The Top 10 Parks You Should Go To In San Francisco (From a Local!)
One of the unique characteristics of San Francisco compared to many of the other large metropolitan cities in the U.S., is the close access to nature wherever you are. There are incredible hikes both in and right outside S.F., in addition to many parks throughout the city that each have their own charm. Below are the best parks to visit in SF, whether you’re looking to read a book outside, have a picnic with friends, or go for a bike ride.
1. Alamo Square Park
Alamo Square Park is home to SF’s famous Painted Ladies, making it frequently visited by both tourists and locals. There are incredible views of downtown given it’s placement on top of the hill, as well as tennis courts, chess tables, and a dog park on the backside.
I highly recommend coming to have a picnic when the weather is nice! In Summer, they even host free outdoor movie nights. There is also a women-owned coffee cart in the park Fridays through Sundays called Lady Falcon.
2. Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts is located in SF’s Marina District. It’s one of the city’s most beautiful landmarks and is also surrounded by gardens and a lagoon. It’s a great spot to go for a walk, photography, and having a picnic! It’s also walking distance to both Chestnut and Union Street to grab a bite either before or after.
3. Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is SF’s most visited park and one of the most famous places to go. The park itself has so much to offer with various gardens, museums, a lake + boathouse, and numerous recreational facilities. My favorite picnic spot is on JFK boulevard, just to the right of the rose garden, where there is usually a wine/beer truck and live music.
Key Spots in Golden Gate Park
- De Young Museum
- California Academy of Sciences
- Japanese Tea Garden
- Conservatory of Flowers
- Stow Lake (Lakehouse + Boating)
Fun Fact – Golden Gate Park is over 1,000 square feet and is actually larger than NYC’s Central Park! Also try to just park along the curb on the roads inside the park than paying for the expensive parking in the few underground lots.
4. Buena Vista Park
San Francisco’s oldest park, Buena Vista Park, feels more like an escape from the city than the others on this list and the best panoramic views of SF. It features wooded areas, grassy knolls, and plenty of spots to sit and take in the cityscape. The views looking down at the city and at Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day are unmatched anywhere else in the city!
Be sure to visit in the Spring to see the park at it’s greenest with thousands of flowers in bloom.
5. Mission Dolores Park
Dolores Park, or as local’s sometimes call it “Dolo,” is so rich with culture – you’ll nearly always hear live music, many people picnicking with food from nearby spots, and vendors walking around to sell their products. The park itself is quite large with a full tennis courts, playground, and large open field space. The Mission also usually has the sunniest weather in SF making this a more foul-proof park to visit if you are looking to soak in the sun (compared to Golden Gate park which is often cloudy due to it’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean).
There are some great local businesses around the park as well – most notably, Bi-Rite Creamery which is one of SF”s top ice cream shops. I highly recommend getting the Creme Brûlée flavor which has bits of torched brown sugar. You’ll usually see a line here but it’s very worth the wait.
6. Crissy Field
Crissy Field is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and offers clear shot views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The park features a sandy beach, walking/biking trails, and picnic areas. It’s a great spot for a lot of outdoor activities and enjoying the waterfront compared to the other parks here.
There are also a lot of historical landmarks along this path you can walk through for free such as Fort Point, which was a military defense ground to protect SF during the Gold Rush, and Fort Mason, a former U.S. army post. Note that Fort Mason has a great farmer’s market every Sunday from 9:30am-1:30pm in addition to a lot of local events that can be found on their official website.
7. Fort Funston
Fort Funston is in Ocean Beach right at the SF county line. It is a beautiful walking trail with views of the Pacific Ocean and bluffs going down to the beach. There are stairs you can take down for a bit of a beach day or you can just walk the trail uptop! It’s extremely well maintained and dog friendly.
8. Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is located right in the heart of North Beach in Little Italy so it’s surrounded by a bunch of lively restaurants and bars. The park itself has the famous Saint Peters and Paul Church which adds to its character, and it’s also great just for people watching or sitting while you eat gelato from a local gelateria.
9. Duboce Park
Duboce Park is the most local park on the list. This neighborhood park has a large open dog park, well-maintained playground, and field space for picnics or reading a book. It’s a favorite spot for a lot of locals, with the charming neighborhood filled with classic Victorian houses and trees/flowers.
Right across the street from the park corner is Duboce Park Cafe which is also a local favorite. You’ll have a wide range of menu options from smoothies/coffee to sandwiches and more. I highly recommend picking up food to go and bringing it over to the park to eat on a warm day! This is a really fun vibrant neighborhood spot I couldn’t recommend more. You are also one block away from Cafe Réveille which is one my Top 10 Best SF Coffee Shops List.
10. Lands End
Lands End is more so of a walking trail than a park, but it is a must add to the list with its coastal views of Golden Gate bridge and the Pacific ocean. The popular Lands End Trail runs right along the coastline, which is ideal for hiking and photography.
