Beautiful little park on the sunny top of Potrero Hill. There is a kids playground and off leash dog area ( not gated). The hilly back side of the park is shady and nice for walking while the grassy area always has dogs playing. There are some picnic benches and regular benches for seating as well. Parking is quite easy as there is free street parking all around. read more

McKinley Square - Playgrounds Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

We used to live in Eastern Mission and loved taking the pedestrian bridge over the 101 to walk our dog here. Now that we have kids, we can enjoy the playground as well! We had a lovely birthday here for our toddlers and so many people commented that they had no idea this park existed. This is also one of the parks that allows a bouncy house permit. For those who needed a restroom, they could go down the hill a couple long blocks to Whole Foods, or some used the trails for privacy. We also brought some toddler potties for the kids. PROS - Amazing views of the city & even Golden Gate Bridge! Lovely sunset views as well. - There are some nice trails going down the hill. - There's a community garden. - The playground's fully enclosed. - The playground seems to include some toys donated by the neighborhood, which is a nice touch! For example some plastic ride on cars, activity tables, etc. - There's a large field for dogs to play. - Tons tons tons of parking. CONS - Some noise from the 101. - There is no restroom. read more

The real Crookedest Street in San Francisco The park on Potrero Hill is located on the corner of 20th and Vermont Street and has a playground, grassy open space with benches and some picnic tables that are shaded under lots of trees. It is next to a super crooked street --- Vermont Street which parallels the 101 freeway and runs alongside the park. So you think you've seen the crookedest street on Lombard... try driving down Vermont Street. Like Lombard, Vermont is a one way street. It has 7 switchbacks and curves down Potrero Hill between 20th and 22nd Streets. It's shorter than Lombard but much steeper and complex. No tourist lines here because it is less appealing and not well maintained as its counterpart, not really worth a visit unless you want to compare the two. It is in a residential area but not like the mansions as seen on Lombard. We drove down the street twice only because I forgot to record the ride down the first time LoL! oopsie! More fun! Less travelled but worth a detour. Review #2071 read more

Sometimes, you find these things called hidden gems. And sometimes, you find them in the most unexpected places. Potrero Hill has one of these hidden gems, and it's called McKinley Park. Some may argue that this is the home of the "real" most crooked street in the city. But, I'd rather talk about how serene and peaceful this park is. The streets aren't as crowded in this part of town. Beauty runs rampant up and down the streets that are graced with the most gorgeous dogs and children. The park itself is a great local attraction for families. There's a large open grassy field, perfect for picnics or dog play. A swing set and a sandbox filled with slides are available for kids to play in. There are benches and walking trails that connect to the park with tons of trees that provide an ample amount of shade. Perhaps the most essential element of this park is its' stunning view of San Francisco. There's a wonderful viewpoint located near the north end of the park near the community garden. It's the perfect place to take a breath of fresh air while rewarding your eyes with the beauty of the city. When you're done, you can take a walk up San Francisco's less popular crooked street known as Vermont Street. I hope this place never gets crowded. McKinley Park, you are everything. read more

See all

This small park is great! It is situated on a hill and gives a great view of the mission district/SFGH. There are a few benches for you to enjoy a meal in the shade and there is plenty of parking around (assuming it is not a street sweeping day). The medium sized grassy field is perfect for off-leash dog activities or even tanning on a beautiful SF day. The playground is also small but seems to be a bustling place for the surrounding neighbors to take their children. I definitely plan on coming back to enjoy that view! read more

Home of the famous Bring Your Own Big Wheel (BYOBW). Other than that, it is still a great park! Here are my takes: Feels | Small yet intimate. Great place to just simply relax and hang out. While there are conventional parks such as Dolores or Alamo Square park. I think it's a great hidden gem because you get a pretty good view of the SF skyline. Good for kids, great to run hills, and nice for a date night. Parking | Depending on the day since it could get packed since it is in a residential area however I don't see it crowded unless major events are here. Overall 4 stars. A great charming place but there are better places. If this place would be more proximal to food places then that would be just SUPER! Regardless it's a great place to be. TL;DR Tips: * Home of BYOBW. For further information about that. Checkout my review: http://www.yelp.com/biz/byobw-bring-your-own-big-wheel-race-san-francisco?hrid=fJbZQSo62g5Dn6hxR6nnww read more

McKinley Square - Photo view of SF skyline - Playgrounds Near Me - San Francisco, California

What a beautiful, sun-drenched park that's also fully fenced-in, all the better to keep track of your active little children. New play structures and swing set (the latter set in the shade) and small redwood tables and benches to decamp with snacks or lunch, McKinley Square is a little oasis in the heart of Potrero Hill. Plentiful (unmetered) parking all around the park, enjoy the majestic vistas from McKinley Square and then go visit the community garden a half block away (don't pick the flowers or vegetables). And for a last bit of fun when you leave, drive down the steep switchbacks of Vermont Street to the happy shrieks from your child. McKinley Square is a sweet little gem. read more

My favorite place to walk and relax. It's small but right on top of hill so you get a great view of the city. It's also gets to be one of the warmer spots if the sun is out. There's a playground for kids and tons of grass for dogs to run around. If you walk a bit deeper into it there's a small path which is fun because you sort of forget you're in this huge busy city while you're surrounded by trees and flowers. It's small and quaint but perfect for a short escape from the busyness of SF. read more

McKinley Square - Tortoise approved park - Playgrounds Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is one of my favorite parks in the city. It's near where I work, and when I happen to drive to work, I sometimes come up here to decompress right after my twelve-hour shift ends. The view is pretty good, but I actually like this park because of its compactness and the neighborhood around it. It can get really windy. If you plan on spending any time in the park itself, make sure you bring a sweatshirt or jacket. It gets a bonus sixth star for being so close to the curvy part of Vermont Street. Screw Lombard; Vermont is the crookedest street in San Francisco, and its curves actually serve a purpose. Lombard used to be straight until the curves were added as a tourist attraction. read more

Great park in Potrero Hill. Came here for a kids birthday party. Beautiful views of the city, great space for kids to run around and fun play structure. read more

See all

McKinley DOES have a very nice playground. It is also the brown patch of hill that one sees when looking towards Potrero Hill from the West. Hill-wise, it lacks 360 views, but its proximity to 101 somehow makes one feel like an angsty rural teenager peering out at the world driving by. Nice little paths wind through rather cultivated landscaping, trees block the view in most places. A community garden is next door. While you're here, check out Vermont St just North of the park--the ACTUAL crookedest street in the world. read more

McKinley Square - Tree-framed view from McKinley - Playgrounds Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's a small park, but the views are unparalleled. During the day, you can see all the way to Bernal Heights. At night, the outline of hundreds of illuminated buildings greet you. There's an off-leash dog area, and although there are better dog parks in the city: There is no dog park with better views.. read more

This park was rated a Top Playground by the SF Chronicle and boats majestic views of the city as well as play structures for big and little kids. There's a grassy area near the playground often frequented by dogs and their owners. read more

Very small, nice park at the top of the hill in a cute neighborhood! It's a nice climb to get up here, and you have views of the financial district and so much more. During the weekdays it's almost empty. There is an area of green grass and a separate play area for kids. Dogs are welcome on a leash. I will visit here often! read more

McKinley Square - View from the little trail - Playgrounds Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I love this park! On a clear day you can see the entire city, including the tip of Golden Gate Bridge. With hiking paths on the back side, it makes for a great morning walk with the pups. read more

McKinley Square - Hiking trail. - Playgrounds Near Me - San Francisco, California

A great park hidden in Portrero Hill. We parked on the street after grocery shopping at WF near by. What's spectacular about this place is that it is gated (no bathrooms though) and it's near a community garden in which you can sit inside and enjoy a lunch. The view is amazing! read more

I am in love with Potrero Hill, the views, the sun, the restaurants. I walk the trails at this park on my lunch since I work closeby, and the community garden next door is always nice. The views are amazing. Also, this park is home of the REAL crookedest street in SF, Vermont St read more

Great parking, clean and fenced in, excellent view of the city atop the hill. Can't recommend enough for tots and kids! read more

McKinley Square - Playgrounds Near Me - San Francisco, California

Awesome view from here. Also, it is a dog park so there are a ton of cool dogs running around. There are children too, but they keep them caged in the playground so the dogs don't get bothered. Also, on Easter there is the Bring Your Own Big Wheel tricycle race. Only downside is there is a violent hobo mob living in the bushes along the 101 freeway. I live on 22nd, and in one week they attacked 3 people on the 22nd st. bridge, and broke into 2 of our cars. A while back they also tried to rob a woman and slit her throat open. But that is to be expected across the freeway from the mental hospital. I've seen Norteno gangsters at this park too and they're super chill and friendly. Just watch out for the deranged hobos and crackheads lurking in the bushes. read more

My sister and I took our dogs for a walk one lovely day, and while the views were great, the used condom I almost stepped on was not. No more new discoveries for my dogs at this park. read more

Ok. not fenced in so you have to trust your dog not to make a sudden run for the street. has some hidden trails and lovely views.

This is a lil cool spot that we found after I came across some info on the internet about another crooked street besides Lombard St. McKinley Sq is right on 20th and Vermont St in the Mission District. Vermont St is where you'll find the other crooked st in SF which is not as nice or as touristy as Lombard but I think it's a lil longer and more crooked. Nothing really special about the park except that it had a decent view of the city and a local garden that you can go in and see what the surrounding neighbors are growing. Still a pretty cool spot to check out and if you wanna drive down a crooked st without having to deal with all the crowds and cars waiting in line to drive down Lombard St. read more

Clean, well maintained park with friendly dogs and people. I live in the neighborhood and walk here with my dog once or twice a week. Great views of the Mission and Twin Peaks. There are two picnic tables and a few benches but the place is generally too windy for a comfortable picnic. As others have mentioned, it can get cold so bring a sweater. read more

Great little park in a nice neighborhood with outstanding views. Windy area.

my childhood park.. i remember swinging and looking at the whole city, and walking down the "zig zag street" to the mission to my grandma's house after shopping in the mission.... read more

Best views of the city, great garden next door and a nice dog park.....what more could you ask for? People know each other here and making friends is just that much easier now.....I even see other relaxed moms sipping beer on sunny Friday afternoons....come on by. You will love it. Super close to SFGH, 10 minutes uphill....you can come here for your lunch, relax from that crazy day of yours and enjoy some sun, cute kids running around and your lunch.....can't get much better than that..... read more

The space is very lovely and I think that had I had a better first experience going there, I would consider returning. There was a rowdy party on the street that resulted in my car getting doused in water and one slightly unfriendly woman who was "protecting" her rescue dog from my dog. As an owner of a rescue dog that had serious issues as a puppy all i can say is.... come on lady, if your dog can't socialize with other dogs (in the ways that dogs socialize), maybe she shouldn't be at a park. Big thanks to the man with the pit bull who gave me a poop bag. He was very friendly and knowledgeable about the park. read more