SF has no shortage of parks!…read more Washington Square Park offer a tranquil, yet busy family-friendly park in the heart of North Beach. Surrounded by delicious eateries like Mama's, Tony's Pizza, Liguria Bakery, Victoria's Pastries, it's a win-win for those looking to relax, people watch and picnic with some yummy grub. There's also the beautiful St. Peter and Paul church providing a nice backdrop. There's a nearby playground for kiddos to play and public restrooms.

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.

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.

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...

How awesome that someone recently reviewed this cute-as-a-button pequinito park!! Near Hillside…read moreschool, and just off the Whitaker path steps... Was hiking the staircases with gf when we ran into this charmed neighborhood small green...amazing it is called a park. But its being there at all makes it about as unique as the architecture of the homes in this hill neighborhood. Just loved the find.

Our favorite little neighborhood park. It's got a basketball hoop, picnic table, slide and sandbox…read morearea. Perfect for a little getaway with our toddler and two dogs. Great place to meet up with the neighbors. NOTE: You won't find those glorious bay views or hiking trails here.

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.

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

The narrow park around two sides of the canal is located in the Mission Bay Area. It's peaceful and…read morechill during the day, convenient to walk around, although there's homeless people hanging out.

I hope my pictures show how much we appreciate the beauty of the park and channel, despite the…read moreuntrained, unleashed, doodles and retrievers lol those are ironically the only breed/ mixes who lunge, chase, and bark at us. The parks are gorgeous; the landscaping crew does an amazing job, and there have been less off leash dogs accosting us recently.