There's a Sunset District parent out there who just discovered Tunnel Top Park after eight years in the city, and honestly? No shame. San Francisco has so many incredible green spaces that even longtime residents routinely stumble onto gems they never knew existed.
But let's talk about why this matters beyond just finding a nice spot for your toddler to burn off steam.
San Francisco spends a lot of money on its parks — the Recreation and Parks Department budget has ballooned past $300 million annually. For that kind of taxpayer investment, you'd hope every neighborhood has world-class outdoor space. The good news? Many of them actually deliver.
Tunnel Top Park, the gleaming addition to the Presidio that opened in 2022, is genuinely worth the hype. Built atop the Presidio Parkway tunnels, it connects Crissy Field to the Main Post with killer Golden Gate views and a fantastic playscape for kids. It's the rare public project that came together beautifully — partly because the Presidio Trust operates outside the city's notorious bureaucratic tangle.
But here's our curated list for families (and anyone else) looking to explore:
- Glen Canyon Park — Feels like you teleported out of the city entirely. Trails, a creek, red-tailed hawks overhead.
- Bernal Heights Park — 360-degree views, off-leash dogs, zero pretension.
- McLaren Park — SF's second-largest park and criminally underrated. The Philosopher's Way walking trail is a hidden masterpiece.
- Mountain Lake Park — Quiet, gorgeous, and right next to the Presidio.
- India Basin Waterfront Park — The Bayview's emerging jewel, recently renovated with public funds that were actually well spent (we know, shocking).
The broader point: San Francisco's parks are one of the few areas where public investment consistently translates into something residents genuinely love. No permitting nightmares, no $1.7 million public toilets — just open space that works.
Well, mostly. We'll save the bathroom situation for another column.
Get outside this weekend. Your three-year-old — and your sanity — will thank you.