The best parks & outdoor spots in San Francisco

13 parks & outdoor spots we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Parks & Outdoors · 13 places · showing the latest additions first

Emeryville Marina Park

Parks & Outdoors

Laid-back park offering bay views, picnic tables, and a marina as well as an easy walking trail.

3310 Powell St (Emeryville)

“Laid-back park offering bay views, picnic tables, and a marina as well as an easy walking trail.”

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Temescal Regional Recreation Area

Parks & Outdoors

Urban, lakeside retreat offering swim & picnic areas, a fishing dock, trails & playgrounds.

6500 Broadway (Oakland)

“Urban, lakeside retreat offering swim & picnic areas, a fishing dock, trails & playgrounds.”

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McLaren Park Trails

Parks & Outdoors

Large forested park featuring scenic hilltop viewpoints, tennis courts and a playground.

2075 Burrows St

“Large forested park featuring scenic hilltop viewpoints, tennis courts and a playground.”

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Mussel Rock Park

Parks & Outdoors

Known for its rocky coastline, this park boasts sandy beaches, scenic ocean vistas & hiking trails.

Parking lot, Skyline Dr &, Westline Dr (Daly City)

“Known for its rocky coastline, this park boasts sandy beaches, scenic ocean vistas & hiking trails.”

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Alemany Farm

Parks & Outdoors

Expansive farm run by the community, offering internships, classes & volunteer opportunities.

700 Alemany Blvd

“Expansive farm run by the community, offering internships, classes & volunteer opportunities.”

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Orange Memorial Park

Parks & Outdoors

This tree-lined city park is home to a large indoor aquatics center, tennis courts & a playground.

1 W Orange Ave (South San Francisco)

“This tree-lined city park is home to a large indoor aquatics center, tennis courts & a playground.”

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John McLaren Park

Parks & Outdoors

312-acre park featuring a golf course, a pool & an amphitheater, plus 7 miles of walking trails.

100 John F Shelley Dr

“312-acre park featuring a golf course, a pool & an amphitheater, plus 7 miles of walking trails.”

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Marina Bay Park

Parks & Outdoors

Marina Bay Park is calling for a low-key hang this week, with big lawn space for sprawling picnics, legit BBQ spots, and a bonus dose of…

WM72+XXR, Marina Bay Park, Unnamed Road (Richmond)

“Marina Bay Park is calling for a low-key hang this week, with big lawn space for sprawling picnics, legit BBQ spots, and a bonus dose of history at the Rosie the Riveter Memorial. Ideal for catching up with friends and pretending your playlist is a live DJ.”

From the Alameda newsletter, August 5, 2026

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San Bruno Mountain State Park

Parks & Outdoors

Mountain recreation space featuring city & bay views, hiking trails, picnic areas & open meadows.

555 Guadalupe Canyon Pkwy (Brisbane)

“Mountain recreation space featuring city & bay views, hiking trails, picnic areas & open meadows.”

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Mill Valley Chickens

Parks & Outdoors

Family-owned farming business offering heritage chickens, coops & classes on urban gardening.

106 Lomita Dr (Mill Valley)

“Family-owned farming business offering heritage chickens, coops & classes on urban gardening.”

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Sign Hill Park

Parks & Outdoors

A 30-acre hilltop preserve featuring several short hiking trails & habitat for birds & butterflies.

650 Poplar Ave (South San Francisco)

“A 30-acre hilltop preserve featuring several short hiking trails & habitat for birds & butterflies.”

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Keller Beach Park

Parks & Outdoors

Small, clean beach with barbecue pits, a shower and restrooms, plus biking and jogging trails.

Richmond

“Small, clean beach with barbecue pits, a shower and restrooms, plus biking and jogging trails.”

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Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline

Parks & Outdoors

Waterfront space with a picnic area, beach, fishing pier, panoramic views & a model railroad museum.

900 Dornan Dr (Richmond)

“Waterfront space with a picnic area, beach, fishing pier, panoramic views & a model railroad museum.”

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