Brannan Street Wharf Park has long been part of my routine. Back when I was more disciplined about…read morejogging, my route often took me right past it. Even now, it stands out as one of those smaller neighborhood parks that quietly does its job well. It's not a large space, but it's consistently active. In the afternoons, you'll usually find dog owners, nearby office workers on a break, and people just looking for a place to sit and enjoy the waterfront. It feels well used and appreciated by the South Beach community. There's also an interesting backstory here. This area was once part of San Francisco's working waterfront, with older maritime structures like Pier 36 occupying the space. Over time, as those structures aged and were no longer in use, the area was redeveloped as part of a broader effort to improve public access along the Embarcadero. Today, the park offers a grassy lawn, picnic spots, a waterfront promenade, and unique tidal columns that reflect changing bay water levels. It's a great place to pause, people-watch, walk your dog, or take in views of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. A nice reminder that even smaller parks can add a lot to a neighborhood.

Sittin' in the mornin' sun, I'll be sittin' when the evenin'…read morecome Watchin' the ships roll in, And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah... I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay Watchin' the tide roll away Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay Wastin' time... With so much effort placed on renovating the Embarcadero north of the Bay Bridge (including the installation of the Bay Lights), it seems to be taking forever and a day to see similar improvements along the waterfront to AT&T Park. Fraught with controversy over the America's Cup and the pending construction of the Warriors stadium, the area has finally seen one unmitigated improvement in the opening of the new Brannan Street Wharf. At first glance, it doesn't appear to have much to it. No shops. No clam chowder in sourdough. No Bushman. Just a long lawn along with an open walkway dotted with picnic tables and benches. A group of benches are lined up under a shade structure (photo: http://bit.ly/15CuXcR). I left my home in Georgia, Headed for the 'Frisco bay 'Cause I've had nothing to live for, And look like nothin's gonna come my way. So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay Watchin' the tide roll away Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay Wastin' time... The most arresting feature is the trio of red elevated tidal columns with bumblebee colors that visually depict the ebb and flow of tides in order to gage the fluctuating water levels in the bay (photo: http://bit.ly/17s4IGD). The tops of the columns bob up and down according to the tides. There's a series of panels depicting the history of the waterfront (photo: http://bit.ly/19hcgPW), and you get quite a nice view of the Bay Bridge, at least for now before the stadium will likely block it out (photo: http://bit.ly/17MCsEP). But I m happy to read that metal skateboard-deterrent strips are installed. Bayside Market, Delancey Street Restaurant, and South Beach Cafe are all just across the Embarcadero, so you definitely have al fresco dining options available. Look like nothing's gonna change. Everything still remains the same. I can't do what ten people tell me to do, So I guess I'll remain the same, yes... Sittin' here resting my bones And this loneliness won't leave me alone It's two thousand miles I roamed Just to make this dock my home Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay Watching the tide roll away Oooo-wee, sittin' on the dock of the bay Wastin' time...

Did not know this park had such an amazing view of ocean beach! you're up high so you can see a…read morelot. gorgeous at night too with the evening street lights and sometimes bonfires esp in the summertime when you're allowed to host bonfires. there are some picnic tables so you can sit down and enjoy some food. be cautious, it is windy though since youre near the ocean so your plates or table cloth may be blowing away. easy parking on the street and there are some lots

What a beautiful park. There was no parking at the visitors center so we parked near the houses up…read morethe street. Parking on the street where we parked is 2 hours, which is enough time to take the loop and going to Lands End Lookout. The trails are well maintained. At the upper parking lot you can find a port-o-potty for those that really need to go. Thus, there are two onsite lots, we didn't see the upper lot, so there might have been parking there, but street parking worked out for us this time. There are indoor facilities at the visitor's center. Around 6 stalls, but there still is a line. We went on Sunday and it was a beautiful day, prefect for jeans and a t-shirt. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and no fog so the view was incredible. We could see the golden gate bridge clearly. We hiked to around to the look out, it was actually a leisurely walk, which is just my pace. I'm not a hiker. I didn't see any water fountains on the trail or garbage cans. even without those two things the trails were kept clean, no trash laying around and many people were carrying their own water bottles or other types of drinks. I'd like to go back and take the trail to the Legion of Honor. It's .6 miles so a little bit of a hike, but so worth it. It's beautiful over there too. I might have to find a 4 hour parking spot so I can really take my time, but if I'm quick we can make it in the 2 hour limit, but I'd rather not take my chances.

Daggett Plaza is a very basic green space and what you can expect is essentially grass and cement…read more It's definitely does not have the character of Progress Park, but if you work in the area it could be a nice lunch spot, although generally it seems as if it's meant as a larger relief area for dogs.

Small local park that provides a small green space to picnic or play fetch with the doggo. It's a…read morebasic green space, and there may not be room for space-taking activities like frisbee. But it is indeed very nice to have green space right in the city. I've seen a lot of owners take their dogs into the park which is great. Just keep an eye out if walking in the grass in case any naughty owners didn't take care of their dog's business. The park is right next to Boba Guys so we got our drinks and cookies and ate in the park with nice summer sunshine.

Washington Square Park is local city spots that feels alive on a beautiful day. It's nestled…read morebetween Chinatown/North-point Little Italy. Grab a coffee, pastry, or a slice of pizza from one of the nearby spots, find a bench, and just enjoy the community by people watching. From locals walking their dogs to friends catching up in the sun, and even folks practicing juggling...it's the perfect place for people watching and soaking in the neighborhood feel! There's a toilet that nicely "blended" in like an informal information booth.

Washington Square Park is a great place to have a picnic or just a walk in the park. I bought some…read morefood nearby and had a small picnic here. There was Chinese classical music playing, and the breeze was nice. It was busy but there was still plenty of places to sit at. There is also a small playground and a bathroom.

There are not many non-tourist places left in the city with access to the S.F. bay waters and with…read morefree parking a hop and a skip away. Granted you have to like looking at old pier pilings and ship yards. It is very industrial. There are picnic benches and a fishing pier which makes a nice alternative to staying cooped up in an office all day. I wonder how much longer we San Franciscans will have this park with all of the condos and office spaces being built in Mission Bay. Catch it while you can.

I walk by here everyday with my dog…read more.... If you want to score some crack, get your dog's feet cut up with broken glass, and see some used needles on the ground.....then yes, by all means, visit. But otherwise, wait until all the construction is finished and then come on over....it WILL be a lovely place but not until then. If you do come here, just be careful if you are by yourself after dark. There are some sketchy people around here at night hanging around in their cars. It does have a nice view of the bay, but unfortunately, at this time I would recommend getting this awesome view at The Ramp.

From Alamo Square Park a mile and a half north you can see the top of what locals call its "sister…read morepark", Alta Plaza in tony Pacific Heights. Alta Plaza has a storied history in San Francisco cinema including a filming location of Palme d'Or winner, Francis Ford Coppola's "The Conversation" with Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall (in another uncredited role in 1970s cinema), John Cazale and Harrison Ford. Alta Plaza appears in the dream sequence with surveillance expert Hackman as Harry Caul, fearing his work is endangering the lives of two people. Look at the concrete steps and see the visible chips from damage done by a car chase scene from the Peter Bogdanovich's madcap comedy, "What's Up, Doc". Beautiful views, a children's park, three tennis courts, basketball courts and a dog run complete with Pug Day play dates, my professional dog walker neighbor had a little group that met up here. And, you might run into SFPD on their Suzuki motorcycles, the final test before they get their shields: They have to navigate the steep inclines on motorbike to pass. Beautiful sights, park setting, recreational opportunities and film history, Alta Plaza is a notable spot for locals and visitors alike.

I really like this park because not only is it not that crowded because of being a smaller park in…read morethe city, but also it has some amazing views over the city ! In parts of the park, you can also see the ocean. There's a playground here, tennis courts, a large field, and restrooms. If you're getting there by foot, be prepared to get a work out because it is very uphill. That being said, I also see people workout at this park, primarily running up and down the stairs on one side of it. My partner and I have enjoyed coming here to picnic before, too. Also, if you do happen to want to park here, I don't recall parking being too difficult as you could probably find some street parking in the neighborhoods nearby.

This slightly scrubby mini park across from the Northern police station was one of the sites of the…read more4th annual Christmas tree giveaway sponsored by the SF Housing Authority and The Guardsman. This sponsored event hosted several giveaways over the past two weeks, donating beautiful Christmas trees to city residents for free. Some neighbors tagged three or four trees to take to family members and there was still plenty of inventory to go around: Big, small, bunchy, several varieties including Blue Spruce, Fraser Fir and Douglas Fir. You just had to stand next to your chosen tree and it was yours. A big cheer erupted when our charismatic mayor, London Breed, arrived. She grew up here in the Western Addition and it felt especially sweet to see her here basking in re-election glow. I was ready to walk away if there weren't enough trees to satisfy the neighborhood. While I've had some heavy bills, I had "Plan B" to buy a small tree at a lot I spied by Lake Merced. I could never take from someone needy. More than a free tree- which I stuffed in my subcompact car with the stubbornness of my Irish heritage- I enjoyed the neighborliness of hanging out and talking with mothers and grandmothers as we pointed out other, great-looking Christmas trees to late arrivals they hadn't yet had time to scope out. Kids ran around, lined up for face-painting while small tots tumbled around a compact bounce house. As I struggled hauling my tree to my car parked a block away, I quietly laughed as I spotted one woman who was determined to board the 22 Fillmore bus with this 7' Christmas tree. Only in San Francisco.

SF Parks and Rec Description:…read more "Look for the 'rainbow'-brightly painted bricks provide a backdrop to this inviting green plaza in the Fillmore District. Enjoy lunch al fresco at one of the picnic tables, surrounded by ornate shrubs and flowers." I like the fact that this is a focal point of the neighborhood for a lot of people. The folks who frequent the park seem to know each other, and seem to have a great time visiting and laughing. And, as the description said, if you're heading for a walk over to The Fillmore at lunch, it's actually ideally located for a little al fresco lunch. I've seen no real drama here, and I've met some interesting people. The rub: For a park this small (about the size of one lot), the day-drinking is a little too obvious. There is also very little balance between it being a spot to sit and chill vs. being a park where you might go if you were a kid. It's kind of an adult park. Is it awful and seedy? No. Not to mention, the Northern District Police Station is right across the street. And, let's face it, I don't read a lot of reviews about how awful Delores Park is because it's filled with hipster day-drinkers. But, I just can't help but feel that the place could be improved upon, especially as this stretch of Fillmore develops into more.

Green park full of good vibes, walkers and views of the city…read more This park was packed with families of picnickers. Normally windy, today was mild and sunnily gorgeous. No fog today. It is located on a rather steep hill with fantastic views of the city and a row of dainty famous houses called the Painted Ladies.

It is an iconic place, the paint ladies houses. The square is the perfect place for picnic, good…read moreview. The locals enjoy with the opened dog park and tourists enjoy the views.