Where to Watch Sports OUTSIDE in San Francisco

Last updated: October 2nd, 2020

With the NFL, college football, and NBA finals off-and-running, there are so many games to watch on TV these days! Since we can’t actually play contact sports right now or even go to traditional indoor bars to watch the pros compete in bubbles, we set out to find all outdoor bars and establishments with TVs that are playing the games. There’s no better way to spend NFL Sunday right now than with some cold beers outside (hopefully when it’s not smokey) with your quarantine unit while supporting local watering holes.

We will do our best to keep this list up-to-date, but things may change pretty quickly in this environment. Please email us at info@squadz.com if you find any of these bars have been closed.

Note from The Squadz Team: We do not condone reckless use of facilities that might jeopardize the containment of the COVID-19 virus. Please wear a mask whenever possible and keep your distance from people outside of your group. We simply want this to be a helpful resource for families, roommates, or quarantine units to get outside and watch responsibly.

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The Boardroom

North Beach - Powell st & Green St

Located on the corner of Powell and Green St, this North Beach/Chinatown/Nob Hill staple is a no-nonsense classic sports bar with a great local beer selection. Multiple TVs outside for those days with several games going on simultaneously!

Northstar Cafe

North Beach - Powell st & green st

Right across the street, the self proclaimed “Best place to watch the NFL in San Francisco”, Northstar Cafe hosts tables and seating galore in their expansive parklet on Powell and Green St in North Beach. Follow the commotion and lively crowd like you would the real north star to find your way to good drinks and solid bar grub!

The Showdown / La Pantera / The Saloon

North Beach - Grant Avenue

This combined outdoor parklet is designed with booths in mind and a large TV screen that you can see from every table.

Maggie McGarry’s

North BEach - Grant Avenue

Several TVs adorn the exterior of Maggie McGarrys on Grant Ave. There’s standing room along the parklet fence and multiple tables.

Gino & Carlo

north beach - Green St & Jasper Pl

Gino & Carlo offers double trouble big screen TVs on top of one another. No large construction of parklet monstrosity here - simple folding chairs, tables, good drinks and great company suffice. They bring out the heaters for night games, too.

Tupelo

North Beach - Grant avenue

This outdoor parklet is formed by a white picket fence at Tupelo, a classic SF destination known for its live music. On gamedays, a big screen TV faces outward from inside the window for patrons to enjoy!

Belle Cora

North beach - Green street

A ritzier restaurant on Green St across from the more divey North Beach sports bars, Belle Cora has a very large parklet space for larger groups of sports fans. The street sprawl allows for the closest you can get to that feeling of a crowded bar we all miss. Multiple TVs, tables, and a wide selection of cocktails.

Columbus Cafe

north beach - green Street

The iconic exterior of Columbus Cafe is now fitted with a TV for gamedays. Utilize their beautiful outdoor parklet space, complete with an awning for shelter from the elements, to watch the 49ers or Raiders on Sundays!

The Valley Tavern

noe valley - 24th st

Valley Tav’ is a classic gameday destination in Noe Valley on 24th St. In the back of the establishment lies a terraced outdoor patio with screens on each level. An extensive selection of local domestic and international beers makes this the ultimate one-stop-shop for sports fans every Sunday!

Bernal Heights Pizzeria

Noe Valley - church St & Clipper st

A lesser known restaurant in Noe Valley on Church St, Bernal Heights Pizzeria provides an even lesser known back outdoor patio for its frequenters. The space features a bar, tables, and a clutch single bathroom for those who stay for multiple games (and drinks). Don’t forget the amazing pizza pies!

Local Tap

south park - 3rd St & Brannan st

Found in the China Basin near South Park, Local Tap is a great neighborhood sports bar with good prices and even better sports viewing capabilities. Enjoy American bites while watching the NFL on Sundays!

Spark Social

mission bay - 4th Street

Spark Social in Mission Bay boasts large turf field space with plenty of room to social distance and watch the game. Lay out a blanket, picnic with some great grub from the food truck park, listen to a live DJ, and sip on some beer & wine while you root for your team playing on the jumbotron at the edge of the field!

Connecticut Yankee

potrero hill - connecticut st & 17th st

In Potrero Hill lies a neighborhood favorite sports bar, the Connecticut Yankee (especially if you’re from Boston). A staple for decades, the bar provides great food, drinks and patio & parklet seating for gameday! Seating is limited, so you’ll have to contact them here prior to big gamedays.

Double Play Bar & Grill

mission district - 16th St & Bryant st

The Double Play Bar and Grill is located at 16th and Bryant adjacent to Potrero Plaza and Franklin Square. The neighborhood sports bar is known for its baseball fan patrons, but you’ll be able to watch football games outside at their curbside seating equipped with TVs!

Golden Gate Tap Room

Union Square - Powell st & sutter st

Although it’s only a fraction of the usual GG Taps experience (i.e. no pop-a-shot or running out of breath on the staircases), Golden Gate Tap Room right by Union Square has recently opened their parklet seating fitted with TVs for the games. Space is limited, so get there early!

Shanghai Kelly’s

Russian hill - polk st & broadway

A favorite for many, Shanghai Kelly’s on Polk serves fans of all teams. The saloon is open everyday, and though it may seem small in size, it packs a punch! Rowdy sports fans will enjoy this spot at its outside serving area.

Final Final Bar

cow hollow - lombard st & baker st

Final Final is one of the best sports bar destinations in the city, especially around March Madness. These days, they brought some of their TVs outside so you can enjoy all the upcoming sports games, college & pro, from the comfort of their outdoor curbside seating. Head over to the edge of the Presidio and the Marina on Lombard St to check them out - don’t forget to grab one of their signature Jell-o shots!

Jake’s Steaks

Marina district - buchanan st & Magnolia st

Philadelphia fans will rejoice when they hear that Jake’s Steaks in the heart of the Marina is serving up delicious cheesesteaks, beers, and Eagles football every gameday! It’s compact, but they make the best of their space with a big screen TV outside for your entertainment.

The Blue Light

cow hollow - Union Street

The Blue Light is a staple of Union St bars in the Marina. Great food, music & sports. We all miss their karaoke nights, but we can sing the praises of their beautiful parklet and sports-viewing capabilities on gameday! Michigan Wolverines fans, this is your bar.

Monaghan’s Bar

Marina District - Pierce St & Chestnut St

There lies a classic San Francisco pub on Pierce St off Chestnut in the Marina called Monaghan’s. Create your own luck and treat yourself to some Irish whisky and beer in their outdoor parklet while you watch the game on gameday! Nittany Lions will feel extremely welcome here.

Westwood

marina district - lombard st & fillmore st

Giddy up and head on down to Westwood SF on Lombard Street for some finger lickin’ good BBQ and scrumptious cocktails. Multiple TVs adorn the outdoor parklet setup with many tables (and barrels) for seating and viewing purposes. Yee haw!

San Francisco Athletic Club

lower pacific heights - divisadero st & bush st

The SF Athletic Club has outdoor drinking and dining down to a science at this point. Their parking-lot-turned-beer-garden sports many TVs, heaters, sit-down tables and stand up barrels for your pleasure! Join the club and take a drink! Reserve your table here.

Karl’s Beacon

Sunset district - 24th St & Taraval st

With a name playing on Karl The Fog, this neighborhood spot in the Sunset is a great place to watch the game with friends. The numerous fortified booths in the parklet are well constructed and built to handle a few bodies with a few plates...and a few pints on top! They have the TV set up outside and tons of beers to choose from, so you can’t go wrong with Karl’s Beacon Bar!

Kezar Pub

haight-ashbury - stanyan Street

Premier League fans, rejoice! Kezar Pub is the premier spot for football fans (the kicking kind) on Stanyan St across from the historic Kezar Pavilion and Stadium. Liverpool FC fans especially will feel at home. Picnic benches, tables and several TVs mean you’ll never miss a game, even those early morning games streaming from across the pond!

If you check out any of these bars on gameday, tag us @squadz in your Instagram story to be featured on our account!

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Looking FOR info on where to play sports in San Francisco?

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Know of any other outdoor viewing setups in SF or other parts of the Bay Area? Hit us up here or email us at info@squadz.com.

Check out More pieces like this on The Playbook by squadz, our local guide to sports & Recreation in your city.

Outdoor Workout Spots with a View in San Francisco

Had enough of those YouTube HIIT workouts in your living room? Take your exercise outside to one of these scenic spots in San Francisco perfect for a socially-distant walk with a friend or even an intense bike ride. We guarantee it’ll be your most enjoyable sweat of quarantine.

Note from The Squadz Team: Please keep your distance from people and wear a mask whenever possible. We simply want this to be a helpful resource for families, roommates, or quarantine units to get outside and exercise responsibly.

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Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks - Twin Peaks Boulevard

The second highest spot in San Francisco, Twin Peaks serve panoramic views of the entire Bay Area. Pre-pandemic, visitors could drive to the peak parking lot to enjoy spectacular views from the lookout points. Now, Twin Peaks road is closed to auto traffic and is perfect for runners, cyclists, and athletes in training. Prepare yourself for a trek and dramatic shift in elevation!

Bernal Heights Summit

Bernal Heights - Bernal Heights Boulevard

Located in sleepy Bernal Heights, Bernal Hill is known for its many canine visitors roaming the Martian-like red rocky slopes. Make your way up the spiral road to the top of Bernal Heights summit to enjoy beautiful views of the SF skyline. It can get windy up there so wear a light jacket!

Presidio Wall

Presidio Heights - Pacific Ave & Spruce St

A low stone wall separating the Presidio from the Presidio height neighborhood lies along W Pacific Ave and Pacific Avenue. Dipping and rising in elevation, running on W Pacific Ave is basically a straight shot from Mountain Lake Park to the Lyon Street Steps. This stretch is an awesome workout - just be careful of crossing the street and traffic from the golf course!

Embarcadero

South Beach/Financial District/North Beach - Oracle Park to Pier 39

The Embarcadero Waterfront spans the Northeastern edge of the San Francisco peninsula. It harbors the numerous piers along the water, including the famed Pier 39! The waterfront offers a wide walkway for pedestrians, runners, and tourists to navigate along the path from Mission Bay to Fisherman’s Wharf! Take in the sights as you traverse what once was a highway for city commuters before the 1989 earthquake. Great for biking too with its dedicated bike lanes!

North SF Waterfront Run

Fisherman’s Wharf/Marina/Presidio - Aquatic Park Cove to Fort Point

Here’s a great route for people who love to run along the water! Start at Aquatic Cove Beach at the edge of Fisherman’s Wharf (near Hyde Street Pier).

1. Run along the beach past the Maritime museum and onto the end of Van Ness Ave. You’ll find that it no longer becomes navigable for cars, and only pedestrians and cyclists can pass.

2. Follow the path up the hill till it opens up into the Great Meadow at Fort Mason! Keep to the path as it turns into the sidewalk along Marina Blvd.

3. Run across the Marina Green and wave hello to the seafarers in Yacht Harbor. You’re now on the San Francisco Bay Trail leading into Crissy Field.

4. Stay on the dirt paths and avoid the paved roads meant for cyclists. Take in the restored marsh lands and head towards the large red bridge popping out of the water. Dodge the historic Warming Hut cafe and end at your final destination underneath the Golden Gate: Fort Point!

You’ve just completed a 3 mile run along some of the most beautiful parts of Northern San Francisco!

If you check out any of these spots, tag us @squadz in your Instagram story to be featured on our account!

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LOOKING FOR INFO ON WHERE TO PLAY SPORTS IN San Francisco?

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Know of any other great outdoor workout spots with a view in SF or other parts of the Bay Area? Hit us up at info@squadz.com.

Check out more pieces like this on The Playbook by squadz, our local guide to sports & Recreation in your city.

OPEN Basketball Courts in San Francisco Right Now!

Last updated: January 26th, 2020

Looking to get shots up but haven’t found an open court in the city? We got your back. We’ve scouted out all outdoor basketball courts around San Francisco to figure out which ones are currently open (with hoops & rims) and have put together this running list for the community.

We will do our best to keep this list up-to-date, but things may change pretty quickly in this environment. Please email us at info@squadz.com if you find any of these courts have been closed.

Note from The Squadz Team: We do not condone reckless use of facilities that might jeopardize the containment of the COVID-19 virus. Please wear a mask whenever possible and keep your distance from people outside of your group. We simply want this to be a helpful resource for families, roommates, or quarantine units to get outside and play responsibly.

NEWS: The city is slowly reopening courts to see how things go, so it is more important now than ever to follow health protocols that way they continue to open more - please do not play pickup games with people outside of your household.

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Dogpatch Community Court

Dogpatch - Minnesota Street

Renovated by the Golden State Warriors in 2016, this court is located behind the Alive & Free Omega Boys Club building in the Dogpatch neighborhood. Although the full court has a few cracks in it, it does have two good quality hoops perfect for shooting around and pretending you’re Klay Thompson for an hour. There is a gate with a door entrance by the parking lot (which may be locked from time to time).

Commodore Sloat Elementary School

Balboa Terrace - darien way & san rafael way

The schoolyard at Commodore Sloat Elementary School is open to the community via Darien Way. There is one full court with 10 foot rims and one full court with mini hoops for the kids, but there are no 3-point lines. To reach the court, descend the stairs and walk to the other end of campus. Be aware that the yard is closed from 7pm - 7am each day.

Grattan Playground

cOle valley - Stanyan Street & Rivoli Street

This spacious playground in the Cole Valley neighborhood has a clean full court and great views of the city. It also has tennis courts and plenty of space for outdoor workouts or games with kids. If you can brace the wind and master the double rims, you’ll be coming out of quarantine ready to splash.

Kelloch & Velasco Mini Park

Visitacion valley - kelloch avenue & velasco avenue

There’s nothing mini about this beautiful double full court in Visitacion Valley. The park is subject to windy conditions, but the concrete is well-kept and the hoops are in prime condition with new backboards and rims. It is commonly frequented by locals and each basket is first-come, first-serve, so we recommend arriving early if you want a hoop to yourself.

Palou & Phelps Mini Park

Bayview - palou avenue & phelps street

The Palou & Phelps Mini Park sports one newly renovated half court with great cover from the wind (so no excuses, indoor shooters). Be careful with children or losing balls to the street as the court is not completely enclosed and there may sometimes be traffic.

Everett Middle School

Mission District - Church street

As long as the gates are open (which they usually are), you won’t have trouble finding a hoop at Everett Middle School. The schoolyard has 11 baskets spread across a massive blacktop, so maintaining social distance while shooting around should be a breeze. Although the hoops have no nets and unforgiving backboards, the rims are solid and the courts have 3-point lines.

Upper Noe Recreation Center [CURRENTLY CLOSED]

Noe Valley - Day street

As of now, the indoor gymnasium at Upper Noe Rec is closed (it’s only open for city youth programs), but the pristine outdoor court is accessible to the public. While we strongly discourage playing with anybody outside of your immediate family or living unit, this court has been a popular spot for local hoopers during quarantine. Plan accordingly if you’d like your own hoop because you might find a pickup game going on at peak times.

Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School

North of the Panhandle - vega street & Nido avenue

These old school basketball hoops are located right next to Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School - the entrance is on Vega St and Nido Ave. There are five basketball hoops scattered across the cement blacktop. The two basketball hoops on the far side are old, but in by far the best condition (one of the other hoops is even missing part of its backboard). While the courts and rims are not in the best condition, a hoop is a hoop and a bucket is a bucket. If you can make it rain on this court, you will easily feel like Steph Curry next time you walk into a gym. Please note that the gate is sometimes locked.

Merced Heights Playground

Merced heights - Shields Street

Merced Heights Playground is one of 5 new playgrounds opening in 2020. With all new blacktops for basketball, tennis, and even volleyball, this playground is soon to be a regional destination. Look at how clean that court looks…beautiful. The youth clubhouse runs programming during the weekdays, so the basketball court may be in use or locked depending on their schedule. Check it out if you can!

Junipero Serra Playground

Lakeside - Stonecrest drive

If you can brave the cold air and wet fog, drive on down to Junipero Serra playground near Lake Merced on the west side of SF. Smaller backboards require better accuracy, and more precision. Are you up for it? There’s two rims on this full court, and you may have to deal with some tennis balls flying by. That’s just practice for your peripheral vision! Get there early, as these courts often are taken by other hoopers.

Treasure Island Elementary School

Treasure Island - 13th Street

Stuck in traffic on the Bay Bridge? Pull over into Treasure Island and get some shots up at this very random basketball court on the bay. Located in the back corner of a massive parking lot behind Aracely Cafe and what seemingly used to be Treasure Island Elementary School, this old court may not offer much, but it gets the job done. Two hoops with rims? We’ll take it. If you’re lucky, you might also be able to find some outdoor basketball courts on the property of HOME on Treasure Island across the street if the gates are open.

Margaret S. Hayward Playground

Fillmore - Laguna Street

The brand-spanking new basketball courts at Margaret S. Hayward Playground in the Fillmore have just opened for community access. There are 2 full courts with pristine blacktops and crisp white lines. Parking isn’t ideal and residents in the neighborhood use the courts frequently, so if you want to make sure you get a basket, arrive early!

Duboce Park

Duboce Triangle - Duboce Street

Historic Duboce Park in central San Francisco is a small urban park sporting unique recreation amenities. Situated near Harvey Milk Recreation Center for the Arts, a lone basketball court with 6 (!) hoops at varying heights is now open to the public! It’s small, so try to use only 1 of the hoops at each end to maintain social distancing!

McKinley Elementary School

Castro - 14th Street

The McKinley Elementary School yard is accessible via the 14th St entrance. There is a small gate that, when unlocked, provides community members with an awesome open basketball court! One caveat is that the ground is sloped, so one basket may feel shorter than the other. Do not trespass if the gate is locked!

Joe DiMaggio Playground

NORTH BEACH - Lombard Street

Joe DiMaggio Playground in North Beach is a staple for SF amateur basketballers. The lights allow for play at night, and you can often find people using all the spaces at DiMaggio well into the evening. Sporting one full court and several half courts, this space is great for socially distanced play. Just watch out for the tennis players using the hitting wall and soccer players training on the blacktop! This playground just happens to be across the street from one of our most beloved partner venues: Tel Hi Neighborhood Center!

Miraloma Playground

MIRALOMA - Sequoia Way

Hidden away among the slopes leading up to Mt. Davidson, Miraloma Playground is an awesome spot for all your sports needs. Specifically for basketball, a beautiful blue full sized court is built with walls to combat the incessant wind at that height. This is a frequently used playground, so you’ll want to go at off-peak times for maximum playing time.

Mission Playground

mission district - Valencia Street

Off Valencia St and 19th St lies Mission Playground - a gorgeous recently renovated recreation space for soccer players, tennis players and basketball players. The basketball court is near the back of the park with a full size court and two hoops. Rain can collect easily on this court, so make sure to come on a dry day!

Buchanan Street Mall

Fillmore - Golden Gate Avenue

Buchanan Street Mall includes a simple half court set up in the Fillmore district between McAllister St and Golden Gate Ave. The colorful paint job accentuates the court in a very appealing and inviting way. The surrounding trees help with wind cover, and you can often find this court available to use if the nearby Margaret S. Hayward courts are overflowing with players.

James Rolph Jr. Playground

Potrero district - Potrero Avenue

Just across from Potrero del Sol, the largest skate park in San Francisco, is James Rolph Jr. Playground on the corner of Cesar Chavez and Potrero Avenue. Getting to this playground can be tricky and confusing, due to the cluster of roadways that bicyclists call “The Knot”, but if you can swing it, James Rolph does not disappoint. With tennis courts and multiple basketball hoops, a large baseball diamond & field, it’s an all-in-one recreation destination. There are a few basketball hoops tucked away in a strange arrangement next to the normal full court, but could provide some interesting drill concepts!

Balboa Park Basketball Courts

Balboa park - San Jose Avenue

Outside of the Balboa Park Pool are two half sized basketball courts with 3 point lines. Great for social distancing with your household! Baskets are nice and big with a beautiful SF backdrop.

Little Hollywood Playground

Visitacion valley - Lathrop Avenue

Nestled among the trees in Vis. Valley, Little Hollywood park is a hidden gem with tons of great park amenities. The full basketball court is used fairly often so get there early!

Angelo Rossi Playground

Inner richmond - Arguello Boulevard

Angelo Rossi Plagyround in the inner Richmond is a major recreation hub for San Francisco residents. There’s a pool, baseball diamond, tennis court and full sized basketball court all in the same place! The basketball court blends in very nicely with the elegant buildings surrounding the park. The park is recently renovated (the pool is still under construction), so enjoy the quality amenities it has to offer!

Glen Park School

Glen Park - Brompton Avenue

When the Glen Park School gate is open to community members, you can use a retro style full court with Warriors-inspired decals. No 3 point line and small backboards mean that post players and lane finishers will love this court! Do not trespass on school ground if it is closed.

Fulton Playground

Outer Richmond - 27th avenue

Very nice full court + half court addition north of Golden Gate Park in the Outer Richmond. Fulton Playground has an awesome collection of playground amenities in the smaller space. Three basketball hoops show how it’s built for the basketball community!

Hamilton Rec. Outdoor Court

Fillmore District - Geary Boulevard

Hamilton Recreation Center has awesome indoor facilities…but did you know that it has great outdoor options too? Head on down to Hamilton’s full sized court and get some shots up! Practice so you’re ready when the indoor gym opens!

Larsen Playground

Sunset District - Vicente Street

A well-traveled court hailing from the Sunset, Larsen Playground is a no frills full sized court that should suit your outdoor needs. Bring a hoodie and get some shots up!

South Sunset Playground

Sunset district - Vicente Street

Not too far from Larsen Playground is South Sunset Playground in the Sunset. Newly renovated, the recreation area is gorgeous. New volleyball court, tennis court and 2 full sized basketball courts with new backboards and rims. Adjacent to the South Sunset fields, this space allows for all sorts of recreation opportunities and activities.

Silver Terrace Athletic Fields

Silver terrace - Silver Avenue

Located in the back of the athletic complex, the two full sized basketball courts at Silver Terrace are brand new and sparklingly pretty. The entire complex is extremely nice but also extremely beloved by residents - so be aware of how many people are there at any given time. It can be hard to social distance here. Definitely worth checking out, but be safe!

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If you check out any of these courts, tag us @squadz in your Instagram story to be featured on our account!

Looking for places to hoop near San Francisco?

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Know of any other open courts in SF or other parts of the Bay Area? Hit us up here or email us at info@squadz.com.

Check out More pieces like this on The Playbook by squadz, our local guide to sports & Recreation in your city.