Best Parks Nearby San Francisco Near Me

4worldlovers: The rumors are true. Golden Gate Park is as fantastic as they say. Explore this iconic park’s 1,017 acres, from bucolic lakes and meadows to vibrant activity destinations. Golden Gate Park has something for everyone.

Golden Gate Park Car-Free Route In an effort to create safer spaces for everyone to enjoy our parks, we're providing a virtually car-free route from one end of the park to the other. Find out more

Visit our Accessibility Questions page for more information on accessibility resources in our parks, including Golden Gate Park.

4worldlovers: If you're downtown, go down the Embarcadero to Rincon Park! This landmark has nice groomed patches of grass along its promenade and there is a large sculpture of a Bow and Arrow known as "Cupid's Span"; in addition, the view of the Bay Bridge is unforgettable and worthy of a photo! Rincon Park is owned by the San Francisco Port.

4worldlovers: Encompassing nearly 16 acres, Mission Dolores Park is one of San Francisco’s most popular parks, the vibrant heart of its equally vibrant, culturally diverse neighborhood. Here you’ll find lush green lawns shaded by tall palm trees, a soccer field, six tennis courts, one basketball court, a multi-use court, a playground, and two off-leash dog play areas. Yes. Many festivals, performances, and other cultural events are held here, and on sunny afternoons people flock to the park to play, picnic, lounge, walk their dogs, and enjoy spectacular views of the city’s skyline and beyond.

Named for nearby Mission Dolores, the 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.

Following a major renovation project in 2016, a community effort was launched to encourage park users to pack out their trash and recyclables to the curb. Thank you for helping to keep our park clean!

Mission Dolores Park is bounded by Church, Dolores, 18th, and 20th streets. The Muni Metro J-Church Line runs along its western edge.

4worldlovers: MARIN, SONOMA AND MENDOCINO COUNTY PARTNER TO CREATE A CLEANER COAST Teaching Leave No Trace Practices to Growing Visitor Audiences in Coastal Communities. Learn more by reading the Tri-County Partnership Press Release (6/15/2022).

Immigration Station - Barracks Museum: open for self-guided visits and reserved group tours; drop-in tours may also be available

Angel Island services are open. Please check the schedule, reservation, and masking requirements for the ferry companies and on island services (food and transportation on the island) before planning your trip.

Angel Island State Park, the largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay, offers some of the best views of the surrounding Bay Area. With great hiking trails and many other recreational opportunities readily available, Angel Island is truly a hidden gem in the midst of the urban Bay Area.

Angel Island is truly a walk through time! Beginning with the earliest inhabitants, the Coast Miwok, Angel Island was a seasonal hunting and gathering location for the local native tribes, a safe refuge and supply stop for Spanish explorers like Juan Manuel de Ayala, one of the first to map the San Francisco Bay.

From 1910 to 1940, the U.S. Immigration Station processed hundreds of thousands of immigrants, the majority from China. During World War II, Japanese, and German POWs were detained at the Station before being sent to facilities farther inland.

The Island has been a cattle ranch and beginning with the Civil War at Camp Reynolds, the Island has nearly 100 years of military history. With the outbreaks of WWI and WWII thousands of troops both returning and embarking for conflicts around the world were processed through Angel Island. In the '50s and '60s, the Island saw its last military service as a home to a Nike missile base.

In 1954 the transition of Angel Island as a California State Park began. Starting with Ayala Cove on the western side of the Island, park visitors had the first opportunities to enjoy the beauty of this amazing Island. In the early 60's the final departure of the military allowed the rest of Angel Island to become park lands and the rest is history!

Access to the Island is by public ferry or private boat.

There is limited weekday ferry service to Angel Island during the winter. Check with ferry provider.

Dogs are NOT allowed on the island, service animals excepted. This does not include the use of emotional support animals which are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Collecting or destroying anything in the park, including mushrooms, is prohibited.

Bicycles are allowed on Angel Island, all riders under 18 years of age are required to wear helmets. Bike rentals are available seasonally.