It all seems to work…read more The views are great the grass is soft and the restrooms are okay...we were here on a warm crowded day. It is not that accessible being on the north end of the SF Peninsula but that is how it is. We made good use of the picnic tables too. The Presidio and so much of the GGNRA and other parks from Ft. Chronkite to HMB is golden.

I'll dedicate my 1st review of 2026 to Presidio Tunnel Tops, which is one of my favorite places in…read moreSF. There's something for everyone here. Within the last 10 years, there was an update to the paved sidewalks, areas for special California plants, and various park benches/picnic tables throughout the premise. There's even an area where rotating food trucks are parked to curb any hunger/hangry tendencies. This place is also a great place for a clear view of Golden Gate Bridge, not to mention the Pacific Ocean, weather permitting. Sometimes it can get a little windy here, dress accordingly. Don't know any free parking around the vicinity, but ample lots with self service kiosks to pay for parking. Restrooms are usually clean. Looking forward to coming to Presidio Tunnel Tops again soon. #1/2026

This is one of my favorite places to create memories in San Francisco. There's plenty of open space…read moreto spread out, relax, and create your own experience. _______ Good for: all ages Quick Guide: * Playground: yes -- Helen Diller Playground (great for toddlers and young kids) * Baby-friendly: open space, with some hills * Terrain: steep grassy hills, some flat areas, and paved paths -- good for walking and strollers; some areas may be more challenging for wheelchairs * Bathrooms: available (see map) * Parking: limited -- easier to walk in or get dropped off * Shade / seating: mix of sun and shade with a large grass area * Dog-friendly: yes * Food / supplies: nearby food options and vendors sometimes (I usually bring my own lunch if I'm staying a while) _______ Real-life insight: You can find a calmer area if you move slightly away from the main crowd. Pro tip: Bring a waterproof picnic blanket. If you don't have one, a plastic tablecloth from the dollar store works just as well.

Love the open green space and that there's public SF WiFi !! (At least near the 18th street side)…read moreGreat place to relax and sunbathe, have a picnic or play with your dog. Not crowded on a weekday but definitely would be on a sunny weekend

Enjoyed a sunny day with a short hike and 360 panoramic views of the hometown…read more What I appreciate about this park is there are benches everywhere to admire the view. The lower level is flat and paved and I would recommend for people with mobility issues. The unpaved graveled path to the top of the hill is where you get a birds eye view. It's typically windy but I got lucky this day. Shoes with grip is advised, Note the road to the path is narrow so drive slow.

Had such a good time at this park! I thought it would be more of an open space, but it's actually…read moremore of a walking trail - so bring good walking shoes! The parking lot is fairly small, but you can go down the hill after the lot and park in the neighborhoods, which isn't too far down. Loved seeing so many dogs off leash and enjoying their walk. My dog had such a good time running around! Remember to bring a jacket! It gets super windy as you hike up. The views were also lovely!

This waterfall creates a lovely scene along the JFK promenade at Golden Gate Park, the water…read morecascading into the lake surrounded by beautiful greenery. There's a short concrete pathway, through the trees, leading to the Prayer Book Cross sculpture where the top of the waterfall is located. It's bordered by fencing for safety so there's no access to the water up there. But the view from below is far better anyway. Not a place to spend a lot of time (no seating nor grass for picnicking), but many cyclists, joggers, and pedestrians certainly pass by throughout the day. A nice stop if checking out the art along the Golden Mile on JFK. Tip for parking: if you park near the boathouse at Blue Heron Lake, there's a trail behind the restroom building that leads to the JFK promenade and is just a 5 minute walk to Rainbow Falls.

The Naga blows bubbles out of its nose occasionally, so cool. Wish it was a bit more often though…read more It's a nice walk to it on JFK dr.

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.

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.

I honestly thought I had reviewed this magnificent park before- yet I am now!…read moreThis hidden gem is your reward after walking up the hundreds of gorgeously mosaic tile steps. The views are breathtaking. You can see the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County, Salesforce Tower (basically you see this wherever you are in San Francisco), the coast & much more. I love all the sand at the top of the park. There gorgeous succulents lots of chert rock and stairs on the other side that you can choose to descend. This is another spectacular free destination to enjoy in San Francisco.

How can anyone not like this place? One of my favorite spots in the city, feels a little bit like a…read moresecret. A special little secret hill. Make your way to the top to be rewarded finely with the fantastic view. Do some soul searching, watch the sunset. Say hello to somebody. Make a connection.

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.

something for everyone…read more this park is big! don't try to walk it all, just go to wherever you're interested in. whether it's the museum, japan tea garden, botanical garden, boating at the lake, or choose any picnic spot. a sunny day here is really enjoyable, so much space to spread out from others and do your own thing great for taking a stroll and dog walking.

Came on a weekend afternoon. Plenty of free parking on lot…read more Wasn't crowded. Great view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

The place offers a parking lot for convenience and restroom on site. I set up my mat on the sandy…read moreshore at Crissy Field East Beach to view the "Opening Day on the Bay" boat parade, and it was perfect! Lots of unleashed dogs running around with their owners. Plenty of boats floating by. Great views of awesome SF landmarks, such as Alcatraz island. The park stretches all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge, with grassy fields and the Fort Point historic site located beyond the beach setting. I come here often, particularly for attending special events on the water while picnicking on the smooth soft sand. It's a great spot for relaxing with loved ones, and not too far from many other cool activities and offerings in the Presidio.

We really enjoy coming to Lafayette Park Playground this morning for an early Easter egg hunting…read moreevent--it's quite unique compared to other playgrounds in the city. The layout is more challenging and perfect for little explorers who love to climb, balance, and stay active. My 3-year-old always finds something new to do, and it keeps them engaged for a long time. I also appreciate that babies aren't left out--there are designated areas where younger kids can safely play too. The restroom is conveniently located and clean, which is a big plus for families. That said, some of the rocky edges can be a bit risky for adventurous kids, so it's definitely a place where you'll want to keep a close eye on them at all times. The only downside is parking--it can be pretty tough to find a spot, especially during busy times. Overall, it's a fun and exciting playground that's great for kids of different ages, as long as you're prepared for a bit of supervision and a parking hunt!

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.