The "Central Park" Of The West Coast

[@wescrain7177]

I've lived in SF's Inner Sunset a block away from Golden Gate Park for 14 years, and it's still my favorite park in the city/world! I've explored every inch on foot, skates, and bikes (there's a car-free travel route that spans the entire park length), and I always take visitors there (tip--give yourself an entire day, because there's so much to do). It's often foggy, though, so if I need a sunnier park experience, I sometimes head over to Dolores Park in the Mission and enjoy the view of downtown from the upper slope. With San Francisco being the first city in the US to have all residents within a ten minute walk of a public park, there's no shortage of beautiful green spaces to enjoy no matter what part of town you're in!

[@tastyneck]

Pretty much exactly the same as me, but in Outer Sunset (a block from Sunset). I absolutely love that I can cross Lincoln and literally be in GGP.

[@KennedyCopy]

i love the Irving st. area it's so weird, little bodegas and 4 star Sushi and boutique shopping in about five different cultures. Miss that place and the Upper Haight where I rolled downhill right into it all the way to Ocean Beach

[@bluebox2000]

I've only been there about 4 times and remember how uniquely beautiful this treasure is to all. It might be compared to Central Park which I've spent far more time in, but it's nothing like it.

[@jm7804]

There's also no shortage of homeless people and the BS that goes along with them. Don't try going off any of the main trails in GGP because there are tons of homeless hiding in the bushes. SF used to be a beautiful city, but homelessness and crime have destroyed the enjoyment of public spaces and the retail sector in Union Square and Market St.

[@MasterMalrubius]

Golden Gate Park is an awesome place. Just be careful not to leave anything visible in your car. People ruin everything.

[@tingummywut]

SF resident here, Golden Gate Park is such a gem, but the entire parks system is amazing, with every single household in SF a 10 minute walk from a park. Most of our hilltops are all topped with public parks, a real tribute to the foresight of city planners of the past.

[@encinobalboa]

Yes, yes, what about the open substance abuse and rampant property crime?

[@ASJyirod]

@@encinobalboadifferent video

[@damonlouis6536]

@@encinobalboa I'm guessing u aren't from here. every city has its problems, not every city has a ggp and a diverse culture. I haven't found a better place to live yet

[@encinobalboa]

@@damonlouis6536 I lived in the City in the 1990's when it was truly great. Also lived in CC county. Guess again.

[@muzluv33]

@@encinobalboa Yes, parks were conceived as and should still be the lungs, i.e. breathing spaces for a city but in today's culture they are also magnets for every crime in the book. Hopefully this will change and there is proper law enforcement in such parks but in such big green spaces, this is a challenge. I have been in GGP and spent close to a day each each time walking through it and visiting the Tea garden and the museums. However it should have been mentioned that the Asian Art Museum was in Golden gate Park but was many years ago relocated to a new building in the Civic Center area next to City Hall on I believe McAllister Street. The new building and the exhibits are must-sees but the neighborhood, well - that's another matter. I found the area safest during the day and when cultural events are taking place at the nearby Opera House and Davies Symphony Hall. And Market Street is something every San Franciscan will know about.

[@skyblueo]

Golden Gate Park has one thing that Central Park will never have, which is access to the Pacific Ocean. The first time I visited San Francisco, the friend I was visiting drove me to the part of Golden Gate Park across the street from the beach and the Pacific. In the waters, just before sunset, I saw wild sea lions for the first time in my life. That was a peak moment.

[@SpringNotes]

What a great memory ! Next time I'm in San Francisco, I'll check out that location.

[@Kyrgyzmaper]

But Central Park has a lake and it's near to Atlantic ocean

[@flabio7074]

Golden Gate Park also has a lot more poop than Central Park will ever have. Makes me miss living in SF.

[@kgal1298]

@@flabio7074 More than Colorado when the geese migrate?

[@chrisgreenwood8188]

@@Kyrgyzmapernothing compares to the pacific.

[@antonioiniguez1615]

I visited California in July this summer and went to San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Cruz, and Monterey. My absolute favorite part of the trip (besides the beaches) was Golden Gate Park. It's beautifully designed and everyone was enjoying themselves. There was a good mix of people working out and leisurely walking or cycling. Seeing zero cars inside the park was also a treat. The Bay Area is the best!!!

[@RickJ04040]

I've only been once but looks like JFK and MLK along with route 1 (drove through several years ago) and even a few smaller road, cut through the park. Did they close those to car traffic like Central Park did a few years back?

[@danielcarroll3358]

@@RickJ04040 JFK is closed to cars and quite popular. It took a proposition on the ballot to do it. There is another on the ballot in November proposing to close the highway at the west end of the park to cars. These ballots do get a bit testy between the car people and the pedestrian/bicycle/runner/ skateboarder/ etc. groups. I don't live in the city, so don't get to vote, but it is interesting to watch.

[@PigglyWigglyDeluxe]

As a native Californian, let me tell you that what you experienced is so grossly overpriced that you’re not living there unless you have inherited generational wealth or made it big in tech or finance somehow. The rest of California, outside of what you saw, is vast emptiness full of farms, forests, desert, and fire. You get what you pay for in California. Cheaper places to live tend to be dead end towns with bad weather and mean people.

[@antonioiniguez1615]

@@PigglyWigglyDeluxe Yeah I understand that. I lived in California for the first 14 or so years of my life. My parents moved us out to Texas due to the COL. I'd love to move back but there's no chance I'd be able to afford it.

[@antonioiniguez1615]

@@danielcarroll3358 yes, thanks for clarifying. YT must have removed my comment or something by that's basically what I said

[@dakshots_69]

I’d say balboa park in San Diego is also up there with one of the massive Urban Parks in the US. Just has everything from a zoo, views, museums, gardens, Spanish villages, theaters, etc

[@harleyb.birdwhisperer]

Yup. Grew up in the SD area. Balboa park is a gem.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Yeah, I’m a fan of Balboa Park as well. San Diego has always kind of struck me as ‘Los Angeles done correctly.’ I’m also a huge fan of Golden Gate. Just looking at the pics in this video & could smell the eucalyptus! Central Park is wonderful too, though it has its own, unique smell (no eucalyptus, unfortunately😞) I suppose I’m just a fan of all park spaces, especially ones found in big cities.

[@paraskep5080]

yep, agree with you

[@هذاأنا-ذ3ث]

Also Balboa Park at 1200 acres is larger than Central Park at 843 acres.

[@adamesd3699]

Balboa Park is one of my favorite things in SD. Really accessible, too. I’ve read it’s the largest urban park in the US, when you include the zoo.

[@dwilborn1257]

I love how the park is bisected by 19th Avenue/Park Presidio Drive. The east side has the museums, manicured gardens, athletic fields/stadium, and all the tourists, while the west side is quiet, full of lakes, picnic spots, walking paths and the iconic windmills.

[@stimpdog53]

And a beautiful, free, disc golf course.

[@EricHunt]

I lived in SF for 12 years and literally never went west of 19th Ave in Golden Gate Park! But I can tell you where every rock and tree are in the eastern half of the park.

[@SFDOM415]

@@dwilborn1257 originally if planned to go under the park in a tunnel

[@ronaldhorton2438]

I've lived in San Francisco since 1968 and can tell you I explored every nook and cranny of GG Park along with lands end . Those were the first two park experiences. I was from the desert in West Texas. I still love it. Thanks.

[@martinschmitt9242]

I wanna get out of these west Texas deserts so bad😭

[@iSGxGlassCoe]

What's your favorite lesser known part/trail? Or a cool fact everyone might not know

[@0blackfire0]

Having lived in both LA and SF, it made me realize how much I valued urban green spaces near me. There are great parks every square mile of SF. It's effortless to enjoy exercising outdoors. There's reason SF residents are among the healthiest and most fit in the country.

[@ThePatrickakes]

So true! It's easy to walk around town and really get a workout, but also eat so much good food all day long. Some friends and I do urban hikes where we literally just set a route around town and hit different tasty food and drink spots.

[@coleciervo5454]

I visited San Francisco last summer and I have to say it is my favorite city in the world. Fantastically beautiful parks and urban environments, a paradise climate, amazing transit. I hope someday I have the money to live there!

[@TreetheSmelt]

And don’t forget the totally majestic carjacking, totally low crime rates, the totally not depressing foggy weather, and vast herds of homeless humans as far as the eye can see. Truly one of the best places on this planet.

[@coleciervo5454]

@@TreetheSmelt I didn't encounter any of those in San Francisco (except the fog - which I loved!) Have you ever been to SF?

[@TreetheSmelt]

@@coleciervo5454 I unfortunately live right next to this hellhole… This place before Covid was peak though. Anyways I’m glad people still have a great time around here

[@trapmuzik6708]

SF sounds like a wonderful place if u have the money to live there

[@blackie-jm9tr]

I hope you get to live in S.F. some day, it is trully a beautiful city, (challenges and all, as any other great city in the world..).

[@markwalsh2340]

Thank you for this reel. I'm a native San Franciscan. I have spent my entire life going to all these parks but I really love it when it is viewed through someone else's eyes. It has been a part of me for so long that I take it for granted. Videos like this remind me of how incredibly fortunate I am to be from here and to have these beautiful resources all around.

[@MoGhotbi]

One of the great treasures of our city. Also, despite all the bad news, San Francisco is still effing awesome.

[@PigglyWigglyDeluxe]

SF at its worst is still generally better than any mid level whatever CA city at its best.

[@recurrenTopology]

SF is both great and also a failure to grow into the city it should have become. Just comparing the housing density around Central Park to that around GGP tells the story of SF and the Bay's unwillingness to grow despite overwhelming demand.

[@FeelMyBirdie]

@@recurrenTopology thank the nimbys for that

[@Secretlyanothername]

​@@FeelMyBirdie thank the people of SF. Disliking everyone else is really important to their identity, and they vote for it

[@TohaBgood2]

@@Secretlyanothername Only a portion of the entrenched "landed gentry" in SF is like this. Most San Franciscans are extremely nice, on par with "Midwestern nice", but in a different counter-culture way. Our main problem is than we've let a small cadre of busybodies to dictate how our city is run because the rest of us are generally very busy doing other things. People here are more concerned with "saving the world", doing great science, "building the future", as it were, than with ensuring that more apartments are built down the street for the newcomers. But involvement in local politics is becoming more and more popular in SF. Little by little people are waking up to burning need to be involved locally as well. Watch SF over the next 5-10 years. Great change is coming to SF.

[@robertcabrera6232]

For nearly a decade in the 1990s I lived off of Divisadero, a couple of blocks from the tip of the Panhandle of Golden Gate park. It was a short walk to the Haight or a quick bus ride to the main park whenever there was a free concert or other activity. I loved being able to walk or ride my bike through the park, and on a few occasions walked to the beach and back. But as you said there are so many great parks in The City. My favorite was the Presidio. My friends and I would often hike there if the weather was nice. And we would build bonfires on the beach to celebrate the equinox or solstice of each season by playing music, singing, dancing, and of course, some adult beverages. It was one of the best periods of my life, and a time I'll always cherish.

[@philpaine3068]

This happened to me many decades ago, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was still true. On my first day in San Francisco, I strolled through Golden Gate Park. As a Canadian boy, the overwhelming smell of a eucalyptus forest was just weird ---- it was like drowning in cough syrup, until my senses adjusted. There were little scattered clearings in a less-populated part of the park that I particularly enjoyed. I heard music coming through the trees. Somebody jamming, with all the casual stops and starts, but the quality was amazing. I followed the increasingly wonderful sound into one of the clearings. Yes, there were a bunch of musicians, sitting or sprawling on the grass, and a small number of random people who had stopped to listen. One musician in particular struck me as brilliant. I just stood there, soaking it in. . . . and gradually realized that he was Carlos Santana. That was the first of many San Francisco Moments. Try watching the sunrise from atop the Bishop's Seat near Buena Vista Park if you want a transcendent experience.

[@gloriouslyimperfect]

Sounds like you had made it to hippie hill!

[@philpaine3068]

@@gloriouslyimperfect I think it was a bit more enclosed than the spot people told me was Hippie Hill, and somewhat further west. No city street was in sight. What was happening was just a small impromptu jam, not a big deal. But man, was it inspiring!

[@gloriouslyimperfect]

@@philpaine3068 it’s what I love so much and why I pay and arm and a leg to live here.

[@bloqk16]

The California climate is very agreeable with eucalyptus trees, especially on the Central Coast. Their propagation could be comparable to that of weeds. In addition, they are about the lowest maintenance trees to be had.

[@philpaine3068]

@@bloqk16 I was surprised to find them, as I had thought of them as as an Australian tree, and had not known that they had been brought to California and flourished there so spectacularly. I was totally unprepared for the Vicks Vapo-Rub smell! I grew up in Canada's subarctic forests (jack pine, tamarack, black spruce, birch, poplar and maple) and everything in California was exotic to me. My only preparation for the state was watching 1960s beach movies starring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon.

[@DensetsuVII]

As a fellow LA resident who was raised in the Bay Area, this really puts into words my feelings whenever I return to Norcal - that there's just an ease with which green space can be accessed, that isn't readily available down south. I've spent years scoping out parks outside of Griffith, and I'm particularly fond of the little-discussed Ernest E Debs Park north of Elysian, but as you say, not every walkable, green space should be a mountain, and they certainly shouldn't be so damn spread out. I only hope that the forthcoming video will offer the positive vision for the future by which Golden Gate Parks can become something that all of us can readily visit, and I'll be subscribed to wait for that vision to come forward!

[@fboness368]

Men of foresight built SF. Men of greed built LA.

[@rodsalvador3608]

Sadly LA was dedicated to oil rigs, freeways and studios. Less of a civic culture here, and here we are

[@marygraceredfield2702]

Golden Gate Park is so beautiful! So many childhood memories. It's a wonderful place to walk around.

[@glalza]

Weather, parks, nature, and walkable with good public transportation. I grew up in Los Angeles and moved up to San Francisco for grad school and never went back. Just love the Bay Area!

[@heathmcrigsby]

I love the seething about golf courses. They literally are green spaces. Just because you gotta pay to get in doesn't mean it isn't. People would rather have a building or more roads than a private green space.

[@kgal1298]

@@heathmcrigsby You can't picnic on Golf Courses unless you want to get hit by Golf Balls that's people's issues with them and the fact that they take a lot of water to maintain.

[@heathmcrigsby]

@@kgal1298 I can't picnic in your backyard either. That's the beauty of private property.

[@carlosangel7282]

@@heathmcrigsby why are you against public spaces 😂

[@heathmcrigsby]

@@carlosangel7282 There already are public spaces? It's private property. At least it's a green space. It could have been a walmart.

[@MotoNomad350]

Unlike NY Central Park which is an isolated pocket of green space, Golden Gate Park, at its west end, is contiguous with the huge open space of Ocean Beach, a 3.5 mile stretch of white sand Pacific Coast beach. Ocean Beach, a segment of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, itself leads to more green space in Lands End, the Presidio, Crissy Field, Marina Green, Fort Mason, Aquatic Park, etc that wraps around past the Golden Gate Bridge all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf.

[@timmethy]

And then all the nice spaces on the Marin side of the Golden Gate Bridge.

[@nija1976]

White?

[@circleinforthecube5170]

yeah but thats kinda the whole draw of central park, its a modern marvel being surrounded by skyscrapers

[@darylsledge1456]

Central Park is first and most known world over, no matter what you say. AND AS A WORLD CLASS CITY, SF IS NOT IN THE LEAGUE OF NEW YORK.

[@MotoNomad350]

@@darylsledge1456 go breath into a paper bag and calm the F down.

[@adesignersperspective]

having lived in both LA and now SF i will say one of the main reasons you see so many more people out and about in SF in parks and otherwise is because, unlike LA, san francisco actually has a long-standing and comprehensive public transportation system. while los angelenos spend most of their life stuck in a car stuck in traffic, at least two thirds of san franciscans don't even own a car, and it's just MUCH easier to get around and go out in san francisco as a result. it's also just not the sprawling, disjointed mess that LA is. it's much more dense and everything actually connects without all the dead space LA has in-between areas due largely to its freeway system - something else SF completely lacks, and for the better.

[@Byronic19134]

That’s because SF is basically a very small peninsula whereas LA is an actual metropolitan area.

[@NatTurner-x7l]

SF is a part of a metro of 7 million people

[@jc3drums916]

@@NatTurner-x7l Yes, but SF proper is surrounded on three sides by water. Not being able to build outward meant city planners were forced to be wiser about how they used the available space. I may be mistaken, but I think LA also didn't evolve as a single entity, hence the clashing street grids, etc.

[@stevenedwards3754]

You didn't mention the beautifully manicured 11 acre S.F. Botanical garden which is the crown jewel of GG Park. Because of San Francisco's mild climate, the variety of plants that thrive there is extraordinary. The NY Botanical garden is wonderful too, but in the Bronx, far from Central Park.

[@lestranged]

Have you ever gone to the Night Garden Piano event in the botanical garden? Normally you don't get to see it at night since it closes at 6. Being in the redwood grove at night with a live pianist was just magical!

[@HaldaneSmith]

There are sections for each of the Mediterranean climates of the world: New Zealand/Australia, South Africa, Chile, the Mediterranean, and California, all areas that have wet winters and little summer rain. The Transbay depot in downtown SF has a rooftop garden that is a mini-version of the same idea.

[@lovelyla85]

The difference with LA is that it was never planned to be a big city like nyc or San Fran. So by the time LA could really build a central like park most of the land was already taken. I do think we need to remove some of the golf course tho. I’ve heard of a proposal for that

[@peteralbert1485]

I wonder if this difference is partly because so many homes in LA have yards - front yards, side yards, backyards - whereas all you get in either NYC or SF is a tiny postage stamp of open space in the back. I think that might be why people in NYC or SF use their neighborhood parks and the big parks more than people in LA do.

[@Waffls]

It's kind of crazy to think that there are 7(?) golf courses in a city as small as SF.

[@josephwright1154]

@@peteralbert1485Great point never thought about with LA and what parks are in NYC and San Francisco is what the beach and hiking is for LA.

[@osvaldopulido2553]

also look at the real estate nearest to these centralized parks, very expensive and highly touristy, something that doesn't work for the majority of people in a sprawl.

[@nahuelma97]

@@peteralbert1485 I think it's the other way around, actually. At the end of the day, public parks are infrastructure, like highways and public transit systems, and development in cities responds to existing infrastructure. Or rather, it responds to the demands of the public, and the public's demands are affected by the availability of infrastructure. If you can get to your work just walking or taking a bus/tram/metro, you're less likely to look for a place to rent or buy that has parking space, because you're less likely to need a car in the first place. If you're looking for a place to live that's close to a park, the property itself having green space is less of a requirement and maybe you start to think more about your other priorities inside the house or apartment. Money constraints a side, it's what you'd like to have minus what the city offers that results in what you look for in the end, so if the city doesn't offer parks, your need for green space will remain unmet, and so you look for houses or apartments that can satisfy that need instead

[@courirlaufen]

I live in an apartment not far from Golden Gate Park and go running there at least several times per week. While many people relish in having a suburban backyard, I tell people I have a huge, well-manicured backyard called Golden Gate Park. It's truly a gem and this video does a great job in showcasing it. A couple of additional thoughts: (1) Due to the pandemic and a public vote, we opened up the eastern half of JFK Drive to pedestrians and bicyclists full-time, 7-days per week. It's a terrific way for people to enjoy public space without having to deal with drivers using the park as a shortcut. (2) Kezar Stadium has a public track where people can workout. It's a terrific, centrally-located amenity available to all.

[@Secretlyanothername]

Kezar is an amazing place to run! Join the Fat Boys on the weekend if you can

[@gregr3720]

If you go running there several times a week, how would that be "at least"?

[@feistyqt1]

Hey neighbor! I also live a half block away and run a few times a week through the park or down to the beach! It's my favorite place to run in The City!

[@liannebedard5521]

Wonder if the park has become a garbage zone for druggies? Hope not, but that seems all too predictable. You have to be old to recall when it was known as”the city that knows how”…

[@ThePatrickakes]

@@liannebedard5521 why don't you visit SF for yourself and see. You'll find that the conservative media has severely mischaracterized the state of things in SF. Yeah the Tenderloin is rough, but most of the parks in town aren't what Fox news would have people believe. Source: an SF park enthusiast. =)

[@sabrinahandsome8278]

I lived in SF for 16 years. One of my favorite things about living there was the park system. There’s nothing like drinking some wine, sharing snacks, and over looking the downtown view of SF in sunny 70 degree weather at Dolores Park.

[@uss_04]

I grew up there. At the time they had concrete slides and people would slide down on cardboard. Went down on it from some cardboard I found at the bad. Don’t know if they still had them as they were a huge liability for kids who didn’t know better, but it’s a core memory for me.

[@tingummywut]

Definitely still have them in the main children's playground

[@peteralbert1485]

They still do. And there are similar slides built into a steep hill in at least two other parks: in Bernal Heights and Noe Valley.

[@feistyqt1]

I grew up going to Children's Playground and remember the round swingy things, which I called the wheel of death! I LOVED those things!

[@sweetiemcgee]

tis a rite of passage.

[@sirbixalot73]

GG Park is a true Gem, so much to offer, I have so many great memories of my visits.

[@uhhh226]

As a native San Franciscan my favorite place in the park is bby far the jfk promanade because you can access everything in the west side of the park from that street.

[@Secretlyanothername]

So much better now that they've stopped cars!

[@jdillon8360]

I visited San Francisco for 2 weeks back in the year 2000. Absolutely loved it. Golden Gate Park was awesome, but also the bridges, the streetcars/buses/metro/bart, the walkable neighbourhoods, etc. Hope to visit again one day.

[@tbm3fan913]

Now I lived in the Richmond District at 21st and Anza. That gave me the ability to not only walk to Golden Gate park, but to also access the Presidio and Land's End. Those three, so close to each other, were a wonderful trio from 88-98 in The City. Of course there were visits starting in the 70's and still to this day to bring my son in to see what his Dad had to enjoy. I will also throw in Balboa Park as I lived in San Diego from 66-78 while my parents were in the Bay Area in 72.

[@jeffsmith7007]

I’ve been hiking here for 35 years and have covered every path and trail. I find it amazing how this was a sand dune and was developed well over 100 years ago. John Muir and John McClaren also had great input. Nice work.

[@AncTreat5358]

Wow; great video! I've been to SF many times and my husband was born and raised there, and yet we never talked about it, and I didn't know it existed. When I lived in LA, I used to go to Balboa Park a lot in the San Fernando Valley. It was actually good sized and the lake was really nice. I used to Rollerblade around the perimeter, and enjoy the grassy knolls when on foot.

[@darrencharles]

this was well done. i’m from oakland and worked in SF for over a decade. as many occasions and as much time as i have spent in GG park, this gave new perspective.

[@tjjones33]

This city makes my heart so full. The best city in the US for sure

[@nathanchildress5596]

I'm more of an Oakland guy, but absolutely. Both places catch a false bad wrap, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world.

[@mpetersen6]

The eastern end of the park can experience nice sunny weather in the low to mid 70s. At the same time the western edge you will be glad you brought a jacket or watm sweatshirt.

[@OllieV__nl]

I walked Golden Gate Park from West to East. Man it's big. And it was cool but I still got a sunburn.

[@BillCraven]

You've had the canonical GG Park experience!

[@alankovacik1928]

‼⚠⚠⚠⚠use⚠⚠⚠⚠caution⚠⚠⚠⚠‼😲

[@feistyqt1]

I run it from where I live (almost at the beginning of the park) down to the beach and it's about a 5K! It's my weekly run and I love it!

[@TheMikester307]

Buddy of mine fom Freemont showed me the park late this Spring. Loved it! (I'm from the Midwest.) He didn't know why the windmills had been built so we looked it up! A surprise! Built to use as windmills! Thanks for the video!

[@spikesmth]

I've lived near GGP for close to 15 years, and it really is a world class urban park for a world class, international city. There's a great disc golf course there too.

[@brentwalker8596]

How about the tennis center? The park has something for everyone.

[@ShonnMorris]

I grew up across the bay in Berkeley and GG Park was one of my getaways when I was there. Incidentally the trees you showed when you mentioned Redwood near the beginning are actually Monterey Cypresses. While There are Redwoods in the park, Monterey Cypresses are far more numerous to the point that they are the symbol for GG Park. These trees arethreatened in their native range around Monterey but they are planted in cool coastal areas throughout Northern CA.

[@peteralbert1485]

As a 30+ year local SF city planner, I am very impressed with how well-done and factually on-point your video was. You asked my favorite park, which is Golden Gate Park (for a big park) and Duboce Park (for a small park): the rich, deep bench of both options really does make a difference in San Francisco, where we don’t have big yards or even front yards. My kids grew up comfortably walking a block to Duboce Park for regular R&R, but for weekends, special events and big gatherings, we’d hop the N Train for a day out in Golden Gate Park. My favorite part of GG Park is the Arboretum…but my second favorite is your favorite: the de Young, with that great tower room.

[@glowgirl16]

SF kid here, I’m graduating high school this year after living in SF for over 12 years. Though I definitely have experienced the faults of the city, most the public school system I absolutely love the parks. I have so many great memories as a 4-10 year old getting to play and experience so many of the parks and playgrounds. However Golden Gate Park’s definitely is the best. Is pretty easy to bike through it as a kid, and during the pandemic when I was like 12 my brothers and I would all bike there together by ourselves. It really helped us feel independent.

[@SH-LA377]

Yes Griffith Park is hilly but consider the fact that the Greek Theater, Travel Town, Zoo, Autry Museum, Fern Dell Trail and fair amount of park space is along the base of the park in the flats. Throw in the free shuttle to take you up to the observatory and you don’t need to hike to enjoy the park. It’s also more natural than golden gate and Central Park. I think once Griffith is made more bike friendly people will be able to enjoy it and get around more easily as it is so big it’s impossible to walk between many of the destinations

[@nathanchildress5596]

To me it looks exactly like Coyote Hills or Lake Chabot in the East Bay. I like to visit SoCal, but for nature it just doesn't hold a candle, sorry. As a car guy the Angeles Forest is a dream destination though!

[@GerardFreeman]

That at 11:30 is not Golden Gate Park, it is a small park on Steiner st.

[@indianajoels]

As a former resident of the Inner Richmond, Golden Gate Park is absolutely amazing. I would argue that for an urban park, its fantastic, but if you want solitude, nothing beats the Marin Headlands just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge.

[@sapphosplace]

Came to the city on a bicycle and was dead broke by the time I got here. I heard from someone about the campground in Marin and sure enough there was an opening available. I spent my last night as a vagabond at a campsite where I could see the Golden Gate Bridge literally for free and with no one else even at the other camping spots. I think most people don't even know it exists.

[@brentwalker8596]

Muir Woods hike down to Stinson Beach is the best.

[@m.entera3196]

While I left my hometown 45 years ago, I still retain fond memories of Forest Park in St. Louis -- 1371 acres of beautiful rolling landscape, stuffed with one of the largest and best zoos in the country and world, FREE to the public since the early 1900's when forward thinking leaders instituted a tiny Zoo and Museum Tax. The average home owner pays around $40/year and the museums and zoo are still free to the public. The park has everything from golf courses, canals you can float on and large lagoons and hills we skated and sledded on in the winter.

[@cerdayes]

Chapultepec park in CDMX is beautiful and more than twice the size of Central Park, has 7 museums, a castle, cable cars, lakes, gardens, skate park, a zoo, and a amusement park.

[@lestranged]

The Dutch Windmill also has a beautiful tulip garden, spectacular in spring

[@Kp-2]

My mom used to take me to Golden Gate park all the time as a kid it’ll always hold a special place in my heart

[@tominmtnvw]

I lived in San Francisco for five years in Trinity Towers near Cathedral Hill back in the early 2000s. Golden Gate Park was a nurturing part of my life. I jogged there, took walks, visited the museums including the then new science Museum, and the Japanese venue, which I wish was two or three times larger. I’ve never been to Central Park or New York city.

[@davidbolt5113]

As a San Franciscan, I love GG Park. It has everything. But it’s also amazing to have The Presidio at my back door. The Presidio, with the enhanced and refurbished trails, access to the beach, and the beautiful new Tunnel Tops is all wonderful.

[@dailyGracieLater]

Golden gate Park is my favorite part of SF. I also love Balboa Park in San Diego. Looking forward to your video on LA as I agree with your comments about their park system.

[@vancenichols9490]

I've never been to Golden Gate Park but this content makes it very intriguing! Thanks so much for presenting this content!!!

[@Abijah12411]

🥰I used to play in Goleden Gate Park back in the late 1960's as a kid seeing music from bands that became famouse a few years later, it was carefree and free of stranger danger fear than, along with the panhandle park that is on Oak st that's across from my home than...I would have fun at the tea gardens, went to school in the Haight Ashbury Dist.

[@City.Slicker]

Man this video went bonkers! great job I've been following you since Town City State.

[@fourth_place]

Appreciate it! Means a lot! :))

[@nlpnt]

So much ties back to housing costs, though. I couldn't help but thinking that it's too bad the people who work for SF Parks and Rec and make this possible have to commute from Stockton or Vacaville.

[@PigglyWigglyDeluxe]

Housing is either overpriced or regular people are underpaid. I’d never commute longer than half hour. Ever. You couldn’t pay me enough to do that.

[@poultrypants]

If you live on the east coast of the bay, where housing is much more plentiful, you can take BART to get to downtown San Francisco in as little as 20 minutes (but often more like 30 depending on where you live.

[@thereal415er]

Uhm you are talking out of your ass. I work for SF parks and rec and live in san francisco. My friends and family work for san francisco parks and rec and they live either in san francisco or close by like neighbor city daly city, San mateo, south san francisco, sausalito, san bruno, Brisbane and so on. So please stop lying on my city with your few examples to my 15 years of working with hundreds of local and native Park and rec workers. Do you're research before you talk.

[@Secretlyanothername]

Because SF made building houses illegal

[@mpetersen6]

If housing is overpriced the obvious solution is more housing. One thing to ask is just what is the maximum population supportable given the available city services. Specifically water and water treatment. Another issue is San Francisco simply cannot get any bigger physically in area except via land fills. Given the fact that earthquakes will happen that strikes me as an incredibly bad idea. One area that might make more housing possible is move the International Airport to the East side of the Bay. Allemeda NAS was closed down was it not? Or is that now Oakland Airport? No, quick check of Google Maps shows it isn't. Besides SF International is south of the city (1). So that makes it unavailable for housing in the city limits. The only areas that stand out are the waterfront districts and the Presidio golf course. Or do the unthinkable. Make it easier for property owners to build new housing to reasonable limits. One reasonable limit is capping multi unit buildings in terms of height and number of units As to wages and salaries. If the return on investment by employers is a negative the employers in the private sector will either move the jobs or sub contract them out. And that is what employment in the private sector is. The employer is investing in the employee via their salary and expecting a return on their investment. 1) l refuse to capitalize it. That designation is reserved for Constantinople.

[@asianhobbitshaving3050]

I live 3 blocks away from GG park.... It's lovely, and a wonderful resource for our city's residents.

[@supramentalmanifestation]

From SF, now in Panama City, Panama. My new favorite park is Metropolitan Natural Park, where we have toucans, howler monkeys, and sloths, and we live right off of Parque Omar, our "Central Park" and it is quite pleasant to walk in. I love city parks. Thanks for posting. Loved the video.

[@Ramon51650]

There is green space every eight blocks in San Francisco, seemingly known only to nearby residents. The skies above are aa traffic jam of Red-tail hawks, hummingbirds, including the rare Allen's in brilliant gold plumage, falcons, parrots; crows and ravens have divided the city into turfs. At night Wiley Coyote can be seen tip-toeing around thinking that Roadrunner is going to make a mistake.

[@jonathanbishopmusic]

Visited this park once and loved it! Every major city ought to have a park like this. Balboa Park in San Diego is another great urban park that's bigger than Central Park in NYC. It includes the San Diego Zoo, numerous museums, performance venues, an international village, botanical gardens, and a long list of other stuff.

[@stevederp9801]

I personally believe grant park is one of the best designs of any city. The way that it hugs Lake Michigan and the heart of the city makes it so that you can really appreciate the beauty of the city around you. During lollapalooza when you witness this amazing skyline around you it’s really breathtaking

[@ronnieperez8519]

I loved this park when I would visit SF to see my then girlfriend. So much green. This and Land’s End are probably my favorite places.

[@JuzTroublez]

Nowhere is this similar. Central Park is like someone literally slapping on a perfectly rectangular patch of greenery between concrete.

[@fouroverseven7799]

D.C.’s Rock Creek National Park is pretty impressive too. Like Central Park, it was also planned by Frederick Law Olmsted. It’s very different from Central Park though. Olmsted left Rock Creek wild and untouched. When you’re there you have no idea you’re in a city. You could even get lost.

[@joetrey215]

The first detailed plan for GGP was also created by Olmstead, and the plan focused on the use of trees, shrubs, and plants native to the San Francisco area. Of course, major landscape changes would have still been required. Hall dropped the focus on native plantings and much else in the Olmstead plan for GGP.

[@robm3569]

Parks are so important to health and well-being. Here in Santa Barbara there are parks everywhere throughout every neighborhood as well as well maintained hiking trails and miles and mies of accessible beach front to explore. Having grown up on Long Island, N.Y. I do have a love for Central Park and Manhattan, a truly great city. Having lived a short while in the bay area many years ago I can attest to Golden Gate Park as a beautiful open space as well. And yes, L.A. really dropped the ball when city planning, or city non-planning. After having already lived in Santa Barbara, I was lost in L.A. for parks or trees or any natural beauty. I really do believe this impacts people's stress levels and well-being and it isn't sustainable. It's nice to be back in S.B. once again, cleaner air, friendlier people, less stress. Cheers.

[@me12722]

The panhandle is my favorite park in the city. I love going there to walk, to hangout, to workout at the outdoor gym, etc. My favorite thing was biking through the panhandle when I used to live close to the beach. In the evening in late autumn or winter when it's dark and the lanterns come on it is spectacularly beautiful.

[@KenDay]

Brilliant video - especially as we are visiting both LA and SF next week (from London) - thank you for the interesting and informative points

[@fourth_place]

Here’s some recommendations from a local (even though you didn’t ask) LA: Old Pasadena (Colorado Blvd) Norton Simon or The Huntington Arts District (3rd & Traction Ave, weekend night life) Culver City (Washington & Culver) Venice (Abbot Kinney) Ocean Park (Main St.) Downtown Pacific Palisades Silverlake & Echo Park Los Feliz (Griffith Observatory) The Getty LARCHMONT VILLAGE!!! SF: Everything in this video and… Height-Ashbury PRESIDIO!! (Main Parade Lawn) Marina District -Chestnut St -Union St -Fillmore St (down to pacific heights) Divisadero The Castro Mission District (Stick to Valencia St) Mt. Sutro And don’t forget to get lost in the Mission Bay area! You will love the urbanism, parks, and baseball views! And there’s so much more to see on visits. Subscribe! ;)

[@whisper1776]

I never even knew Golden Gate Park Existed, this is awesome and I wish more cities had parks like this.

[@Jsv-w1v]

I didn’t know it existed until i drove through it on accident and was like wtf!

[@brentwalker8596]

I lived in the Sunset back in the late 80's and spent a lot of time in GG Park training with a bike racing team. It is such an essential part of SF life. Love it.

[@Segalocus]

Great video! I do have a question just not about San Francisco. The part at the end where you talked about LA car culture got my wondering about the coming Olympics, and the mayor's recent pledge to make the LA28 Games the first car free games. To me that kinda sounds insane, but I've only be to LA once so I'm not the best judge. So what do you think about a car free LA, if only for a few weeks?

[@andyn7548]

As a resident, it was awesome when I lived in the Haight and was able to just turn the corner and start running through the panhandle that connects right into Golden Gate Park and run to the ocean and back. I’m now on the Richmond district now and can choose to go in either direction and either be at GGP or the Presidio. My all time favorite SF park is Lands End.

[@sfkid57]

thank you for the video, i am a native of sf. definitely a great part of sf, also the beach. McLaren Park is one very big park that most people have never heard of or know of it. it is the second biggest park in the city. I lot of people know of it only because of Jerry Garcia Amphitheater. rob

[@TheNormalUniverse]

as a san franciscan, you did a great job! You made a good point that the parks in SF are uniquely busy. I hadn't thought about that before

[@eventtrading]

GGP is fabuloso. Lived in the Richmond for years and loved my after work runs by the buffalo. Presidio is quite cool as well. For the most spectacular views, Tank Hill's the place.

[@BillCraven]

So GG Park is clearly the jewel of the park system, and is well-served by public transit and much improved bicycle infrastructure these days. McClaren park in the southeast is also a tremendous park with the philosopher's trail which actually runs along a hillside through stands of trees. Dolores park has shifted from a park mostly populated by the local Hispanic population / shooting gallery for drug use when I first moved near it 20 years ago, to a perpetually busy place every day of the week. I think my favorite 'park' is the Presidio, though, which is technically a national park where people can live, work, and enjoy art (especially the Andy Goldsworthy installations, although the crack in the entrance to the De Young is also cool.) It's your gateway to the Golden Gate, you can take walks along the hillside to Lincoln Park, which is a golf course, but also include the Palace of the Legion of Fine Arts. My favorite view spot is Immigrant Point but the whole thing around out to Lands' End is amazing. I think my favorite features in GG Park though are the 19th century holdovers like the fly fishing practice casting ponds, the bocce and lawn bowling courts, and, of course, Spreckels Lake, designed specifically for model boating and donated by Adolph Spreckels of sugar and Alma fame. Also, the park piano event where they have a bunch of pianos in the Arboretum with musicians playing. So much fun to be had. I think my favorite park though is the one closest to me the "Noe Valley Town Square" of $1.7 million bathroom fame. It's 3 blocks from my apartment, and even though it only has greenery in ceramic planters, and a tiny playground, on a nice day I sit at a table in the sunshine enjoying my lunch or dinner, watching the world go by and listening to children play tag and discussions in multiple languages. Oh, and let's not forget Salesforce Park which is also amazing, and is surrounded by high-rises. It's certainly the world's nicest bus station. But it's an amazing park. Ooh, and Yerba Buena Gardens on top of the convention center, and the new Crane park on the bayshore, and the linear park that runs along Mission Creek west of the ballpark. And Alta Plaza park, with the damage done while shooting "What's Up Doc" can still be seen on the concrete steps.

[@dylanbarclay7818]

Visited the city recently, I couldn't believe how busy and vibrant this park was. A major key to it's success is it's usefulness as a pedestrian and bike corridor

[@jon350]

I'm glad you found this place. I was a transplant here through the 2000-teens and was shockingly surprised at how lush and accessible lush parks were... I also went to Outside lands year after year, and it rivals any of the biggest music venues in the US. There are easily 7 'headliners' playing at any given time.

[@ArtemisDaBich]

So many great parks. Honestly I GGP is one of my lower rated parks in the city, maybe because it is hard to get there from where I live. Some of the parks I enjoy for different reasons are Ina Coolbrith Park, Dolores, John Mclaren Park, Francisco Park, and Tunnel Tops. Anyone visiting should definitely check those out as well

[@Wolves2314]

You’re dumb for ranking GGP low

[@tjvanderyacht9806]

I’m feeling so incredibly blessed to live right on this park.

[@gen5162]

Was just in GG Park for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, a free music festival put on every year in SF! It’s so amazing how the park holds onto its historical roots in music and community

[@coolsteven2]

SF resident. Love GG park. Especially when its a nice day and everyone is out and about. (That side of that city is often chillier and foggier so I don't necessarily go year round).

[@Secretlyanothername]

Fall is the best time to be in SF, it finally gets into the 70s

[@ManuelAraujoLosAngeles]

Most of the great parks in Los Angeles are in the San Fernando Valley. Balboa Lake, El Cariso Park, Hansen Dam. To name a few.

[@MicahPotts]

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!

[@saint9715]

golden gate park being less crowded is actually a huge plus for all the people strolling the park 😹♡

[@haroldjohnson3057]

The City area of Los Angeles is 502.7 Square Miles. The City area of San Francisco is 46.87 Square Miles. I think Los Angeles and San Francisco are unequally compared. I don't compare anymore. I enjoy them for what they offer. Check with the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation to locate the parks and outdoor activity of your choice.

[@sw6118]

There’s also less destructive weather in NY and SF, so the parks are greener. Every where you live in Los Angeles is still within 10 minutes of a park or open space.

[@jordanjohnson9866]

Nah. /

[@brendadrew834]

Thank you, fascinating history, beautiful park that I didn't know about having lived on the east coast! I lived, worked and went to New School University and the Parson's School of Design in Manhattan and used to hang out in beautiful Central Park all the time! Central Park was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in the 19th century and was also the landscape architect for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair aka "The White City"! He also designed Mount Auburn Cemetery, one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world and Boston's Public Garden park with the famous "Swan boats"! Central Park is about the size of the principality of Monaco so I would assume the "Central Park" of the West Coast is the same. Thank god for our beautiful city green parks, what would we all do without them?! Maybe you could do a video on the comparison between California and Italy where I lived for awhile, there are many similarities when one really thinks about it!

[@TremblingQualifier]

SF has such a good placement of parks for the US. A nice central park and a bunch of other random parks scattered throughout! If you just walk a couple blocks, you’ll run into a sizable park with diverse scenery. Much better than Ny! That may be part of what makes SF attractive to hippies and homeless but that’s another issue.

[@ss193857]

I have been to both countless times. They are fantastic but Golden Gate Park is next level. No urban park in the world comes close.

[@Michele-z4k]

Born in SF and raised a few miles inland. Golden Gate Park is an awesome park! I’m closer to NYC now and wish i could spend a day at Golden Gate Park. I love the zoo, the Japanese Tea Garden, museums, and picnics. Oh! And the Conservatory.

[@AwokenEntertainment]

Golden Gate park is so underrated! Thank you for making this

[@el_puma_real]

I’m a native San Franciscan and Golden Gate park was always a go-to for field trips when we were in school. The second largest (and always missed) park is McLaren on the southern edge of the city. It’s half the size of GG park but has some beautiful walkable areas and the Jerry Garcia amphitheater.

[@tyberius95]

There is a movement to turn the Great Highway into a park for running and riding. Its contentious because the one failure of the planning of Golden Gate Park was anticipation of the traffic this city will endure. Right now, it is difficult to traverse from the South side of the western end of the city to the North .. esp since the freeways do not connect. 19th Ave is very crowded, and they've closed some roads to vehicle traffic in the park. The Great Highway is one of few remaining avenues through the park (although it skirts the park) so permanently closing the highway is contentious. But it would be a long open roadway with sand dunes and the beach on one side, the Zoo and Golden Gate Park on bookending each end, and restaurants on Judah, Noriega, and Taraval. Would have been marvelous if they had created underground passage for vehicles through the park .. although i read recently that they've started exploring an underground lightrail from Richmond to the Sunset. In any case, my favorite local parks is Glen Canyon .. marvelous hills and outcroppings with one of the few natural creeks running through it, Fort Funston where you can walk along sand dunes, high cliffs and the beach of course. Stern Grove is a quiet meadow. There is a lake that has seen better days and dogs and while dogs are allowed to roam freely in one section there are places to have a picnic .. and free concerts during the summer. Crissy Fields has added a lot in the past couple of decades. Its on the waterfront of course so you can enjoy views of the bridge and the fog, and watch the sailboats. Tunnel Park recently opened with playgrounds, food trucks, clean restrooms, and places to gather. As well, they've restored the natural marsh. Its bookended by the Marina Greens (head over to Chestnut for great restaurants), and the Golden Gate Bridge. The bay one side, and the Presidio on the other. Its flat, so you can rent a bike and go from one end to the other. One thing i love to do even as a local is to watch the fishermen on the pier, and walk around Fort Point. It seems touristy, but its an amazing place to spend a day.

[@CityKid415]

Golden Gate Park is dope!! I was born on waller & central. And I lived on 24th & Cabrillo for many years. I will always love the city .

[@mgescuro]

Newest park in SF is China Basin Park - a mere 5 acres in Mission Rock. It’s right next to McCovey Cove and looks out onto Oracle Park. It’s cozy, has a couple Adirondack chairs and lawns to lounge about.

[@blackie-jm9tr]

Great video, excelent job, thank you for posting. It is indeed one of the most beautiful cities in the world. (Haters, please keep your negativity to yourself).

[@Dogsnark]

I love San Francisco. For all it’s problems and failings, it’s still a great city, and Golden Gate Park is a big contributor to its greatness. Thanks for the video - I’ll look for to your future videos.

[@RedBearAK]

There was an aerial shot of this park, that I’ve never been aware of in my life, just a few hours ago in the Apple event video. Then this video published the day before the Apple event shows up at the top of my recs. Interesting timing.

[@joeyjamison5772]

I remember my first visit to SF in early October of 1980. It was 101° !

[@lestranged]

I love GGPark. Bay area native. I especially love the mixture of nature + arts, like at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in Hellman Hollow, Flower Piano (when grand pianos are set up all around the Strybing Arboretum), the summer free concert series in the Bandshell. Just two weeks ago I went to a free surf music festival there. (videos on my channel) I also saw a great blue heron nest and saw the baby heron take it's first flight at Heron lake (formerly Stow lake and still called that on some maps) .

[@NavigationForDailyLiving]

I have a few I love: Tunnel Tops in the Presidio, John Mclaren Park (cause it’s my local park), and Golden Gate Park. I do love Candlestick point for running in a track like outdoor experience. Feel blessed because we have great parks!

[@hollisjamesSF]

The park system of SF is amazing. There are also many urban hiking trails to check out.

[@jonunya3128]

SF is the greatest city in the US, maybe the world. Love it. Not perfection, but man I wish I could still afford to live there. 20+ years on upper Market. God do I miss that weather.

[@CalderdaleKid]

We visited from the UK in @ 2016 & was aware of it but I wasn’t prepared for how big it was (my feet were in shreds afterwards 😂). I certainly didn’t know of the attractions contained within it so it was a very pleasant surprise to find many of them and it’s really very centrally located. I’d forgotten the windmills! Definitely worth visiting the park.

[@sfperalta]

I lived in the SF Bay Area for 30 years and visited GG Park whenever I could. It's lovely clusters of trees make you feel like your lost in a forest, but elsewhere there are vast grassy meadows for picnics or whatever frolicking you please. It's just a wonderful place to spend a day! (And not far from the beach, too)