There are not many non-tourist places left in the city with access to the S.F. bay waters and with…read morefree parking a hop and a skip away. Granted you have to like looking at old pier pilings and ship yards. It is very industrial. There are picnic benches and a fishing pier which makes a nice alternative to staying cooped up in an office all day. I wonder how much longer we San Franciscans will have this park with all of the condos and office spaces being built in Mission Bay. Catch it while you can.

I walk by here everyday with my dog…read more.... If you want to score some crack, get your dog's feet cut up with broken glass, and see some used needles on the ground.....then yes, by all means, visit. But otherwise, wait until all the construction is finished and then come on over....it WILL be a lovely place but not until then. If you do come here, just be careful if you are by yourself after dark. There are some sketchy people around here at night hanging around in their cars. It does have a nice view of the bay, but unfortunately, at this time I would recommend getting this awesome view at The Ramp.

Beautiful park by some of the most iconic places in San Francisco. Close by to Grace Cathedral,…read moreFairmont Hotel, the Mark Hopkins Hotel, and the Huntington Hotel. Thus, this park is meticulously manicured and decorated year round, especially stunning during the holidays with decorative lights. Right in the center of the park, there's a fountain here replicated after the Fontana delle Tartarughe (Fountain of the Turtles) in Rome. With how it's laid out, it's picturesque and very popular with locals and visitors. On the side, there's a playground for kids. I remember coming here for Easter egg hunts when I was younger. Now, I bring my pup here occasionally for photos. Located in the middle flanked by 4 streets: California St, Taylor St, Sacramento St, and Cushman St and is reachable by car or via public transportation like the #1 California bus and the cable car - California line. If you choose to walk, you will need to hike up/ or down the hills depending on which directions you are coming from.

What a cute park! It's so clean and well maintained…read more The only downside is having to run around trying to find a bathroom. It's also a little trickier than other parks to access via public transit.

Brannan Street Wharf Park has long been part of my routine. Back when I was more disciplined about…read morejogging, my route often took me right past it. Even now, it stands out as one of those smaller neighborhood parks that quietly does its job well. It's not a large space, but it's consistently active. In the afternoons, you'll usually find dog owners, nearby office workers on a break, and people just looking for a place to sit and enjoy the waterfront. It feels well used and appreciated by the South Beach community. There's also an interesting backstory here. This area was once part of San Francisco's working waterfront, with older maritime structures like Pier 36 occupying the space. Over time, as those structures aged and were no longer in use, the area was redeveloped as part of a broader effort to improve public access along the Embarcadero. Today, the park offers a grassy lawn, picnic spots, a waterfront promenade, and unique tidal columns that reflect changing bay water levels. It's a great place to pause, people-watch, walk your dog, or take in views of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. A nice reminder that even smaller parks can add a lot to a neighborhood.

Sittin' in the mornin' sun, I'll be sittin' when the evenin'…read morecome Watchin' the ships roll in, And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah... I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay Watchin' the tide roll away Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay Wastin' time... With so much effort placed on renovating the Embarcadero north of the Bay Bridge (including the installation of the Bay Lights), it seems to be taking forever and a day to see similar improvements along the waterfront to AT&T Park. Fraught with controversy over the America's Cup and the pending construction of the Warriors stadium, the area has finally seen one unmitigated improvement in the opening of the new Brannan Street Wharf. At first glance, it doesn't appear to have much to it. No shops. No clam chowder in sourdough. No Bushman. Just a long lawn along with an open walkway dotted with picnic tables and benches. A group of benches are lined up under a shade structure (photo: http://bit.ly/15CuXcR). I left my home in Georgia, Headed for the 'Frisco bay 'Cause I've had nothing to live for, And look like nothin's gonna come my way. So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay Watchin' the tide roll away Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay Wastin' time... The most arresting feature is the trio of red elevated tidal columns with bumblebee colors that visually depict the ebb and flow of tides in order to gage the fluctuating water levels in the bay (photo: http://bit.ly/17s4IGD). The tops of the columns bob up and down according to the tides. There's a series of panels depicting the history of the waterfront (photo: http://bit.ly/19hcgPW), and you get quite a nice view of the Bay Bridge, at least for now before the stadium will likely block it out (photo: http://bit.ly/17MCsEP). But I m happy to read that metal skateboard-deterrent strips are installed. Bayside Market, Delancey Street Restaurant, and South Beach Cafe are all just across the Embarcadero, so you definitely have al fresco dining options available. Look like nothing's gonna change. Everything still remains the same. I can't do what ten people tell me to do, So I guess I'll remain the same, yes... Sittin' here resting my bones And this loneliness won't leave me alone It's two thousand miles I roamed Just to make this dock my home Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay Watching the tide roll away Oooo-wee, sittin' on the dock of the bay Wastin' time...

There isnt really anything here besides a dirt path going around the perimeter of the park, fenced…read morefor your safety, with a view of the city. Mostly trees and soil. Careful with your footing if going off the path. More like a super short dog walking park if you're already in the area walking the neighborhood I appreciate it is open and available to the public. Offers a short walk and city viewing spot. There's also something special about knowing a secret/hidden park that not many go to Street parking

If you are motivated enough to climb to the top of this hill in Glen Park, there is a small secret…read morepark with a great view! I think only locals pop in here to walk their dog because there is no parking and no facilities. Just some woods, a few wild flowers and a beautiful view! Life is good with a hidden rarely visited park!

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.

When I stopped going to the dog park with our husky puppy, my world opened up. I started…read morediscovering more of Mission Bay that I wouldn't have otherwise. Now my new favorite place to hang out is Mission Bay Commons Park on Mission Bay Blvd between 3rd St and Terry A Francois Blvd. It's right next to the UCSF Mission Bay housing. I come here in the middle of the day during the week to take a break from work. The park is usually empty, which leaves us plenty of space to run around! There are benches for the humans to sit on while your pup sniffs around the bushes and flowers. It's very calming and relaxing. I also love the crowd that comes here, when I do run into other humans and dogs. It's different from those that go to the Mission Creek Dog Park. Lots of dogs have stopped going like we have, so it's more 1-on-1 rather than congregating hoards of unknown canines in one place. Much more manageable. Anyways, this is a great park to hang out at, whether or not you have a dog. Check it out!

The greenery and scenery are nice. I walked the length of the park expecting something to be…read moredifferent, but most everything was uniform. There were some interesting design details, including the weird bench extensions (perfect for your to-go container or your backpack), the side paths, and the disguised dangerous street that bisects the park but that gives absolutely no indication that it's not a sidewalk (it's level with the rest of the park!); but what really blew me away was the diversity of beautiful plant life. The landscaping is five-star-worthy, but even while I was admiring it, I couldn't forget all those Bayer employees standing around waiting for their shuttle. I came after work on a Wednesday and spent twenty-five minutes here, and during that time, I saw exactly two people and one dog enjoying the park--make that one person and one dog, because the guy sitting on the grass was yapping away on his phone the entire time I was here. I can't believe they used actual wood for the gradual steps on the park's eastern end, but then I was shocked that the drinking fountains worked and were clean as well. I really want to love Mission Bay Commons, but it just feels so corporate. Some kind of water element would have been nice, and maybe some sculptures? Yes, that's it; this park needs art, and soon. Something big and flashy and colorful and moving. Or weird, something weird. What this park doesn't need is more glass and shiny steel--the cookie-cutter buildings around it have plenty of those two elements.

This puts the "mini" in mini park, but it's a well maintained grassy area with four benches. Walk…read moreup the hill on Broadway for some spectacular views. I'm a fan and surprised this wasn't already on Yelp!

It's gorgeous, but the place (and all of Golden Gate Park) needs better signs. If you don't know…read moreexactly where your party is, you could waste a lot of time driving and/or walking around. There's plenty of room to run around, play, fly kites, attract/avoid seagulls. If your kid wants to go in the jumpy-jump but you don't know whose jumpy-jump it is, who cares? Sidle up, surreptitiously learn the name of the birthday boy or girl, and drop that name like it's hot if anyone asks you anything. This review is almost over, but why are there suddenly French people arguing animatedly downstairs? What is going on with my neighborhood? I really can't imagine my downstairs neighbors inviting a bunch of Frenchman and -women over. Maybe they're next door? They all sound like Jean-Baptiste, which is both comforting and slightly frustrating. It's June 21, 2014, by the way, and I believe this is review No. 1,999. At least they're listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Now if that one French cover band could only get a singer. I'm pretty happy that Aaminah invited me to her graduation party at Lindley Meadow. I love Golden Gate Park. Even without better signs.

We went here yesterday for a baby shower. This was a busyyyy park. Parking was a bit of a pain. We…read moreended up parking almost a mile away from where our group was meeting. They had bathrooms with toilet paper, soap and running water. (Hard to find sometimes at local parks). There were tons of people for various occasions. There were fields with lacrosse games, there was some sort of music festival/concert, family reunions, people just hanging out, people celebrating birthdays, and of course us there for a baby shower. Our friends got there around 10:30 am to set up and got great parking. I think the earlier the better to get a parking spot close to where you want to hang out. We didn't get there until 1:30 pm.