Family Recreation

San Francisco's natural areas are part of a larger mosaic of city parklands, open spaces, and facilities that provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities to residents and visitors alike. In city parks like Golden Gate, McLaren, and Pine Lake, you can plan a whole family outing that includes a hike through a natural area, a picnic lunch, and a visit to a playground and dog park.

Picnicking

Pack a lunch and take a walk in one of these parks, which have both natural areas and picnic areas. Most also have playgrounds or play structures for children.

  • Golden Gate Heights
  • Golden Gate Park: Oak Woodlands
  • India Basin Shoreline Park
  • Lake Merced
  • McLaren Park
  • Pine Lake

Dog Play

Dogs are welcome on leash in all natural areas, though some sensitive areas may be designated off-limits. Six parks with natural areas have designated off-leash dog play areas:

  • Bernal Hill
  • Buena Vista Park
  • Corona Heights
  • Golden Gate Park Oak Woodlands
  • McLaren Park
  • Pine Lake

There are numerous other dog play areas in San Francisco parks, many of them designated for off-leash recreation. Some dog behaviors, such as digging and chasing wildlife, can be damaging to natural areas, so it is important that dog owners be responsible for their pets' activities. Please abide by posted park rules, clean up after your pet, prevent digging and wildlife disturbance, and stay in designated areas and on trails.

Playgrounds

These natural areas are near playgrounds or play structures. Parents with toddlers should note that they may need to walk several blocks between park and playground.

  • Bayview Park (Gilman Children's Play Area)
  • Brooks Park (Brooks Park Children's Play Area; Merced Heights Children's Play Area)
  • Buena Vista Park (Buena Vista Park Children's Play Area)
  • Corona Heights (States Street Children's Play Area; Peixotto Children's Play Area)
  • Glen Canyon Park (Glen Park Children's Play Area)
  • Golden Gate Heights (Golden Gate Heights Children's Play Area)
  • Golden Gate Park Oak Woodlands (9th Ave. and Fulton Playground; Koret Playground/Carousel)
  • India Basin Shoreline Park (India Basin Children's Play Area; walk out of the natural area to Innes, then back into the other part of the park)
  • Kite Hill (Seward Children's Play Area)
  • McLaren Park (Crocker Amazon Children's Play Area; Group Picnic and Children's Play Area; several other children's play areas)
  • Palou/Phelps (Palou/Phelps Children's Play Area)
  • Pine Lake (Parkside Square Children's Play Area)