Just a serene and calming large park with lots of tree and seating where the stage is. Come on a weekday when there's no events and it feels like you have the entire place to yourself. So much room to spread out so no one is in your way. Great for meditation or soul searching. It just feels so healing to be in nature! To be surrounded by all this green! The play structure is so nice and new and clean. I climbed up and (slowly) went down the small slide. felt like a kid again. Such happiness, such wonder. So many fond memories here of people I used to come here with. People not in my life anymore. Hope they're doing well read more

Beautiful day in San Francisco (normal overcast!) but very well sheltered from the wind. The sun peeked thought here and there roasting us in the midday sunshine. The concert venue is set in a valley between the Parkside and Sunset districts surrounded by trees. A beautiful setting with multiple terraced levels for seating. Lower area meadow with park benches. A raised area with private picnic tables. Beyond that are stone paved terraces and then a grassy sloped seating area. They say 10,000 people when full. Off to the right of the stage There's an overload meadow where you watch the concert on a big screen. We brought our own lunch and wine but there is an abundance of food trucks as well. Long lines at the bathrooms so plan accordingly. Very festive with folks having a great time dancing to the DJ beats before Diana Ross takes the stage. Feeling alive and proud to live in San Francisco. No doom and gloom here unlike what you see too often on social media. When Miss Diana Ross came on stage the entire crowd erupted in cheers and applause for the music legend. She looked fantastic at 81 years young. Her voice as powerful and sensuous as ever. Great sounding band and sound system. Sang her all time favorites and some jazzy blues songs too. One big negative. People lighting up even tho no smoking of any kind is allowed. Kinda frustrating they don't just follow the rules. Even worse the staff or security don't care to ask them to stop. read more

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I had never been to this particular part before, and had no idea it even existed! I heard about it from some friends, but I didn't realize it was on the corner of 19th Ave.!! I also didn't know you could turn down the side street and get into a parking lot Closer to The Dog park area. We parked in the residential area at the top of the hill and walked down. It was a holiday weekend, and the bathrooms were closed, but the park was great. Beautiful grassy field for my puppies to run off leash, and there's a mall down the street where I could use the restroom. Lol I will definitely be back again!! read more

Sigmund Stern Grove - Family walk hee. - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I've never been to this part of San Francisco before but i'm SOOOOOO GLAD I had an occasion to! There was a beautiful wedding held at this park and it is such a stunning area! The trees, the view, the concert/stage area with the cool rock seats and grass, and the house/venue is so beautiful and spacious as well! I would definitely come back to this park, so nice and such a good way to get some oxygen in as you're surrounded by beautiful HUGEEE trees! Just a beautiful place to be at in general!! read more

Stern Grove is like a miniature, quieter, and less touristy Golden Gate Park. I actually prefer Golden Gate Park because it's bigger and there is more to do but I'll stop by Stern Grove if I'm in this area of the city. The park seems to be divided into 3 parts, Stern Grove, the Dog Park, and Pine Lake Park. It's very quiet and sparsely populated (not the dog park part) on the weekdays and if that's what you are into (think that Depeche mode song Enjoy the Silence) it's very rewarding. I like to come here and read in the seats for the amphitheater. There is this building in the grove for events, I think it's mainly used for weddings. Hiking wise there is no definite trail but there are little paths that go to a meadow or up through the trees to the street. From one end of the park to the other is about a mile. For more hiking ideas, here's a collection of other trails I've reviewed. bit.ly/43PhQtL read more

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I'm one of those ignorant locals (or maybe more accurately, ignorant 'nearbys') that came to Stern Grove only for the free music. I admit it. I was the cheapskate who usually sat way in the back on a hill behind a tree that completely blocked my view. Until my most recent visit, I didn't know there was an actual park. OK, I actually did know there was some greenery but never bothered to explore it. It turns out Stern Grove is more than the Concert Meadow, which was rather interesting to traipse around when it was vacant. The amphitheater structure looked like it's been renovated from the golden days when I used to see performers like the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Mimi Farina. However, the true surprise came from the surprisingly vast acreage that I discovered laid west where there's a huge dog park and a pleasant lake with surrounding trails. It's called Pine Lake and well worth checking out. Gee, I just noticed Stern Grove stretches fifteen blocks from 19th to 34th Avenue. That's a lot of woods to appreciate even without free music. RELATED - Exploring the Sunset? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2EI8eIJ read more

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Stern Grove is one of those parks that not many people go out of their way to visit unless attending a festival or concert. I personally like how "local" Stern Grove is in terms of attracting the type of visitors. There's a dog park within Stern Grove and a couple of play grounds for the kiddos, not to mention wide open green space for humans or animals to run freely. My other favorite aspect of Stern Grove is the amount of tall luscious trees within. The other day I was strollin' through and temporarily forgot I was in SF because when I looked up, all I saw were tall trees as if I were in a forest. Of course when I looked down, I was on a paved trail, which quickly brought me back to reality. Lots of entrances/exits to get in/out of Stern Grove so I never felt that it was too crowded, even before social distancing started. I'll see you next week Stern Grove for another stroll. #11/2020 read more

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Came for Toro Y Moi and it was a really nice park... However the venue was so packed that everyone was climbing up the hills for a spot. In which the trees blocked a lot of the sound and view so couldn't see much. Glad it was a free concert though but next time I'll try to come a lot earlier read more

Sigmund Stern Grove - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

Even if you don't go for the free concerts, Sigmund Stern Grove is still a wonderful place to enjoy a bit of green. If you go on less busy days, you'll be able to find parking in its tiny little lot. From there, you can enjoy the concrete theatre right next to the parking lot or go for a short walk and enjoy what the rest of the park has to offer. My personal favorite spot is... well maybe I shouldn't reveal my favorite location, but I enjoy reading a book there. Regardless, you can spend an hour here or meditate for 4 hours if you so desire. So while Sigmund Stern Grove can get ridiculously busy on event and free concert days, it can also get ridiculously serene and empty any other day. There's something for everyone here whether you want to attend an organized event or just find some peace and quiet. read more

Once again 5 stars for nature-Wooo-hoooo!! Stern Grove is a favorite of mine in SF and although there are parks a-plenty in the East Bay, where I live, there is just something so darn magical about the various parks in SF. Maybe it's because one moment you are in the city and then once you enter, there is a sense of peace and solitude in the midst of all the urban fervor. Things I love most about Stern Grove: easy parking and highly accessible, the scent of the trees surrounding you, and the fact that it's so spread out even with a lot of visitors you still feel the sense of space and calm. There are various trails you can meander around as well as wander around the ampitheater section, which, this time of year has some beautiful flowered trees blossoming. There was actually a wedding party taking photos when I was there this last weekend and it seems they were setting up for their ceremony in the redwood grove up past the parking lot. It was all very serene and felt miles away from the hustle and bustle of 19th and Sloat. If you walk through the grove and concert area, you will reach Pine Lake Park which in and of itself also a lot of fun, with an offleash dog area and lake with tons of birds to look at (separate review on that to come.) Overall, just another gem in SF and a reason for me to wish I lived in the city so I can take advantage of all these various wonders any day of the week! read more

I was headed to Poindexter Cornelius Esquire Park to test my balsa wood glider this past Wednesday. But unfortunately the tape on my glasses was flexing too much due to the above average fog and I had no choice but to turn back. After twisting my ankle last week I have really had a tough time. (I am considering doubling my Vitamin D regimen but you can't trust the dosage information printed on the labels so I don't know which brand to buy.) Thanks for nothing FDA. FYI Sucks. Anyway, when I was almost home I had a change of heart and headed to Sigmund Stern Grove. I've got a pretty sweet glider FYI, so I figured I'd go for it. So glad to have that park nearby. As soon as I stepped into the park, for some strange reason I started crying. I was all, "Sigmund, THANK YOU! SO MUCH!!" I don't know what happened FYI. I digress, but few people are aware of Sigmund's heroic action in saving this eucalyptus park which was not easy for him at all. You see, Sigmund lived down the block from me. I remember, he was just out of college living with his parents in the Sunset after graduating from SF State. He got a degree in something or didn't graduate. Either way getting a job was super hard and rents around are so damn high. So he moved back in. I mean it's tough. But Sigmund's an above average dude FYI and given sufficient time also industrious. To better his situation, and after really thinking it over for a couple months like in that movie "I Graduated" by Dustin Hoffman, Sigmund decided to become a YouTube artist. That was a good move, I think. He's so talented. He could do so many things I'm sure. For example, he could strap a camera to his chest and ride around the neighborhood on a bike and say if a hill is hard to climb or if he is tired today or another possibility would be a channel exploring personal appliances like taking apart a toaster oven. For sure, ad dollars would start rolling in from all his new fans By the way, most people don't know this but Sigmund can do 15 pull ups. Just FYI. Anyway, one time after spending most of morning planning out his YouTube channel Sigmund got bored and decided to head out to the park to unwind and think clearly and what not. And then without any advance notice at all, near the benches in the middle of the park, a coyote walks over to near the garbage cans. It was just like in that Westworld prequel with Kevin Costner "How to dance with a Wolf" where this glitching host heads out to the Land Beyond and finds this kind of unfortunate looking dog who is pretty hairy and has a big nose. So then, Sigmund summons the courage of Akecheta the ghost tribe dude with the blood hand imprint on his neck from Westworld, and yells at the coyote to "get out of here". To this day, most likely, Sigmund checks to see if there are any coyotes lurking about and is ready to act again if need be. On top of all that, he also used his mom's laser printer and google translate to put up a sign to warn people of the danger in like three languages. So in thanks for keeping the park safe, it was probably named after Sigmund. FYI. The end. read more

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This is a commercialized park area that has caused many traffic problems. The grove is used a couple months during the year for the concerts where music is played very loud and drunk people can be found walking around the area afterwards, another Dolores Park and illegal parking like that of Outside Lands. When they are having other big events at Stern Grove such as weddings, the grass area is often used as a parking lot for their valet staff. The place is tossed with litter and other garbage the vendor isn't responsible for. Then there are everyday patrons whom ride their bikes across the paths clearly marked no bikes allowed. And then there are dog owners whom believe the who grove is a dog park and walk their dogs off leash because they believe their dog won't even harm a fly. Not to mention less than half of the dog owners every pick up after them. read more

Local spot to take kids bike riding. There were decent amount of people at the park but the kids still were able to roam around. There is a section where there is the manmade lake area vs the concert area. Residential street parking . read more

One of the most beautiful places in the city to get married. One of the most beautiful places in the city to watch a live concert. One of the most beautiful places in the city to go for an afternoon stroll. One of the most beautiful places in the city to dance by yourself. One of the most beautiful places in the city to just sit and relax. One of the most beautiful places in the city... Trust. read more

This review is for the park, and not the concert series, which I have reviewed separately here http://www.yelp.com/biz/w6_Oi3o3dZv8W1OfV8UOYA?hrid=IA2gy-Rv4chY00FPeezzhA Sigmund Stern Grove is a beautiful neighborhood park. Walking down from the corner of 19th Ave. and Sloat, among the eucalyptus trees and nasturtium, you can't help but feel the magic of this place. At the bottom of the drive is the Redwood Grove. It is dark and shady, quiet and cathedral-like. For this reason, it has been the site of many wedding ceremonies and remains a quiet place to read or take a break from the sun. Next to the Redwood Grove is the Trocadero Clubhouse. It used to be a hotel for the elite of San Francisco, but this use ended with Prohibition. The Victorian structure remains in pretty good condition, and can be rented for private events, and houses the pre-concert talks for the summer concert series. My old company held a Christmas party here and we had a grand time shaking the dance floor in the quiet of the grove. There is a very decent bathroom right next to the clubhouse with lots of stalls for women (yay). The grove itself is best known for the Summer Concerts, which is one of the best activities to do in San Francisco. It is said that Mrs. Stern went around with an opera singer test various spots in the park to determine the best acoustics before setting up the location of the stage. The re-vamp by landscape architect Lawrence Halperin was a welcome change. Additionally, "talking posts" for the sight-impaired have been added, as well as more paths to keep people off of the lawn as much as possible. Right behind the stage is the largest tree in San Francisco, a towering eucalyptus with a huge trunk. Hopefully, none of those branches will come down any time soon. I have heard that if you spend the entire day in the park, you will leave smelling of eucalyptus. Yum! The hillside, which tends to erode from people sitting on it, has been cleared of many trees which were then used to create natural benches, and that are reinforced by deep stakes to keep them from moving. The West Meadow is a sunny spot to hang out on a blanket on a clear day. Please do not use plastic tarps, as these kill the grass and leave ugly brown spots - yuck! Drinking fountains for humans and pets can be found here and by the Trocadero parking lot. Above the seats in the concert grove, there are paths that allow you to wind around the trees and are perfect for dog-walking in a wooded environment. Across the main parking lot is Pine Lake Park, which is currently being renovated to include a dog run and new, beautiful grass for our four-legged friends. This part of the park can be also be entered at Crestlake and Vale. The park is rarely crowded and people are responsible for picking up after their dogs. For some reason, this park does not seem to attract the homeless or lurkers. A wonderful place to escape the wind and city stresses. Go when you need to get your Thoreau on. read more

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I still haven't even been to a Stern Grove concert once since living in SF maybe ten years. They have free concerts every summer with indie rock too. I started to come to the Grove to play tennis and the courts are good and not too busy. Last time I played, a group of high school guys with a chaperone came by. I have not explored the rest of the park, but I always drive by. It's not very big essentially, but it's a park amongst a vast cemented area with tracks of houses(the Sunset). Parks are important to city life and this one is a nice retreat. read more

Just as the Lorax once did I shall speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. Wooded groves are awesome and San Francisco should have more of them, especially ones like this where dogs can frolic off leash. I'm always amazed at how much better I feel when I'm in the proximity of greenery. This park is fairly small, but good enough for a long walk with your 4 pawed pal. There are also a couple of open fields for frisbee tossing and tennis ball throwing. About half the park is currently fenced off for refurbishment (hence only 4 stars). While you can't totally lose yourself in nature as in farther away parks like Mt. Tam, Stern Grove is still a doggie friendly gem closer to home. read more

The Scare Grove Event was terrific! The descent down the path through the eucalyptus trees made for a perfect setting for the Halloween party. Scare Grove is definitely the best kids Halloween party in the city. The wide expanse of the park and the stone seating around the amphitheater gave us ample room to relax, eat or just enjoy the show. In accordance with custom, the kids eagerly flaunted their costumes, breaking them in for a night of partying. We give our son as many opportunities as possible to spend time in his costume before All Hallows' eve. To be sure that he's comfortable in it before the 3 hour dark trek through our neighborhood. The craft tables were terrific. My son made quick crafts while I held his place in line for the other activities. His fav. activies were definitely the "make own magic wand," the face painting and the scamper through the hay maze to the toddler friendly haunted house. We especially loved the carnival rides. The ride staff were extremely friendly, definitely making it a more of a celebration than a mere event. A Juggler and Characters kept the tots occupied in the lines. Older kids weren't left out either. In the clubhouse, adjacent to Pine Lake, a creepy graveyard path through the trees led you into the haunted house. The live actors dressed as ghouls appearing in front of you and some lunatics stabbing body parts provided enough excitement for terror lovers. I do regret not getting zombie face paint. I was indecisive, as I am partial to being a vampire. The food truck choices were also diverse and didn't break your wallet. The heat lamps in the dining section were a bonus. Luckily, the night was warm and we were well sheltered from the wind by the trees. Thanks for another great year SF Rec & Park! read more

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This place is rad. I mean you walk/drive/bus by this spot so many times and then when you actually walk IN to Stern Grove...it's like the "woah, who knew" factor. During the summer, the free concerts are so fun! Bring a blanket, food, wine/beer/water, and sun screen (you're welcome)! Such a fun place to go for a lovely stroll, peace and quiet, or a rad free show! :) Keep this place lovely SF read more

Love this place. Don't come here. This my own piece of paradise. Stay away. Go play over at Golden Gate Park instead. read more

Sigmund Stern Grove - Festival 2010. - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

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How does this exist in the middle of the city!!?! This park is beautiful, very peaceful and kept very clean. I attended a wedding here in the "clubhouse" that is on the property. It was an amazing venue for a wedding. I think all the guest's were shocked that this little haven existed like I was. It's also situated near the amphitheater which is a really cool site to see. The place they held the ceremony was under huge trees. Our group was about 85 people, which fit very nicely and was still intimate. The house had a wrap around balcony/patio which was perfect to have drinks and apps on. The inside is small so I don't think you could fit a group much bigger than ours. It was truly an adorable space. My only -1 star was for the parking lot being a little far from the clubhouse area. During the day its easy, but at night its a little scary to walk so far with no lighting at all unless you bring your own. Street parking if you walk up a big hill might be the better option. read more

Sigmund Stern Grove - Clubhouse for weddings - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been here many times over the past years for the Stern Grove festival. This is a great venue. A natural amphitheater that carries the sound evenly wherever you sit, laid back crowd and great scenery from everywhere. Not to mention the excellent festival itself. Big name bands, big sounds and people dancing everywhere you look. If you haven't been here yet, what are you waiting for? read more

Sigmund Stern Grove - Fanfare Ciocarella - stern grove festival. - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is as beautiful as it gets. I almost want to call it a hidden gem in San Francisco.. The Sunset district has become my new favorite area to explore, this place is like doggy heaven because of all the dogs running loose in the dog park area. I'm still wondering how you can escape the city and get into this park walk a good 15-20 minutes and come out in a new part of the city. It's super peaceful to be here, my advice is to stop taking photos after a minute and just enjoy the atmosphere, fresh air, tall trees, friendly people and all the dogs. There is a whole stage in the middle of the park for Summer concerts that seems to seat a lot of people and it's just an overall amazing place that makes you feel entitled to write a review about it. I want to visit every time I'm back in the city. read more

There's, I have been going to concerts at Stern Grove. The shows are fun the crowd is fun everybody's really into the show the weather is always fairly good. I want to a show today toots and the May halls. Reggae music. Fantastic. I really enjoy my time here except my problem is is that the staff as their heads up their butt. I asked them where to go in ro the show and they pointed me the wrong way.I have to go back the other cars it's closed it took me 20 extra minutes to get in today to a show. I notes free but that's not the point. The point is I should not have to be turned around and tossed around as I'm trying to give in to see a music show periods when I talked to do attend in about getting in and I said how come there isn't a sign the attendance at told me that they were saving their money to bring in higher paid bands. I hate when people say stupid things and insult me. I will certainly go back to Stern Grove. But I hope they get smarter people to the attendants. Is really not a good way to treat the customer. read more

They did a excellent job in upgrading the amphitheater several years ago. These days ... I wish people attending actually spend more time enjoying the show instead of yaking 80% or more of the time. So annoying. Go to a bar or coffee shop. I considered it wasted on a beautiful place and show read more

My boyfriend and I went there on a Sunday afternoon stroll. It was so beautiful! We are so blessed to have nature like this in the middle of our city! It's deep in a little valley creating a Jarrasic Park-like feel. The doggy park is huge which made me want a little pupper schmupper so bad! At the end of the grove is a small lake with duckies, and a somewhat provocative rabbit statue. After walking through all of the grove, we headed over to Lake Merced - another amazing spot! read more

Sigmund Stern Grove - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

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It was my first time to go to Stern Grove and I thought it was beautiful. We conveniently found parking nearby and decided to go in one of the trails. There's a huge open spot where people perform, which was why we were here, and it was just amazing how there were tall trees around the area. The air here felt great and it felt fresh. There are restrooms nearby and no, they're not porta-potties. They're legit bathrooms! Caught a lot of Abras here BTW if you play Pokemon and there's a couple of lures lol. read more

I got married at Stern Grove this past October. This is a review for Stern Grove as a wedding venue. CONS: -Do not allow balloons, candles, tape, and amplified music outside. (to assure the preservation of the park and peace in the surrounding area) -Parking MAY BE inconvenient for guests. There are two parking lots in Stern Grove. The first parking lot, which is located just outside the Trocadero Club house and ceremony area, only accommodates about 10 cars. The second parking lot, on the other hand, provides ample parking for your guests. Guests parking in this lot will be required to take a 5 minutes walk through the concert meadow to get to the ceremony area and clubhouse, which they will either find quite pleasant or an inconvenient chore. PROS: -Despite it being right on busy 19th avenue, Stern Grove is free of ALL traffic noise. It is so quite and peaceful down there. -It's VERY affordable. -The Trocadero Clubhouse is absolutely charming and is big enough for a max of 180 guests. It is better suited for a smaller party though. --- -The front patio is perfect for cocktail hour and general mingling. -The ceremony area just outside the clubhouse is lined with gorgeous Redwood trees and provides a natural, cathedral-like space for a wedding ceremony. -The rental of the clubhouse includes access to their huge kitchen, complete with operating stoves and sinks. -The rental also includes the use of their saloon-like bar. My husband loved the bar because it was, as he put it, "old school." Please note that since Stern Grove is a public park you have to remember that you can't expect the full service you would find at other wedding venues. Set-up and clean-up are the responsibility of the renters. Best time for a wedding her would probably be during Indian Summer... from September-November. read more

Sigmund Stern Grove - The outside of the charming Trocadero Clubhouse - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I love the idea of having a wooded venue deeply confined within the space afforded by tall gigantic Eucalyptus trees.......only in the city would one find something to escape the daily confines influenced by traffic, work, and just plain old stress. We heard about an Indian group performing, so we packed a quick lunch with bread and deli meats from Andronico's, the boys brought cookies from Cost-Co, and I had purchased some fruit from a fruit stand. Armed with the nourishment and several large blankets, we surveyed the diminishing patch of greenery and found a spot to stake our claim. The music was not bad, although I felt it geared a bit more towards hippy folk music. Our neighbors were cordial and I loved how everyone would mingle and dance together. I'd come back here any day of the weekend to lounge around and listen to great music and spend time with wonderful friends. read more

This is wiener dog's favorite park! It's green, for a change. Instead of mostly brown like Pt. Isabel, Fort Funston or Cesar Chavez. I sat down on the deceptively clean grass and got dog poo on my pants. read more

OMG! this place is amazing~ I will say it's another dog heaven park second to the fort funston. I went there on Sunday at around 9am. it's not crowded at that time and a bunch of parking spaces. So parking is pretty easy for me. Dogs could be off-leash here and they really love it. can't believe that i lived in sunset for 1 year and never found out such a gem in the city. definitely will come back for other trails in this park in the future. read more

Sigmund Stern Grove - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

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EDIT: SIGMUND STERN GROVE IS CLOSED. The park is being rebuilt from the ground up I argue that this is the best dog area in the entire city. The shear size of it is pretty impressive. Plenty of parking is a nice bonus. Its one of the few areas you can go on a long walk with no leash, usually you have to settle for walking along irrigation ditches. My only complaint is that there aren't any poop bag poles Directions: From 19th head west on Sloat until you can turn right on Vale Ave. The entrance is at the end of Vale. read more

Stern Grove is a hidden gem in the city. It's located at the edge of the Sunset and, on a sunny day is a great place to go on a walk or to go to just lay on the sun. The Stern Grove concerts are awesome here. They are free and run on Sundays throughout the summer. Sitting among redwood trees, in an outside theater, picnicking and sipping wine while listening to live music is a great way to spend a lazy summer day. I have also attended a wedding at Stern Grove. The day was unseasonably warm and the tables were setup on the field area. The atmosphere of the wedding was one of the best I've been to. read more

Grab your Derby Jackets a 40 and walk down the stairs to the grove and you have relived my childhood! Living 4 houses from the entrance on Wawona this was my larger than life backyard. Playing on the hidden rope swing, playing hide and go seek in the dark here, listening to the free sunday concerts from my backyard. This was my life here in the Avenues. My favorite memory... well, almost favorite - can't tell you THAT one! LOL But a bunch of us got blankets and slept in the croket inclosure under the stars and the sound of the cars on 19th Avenue. Good times and a great place. read more

Since I was a little lad, I've always wanted my own Secret Garden. (Damn those British made for television Victorian-era movies!)... and in all humility, this place does it for me. But I'm willing to be persuaded. read more

Stern Grove is back from the dead, and it's got a brand-spanking-new six-foot bunny and a moat to boot (more on them in a moment). The nearly-completed makeover of Stern Grove not only addresses many longstanding issues with one of San Francisco's better dog-patches, it has substantially improved the park for humans and canines alike, with amenities that make it a pleasant place for an extended romp for two and four-legged creatures. It's been a long time coming. Rec and Park practically abandoned the meadow around 2003, and while field conditions could never be described as optimal before then, due in no small part to a lack of a central irrigation system, the past few years saw Stern Grove decline into a dirt patch that alternated between a dust bowl or mud pit, depending on the weather. Following the upgrade to the concert area, the meadow was closed in late 2006, torn up and cleared of excess Eucalyptus on the hillsides, Pine Lake dredged and cleared of plants that were clogging the lake, and a new central irrigation system installed. In addition, an arbor now graces the central gathering area of the dog play area, and stonework, benches, and water fountains (with dog bowls -yay) are spread out over the park. The result is a park that was already a great piece of open space for a quiet walk with or without a pooch is now a terrific park, with a beautiful green meadow, places to sit and relax, and refreshment for human and beast alike. Now about that bunny and moat: At the west end of the park, just beside the camp building and Pine Lake, San Francisco's first Jackalope has appeared (see photos). Perhaps a tribute to hash-house-harriers, or some other bit of symbolism that's over my head, this whimsical and slightly disturbing statue gives my dog the willies, causing him to walk around it in a wide semicircle. The moat is a long and narrow pit that has been dug to separate the dog play area from the camp/picnic area (see photos), an attempt to end what has long been a sore spot for the camp, dog owners and dogs not reading the signs noting where the play area ends. No word on whether trebuchets will be installed to hurl campers or dogs that stray beyond their boundaries back to their proper places. For all the pro and anti dog sentiments in San Francisco, the renovation of Stern Grove Park should hopefully give everyone something to feel good about. read more

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Sigmund Stern Grove Covered in fog or awash in the hot sun, this place is a Bay Area treasure that not one more person needs to learn about because it is already packed regardless of the weather conditions. Call on Monday at 9 am to get a seat for 4 at the tables and your in luck though everyone thinks they are getting 6 seats and you wind up sharing with 2 groups but you can make it work. Of course in thanksgiving, when the fabulous Liz S walk by seeking "alms" you hand her a 20 spot. read more

one of my favorite spots on the west side of the city! Stern Grove is a must visit, whether it be walking your pup in the meadow or enjoying a summertime concert the park puts on every year. when you walk down the pathway, you suddenly lose all of the noise from the cars and traffic and are in (a what seems like) hidden meadow to relax, read a book and enjoy the scenery. you may even see the banana slugs coming out of the ground on a moist afternoon! i also found stern grove fitting for a memorial for my fish. and therefore Stern Grove will always be in my heart RIP ROGER i love Stern Grove. read more

Stern Grove is our favorite dog park! It's absolutely gorgeous and there are always plenty of friendly dogs & dog owners around for us to socialize with. As soon as Bailey smells the eucalyptus trees (about a block away), she starts getting excited in the car. She just loves trips to Stern Grove!! We typically pick Stern Grove over Fort Funston because it's not as much of a production. Parking is close and we can take Bailey for an hour-long romp without the sand and wind that you get down at the beach. Don't get us wrong, we love Fort Funston, too. It's just that a visit typically takes up an entire afternoon. read more

Maggie the dog loves this place. She perks up as soon as we turn into the long driveway, and gets more and more excited as we make our way down the long slope. There's usually a good selection of dogs for her to romp around with, from tiny terriers to big goofy retrievers and labs. There's a lot of room for her to run and hopefully be chased. It's the perfect place when she's feeling energetic and we're feeling lazy; all we have to do is sit on a bench while she makes friends with anyone that will play. Plus, I recently got married at Stern Grove's Trocadero clubhouse, and loved it! They price is right and the facility manager is super-helpful. It created the casual and open atmosphere we were hoping for. And while Maggie didn't make it to the festivities, a few other dogs wandered through the reception on their way to the dog area. read more