London has Regents Park. Paris, The Tuileries. New York has Central Park and even Los Angeles has Griffith Park. What about San Francisco ?
Sure, we have Golden Gate Park, The National Seashore and even The Presidio. But what do you do if you live Downtown and want to go for a run, bathe in the sun or just have some outdoor fun ?
Depending on where you live Downtown, there is a wealth of options for public space. Most of these parks have their own unique flavor and style, making them true San Francisco gems.
Here's a rundown of Downtown San Francisco park options. Don't forget sunblock:
South Park
Bounded by Second and Third Streets and Bryant and Brannan Streets, South Park was laid out in the 1850's and was modeled on the oval shaped urban residential parks that began showing up in England and the US in the mid-1700's. Designed to be the last word in plush residential developments, South Park quickly lost favor with the rich as it's proximity to the working waterfront never made for peaceful coexistence. Fast forward to the 21st century and you see a neighborhood park that retains its original shape and scale but is now surrounded by design firms, tech start-ups, cutting-edge condominiums and a wide array of dining options. The plantings and hardscape could use some freshening but it's still a great space to grab lunch or read under a tree.
Mission Creek Park
The newest park Downtown, Mission Creek Park is located on both sides of the channel or 'creek' and has Berry Street as it's Northern border and Channel Street to the south. Developed in 2000 by ProLogis Corporation, the park is beautifully designed and landscaped. It provides a wealth of recreational options including a fenced-in dog run, basketball courts, tennis courts and a public kayak launch. Mission Creek Park offers residents and visitors alike a pristine respite from the noise and traffic of the city. As the south side of Mission Bay continues to develop, this park will link to other parks forming a network of green spaces that will snake through the neighborhood and along the waterfront. Some may criticize Mission Bay as being generic, but the parks running through it will create the greenest neighborhood in San Francisco.
The Embarcadero
Spanish for 'wharf' or 'pier', The Embarcadero is undoubtedly Downtown's most spectacular public space. Stretching from Pier 37 all the way around to AT&T Park, The Embarcadero is famous for it's views and the sheer scale of it's unbroken waterfront access. Perfect for cyclists, runners and baby strollers alike, one doesn't have to worry about the stop and start of crossing streets but still needs to be aware of tourist groups shuffling along and the occasional sea lion. A thorough upgrade started over ten years ago has been completed featuring public art and street furniture by Stanley Saitowitz and other local notables. The Embarcadero hosts The Ferry Building, a fire boat station, visiting ocean liners and one of the worlds best farmers markets. Given the cinematic scenery, it's no wonder that The Embarcadero appears in TV commercials consistently. Simply stated, it's one of the worlds most spectacular urban parks.
Now that you know where to go, get out there and enjoy! SPF 15 or higher.
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