San Francisco Recreation and Parks, CA

Tuesday: Free Concerts in Parks, Plazas for Make Music Day

Celebration to be held June 21, the 40th anniversary of Fête de la Musique. Read on...
Golden Gate Park’s Skatin’ Place Reopens Featuring New ‘Psychedelic’ Mural

Design by longtime skater honors park’s roller skating history. Read on...
Be Kind, Say Hello, Ride Slow on the JFK Promenade

Starting in January, you’ll find new signage all along the JFK promenade route in Golden Gate Park reminding users to be kind, share the space, move slowly, and say hello to each other. Read on...
Holiday Tree Lighting Kicks Off Winter Lights in Golden Gate Park

With the help of youth from the City’s Peace Parks program, Mayor London Breed tonight led the countdown to lighting of the iconic Monterey cypress tree in Golden Gate Park’s east end—a San Francisco holiday tradition that began in 1929. Read on...
Where to Play Pickleball in the City

The Recreation and Park Department has worked to accommodate the growing interest in pickleball in San Francisco by significantly increasing the locations available to play pickleball. Read on...
Golden Gate Bandshell Welcomes Back Live Performances

Diverse lineup of musicians to play free concerts at historic landmark. Read on...
City Launches Next Phase to Determine Post-Pandemic Future of JFK Drive

Golden Gate Park Access and Safety Program asks public to weigh in on proposed updates to car-free route in order to increase safety and access. Read on...
John Shelley Drive Partial Reopening

John Shelley Drive west loop in McLaren Park, which has been closed to vehicular traffic since April 2020 as part of the City’s emergency ordinance to provide socially distant recreation, will partially reopen beginning Saturday, Sept. 4 Read on...
New Parking Lot Offers 20 Free Accessible Spaces in Heart of Golden Gate Park

Free blue spaces part of a larger investment in repaving, access. Read on...
Visitacion Valley Playground Renamed Yik Oi Huang Peace & Friendship Park

San Francisco Recreation and Park Commissioners today voted unanimously to approve changing the name of Visitacion Valley Playground to Yik Oi Huang Peace & Friendship Park. The name honors the memory of a neighborhood grandmother and community advocate. Read on...
Mayor London Breed Announces $3.9 Million in Federal Funding for Buchanan Street Mall Renovations

Project is now fully funded, allowing the City to move forward with improvements. Read on...
Stern Grove Concert Meadow to Re-open in Time for Summer Concerts

The wildly popular Stern Grove Festival—the Bay Area’s longest running outdoor concert series—will return on June 12 to the historic park, located at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard in the city’s Sunset District. Read on...
Mayor London Breed Celebrates Opening of Francisco Park in Russian Hill

Largest park in San Francisco’s urban core to open in nearly 40 years, Francisco Park includes panoramic views, community gardens, and community space for children and dogs. Read on...
Board of Supervisors Approves Mayor Breed's Legislation to Make Car-Free JFK Permanent

Lawmakers approve dozens of improvements to improve access, equity, and ease of travel. Read on...
Neighborhood Field Trips Spark Golden Gate Park Love

New Program Familiarizes San Franciscans Outside the Avenues with Golden Gate Park’s Cultural Treasures. Read on...
Annual 420 Celebration Returns to Hippie Hill

Outdoor gathering to include cannabis sales, new rules. Read on...
Ambitious Bayview Swimming Program Makes Debut Splash

Pilot program aims to make every child in the neighborhood water safe by 6th grade. Read on...
SF’s First Tai Chi Court Opens in McLaren Park

San Francisco’s first public space designed and dedicated specifically for the practice of tai chi opened today amid a community celebration in McLaren Park. Read on...
Mayor London Breed Introduces Legislation to Implement Car-Free JFK

Legislation would restrict vehicles along JFK Drive while instituting a number of changes to support equity, accessibility, and transit. Read on...
Wanted: Locals to Build San Francisco’s Next Great Park

New phase of India Basin project includes business opportunities and job trainings for the community. Read on...
Free Resident Admission to Conservatory of Flowers & Japanese Tea Garden Approved by Supervisors

Ordinance, proposed by Mayor Breed, makes all three of Golden Gate Park’s specialty gardens free to San Francisco residents Read on...
SFMTA, RPD Recommend JFK Remain Car-free with Community Requested Access & Signage Improvements

Board of Supervisors to decide future of Golden Gate Park’s main road Read on...
Humanitarian Relief Concert For Ukraine set for Saturday Afternoon in Golden Gate Park

#SF4Ukraine event seeks to raise $20,000 to provide desperately needed relief for the nearly 2 million refugees fleeing Ukraine Read on...
Golden Gate Bandshell Welcomes Back More Live Performances in 2022

Diverse lineup of musicians to play more free concerts at historic landmark. Read on...
Major Access Improvements Launched in Golden Gate Park

Shuttle overhaul, new accessible parking among commitment to seniors, people with disabilities Read on...
Valentine’s Day Comeback for Café in Civic Center Plaza

Food lovers looking to embrace new offerings in the heart of Civic Center Plaza are in luck—Assembly Café and Beer Garden opened today—Valentine’s Day. Read on...
Rossi Pool Reopens After $15M Renovation

Richmond District facility beloved by swimmers will hold a free community swim Saturday. Read on...
India Basin Project to Be Guided by Historic Plan

Equitable Development Plan to Ensure Current Residents Benefit from Waterfront Park. Read on...
Entwined Illuminated Art Installation Extends Residency in Golden Gate Park

Popular Light Exhibit in Peacock Meadow to Continue Bringing Light and Joy to Parkgoers Through March 2022. Read on...
Bayview/K.C. Jones Playground Reopens After Renovation

City officials and community members held a celebration today for the reopening of Bayview/K.C. Jones Playground following a $6 million renovation. Read on...
Portsmouth Square Renovation Gains Major Approval

‘Chinatown’s Living Room’ to Undergo Complete Redesign. Read on...
Mayor Breed Proposes Free Resident Admission to Golden Gate Park Gardens

Ordinance would make all three of Golden Gate Park's specialty gardens free to San Francisco residents Read on...
Psychedelic Roller Skate Mural Approved by Rec and Park Commission

A ground mural featuring a golden roller skate surrounded by a psychedelic pattern may add new color to a legendary skating spot in Golden Gate Park after the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission voted unanimously to approve the final design. Read on...
SF Park Projects Receive $11.6 Million

The India Basin Shoreline Park project & the Buchanan Street Mall renovation project each received $5.8 million, part of $584.3 million in funding to deliver new parks to more than 100 communities & advance the “Outdoors for All” initiative Read on...
Winter Lights to Brighten Holiday Season in Golden Gate Park

Special events and illuminated installations to dazzle parkgoers this holiday season. Read on...
Pilot Program Welcomes Food Trucks to Great Highway

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department today announced the launch of a three-month pilot program for food trucks on the Upper Great Highway during days the roadway is closed to vehicle traffic. Read on...
Mayor Breed & Senator Wiener Announce Funding for Buchanan Mall

Project will receive $4.8 million in state funding secured by Senator Wiener for improvements. Read on...
RPD and SFBGS Propose Unified Management of Golden Gate Park Gardens

Change would streamline management and provide enhanced visitor experience. Read on...
New Boat Dock Makes Waves at Lake Merced

City officials gathered with community members and dragon boat racers at Lake Merced today to say ahoy to a new boat dock and gangway that allows safer recreation for seniors and people with disabilities and ensures future access for the public. Read on...
Imagination Runs Wild at San Francisco’s New Nature Exploration Area

Kids connect with nature and each other on opening day of space devoted to unstructured play. Read on...
‘Green’ Makeovers of Child Care Spaces Connect San Francisco’s Youngest Children to Nature

Young children at nine San Francisco child care centers and family child care homes are enjoying green outdoor play spaces after community volunteers worked multiple weekends to create natural play spaces that allow children to explore their world. Read on...
McLaren Park Ropes Course Officially Opens With Treetop Thrills

After nearly a year of anticipation, the McLaren Park Ropes Course was in full swing today, celebrating its full opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Read on...
Beloved Sue Bierman Playground Burns

The fire destroyed a play structure modeled after a pirate ship, a slide, and rubber safety surfacing to protect kids from falls. Read on...
Conservatory Drive West to Re-Open Oct. 1

Safety measures allow accommodation of multiple needs, car-free JFK will be unaffected. Read on...
Jerry Garcia Amphitheater Opens Following Major Renovation

San Francisco Shakespeare Festival Kicks Off 2021 Season Following Ribbon Cutting. Read on...
San Francisco’s Largest Nature Exploration Area Breaks Ground at Heron’s Head

Youth-centered design to build stronger connections with the natural world while inviting kids to jump, climb, play and learn across an array of natural elements. Read on...
Juri Commons Park Reopens Following Renovation

Juri Commons reopened following a $1.9 million renovation honoring the Mission District park’s railroad history, featuring a redesign with new plantings, an improved play space for children, grass for dogs, & an adult exercise area with fitness equipment. Read on...
City Reveals Next Phase for Great Highway to Start August 16

Stretch from Lincoln Way to Sloat Blvd will continue to be closed to car traffic on weekends and holidays, but will open up to car traffic during the week. Read on...
Golden Gate Heights Playground Re-Opens Following Renovation

With a design inspired by its wooded surroundings, a nature play area to spark creativity, and a dramatic spiral tower soaring above it all, the newly-renovated playground at Golden Gate Heights Park has opened to the public. Read on...
Rec and Park to Phase Out Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers with Two-Stroke Engines

Gardeners maintaining the City’s parks, open spaces and public plazas will soon turn over a new leaf—trading gas-powered blowers with two-stroke engines for electric battery pack models instead. Read on...
Rec and Park and SFPA Launch Program to Turn Kids into Golden Gate Park Experts

Field trip program helps kids from across the city experience the joys of “Everybody’s Park” Read on...
New Photo Library to be Named for Legendary SF Photographer David Johnson

A new photo library at the Harvey Milk Photo Center will be named for legendary photographer David Johnson, who chronicled Black life in San Francisco in the mid-twentieth century, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today. Read on...
Art installation Honoring Black Lives Arrives for Juneteenth

In commemoration of San Francisco’s Juneteenth holiday, Mayor London N. Breed today unveiled Monumental Reckoning, a two-year art installation in Golden Gate Park honoring Black history and lives. Read on...
City Breaks Ground on India Basin Shoreline Park

Mayor London N. Breed today joined with community members, environmental advocates, and public officials to kick off the restoration of India Basin shoreline. Read on...
Coit Tower to Welcome Visitors Again on June 17

Coit Tower, the iconic white column defining the San Francisco skyline, will welcome visitors Thursday, June 17 for the first time in 15 months, Mayor London N. Breed announced. Read on...
Shoreview Park Re-Opens Following $3.3M Renovation

A once-overlooked park in Bayview Hunters Point reopened with a community celebration after a $3.3 million renovation transformed it into a family-friendly oasis with an adventure playground. Read on...
Stern Grove Festival Returns with 2021 Dates

84th annual outdoor music festival kicks off summer concert season on June 20. Read on...
Esprit Park Poised for Robust Renovation

Esprit Park is one step closer to a $7.7 million renovation designed to balance the needs of its growing Dogpatch community—from families to fitness enthusiasts to dogs and their people, the SF Rec & Park Department and UC San Francisco announced today. Read on...
San Francisco Proposes Art Installation to Honor Black Lives, History of African Americans

Opening of ‘Monumental Reckoning’ sculpture in Golden Gate Park would coincide with Juneteenth Read on...
TPC Harding Park, SF Rec & Park Unveil High-Tech Practice Facility

TPC Harding Park, the only city-owned public course managed by the PGA TOUR, announces the renovation completion of its practice facility which began in November 2020, along with the new addition of Toptracer Range technology. Read on...
Mayor London Breed Announces Reopening of Remodeled George Christopher Playground

Kids welcome new play equipment and nature exploration area in the Diamond Heights park following renovation. Read on...
City of San Francisco and School District to Host Outdoor Commencements for High Schools

‘Graduations for All’ to be held at Kezar Stadium and the McAteer High School campus for all graduating seniors Read on...
First Indoor Pools to Reopen in Bayview, Sunset

Two of San Francisco’s indoor pools are poised to welcome back lap swimmers with reservations and all pools will reopen by mid-June, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today. SF Rec and Park to open pools citywide by summer. Read on...
RPD and Community Partners Fund New Recreation Center for Sunnydale/Vis Valley

The SF Recreation & Park Commission Thursday approved the concept design for the new Herz Recreation Center Project, which includes a new 11,500 square foot recreation center with an indoor basketball court, a multi-purpose room, restrooms, and an office. Read on...
Mayor London Breed Announces Completion of Garfield Square Recreation Area in the Mission District

Newly renovated Garfield Center includes an indoor pool and modern clubhouse that will serve as a Community Hub for San Francisco students. Read on...
SkyStar Wheel to Spin Until 2025 Following Unanimous Approval

The SkyStar Wheel in Golden Gate Park will be permitted to spin until 2025, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today. Discounts for San Francisco residents begin Monday Read on...
Skystar Wheel to Open Thursday, March 4

Special to today’s announcement will be SkyStar and SF Rec and Park’s offer to all San Francisco public school graduating seniors to take a free ride on the Wheel this summer beginning June 2 through Sept. 6; students will need to show their SFUSD ID. Read on...
Outdoor Youth Sports to Return to San Francisco with Safety Precautions

Rec and Park to offer field space for “mini” spring season for soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, flag football and more. Read on...
State-of-the-Art Tennis Center to Open in Golden Gate Park

Online court reservations open today for the philanthropy-funded Lisa & Douglas Goldman Tennis Center, which will open its doors March 3. Read on...
Newly Renovated Willie "Woo Woo' Wong Playground & Clubhouse Opens in Time for Lunar New Year

New open space in Chinatown will provide safe, clean place for kids and their families to play, and newly renovated clubhouse will operate as a Community Hub in March Read on...
Renovated Golden Gate Park Dog Training Area Opens Saturday

San Francisco’s largest fenced dog park will re-open Saturday, February 6 following a $2.4 million renovation that includes separate areas where big and small dogs can safely frolic, natural elements to climb and jump, and a new surface to run and play. Read on...
Margaret Hayward Playground Reopens

Margaret Hayward Playground has reopened following a $28 million renovation that transformed the beloved 6-acre park in the heart of the Western Addition into a modern hub for recreation Read on...
Whimsical Wonderland of Lights Coming to Golden Gate Park

An art installation coming to Golden Gate Park will transform Peacock Meadow into an enchanted forest of otherworldly shapes and ever-changing light Read on...
City Playgrounds Reopen

Mayor London N. Breed, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg, and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax today announced the City’s outdoor playgrounds are now open Read on...
Turk-Hyde Mini Park Re-Opens Following Renovation

Turk-Hyde Mini Park, an oasis for preschoolers and their parents in the heart of the Tenderloin, re-opened with updated play equipment and landscaping Read on...
Golden Gate Park to Welcome Five New Bison

The 1-year-old females will be ready for visitors during the parkwide 150th Birthday Celebration on April 4 Read on...
State Awards $8.5 Million for Waterfront Park in India Basin

Project will transform a vacant industrial lot in the Southeastern neighborhood into the City’s newest park Read on...
Focus on Equity Will Increase Access to Camp Mather for Low-Income Residents

Recent Recreation and Park Department initiatives, with support from First 5 San Francisco, enable 132 low-income families to attend Camp Mather for free or at a discounted rate this summer. Read on...

Jul 1
Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour
Free live concerts return to the Golden Gate Bands...
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Jul 3
Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- Reggae Sundays
Free live concerts return to the Golden Gate Bands...
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Jul 6
Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- Singer/Songwriter Wednesday
Free live concerts return to the Golden Gate Bands...
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Jul 8
Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour
Free live concerts return to the Golden Gate Bands...
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Jul 9
Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- Folk Fest 2022
Free live concerts return to the Golden Gate Bands...
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Jul 10
Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- Reggae Sundays
Free live concerts return to the Golden Gate Bands...
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About Us

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department currently manages more than 220 parks, playgrounds and open spaces throughout San Francisco, including two outside city limits—Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. The system includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, sports fields and numerous small-to-medium-sized clubhouses that offer a variety of sports- and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages. Included in the Department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo and Lake Merced.

In 2017, San Francisco became the first city in the nation where all residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, a direct result of the Department’s commitment to increasing and improving parkland in the city. Learn More

News & Highlights

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