Sunset Dunes is a breath of fresh air and fraught with unmitigated joy all the time. The park has created a much needed wheelchair accessible third space where people can congregate in the neighborhood to exercise, watch sunsets, and enjoy the various park amenities and murals along the two mile stretch. I hope to see incremental improvements continue over the longer term. Sunset Dunes also provides a much needed serene North/South biking and walking route that attaches nicely to both Golden Gate Park and Lake Merced to the South. The adjacent path next to the road was previously inadequate for a large throughput of walkers and bike traffic. It was also generally unpleasant to use with car noise and eroded asphalt. I moved out to the Outer Sunset a few years ago often to a have friends request that I meet them in the middle or east side of the city. Now, with the renaissance of the Sunset Dunes and Outer Sunset as a whole, folks want to come out to the neighborhood as a place of refuge from their urban lives. read more

In summary, Great highway , still looks like Highway and I am not impressed at all. The best path is still the original. The "Sunset Dunes" Experiment - A Study in City Laziness? As a true San Francisco resident that grew up here , I have watched this city transform but the 'Sunset Dunes' proposal for the Great Highway is one of the most frustrating shifts yet. People often compare it to the JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park, but that's a false equivalency. JFK was a park road; the Great Highway has always been a vital North-South artery for the West side. The previous 'weekend compromise' (cars on weekdays, park on weekends) was a fair balance that worked. Moving toward a permanent closure feels less like 'visionary urban planning' and more like a tactical retreat. The Analytical Breakdown: * Infrastructure Neglect: It's no secret that sand maintenance is a chore. By rebranding the road as a 'park,' the city effectively excuses itself from the constant sweeping and upkeep required to keep a coastal highway functional. * The Traffic Ripple Effect: You can't close a major thoroughfare and expect traffic to vanish. Since the partial closures began, 19th Ave has become a parking lot. Commutes to the Golden Gate Bridge that used to faster are now a memory. Side streets like Wawona, Vicente, and Ulloa--once quiet residential ways--are now flooded with frustrated cut-through traffic. * Political Alignment vs. Reality: With state-mandated housing targets (RHNA) looming, there is a clear political push to densify the city while simultaneously removing the infrastructure that supports movement. It feels like residents are being squeezed to meet a political quota. The Bottom Line: I've seen this city grow and change, but forcing more renters and residents into an area while intentionally breaking the transit flow is a recipe for gridlock. We shouldn't be 'awarding' a park to a neighborhood by making its actual residents suffer. Let's get back to a middle ground that respects both recreation and the reality of living in a major city. read more

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As a native San Franciscan living on the west side I voted against Sunset Dunes. You'll now find scattered folks taking advantage of the closed 4 lane highway, but there was a good compromise prior to closing off the Great Highway to vehicles. Closed to vehicles after noon on Fridays and on weekends. This morning I took a walk on the former Great Highway heading north starting from Sloat Blvd. It was a brisk sunny day. What I noticed immediately were two city owned vehicles - a dump truck and a scoop loader. Yes. Scooping sand off the roadway. Hardly anyone until I neared Pacheco. I turned around and headed south. Instead of walking on the roadway I walked on the pathway running parallel like I was accustomed to. It's undulated and offers more safety from others on the shared roadway. I miss the Great Highway. It's a huge sacrifice and inconvenience for a few hundred people to enjoy whereas there are plenty of other open spaces like Lake Merced and Golden Gate Park. read more

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So I have mixed feelings about Sunset Dunes. I'll just say I wasn't a fan of closing the Great Highway. OK that being said we came down on a nice day to get some exercise and walk our doggie. My wife had not come down so wanted to see what the hype and or complaints are about. Long story short she did say a couple times "that's it?" and "Oh that's nice!" so a mixed bag of feelings. On a beautiful day there were quite a bit of folks strolling, biking, relaxing along the "highway". Wondering if these folks used to go the Golden Gate park or not. I think it being a weekend helps the argument that closing the park only on weekends makes a lot of sense. Leaving weekdays for vehicle traffic. I've been down here on weekdays and maybe 1/100th of the people compared to this weekend day. The amenities that were supposed to turn this highway into a park is kind of minimal and sparse. Some skateboard ramps, Kidde bike ramps, climbing octopus, ocean phone booth???, tree stump seating, some picnic benches, cargo net hammocks, rickety street signs. Anyway it was a pleasant walk... about 2 miles end to end. We walked the entire length and back. Plan accordingly for the weather as it can get cold and windy. There is signage noting the fast side versus the slow side. Slow for walking, kids etc... fast for bikes, scooters etc. There actually was a park ranger stopping bikers riding on the slow side telling them to ride on the fast side. That was nice to see. read more

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About a year ago I parked at Ocean Beach and walked down to the SF Zoo, one of 17 hikes that are laid out in a book called "Walking San Francisco's 49-mile Scenic Drive". It must have been a weekend, when cars in this stretch had already been banished from the road, but even then I recall thinking that the footpath here was perfectly adequate and that it could co-exist with cars. As everyone now knows, voters subsequently approved a permanent ban of cars here and what had been a weekend thing is now a permanent thing (for which Supervisor Joel Engardio recently lost his job). The whole thing is now San Francisco's newest park and it's been rebranded as Sunset Dunes which sounds not unlike the name of a retirement community in Arizona. I checked out the new park on a recent Tuesday and found it to be - well - a path. The same path that was previously open to all on weekends. This path sits, for most of its length, beside sand dunes which block your view of the ocean. As if to make up for that, change is continuous here, as the city tries to determine exactly what this park should now look like and include. To date they've added some seating, art features (sculpture, murals), hammocks, a skate-boarding area, and - my favorite part - signage telling you how far you are from nearby businesses, which is handy if you're walking this path - er, park - hungry. I neither love nor hate this new park. On the day I visited it seemed to be well-used which is what I'd hope, were I going to randomly close off any existing street to cars. I do think a future improvement should include making a dedicated lane for people on wheels (i.e. pedal-powered and motorized bikes) to ensure greater safety for pedestrians. I also think there should be as many beach entry points as possible. I don't think that it was necessary to turn this whole stretch into a park but what's done is done. This is a park that I'd only choose to go to were I looking to walk (or bike), not hang out or throw down a blanket and break out the Frisbee. read more

Sunset Dunes - The park/path (& mural) as viewed from the sand. The path runs l to r in this pic and goes on for a good long while. - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

Living within walking distance from this bad idea/nightmare has been a big inconvenience. This could have been shared. This is a road not a park. Now the traffic is jammed up inside the park. read more

If this were a true park there would be lots of people there 7 days a week and this is not the case. And a true park would have grass and plants not asphalt. The view of the ocean and sunset may be great, but you can get a better view right from Ocean Beach. read more

GO PLAY IN THE STREET. No really, that's what this was. A street. They've installed art/a playground at the end of the Great Highway at Sloat so it's not really accessible to cars anymore. They still have a traffic signal....to cross the busy closed road to get to the sand. The high was in the mid 60s so wear appropriate clothing even when it's 90F+ nearby. The set of lanes nearest the water is for walking pedestrians on the set further from the water is for cyclists. Cute emblems painted on the road indicate that it's for use by skateboarders as well as wildlife like ducks and other birds. (SHARED logo) Closer to the zoo, smaller statues of giraffes stood in the road. Go play in the street. It's a good time. read more

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Sunset Dunes is a giant park, currently still in progress, stretching for a little over two miles along Ocean Beach and the Great Highway in SF, from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard. I enjoyed making my way through the main trail (open to cyclists, pedestrians, dog walkers, anyone except vehicles) and checking out the lovely ground murals along the way, including the crab artwork at Judah and the labyrinth painting at Lawton, as well as the giraffe and octopus sculptures near Sloat, the latter used as a climbing structure for kids. The trail's concrete surface is not as smooth as I would like for skating, but at least it's flat for an easy jog. Sandy dunes roped off but still a lovely sight, multiple pathways leading to the beach, and the soothing sounds of the ocean waves just steps away. I also love that every street crossing includes a list of eateries and businesses that can be found nearby, and how many blocks, in case visitors want to make a stop. In addition, the park offers several restroom buildings for convenience. read more

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I like joy. Cities are for people not cars. Ignore the narrow-minded people who don't like change and don't like happiness. Sunset Dunes is more than a park with great views. Our city is so lucky to be able to access a beach and a park via multiple public transit lines! Yes it can get windy, but European beaches also get cold--just bring a jacket and a blanket, and the beach does have fire pits in the summer. I love biking and running and walking and seeing families and older people enjoying Sunset Dunes. I see older Asian grandmas who remind me of my own doing tai chi and walking with their friends. Studies have shown that driving a car makes you unhappier so I'm glad now people can access this great stretch of land without a car! Also, car insurance is not cheap and makes cars limited to those with the means to purchase them. Bikes and buses and walking on foot are so much cheaper, more accessible, social, and healthy for the mind and body. The park also has yoga classes, live music, DJs, kids selling cookies and treats, and more. It's lively and feels revitalized. Everyone can use it and enjoy the community. It's also nice to have this long bike thoroughfare so parents can take their kids to school on cargo bikes and others can get to work and around safely without having to worry about auto fatalities. There's new art exhibits and different activities each weekend so if you like seeing happy people of all ages and backgrounds and demographics, check it out! read more

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Permanently closing the Upper Great Highway was quite a big deal, and the passage of Proposition K last November sealed the deal. I totally get the naysayers' perspective of local residents who felt the closure would curtail their navigation options. At the same time, the writing has been on the wall as it was already closed on weekends, holidays, and basically any time the dunes spilled over to the pavement. This route is not foreign to me. I've frequently taken the N-Judah MUNI to the end of the line and walked south, whether on the walkway or when available, the highway. Then I took the L-Taraval line back home. Since it officially opened earlier this month, I have followed the same routine a couple of times now because that covers most of the park which spans the oceanfront between Lincoln and Sloat. It's still in a transitional period between abandoned roadway and full-fledged park. What I first noticed were the addition of rustic seating areas at Judah, Noriega, and Taraval. Along the way were sculptures and other public art pieces at periodic points. New panoramic murals have been painted on the ocean-facing walls of the classical revival restroom buildings at Judah and Taraval, as well as ground murals of marine life and local landmarks at various random spots. It's worthwhile even if you're not an Outer Sunset resident. RELATED - Exploring the Sunset? Here's my collection of places l've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2El8elJ read more

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When this was just the great highway I loved the days when it would be shut down to traffic. Now I can walk on a flat road. I loved the walking path but let's say I had a tendency to fall on my butt. read more

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It is hard not to like the newly launched "Sunset Dunes". For two miles, you can walk, bike, roller skate, or whatever you want with a view of the Pacific Ocean much of the way to the side. As of now, there are just a few murals on the road and on the walls of select objects on the residential side of the walk. Along with signposts here and there, it all adds up to a nice beach vibe. Objects d'art like a giant octopus and giraffes have sprung up, with more to come in the future. But the best art is the natural canvas painted on the sea, sky, and sand dunes around you! read more

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Steeped in ongoing controversy and covered in sand, the latest park to open in San Francisco stretches across a beloved area already familiar to many. Many come to enjoy a romantic stroll along the beach and enjoy the sunny days with a clear, picturesque sunset. Bikers, walkers, joggers, runners, strollers, roller skaters, skateboarders, and scooters roam the paths. There are those who are familiar with the history and the scenery, but there is something new afoot as the smell of remodeling is in the air. Park amenities have already been installed and include the eye-catching, giant octopus sculpture, many murals, social areas with lounge seating, an area for fitness, and more art. Then there are the grayish days or afternoons when the fog rolls in and the horizon is covered by a wall of fog, or it could just be a dreary day with clouds blotting out the sun. The coastal winds kick up the sand, whip around jackets and scarves, and shake the houses or cars in the area. No longer do cars fly by on The Great Highway to be blasted by waves of sand or wind anymore. Alas, this is a reprieve, a breath of fresh air. Rather, people take public transportation, park in the neighborhoods next door, or just walk on over or through this park to get to the beach. People have been bringing picnic essentials or takeout from local restaurants that have traditional Chinese food or beach cafe vibes. All in all, it is and has been a beautiful, lovely place, but now we can call it a park. Love it or hate it. Nature doesn't care about your opinions. The sands go rolling on. read more

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Sorry not a fan . Traffic is ridiculous on Sunset Boulevard because of this closer of the Great highway. Numerous accidents on an almost regular basis, speeding trying to catch the traffic lights. 19th Ave resembles more like a parking lot than a highway connection due to this closer of Great highway , especially on the weekends. Overflow traffic goes through both the Sunset & Parkside making it unsafe for pedestrians and local traffic . I feel sorry for the people who live on the lower Great highway, it used to be a kinda quiet place but during peak traffic hours it's hard to get around let alone trying to get in or out your driveway. For the most part the weather tends to be cold and foggy so only fair weather people use it. The Great highway was a useful artery for traffic coming off of highway 1, now a wasted resource. read more

Wish I could give it 0 stars. What a waste of park resources. I used to run the pedestrian sidewalk next to the extremely useful and lifeline connector to the coast of the Great Highway. No one else was ever there because it is always cold and foggy. The weather has not changed and neither has the number of people using the space during the week. I know because again, I run it 3x per week. Every week. No one else is there during the week. Makes 0 sense to walk on asphalt when you can walk on the beach directly next to it. If you want more "green" space near where you live, maybe don't live in a city? read more

Mount Sutro Tower is the giant city compass on the Hill of San Francisco. Doing the San Francisco geography the West Wing part of the city is the Sunset District just look at any map and it is the heart of the city in under 47 square miles of San Francisco terrain surrounded by water. The Sunset Strip of San Francisco has expanded causing some neighborhood NIMBY ( not in my backyard) controversy. The Sunset Dunes the latest addition to the Sunset Strip is now a walkable path on the old Great Highway .This open space is a place to go for a walk and bike or enjoy the Ocean Beach water and sand. There is also lots of places to enjoy a drink and meal around the Sunset Dunes. There is signage with arrows pointing like a compass to different businesses in the Sunset from Irving to Taraval for visitors. IYKYK San Francisco natives like me don't need the signs but if you are ITK ( In the Know) you also don't bring a sandwich to lay on the sand on a windy day because the Sunset Dunes will become the Sand Dunes in Sand ( San) Francisco. Some days it's so windy if you are wearing a hat it may fly off your head because of the wind ( No cap). Best go to Golden Gate Park with that sandwich. Although Las Vegas may have the Vegas Strip but it's surrounded by desert sand and Los Angeles may have the Sunset Strip but is surrounded with traffic. San Francisco Sunset Strip is walking distance to the sand where the sun sets by the big beautiful sea. Come take a stroll at the Sunset Strip latest addition during the Summer of Love and spend the afternoon having drinks and listening to your favorite jam or pop tune It's Summer in the city and it's almost the end of June but this space is available all four seasons in San Francisco's Sunset Strip at the Sunset Dune read more

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I love living in San Francisco. Just a few miles from home and you can experience nature at its best . The Sunrise and Sunset are both amazing and magical.The meeting of the Ocean And The Sky is unbelievable. The Ocean Breeze is heartwarming and healing. Walking in the sand is a really a great grounding experience and swaying with the wind is a great feeling.There are places where you could sit when you become tired and unique food places are available to enjoy. Thank You Mother Nature. read more

Sunset Dunes - View - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Of all the San Francisco parks I have visited, this one is my favorite. It's like a Pacific Ocean-adjacent high line, or at least has the potential to be that iconic of a tourist attraction for San Francisco. It was a joy to see hundreds of people of all ages, both neighbors and strangers, playing, walking, scooting, running next to the gorgeous ocean views. The air felt noticeably clean. The art was gorgeous. And! I discovered many Sunset businesses I wouldn't have otherwise. I went to Andytown, Palm City, Blackbird, and Case for Making all in one day since I was already out there for Sunset Dunes. What a treat for the city. read more

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Two miles and 50 acres of new park for the people of San Francisco! Opening day was today Saturday April 12. This stretch of former highway is now open for bikers and pedestrians everyday and features amazing large scale art pieces just like nearby JFK. A treasure to behold and cherish for generations to come read more

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A really cool and unique place. It's super busy on the weekend so if you're able to make it out on a weekday I'd definitely recommend it. Especially now that it's light out later. It's one of the best places to watch the sunset, we're so lucky to be able to see the sun set over the ocean here. Best spots for watching the sunset are probably near Noriega and near Pacheco. Coming on a weekend is fun in its own way but you may not get to sit at one of the new benches. Right now there's a taco truck which is pretty good, also a bunch of great restaurants like Hook Fish, or great coffee shops (Andytown, Damn Fine) which you can take down to the beach and enjoy the new seating. Taraval, Kirkham and Judah are the main commercial streets, and worth exploring if you aren't often in the area (the N of course goes down Judah). Also, this is probably one of the best places in the city to look at the stars when the weather is clear, just in terms of light pollution, and probably easier for a lot of people to get to than Land's End. Even before it was a park I came to see the comet. There are some (pretty good for SF!) public restrooms at Judah and Taraval. Water stations nearby as well (which I think are new) and some bike parking on the side for people going faster (the east side). A lot of new seating which was much needed. Also there's a big rock that rotates on a pivot. read more

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It's not a business but a great place to walk, run, skate, ride a bike safely away from cars with like minded residents of San Francisco. Be mindful of pedestrians as you drive to park in the neighborhood. Love the promenade. Bring livable life back to SF for residents. read more

Fantastic new park space in Ocean Beach! A south portion of the Great Highway is permanently closed to cars, making a safe place for pedestrians! There are families & little kids on bikes, roller skates, skateboards. There are so many amenities like art installations, hammocks, a pump track, fitness equipment, play areas, elevated viewing platforms to watch the surfers. Sunset Dunes is also restoring the ecosystem. Volunteers are planting dune grass to prevent erosion. There are areas roped off to protect the snowy plover. Such a terrific addition! Note: we live on the lower Great Highway and I commute. The traffic along my street has barely increased. No issues with street parking. The weekend & holiday traffic is the same. Literally only added THREE mins to my commute at peak traffic times. read more

Sunset Dunes - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

Get away from crowd. Try taking a late stroll while listing to your favorite music. Hear the wave crashing and enjoy the city lights. read more

Sunset Dunes - Nice quite night stroll. - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

The park is new and still taking shape, but it is amazing to see the community already forming around it. A skatepark for all ages, interesting art pieces, a lovely uninterrupted walk that is accessible for everyone. it's not every day that you get to see a new city park take shape, but it's well worth your time. Be sure to check it out. read more

Great place to visit hang out and have fun with family and friends. It's good. Find a great spot to have a picnic or if you just wanted to hang out and spend some time. read more

I've lived in the Outer Sunset for 15 years and Sunset Dunes is the best thing to ever happen out here! It's transformed the sense of community in our neighborhood - it's a safe, vibrant place for the kids to play after school, to run into our neighbors and friends, or just to take a peaceful stroll at sunset. Seniors with their walkers, parents with their babies in strollers, blind running groups, tai chi and yoga sessions, piano serenades, and public art....the park is an active, accessible, dynamic space to connect us to our dynamic coast. And on a personal level, Sunset Dunes has helped us shift from car commuting to bike commuting, now that we have a safe way to get north/south in the neighborhood by bike. We love Sunset Dunes! Come visit and experience it for yourself. read more

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Sunset Dunes is like no other park, not only for its stunning ocean views and environment but also for the unique way its paved lanes, embedded in the dunes, bring a broad range of people together on a priceless stretch of San Francisco land. We are out there nearly every day, rain or shine--foggy, wet and windy days are just as magical as sunny days--and we're noticing that many tourists have discovered it too. read more

Not the best place to walk little dogs. Met up with a couple of friends to walk our dogs last Sunday at the Dunes. I have an itty bitty Chi mix & 1 friend has two 25lb dogs, 1 in a wheelchair so for her, it's an ideal place. Unfortunately, myself & another gal with a small dog did not feel it was safe with so many people on wheels- especially little ones! We kept having to dodge the threats. They really need to designate lanes or a side for scooters, go carts, bikes & skaters. I had my dog on a short leash & tried keeping her between myself & the median but it's just not possible to avoid all the people rolling by. I ended up putting her in my doggy backpack. We like walking on the actual beach better anyway. It was a sunny afternoon & parking was difficult too. I gave 2 stars because there was some fun art murals. I'd give more stars if they made it safer. read more

Sunset Dunes - Not safe for little dogs - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

Decided to take a brisk walk at Sunset Dunes to check out how the Great Highway has changed into a park. At the end of Sloat there was the big red octopus art installation with a mini skate board area nearby and another art installation of a couple of giraffes further up, nearer Vicente. Apart from these sculptures, not much has changed. I hope they will put up some info on the artists who created these sculptures. On a sign at Sloat, it showed future plans and more art installations along the Great Highway, so the park is still very much a work in progress. Today the weather was overcast and windy, so I decided to walk along the beach at Vicente. I could barely see the mural on the ground because it was covered in sand. Interestingly, I was curious at the residential red brick house on Vicente and found out it used to be a chicken restaurant called the Chickery. Overall a great space for families, biking and jogging without worrying about cars. Will be back in warmer weather to check out the newer installations further up. read more

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Love this park. It's a great walk along the dunes, with continually varying views of the ocean. I enjoy seeing the ways people are making use of the Park and the Beach. (why, people are even honoring the closed of dunes) Lots of families with young kids, surfers, people surf fishing, cycling. We make the trip out there 3 or 4 times a month. Always a treat. Very good bus and MUNI service means I don't have to worry about driving/parking. (and the buses work well for people using wheelchairs and mobility scooters and walkers, or families with strollers, peak periods excepted) read more

A perfect spot for a staycation. Wheels or walks, a fun place to spend the day or get around the west side by bike or skateboard. Just don't go in the dunes read more

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Sunset Dunes is an amazing addition to San Francisco. We live in the Sunset and are so happy to have a new place to walk, bike, meet friends, and be with our kids. read more

Sunset Dunes - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

Sunset Dunes has been an amazing addition to the Sunset community! It's such a nice place to meet other people during the events they hold. I recently attended the Fourth of July event, and it was really fun! They even had free pies! read more

Sunset Dunes - Pride band @ Sunset Dunes Fourth of July - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

I'm an environmentalist and all for people getting outside to enjoy their city! But I do not understand this at all. Why would you walk on this when you can walk on the beach?! You can't even see the ocean for much of it (!!!)due to the dunes being in the way of the water!! So you are just trudging through a crowd without seeing the water for so much of it!! I did not think it was beautiful at all - like walking down an asphalt highway which I would never do when I can just walk on the beach! Seems like a giant waste of money (sigh), especially when we already have the beautiful beach as well as Golden Gate Park! I would never go here. read more

One of my favorite places in SF. Great for biking, skating, scooting, walking, talking, sitting, dancing, etc. etc. Just not for driving! Take your cars elsewhere losers ;P read more

New favorite park in San Francisco. Totally worth checking out and bringing any out of town guests who want to see the best of the city. Love all the new art and especially the heart sculpture, which is perfect for sunset pics. read more

Sunset Dunes - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

Best thing to happen to the Sunset EVER. Today there were thousands of people out enjoying our new park. Kids on little bikes, seniors in walkers and everyone in between. read more

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I live in the Outer Sunset and Sunset Dunes Park has been a great addition to our neighborhood and to SF. Why would we waste this beautiful park for an auto-bypass across our neighborhood with no exits and entries? Come visit the park, get out of your car and enjoy this gorgeous park! read more

We bike out to Sunset Dunes almost every day, and we've made friends and we meet friends there. What a great park for building community!