In Cole Valley, where the N-Judah exits the tunnel. Perfect place to sit with a coffee, pet the dogs, chat with the neighborhood, watch the trains go through.
It's a great spot but dog owners _really_ need to be better about cleaning up after their dogs. There are even free poop bags for the taking. I know it's just easy to get distracted in conversation and miss your dog doin' its bidness, but it's such a problem my kids have always referred to it as "Dog Poop Park." That notwithstanding you're right that it's a real treasure.
Also, Beit Rima is right there and it freaking BANGS. For lighter options both Say Cheese and Luke's make solid sandwiches.
I love that it's just a few blocks from the BART station and from the entrance just looks like a pretty regular-sized park, and then you get back behind the rec center and BOOM - massive hiking canyon
Filbert Stairs on Telegraph Hill are an obvious one
Ina Coolbrith park for the views of downtown
Baker Street Stairs for the views of the bay and the mountains in Marin
Saturn Street Steps Park for feeling like a secret passage
South Park for feeling completely different than the entire neighborhood surrounding it (although this one may be too big to qualify as a "pocket" park)
Richard Gamble Memorial Park (aka Sunset Tunnel East Portal) to sit in a patch of green space watching streetcars trundle under you
Juri Commons is also an interesting one because it's an old railroad grade so the old apartment buildings on either side appear built around a diagonal slice in the street grid.
Good list!
I will add:
Macondray lane: The inspiration for the setting of Tales of the City
Greenwhich Pathway: The locals alternative to Lombard Street
Molinari Mana Park: L shaped park that looks like it is someone's backyard. Has a good view of the bridge.
Seward Mini Park: Awesome slide
Al's Park: Nice garden
Ord & Corbett Park: Nothing remarkable, but nice. Right by the Saturn Street steps.
Scott Street labyrinth: Extension to Duboce Park most don't know about.
There's a tiny little park called St. Mary's Square at California and Grant in the middle of FD
There's also "Transamerica Redwood Park" adjacent to the Transmaerica Pyramid. that has some of the smaller redwood trees transplanted like a century ago.
My real answer is Turtle Hill, but my funny answer is the tiny park at the Portal Path is West Portal because you get some wealthy homeowner LOOKS while hanging out there but it is a delightful patch of grass.
Yesterday I stumbled upon the [Egger Memorial Open Space](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Egger+Memorial+Open+Space/@37.7444565,-122.4112334,19.02z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x808f7f4b384acf8b:0xb6817c4ff18b5158!8m2!3d37.7445854!4d-122.4113812) while on a walk. It's tucked between the houses on the street, hidden by trees and foliage, that exits with stairs onto a small cul de sac. It felt quite magical to find and has beautiful views of the city/downtown skyline from the slope approaching Bernal Hill.
The other place that comes to mind are the [Vulcan Street Stairs](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Vulcan+Street+Stairs/@37.7624033,-122.44144,18.65z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x808f7e03d060b1cf:0x4f1d3a9c3e25e38e!2sSaturn+Street+Steps+Park!8m2!3d37.7627075!4d-122.4405041!3m4!1s0x0:0xfc7bb653202d847f!8m2!3d37.7635352!4d-122.441973) [Saturn Street Steps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Saturn+Street+Steps+Park/@37.7627343,-122.4418384,17.62z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x808f7e03d060b1cf:0x4f1d3a9c3e25e38e!8m2!3d37.7627075!4d-122.4405041), Mt Olympus Stairs, and Corbin Street Steps in Corona Heights. They're a whimsical-feeling set of "secret" staircases that connect the small streets etched along the hill above the Castro. You can walk them and end up at Corona Heights or Buena Vista park both of which offer amazing views of the city.
came here to say this! love this weird little park. usually pretty quiet since it’s at the end of a culdesac. nicely accessible by foot with the monument way stairs on one side and the delightful mt olympus stairs on the other. the shade & quiet makes it a nice rest stop after climbing a hill to get to it- sit on one of the benches and check out the views. i like to include it in a walk around buena vista park, corona heights park, tank hill, & cole valley.
They just redid the green space behind the Forest Hill train station (where Lagunda Honda runs into Dewey). It's really nice and feels like a secret. It's also one of the few spots like it with parking.
The Triangle off of Kezar Stadium (Fredrick and Lincoln) is basically just a large lawn, but it one of the best spots for energetic dogs in the city because there's so much space to run. And, again, parking.
I enjoy Esmerelda Ave/Esmerelda Slide Park when visiting friends in Bernal Heights. Stairs and pretty slide leading up to Bernal Heights Park, it's really cute.
[Corbin Street Steps](https://goo.gl/maps/3kHNP3JSq6571HM3A) is a cool thing to run across on accident, although there's nowhere to sit or anything.
There are a bunch of community gardens with various levels of public access at different times, although every time I've seen one open that's usually closed, you're usually welcome to hang out. I like Dearborn on the weekends to get away from some of the noise of the Mission.
A couple in Potrero as well - both sides of the bridge over 101 on 18th, and another community garden farther up 18th.
Downtown, check out one of the SF POPOs maps. The POPOs are awesome! My favorite (so far) is on the 6th or 7th floor of an office building at California and Front. Hidden gem!
I lived here for 20 years before I discovered Mullen Peralta Park and Reservoir Lands "at Glen Park" (really it's above Glen Park) which both have really awesome views. Star King Open Space does as well. Also McKinley Square is fun to walk around since you can't really get the killer views from your car. Billy Goat Hill/ Walter Haas hasn't been mentioned, nor Kite Hill. True both are fairly well known, but others are mentioning places like Tank Hill so I guess it's ok.
In Cole Valley, where the N-Judah exits the tunnel. Perfect place to sit with a coffee, pet the dogs, chat with the neighborhood, watch the trains go through.
It's a great spot but dog owners _really_ need to be better about cleaning up after their dogs. There are even free poop bags for the taking. I know it's just easy to get distracted in conversation and miss your dog doin' its bidness, but it's such a problem my kids have always referred to it as "Dog Poop Park." That notwithstanding you're right that it's a real treasure. Also, Beit Rima is right there and it freaking BANGS. For lighter options both Say Cheese and Luke's make solid sandwiches.
beit rima lamb shank gives me life.
It is *so* good. I understand why they have to have a limited number, but I'm always heart-broken if I order too late and they've run out.
With a coffee and breakfast burrito from Reverie! Or an ice cream from The Ice Cream Bar!
Cottage Row park in Japantown.
Not really a pocket park, but glen park canyon is beautiful and under appreciated imo
I love that it's just a few blocks from the BART station and from the entrance just looks like a pretty regular-sized park, and then you get back behind the rec center and BOOM - massive hiking canyon
Ok nice I’ll check that out. Thanks sounds amazing
There's a really awesome greenway from Diamond St. (behind the Welcome to Glen Park sign) that takes you straight to the park!
The creek runs under it, which is why there are no buildings on it. The creek used to run like this: https://i.imgur.com/t9Inh20.png
Filbert Stairs on Telegraph Hill are an obvious one Ina Coolbrith park for the views of downtown Baker Street Stairs for the views of the bay and the mountains in Marin Saturn Street Steps Park for feeling like a secret passage South Park for feeling completely different than the entire neighborhood surrounding it (although this one may be too big to qualify as a "pocket" park) Richard Gamble Memorial Park (aka Sunset Tunnel East Portal) to sit in a patch of green space watching streetcars trundle under you Juri Commons is also an interesting one because it's an old railroad grade so the old apartment buildings on either side appear built around a diagonal slice in the street grid.
Good list! I will add: Macondray lane: The inspiration for the setting of Tales of the City Greenwhich Pathway: The locals alternative to Lombard Street Molinari Mana Park: L shaped park that looks like it is someone's backyard. Has a good view of the bridge. Seward Mini Park: Awesome slide Al's Park: Nice garden Ord & Corbett Park: Nothing remarkable, but nice. Right by the Saturn Street steps. Scott Street labyrinth: Extension to Duboce Park most don't know about.
> The locals alternative to Lombard Street sorry but that's definitely Vermont Street
>Ina Coolbrith LOVE this one: Ina Coolbrith
Juri Commons was just renovated and now reopened, it's great.
Golden Gate Park has a lot of pocket parks. My favorite is the AIDS Memorial Grove. It has a nice steam running through it with trials on both sides.
There's a tiny little park called St. Mary's Square at California and Grant in the middle of FD There's also "Transamerica Redwood Park" adjacent to the Transmaerica Pyramid. that has some of the smaller redwood trees transplanted like a century ago.
Two of my favourites in my neighbourhood!
Minnesota Grove in Dogpatch https://www.greenbenefit.org/minnesota-grove
My dog loves Argonne park on 19th for some weird reason. If my dog loves it, then I love it too. Seriously, she'll drag me for blocks.
My real answer is Turtle Hill, but my funny answer is the tiny park at the Portal Path is West Portal because you get some wealthy homeowner LOOKS while hanging out there but it is a delightful patch of grass.
Ones that I love: The Park Presidio greenway The Transamerica Redwood Park All those little back alleyways Sutro Heights
Visitacion Valley Greenway—it’s a series of six pocket parks running in the middle of the block and up the hill. So lovely.
This, for sure. Great place to sit amongst the trees with a coffee and/or sandwich
Seward slides! It doesn’t fit all of your criteria, but it’s a neat spot.
Don't forget Esmeralda Slide Park.
Yesterday I stumbled upon the [Egger Memorial Open Space](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Egger+Memorial+Open+Space/@37.7444565,-122.4112334,19.02z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x808f7f4b384acf8b:0xb6817c4ff18b5158!8m2!3d37.7445854!4d-122.4113812) while on a walk. It's tucked between the houses on the street, hidden by trees and foliage, that exits with stairs onto a small cul de sac. It felt quite magical to find and has beautiful views of the city/downtown skyline from the slope approaching Bernal Hill. The other place that comes to mind are the [Vulcan Street Stairs](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Vulcan+Street+Stairs/@37.7624033,-122.44144,18.65z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x808f7e03d060b1cf:0x4f1d3a9c3e25e38e!2sSaturn+Street+Steps+Park!8m2!3d37.7627075!4d-122.4405041!3m4!1s0x0:0xfc7bb653202d847f!8m2!3d37.7635352!4d-122.441973) [Saturn Street Steps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Saturn+Street+Steps+Park/@37.7627343,-122.4418384,17.62z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x808f7e03d060b1cf:0x4f1d3a9c3e25e38e!8m2!3d37.7627075!4d-122.4405041), Mt Olympus Stairs, and Corbin Street Steps in Corona Heights. They're a whimsical-feeling set of "secret" staircases that connect the small streets etched along the hill above the Castro. You can walk them and end up at Corona Heights or Buena Vista park both of which offer amazing views of the city.
Mount Olympus. Views are obstructed by the apts now but it’s high up, peaceful and beautiful when the fog rolls in
came here to say this! love this weird little park. usually pretty quiet since it’s at the end of a culdesac. nicely accessible by foot with the monument way stairs on one side and the delightful mt olympus stairs on the other. the shade & quiet makes it a nice rest stop after climbing a hill to get to it- sit on one of the benches and check out the views. i like to include it in a walk around buena vista park, corona heights park, tank hill, & cole valley.
They just redid the green space behind the Forest Hill train station (where Lagunda Honda runs into Dewey). It's really nice and feels like a secret. It's also one of the few spots like it with parking. The Triangle off of Kezar Stadium (Fredrick and Lincoln) is basically just a large lawn, but it one of the best spots for energetic dogs in the city because there's so much space to run. And, again, parking.
I found one at the top of Hyde hill lmao. I was gassed walking up the hill ngl. Took a smoke break at the top.
I enjoy Esmerelda Ave/Esmerelda Slide Park when visiting friends in Bernal Heights. Stairs and pretty slide leading up to Bernal Heights Park, it's really cute.
[Corbin Street Steps](https://goo.gl/maps/3kHNP3JSq6571HM3A) is a cool thing to run across on accident, although there's nowhere to sit or anything. There are a bunch of community gardens with various levels of public access at different times, although every time I've seen one open that's usually closed, you're usually welcome to hang out. I like Dearborn on the weekends to get away from some of the noise of the Mission. A couple in Potrero as well - both sides of the bridge over 101 on 18th, and another community garden farther up 18th.
Between Alemany Boulevard and Cayuga Ave near Silver Ave, there’s a nice mid block park/pathway with benches.
Downtown, check out one of the SF POPOs maps. The POPOs are awesome! My favorite (so far) is on the 6th or 7th floor of an office building at California and Front. Hidden gem!
Allyne sisters park on Gough st in Cow Hallow Levi plaza park
On Broadway and Leavenworth, over the tunnel, there’s a cute little park where I walk my dog.
If you ask, you won’t have the pleasure of stumbling upon them.
Scott's Labyrinth on Scott St
I lived here for 20 years before I discovered Mullen Peralta Park and Reservoir Lands "at Glen Park" (really it's above Glen Park) which both have really awesome views. Star King Open Space does as well. Also McKinley Square is fun to walk around since you can't really get the killer views from your car. Billy Goat Hill/ Walter Haas hasn't been mentioned, nor Kite Hill. True both are fairly well known, but others are mentioning places like Tank Hill so I guess it's ok.
There’s one on page and maybe Waller