SAN FRANCISCO, CA –Sunset Dunes is getting a fresh round of improvements to make the popular new park even more enjoyable and easier to explore, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today.
The plan includes clearly defined zones for different activities, new signs and pavement markings to help guide visitors, and additional features to enhance the overall park experience.
As part of the park’s ongoing development, these upgrades are designed to benefit everyone — from children playing after school to seniors enjoying a leisurely coastal walk. The launch coincides with the City’s back-to-school season, a time when streets and public spaces receive added attention to keep them welcoming and accessible for all.
The changes will create two clearly defined zones: a Park Zone on the west side of the median and a Multi-Use Zone on the east side. The Park Zone will be a calm, family-friendly space designed for walking, yoga classes, play, picnics, community events and other relaxed activities. Non-motorized bikes or scooters will be welcome if ridden by children.
The Multi-Use Zone will be a shared space for cyclists, runners, walkers, scooters, and e-bikes or e-scooters. Users in this zone will be guided to keep to their right-hand side as they travel, helping everyone move more smoothly and predictably. In both zones, users will be reminded that pedestrians always have the right of way at crosswalks.
"Sunset Dunes has become a beloved community space in just a few months,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “As we head into the warmest time of the year, we expect its popularity to continue to grow. These changes will help provide clarity while balancing the needs of all visitors, making sure everyone can make the most of this beautiful oceanfront park."
To help visitors understand the new layout, temporary signs will be installed on light poles and A-frames starting next week, with park rangers on-site to answer questions. The signs will alert visitors to where they can enjoy different activities and carry messages such as “Ride Slow, Say Hello” In addition, pavement stencils will be added at intersections to guide behavior with clear markings like “Yield,” “Shared Pathway,” and “Look.” SFMTA is expected to complete the stencil work in approximately four to six weeks.
“Sunset Dunes is a beautiful outdoor area, and we want to make it easy and enjoyable for everyone to find their way and share the space, whether they’re walking, biking, or riding a scooter” said Julie Kirschbaum, SFMTA Director of Transportation. “We’re grateful to Recreation and Parks, the SFPD and our City partners for working with us to make Sunset Dunes a vibrant and welcoming place for neighbors, families, and visitors alike.”
Additionally, the San Francisco Police Department will conduct spot enforcement to ensure responsible driving of e-bikes and e-scooters at Sunset Dunes and JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park as part of its back-to-school traffic safety initiatives.
Sunset Dunes continues to evolve based upon community feedback. Longer-term improvements include adding more amenities to the Park Zone to encourage recreation and slower travel, continuing outreach with stakeholders, and monitoring the park’s main entrances at Lincoln, Judah and Noriega to ensure smooth access.
“As kids head back to school, Sunset Dunes and JFK Promenade are two of the safest, most joyful routes for walking, biking, and rolling,” said Robin Pam, Executive Director of Streets For All San Francisco. “Clearer guidance on where people should walk, bike, or drive will make it easier for everyone to share the space, help kids travel to school more safely, and ensure these parks remain vibrant public spaces where our community can connect and play.”
Sunset Dunes opened in April, transforming 2 miles of the former Great Highway from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard into a vibrant, 50-acre surfside park.
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