down the street at Arch Street is Sisterhood Gardens and across the street is the Alemany Boulevard Dog Park. more

UPCOMING EVENTS