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Park on a hill - keep that in mind - there are views here but not all that much more. Great downtown city view from here. The elevation of this park on the hill makes for really nice views. I would be carful hiking around - go with a friend and watch your step. Flip flops are a no no. There is some fencing around here but it offers no safety at all. Some of the fencing is 50% eaten by termites and rot and if anything offers a fake sense of security. The hill is very 'natural' looking. Not exactly wild but only tamed by gardeners.
One of my new favorite places to come catch sunsets! Tucked away in a quiet part of Noe valley and not super crowded which is the best.
So was I wrong to expect finding goats here? Apparently so as there were none to be found. It was a quarry and then a community dump before becoming this steep, 3-1/2-acre park. So just forget dressing up like one of the von Trapp children and bringing your Tyrollean marionette. Perhaps being so close to the Castro, I swear I could hear Julie Andrews singing... High on a hill was a lonely goatherd Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo Loud was the voice of the lonely goatherd Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo... I came here on a mountainous stroll between Glen Park to Noe Valley by way of the trail from the Walter Haas Playground on top of Diamond Heights. It's not the highest point in the area, but the views of downtown are quite worthy even if it means going down a long set of steps and switchbacks. You will hear talk of a swing, but Captain von Trapp must've taken it down to punish the children for wearing curtains in public. RELATED - Exploring Noe Valley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2IuhRft
If you are in the Noe Valley/Glen Park area, Billy Goat Hill is a nice place to go for an amazing view of the city.
A sweet Sunday walk about through Billy Goat Hill. The is one of SF's many five star views! Currently, it is lush with tall green grasses, flowering poppies and buttercups, and a plethora of birds. Whenever my family comes to visit, I love sharing this viewpoint. It's accessible to those who can take a walk up a hilly neighborhood and then up some manicured earthen steps.
Shut up about the rope swing please. The more that people talk about it and post pics everywhere with the rope swing, the sooner it will get taken down by the city. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen in terms of injury and liability on city property so if it's there great enjoy it, but be discreet about it so it can be there longer for others to enjoy instead of drawing so much attention to it that it inevitably gets taken down. Billy Goat Hill is a great viewpoint as well as a park. The view looks East/North East covering downtown, Bernal Heights Hill, the East Bay, and Noe Valley and it's nice because you can just drive up and see it from your car. If you like a night skyline view it's worth noting that you can't park here from 10pm-6am. Beyond just the view there are a few staircases in the neighborhood to make it an urban stair hike walk. Down the street is the Harry Street staircase which connects Laidly to Beacon as well as some other staircases around on Castro, 27th, and Valley. Essentially Billy Goat Hill is more of a neighbhorhoody park that probably no one had heard of beyond people that lived in the neighborhood before Yelp. So if you are looking for something spectacular like Twin Peaks it's not up to par but if you are near the neighborhood doing something in Diamond Heights or Noe Valley it's worth checking out for the view.
Billy Goat Hill is another hidden treasure in San Francisco. It's really out of the way in a part of town I don't venture out to very much. It's hard to get to if you don't live around here. However, it is so fun to have an adventure at Billy Goat Hill. It was once known for having a tree swing that was taken down like last year. Billy Goat Hill has nice views and it's a fun climb up to the peak. This is San Francisco life hanging out at these fun parks. I would do this again. It's good to find a group and try something you wouldn't have done.
Sad to get here just a few days after the swing was removed... that being said I'm glad there wasn't a line to get amazing pictures. Aside from the two guys that were smoking weed on front of kids, this would have been a great experience. The view is amazing and parking isn't difficult. When I'm the area, this is a must! Maybe next time I'll hit up Home Depot and make my own swing set.
How did I hear about this place?? About a year ago a friend sends me a photo and I was blown away.... I figure why not take a trip here on Mother's day! The drive is around Twin Peaks, so you can see hidden views all over. Beware of parking, as signs says NO Parking in certain area's. Upon entering I was looking forward to take a candid on the swing but I noticed bummer someone took it off! A little disappointed but the breathtaking views took me in awe. A pure Gem! I heart SF!!
This is always part of my jog around the neighborhood. I'm lucky enough to witness its ever-changing landscapes over the seasons and throughout the years. I enjoy that the paths are cleared now and free of thorny blackberry bushes, but I do miss the swing that used to hang from the tree. There are sweeping views of the cityscape. Popular times to come are sunset and sunrise (of course). So among tourists, dog-walkers, hikers and joggers, you might also find more people parked at the top enjoying the view while smoking weed. By all means, live your best life!
Swing your way to the top, my darling! :) That's exactly what I did for Sunday Funday yesterday. What a perfect afternoon spent experiencing this amazing hidden gem of SF with my bestie! The address gets you in the residential area up in the hills. Plenty of parking; I remember that the sign said no parking between 10pm to 6am, I think. Walk along the pathway towards down the hill along the wood steps & you will almost instantly spot the tree with the rope/wood plank swing. There are two swings- one with the rope & wood plank seat while the other one is just of a rope. We both tried the wood plank one which was the less scarier one. Next time I'll try the other one. Such a wonderful place indeed. Beautiful view of this city that I love and being able to be a kid again! LOVE!
Wonderful swinging on a rope and scenic urban city view! You do it for the moment, the glee on hopping on to the swing and weeeeeee...smile for the picture snapshot! It's a bliss and a pleasant breeze while on the rope!
Awesome view point of the city here and it never really gets crowded! Mainly because there's not much to do but check out the swing and take pictures. Street parking is always plentiful and it's a short walk down the steps where the swing is. The swing always seems to change whenever I come here! It was a skateboard, then a wooden plank, and now it's an orange cone! Definitely check this place out if you haven't had a chance yet. A go-to spot when I have people visiting - we always make a stop here!
Billy Goat Hill is one of the most beautiful hidden gems of San Francisco that I have come across to date. It gave me and the girls a great opportunity to do some light hiking during our trip as tourists while enjoying the gorgeous view on a crisp and sunny morning as the day we visited. First we walked to Canyon Market and got ourselves some hot drinks and breakfast to go before walking up to the hill. We knew about the swing being there but they had taken it out before we got there; I'm sure it posed as a hazard for people. Regardless, I could not stop taking pictures of the skyline. The blue sky overlapped by the grey clouds on a January morning...the endless array of buildings in all shapes and lengths...greenery...it's just a magical view. I especially loved the addition of the stairs that leads you up and down the hill and makes it easier for folks. Even walking to the hill through the residential streets was a real treat with the view of all the beautiful houses in their ornate colors and designs. I'll never get tired of the views here. PARKING I think we parked on one of the residential streets read more
4 months ago
Billy Goat Hill would be a definite five stars in most other US cities, but I can't go passing out five-star San Francisco-park reviews like candy, and the swing no longer exists and/or works, and the swing was/would be what got this review to five stars. But Billy Goat Hill, man. It's difficult to overestimate just how surprising it is as a San Francisco park. It's not overbuilt, overthought, or annoying. Do you know how much of San Francisco is all three of those things? And especially some of its parks? No, the hill is just that: a hillside that was spared from construction, probably because of the complicated nest of streets and elevations at its lower, northern end. The best way to appreciate it is to come in the afternoon. If you really want to unspoil the surprise, drive east on Addison Street past Walter Haas Park. Turn right on Everson Street and then left on Beacon Street. Right after the houses end on the north side of Beacon Street, park your car. The view of downtown is amazing. Give yourself a little bit of time up on the street before you go down the path and stairs. After that initial stunning view, the rest of the park can feel anticlimactic. It's not really maintained as a green-grass park; it's just a more-or-less feral hillside with some iconic trees, some rocky ground, and wooden box steps and handrails that have seen better days. The path goes down the hill to Laidley Street. It's fairly steep, so if you're bringing someone with mobility issues, they should either not go all the way down, or you should drive and pick them up--which is its own issue because although it's only down the hill, it is impossible to drive to the bottom of the park without going three or four times the distance. From where you parked on Beacon Street, continue west and turn right at Diamond Street. Then turn right again onto 29th Street. Turn right on Castro Street, and when it dead-ends at the park, turn left onto 30th Street. The path at the bottom of the park ends near the weird intersection of 30th & Laidley Streets. Oh, and that "dead end" of Castro Street isn't really where it ends--after a long gap, it reappears in Glen Park for a little more than a block between Bemis and Chenery Streets, where it ends for good. It gets really windy up here, and there are no real places to sit, so it's more of a short-hike park than a hanging-out park. Still, it can be serene to just sit in your car and take in the view, which never gets old. Another fun part is looking almost due east from the promontory and seeing Bernal Hill also standing out beautifully and boldly in the city. I'm sure you can see Billy Goat Hill from Bernal Hill as well. I've been many times on beautiful, fog-free days, and I've never had trouble finding street parking right on Beacon Street. There's regular street sweeping, of course, but I'm really surprised it's not more crowded with cars. read more
Plenty of street parking, no problem at all You can enter the park from atop the hill or at the base. There's street parking at both ends, more on top since it's a quieter road up there. It's not a huge park. Good for a short walk. Great view of the city. Stand there and take it all in. Especially nice on a sunny day. One bench. Stairs and dirt path read more
Park on a hill - keep that in mind - there are views here but not all that much more. Great downtown city view from here. The elevation of this park on the hill makes for really nice views. I would be carful hiking around - go with a friend and watch your step. Flip flops are a no no. There is some fencing around here but it offers no safety at all. Some of the fencing is 50% eaten by termites and rot and if anything offers a fake sense of security. The hill is very 'natural' looking. Not exactly wild but only tamed by gardeners. read more
So was I wrong to expect finding goats here? Apparently so as there were none to be found. It was a quarry and then a community dump before becoming this steep, 3-1/2-acre park. So just forget dressing up like one of the von Trapp children and bringing your Tyrollean marionette. Perhaps being so close to the Castro, I swear I could hear Julie Andrews singing... High on a hill was a lonely goatherd Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo Loud was the voice of the lonely goatherd Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo... I came here on a mountainous stroll between Glen Park to Noe Valley by way of the trail from the Walter Haas Playground on top of Diamond Heights. It's not the highest point in the area, but the views of downtown are quite worthy even if it means going down a long set of steps and switchbacks. You will hear talk of a swing, but Captain von Trapp must've taken it down to punish the children for wearing curtains in public. RELATED - Exploring Noe Valley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2IuhRft read more
4 years ago
If you are in the Noe Valley/Glen Park area, Billy Goat Hill is a nice place to go for an amazing view of the city. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
A sweet Sunday walk about through Billy Goat Hill. The is one of SF's many five star views! Currently, it is lush with tall green grasses, flowering poppies and buttercups, and a plethora of birds. Whenever my family comes to visit, I love sharing this viewpoint. It's accessible to those who can take a walk up a hilly neighborhood and then up some manicured earthen steps. read more
Shut up about the rope swing please. The more that people talk about it and post pics everywhere with the rope swing, the sooner it will get taken down by the city. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen in terms of injury and liability on city property so if it's there great enjoy it, but be discreet about it so it can be there longer for others to enjoy instead of drawing so much attention to it that it inevitably gets taken down. Billy Goat Hill is a great viewpoint as well as a park. The view looks East/North East covering downtown, Bernal Heights Hill, the East Bay, and Noe Valley and it's nice because you can just drive up and see it from your car. If you like a night skyline view it's worth noting that you can't park here from 10pm-6am. Beyond just the view there are a few staircases in the neighborhood to make it an urban stair hike walk. Down the street is the Harry Street staircase which connects Laidly to Beacon as well as some other staircases around on Castro, 27th, and Valley. Essentially Billy Goat Hill is more of a neighbhorhoody park that probably no one had heard of beyond people that lived in the neighborhood before Yelp. So if you are looking for something spectacular like Twin Peaks it's not up to par but if you are near the neighborhood doing something in Diamond Heights or Noe Valley it's worth checking out for the view. read more
Billy Goat Hill is another hidden treasure in San Francisco. It's really out of the way in a part of town I don't venture out to very much. It's hard to get to if you don't live around here. However, it is so fun to have an adventure at Billy Goat Hill. It was once known for having a tree swing that was taken down like last year. Billy Goat Hill has nice views and it's a fun climb up to the peak. This is San Francisco life hanging out at these fun parks. I would do this again. It's good to find a group and try something you wouldn't have done. read more
Sad to get here just a few days after the swing was removed... that being said I'm glad there wasn't a line to get amazing pictures. Aside from the two guys that were smoking weed on front of kids, this would have been a great experience. The view is amazing and parking isn't difficult. When I'm the area, this is a must! Maybe next time I'll hit up Home Depot and make my own swing set. read more
How did I hear about this place?? About a year ago a friend sends me a photo and I was blown away.... I figure why not take a trip here on Mother's day! The drive is around Twin Peaks, so you can see hidden views all over. Beware of parking, as signs says NO Parking in certain area's. Upon entering I was looking forward to take a candid on the swing but I noticed bummer someone took it off! A little disappointed but the breathtaking views took me in awe. A pure Gem! I heart SF!! read more
This is always part of my jog around the neighborhood. I'm lucky enough to witness its ever-changing landscapes over the seasons and throughout the years. I enjoy that the paths are cleared now and free of thorny blackberry bushes, but I do miss the swing that used to hang from the tree. There are sweeping views of the cityscape. Popular times to come are sunset and sunrise (of course). So among tourists, dog-walkers, hikers and joggers, you might also find more people parked at the top enjoying the view while smoking weed. By all means, live your best life! read more
Swing your way to the top, my darling! :) That's exactly what I did for Sunday Funday yesterday. What a perfect afternoon spent experiencing this amazing hidden gem of SF with my bestie! The address gets you in the residential area up in the hills. Plenty of parking; I remember that the sign said no parking between 10pm to 6am, I think. Walk along the pathway towards down the hill along the wood steps & you will almost instantly spot the tree with the rope/wood plank swing. There are two swings- one with the rope & wood plank seat while the other one is just of a rope. We both tried the wood plank one which was the less scarier one. Next time I'll try the other one. Such a wonderful place indeed. Beautiful view of this city that I love and being able to be a kid again! LOVE! read more
12 years ago
Wonderful swinging on a rope and scenic urban city view! You do it for the moment, the glee on hopping on to the swing and weeeeeee...smile for the picture snapshot! It's a bliss and a pleasant breeze while on the rope! read more
Awesome view point of the city here and it never really gets crowded! Mainly because there's not much to do but check out the swing and take pictures. Street parking is always plentiful and it's a short walk down the steps where the swing is. The swing always seems to change whenever I come here! It was a skateboard, then a wooden plank, and now it's an orange cone! Definitely check this place out if you haven't had a chance yet. A go-to spot when I have people visiting - we always make a stop here! read more
This place is awesome! There are three swings tied to the tree branches overlooking an amazing view of the city. It seems a little sketchy but it's definitely sturdy. My friends and I bought sandwiches from Ike's Place and drove here to enjoy our lunch. Then we took turns swinging and taking pictures of each other. TIP #1: Try to come on a clear day. Don't come on a foggy day! TIP #2: My friend said it's even more amazing at nighttime, so I'll be sure to do that next time! read more
It was incredibly windy up here when I came so unfortunately I couldn't stay long to admire the awesome view. The swings were too high up to reach when I came which was disappointing but if there's a will then there's a way (even if that way involves dangerous tree climbing and rope swinging maneuvers). However, on a positive note, I really like admiring the houses around this area. Seriously prime real estate. The houses in this area all have ceiling to floor wide windows with which they can admire the glorious city scape. I'm envious of those house owners. This place has a long staircase that leads down to the tree with the swing. Come here if you're a swinger. Or if you're in for a mood swing. "Shawty swing my way, you sure look good to me so would you please swing my way." read more
Finding out that this park is a mere 10 minute walk from my house, AWESOMEEE! For the non-adventurous, there is a fenced off plateau where you can view the entire city skyline. For the adventurous, there's a swing off the tree....I literally just climbed up and used my momentum to swing, but I'll admit, it's probably easier with a partner pushing you. Regardless, the view is amazing! read more
8 years ago
I walked here to watch the sunrise one sunny morning and it was absolutely stunning! Just a word of caution though - I walked here alone and felt very uneasy when I realized I was the only person there when a crazed homeless guy showed up. He started following me around and harassing me and I didn't have any way of defending myself. He suddenly left and I went the other way. Next time I won't go alone. read more
Honestly there's more than enough review to give the details about the not-so-big-dirt-path park, the often cut-down swing, and the gorgeous view. I am writing this review (my 200th!!!) because the bf deserves some recognitions! We visited on Aug 14 and back then I wasn't aware that someone often cut down the swing. I was devastated when we got there and seeing no swing. After much pleading and nagging, the bf decided that he will build a swing for me to swing on and take pictures. Sadly, it seems like as of today, the swing is gone AGAIN! Dude it cost me $30 to get the supplies from Homedepot and the bf risking his life climbing up the trees. I should have stick with my original plan of using steel chain. Thank you Mr. P for building me the swing! read more
What a wonderful treasure hidden near Diamond Heights! Today was my first time visiting Billy Goat Hill and my friend and I were a little nervous after seeing Angela I's review from 10/11 saying the swing was broken (thanks for the heads up!) but there was a swing up and running! It was really fun to swing on and the day was so beautiful you couldn't help but feel like you were in elementary school again. I would suggest wearing sneakers because there are a lot of steps to take to get there and an uneven dirt path to go through to get to the actual swing. And don't forget to be touristy and take lots of pictures! Even if you don't go on the swing, the view is beautiful and on a clear day, you get to see a lot of the city. Will definitely be coming back! read more
11 years ago
Another SF tourist trap. Sorta. I've been here twice. The first time I went here was during the day. I took a couple of friends from out of town. The swing was in tact & there was one other group taking pics but there is a section with a view that is fenced off that can serve as an alternative or a distraction while you wait. A line can form rather quickly & you can't really take your time taking the pics you want to take because everyone is just standing there waiting for you. Just sayin' I went here at midnight the second time, &&&& my oh my, don't do it unless you're with a big group. Getting to the swing is SUUUUUUPER dark & although it's in a nice neighborhood it's still creepy & can have a couple of wanderers just posting up. The view at night though is GORG! City lights have always been a weakness of mine. OH! But when we got there, the swing was cut down. It was quite sad, actually. So it's a gamble if the swing is up or not from reading the other reviews. They should have a website that states if there is a swing up or not. SUGGESTION BOX! But all in all, AMAZING views of part of the city & a great novelty idea for both tourists & locals alike :) read more
This was so much fun! The park was a little hard to find, but it was worth it! I wouldn't exactly call it a park though. There's a rope swing at the top of some stairs that makes for some killer pictures. Awesome views of the city!!! read more
I love these hidden parks spread throughout the area with these ridiculous SF views. This park is certainly more than just the swing and keep in mind it comes and goes without any warning. I've seen people park their cars, walk a few steps in to see that the swing is gone and they'd turn back around into their cars. The popularity of this park seemed to have grown as of late due to social media (admittedly this park offers some great photo ops) so it's sadly no longer a secret only known to locals. A nice park to enjoy with your dog(s) as well. read more
11 years ago
Before we went to SF, I read reviews that the swing was already gone--only ropes were there. So we still checked this place out for the views, but when we got there, the swing was back!! The views were incredible: if you like the views also check out Twin Peaks. It's a neighborhood park and houses around here are nice. It's also a pretty great workout with the stairs, too. I heard that the fence weren't there before, but for safety purposes, it had to be there. Check it out if you're near the area. It's somewhat secluded! read more
12 years ago
This was my first time here and I have to say this place is a MUST if you are visiting San Francisco! Beautiful view of the city as well as killer photo opportunities. The swing is pretty difficult and scary to get onto, but it is definitely worth it! My heart was beating fast and I got an adrenaline rush. However, it's very relaxing when swinging and enjoying the view. Good news is, if you happen to fall, the hill isn't too steep to kill you. You'd only tumble down and get some bruises. Overall, it's a great place for memorable experiences. I will definitely be revisiting! read more
Great view of the city! Comes with a rope for you to hang yourself....but we just grabbed it and swung around! If you want to do this, I advise you to bring a pair of gloves because it really hurts your hands. Apparently there use to be a swing here...too bad it's not around anymore. But swinging on a rope and almost getting butt fucked on your way down by a big tree branch is also quite the thrill. read more
11 years ago
One of the most charming views of San Francisco I have seen so far. Really lovely, pretty...do not expect to see that swing anymore, though. I knew I would not find it, so I did not get frustrated, but that was the reason why I discovered this place (though a picture of a friend posted on Facebook swinging on that tree with THAT view). It is off the beaten touristy path and the neighbors are really friendly there! My friend and are were talking (loud as usual) and we were asked several times where we were from and initiate conversation. Breathtaking views, pretty houses with many flowers and plants. A very romantic point in SF (not suitable for picnics, though, we carry our cute wicker basket for nothing). read more
11 years ago
Let me start off by saying- Do not listen to google maps to reach this point walking. It took me an hour with all the hill climbing I did. To find this location you must know to enter the dirt path which I didn't and wandered into the area. The swing was missing and to be honest I don't think I would have tried it despite the fact that was the sole reason for the visit with the bonus view. It's a dirty path so I would not recommend wearing open toe shoes. My sneakers got filthy and so did the bottom of my jeans. (Now I have to go back to my room and change) The views are amazing from any angle so bring your selfie stick or another person to take photos of you if that's your thing. It was a family of 3 when I arrived which was leaving and before I left a group of two. Safe to assume not many people visit that area. read more
12 years ago
I love taking my dog here! I just hate pulling all the foxtails out of her fur because Rec & Park doesn't trim them. Also the rope swing is gone! Whoever did that is a dickhead. The last swing that was there was VERY nice. It had a rubber coating on the seat. It's nice when there's no riffraff or thugs drinking booz & smoking cigarettes then leaving all their crap & trash behind. The path near the rope hanging from the tree is slippery as heck from erosion. It's where there's a gap in between the set of stairs. Be careful or you'll slip and fall on your ass. I've seen that happen to people! Rec & Park needs to build stairs there too!! Other than that, it's a nice place for dogs to go and for you to get a workout from 9 flights of stairs! read more
12 years ago
Swing on hill overlooking the city. So San Francisco. Only in this city would there be a swing on a hill with one of the most gorgeous views of SF. It's a shame I'm terrified of heights and could not even sit on that thing for more than 10 seconds without freaking out. My friends had fun swinging on it though. And if you're like me who has borderline acrophobia, you can still enjoy the pretty view and take some awesome shots of the city! Tip: watch out for mosquitoes! read more
12 years ago
Gorgeous view! A place that must be known as a must see for tourists. I feel like the amount of popularity this place gets does not do it justice. The dirt roads are kind of slippery so beware. There are two swings: one you can sit on and another that you can stand on. They're both freaking awesome to try and you can take great pictures on them with San Francisco right behind you ! read more
19 years ago
Good Lord this hill is fantastic! Admittedly I was petrified of the rope swing and did not partake. It was mostly due to the fact that is was 7am and the city was blanketed in a stereotypical fog monster. read more
11 years ago
Here one day, gone the next. Seriously stopped by yesterday and the swing was intact. Come back the next morning and it's cut down AGAIN!!! Who is cutting down the swing and why?! True mystery. The view is still spectacular despite it being swing-less. Bummer. read more
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More info about Billy Goat Hill
300 Beacon St
San Francisco, CA 94131
Glen Park
Directions
Hours
Outdoor Amenities
Ask the Community - Billy Goat Hill
Anyone experience getting ticks st Billy Goat hill -? My dog had half a dozen after we walked there
Is the swing really gone? Any other swings in SF for a killer IG photo?
The swing has been gone and due to safety measures, is kept gone. Come for the peace and quiet and lovely view!
Is the swing still there?
Unfortunately not. I was there about a month ago. All that remains is part of the rope
Review Highlights - Billy Goat Hill
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