The Tailor-Made Top 11 Parks to Visit in San Francisco

Barry Pickard
Jun 11
8 min read

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Author: Barry Pickard

San Francisco Botanical Gardens

Mission Dolores Park

Golden Gate Park

Where to Stay in San Francisco

Conclusion

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Where can you find the best parks to visit in San Francisco that locals actually use for more than just tourist photos? The answer lies in discovering the hidden neighbourhood gems and iconic green spaces that offer everything from morning jogs with Golden Gate views to afternoon picnics away from the crowds – something I've mapped out during my years of creating custom walking routes through this surprisingly green city.

The soft thud of tennis balls echoes across Alta Plaza's courts while the sweet scent of blooming magnolias drifts from the nearby Botanical Gardens, mixing with the distant sound of children's laughter from Mission Dolores Park's grassy slopes. You can hear the gentle splash of fountains at Yerba Buena Gardens competing with the rustle of eucalyptus leaves in the afternoon breeze, while the earthy smell of redwood mulch rises from the countless pathways that wind through Golden Gate Park's 1,017 acres.

As someone who's spent over a decade designing personalized walking tours for independent travellers, I've tested every bench, explored every trail, and discovered which parks offer the perfect escape when you need a break from San Francisco's busy streets. I've watched sunrise from Buena Vista Park's summit, enjoyed countless afternoon picnics in Lafayette Park, and even got caught in that famous fog while exploring the hidden corners of the Presidio – all so I could give you the insider's guide to San Francisco's most rewarding green spaces.

These aren't just pretty parks you'll find in every guidebook; they're the authentic San Francisco spots where you can experience the city like a local, whether you're looking for stunning city views, family-friendly playgrounds, or quiet corners perfect for reading a book. From rooftop gardens that most tourists never discover to historic squares with fascinating stories, this guide will show you exactly which parks to visit in San Francisco and why each one deserves a spot on your independent travel itinerary.

Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting any of these parks appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the parks of San Francisco, or indeed, a general tour of this amazing city.

It is difficult to create a list of the best parks and is sure to be a little controversial with some, but here are my top eleven.

11. Huntington Park

Huntington Park is a 1.3-acre (0.53 ha) park in the Nob Hill neighbourhood. The park is on land donated to the city in 1915 by Arabella Huntington, widow of railroad tycoon Collis P. Huntington. This quiet park is an oasis of serenity near the heart of the city. As well as having an excellent children’s play area, the park has great views of the stunning Grace Cathedral.

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10. Alamo Square Park

Alamo Square Park is situated at the top of a hill overlooking much of downtown San Francisco, with a number of large and architecturally distinctive mansions along the perimeter, including the iconic "Painted Ladies". Named after the lone cottonwood tree ("alamo" in Spanish), Alamo Hill, was a watering hole on the horseback trail from Mission Dolores to the Presidio in the 1800s. In 1856, Mayor James Van Ness created the 12.7 acres (5.1 ha) park.

9. Alta Plaza Park

Alta Plaza Park consists of four-square blocks at the top of Pacific Heights and overlooks much of San Francisco's Marina and Cow Hollow Districts, the Presidio, Fort Mason and Alcatraz. The plaza provides three hard surface tennis courts and a playground in its center and has a large grass park on its northern half and terraced lawns on its southern half.

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8. Buena Vista Park

Buena Vista Park is the oldest official park in San Francisco, established in 1867 as Hill Park, later renamed Buena Vista. The park is on a steep hill that peaks at 575 feet (175 m) and covers 37 acres (150,000 m2). The layout of the park uses the steepness of the hill to good advantage, offering good views of the city (particularly to the north).

Read on to find out which park tops the list.

7. Lafayette Park

Lafayette Park is an 11.49 acres (4.65 ha) park. Originally created in 1936, it is located on a hill, offering views of many areas, including the city's Marina district, Alcatraz Island and the San Francisco Bay, Buena Vista Park, and Twin Peaks. In addition to both open and treed green spaces, the park includes two tennis courts, a children's playground, an off-leash dog area, restroom facilities, and a picnic area.

6. Washington Square

Washington Square was one of the City’s first parks, established in 1847. A popular North Beach stop for visitors and locals alike, this lively urban oasis is bordered by sidewalk cafes and restaurants, as well as Saint Peter & Paul’s Church.

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5. Salesforce Park

A recent addition to San Francisco’s long list of attractions, Salesforce Park can be found on the roof of the Salesforce Transit Center, stretching over nearly four blocks. This 5.4-acre park features a beautiful landscape with 600 trees, 16,000 plants, and a linear fountain.

Highlights of this popular downtown park are its walkable glass floor that is the largest of its kind in the US, the amphitheatre that holds up to 1,000 people on its grassy lawn, and the Bus Fountain which is one of the world's longest water artworks.

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4. Yerba Buena Gardens

Yerba Buena Gardens is located between Third and Fourth, Mission and Folsom Streets in downtown San Francisco. Yerba Buena was the name of the town in the Mexican territory of Alta California that became the city of San Francisco, California, after it was claimed by the United States in 1846.

Tailor-Made Top Tip: Make sure to check out the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and Fountain. The King memorial, titled "Revelations," consists of large, etched glass excerpts of King's speeches in the languages of San Francisco's sister cities.

3. San Francisco Botanical Gardens

The San Francisco Botanical Garden grows more than 8,000 plant varieties in 55 acres of landscaped gardens and open spaces. The gardens are divided into various geographic areas, such as a Mediterranean garden, cloud forests from meso-America and southeast Asia, and gardens from Chile, Australia, Japan, California, and more. The garden’s special collections include rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias, and succulents.

Tailor-Made Top Tip: The Children’s Garden can be found in the westernmost corner of the gardens. Here there are many areas that allow kids to get their hands dirty and interact with nature, such as the ‘creation station,’ ‘stump jump,’ and ‘sensory garden.’

Have you guessed yet which park tops the list?

2. Mission Dolores Park

Mission Dolores Park is situated on land that was once a Jewish cemetery. The City bought the property in 1905 and established the park. In 1906 it served as a refugee camp for more than 1,600 residents made homeless by the earthquake and fire. The park encompasses nearly 16 acres, and is the vibrant heart of this vibrant, culturally diverse neighbourhood. The park has extensive sporting facilities as well as being host to different cultural events. The park enjoys spectacular views of the city’s skyline and beyond.

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1. Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park’s 1,017 acres were developed during the 1870's and 1880's, and now contains gardens, playgrounds, lakes, picnic groves, trails, and monuments, plus an array of museums, events, and activities. The park welcomes 13 million visitors each year. Configured as a rectangle, it is similar in shape but 20 percent larger than Central Park in New York, to which it is often compared. It is over three miles (4.8 km) long east to west, and about half a mile (0.8 km) north to south.

Where to Stay in San Francisco

As befits a world-famous destination, San Francisco has a wide range of hotels to cater for all tastes and needs. Travellers should note, however, that hotels here tend to be more expensive than other US cities. There are some budget hotels in the Tenderloin area, but I would advise against staying there.

Luxury Icons: For travellers seeking opulence, there are plenty of grand establishments that blend historic charm with modern amenities. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to stay the night, I enjoyed a lovely lunch Fairmont San Francisco and a drink in their iconic Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar.

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Other excellent hotel options would be Hotel Adagio, Autograph Collection and the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA.

Boutique Gems: San Francisco boasts a variety of boutique hotels, such as the historic Victorian charm of Queen Anne, or the modern quirkiness of the Staypineapple.

Family Fun: As for families, they are also well catered for, especially around Fisherman’s Wharf, with the likes of the Hotel Zephyr and the Argonaut.

Conclusion

San Francisco's parks prove that this urban landscape offers far more than just famous landmarks and steep hills – they're the city's breathing spaces where locals gather, families play, and independent travellers can experience the authentic rhythm of San Francisco life. From the historic charm of Washington Square in North Beach to the innovative design of Salesforce Park hovering above the transit centre, each green space tells its own story of how this city balances urban energy with natural beauty. Whether you're seeking panoramic views from Mission Dolores Park, peaceful meditation in the Japanese Tea Garden, or an afternoon adventure through Golden Gate Park's endless trails, these parks offer the perfect antidote to city exploration fatigue and remind you why San Francisco remains one of America's most liveable cities.