Remember when Joni Mitchell wrote "Big Yellow Taxi" and sang "You don't know what you got 'til it's…read moregone... they paved paradise and put up a parking lot"? Well, here's one green patch that gratefully escaped Joni's downcast fate. The park consists of five acres of bucolic landscaping, which hugs McCovey Cove right across from Oracle Park. I was already familiar with the walking path since it predates the park and provides an inevitable connection for the San Francisco Bay Trail. You can walk easily to Chase Center and Crane Cove from here. Beyond the trail is the Great Lawn, an acre of greenery that slopes toward the water and creates a natural amphitheater. There are other parts of the park like the Gathering Grove and the Shoreline Sands that function primarily as congregation areas during game days and cultural events. But come any time, especially near sunset, because the key draw from any vantage point is the view of Downtown, the Bay Bridge, and of course, the bay itself. RELATED - Exploring Mission Bay? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/0Glo0JcPcN

Sunny pleasant spot by the water…read more Surprise there's a little beach! With actual sand! I'd love to bring a mat and sit down and enjoy the sun, get a tan, hangout Unisex restrooms Small Dog relief area

I had gone here on Saturday to play Pokémon. It was a nice big park, perfect for walking, and…read moreplaying with the kids. I wish it had a few more benches to sit but also a perfect place for a picnic.

Beautiful, open, green park. Great place to watch New Years fireworks, to have a peaceful picnic,…read moreor to read under the sun.

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.

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...

A playground, sanctuary, skate park, historical place, artists' canvas, fortress, meditation place,…read moreescape, hidden gem, nature trail, haunted place and whatever you want it to be. Fort Miley is located between Lands End and the VA Medical Center on Point Lobos covering 54 acres on prime real estate that the federal government purchased for $75,000 in 1891. That's equivalent to approximately $1.9 million dollars in today's rate. It sat empty for several years until the U.S. Army started the fortification beginning in 1899 and completed in 1902. Over the years, they added garrisons, barracks and other improvements as it was the first line of defense for the city. However, they also built on top of a huge cemetery, which they promised to move and relocate. Additional construction for the Palace of the Legion of Honor in 1993 determined that this was not the case as the digging led to discoveries of bodies and coffins underground. This means that only the headstones were removed while the bodies remained in place. I'm not the least bit surprised since how many times has the government lied to the general public. But how morbid is that? One could easily get lost here as there are many places to explore or if you're hiking Lands End and make this a part of your trail for additional challenge. I don't mean lost as in can't find your way back, but lost as in one can easily wander and get carried away. That's what happened to me the first time I was here as I spent hours exploring and studying the history of this place. Local teens also use the area as their skate park and I can't fault 'em since they're using the space to their advantage. There are numerous graffiti on the walls, and some of 'em are very impressive and artistic. One can learn to appreciate this form of artwork while others may disagree. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Don't be surprised if you encounter a homeless encampment here or even actual homeless people. If you go deeper in the woods, just keep that in mind. Also, if your bike is stolen, there's a chance it may turn up here. Just take extra precautions should you decide to check it out. According to historical records, this vantage point used to have a clear view of the Pacific Ocean and all around the bay. Now, most are covered with tall trees, but I am fine with that. The same trees provide a canopy and shelter from the hustle and bustle of the city that one can find relaxing. I can easily seat on the bench while meditating to get rid of stress and forget one's worries. There is a clear patch of land on the west side with a lone picnic table overlooking Ocean Beach. I've seen some people flying their drones here, but I just gaze at the amazing view since you can see as far as Pacifica from here. This could also be a great photo-op for weddings or any celebrations that may come to mind. Fort Miley is named after Lieutenant Colonel John D. Miley, who passed away in Manila, Philippines in 1899 at the young age of 37. That's like some six degrees of Kevin Bacon, right there.

Fort Miley is an old defense fort protecting San Francisco. It was used during World War II and has…read moresince been abandoned. It's a big fort that you can hike to that's been boarded up. However, if you like graffiti art, it's a great place to visit. You can climb three different levels enjoying the concrete fort and beautiful graffiti art that is constantly being added to. I went here and felt safe.

Joseph Conrad Square is a small, triangular park tucked into a very busy corner of San Francisco,…read moreright at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Beach Street in Fisherman's Wharf. It's easy to miss if you're focused on the crowds and the waterfront, but if you slow down for a moment, it turns out to be a surprisingly thoughtful little space. I walk by it at least a couple of times a month, and it always makes me pause and take a look. Originally dedicated as Columbus Square in 1971, the park was renamed in 1979 in honor of Joseph Conrad, the Polish-British sailor and novelist best known for Heart of Darkness. One of my favorite bits of trivia is that Conrad, despite being a world traveler, most likely never visited San Francisco. The rededication coincided with the release of Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now, which was inspired by Conrad's work, creating one of those uniquely San Francisco intersections of literature, film, and symbolism. Thanks to preservation efforts in the late 1970s, the site was saved from development and later redesigned, with the most recent refresh completed in early 2020. Improved lighting and landscaping made the space feel more open and welcoming. Despite its modest size (and its unofficial nickname, the "Joseph Conrad Triangle"), it serves a simple but valuable purpose: a place to sit, rest your feet, and take a short break from the energy of Fisherman's Wharf. It's not a destination park, but it definitely rewards anyone willing to take a few minutes to slow down.

Walked past here on the way to fishermans wharf. This doesn't really even deserve a stop. It was…read morea little sketchy and I came by here in the middle of the day

This reminds me of a total European style park nestled in a neighborhood that you didn't even know…read moreexisted. The park itself is great. A few areas to eat, lots of grass and even a play structure, however manage the expectations with the play structure as it's mostly climbing. Plenty of street parking, and as mentioned it's surrounded by apartments, a few cafes and even what looks to be an auto body. It's got that residential warehouse vibes with beautiful brick buildings. Was there a tent hiding behind a bench with a homeless person? Yes. Did a few mentally unhinged people walk by yelling obscenities? Yes, I mean it's adjacent to SOMA and downtown SF, but what a nice little escape from the concrete, dirt and grime. While not your largest park, and not the best play structure for the kiddos, it's an escape from the city with a little green space, and for that it does its job so well!

South Park is a delightfully protected bit of San Francisco, one in which it's possible to hide…read morefrom the City, except that it has the worst sort of neighbors. In the past ten years, the Park has fronted, in order: a French bistro (defunct); a "chocolate wine bar cafe" (defunct); and soon, a precious bakery and gift shop, a term I use in the British sense, to imply "excessively refined" and "affected." Leaving aside that service at the French place was atrocious, there's nothing inherently wrong with any of that. The problem is with the people that such places attract. Both the bistro and its successor filled their tables with local wastrels who prized cachet over quality. The bakery will open soon; I have no hope that they'll do better. But you wanted to know about the park. It's pretty, and fairly well-tended by the City, and though there are homeless people wandering through, they're only moderately aggressive, and if you pick your moment, you can occupy a bench, enjoy a pleasant rest, and listen to the faint murmur of traffic and children's voices while you catch the breeze and watch wannabe influencers queue for overpriced croissant and drinks. Sorry. When I speak of South Park, I can't not think of those morons. I love cities, but increasingly despise the new people who inhabit them.

Came by with my pup on our way to Chinatown and North Beach. This is a tiny neighborhood park with…read morea small playground for kids and some seatings. Perfect as a small neighborhood gathering/exercising place (seniors come here to do Tai Chi) and place to sit for a bit. Has a lot of neighborhood charm and the name means Garden of Peace and Joy. Located on Powell and John.

Not the best park when it comes to actual play structures but it does the job…read more Woh Hei Yuen Park is walking distance from the hustle and bustle of SF's Chinatown. There are plenty of benches and table seating which makes it a hot spot for the elderly to sit back and chit chat. The play area could use a bit of revamping and a few areas actually need some fixing up/replacement of pieces. Bonus points for the large back wall designated to wall climbing- perfect for your little one who are super active. 3 stars for this particular park but I bumped up the rating due to the cleanliness [[aside from the random garbage dumped right outside of the parks entrance, on the sidewalk]]. Patrons are quite respectful of the park and during our visit, plenty of dog owners made sure to clean up after their pets.