San Francisco’s parks are more than just green spaces, they’re cultural landmarks, community hubs, bucolic escapes, step count champions, and even frames for some serious selfie taking.

From the social buzz of Dolores Park to the windswept quiet of Sunset Dunes and the grand expanse of Golden Gate Park, these city parks invite you to experience San Francisco in a distinct way. I’ve selected some notable parks and some hidden gems for you to explore.

Be sure to pack a blanket, comfortable shoes, a book, and your sense of adventure.

*Dolores Park is a popular hang out spot, especially on sunny days*

Mission Dolores Park

Mission Dolores Park, often simply referred to as Dolores Park, in San Francisco’s Mission distric one of the most popular urban parks in the city.

Its sloped hillside is often speckled with neighbors and friends sprawled out on picnic blankets, especially on sunny days when the views to downtown San Francisco are unrivaled. Since I am a huge fan of burritos and tacos, and the Mission is ground zero for some of the best Mexican food in the city, I usually grab something from one of the neighborhood restaurants or taquerias, then plop down near the top of the hill.

If you’re into history, the oldest building in San Francisco, and the park’s namesake Mission Dolores, is just across the street.

Sunset Dunes Park

Although primarily a walking space along Ocean Beach, Sunset Dunes is a relatively new addition to San Francisco's park portfolio and is the largest pedestrianization project in California's history. Located on the salty edge of San Fran in the Sunset District, this two-mile park stretches from Sloat Boulevard to Lincoln Way, and repurposes the Great Highway.

Cars used to race down the coastal stretch on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was pedestrianized. This was a popular spot for my friend and me to meet before and after grabbing lunch at nearby Outerlands.

In true San Francisco style, voters elected to permanently transform the road into a car-free recreational area, making it the ideal place to stroll on flat paved ground while enjoying the sea air.

The Sunset District is notoriously foggy, so be sure to pack a jacket and warm up at Java Beach Café.

*San Francisco’s Sutro Baths was once a 25,000-person swimming facility enclosed in glass*

Land’s End

I really love the feel of this place, part park, part rugged coastal trail, part ruins in the city’s northwest corner, not far from Sunset Dunes/ Great Highway.

Visitors can hike along cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, through cypress trees and wildflowers, where you might even catch a glimpse of old shipwrecks, access to the epic ruins of Sutro Baths in the Sutro Historic District, beaches with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and a new Lookout Visitor Center.

I love visiting Sutro Baths, especially at sunset when the reflections, colors, and people alchemize into a magical moment not found anywhere else in the city.

It’s a great spot that feels worlds away.

Golden Gate Park

The Grand Daddy, or Grande Dame of them all. It’s hard to talk about things to do in San Francisco without mentioning this 1,000+ acre park

Often compared to New York’s Central Park, Golden Gate Park is even larger and full of lakes, meadows, museums, and gardens. Locals come here to cycle, jog, and paddle on Stow Lake. Visitors and locals alike love the Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, and the de Young Museum, home to world-renowned exhibits (I recently saw Paul McCartney’s photos on display) and a wonderful permanent collection.

On Sundays, parts of the park are closed to cars, making it perfect a sunday stroll. My husband and I joined a friend here not long ago to get our steps in along the "Golden Gate Park Loop,” a popular walking trail that’s about seven miles, give or take.

There’s really no significant elevation gain, but it does cross some streets and takes roughly 2-3 hours to complete. We celebrated our effort with some craft brews and lunch at the Beach Chalet.

*A walk to the bridge on Crissy Field is a regular outing for me and many San Franciscans*

The Presidio

Once a military base, the Presidio has been transformed into a national park site with nearly 25 miles of trails, picnic areas, beaches, golf course, public art, and cultural institutions such as the Walt Disney Family Museum and Fort Point National Historic Site.

New restaurants have been popping up here too, including

A walk along Crissy Field is a regular outing for me. I never tire of the Golden Gate Bridge views from here, whether it's in the morning when the bridge is bright orange or watching the sunset behind it in the evenings. Stop at the Warming Hut for a coffee and pick up a Golden Gate-themed souvenir. Proceeds benefit the park.

The Presidio Tunnel Tops, a newly designed green space with playgrounds, food trucks, and lookout points, is also a notable spot for lounging and reflecting on the beauty that is San Francisco.

Transamerica Redwood Park

Full confession: I’ve lived in the San Francisco Bay Area on and off since 1990, and I JUST visited this urban oasis for the first time this year. What was I waiting for?

If you’re in downtown or North Beach, this is an easy detour and totally worth it. As the name suggests, this park sits at the foot of San Francisco’s Transamerica Pyramid and is surrounded by towering redwood trees—right in the heart of downtown San Francisco!

There is also a shuffleboard and ping pong table, and Café Sebastian is right there, with some outdoor seating, if you want to grab coffee, breakfast, or lunch .

From May to September, the park hosts a concert series on the wooden stage on Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The Best Parks in San Francisco