A cradle of innovation, history, and cultural diversity, San Francisco is also a city deeply connected to nature. Its numerous parks, each with its own identity, offer unique experiences: from bucolic strolls to sporting activities, from contemplation to celebration, San Francisco invites visitors to take a deep breath of fresh air.
Golden Gate Park – An Urban Oasis
Golden Gate Park is a must-see in San Francisco. Larger than Central Park, it stretches 5 kilometers long, between the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood and Ocean Beach.
A true green lung of the city, it houses several museums including the de Young Museum, the Academy of Sciences, and the Conservatory of Flowers.
Don’t miss the Japanese Tea Garden, the oldest Japanese garden in the country.
It’s impossible to get bored in Golden Gate Park, with boat rides on Stow Lake, hikes through the eucalyptus trees, and yoga sessions on the vast Sharon Meadow lawn.
Sports enthusiasts will also find plenty to do, as the park features several tennis courts and golf courses, as well as numerous bike paths. A free shuttle runs on weekends and major holidays.
The Presidio – A Green Setting
A former U.S. Army base converted into a park and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Presidio is a pristine natural space just steps from downtown San Francisco.
With over 24 km of hiking trails, spectacular viewpoints of the Golden Gate Bridge, beaches like Baker Beach and Crissy Field, and historic sites to visit, it attracts hikers, families, and budding photographers.
The park’s interior also offers many discoveries, including the Palace of Fine Arts, the remains of an imposing palace built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Tunnel Tops – Between Sky and Sea
Opened in 2022, after nearly two decades of construction, Tunnel Tops Park is built, as its name suggests, above the Presidio Parkway tunnel that leads to the Golden Gate Bridge.
This park offers nearly 6 additional hectares of greenery in the heart of the Presidio.
It features trails, picnic tables, a large playground, gardens, and fields with 180 varieties of plants, all with views of the city and the iconic bridge.
Alamo Square – The Postcard Par Excellence
Perched on a hilltop, Alamo Square offers a breathtaking view of the Painted Ladies, a row of seven colorful Victorian houses set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s skyscrapers, creating a stunning contrast.
It’s much more than a backdrop; it’s a peaceful place, ideal for a break in the shade of a tree with a good book or to admire the view of downtown beyond the famous facades.
A park full of charm, just like the city itself.
Twin Peaks – San Francisco in 360°
Overlooking the city from the top of its twin peaks, « Eureka » and « Noe, » Twin Peaks Park offers one of the most beautiful views of San Francisco.
Accessible by car, bicycle, or after a pleasant hike, the site rises to an altitude of over 280 meters, offering a 360° view of the entire bay: downtown, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean, and the East Bay.
It’s a popular spot for sunrises and sunsets, or simply to enjoy a moment of solitude.
Trails crisscross the area, offering walkers an immersion in nature, right in the heart of the city.
Sunset Dunes – The New Coastal Jewel
Opened on April 12, 2025, Sunset Dunes is an innovative ecological restoration project in the Sunset neighborhood, inviting visitors to rediscover San Francisco’s coastline in a new light.
It pays homage to the ancient dunes that covered