- This park is just big enough to feel like you could get lost. Great views on all sides…read more Playground and water pond on the way. Mossy trees, plus open fields of brown grass. - One sketchy issue: There are a lot of people who park in the main parking lot and sleep in their cars.

An underrated park for sure! As a Bay Area native, GGP is generally my go-to park, but McLaren…read moredefinitely falls second, slowly becoming one of my favorites. There is a ton of free parking available at different points of the park, along with restrooms, picnic tables, and benches. There's a variety of different terrain (flat concrete, grass, hilly dirt trails) in the park, making it suitable for dog walks, running, hiking, cycling, and recreational sports. It is far less busier than GGP, which can be great if you're opting for a peaceful stroll in nature. Although not as polished as GGP, the park is maintained fairly well. I would highly recommend this park if you're looking for a quieter, less crowded peaceful retreat in the city. I also suggest previewing the map first, as there are tons of different parks within the park, based on the activity you're going for.

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.

Stopped by Mountain Lake Park on a sunny weekday and loved it!…read more Entered through the playground at Lake & 12th Ave. and enjoyed a short, very easy 0.7-mile loop. Along the way are several tennis courts, a basketball court, and exercise stations (even tried the balance beam--fortunately it's only about eight inches off the ground!). The park attracts a wide range of visitors: walkers and runners, people pushing strollers, kids playing, and lots of dogs. There's an area where dogs can run around off leash--one dog walker had nine dogs with them! A playful, friendly golden doodle gently touched me as it ran by. Also noticed a few people enjoying picnic lunches, and there are plenty of places to sit, relax, or host a small gathering. A peaceful, welcoming hidden gem in the Richmond District--a refreshing escape from the bustle of Clement Street and Geary Boulevard, with quiet paths, shady trees, a calm lake, and secluded spots that make it feel like a quiet retreat. Tip: Traffic from Highway 1, Park Presidio, and Lake Street can be heard nearby, but most of the park is quiet.

First time being in this park and I loved it. Lots of dog walkers, runners and families especially…read moreat the playground. You can walk around the lake by doing the mountain lake trail which takes you around but not close by the shore. I learned that the broad walk was the exact place where the Spanish settlers arrived. During that time the lake was much bigger in size and has since shrunk due to the impacts of development, such as the roads and the surrounding golf course. Now the park is filled with wildlife. There are lots of birds to see and a great place for birdwatching. There is even a little box trunk by the lake where people can release their fish or turtles in, instead of the lake to avoid harming the ecosystem. Thanks to the restoration efforts by the Presidio Trust and it's volunteers in creating a vibrant area for the wildlife and the community.

It has a water element, a meandering-path element, and a mysterious clubhouse/rumpus room/community…read morecenter element. There are dogs. It's close to honest-to-goodness houseboats. It's close to a library. It's the perfect place to walk, jog, lie on the grass, and people-watch. Did I mention there are dogs? I'm not normally one to recommend spending too much money, but you could do much worse than picking up overpriced sandwiches, chips, and drinks from nearby Gus's, walking to Mission Creek Park, and making a picnic out of it. There's no readily apparent--wink, wink--easy parking nearby, but lucky for you, there's plenty of public-transit access. There are many things I hate about Mission Bay as a new neighborhood, but its park game is right up there with the best of San Francisco neighborhoods. Now if only the esplanade area (north of Mission Creek Channel, between 3rd & 4th Streets) were part of this park, it would be perfect.

I love walking around here and looking at the houseboats. There are about 20 houseboats, and it…read morelooks so quaint. The park itself is very grassy and nice to sit and chill and read or just people watch. Lots of people bring their dogs here. I love being around water and the calmness it brings. It's a nice break from the classic tourist SF waterfront. For a walk it's about 1.5 miles for a loop up to the ballpark and back to the houseboats. I don't like this much as a loop since it's a little industrial for a bit when going under the freeway area, so I tend to just walk through the park across the bridge and back. For something longer, you can add China Basin Park and the Bay Trail to Crane Cove Park. This is better for someone that lives around here or already doing something in the area. Parking on Channel can get very expensive on a meter if there is a game going on at nearby Oracle Park. For a list of more SF hikes and walks: https://bit.ly/43PhQtL

A beautiful hidden pedestrian street park for dogs and kids. It needs a lot of love and maintenance…read moreby the city. A weekly rinse could be nice! A lot of homeless people take up the few park benches here. The landscaping (tree stumps, mosaic tiles) have deteriorated quickly. It is due for some updated park tiles and for dog owners to stop leaving feces in the grass. Other than these issues, it's quite a beautiful little trail. There are always big, blooming flowers and hummingbirds. Just watch your step!

Great place for smoking weed on 4/20. This year Delores park had an unofficial event not sponsored…read moreby the city. Although it was packed this year - it wasn't as happening as last. Juri Commons is a great little place to chill. Mostly for the direct neighbors I would think. No big attractions - but it is an unusual little space that is very narrow and long. Great little cut through. Green and comfortable. Walk your dog or walk your kids here. Well maintained piece of green. Don't come from afar but if your in the neighborhood walk on over.

Took the Portola trail with the dog. Path was well maintained and relaxing with lots of birdsong…read more There are benches, a playground, field, picnic area and water stations prior to the trails.

You can explore the great outdoors and indoors in San Francisco at different parks around the city…read more What if I told you there is a place which has an outdoor pickle ball court, basketball gym, and indoor climbing, and a baseball field all within less than a half block of each other. What if I also told you it was the location were the first dynamite factory in America. You would have seen lots of different dynamite fire at this location in 1868. Today this place is located in the Glen Park neighborhood of San Francisco and it's called Glen Canyon Park and Recreation. On a Spring stroll you can enjoy the sun in San Francisco and go out for a jog and hike and also walk the dog at Glen Canyon Park. This place feels as you stepped into nature inside a forest and canyon outside San Francisco. This place looks far from the scenery around the Civic Center. You will also find a community painted mural which reflects the Glen Canyon Park habitat like the animals and birds designed by animated television series Bob Burgers artist Sirron Norris. There are no amusement parks in San Francisco but you can be amused at the different local parks the city has by living that park life. Make " sometime "to go on a stroll to Glen Park Canyon you will see flowers the color of lemon and grass the color of "lime" don't be sour in SF you can book online for some "pickleball time" or an indoor rock wall "climb" Hike around the canyon and get view of some birdies like the owls and the coyotes and" Sutro Tower" Glen Canyon Park a former site in 1868 of a place which they built dynamite with blasting "fire power" now you can do some rock wall climbing for "$15 an hour"and go outside and see the purple and yellow "flower"

A nice little gem in the neighborhood, just off of Market Street on outskirts of the Western…read moreAddition. A nice children's playground, a small basketball half-court, peaceful and thoughtful Mother Nature, and even has a city view.

First time I've seen this park. What a gem. The view of the city skyline was a treat to see…read more Picturesque.

This is one of my favorite parks (although I have quite a few) in the city. It also offers a fair…read moreamount of climbing - watch your step as there is loose gravel here & there. The panoramic views make it worth the effort. The Franciscan chert is truly magnificent

Took my little one here to play and hike months ago. The view is lovely here, but lots of active…read morecoyotes warning signs all over the mountain when we visited. Also some areas here are very steep and I don't recommend coming here when it's raining as the area can get very slippery. The dog run area is okay. Lots of room for the little one to run around, but I probably won't bring him back because it's out of the way for us, and for the other concerns I listed above.