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What a lovely way to end a supercharged workweek. This park is hidden among residential homes in Russian Hill. Wear super comfortable walking shoes because your badazz stilettos will not make the uphill trek on Taylor street. Once you get here the views are spectacular and breathtaking. There are benches along the path where you can sit and marvel at the beautiful city. Although you cannot watch the sunset since it sets behind the park, this is a great place to watch a solemn moonrise.
The best tucked away park in SF! I've been meaning to come here for a while but happened to pass through on a quick night walk and got to see some of the Lunar Nee Year fireworks in Chinatown from Ina Coolbrith park! Also felt super safe around here at night, there were a few other people as well just hanging out :)
i'm a lover of the views... even if i have to walk up a 45° angle hill to get to the end! i like hiking in general anyway so it wasn't that bad. i lov how quiet and smol it is. good luck with parking tho lmaooo
Probably one of the best kept secrets in San Francisco.... so I guess I'll change all that and yap - I mean Yelp about it. The locals places in the city can be the most enjoyable. Underrated and unknown for most and unless you have some real good reason to check every park in the city most would never find this place. I have two good reasons to check out every park in the city. Those reasons are called Rinks and Sweets. They like to sniff, sniff, sniff!!! Every new place is a great place for them. Rules of the park are on a few signs at entrance points. Smoking, camping, climbing and unleashed dogs are all no nos. There is a sign of the namesake: Ina Donna Coolbrith shes known as the native daughter of the Golden West. If you want to know more maybe just read the sign. Its all there. City skyline views are somehow better than viewed from the east bay where the Salesforce tower seems to stick out a little too far. Cobblestone walkways, old trees and beautiful views. Its something both you and your furry friends can enjoy together.
Tucked away on the edge of Russian hill, this is a great place to escape from the noise of the city. The park is surrounded by some of the largest most gorgeous houses, and there are luscious green leafy plants everywhere. I had just grabbed coffee from a local coffee shop and was looking for somewhere to sit and enjoy my drink. You have to climb up a decent amount of stairs to get up to the top of the park, but the view is worth it, and there are a few shaded benches around 3/4 of the way up you can rest at. You can see a beautiful view of the bay bridge and coit tower. If you walk farther yo there are more benches at the top with views of Alcatraz. This park is also a nice pit stop if you're looking for somewhere to workout/stretch (saw a lot of people doing that on the sidewalks).
Beautiful - green and lush with spectacular views. A hidden oasis in the city. As you go up you will take in wonderful views of the city and then down the stairs to a flatter area where you can sit and relax.
** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** So I was taking one of my more random walks in the city when I found myself in North Beach with a sudden desire to go to Polk Gulch. Like I said, random...like a tourist with directional Tourette's. Now I've actually walked through the Broadway Tunnel once, but the combination of speeding vehicles, echo effects, and exhaust fumes just doesn't appeal to me. Alternatively I've climbed the steep hill on Broadway, and it was just an endless flight of concrete steps. As I meandered on Vallejo Street, I unexpectedly came upon this steeply positioned park which provides the most reasonable climb to scale Russian Hill. That's because it primarily zig-zags the hill with benches and foliage along the way. As I gained elevation, the views became more and more panoramic stretching from Coit Tower to the FiDi. It's worth a sit just to take it in before continuing onto Jones Street at the top of Russian Hill. The homes are definitely fancier up there, and better yet, I had a direct path to Polk. Desire fulfilled. What next? RELATED - Exploring Russian Hill? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2IfTVOB
Wanted to explore somewhere new today and stumbled upon Ina Coolbrith Park. Short hike with steep stairs but honestly so worth it! The views were amazing from the top! Can't believe this place exist and right in San Francisco! Truly a hidden gem and would love to come back next time for a photo shoot!
Great views of the downtown skyline, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and Coit Tower. It's a nice park with many benches to sit and enjoy the view. I use it as a stopping point for an urban hike adventure in Russian hill. There are many staircases in this neighborhood like Macondray Lane, Greet Street, Vallejo, Lombard, etc. that you can make a route and get a workout. Parking is pretty difficult so I usually park on Bay street and loop around which usually takes about 2 miles.
Cute place for pics & a nice view!! Plus there's benches to sit on. It's also not so hectic and crowded which was nice. We also found parking not too far so that says a lot for SF! Highly recommend if you want a place to chat or have lunch:D
This pint-sized park features a steep path & views of the city & bay. There are plenty of benches to relax and enjoy the beautiful greenery, or climb the steps that give you a great vantage point of the city at the top. If you're lucky, you'll time your visit with the Telegraph Hill parrots, often heard chattering in the trees. I've been here on ample occasions through the pandemic but haven't had a chance to view them.
I've never reviewed a park on Yelp before but I fell in love the views here, so much so that I felt obliged to type up something and post my pictures. It's located near the edge of Chinatown and North Beach. I walked from downtown and was able to avoid most of the hills in that area by walking up Columbus and making a left on Vallejo. There's not much to the park itself, just a couple of paths and benches. When I went on a Friday afternoon around 1:30 pm, it was pretty empty with only a handful of people. On a clear day, you can catch some amazing views of downtown and Coit Tower. You can see part of Alcatraz as well but the view is obstructed by some buildings. I've found my new go to spot for a mid-work walk. I will definitely be back!
Neat hidden/small park with breathtaking views of the city! There's not much to this park besides a strip of benches and some greenery walking up the southern steep steps. Saw a cat which was awesome. It strolled past nonchalantly but stopped for pats and for sniffing out our food. Great place to eat a sando from little Italy or dimsum from Chinatown.
This park might get even more crowded after I post this! Someone on social media mentioned that if you want to see the wild parrots that fly around San Francisco, you should come to this park around 4:30 pm. The parrots are here daily, but after about an hour or so of socializing, they take off again. We actually saw these parrots about 6-8 years ago, around dusk near the Filbert Steps, while sitting on a bench. We were completely mesmerized watching the flock flying and hanging out among the trees. At the time, we had never even heard of wild parrots living in San Francisco! But it's safe to say the flock has grown--and so has their following! It's definitely no longer a secret! Curiosity got us trekking up a few hills to reach Ina Coolbrith Park. But what a sight and sound when we arrived! There were so many parrots perched in the trees, along with finches and doves happily sharing the branches with them. We also spotted feeders that help provide food for the birds. It honestly felt like an open-air bird sanctuary! So, if you wanna see the parrots, be sure to get there around 4:30-5 PM. The photos I took were around 5 PM, and by 5:30, they were gone! They possibly flew over to the Filbert Steps afterward, but that's just my guess, so don't quote me! read more
Current frontrunner for favorite small SF park. Tiered, 4 or 5 levels?, and so well designed. Seems like it stays less busy. Leads with a flat area and benches near the entrance. Winding pathways and a variety of stairs through the middle as well alongside gorgeous, colorful flowers and trees. Great city views up top, including sweeping views of Alcatraz Island and smaller cities/islands. Staircase on either side for easy access. So jealous of the folks living in those picturesque apts! Most importantly, I saw someone post a pic of the resident parrots on Instagram today that apparently live there -- bummed they didn't make an appearance for us but aw.. I'm so happy to know they have such a gorgeous home. I then went down a rabbithole and discovered that a SF resident named Mark Bittner had frequently interacted with them, wrote about them, and made a film about them with a woman who he eventually married. All thanks to birdz. An excerpt from Wiki: "He is the author of The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, the book which accompanies the film The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill... Bittner spent 14 years on the streets of San Francisco after his dream of becoming a professional musician fell apart. After many years of doing odd jobs while maintaining a The Dharma Bums-type lifestyle, he found a flock of naturalized parrots (mostly cherry-headed conures aka red-masked parakeets) in the area of Telegraph Hill. His book, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, and the documentary of the same name, by Judy Irving, describe that encounter and the relationship he formed with the birds. In 2006, Judy married Mark Bittner after the two fell in love during the filming of Parrots." Come here and fall in love. with the parrots, a human, or just the view. read more
1 year ago
What a lovely way to end a supercharged workweek. This park is hidden among residential homes in Russian Hill. Wear super comfortable walking shoes because your badazz stilettos will not make the uphill trek on Taylor street. Once you get here the views are spectacular and breathtaking. There are benches along the path where you can sit and marvel at the beautiful city. Although you cannot watch the sunset since it sets behind the park, this is a great place to watch a solemn moonrise. read more
The best tucked away park in SF! I've been meaning to come here for a while but happened to pass through on a quick night walk and got to see some of the Lunar Nee Year fireworks in Chinatown from Ina Coolbrith park! Also felt super safe around here at night, there were a few other people as well just hanging out :) read more
3 months ago
2 years ago
Probably one of the best kept secrets in San Francisco.... so I guess I'll change all that and yap - I mean Yelp about it. The locals places in the city can be the most enjoyable. Underrated and unknown for most and unless you have some real good reason to check every park in the city most would never find this place. I have two good reasons to check out every park in the city. Those reasons are called Rinks and Sweets. They like to sniff, sniff, sniff!!! Every new place is a great place for them. Rules of the park are on a few signs at entrance points. Smoking, camping, climbing and unleashed dogs are all no nos. There is a sign of the namesake: Ina Donna Coolbrith shes known as the native daughter of the Golden West. If you want to know more maybe just read the sign. Its all there. City skyline views are somehow better than viewed from the east bay where the Salesforce tower seems to stick out a little too far. Cobblestone walkways, old trees and beautiful views. Its something both you and your furry friends can enjoy together. read more
Tucked away on the edge of Russian hill, this is a great place to escape from the noise of the city. The park is surrounded by some of the largest most gorgeous houses, and there are luscious green leafy plants everywhere. I had just grabbed coffee from a local coffee shop and was looking for somewhere to sit and enjoy my drink. You have to climb up a decent amount of stairs to get up to the top of the park, but the view is worth it, and there are a few shaded benches around 3/4 of the way up you can rest at. You can see a beautiful view of the bay bridge and coit tower. If you walk farther yo there are more benches at the top with views of Alcatraz. This park is also a nice pit stop if you're looking for somewhere to workout/stretch (saw a lot of people doing that on the sidewalks). read more
** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** So I was taking one of my more random walks in the city when I found myself in North Beach with a sudden desire to go to Polk Gulch. Like I said, random...like a tourist with directional Tourette's. Now I've actually walked through the Broadway Tunnel once, but the combination of speeding vehicles, echo effects, and exhaust fumes just doesn't appeal to me. Alternatively I've climbed the steep hill on Broadway, and it was just an endless flight of concrete steps. As I meandered on Vallejo Street, I unexpectedly came upon this steeply positioned park which provides the most reasonable climb to scale Russian Hill. That's because it primarily zig-zags the hill with benches and foliage along the way. As I gained elevation, the views became more and more panoramic stretching from Coit Tower to the FiDi. It's worth a sit just to take it in before continuing onto Jones Street at the top of Russian Hill. The homes are definitely fancier up there, and better yet, I had a direct path to Polk. Desire fulfilled. What next? RELATED - Exploring Russian Hill? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2IfTVOB read more
Wanted to explore somewhere new today and stumbled upon Ina Coolbrith Park. Short hike with steep stairs but honestly so worth it! The views were amazing from the top! Can't believe this place exist and right in San Francisco! Truly a hidden gem and would love to come back next time for a photo shoot! read more
2 years ago
Great views of the downtown skyline, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and Coit Tower. It's a nice park with many benches to sit and enjoy the view. I use it as a stopping point for an urban hike adventure in Russian hill. There are many staircases in this neighborhood like Macondray Lane, Greet Street, Vallejo, Lombard, etc. that you can make a route and get a workout. Parking is pretty difficult so I usually park on Bay street and loop around which usually takes about 2 miles. read more
Cute place for pics & a nice view!! Plus there's benches to sit on. It's also not so hectic and crowded which was nice. We also found parking not too far so that says a lot for SF! Highly recommend if you want a place to chat or have lunch:D read more
5 years ago
This pint-sized park features a steep path & views of the city & bay. There are plenty of benches to relax and enjoy the beautiful greenery, or climb the steps that give you a great vantage point of the city at the top. If you're lucky, you'll time your visit with the Telegraph Hill parrots, often heard chattering in the trees. I've been here on ample occasions through the pandemic but haven't had a chance to view them. read more
I've never reviewed a park on Yelp before but I fell in love the views here, so much so that I felt obliged to type up something and post my pictures. It's located near the edge of Chinatown and North Beach. I walked from downtown and was able to avoid most of the hills in that area by walking up Columbus and making a left on Vallejo. There's not much to the park itself, just a couple of paths and benches. When I went on a Friday afternoon around 1:30 pm, it was pretty empty with only a handful of people. On a clear day, you can catch some amazing views of downtown and Coit Tower. You can see part of Alcatraz as well but the view is obstructed by some buildings. I've found my new go to spot for a mid-work walk. I will definitely be back! read more
Neat hidden/small park with breathtaking views of the city! There's not much to this park besides a strip of benches and some greenery walking up the southern steep steps. Saw a cat which was awesome. It strolled past nonchalantly but stopped for pats and for sniffing out our food. Great place to eat a sando from little Italy or dimsum from Chinatown. read more
One of the neat parks around the area that make your walk a little more nicer. At the top, you'll get great views of the city. There are different levels of paths that go up and down the street as well ans stair paths in between. Beautiful with the lush plants along the way! Benches to rest on if you want to. read more
4 years ago
8 years ago
My partner and I came across Ina Coolbrith Park while walking around San Francisco one evening. At first I didn't realize it was a park, as it's a series of paths and steps leading down (or up, depending on where you are, I suppose) a steep hill with a bench here and there, but then I noticed a placard about Ina Coolbrith*, and like a true Yelper, looked it up on Yelp, checked in, and bookmarked it to review it later. The hill is quite steep, and walking up the hill on a regular basis would be a excellent workout! *Ina Coolbrith, a poet, writer, and librarian, is the "first white child to enter California by Beckwourth Pass", according to the placard. OK... [Yelp collections: West Coast 2018; Parks and Gardens] read more
Sight for sore eyes... I never knew about this hidden gem till I saw someone post a pic on Instagram. It's crazy I worked in SF for 16.5 years by Grace cathedral and never knew what I was missing. On top of Russian hill lays this beautiful park. Just the thought of having a cup of coffee and gazing into the gorgeous view is mesmerizing. Definitely a goodie to come back. read more
6 years ago
My family and I were back in town and decided to tour around San Francisco to take advantage of the beautiful weather!! It's street parking but I really suggest to take the bus and walk up to the park. Though the walk up to the park is up hill, the views were amazing. You get to see a different angle of what you would see when you get up to the park. It's a nice little quiet park with benches to just sit & enjoy the view. Perfect for a stroll or a quick family picture! read more
Discovering hidden gems in SF makes me feel blessed to live here. Located in Russian Hill on Taylor and Vallejo streets, you can easily drive your car and swoop down and raise your hands in the air (wave 'em like you just don't care!) or do it my way: walk it up, then run down while feeling the cool breeze on your face. Stick your tongue out for maximum enjoyment. People ask me why I don't have a gym membership. Parks like this is one of the reasons why. You just need to lace up your running shoes and GO. Nothing beats the endorphin high after. If the hills don't take your breath away, the stunning views will. read more
6 years ago
I've come from across town a few times just to sit, decompress, and enjoy the views from here. I love that it's a quiet park and doesn't have the demographic you'd find at Dolores Park. There are plenty of benches and you'll get a nice workout if you walk up the hills/stairs to get here. read more
A hidden neighborhood gem, Ina Coolbrith Park offers some quiet time paired with great views of the city. It's totally worth the climb just for the view itself. I've been up here just to chill on sunny days. Bring a book, grab some snacks in Chinatown on your way up, and take your time. There are quite a few benches offering views of the Fidi or Alcatraz to the left. It is a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city if only just for a little while. It's never been crowded when I'm there so it can feel like your own private park and when paired with these views, Ina Coolbrith Park truly is a hidden neighborhood gem. read more
6 years ago
I really like this peaceful little refuge. It is a strip of stairs and benches on the east side of Russian Hill. The whole strip, from top to bottom, is full of wonderful aromas, breathtaking views, and great places to sit down and enjoy the sun. I really enjoy walking through here or just bringing a book and chilling out. It is fairly quiet and at the summit there is a small grassy patch to relax and enjoy the view. Be careful of where you sit, however, because the neighbors walk their dogs on this small patch so they can relieve themselves. All in all I highly recommend checking it out sometime. read more
9 years ago
The views here are something else. Have already been here like 3 times now and in love with this spot. It's a fairly small park with lots of stairs, flowers, benches to picnic on and gorgeous views. You have pretty much a 180 degree view starting from coit tower to the transamerica building with everything in between and on a clear day you can see the Bay Bridge and Oakland city from here. As you enter Ina's Park on Taylor and Vallejo you can enjoy the secret views of Alcatraz. I repeat, needs to be a very clear sunny day so you can soak in these beautiful views. As you exit Ina on Vallejo and Taylor, cross the street and climb up the stairs for more gorgeous views on the Russian Hill -Vallejo street crest historic district with gorgeous views and neighbourhood. read more
15 years ago
This park is a nice hidden oasis in the city with beautiful views of the city! It feels really secluded and tucked away. The park sits on a hill and at the climb to the top, you approach Russian Hill, and as you walk down, you're in Chinatown. It's a nice way to cross the city. There's lot of trees, and at the very, very top, there's a little dog park with view of Alcatraz. In the middle of the park, it opens up and there's a pathway with a row of benches that reveal a stunning skyline view. It's a magical place to relax and take in the view. It's pitch black at night, so it can be a little scary. There were some dodgy people rustling around the bushes just a little above us on the hill that startled us. I wouldn't walk here alone at night. read more
5 years ago
Most spectacular views in Russian Hill. Standing on the center of Taylor St, there are 3 angles of view. Front: Bay Bridge & Coit Tower, South: slight top view of Grace Cathedral, North: Alcatraz. read more
8 years ago
One of my many favorite park to go! Beautiful view of the whole city, you can see the bay bridge, salesforce tower, alcatraz and everything else that makes san francisco the beautiful city it is. The best part? Its free! If you are visiting the city then this park is a must! read more
This is a tiny park, with a few benches, but it's a wow. Whether you are there daytime or nighttime, the view will bring a smile to your face. I've been to this park a few times, and the daytime view, it was lovely. At night time, it was even better. A beautiful place to see the Bay Bridge lights. If you're on foot, walk up Taylor Street, so you can see the view in all its glory. Then you can walk down the park, and emerge in North Beach. I've talked to people who live in the neighborhood, and don't know this park is here. It exemplifies the phrase "hidden gem." read more
It's been a while since I've used the term "Hidden Gem" on Yelp. Ina Coolbrith Park definitely qualifies as one of those many little spots in The City. The park is located most of the way to the top of the Vallejo Street Steps (at Taylor Street) on the East Side of Russian Hill. Because of it's elevation it provides a nice vista to Downtown, the Bay Bridge, North Beach and Telegragh Hill. On a clear morning, the view is really pretty with the sun rising to the South. There isn't a whole lot to this park, just a couple of paths and benches coming off of the Vallejo Street Steps. That said, it's a pretty nice spot for benches. You can most easily access this coming up the Steps, but you could also come up Taylor going North - the climb from the South is pretty sustained coming up from North Beach. Oh, one fun fact: The park is named after Ina Coolbrith, who was the first White Child to enter California back in 1852. She was a librarian for 32 years. read more
Hands down, this is one of my favorite places to catch a view of the city. On a clear day it's possible to see Mt Diablo. I love standing on the top of the park and looking east. The view of the Transamerica Tower and Bay Bridge is nothing short of stunning. I'm a big fan of cheap thrills, so this FREE public space is a must-do when i entertain visitors. Enjoy the pics :) read more
Hidden gem and a must-visit! The view of downtown San Francisco is up-close and gorgeous. You can see the entire stretch from Coit Tower to Transamerica just from one angle. It is less of a park and more of a tiny oasis in Russian Hill. It would be a great workout hiking uphill to reach this place. Make sure to wear shoes with traction so you don't slip going back downhill! Almost every angle of Ina Coolbrith Park is a great photo op, especially on a clear day. There are several benches available for you to sit and take in this breathless view. I would frequent this place if it were more accessible. I didn't drive here on this occasion, but saw some street parking available. If you're comfortable driving and parking on a nearly 90 degree incline, go ahead and drive up here. Otherwise, don't. TLDR; Best view of downtown San Francisco available if you want those postcard images! read more
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More info about Ina Coolbrith Park
Taylor & Vallejo Streets
San Francisco, CA 94101
Russian Hill
Directions
Hours
Outdoor Amenities
Ask the Community - Ina Coolbrith Park
Is there parking near by?
Yes there is regular street parking right outside the park
Is this view well lite at night. ?.Walk alone and I would like to know if it is safe at night
The view is gorgeous at night. I have walked up the stairs in the dark as a woman but I had company and I didn't feel unsafe. But it's obviously less populated at night. So take your decisions based on how safe you feel based on that information.
