Best Parks in San Francisco

Alamo Square Park

A hilltop neighborhood park best known for the postcard view of the 'Painted Ladies' Victorian row houses framed against the downtown skyline. Go for the iconic photo, a picnic on the lawn, or to admire the surrounding mansion-lined streets. Practical note: open daily 5am to midnight; the famous viewpoint and accessible entrance are at the southeast corner near Hayes and Steiner/Scott Streets.

Parks

Corona Heights Park

A craggy, mostly treeless hilltop park above the Castro delivering unobstructed panoramic views from downtown to Twin Peaks, with far fewer crowds than other lookouts. Go for the short rocky scramble to the summit, the dog play areas, and the adjacent Randall Museum (great for families). Practical note: access is via Roosevelt Way and Museum Way; the summit is windy, so dress accordingly.

Parks

Crissy Field

A restored bayfront stretch of the Presidio with a sandy beach, tidal marsh, and flat shoreline promenade offering some of the city's most photogenic Golden Gate Bridge views. Go for an easy waterfront walk or bike ride, kite-flying, picnicking, or windsurfer-watching. Practical note: free and open daily; there are cafes and restrooms near the Warming Hut at the western end, and it connects directly to the Presidio Tunnel Tops.

Parks

Golden Gate Park

A sprawling 1,000+ acre urban park (larger than NYC's Central Park) packed with meadows, lakes, gardens, and museums including the de Young, California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, and Conservatory of Flowers. Go for a full day of walking, paddleboating on Stow Lake, or strolling the car-free JFK Promenade. Practical note: JFK Drive is now permanently closed to cars, so plan to walk, bike, or park along the perimeter; the park office is at McLaren Lodge.

Parks

Lands End

A rugged coastal park on the city's northwestern tip with the popular Coastal Trail winding through cypress groves above the Pacific, plus the Sutro Baths ruins and dramatic Golden Gate views. Go for the roughly 3.4-mile loop hike, shipwreck-watching at low tide, and the Labyrinth at Eagle's Point. Practical note: the main trailhead and Lands End Lookout visitor center are at 680 Point Lobos Ave; restrooms follow visitor-center hours (about 9am to 5pm).

Parks

Mission Dolores Park

A lively ~16-acre park in the heart of the Mission, famous for sunbathing, picnics, and people-watching on its sloping lawns with skyline views. Go on a sunny weekend afternoon for the quintessential laid-back SF social scene. Practical note: it gets very crowded on warm days; the park is open 6am to 10pm and there are restrooms plus nearby cafes on Dolores Street.

Parks

Pioneer Park & Coit Tower

A leafy hilltop park crowning Telegraph Hill, home to the landmark Coit Tower with its 1930s WPA murals and a 360-degree observation deck. Go for sweeping bay and bridge views, the famous Filbert and Greenwich Step walks down the hill, and the resident wild parrots. Practical note: the park is open 5am to midnight and tower entry is free on the ground floor; the observation deck costs about $10 and Coit Tower keeps shorter daytime hours (roughly 10am to 5-6pm).

Parks

Presidio Tunnel Tops

A 14-acre national park space built atop highway tunnels, connecting the Presidio's Main Post to Crissy Field with sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the bay. Go for the lawns, the kid-friendly Outpost play area, food trucks, and an easy car-free walk down to the waterfront. Practical note: it's free and open daily; sits next to the Presidio Visitor Center and is reachable by the PresidiGo shuttle or Muni 30 bus.

Parks

Sunset Dunes

A roughly 2-mile car-free coastal park along the former Great Highway beside Ocean Beach, opened in April 2025 as one of California's largest pedestrianization projects. Go to walk, bike, or skate the wide oceanfront promenade with art installations, hammocks, and dune views. Practical note: it runs from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard, linking Golden Gate Park to the SF Zoo; it's often foggy and breezy, and there's limited shade or amenities, so come prepared.

Parks

Twin Peaks

Two of the city's highest hills offering one of the best 360-degree panoramas of San Francisco, the bay, and beyond from Christmas Tree Point. Go at sunset or after dark for glittering city lights, or hike the short loop trail to the summits. Practical note: open daily 5am to midnight with free parking; it's often windy and foggy, so bring a jacket, and car access is now only via Portola Drive.