Natural Areas Locator
Click on an area of the map below to find a natural areas park near you.
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15th Avenue Steps
- Location: Kirkham Street & 15th Avenue
- Established: 1995
- Size: Park: 0.3 acres/Natural Area: 0.3 acres
- Park Type: Oak Woodland
This small neighborhood sanctuary provides views of the surrounding communities and supports native oak trees and habitat suitable for a variety of resident and migratory bird species.
Park Features:
Balboa Natural Area
- Location: Balboa Street & The Great Highway
- Established: 2002
- Size: Park: 1.8 acres/Natural Area: 1.8 acres
- Park Type: Dune
This park features excellent views of the Pacific Ocean and has an elevated boardwalk that connects to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and provides access to one of the few remaining foredunes in San Francisco. From the 1920s until 1972, Playland at the Beach occupied this site. Prior to restoration, the area was used for construction staging for the Richmond Transport Project and then became available for recreational use. The boardwalk and dune construction began in 2002. Sand from the construction site of the new de Young Museum was used to create dune mounds. Foredune vegetation was planted by Golden Gate National Recreation Area/Natural Areas Program staff and volunteers in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Read more >>
Park Features:
Bayview Park
- Location: End of Key Avenue
- Established: 1915
- Size: Park: 43.9 acres/Natural Area: 43.9 acres
- Park Type: Coastal Scrub/Grassland
Bayview Park supports perhaps the most diverse assemblage of plants and animals in the natural areas system. Its grassland has some of the most beautiful wildflower displays in San Francisco. Other plant communities in Bayview Park include coastal scrub, eucalyptus and oak groves, and the largest Islais cherry population in the city. On a sunny day you are likely to encounter western fence lizards, California alligator lizards, or one of many non-poisonous snakes, such as the San Francisco garter snake, Pacific gopher snake, or Pacific ring-neck snake. Red-tailed hawks are often seen soaring overhead. Great horned owls rest in the notches of trees during the day, and woodpeckers can be heard hammering for an insect snack. Read more >>
Park Features:
Bernal Hill
- Location: End of Bernal Heights Boulevard
- Established: 1973
- Size: Park: 24.3 acres/Natural Area: 24.3 acres
- Park Type: Grassland
Bernal Hill provides visitors with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama and clear views of San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown, San Bruno Mountain and the hills of the East Bay. These windswept slopes are still sunny when Twin Peaks is shrouded in afternoon fog. Red-tailed hawks majestically soar overhead, the breeze sends undulating waves through the native grassland community, and visitors hike around the hill's peaceful summit to escape from the complexities of urban life. As one of the few remaining natural refuges in San Francisco, Bernal Hill is a special place for the city's human and wildlife inhabitants. Read more >>
Park Features:
Billy Goat Hill
- Location: Castro & 30th Street
- Established: 1976
- Size: Park: 3.5 acres/Natural Area: 3.5 acres
- Park Type: Grassland
This hilltop park in the Diamond Heights neighborhood has amazing views of the city and bay and a mix of urban forest and grassland plant communities. American kestrels and other raptors often soar overhead, hunting small mammals and reptiles. Read more >>
Park Features:
Brooks Park
- Location: Shields Street, between Victoria and Vernon Streets
- Established: 1978
- Size: Park: 3.5 acres/Natural Area: 2.0 acres
- Park Type: Grassland
Located on the southwestern-most hill in San Francisco, Brooks Park has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the Farallones, and Mt. Tamalpais. Wildlife such as grizzly bears, elk, and foxes once roamed the area as did a wide variety of birds. Native plants covered the hills and were used by Native Americans for food, medicine, basket-weaving and fish bait. Many of these plants have survived and are still growing in the park. For example, you can see the flowers of the bulbs (Ithuriel's spear, bluedicks) that Native Americans roasted and ate. Read more >>
Park Features:
Buena Vista Park
- Location: Buena Vista West & Haight Street
- Established: 1867
- Size: Park: 36.1 acres/Natural Area: 6.1 acres
- Park Type: Oak Woodland
Buena Vista Park is located in the center of the city and is named for the spectacular views from its upper slopes. It is the oldest park in San Francisco and features secluded, winding trails and one of the city's few remaining coast live oak groves. Buena Vista's natural area is on the park's northern side. Read more >>
Park Features:
Corona Heights
- Location: Roosevelt & Muesum Way
- Established: 1930s
- Size: Park: 12.6 acres/Natural Area: 9.6 acres
- Park Type: Grassland
This park has some of the best views in San Francisco, but don't overlook the wonderful wildflower display that carpets the grasslands each spring. Read more >>
Park Features:
Dorothy Erskine Park
- Location: Martha & Baden Street
- Established: 1979
- Size: Park: 1.5 acres/Natural Area: 1.5 acres
- Park Type: Exotic Forest/Grassland
This hilltop park, located near the southern end of Glen Canyon Park, is named for San Francisco housing activist and environmentalist Dorothy Erskine, who led the fight to establish a city-wide open space acquisition program. Fittingly, this hill, originally named Martha Hill after the Martha Realty Company, was acquired by the City and County of San Francisco in 1977 with city Open Space Funds and renamed in honor of Dorothy Erskine. Read more >>
Park Features:
Duncan-Castro
- Location: Duncan & Castro Street
- Established: 1978
- Size: Park: 0.5 acres/Natural Area: 0.5 acres
- Park Type: Grassland
This small neighborhood park has beautiful springtime displays of Ithuriel's spear, Johnny jump-ups, and other striking wildflowers, as well as views of Diamond Heights and Noe Valley. Although it is a relatively small natural area, Duncan-Castro provides habitat for a variety of birds and butterflies. In a recent study of bumblebees, Duncan-Castro was found to have one of the highest species diversity (number of different species).
Park Features:
Edgehill Mountain
- Location: Edgehill & Garcia Street
- Established: 1985
- Size: Park: 2.3 acres/Natural Area: 2.3 acres
- Park Type: Grassland/Coastal Scrub/Exotic Forest
Edgehill Mountain is mostly developed, but a small urban forest remains on the south side. Originally part of Adolph Sutro's San Miguel Ranch, the Edgehill Mountain land was sold following his death in 1898. It became one of the city's first subdivisions, known as Claremont Court. Houses were built on the mountain's western and southern slopes. The first major erosion problems began in 1952-53, when winter rains sent part of Edgehill Way and one home sliding down the mountain. Edgehill Mountain Park was established in 1985, when the city purchased one acre of the mountain's undeveloped western slope. In 1997, a slope above newly constructed homes collapsed during a rainstorm, cascading mud and rock onto the houses below and sending an unmistakable warning that the mountain's steep slopes could not survive the environmental destruction generated by further residential development. Read more >>
Park Features:
Fairmount Park
- Location: Miguel & Bemis Street
- Size: Park: 0.7 acres/Natural Area: 0.7 acres
- Park Type: Exotic Forest
On this eucalyptus-shaded hilltop, you’ll find quiet seclusion and picturesque views through the trees. Although small, the park provides habitat for a variety of bird species, from resident chestnut-back chickadees to migratory warblers.
Park Features:
Glen Canyon Park
- Location: O'Shaughnessy Boulevard & Elk Street
- Established: 1920s
- Size: Park: 68.8 acres/Natural Area: 60.0 acres
- Park Type: Grassland/Coastal Scrub/Creek/Exotic Forest
Beyond Glen Canyon Park's recreation center, ball field, and tennis courts lies a large urban canyon that has incredible spring wildflower displays, dramatic rock (chert) formations, and Islais Creek, one of the few remaining creeks in San Francisco. This 60 acres of wilderness, formerly referred to as the San Miguel Hills, not only provides critical habitat for a wide array of wildlife, but serves as a relaxing sanctuary from the city's urban bustle. Read more >>
Park Features:
Golden Gate Heights
- Location: Noriega & 15th Avenue
- Established: 1928
- Size: Park: 6.0 acres/Natural Area: 0.8 acres
- Park Type: Dune
Golden Gate Heights combines the amenities of a city park—playground, tennis court, lawns, and trees—with a hilltop dune that provides a good example of San Francisco dune plant life. The rare San Francisco spineflower and San Francisco wallflower both bloom on this small dune patch. Walk west around the trees to see the remnant dunes and ocean views. Similar to Grandview Park but not nearly as large, this sandy natural area also requires a soft touch. Erosion is a serious problem at Golden Gate Heights Park, so please stay on the trails.
Park Features:
Golden Gate Park: Oak Woodlands
- Location: Between Fulton Street and Lincoln Way, Stanyan Street and Cross Over Drive
- Established: 1868
- Size: Park: 1,021.0 acres/Natural Area: 26.2 acres
- Park Type: Oak Woodland
While most of Golden Gate Park has been landscaped with lawn, flower beds and other ornamental areas, a few remnants of San Francisco's oak woodlands still exist in this world-renowned park. The northeast corner of Golden Gate Park is home to some of the oldest coast live oak trees in San Francisco. Read more >>
Park Features:
Grandview Park
- Location: 14th Avenue and Noriega Street
- Established: 1976
- Size: Park: 4.0 acres/Natural Area: 4.0 acres
- Park Type: Dune
This aptly-named hilltop park in the Sunset District has stunning views stretching from downtown San Francisco to Point Reyes and around to Lake Merced. The park features a dune plant community atop 140-million-year-old rock called Franciscan chert, which was first formed when the region was part of the ancient sea floor. Most carbonate shells dissolve in ocean waters before they reach the sea floor, but radiolarian shells are silica-based and do not readily dissolve. Millions of years ago, countless radiolaria combined with mineral dust blown from inland deserts to form layers of chert, which were later uplifted to land. Read more >>
Park Features:
Hawk Hill
- Location: 14th Avenue between Rivera Street and San Marcos Avenue
- Established: 1995
- Size: Park: 4.5 acres/Natural Area: 4.5 acres
- Park Type: Dune
Hawk Hill is a magnificent remnant hilltop dune with ocean views of southwestern San Francisco. The shifting sand supports a wide variety of dune plants, including the locally rare California croton and the San Francisco wallflower. Before western San Francisco was settled, ocean winds deposited sand on Hawk Hill from dunes to the west of the park. Now development has spread over most of the Sunset District over the dunes west of Twin Peaks dunes, leaving no source of sand to replenish Hawk Hill. Be careful where you step on the hill, since the sand here cannot be replaced. You should also be careful to avoid the plentiful poison oak.
Park Features:
- None
India Basin Shoreline Park
- Location: Dr. Arelious Walker (Fitch) Street off Hunters Point Blvd.
- Established: 1996
- Size: Park: 11.8 acres/Natural Area: 6.2 acres
- Park Type: Wetland
Just 150 years ago, San Francisco Bay was ringed by wetlands, valuable ecosystems that supported many plant and animal species. Over 90 percent of these wetlands have been lost to development, but a few can still be found. India Basin is one of these precious wetlands, and is the only natural area within the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department system that borders the bay. Read more >>
Park Features:
Interior Greenbelt
- Location: Belmont and Woodland Avenues
- Size: Park: 19.4 acres/Natural Area: 16.5 acres
- Park Type: Exotic Forest/Coastal Scrub
The interior greenbelt is located on Mount Sutro, south of Golden Gate Park and north of Twin Peaks. This park is almost entirely covered by blue gum eucalyptus forest. Small remnant native plant populations exist here in the understory, including three locally sensitive plants species: sweet cicely, fairy bells, and thimbleberry. There is also an old creek bed that flows through the park. This urban forest also provides habitat for a variety of birds. Although the property is currently inaccessible, some plans have been put forth to increase trail access and recreational opportunities in the Interior Greenbelt. Read more >>
Park Features:
Kite Hill
- Location: Yukon & 19th Street
- Established: 1976
- Size: Park: 2.5 acres/Natural Area: 2.5 acres
- Park Type: Grassland
Kite Hill, a small park in central San Francisco with excellent views of the city, is home to a grassland plant community. During summer and early fall, the land is parched and golden brown, and native grasses drop their seeds and await the winter rains. By February, the hill transforms to a verdant green. In spring a variety of native wildflowers, including California poppy, checkerbloom, Ithuriel's spear and soap plant add color to the grassland. Read more >>
Park Features:
Lake Merced
- Location: John Muir Drive, Skyline Boulevard, and Lake Merced Boulevard
- Established: 1930
- Size: Park: 614.0 acres (including water)/Natural Area: 395.0 acres
- Park Type: Dunes/Wetland
Lake Merced, a freshwater lake in the southwest corner of San Francisco, is a major water, recreational, and natural resource for the City and County of San Francisco and the surrounding area. It is also an important stop for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway. More than 250 species of birds can be seen throughout San Francisco during the year, most of which migrate from as far as South America to the Arctic and back. Many of these migrating birds stop only briefly at Lake Merced to feed and rest as they continue their journey to the north or south; others mate, build nests, and nurture a new generation of young birds in San Francisco before returning to their wintering grounds elsewhere. Read more >>
Park Features:
Lakeview & Ashton Mini-Park
- Location: Shields & Orizaba Street
- Established: 1976
- Size: Park: 0.5 acres/Natural Area: 0.5 acres
- Park Type: Grassland
This rocky outcrop is part of a ridge of sandstone in the Merced and Ingleside Heights neighborhoods. While the park is very small, its grassy and rocky slopes are home to a variety of native plant species, including buckwheat, dudleya, farewell-to-spring, coast onion, and soap plant. This diversity of plants means there are flowers in bloom at Lakeview-Ashton Mini Park through most of the spring and summer. This wide window of flower availability provides a crucial long-term food source for many local butterflies and other insects. In 2003, a locally rare arboreal salamander was found hiding amongst the rocks. This relatively large brown salamander, four inches long when mature, has a whitish belly that in juveniles is darker and covered with light-blue spots. Arboreal salamanders have tails that are well adapted for grasping branches to help climb trees.
Park Features:
McLaren Park
- Location: Mansell Street between Sunnydale and Visitacion Avenues
- Established: 1927
- Size: Park: 312.6 acres/Natural Area: 165.3 acres
- Park Type: Grassland/Creek/Wetland
McLaren Park, the second largest park in San Francisco, was named for John McLaren, the superintendent of Golden Gate Park from 1887 to 1943. It includes a natural area rich in native plants and animals, as well as playgrounds, lawns and planted gardens, a golf course, tennis courts, and an amphitheater. Read more >>
Park Features:
Mt. Davidson
- Location: South of Portola Drive, adjacent to Juanita Avenue and Dalewood Way
- Established: 1929
- Size: Park: 40.2 acres/Natural Area: 40.2 acres
- Park Type: Grassland/Exotic Forest
At 938 feet, Mount Davidson is the highest point in San Francisco. Its most noticeable feature, aside from its height, is the 103-foot concrete cross at its peak. Seen from above, there is a clear division between the mountain's eucalyptus forest on the west, and coastal scrub and grassland on the east. Mount Davidson has both significant natural and recreational resources. The diversity of vegetation provides habitat for a wide range of migratory and resident birds, including 18 locally sensitive species. Myriad trails traverse the western slopes, where the densely overgrown vegetation and fog drip give a hiker the feeling of being in a rainforest. Read more >>
Park Features:
O'Shaughnessy Hollow
- Location: O'Shaughnessy Boulevard & Elk Street
- Established: 1986
- Size: Park: 3.8 acres/Natural Area: 3.8 acres
- Park Type: Grassland/Coastal Scrub
This steep cliff towering above O'Shaughnessy Boulevard has beautiful grasslands and magnificent rocky outcrops. The folds and fractures within the chert are some of the most dramatic in San Francisco. Although technically a different park, O'Shaughnessy Hollow is only separated from Glen Canyon by a road, and its grassland and scrub plant communities are quite similar. See the description of Glen Canyon Park [make this a hotlink] for more information.
In the early 1980s, the area was considered for the development of 16 single-family homes. Ultimately, these parcels were purchased by the City and County of San Francisco with Open Space Funds to preserve this area's natural biodiversity.
Park Features:
Palou & Phelps Park
- Location: Intersection of Palou Avenue and Phelps Street
- Established: 1995
- Size: Park: 2.5 acres/Natural Area: 2.1 acres
- Park Type: Grassland
This small park has a playground at its northern entrance, the only place where it is flat. The rest of the park is primarily a steep grassland with trails, city views, and habitat for a variety of bird species. During summer and early fall the land is parched and golden brown, and native grasses drop their seeds and await the winter rains. By February the hills transform to a verdant green, and in spring a variety of native wildflowers, including California poppy, blue-eyed grass, checkerbloom, and mules ears add color to the grassland.
A Catholic orphanage sat at the summit of this park until the 1960s and a Caltrain tunnel currently runs directly below its slopes.
Park Features:
Pine Lake
- Location: Crestlake Drive & Wawona Street
- Established: 1930s
- Size: Park: 31.9 acres/Natural Area: 8.4 acres
- Park Type: Wetland/Riparian
Pine Lake Park, in western San Francisco and contiguous with Stern Grove, is an elongated valley with steep, forested slopes. Pine Lake is one of the few remaining natural lakes in San Francisco and is fed by the same aquifer as Lake Merced. The willow, tule and other wetland plants that ring the lake provide habitat for a variety for resident and migratory bird species. A trail encircles the lake providing opportunities for viewing birds. Read more >>
Park Features:
Rocky Outcrop
- Location: 14th Avenue and Funston Avenue
- Established: 1988
- Size: Park: 1.6 acres/Natural Area: 1.6 acres
- Park Type: Dune
This steep, rocky park has beautiful examples of Franciscan chert. The rocks are home to a variety of plants, including two native succulents, dudleya and stonecrop. Stonecrop is the host plant for the San Bruno elfin butterfly, a federally listed endangered species. Rock Outcrop is a small park, but it offers habitat for a variety of wildlife. Read more >>
Park Features:
Sharp Park
- Location: East of Highway One and South of Sharp Park Road, Pacifica
- Established: 1917
- Size: Park: 411.0 acres/Natural Area: 237.2 acres
- Park Type: Wetland
Sharp Park is in Pacifica but is managed by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. The park's natural area encompasses diverse habitats, including coastal wetlands, coastal scrub, forest, and grasslands. It is situated between two regionally significant open spaces, Milagra and Sweeney Ridges, and supports populations of federally listed species such as the California red-legged frog, San Francisco garter snake and mission blue butterfly. Read more >>
Park Features:
Tank Hill
- Location: Clarendon Avenue & Twin Peaks Boulevard
- Established: 1977
- Size: Park: 2.9 acres/Natural Area: 2.9 acres
- Park Type: Grassland
Tank Hill is one of San Francisco's secret treasures. Its name comes from the Clarendon Heights Water Tank, built in 1894 by the Spring Valley Water Company to store drinking water pumped from Laguna Honda. Tank Hill became city property in 1930 when Spring Valley was acquired to establish the San Francisco Water Department. The prominent water tank was removed in 1957, and all that remains is its round foundation. Residents remember seeing goldfish flowing down Belgrave Avenue when the old tank was drained. In 1960 Tank Hill was sold as surplus property for $230,000. In 1977, developers proposed building 20 houses, but the community convinced the city to buy the hill back with $650,000 from the recently created Open Space Fund. Read more >>
Park Features:
Twin Peaks
- Location: Twin Peaks Boulevard
- Size: Park: 34.1 acres/Natural Area: 31.1 acres
- Park Type: Grassland/Coastal Scrub
At 922 feet in elevation, Twin Peaks is second only to Mount Davidson in height, offers spectacular views of the Bay Area, and is a world-famous tourist attraction. Originally called "Los Pechos de la Choca" (Breasts of the Maiden) by early Spanish settlers, these two peaks provide postcard views and a treasure trove of animal and plant diversity. Most visitors to Twin Peaks drive (or take a tourist bus) to the north peak parking lot to enjoy 180-degree views of the Bay Area. Unfortunately, many of them miss an opportunity to experience the coastal scrub and grassland communities on this 64-acre park. Similar to the Marin Headlands, Twin Peaks gives us an idea of how San Francisco's hills and peaks looked before grazing and then development changed them forever. Read more >>
Park Features:
City & County of San Francisco