San Francisco was my home for many years. A place with an incredibly colorful history and a unique character. A place where countless artists and musicians came from far and wide to seek out its scene of freedom and expression. Many will tell you that spirit is long since gone but I would say that at least a glimmer still remains. As frugal college students, my friends and I always had a place we could go to feel even just a bit of distance from the skyrocketing rents and relentless gentrification: the pockets of nature throughout this still beautiful city: the parks of San Francisco. Whether in their areas of quiet contemplation or big open fields full of music, festivals, and laughter: there’s a sense of play. A sense of freedom. A sense of rebellion against economic woes by basking in nature and creating your own fun. It’s a little glimpse into that old soul of San Francisco.
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Dolores Park
The parks of San Francisco are magical places where perhaps the stark wealth inequality of the city can be momentarily disrupted as people from all backgrounds and income brackets are invited to converge and dance together. One of the greatest places to feel this is Dolores Park.
This huge grassy slope in the fantastic Mission district is the perfect place for a picnic as you enjoy the view of the skyline. You may very well stumble onto a festival or big impromptu dance party if you’re lucky.
Alamo Square Park
Though Alamo Square Park may be fairly small, it has a view of a few icons of the San Francisco skyline including the Transamerica pyramid and perhaps some of the most famous houses in the United States: “The Painted Ladies”. This charming little green square in the center of the city is a convenient starting point for exploring nearby Haight Ashbury to the South or Japantown to the North.
Lake Merced Park
In the quieter outskirts of the city, one can find the less touristy areas of San Francisco. The Sunset district is a truly special place occupying one of the few older, residential areas with (comparatively) more affordable housing than other parts of the city.
In this sleepy misty neighborhood along the Pacific Ocean, you can find Lake Merced Park. I used to love walking the quiet trails around this lesser known corner of town.
Golden Gate Park
At the north end of that same quiet district stretches over 1,000 acres of one of my favorite city parks in the world: Golden Gate Park. This massive area holds so many things to experience including the DeYoung Museum, the Conservatory of Flowers, and the huge Dutch Windmills that sit on the park’s western border along the beach.
That is not even to mention the numerous fields, ponds and flowers to simply bask amongst. Stow Lake in particular is a gorgeous area to stroll and feed the ducks.
Golden Gate Park is home to some of San Francisco’s biggest music festivals: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival and Outside Lands Festival. In this massive sprawl of rolling hills, forests and flower patches, there is plenty of space to unwind or explore.
Lincoln Park
Head further north from Golden Gate Park and you will find another special corner of the city. Lincoln Park occupies the cliffs on the Northwestern edge of San Francisco. While there is not as much public area for sitting and relaxing, the main draw is the long trail that wraps around the cliffs known as Lands End.
Lincoln Park is also home to the Legion of Honor Museum. You can enjoy the beautiful artifacts and paintings along with the beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Presidio
You can get a lot closer to SF’s iconic bridge at the Presidio. San Francisco’s Presidio was once the site of an army post. You can still find some relics of this history in the form of converted army barracks and the ruins of old lookout posts. Like Lincoln Park, this is not an area known for big open fields to lounge on but there are a number of beautiful trails through this wooded area. The trails hold a number of charming surprises such as “The Wood Line” (or “Lover’s Lane”): a natural sculpture by artist Andy Goldsworthy.
On the Eastern edge of the Presidio is one of the most unique pieces of architecture in San Francisco: the Palace of Fine Arts. This dramatic structure is the remnants of the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. The gorgeous arches and columns situated around ponds and streams are a popular spot for wedding photos.
It’s at the northern edge of the Presidio that you meet the Golden Gate Bridge. Even after living almost 10 years in this beautiful city, it’s a sight that never gets old. Whether in its leafy green parks or tranquil beaches, the natural spaces are some of the greatest things to enjoy for free in San Francisco. Even in the midst of dizzying urban changes and rising prices, there are little pieces of this beautiful, wild, green Earth that stand bold and resilient in the face of the modern world.
