This quad is large but I wouldn't consider it a park or 'picnic' area. It's a neat landscape for…read morethose who like to eat outside as it provides sitting areas both in the sun and under the shade. The borders and walkways are lined by trees and there are a few benches and such scattered on both the west/east sides of the quad. A ~1 ft wall stretches through both sides of the walkway and receives ample shade for lunching outside. The north side of the quad is more of a hill with an interesting structure and the south side of the quad is has a subtle bowl shape to it, making it awkward to really picnic or lay out on. I personally wish the green areas were flatter or more suitable for lounging on. It almost feels as if the green parts are not to be touched since its so bordered and empty--perhaps that's the way its supposed to be? Fun fact: the bordering trees make a figure 8 from an aerial view (shoutout to google maps).

Places like Koret Quad make me wish I worked at UCSF so I could enjoy its beauty everyday. Then…read moreagain living 20 minutes walking from Koret Quad isn't too bad, either. It's one of my favorite places to go on the weekends with my dog. I'd love to visit during the week and read a book or do some work. Anything, really, when it's a lovely SF day. During the week, I wouldn't bring my dog here because there's so many people. And apparently UCSF security doesn't allow off-leash dogs anyways. Makes sense. On the weekends, though, it's FREEDOM GALORE!! Lots of running and chasing. My friend has also had their dog's birthday party here. Great place with lots of seating, shade, open space... everything that makes a perfect nature getaway from work. Even if you don't live walking distance, and especially if you work at UCSF, come check it out. I've attended events at UCSF before, and it will always remind me to come by here and just meditate for a few minutes. Lovely area.

Simple, little park within residential blocks. No frills, just a little big of Mother Nature next a…read moreschool, but it breaks the neighborhood up of its houses and concrete.

Great community little park to enjoy watching the sun set over the ocean on a summer day…read more There's a cool community atmosphere here with the garden, a place you can grill food with tables to eat on top of the hill, plenty of tree cover and some short dirt pathways to walk or jog. Parking will likely be tricky - so it's really more for locals within walking distance, and also the playground may be closed if you're wanting to bring family / kids.

This is definitely a patch of greenery worth celebrating. Smack dab in the thick of the Tenderloin,…read moreit's just one acre appropriately fenced in as the surrounding area can get quite unsavory, all the more reason for this park to be here. Five years ago, I would not have been anywhere near this block as the park established in 1985 became a den of iniquity. It was renovated starting in 2014, and now you can see local children playing freely in the space. I was passing by when I noticed a jazz combo giving a free concert. It gave me a prime opportunity to appreciate the renovation spearheaded by the Trust for Public Land and the oasis it represents for local residents. RELATED - Exploring the Tenderloin? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2NIQ0tw

Since it's renovation , Boddekker Park has become a safe well-used wonderful playground for kids…read morewith a recreation center and restrooms on site.

What a nice hidden spot to enjoy your lunch or break outdoors! Right upstairs from Proper Foods,…read morethis place is spacious with trees, seats, a water fountain, and a backdrop of the Salesforce Tower Park. On a drizzly morning, most seats were wet but the wooden ones were mostly dry by noon. Trash cans are available if you need to throw you leftover garbage from food. On Friday noon it was not crowded at all. If using Google maps, type in the actual address or just look for Proper Foods because typing in Sun Terrace will lead you somewhere else. Only thing I wish they had was umbrellas or some awnings so that seats stay dry for the wet days. Other than that can't beat a free public space to enjoy!

Major plus is how easy it is to access. Just walk up the steps!…read more Also, it's a pretty big space. With a good number of chairs and tables, but was also pretty crowded at lunch time. Not high enough to really have any views, but there is a neat reflection of the salesforce tower on the building next to it. It's kinda loud right now due to construction across the street, but hey, that will be done someday, right?

This a nice park located above a parking garage, with Bar Sprezzatura at the center of the space…read more There are multiple staircases as well as escalators to access the park from ground level. The place offers plenty of grass for picnicking, a beautiful and unique fountain, and lovely sculptures surrounded by trees at each corner of the park, including "Bronze Horse" by Marino Marini and "Standing Figure Knife Edged" by Henry Moore. Not to mention, awesome views of great SF landmarks. I'm glad we were able to spend time here over the weekend. Simple, clean, not crowded... my kinda place.

A Green Oasis in the City…read more Maritime Plaza Park is a spacious green area across from Sue Bierman Park in San Francisco. It's an extension of the larger Maritime Plaza, dedicated in 1968. Maritime Plaza itself surrounds the Alcoa Building and features two single-story structures housing a bank and a restaurant. Pedestrian bridges connect the plaza to the Golden Gateway Center, a lovely green oasis, and the Embarcadero Center. Owned by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, Maritime Plaza offers a peaceful escape. Its design blends open areas with shaded spots, providing ample seating for relaxation. The landscaping features a mix of native and ornamental plants, ensuring year-round visual interest. Public art installations and occasional cultural events add to the plaza's charm as a community gathering space. The one-square-block park, bordered by Dais, Clay, Drumm, and Washington Streets, used to be a more pleasant green area before the pandemic. Unfortunately, over the last two years, it has increasingly become a spot frequented by the unhoused population, leading to issues with litter. Despite that, I still enjoy walking through it on my way home on a nice afternoon.

The middle lake has since gotten an upgrade and now is filled with water next to a stream with a…read moresmall waterfall (though the last time I was there that part was dry). It's more lush compared to the dry patch of dirt it was before and worth checking out. Out of the 3 I like North Lake the best as it feels the most rustic and natural whereas the other two feel man made. It's a great place for a birder. Birds are everywhere. North Lake has monthly cleanups through Golden Gate Bird Alliance where you basically garden and get rid of non native plants.

Just returned home after my walk at Chain of Lakes (adjacent to Fulton). The pictures that I am…read moreadding relate to the little bridge that crosses over what USED TO BE an absolutely charming pond that featured a cool variety of ducks and raccoons romping in the water, This area has be totally neglected and it is basically more. Overgrown brush, tree branches cover the area and the pond is nothing but thick green scum. see pics. Ok, maybe the green scum can't be dealt with but the hideous overgrowth can! For this part of the park, I give it 2 stars. The rest of the park is of course a 5 rating. It would be nice if the Park and Rec would RE-PAINT the narrow path or put up at least 2 signs to indicate NO bikes or SCOOTERS. One trash can for this size park area is also ridiculous given that 95% of the time it is locked up! and dog waste bags scattered around the can not in it. C'mon..

Great short walk out into the Bay…read more I love discovering these little natural park gem. This looks like a new little park that is great to eat lunch and then take a easy walk on a levee out into the Bay. I saw two great blue herons and a man fishing at the tip of the levee path. Treat yourself to a visit at the plant nursery across the street from the parking lot. There is limited parking here, but plenty of street parking.

It's really just a half-mile, man-made spit of land that juts out to the bay in the workaday area…read moreof India Basin. However, the setting is offset by atmospheric wetlands that attract a variety of birds that look quite comfortable on the shoreline. The end of the singular trail doesn't offer that much of a payoff unless you like the sight of mammoth cargo ships anchored seemingly permanently in the middle of the bay. There are unexpected sights like a Buddhist altar hidden in a windswept tree grove (photo: https://bit.ly/3wA6hFU) There's also what looks like a dilapidated pier sunken at both ends (photo: https://bit.ly/2UzDJPx). I guess I would be remiss in not mentioning the Eco Center which looks to be a children's education center, although I've never been inside due to COVID restrictions and its limited hours. Normally I'd suggest you walk the footbridge to the newly renovated Hunters Point Shoreline, but pedestrian access points looked to be closed for the rest of 2021. You can still walk around or drive onto Evans to get to the rest of India Basin. RELATED - Lost in Hunters Point? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3AOvRKv

Jack Early Park is one of those hidden gems in North Beach that you could easily miss unless you…read moreknow where to look. Tucked up a steep hill at the end of Pfeiffer Street, it was created by a local resident, Jack Early, who spent years in the early 1960s transforming what was once a rocky, neglected patch of land into a small, peaceful garden. He cleared debris, brought in soil, and planted trees, flowers, and shrubs, eventually gifting the space to the city. It's a great example of how one person's effort can leave a lasting impact on a neighborhood. Getting there is part of the experience. You climb a narrow staircase between buildings, and at the top, you're rewarded with a small concrete terrace and one of the best panoramic views in the area. On a clear day, you can see Alcatraz Island, Pier 39, and even the Golden Gate Bridge all in one sweep. It's not a large park, but that's part of its charm. There are a few benches, some greenery, and just enough space to sit, relax, or enjoy a quiet moment away from the crowds. Whether you're a local or just exploring North Beach, it's a worthwhile stop if you're up for a short climb and want a different perspective of the city.

Described as one of the smallest "unofficial" parks in SF, this is more of a lookout point with…read morespectacular views of the city and beautiful vines and greenery surrounding the area and staircase leading up to the tiny space. It's not that tiny actually, certainly not claustrophobic, you could probably fit like 10 people up there (though it would be a tight squeeze). And yet it's hidden among the neighborhood homes and trees, so it's quite nice. But only two seats up there, covered in graffiti of course (we'll call it art). And more seating along the stairway, ya know, cuz there are lots of stairs to climb, so why not take a rest halfway up those steps, especially cuz it's kinda steep. The secluded environment and lovely views are what makes this park special.