Parks of San Francisco

Explore 22 beautiful parks across San Francisco. Click on a park to learn more.

Bernal Heights Park

Bernal Heights Park is a rugged hillside retreat offering stunning panoramic views of San Francisco. Its network of unpaved trails invites runners, dog walkers, and hikers to roam among wildflowers and grassy slopes. A designated off-leash area makes it especially welcoming for dogs, while benches and restrooms provide key conveniences. The park’s elevation delivers some of the best vistas in the city, making it a favorite for locals seeking a dose of nature and calm.

Buena Vista Park

natural-areaTier A

Buena Vista Park is San Francisco’s oldest park, and one of its most enchanting. Located atop a forested hill in the Haight Ashbury district, this regional park features winding trails, tall eucalyptus trees, and incredible scenic vistas of the city and bay. With amenities including a playground, restrooms, benches, tennis courts, and an off-leash dog area, it blends wild beauty with urban functionality. Its steep paths make for a more challenging visit, but the natural payoff is worth it.

Carl Larsen Park

neighborhoodTier C

Carl Larsen Park is a vibrant community space in the Sunset, known for its broad grassy lawns, ballfields, and a friendly local vibe. Set among charming Victorian homes, it’s a go-to for residents seeking casual recreation. The park includes a playground, tennis courts, running trails, and restrooms—and even offers a public swimming pool. Whether you’re meeting friends for a game or cooling off on a warm afternoon, it’s a cherished neighborhood gem.

Civic Center Park

urbanTier D

Located directly across from San Francisco’s City Hall, Civic Center Park (UN Plaza) is a hard-edged civic space framed by federal buildings and key municipal institutions. While it includes grassy lawns, a playground, restrooms, and benches, the park is often defined by its role as a hub for protests, markets, and gatherings. Its central location gives it visibility, though concerns about cleanliness and safety are ongoing.

Fort Funston

beachTier S

Dramatic 200-foot high sandy bluffs with hiking, hang gliding, and one of the most dog-friendly beaches in the Bay Area. The park features sandy trails that wind through dunes and cypress groves, leading down to a quiet, often foggy beach. Fort Funston offers one of the most raw and untamed nature experiences in the city, with powerful Pacific winds, sightings of dolphins offshore, and a deep sense of solitude. Whether you're watching gliders float over the cliffs or exploring the remnants of military fortifications, this park feels like a hidden, windswept edge of the world.

Islais Creek Muni Park

neighborhoodTier D

Islais Creek Muni Park is a compact, shoreline-facing green space adjacent to Muni's maintenance facility, blending urban infrastructure with natural touches. Though small and utilitarian, the park is uplifted by vibrant gardens, benches, and striking mosaic tile artwork that adds visual interest. It’s best experienced as a quiet pause during a workday—especially for those in nearby industrial or office environments.

Koshland Park

neighborhoodTier C

Tucked into Hayes Valley on Page & Buchanan, Koshland Park is a compact but vibrant neighborhood gem. Visitors can explore a community learning garden that hosts workshops and youth programming, relax on benches surrounded by public art and flowering beds, let kids loose in the sunny playground, or shoot hoops on the half‑court. It’s a well‑tended space where greenery, play, and community intersect.

Levi's Plaza Park

urbanTier C

Designed by Lawrence Halprin, Levi's Plaza Park is a serene urban oasis along the Embarcadero, featuring curving grassy knolls, shaded paths, water elements, and mature canopy trees that offer a quiet retreat from the bustling waterfront. The site is split into a “soft park” of lawn hills and winding trails and a “hard park” with structured fountains—reflecting the feel of well-worn blue jeans, as intended by Halprin and Levi's team. A favorite for workers and visitors, it hosts pop-ups, food events, and informal meetings amid its iconic landscape.

McCoppin Square

neighborhoodTier C

McCoppin Square Park is a wide-open recreational space nestled in the Sunset. Known for its accessibility and full suite of athletic facilities, it includes basketball and tennis courts, a baseball diamond, playground, and ample grassy lawns for lounging or informal play. A short stroll from Mr Bread Bakery, the park is a favorite for locals looking to get active or relax outdoors. With its clean layout and solid upkeep, McCoppin Square is a go-to for casual sports and community leisure.

Mission Dolores Park

urbanTier A

Encompassing nearly 16 acres at the heart of Mission Dolores, this vibrant neighborhood park is a beloved gathering place featuring lush lawns, shaded palms, and sweeping city skyline views. With multiple sports facilities—six tennis courts, a full basketball court, and a soccer field—plus playgrounds, picnic areas, and two off‑leash dog zones, it offers something for everyone. It’s a cultural hub where festivals, performances, and casual weekend lounging create a lively, communal atmosphere, all set under sunny California skies.

Mission Playground Park

neighborhoodTier C

Mission Playground Park is a compact but action-packed hub in the heart of the Mission Dolores neighborhood. It features a full range of athletic options: a basketball court, soccer field, tennis courts, and a playground, all surrounded by vibrant public art. A highlight is the beloved community swimming pool, a central gathering spot for locals. Grassy patches, benches, and public restrooms round out its utility, making it a versatile space for both energetic play and quiet rest.

Patricia's Green

neighborhoodTier C

Patricia's green is a wonderful little green space in the heart of Hayes Valley. Within the park itself, you can enjoy a scoop of ice cream, or a wonderful coffee from Ritual. Every Friday & Saturday, Hayes Street shuts down for community events. Patricia's Green is also home to Proxy, which often throws movie nights in the park.

Pioneer Park

natural-areaTier B

Pioneer Park crowns Telegraph Hill with breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate. Home to the historic Coit Tower and encircled by lush landscaping, the park features public art, iconic WPA murals, and well-kept paths dotted with benches. While not geared toward dogs or kids, it’s a scenic spot for reflection and awe. The steep incline makes for a light cardio challenge, but the visual reward at the top is unforgettable.

Potrero del Sol Park

urbanTier B

Potrero del Sol Park—also known as La Raza Park—is a dynamic green space in Potrero Hill that offers something for everyone. With sweeping grassy lawns perfect for picnics, sports courts including basketball, baseball, and tennis, and a colorful skatepark, it’s a hub of energy and activity. A small amphitheater hosts performances, while the community garden adds a neighborly charm. Its proximity to Destapas SF makes it easy to grab a bite after a day of skating, playing, or lounging in the sun.

Precita Park

neighborhoodTier C

Precita Park is a beloved green pocket in Bernal Heights, offering a peaceful escape with community energy. Its gently sloping grassy lawn is perfect for picnics or lounging, while kids enjoy the sunny playground. A designated off-leash area makes it a great local spot for dogs, and benches under the trees invite lingering. Though modest in size, Precita Park punches above its weight as a neighborly retreat surrounded by small businesses and homes.

Progress Park

neighborhoodTier C

Progress Park is a hidden gem tucked under an overpass in Dogpatch, blending greenery, art, and fitness. Thoughtfully arranged gardens and public art create a vibrant backdrop, while benches and a wooden swing invite quiet moments. Fitness stations provide a unique outdoor gym feel, and the intimate vibe makes it a favorite with locals. A nearby business, Beshram, adds a friendly touch after a workout or walk.

Sunset Reservoir

neighborhoodTier D

Sunset Reservoir Park is a tranquil green space in the heart of the Sunset District. The elevated grassy lawns and strategically placed benches offer sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge—an intimate and peaceful vantage point. Meandering running trails and open lawns make it ideal for dog walking, gentle workouts, or mindful relaxation in nature’s backdrop.

The Panhandle

neighborhoodTier C

The Panhandle is a leafy, linear greenway nestled between the Fillmore and Haight districts, serving as a charming prelude to Golden Gate Park. Featuring open grassy lawns, a playground, basketball court, and running trails, it’s a popular neighborhood corridor for fitness and play. Benches, restrooms, and rotating public art add comfort and cultural interest. Dog‑owners enjoy the friendly atmosphere, and nearby cafes and shops offer easy access to snacks and coffee.

Tunnel Tops Park

neighborhoodTier D

Tunnel Tops Park is a unique elevated green space in Dogpatch built atop a highway tunnel. While it isn’t a destination park, its vibrant gardens, mosaic-tiled walkways, and scattered benches offer a charming respite for nearby office workers. The compact design emphasizes public art and horticultural beauty, making it a quiet, contemplative spot for a quick break.

Warm Water Cove Park

urbanTier D

Warm Water Cove Park (aka “Tire Beach”) is a rugged, two‑acre waterfront gem at the end of 24th Street in the Dogpatch, nestled under highway overpasses and adjacent to the old Potrero Hill power plant. Once a polluted industrial site and known as a “toxic golf course,” it has been transformed into a quietly beautiful space with picnic tables, benches, mosaic tile art, and native gardens—offering solitude, bay vistas, and a glimpse of reclaimed urban nature along the Blue Greenway.

Washington Square Park

urbanTier B

At the vibrant core of North Beach, Washington Square Park is a civic green surrounded by cafes, old-world bakeries, and historic landmarks. Its wide lawn, mature trees, playground, benches, and restrooms make it a cherished gathering space for locals, picnickers, and tourists alike. Though simple in features, its location and character define it as one of the most iconic neighborhood squares in San Francisco.

Woods Yard Park

neighborhoodTier C

Woods Yard Park in Dogpatch is a compact and lively neighborhood space featuring a playground, benches, and striking public art. Designed around an iconic installation by Rickshaw Bagworks, it creates an engaging and playful environment for kids and adults. The park’s proximity to a cozy coffee shop and other nearby businesses makes it a sociable spot for catch-ups and quick breaks. Clean, safe, and family-friendly, it’s a wonderful micro-park with big-city charm.