The Best Park / Open Space in San Francisco

Helen Wills Park

The Helen Wills Park was established in 1915 as the Spring Valley Playground. Helen Wills, born in Centerville (now part of Fremont) was 10 years old that year and practicing tennis with a passion. In 1922, the 17-year old UC Berkeley graduate (Phi B... more

Hellman Hollow

Hellman Hollow is a thin narrow field on the west (ocean) side of 19th Avenue. There are BBQ pits in the meadow, perfect for large groups. Reserving a spot could make the day hassle-free, as long as the weather cooperates. more

Hilltop (Sundial) Playground

Hilltop Park is situated at the heart of the bustling Bayview neighborhood on the highest point of Bayview Hill, with spectacular views of San Francisco Bay. For decades this was a vibrant community park famous for its signature 78 feet sundial an... more

Howard & 2nd Streets

This is the spot that the How Weird Street Faire takes place every year.   Otherwise, it's a main intersection of two streets that travel the length of SoMa - Embarcadero to Mission, Downtown to the Ball Park. more

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Howard Langton Community Garden

The Recreation and Park Department supports and manages a program of 35 (and growing!) community gardens on City-owned property, where members can grow produce and ornamental plants for personal use. Gardens range in size from a few hundred square fe... more

Hunters Point Shoreline Park

Huntington Park

Huntington Park sits atop Nob Hill, across from Grace Cathedral and the Fairmount Hotel in San Francisco. More a plaza than park, Huntington Park does have little patches of grass and a playground as well. It's a good pit stop if you have children... more

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Hyde Street Pier

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, located on the edge of San Francisco Bay, in the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood, is a park that can be visited year round. Begin with a trip to the Visitor Center (415) 447-5000, located at 499 Jeff... more

In Chan Kaajal Park

In Chan Kaajal Park, located at 17th and Folsom, is a small park in the Mission that features a playground, garden, and picnic area. more

India Basin Shoreline Park

Best weather and best place to launch a kayak in the City. Kids playground. Grills and picnic area. Spectacular views of Mt. Diablo and the Oakland skyline. more

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Jackson Park

The park offers a playground, picnic areas, tennis courts, basketball courts and two ball fields. more

James Rolph Jr. Playground

Jmes Rolph Jr. Playground has been transformed into a dynamic community center. Kids love the new clubhouse and modern play structures, while the athletic fields and programs are popular with all ages. The park also features play structures for kids,... more

Jerry Garcia Amphitheater

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission passed a resolution to name the amphitheater in McLaren Park "The Jerry Garcia Amphitheater". The amphitheater is located in the SF neighborhood where Jerry grew up. more

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Joe DiMaggio Playground

The Joe DiMaggio Playground is on the North end of North Beach. The facility has a great children's playground, but also a swimming pool, a new library, clubroom, tennis, basketball and bocce courts. more

Jose Coronado Playground

Open from 5am - 12midnight, Jose Coronado Playground features a community clubhouse that offers workshops and classes. There is a full basketball court, tennis court and play structure, but blacktop soccer and baseball are also popular. * Communi... more

Joseph Conrad Square

Kapwa Gardens

A community health and wellness space in the heart of San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood & SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural District. more

Kezar Stadium - Kezar Triangle

If you need a track or want to run sprints, this is one of the best public tracks in the city. The Kezar Triangle park adjacent to the stadium is a little doggy get together run, but not fenced, that's best for dogs that are not going to run off,... more

Kite Hill

Kite Hill is 2.5-acre grassy knoll located in the central portion of San Francisco, near the intersection of 19th and Yukon Streets. The views of the city from this hill are impressive. An ornamental garden exists on the north side of the park. more

Lafayette Park

With its grassy lawns, lovely views of the city and the bay, tennis courts, playground, picnic tables, and off-leash dog-play area, this hilly park is a source of respite and recreation for residents of San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood. more

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Lake Merced

The light dancing off the water and reeds is always a beautiful sight. The 4.5-mile loop is somewhat flat, perfect for runners, walkers and bikers. The loop is packed on weekends when the weather is nice. -------- Lake Merced, a large freshw... more

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Lakeview Ashton Mini Park

There's no park-like infrastructure - club house, bathrooms, play structure, but this little rocky hilltop open space offers ocean views and native plant life for walkers willing to hike up to the top. more

Land's End

Land's End is an amazing walking area from Legion of Honor to Cliff House. The beautiful walking trail is a must for runners or for walking the dog and family. It has gorgeous Golden Gate views, nice ups & downs and the hill climbs make it a fun... more

Levi's Plaza

A nice little stretch of greenery, along with an open plaza, hidden away, right off the Embarcadero. Levi Strauss Plaza, also known as Levi Plaza or Levi's Plaza, is an office complex located in the Embarcadero. It houses the headquarters of Levi Str... more

Little Hollywood Park

A family-friendly park for the great play area and full basketball court. more

Little Marina Green

A little rectangle green space that's hidden a little away from the main road.   A favorite destination  that is a favorite of runners, dog walkers, skaters, etc. Nice views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. more

Louis Sutter Playground - John McLaren Park

A favorite picnic spot, this recently improved playground is also the perfect place to watch ducks and birds on nearby McNab Lake. Choose from dozens of picnic areas, or rent the clubhouse for your private event. Sports fans will be happy to find two... more

Marina Green

The Marina Green is a strip of lawn that overlooks some of the most scenic places in the San Francisco Bay, from the Golden Gate Bridge, to Alcatraz, to Angel Island. There is a small marina where a few boats are docked but most people use the par... more

Mariposa Park

Once the site of railroad car turnaround, Mariposa Park is an expansive sundrenched lawn and a trellis-shaded plaza where people of all ages can play and enjoy. * 2.38 acres grass lawn and walking paths * Small kids play area for children 2-14 y... more

Marx Meadow

Marx Meadow offers a delightful picnic spot on its centrally located grassy stretch of the park. It is also nestled right in the middle of one of the park's signature attractions: the Disc Golf Course! Come play -- and stay for a picnic today! more

McCoppin Square

McCoppin Square features a playground that has both a Tot Lot and school-aged play areas, ADA accessible pathways with site lighting, a baseball field with bleachers, a half basketball court and tennis court, a contemplative garden with seating, and... more

McCovey Cove

McCovey Cove is the unofficial name of a section of San Francisco Bay beyond the right field wall of AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, named after famed Giants first baseman Willie McCovey. The proper name for the cove is China Basin, whic... more

McLaren Park

Four years after California was declared a "free and sovereign State" within the Mexican republic in 1836, Governor Juan Batista Alvarado granted what is now known as McLaren Park to the local government in 1840. Subdivision plans for the land grant... more

Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline

A beautifully landscaped shoreline picnic area, a secluded cove with swimming beach, a fishing pier at a historic site a hilltop with excellent panoramic views of the north Bay Area and a model railroad museum - all these attractions are part of 307-... more

Mini-Park at Judah & Great Hwy

The mini-park is a mixed bag, depending on the day. The park has lots of great plants that look native to the Outer Sunset / Ocean Beach environment. So the look is great and there are quite a few benches and sitting areas that line the little path... more

Mint Mall

Mission Creek Park

An idyllic tree-lined park on each side of Mission Creek with areas of respite, recreation and events spaces. more

Mission Playground

There's a rec center, tennis, basketball and soccer (poppy foot) courts as well. more

Mission Valencia Greenway

The Mission & Valencia Green Gateway is a partnership of the SFPUC, Planning Department, and Department of Public Works, located along Valencia Street between Cesar Chavez and Mission streets. This project will feature innovative green infrastruct... more

Modesto Reservoir Campground

Modesto Reservoir Regional Park (originally named Dallas-Warner Reservoir) is located at 18143 Reservoir Road which is about seven (7) miles east of the town of Waterford off Hwy 132. The reservoir was completed in 1915 by Modesto Irrigation District... more

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