Golden Gate and Dolores might get top billing, but San Francisco is literally blooming with public parks—did you know there is one city park per every half-mile here?
Grab your picnic blankets and a good read—here's our complete guide to SF parks, neatly organized for you by neighborhood.
Financial District + Embarcadero
Maritime Plaza
Who knew such a well-manicured swath of green grass could be found within the bowels of the Financial District? Take a break from the Google Docs and take a breather atop this two-acre lawn. Maritime Plaza is a popular mid-day lunch spot. Feel free to join the sunbathing masses for an afternoon meal outside the office. // 285 Washington St. (FiDi), sfrecpark.org
Sue Bierman Park (Ferry Park)
This greenery is smack-dab in the middle of FiDi. Close your laptop and have a sandwich. This is also one of SF's few public parks with easy accessible bathrooms. // 100-178 Clay St. (FiDi), sfparkalliance.org
Justin Herman Plaza
If you're meeting someone for lunch here, the Vaillancourt Fountain is a logical rendezvous spot—and love it or hate it, the water flows again. Check out some of the vendors selling art and goods along the plaza's perimeter. // Steuart and Market St. (Embarcadero), sfrecpark.org
Rincon Park
That bow, though. This waterfront park has views of the Bay Bridge, open green spaces, and, yes, the giant bow and arrow sculpture crafted by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. // The Embarcadero and Folsom St. (Embarcadero), sfparkalliance.org
Pioneer Park
Known for its views and overall sense of calm, this quiet five-acre park is a fantastic spot to plop down, journal in hand, and ponder the afternoon away. // 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd (Embarcadero), sfrecpark.org
