OPEN Public Pools in San Francisco! Starting Jan. 4!

LAST UPDATED: December 22nd, 2020

EDIT: POOLS CURRENTLY CLOSED UNTIL JANUARY 4th, 2021

Swimmers! Have you been looking for public swimming options now that it’s too cold to hit the beach? Despite COVID-19 restrictions, there is still access to public pools in SF, albeit much more limited. Most pools only allow 4 people in the pool at all times, and require online reservation for lap swimming. Drop-in sessions cost $7 and can be booked here! Check these spots out!

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.

---

Balboa Pool

Balboa Park - Kezar Drive

Beautifully renovated neighborhood swimming pool at Balboa Park that features lots of community programming and parking for visitors. Easy access to the freeways and BART!

Mission Community Pool

mission district - Linda street

Mission Community Pool is the city-operated outdoor pool in San Francisco. At this time due to COVID-19, it is lap-swim only. Originally constructed in 1916, the pool has provided thousands of San Franciscans the opportunity to swim safely in the middle of the city.

Coffman Pool

McLaren Park - visitacion avenue

Coffman Pool is a 10,000 ft facility in McLaren Park with many community programming options for all ages. The facility has been serving the Visitacion Valley neighborhood and SF swimmers since 1957!

North Beach Pool

North beach district - lombard street

The North Beach Pool facility features two pools – one lap pool and one recreational pool. These pools allow for a large array of community programming, classes and fun!

Garfield Pool

outer mission - treat avenue

The recently reopened Garfield Pool had gone under renovations starting in 2018 and is now open to all San Francisco swimmers! Enjoy the community programming and updated facilities in the Outer Mission!

Hamilton Pool

fillmore district - geary boulevard

The Hamilton Recreation Center Pool is one of the most popular swimming destinations in San Francisco. It sports large water slides, lap swimming, community programming and party rentals!

Sava Pool

Sunset district - 19th avenue

Sava Pool was recently renovated in 2009 with investment toward competitive swimming purposes as well as recreational. The pool has parking and is located in the Sunset district in San Francisco. Community programming and lessons are offered here, check it out!

Martin Luther King Jr. Pool

bayview district - 3rd street

The Martin Luther King Jr. Pool in the Bayview offers many different community programs at their 8 lane swimming hole. A wade pool is also offered for young children. Another hidden gem in San Francisco for the swimming community!

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

LOOKING FOR PLACES TO PLAY SPORTS NEAR SAN FRANCISCO?

---

Know of any other great SWIMMING spots 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.

Hidden Recreation Spots in SF for your next adventure!

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!

---

Know of any other great outdoor workout spots 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.

No Reservation? No Problem! OPEN Tennis Courts in SF that you can't find on Spotery!

Last updated: December 12th, 2020

We understand how frustrating it can be when you can’t reserve a tennis court for you and your family or friends. Luckily for San Francisco residents, there are hidden gems all around that are waiting to be played on! We’ve compiled a list of dedicated tennis courts (disconnected from other recreation areas) that are often overlooked that you can’t find on Spotery, SF Rec & Park’s online reservation system. Service!

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 more court recommendations!

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.

---

Corona Heights Tennis Areas: States St. Playground, Flint St. Courts, and Peixotto Playground

Corona Heights - roosevelt way

Corona Heights may be one of the more slept-on recreation areas in San Francisco. There are 3 separate tennis areas around the mountainous terrain with their own respective views and vibes. Off States St, there is a single court directly adjacent to the States St playground which makes it a great spot for parents with children. The elevated court can be subject to mild wind conditions as it isn’t protected from the elements like the Flint St and Pexiotto Playground courts. Flint St Courts are nestled in the hillside with tall fences to keep in errant tennis balls. There are 2 gorgeous blue and green courts. The courts are also just below the Randall Museum and open up to a pedestrian path up to the Corona Heights Summit. Peixotto Playground is also home to 2 courts, and they are situated at the bottom of the northeastern slope off 15th St. There is a limited amount of dedicated parking for this spot.

Youngblood-Coleman Playground

India Basin - hudson avenue

Deep into the India Basin neighborhood near the Bayview lies Youngblood-Coleman Playground. Newly renovated, the recreation space boasts new basketball courts (fullsize court + half court) and tennis courts (with its own dedicated area). Rebecca Ln and Bowman Ct opens to the tennis area, but you should be able to find parking easily anywhere nearby. There are awesome lights for night play!

Margaret S. Hayward Courts

Fillmore - laguna street

The most recently unveiled recreation project out of the SFRPD is Margaret S. Hayward Recreation Center in the Fillmore. The $28 million facility spared no expense when it come to the best playground, soccer, basketball, and tennis infrastructure. Two beautiful new tennis courts adorn the space off Laguna St in between Turk St and Golden Gate Ave. With a lot of buzz around this space, you’ll want to get here early.

Mission Playground

mission district - 19th street & linda street

In the heart of the Mission, hidden behind bars, homes, a bookstore and an alleyway, is a cradle of recreation activity. Mission Playground offers a pool, a full size basketball court, a full size soccer field and two dedicated tennis courts. The tennis courts are very pretty and accessible via entrance off 19th St or Cunningham Pl. There is a small gate off of Linda St into the basketball court but it’s probably locked. 

Alamo Square Park

alamo square - steiner street & hayes street

Alamo Square Park is one of the most iconic parks in San Francisco. The Painted Ladies, the views of the city scape, and the perfectly manicured slopes provide for a wonderful place to hang out. But did you know there was a tennis court at the top of the hill? This court is slightly hidden underneath the large trees at the top of the Square, but helps as a windscreen during play. This location is hard to beat if you’re looking for spectacular views!

Excelsior Playground

Excelsior - madrid street

Another court with lights is a smaller neighborhood court at Excelsior Playground! With decent wind protection and tall fences, this court is a great place for beginners working on their game. No need to worry about other courts in the vicinity or mixing with basketball players. Access the court on Russia Avenue between Madrid St and Edinburgh St. This spot is also a good backup to the Crocker Amazon courts close by!

Cayuga Playground

Outer Mission - naglee street

Sandwiched between Alemany Blvd and the 280 freeway, Cayuga holds a great, clean, dedicated tennis court for prospective players living in the southern areas of San Francisco. A hidden gem, this playground could be what you’ve been looking for! Parking may be limited on Cayuga Ave or Naglee Ave, so if necessary there is a path to the park from Alemany Blvd.

Merced Heights Playground

Merced Heights - shields Street

Merced Heights Playground is now among the top playgrounds in the city after the recent renovation. With a gorgeous new tennis court adjacent to it basketball and volleyball courts, this playground is fast becoming a popular recreation destination. Note that the space is a community hub for neighborhood children, and they may get priority for any of the rec spaces.  

Golden Gate Heights Park

golden gate heights - 12th avenue

This hilltop park sneakily holds 2 beautiful green & blue tennis courts in the western part of San Francisco in the labyrinth of streets near the Golden Gate Heights and Forest Hill neighborhoods. The fences surrounding the courts are tarped and there are trees enveloping the play area from all sides so don’t expect a hilltop view like some of the other courts around town!

Mission Bay Park Court

Mission Bay - Berry Street

Located right along the water by Mission Creek, this single tennis court in Mission Bay is perfect for playing while staying socially distant from other groups. The fences around the court also provide decent wind protection. You might catch some less-than-ideal smells from some of the creek sewage while you play, but the courts are not usually too busy until later the evenings.

Alta Plaza Hilltop Courts

pacific heights - JACKSON STREET & STEINER STREET

Alta Plaza is a well known iconic San Francisco park. It is very well frequented and so are its three tennis courts on top of the park. For best results, arrive during off hours to secure one of the two dedicated tennis courts without basketball hoops. The third court has basketball hoops installed, so watch out for ballers.

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

---

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

---

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.