Natural Areas Locator
Click on an area of the map below to find a natural areas park near you.
Northwestern Natural Areas
North Natural Areas
Northwestern Natural Areas
North Natural Areas
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Southeastern Natural Areas
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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