According to San Francisco Recreation and Parks, no matter where you are in the city, you can walk to a park within 10 minutes—that’s how green San Francisco is. Of the 220-plus public spaces available, some of the best parks in San Francisco are massive while others are postage stamp-sized by comparison.
From the expansive Presidio to the wee Washington Square, all of the city’s best parks are worth spending time in. Whether you want to enjoy epic views of the city, roam over hill and dale, or picnic with family and friends, you can do it at one of the 10 San Francisco parks listed here.
John McLaren Park
Named in honor of Golden Gate Park’s longtime superintendent, John McLaren Park covers 312.5 hilly acres of grassland, scrub, and forests with stunning views of the city, SF Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Seven miles of walking trails make McLaren, which lies to the east of the Excelsior District, a great place for nature lovers, runners, and dog walkers.
Take a trip to the park to check out Due South, a free summer concert series held at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheatre. Or hit the nine-hole Gleneagles Golf Course, considered a highly challenging golfing green with fairways flanked by cypress and eucalyptus trees.
Golden Gate Park
Ten lakes, multiple gardens and groves, two windmills, a conservatory of flowers, and a bison paddock are just a few of the Golden Gate Park attractions scattered across 1,000+ acres of tree-studded, grassy terrain separating the Richmond and Sunset districts in San Francisco.
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who co-developed New York’s Central Park, Golden Gate Park is also home to the stately de Young Museum, which hosts temporary exhibits and permanent fine arts collections. Across from the de Young sits the Cal Academy of Sciences, whose aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest thrill kids of all ages.
Washington Square
When it comes to the diminutive Washington Square (in comparison to the Presidio or Stern Grove for that matter), it’s all about the location. Right in the heart of North Beach, SF’s historic Italian neighborhood, this grassy, three-acre plot of land is surrounded by lively cafes, shops, and restaurants, along with the historic Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral.
Grab a grilled chicken or meatball focaccia sandwich from Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store, and take it across the street to snack on at one of Washington Square’s many benches—maybe even the one dedicated to pioneer Juana Briones, known as the founding mother of San Francisco.
The Presidio
Formerly a U.S. army post situated on San Francisco’s northernmost edge, the Presidio is now a sprawling national park (we’re talking almost 1,500 acres) with dozens of places to visit, including the Golden Gate, Fort Point, Baker Beach, Crissy Field, and the Walt Disney Museum.
Pack a lunch and picnic at the newly renovated Presidio Tunnel Tops, where you can drink in amazing views of the SF Bay. Or wander along one of the Presidio’s many paths—the gorgeous Bay Area Ridge Trail will take you right to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Alamo Square Park
Perched on a hilltop, Alamo Square Park’s claim to fame is its Painted Ladies—an Instagram-worthy row of pastel-hued Victorian and Edwardian homes set against SF’s not-too-distant downtown skyline, and featured in the opening credits of the sitcom Full House.
Spanning four city blocks sandwiched between the Western Addition and Lower Haight, Alamo Square Park is ideal for hanging out, picnicking, or a short scenic stroll. It’s also kid- and dog-friendly with play areas dedicated for families and their fur babies.
Lincoln Park
If you’re up for a hike along some of San Francisco’s most dramatic cliffs, then check out Lincoln Park just to the west of the Presidio. Choose from one of the many trails crisscrossing the 100-acre park, and enjoy sweeping vistas of the SF Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Take some time to visit the park’s palatial Legion of Honor, which is a replica of the Palais de Legion d’Honneur in Paris. The fine arts museum has an enormous collection of ancient and European art, including close to 100 Rodin sculptures, for your viewing pleasure.
Stern Grove
Once a memorial for Sigmund Stern, nephew to Levi Strauss, the Sunset District’s 33-acre Stern Grove became a San Francisco recreation site in 1931. The park now boasts a range of recreational facilities, including tennis and pickleball courts, a dog play area, and clubhouse.
That said, Stern Grove is best known for its annual Stern Grove Festival, which hosts summer concerts every Sunday. With 85 seasons under its belt, the festival has brought in talent ranging from Old Crow Medicine Show and Cold War Kids to the SF Ballet and Ziggy Marley.
Mission Dolores Park
Of all the San Francisco parks worth visiting, Mission Dolores Park is one of the most popular. A $20+ million renovation completed six years ago transformed Dolores Park’s 14 acres into a grassy urban oasis with a bunch of new tennis courts and playing fields.
Go on a warm, sunny day, and you’ll find the park’s manicured, sloping lawns overflowing with 20-, 30- and 40-somethings reveling in each other’s company. All while taking in the city skyline and people-watching to their heart’s content.
Buena Vista Park
Originally called Hill Park, this 36-acre public space near the Haight-Ashbury was renamed Buena Vista Park for the beautiful views—of Golden Gate Park and the Pacific Ocean—that can be had at its peak. Established in 1867, this is the oldest San Francisco park. Large groves of great oak trees now flourish in place of sand dunes.
Walk along the west side, and you’ll notice broken bits of recycled tombstones lining the paths. Head to the south end of Buena Vista Park, and you’ll see a majestic building (351-355 Buena Vista Avenue East) featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 film Vertigo.
Glen Canyon Park
One of the best parks in San Francisco, Glen Canyon Park was Gum Tree Ranch when entrepreneur Adolph Sutro planted a bunch of blue gum eucalyptus trees in the canyon in the 1850s. Fast forward 140 years when the park officially became a public recreation site.
Home to all kinds of critters, from raccoons and red-tailed hawks to great horned owls and coyotes, Glen Canyon Park’s 67 acres are incredibly diverse with wooded hillsides, rocky outcroppings, and greenstone ravines. The park’s also got baseball fields, tennis courts, a playground, and a massive recreation center.
SF native Lisa Park is a content strategist, editor, and writer whose past credits include food-centric stints at Martha Stewart, 7×7, and Foodsmart. An Institute of Culinary Education grad, she worked for top chefs in NYC and SF. These days, you’ll find Lisa cooking at home and exploring the SF Bay Area’s best eats.