SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A historic oceanfront park is coming to San Francisco’s western edge, giving residents and visitors a place to walk, bike, relax, and connect with the coast like never before. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today that the park—the largest pedestrianization project in California history—will officially open on April 12.
And in a rare opportunity, San Franciscans will help name this landmark park.
At a press conference on the Great Highway today, city leaders offered a sneak peek at planned park amenities, including vista points, gathering spaces, and public art. The 2-mile, 43-acre park will stretch from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard.
Highlights of the first wave of park improvements include:
- Murals celebrating surfing, sea life, and neighborhood history
- Lounge spaces with chairs, hammocks, and elevated seating for ocean views
- Intimate event seating for live music and artistic performances
- Sculptures and interactive public art installations
- A skate space, outdoor fitness equipment, and a Nature Exploration Area for children
- Bike parking, a bike pump track=
Most of these amenities will be in place for opening day, with additional installations planned in the coming weeks. The public will have opportunities to provide feedback and weigh in on future park improvements.
“I’m excited to see San Francisco’s newest park quickly coming to fruition,” said Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). “This project is the result of years of community planning, and the community will be deeply involved in finalizing it. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is the best in the world, and they have my full confidence to deliver San Francisco’s newest iconic park.”
“Last summer, I stood with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi as we celebrated the first-ever 4th of July parade in this space along the coast. A diverse gathering of families, kids, seniors, local musicians, and artists showed Speaker Pelosi what this space could be. ‘This is a dream,’ she told the crowd, ‘and let’s hope it can come true.’ Today is the start of something visionary that will open the coast to all and become an icon of San Francisco,” said Supervisor Joel Engardio, who represents the Sunset District.
In April 2020, Rec and Park closed the Great Highway to vehicles for recreation and social distancing during COVID-19. Since August 2021, it has operated as a hybrid space, open to traffic on weekdays and reserved for recreation on weekends and holidays. It quickly became one of the city’s most popular open spaces, drawing more than 8,000 visitors on an average weekend between July 2023 and June 2024. As San Francisco’s third most visited park after Golden Gate Park and Marina Green, its success led voters to approve its permanent transformation into a full-time park.
Six Weeks to the Shore: A Timeline
The transformation of the Great Highway into a full-time park will roll out in phases. Here’s what to expect:
- Friday, March 14 –The Upper Great Highway between Lincoln Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, and the Great Highway Extension southbound lanes from Sloat to Skyline boulevards will be permanently closed. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will begin work at the Lincoln and Great Highway and Sloat and Great Highway intersections by adjusting travel lanes and signal timing and creating safe bicycle and pedestrian routes to and around the park.
- March 17 through April 9 – The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) will conduct its annual sand backpass operation in the cityside lanes, reinforcing the coastline against sea-level rise, erosion and storms. In the coastside lanes, Rec and Park will begin implementing key park elements such as seating and recreation areas, while Friends of Ocean Beach Park install temporary art.
- April 10-12—Rec and Park will add final touches and signage to improve park experience and navigation.
- April 12 – The park officially opens with a ribbon cutting and community celebration, fully welcoming the public to San Francisco’s newest connection to the coast.
A Park for the People—And Named by the People
San Franciscans have a once-in-a-generation chance to make history and leave their mark on the coast—by naming the city’s newest oceanfront park. The Great Park Naming Contest, launched today at sfrecpark.org/greatparknamingcontest, invites the community to dream up a name that reflects the spirit of this spectacular new space. Here’s how it will work:
- Now through Sunday, March 16 at 5 p.m. – The public can submit name ideas online.
- Tuesday, March 18 at 6 p.m. – A virtual community meeting will review nominations and gather feedback.
- Thursday, March 20 – Wednesday, April 2 – The public will weigh in online to determine the final name.
A Community Vision Brought to Life
"This park belongs to the people of San Francisco," said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. "It’s a place where the City meets the sea, where art and nature come together, and where San Franciscans will leave their mark—not just by enjoying the park, but by giving it its name. We can’t wait to celebrate this historic moment on April 12."
“We’re thrilled that San Francisco’s new oceanfront park will be available for everyone to use in just six weeks. From initial amenities like seating and recreation areas to beautiful art and useful wayfinding, this is going to be a transformed space that will be used by generations to come by San Franciscans of all ages and backgrounds,” said Lucas Lux, president of Friends of Ocean Beach Park “We’re excited to announce more updates to the park in the coming weeks and to work together as a community to make this space even more special.”
"The Coastal Commission and its staff are proud to support the City of San Francisco's Great Highway coastal park project, which will enhance public recreation and visitor access to San Francisco's popular Ocean Beach area, while also bolstering protection of sensitive dune habitats and creating opportunities for proactive adaptation to the impacts of climate change,” said California Coastal Commission Executive Director Dr. Kate Huckelbridge. “We look forward to continued collaboration and partnership with the City of San Francisco as they embark on the planning, research, and further development of a coastal park focused on enhancing coastal access for all."
For more information and to submit a park name suggestion, visit sfrecpark.org/greatparknamingcontest
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