I am not sure if people are confusing the Quintara Avenue and 14th Avenue steps at the end of the Haight 6 Muni bus which is just for locals who live in neighborhood that knows about it since is just plain cement steps with no art on it like those mosaic steps on Kirkham. This is my first time at this park. It's small and local great for dog walkers as I seen a lot of dogs on my short time here and some kids playing at the playground. . Nice circular path park. Quiet and neighborhood friendly dog walkers. read more

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Hmm, I wonder if any local residents are thinking of bedazzling the Mandalay Steps the way it was done with the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps with decorative ceramic tiles. There are two more steps with the Mandalay Steps, and maybe that was the breaking point. Too bad because they're just concrete and in constant need of sweeping in its current state. Or maybe that was the intention to isolate this park for residents and not welcome unsuspecting tourists. It's actually a further climb to the park, and unlike Grandview, it's a real park, very woodsy and replete with all the accessories including a renovated playground. There are likely views from certain vantage points, but it was enshrouded in fog when I was here. OK, back down Mandalay. Geronimo!....oh wait, that's politically incorrect, isn't it? RELATED - Exploring the Sunset? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2EI8eIJ read more

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Best views of San Francisco from this park and it's just up the stairs from 16th Avenue tile steps! Take the 28 bus or the 6 bus read more

Golden Gate Heights Park - Take the 16th avenue tile steps up to the park - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Nearby Grandview gets all the attention but I actually prefer Golden Gate Heights Park. It's bigger, has some trails and wooded areas, a nice grassy area for dogs, and no tourists. This part of the city gets misty a lot so often so the trails can take on an enchanted forest look. On the west side, it's a good place to watch the sunset over the ocean. I usually use the park as a starting off or stopping by point for a stair hike in the area. For a loop to a little past Grandview to the Hidden Garden Stairs, it's about 2.5 miles RT and there are various staircases in the neighborhood to incorporate like like Ariel, Mandalay Ln, Oriole, Ortega, and Cascade Walk. Some of them have quite a bit of steps so it's a good workout. Another option is to go South-East and explore the different staircases down to the Forest Hill Station which is also about 2.5 miles but you can make it longer if you add on the newly formed Laguna Honda trails that run alongside the hospital which is across the street from the station. read more

Golden Gate Heights Park - Welcome to the enchanted forest. - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

If you live in the outer or inner sunset this is a perfect place to go and take a nice stroll. What I recommend taking: a book to read. Your cellphone to take a nice pic in. Hot spot and your laptop to work from home. PLENTY of parking near the tennis court. Covid SAFE! read more

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The playground and grass area was just redone. Very nice for kids and dogs alike. Would recommend! read more

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Dear Cody, Being a dad a crazy, I tell you. I love seeing you happy. I just love to see it so much. I love it when your lips curl slowly into your smile. I love to hear the high-pitched giggle that pierces my eardrums a little bit. I love seeing your eyes glimmer through the narrowest of slits because you're chuckling too hard. I love it, I love it so much. The good news for me is that you share all that with me whenever we bring you to Golden Gate Heights Park, or GGHP. You run, you fall, you slide, you sit, you wobble, you squat and I can't believe the amount of joy bursting from one little sweet pea. Like happiness syrup exploding from those Gushers commercials. I'll tell you what Gushers are when you're six. The bad news for me is that we live in reality. And sometimes what's good for you isn't what makes you happy. Sometimes, what's good for you even makes you cry. Your eyes flood, almost instantaneously, and streaks of tears conspire with your snot and drool to rush down your face together in a hot mess. Along with the anguishing cry you let out, it really is a heart-wrenching sight. For a split moment, I'd be caught off guard and I chuck basic parenting logic out the window and a number of totally unreasonable thoughts flash across my mind. For instance, when you cried as Mommy was putting sunblock on you for our trip to GGHP. "Hey Mommy, can't we just keep Cody in the shady side of the playground?" (Impossible between 2pm to 4pm when the ultra violet rays rain down on each square inch covering the playground) When the sounds of your cry traveled through 2 closed doors because Mommy won't let you eat lotion. "Cmon Mommy, not even a little?" (Not even a little, the stuff can be toxic) When you cried uncontrollably during your blood draw. "Is the doctor sure that he needs Cody's blood tested?!" (Yes, an amazing pediatrician with more years of experience in his practice than years I had in my life knows better than I) But I hold my tongue, because I understand that being a good dad means I have to see through your tough moments as well. The good news, back to the good news, is that GGHP doesn't force me to compromise. You can run free and ring your laughter in the air and be totally safe. The play area is enclosed within a gated area, so I can be comfortable you won't run off onto the road. Practically the entire area is covered in a thick layer of soft artificial grass. I fell a couple of times as a guinea pig test and confirmed no bruises. From time to time, there will be much bigger kids testing their athleticism learned in elementary school, and we just have to keep you at a safe distance to avoid accidents. As you grow older, Mommy and I will undoubtedly have to make harder compromises. You'll cry, you'll argue, and in my imagination you'll walk into the kitchen with your little backpack to let Mommy and I know you're running away from home because we won't give you ice cream. I am half dreading these moments when you grow into a teenager, and half worried that we'll spoil you if we don't do what's best for you. Until that time comes, I'm going to savor these moments when you're running around GGHP. When you're happy to be crazy and clumsy, and when we're happy that you're safe and comfortable. Love always, Daddy read more

I write as an outsider about Golden Gate Heights Park, to praise it. I say outsider because I live about six blocks downhill. That means I walk here, with my dog, only when I work up the determination for the hike uphill. Whenever I visit this park, I think to myself I ought to get here more often. It is only one or two city blocks in size. But it is nice and quiet, always with a few people and sometimes with many people, who are to a person friendly and welcoming. From what I can see, a regular crowd gathers. They likely are all neighbors. There are lots of dog walkers and the dogs run around off leash (the park is adjacent to a residential road which dead ends, meaning it has some traffic but not lots of fast traffic). There also are children playing on the equipment; during the pandemic, there was a big renovation, and there is more stuff for kids than anywhere else nearby. So this is one of the patches of grass and trees that make a city livable. It isn't significant enough that you would travel any distance to spend time here, since there is only limited seating. I have seen birthday parties. I also see groups that must have arranged in advance to meet, but they seem primarily centered around dogs or kids. There aren't teenagers and there aren't folks partying. read more

shhhhhhhhhh. Till all you can hear is the sound of your flip-flops aching to get up the steep side-walk incline, and the sound of your heavy-ing breath. Each step - the air becomes more robust. More clear. You stand beneath a statuesque pillar of grey steps - with the words Golden Gate Heights Park carved into them. You begin to ascend them. Quick steps. Two sets of them. Until you're staring at a massive grassy mound of lush-ness, which winds up to pure serenity. Feeling the dirt pass through your flimsy flops as you make your way up it - you find a solitary green bench. Just sitting there. Still. Lovely. Looking onto one of the most spectacular cities. Beyond rectangular pastels - to glassy sun kissed water. To rolling green. High arching red. Don't talk. Just sit. Take it all in. With big breaths. Let your shoulders down. Let the wind cut your hair into sharp blown wisps. And remember. That when things get busy. Get stressful. That there is more. More - than what keeps us up at night. More - than the stuff that fills up our E-mails boxes. There is more than the bubble of our lives - which we cling onto - gasping for air. Climb Golden Gate Heights Park and let your lungs open up and inhale.....more. More. then Exhale. Honestly. Trust. read more

Grand View Park, with its iconic profile easily visible from the Sunset neighborhoods, is for many the symbol of Golden Gate Heights. This has, in fact, led a number of people to refer to it as "Golden Gate Heights Park", which does a great disservice to the *real* Golden Gate Heights Park, about half a mile to the south. Then again, maybe that helps keep this place a secret for the locals. While Grand View Park is primarily a vista point, GGH Park is a true neighborhood park, with picnic tables, tennis courts, a playground, meadows to let your dog run around in, and a surprisingly extensive forest that, on a foggy day, is just as atmospheric as anything on Mt Sutro or Mt Davidson. Highly recommended for those trying to find a tranquil, forgotten spot to relax in this bustling city. read more

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I've come up here with my father and once with some roommates I had in SF. It's a nice park with views of the Sunset side mostly and the northern part of the city. You climb upstairs and there are benches to sit at. You can see the sunset or moon sightings. It's well-kept and a wonderful way to get away from interior homelife. read more

Yay! I'm a fan! This was a destination on a walk we started in the Mission. So pretty much 4 miles -- all up hill. And was it worth it? Yes. This park is small, tree-lined and has a few winding paths that snake through the woods. You can see the ocean from the benches when you catch your breath. There are dogs there! They are friendly! And there's a swing. How lovely. read more

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My favorite thing about this park is that there's a swing attached to one of the trees. You must be thinking, it's just a swing.. but swinging to me is like the closest thing to flying. Plus, you can get a great view of the sunset here. read more

Golden Gate Heights Park - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

Golden Gate Heights Park is tucked away in the quiet residential area in the Inner Sunset (or specifically known as the Golden Gate Heights district). This park offers decent views of the inner and outer sunset districts, but a lot of the trees tend to get in the way. Anyway, this is more of a strolling-around-type of park because there are a lot of trails. The open grass area isn't that large, but it's large enough for dogs and kids to run around. The playground for kids is small, and there's only two slides. However, I really like the wooden swing hanging from a tree branch. It's pretty sturdy (for the time being). The two tennis courts are a shame. The ground is uneven (lots of cracks), and the color is faded. Nevertheless, these are usually free when the nicer, well-kept JP Murphy courts are occupied. Also, because of all the surrounding trees here, you have a lot of shade even when it's still early in the afternoon. In other words, these courts are decent enough to play tennis on a warm day in SF without the sun exposure. read more

Tucked away somewhere in Inner Sunset District (or Golden Gate Heights District) and hidden behind Grand View Park and the Moraga Steps is this place; Golden Gate Heights Park. The neighborhood is nice, peaceful and very tranquil. I think only the locals who live around this area know about it, so now its on blast because I just found it! I feel bad for the tennis courts because the concrete is uneven, cracked and aging. Dept of Park and Rec just failed in keeping it up to date. I saw a few kids get some scratches when they tripped over the cracked concrete. There is a children's play structure here, a bit old and outdated, but this small patch of space is enough for someone like me to sit and take a break from the bustling metropolitan life. Ahhh nature.. OH AND THERE'S NO SMELLY CRAZY HOMELESS PRICKS AROUND HERE EITHER!!! read more

This park is SO beautiful. And it has so much life inside it, too. But it doesn't feel packed with people like it would in most cities. We had lunch here after a trek from La Fromagerie in Dog Patch, and it was totally worth the wait. We just walked around until we found a nice place to sit, which didn't take too long. So gorgeous there. I'll definitely want to visit again. read more

I have only been here once but you don't need to come back more than that to really appreciate this place....despite the time of day and the weather. My roommate took me here for my first experience of this place, I later paid him back in full by taking him up to Tank Hill. I was taken away by the view of the bridge and the city, especially the way the light hit the bridge on this clear and cool night. The way I remember it is hazy now, so I will revisit it again soon. 5 Big Red Ones read more

This is not Turtle Park aka Grand View Park, no, it's not. I can't say I was overwhelmed with this park, but it is pretty cool for a tiny piece of greenery up in the sunset hills. I walked through the park down to some short trails through the trees to get a glimpse of the whole Sunset district sprawling out before me. I did see the swing on the hill below, on my back to my car. I did not trek down there to swing in it though. Maybe next time. There seemed to be some kind of dog social event going on when I was here on the weekend, so silence and stillness it was not. I felt like it was some neighborhood shindig mixed up with something else; there were snack and drinks being sold, and it all seemed very odd, so I made a bee line through it and past it. The end. read more

Sweet little park with spectacular views - I have gone here since I was able to drive. A friend and I would catch the sunset and think we were cool. Now we just now know we're cool. ;) I do love playing tennis here. It's never crowded at the times we've ventured which is earlier than most people think of waking up. The area (Grand View) is absolutely gorgeous, very special and yes, your trip here is not complete without hopping your butt on the tree swing that beckons and promises fun. read more

This is our dog's new favorite park. Or maybe it's his owners new favorite park because it's only a few blocks from our house. We also love this park because we get a combination of a park setting, trails, and a jaw dropping ocean view of the setting sun - all while exercising (aka tiring out) our dog. Don't get me wrong, our pup still goes ga-ga over Stern Grove Park!!! GG Heights is on our growing list of amazing dog friendly/human enjoying parks in the city. read more

After I moved to the area, I was delighted to find this wonderful spot, perfect for a picnic, some exercise, or a quiet (albeit slightly bumpy) tennis game. There's a small playground for children, and a water fountain. The park also contains a shocking amount of natural forest for its size with some trails and an excellent view. There are always people walking their dogs here, or throwing a ball. The tennis courts are seldom full, which is awesome, but the courts need resurfacing badly and often have significant debris from the trees overhead. Because there's a water fountain, this is a particularly great spot to pause your sunset stair-climbing adventure or hill run. It's a great place to know about, and somewhat hidden. I've never seen it crowded. read more

This is a nice little neighborhood park. Youngsters train in the tennis courts, young families bring their children to the miniscule playground, people use the field to play frisbee or throw the ball around with their kids. And yes, people bring their dogs here and some keep the leash on the dog and others let their dogs off leash. People and dogs share the field, it's not a big deal. There are plenty of baggies and trash cans to clean up after the pooches. There is one paved trail which is a little uneven and some little dirt paths that are fun to explore. In the lower field, there is a nice old fashioned swing hanging off a tree. Alas, not all is well in paradise. There are some huge mosquitoes what bite right through your jeans. Most people who use the park are fine sharing the park with dogs while others feel compelled to spread feces on the benches, steal the poop bags or verballly harass/assault elderly people and or women. read more

Turtle Hill is a great spot to just peep out the City and breathe in the seamist kissed air. So serene, from up there the people look like busy ants. It's dope like heroin to watch the fog roll in. read more

Golden Gate Heights Park is like a small piece of Golden Gate Park, dripping, verdant and vine-laden, that has migrated south, inch by inch, until it perched itself on top of the highest peak it could find to get a stunning view of the ocean. Keep repeating the mantra Not all who wander are lost, Not all who wander are lost, as you walk to the place where the avenues twist and knot and run together. There, traveler, on a lucky day, you may find this hidden jewel. read more

This secret little hilltop is a rustic oasis amid the rows of houses in the inner sunset. Pack a blanket, a thermos of cocoa and watch the sun melt into the pacific. The stairs that lead up to the park are located at 14th and Moraga... but shhhh! Don't tell anyone. read more

This place is so great... just a couple city blocks south, and a great place to walk, relax, or play with the pup!!!

Great spot in San Francisco's Sunset. Ideal for dogwalkers, kids, tennis players, joggers. A hike if you're walking, but worth it for the views of the ocean and the surrounding neighbour hoods. Spend some time on your tai chi in the wonderful trees, breathe in that clean air and look around at the beautiful oceans, hills, and let life pass you by in the wonderful city of San Francisco! read more

This is a great hidden gem of a park. It's tucked away and not very well known about. It's great for wearing out your dogs. It has a number of great little walking paths through the trees with absolutely breathtaking views of the Sunset. Only drawback is about half of the park tends to stay muddy during the rainy season so maybe not the best place to throw the disc around. Totally a great place for a stroll. It's also got a nicely hidden tennis court if that's your thing. read more

Likes: I stopped here when biking around SF one day and thought it was really pretty. There's a park with green green grass around, a small beach, residential houses (maybe someone famous too), you can see the golden gate bridge, people bring their dogs (or other people's dogs I dunno). Just bring a sweater because it gets windy read more

Great trek to the top. I try and make it every chance I get for excercise and a wonderful treat at the top while I pass out into darkness.

Discovered this park last Fall, while out climbing the Secret Garden Steps on Ortega. AMAZING!

Best secret gem neighborhood in SF = Golden Gate Heights. If you're looking to buy property, this place is it.

wet sprinkling mist, throbbing calves and shins, me atop a hill overlooking nothing and everything. find me a bench tie me my hat pull it tight so I can see the frosty view of the city. west, north, south, east this spinning spiral staircase take a breath and gasp in hail rooftops that I sail upon. A discover of the city, coming to me six years later after comfort and warmth of my little cocoon I call home. Who else has dared this path of sheer pleasure, misery the ocean I can not see, no not today perhaps yesterday. The irony of this walk that led me here in all directions going nowhere. cascading down you may frown at me slipping on mosaic steps. the twilight shines deceptively on the staircase for small feet. I could stumble here and fall flat on Moraga or someplace between Fulton and 14th. Instead I find myself in an Irish bar with streams of light on my warm guiness. A park in the heights of my city on this misty saturday afternoon dusty, dingy, sweet smell of gloom. This is the city I love through rain or shine. read more

I love this place, always quiet, stunning view and good light exercise for your legs :)

I had high hopes for this park after reading all the glowing reviews. OK, so my first visit was on a completely foggy and windy day, but it was disappointing. The dog "run" area is fine - nice open small-ish field space, and there seemed to be a short circular trail through the trees, but the "playground" is depressing. I think we are spoiled because so many playgrounds have been re-done. This one has 2 slides that don't actually "slide" and an ancient, small climbing structure. No swings at all. The whole thing has a sand bottom, and there was no sign of kid life anywhere in that park. My dog had a good time, so that was good. I'll try on a sunnier day and lower my expectations and it will be fine. read more

Great little park. Scenic views. Perfect for dogs.

Just happened upon this site today after a walk up the Moraga Staircase. It is a very tranquil spot up in the Golden Gate Heights area. It is a hidden spot up above the Sunset district which means it is very quiet. Looks like a nice area to live or just to walk around. The GGH Park is a nice park. Not crowded at all. It is like nobody knows this area exists. There are some nice homes in the area and some windy streets which means not too much traffic. If you are in the area take the Moraga staircase and go up the block to the right and you will hit the Casecade Staircase and take that and keep walking and you will hit GGH Park. Happy Hiking! read more

great park, i took it for granted for so long but recently got a dog and the park is super dog friendly. lots of different paths to go offleash, plenty of other dogs on the weekends, two meadows for fetch plus a fenced-off tennis court that can be used for off-leash training when not in use. fantastic views of the city, a great place to get away from it all for a little while. read more