Here are a few of the most unknown recreation spaces and places that even some native San Franciscans don’t know about… Let’s pull back the curtain on these hidden spots and get active!
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.
Merced Heights Volleyball Court
Merced Heights Playground - Shields street
Do you need access to a full size volleyball court? This is a gorgeous, new volleyball court for the public to enjoy in the Merced Heights neighborhood.
Corona Heights Rock Climbing Wall
Corona Heights Park - 15th street
Lurking behind the Randall Museum, the Corona Heights Rock Climbing Wall at Peixotto Playground is for climbers seeking the real rock-climbing experience in an urban setting. Climbing amateurs, don’t try this without professional guidance.
Fort Funston Sand Dunes
FOrt funston beach - FORT FUNSTON ROAD
For many elite Bay Area high school athletes, the dunes at Fort Funston are infamous. Popularized on social media, the difficulty of running up and down the shifting slopes hardened their bodies while making them “shifty” and hard to defend in their respective sports. While we recommend visiting Fort Funston, we encourage going with somebody as it can be dangerous on land that’s prone to erosion. Choose spots around that are safe, please!
Marshall’s Beach
Presidio - Marshall's beach
Marshall’s Beach is one of the lesser known beaches in San Francisco. It hides in the northern area of the Presidio near much more accessible Baker Beach, but shares a beautiful view of Golden Gate Bridge. Be careful on Marshall’s Beach and be aware of the high tide! You do not want to be stranded on a section of beach or get swept away by the surf.
Seward Street Slides
Upper Noe Valley - corwin street
The Seward Mini Park in Upper Noe provide neighborhood kids the chance to play in a more traditional type playground setting. The concrete slides sunken into the hillside translate to endless hours of entertainment and high speed thrills. Helicopter parents should stay away, as kids will probably get a scratch or two. It builds character! If you want a workout while the kids play, run up and down the path directly adjacent. Cardboard sheets for sliding on are not included.
Ina Coolbrith Park
Nob Hill - Taylor street
At the summit of the very steep hill that is Taylor St, lies Ina Coolbrith Park, one of the best kept secret viewpoints in San Francisco. With a 180 degree view of the SF skyline and an obstructed view of Alcatraz and the Bay, going on a stairs or running workout will make the climb worth it! Many benches adorn the park’s slope, so feel free to take a breather, hydrate, or eat a snack (or meal)!
Urbano Racetrack & Ingleside Sundial
INGLESIDE - URBANO DRIVE
Urbano Drive is a peculiar street in Ingleside. It follows an ovular path between Ocean and Holloway Avenues. The shape actually originates from the horse racing track that was there before it was developed into single-family housing.
Golden Gate Park Skatin’ Place
Golden gate park - Skatin' Place
If you’ve been searching for a safe haven for inline skaters and roller skaters, there is a place for you — Skatin’ Place. Right at the northern edge of Golden Gate Park at the intersection with 6th Ave you’ll find a respite for outdoor roller skating and fun. You can usually find someone playing some tunes on their mobile DJ rig!
Buchanan Street Mall
FILLMORE - Buchanan Street
The Buchanan Street Mall is a stretch of 5 blocks in the Fillmore district dedicated to public recreation. It’s a neighborhood space complete with a basketball hoop, playgrounds and play structures, and green space. The basketball hoop sits rights next to the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center between Golden Gate Ave and McAllister St!
Mountain Lake Park
Inner richmond - Funston Avenue
Mountain Lake Park is a gorgeous lesser known park on the southern edge of the Presidio. With a large playground, 4 tennis courts, a meadow, hidden basketball court, a natural lake, and multiple hiking trails, you’ll find yourself coming back again and again for more activities. To reach the basketball court, cross the 10th Avenue meadow from South to North towards the lake!
Headlands Center For the Arts
Marin Headlands - simmonds road
The Marin Headlands is known throughout the Bay Area for its incredible trails & wildlife. But did you know that many of the old military buildings dotting the landscape have been converted for other uses? One such cluster of buildings now make up the Headlands Center For the Arts, where artists reside and create drawing inspiration from the immaculate surrounding environment. One feature of this cluster is a decaying basketball court in the middle of a field near the Center. This court is almost guaranteed to be not used if you visit, but don’t expect the court to be well kempt. At one point, the court may have been used for cars to park, so be mindful of the ground and any debris lying around. A court is a court, and you won’t find one like this, in the middle of that environment, anywhere else.
Brooks Park
Ingleside - Ramsell Street
Brooks Park is small neighborhood park with a play structure, community garden and BBQ pits. The park historically was a recreation area for the Ohlone Indian tribe which resided in the SF Bay Area. The BBQ pits is a nice concrete area that can be used for a plethora of other recreational sports activities! Check it out!
China Beach
Sea cliff - Sea cliff avenue
China Beach is the little sibling of Baker Beach in the Sea Cliff district. Sporting spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, a nice expanse of sand and tide pools at low tide, the beach is a great alternative to some of the more travelled and bigger beaches in San Francisco.
Kayaking in the San Francisco Bay
Pier 52 - terry a. francois boulevard
Ever wanted to kayak in the San Francisco Bay? If you’re a Giants fan, you know it’s possible, but you may have never done it yourself. At Pier 52, you can launch boats & kayaks for free into the Bay. Check out City Kayak and San Francisco Kayak and Adventures for rentals!
McLaren Park Ropes Challenge Course
Excelsior - John F. Shelley Drive
Outward Bound California has teamed up with SF Rec and Park to provide community members with free Ropes Challenge Courses at McLaren Park! One Saturday each month from 9am-12:30pm, Outward Bound instructors will lead a course for a limited amount of participants. Dates will be available in January, so visit their website here to sign up for the waitlist!
If you check out any of these spots, tag us @squadz in your Instagram story to be featured on our account!
