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Candlestick Point State Recreation Area

4.1 (33 reviews)
Open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Updated 1 month ago

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A beautifully back-lit recycle bin trumps the distraction of its jealous surroundings. A new home for trash lining my car's floor.
Justin H.

What I love about this place is that it's a quiet, hidden, well -conceived gem nestled in an industrial neighborhood of unfinished afterthoughts. The approach to this recreation area will dare you to turn and flee for your life and offer you multiple opportunities to do just that. DON'T DO IT. If you can just hang in there a little longer and ignore the blight and poverty stricken neighborhood, endure the roads[?] I guess, I don't know what else to call them, if you can just keep telling yourself that some guy on Google Maps said there's a treasure beyond the signs reading "ABANDON ALL HOPE" and "AHEAD, PERIL AWAITS THEE", if you can brave this gauntlet of doom harbingers, you will be rewarded with a paved parking lot with plenty of parking spaces, restrooms, a number of trails with access to multiple day-use picnic areas, and some of the most stunning sea-level views of the San Francisco bay that Northern California offers. And I should know, I'm a black guy. It's a big enough recreation area for every visitor to feel they have the entire place to themselves. Oh sure, there's the occasional naked guy sitting in his car doing drugs and watching porn, but I'm only there on random weekday mornings and occasional Sunday evenings. Just mind your own f**king business and there won't be any problems. In fact, now that I think about it, this place is awful. You should never visit. Your instinct is correct and you should heed every warning. The fresh air and peaceful solitude are toxic for your health and mental well-being. If you want to live a long and happy life, stay away from this recreation area, and definitely don't bring a dog, or some friends, or ribs for the grill, or a drone to fly, or a bike to ride. Just stay home and watch tv because tv is good for you. A 2023 study I just made up shows that 9 out of 10 avid watchers of television were not responsible for the devastating hurricanes that battered communities along the Mexican Gulf. In fact, the study goes on to prove that all 10 out of 10 avid watchers of television were not responsible for anything at all. So, television is your safest bet. Leave the parks and recreation areas to the deadly hook-bearing fishermen with their eerie patience and their "lite-beer", and to those barbarians who partake in the brutal act of the afternoon stroll. They offend me the most.

Montage of images from Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
Ed U.

When I took the isolated Candlestick Park exit off 101, I wasn't surprised at the huge condo buildings you pass by since I could see them clearly from the freeway heading up to the city. No, the surprise for me came after I crossed the crest of the hill that led to this park. Almost immediately, I came upon the overwhelming and rather somber sight of an army of RVs, trucks and vans all parked on the side of the road one after the other. This was no recreational, family-friendly caravan. It was more nihilistic because the homeless population has exploded, and this relatively unmonitored area has attracted what felt like a huge population of people living in their vehicles. Honestly it was hard to absorb the scope at first sight, and I think it would motivate most people to make a U-turn. The pandemic also forced the closure of the park's parking lot, so I was left to park further down the road and walk back to what I assumed was the main entrance. Given all that, the park itself was pleasant enough even if it was overrun with foxtails and feral squirrels (photo: https://bit.ly/2X9QQIA). There are walking paths that hug the shoreline which attracts a good variety of waterfowl. There are also well spaced barbecue areas which drew small groups when I was there as did the fishing pier. Perhaps when the parking lot reopens, I shall return but likely not before. It felt like the set of "Mad Max". Cue for Tina Turner to sing "One of the Living". RELATED - Exploring Hunter's Point? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3AOvRKv

Elisha A.

The park has been shut down since Covid. Located across the street from 49ers stadium. Huge chains lock the gates and boulders block the parking lot enterance now. Other than that there is minimal activity in the surroundings. Bikers and hikers still linger along with some city fishers. This is my dad and I favorite chill spot. Such a lovely view and always the perfect temperature sunshine with a breeze. It's also So sad to see my 49ers stadium reminans abandoned. This place was once the lively places to be when visiting San Francisco now it's just a memory.

Tiffany S.

This park is BEAUTIFUL! It's huge and filled with active wildlife. If you come on the weekend it is packed and busy full of families having birthday parties and children swimming in the bay. People go all out with bounce houses, balloons, etc! There is never ending bbqs and picnic tables here. They've really done a good job providing faucets, trash cans, bear proof food storage areas, etc. If you come in the morning you can see sea lions! There are all kinds of birds and it is very popular to come fishing here along the docks. It is really clean now that the weather is good and the park & recreation has mowed all the overgrown parts. The park is well kept and I always see park rangers on duty. It takes hours to walk through the entire park and it's a great running trail! Tons of parking as well! Make sure you go to the main part because the beginning is a little shadier and theres unfortunately a ton of trash from people drinking and leaving their glass bottles everywhere.

Koko M.

They really need to repave the roads getting to and around the park areas. I have heard this referred to as California's 1st Urban State recreation area and in the next 3-4 years it will be one of only two camping locations inside the San Francisco City limits. I am so happy to have discovered this area and it has plenty of parking near the Jack Rabbit location. Bathrooms were decent, but I recommend packing a small hand sanitizer to utilize. We are in the midst of reshaping and building the park area up a bit for the future campgrounds in Jack Rabbit location.. be careful around the work areas. Enjoy the beautiful sites and views! Perfect place to sneak away and have a private picnic or date retreat of just reading beside the water without driving too far. Enjoy!

Wes M.

I'd love nothing more than to watch the Seahawks in person when they play in San Francisco every year, but the simple fact is I can't justify the price, not when I've got a perfectly good HDTV to watch them on, and plenty of sports bars for that matter (although I dursn't root for Seattle in an SF bar, do I?). Besides, none of my other friends are that into football. Long story short, I'm not likely to ever see the inside of Monster Park. But that's no reason to leave this corner of the city unexplored, is it? When I first saw the park service map of Candlestick Point SRA, I thought "wow, how have I overlooked this for so long?". But then again, McLaren Park looked pretty impressive on a map too. You just never know in the Bayview. So, given my ambivalent expectations, Candlestick Point turned out to be pretty impressive on the whole. In the soft winter light, with a haze over the still waters blocking any view of the east bay, and with the fishermen all staying home because of the oil spill, it was an incredibly peaceful place that feels far removed from the rest of the city, which, geographically, it pretty much is. The whole place is impressively large, and the park shoreline stretches a long way from the main entrance in both directions, but the obvious highlight is the walk out to Sunrise Point and the fishing pier there, from which you can get a great view of Mt San Bruno and the upper peninsula shoreline. There's a ton of picnic areas, many of which actually looked inviting (although the park service was a little over-zealous with the wind barriers, if you ask me). There's also an insane amount of squirrels running around, and lots of ducks in the cove. All in all, not a bad place for an afternoon stroll, and an excellent addition to any morning bike ride. I thought I could mosey over to Bayview Park as well (that's the giant hill behind the stadium), but it turns out the only access is from the NW side. Next time I guess.

Orchestra for Natives of the future
Infodiva B.

California's 1st "Urban" state recreation area. since 1973. With windsurfing, bike paths, and hiking offered here, I don't know why I never discovered this area before. Plenty of parking. There are picnic areas. You have to reserve any of the 4 group sites. There is a art exhibit. There is a sculpture which consists of percussion instruments & steel drums. I am a big fan of the San Francisco Bay Trail for the excellent views and access to the the recreation areas, piers, and beaches. I loved sitting on a picnic table near the fishing pier. I can only imagine sunrise here is beautiful.

Someone beat me 2 the pic. Lol. Old school. We miss our niners
Nick M.

Nice and quiet even though there ms a freeway close by. A lot of graffiti too lol. Overall if you're a Shaolin monk/ninja in training you'll like the peaceful vibe of the area. Parkings,easy it's a sandlot of sorts. If you just washed your car don't take it there lol.

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7 years ago

Every morning I take my dog out for a jog. The view is beautiful & the air is fresh. Thanks

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7 years ago

I often come here during my free time. I love how peaceful it is! And the view is great.

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So glad I discovered this place. Super peaceful and my dogs love it. And it has gorgeous views and lots of wildlife!

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Ask the Community - Candlestick Point State Recreation Area

Review Highlights - Candlestick Point State Recreation Area

All in all, not a bad place for an afternoon stroll, and an excellent addition to any morning bike ride.

Mentioned in 2 reviews

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Just past SF this park has so many different trail options perfect for all hiking levels. The…read moredownside is this place gets PACKED! My sister and I arrived before 8am at the Watershed parking lot and barely found a space. We did the trail that took us to the West Point Inn for the pancake breakfast and round trip was close to 5 miles so it was a great workout. There's gorgeous views and well! On the way back to the 101 however it's a mess. The road on the way down is crowded with parked cars, which makes driving through challenging. That's the only thing about this park, other than that I'd love to come back in spring when everything is green and vibrant!

My first association of Mt Tam is from Cowgirl Creamery's best seller, Mt Tam Triple Cream with…read moreHeart cheese. Ever since then, I've wanted to hike this peak, today I have achieved my wish. Early June with mild coastal temp, 50s-60s. Started up Matt Davis Trail in the foggy forest, to Pantoll Campground, to West Point Inn where we can look down to the top of the fog layer, to the Fire Lookout building at the Peak. Then we came down reverse but split off to Steep Ravine and Dip Sea trail after the campground. I've also always wanted to climb that ladder. This hike provided views of the Pacific ocean on the West as well as views of Richmond-San Rafael Bridge on the East side. I thoroughly enjoyed the cool lush forest, but actually my favorite section was the single track along the slope of the open area after the Mt Tam State Park sign.

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Imagine a huge rectangle. Make it a park with grass and hills, flowers, trees, some fountains... I…read moredunno, throw in a big lake, some world-class Art and Science museums, and a dome where concerts and shows perform in the Summer. Let's also close down the streets from cars one day a week in the Summer so people can ride their bikes, skate, rollerblade, play and dance in the streets! How about on some warm weekend days we put huge concerts there that fill the grass for as far as the eye can see so people can bring all their friends to enjoy food, drinks, and music together. And the lake... let's make it so people can rent boats, and if they don't or can't row, they can peddle so they, too, can enjoy the waterfall and life on the lake! Let's also have beautiful statues around the park, definitely a Shakespeare Garden, and let's throw in something for garden lovers, like a Botanical Garden (a big one) and a Conservatory of Flowers. For more culture, let's add a Japanese Tea Garden with more lakes and flowers, and even a bridge in the shape of a circle. Let's also make this accessible to everyone, so some days, the museums are free (ie, usually once a month). And some entrance fees are lower for locals. (Check the websites.) Aaaaaand this is Golden Gate Park, and this is my favorite park in California, if not the entire country.

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What you lose in challenging elevation changes, you gain in stunning views and greenery. Lafayette…read morepark is an iconic location in San Francisco and a place that serves regular park goers, those who want to play tennis, those with kids, as well as our four legged friends. The park is beautifully maintained, with clean walking paths, manicured gardens, and enough benches and seating spaces. You can easily find a little corner to make your own for a bit. There is a rather large and modern kids playground and even more large grassy areas, both for those who want to lounge and for the dogs that want to run around. Overall, Lafayette Park is yet another gem that makes San Francisco special.

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Candlestick Point State Recreation Area - parks - Updated May 2026

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