A Local's Guide to the Best Viewpoints in San Francisco
Thanks to San Francisco's hilly terrain, there is no shortage of amazing viewpoints and parks with a view within (and just outside) the city.
In this guide, I'll share my favorite spots as a resident of SF, all of which are entirely free to access.
The list is in no particular order; each of these parks and viewpoints possesses its own charm and unique perspective on various sights in the city:
Would you like to see the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown, or a little bit of everything? Would you prefer to stay for a while, maybe even have a picknick while soaking in the views, or are you more inclined to quickly snap a picture and move on?
I will share with you what makes each of these places special, the optimal time (season/time of day) to visit, and the best way to get there.
Ina Coolbrith Park
Why to go there
Ina Coolbrith Park is a tiny yet truly picturesque park that offers one of the best views of downtown SF, including the Bay Bridge (though not the Golden Gate Bridge)! The downtown skyscrapers are amazingly close from there. The park is laid out in terraces with magnificent plantings, creating a small oasis within the city.
If you're planning to visit the crooked part of Lombard Street, this park is just a 15-minute walk away. Additionally, it's conveniently close (a 10-minute walk) to one of my favorite ice cream shops, Swensen’s, and equally near North Beach ("Little Italy").
How to get there
By foot
If you are coming from the downtown area around Union Square, you may consider a one-mile walk up to the park (takes about half an hour each way). You could combine it with exploring Chinatown, which adds only a little time to the trip. If you come from the Marina district, it is a similar distance (a bit shorter and mostly flat, though) to the park, so walking is perfectly possible if you want to.
By car
There are a few street parking spaces in the area, but in my opinion, looking for a place to park can be a hassle as it is in one of the more densely populated areas of San Francisco. It is definitely possible to park with your own car, but I would recommend avoiding this to save nerves.
By public transportation
This part of the city is very well connected to most neighborhoods, providing you with numerous options.
Moreover, there's a cable car stop nearby, offering a fantastic opportunity to incorporate a scenic ride to get there. While locals don't typically rely on cable cars for efficient transportation due to the considerable time it takes to travel with them, they are definetly a lot of fun to ride with and a historic attraction worth exploring. So, if you haven't had the opportunity to experience them, it's definitely something worth checking out!
When to go
Beautiful in any season and the views are amazing both day and night, so whatever time fits your schedule is great!
In the afternoon, just before sunset, the high-rises of the financial district are illuminated, with the beautiful plantings in the park providing an excellent foreground for the picture.
After dark, the views of downtown and the Bay Bridge are still amazing and really pretty with the lights.
Another view from the park: A bright orange moon rises in the sky.
Twin Peaks
Why to go there
If I had ranked this list, definitely, Twin Peaks would be in my top 3 favorite viewpoints. It is just such a great place to have both views of downtown with the bay in the background AND the Golden Gate Bridge. Even if this viewpoint does not get extremely close to these sights, it does offer a fantastic overview. It is also a great place to just stay for a little bit longer, sit on the wall and have something to eat/drink while soaking in the view.
How to get there
If you don’t have a car, I personally would recommend combining it with exploring the Castro and a little bit of the Noe Valley neighborhood.
By foot
If you start at the Castro Metro Station, you can make it a short & beautiful, but rather steep hike that takes about 45 minutes (without breaks) by walking up Castro Street until you reach 21st, 22nd or 23rd Street and then take a right turn into one of these, whatever seems most appealing to you. From there I’d recommend using a navigation app as there are some twists and turns because of the hilly nature of this area.
When walking up the hill from Castro to Noe Valley, you’ll already see a ton of amazing Victorian houses. There is such a big concentration of Victorian and Edwardian homes in this area. So, you’ll probably find yourself stopping a lot taking pictures and just admiring the beautiful architecture.
By car
You can take an Uber/Lyft or use your own car. There is a parking lot directly at the viewpoint, so if you have a car and limited time, this might be the best option. Beware though, that you really make sure to lock your car and that you do not leave anything (visible) in it. Twin Peaks is a prime target for car break-ins. Having said that, in my opinion, you don’t need to worry about safety here otherwise.
By public transportation
There are a couple of busses that drive up close to Twin Peaks. Check out here.
When to go
Twin Peaks is great to visit both during the day or at night. If you worry that it may be lonely up there after the sun has set, don’t be: if the vision is good (and even if it isn’t in my experience), there will usually be a ton of people. As with many viewpoints on this list, it is prettier in spring or even winter when the vegetation is lusher than in summer or fall.
Twin Peaks Viewpoint at night: You can clearly see the bright Market Street from a distance.
On this day, we were fortunate that the fog wasn't too thick. It hovered around the city, but the wind created numerous moments when downtown was visible from the viewpoint.
(Photo is zoomed in, so the view is closer as it appears to the naked eye.)
Beware of the fog though — especially in summer, there may not be many days when you can actually see a lot from there. Even if the sky is clear downtown, that doesn’t necessarily mean it's the same closer to the ocean. The fog usually gathers at Twin Peaks, making it cold and windy up there. Just take a look towards the tower on top of the hill. If you can see most of it, it should be fine.
View toward Twin Peaks from Noe Valley: If the fog isn't too dominant, it can create a captivating spectacle, dancing around the hills. If you can't see the tower at all, you probably won't see much from the viewpoint.
This photo of Twin Peaks on a clear day was taken at the beginning of summer 2023 after a very wet winter: As you can see, there are still some beautifully green patches. The year before, the hills were already dried out at this time of year.
Bernal Heights Park
Why to go there
The Bernal Heights Park is located in the namesake Bernal Heights neighborhood, just south of the Mission District. Therfore, it's a bit far from the usual tourist hotspots. However, if you're interested in exploring San Francisco's residential side with nevertheless amazing restaurants and cafes, a visit to Bernal Heights and its park is a great choice. You can easily pair it with an exploration of the nearby Mission District, a Mexican neighborhood that, despite being adjacent, offers a very different experience.
But let’s talk about the park itself! Once you've made it up the hill, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama, including views of San Francisco (the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge & downtown), San Bruno Mountain, and the hills of the East Bay.
When Twin Peaks is shrouded in fog, there is usually still a great view from Bernal Heights Park.
How to get there
By foot
If you're exploring the Mission District, you can walk to the Bernal Heights neighborhood and its park from most locations if you feel like it. The park is also within walking distance from Noe Valley. However, the length of the walk will of course depend on your exact starting point. From the city center and other parts of the city you want to explore, the distance may be too far given how much time it takes to get there.
By car
There is a small parking lot at the park with four standard spots and one ADA parking space. Otherwise, the vicinity around the park is residential, so be careful regarding parking regulations.
By public transportation
There are several bus lines that run close to the park. If you're coming from downtown or the Mission, you can take the 14, which runs approximately every 5 minutes, to get quite near the park. If you’re further away and do not want to or cannot use your own car, I’d recommend using a ride share service to save time.
When to go
In terms of the seasons, visiting this park is most beautiful in winter (provided it is not raining) or spring when the hills' grasses are lush and green and wildflowers are blooming (spring). In summer and especially fall, the rolling hills appear a bit ‘dead’ with their brown, dried-out appearance. Nonetheless, the views are always amazing, regardless of the season!
It is a great park to visit during daytime: I haven't been there in the dark, but I believe it might be too lonely (at least for my taste). Let me know in the comments if you've experienced it in the dark and your thoughts on it!
A clear and unobstructed view toward the San Francisco skyline.
Another view toward downtown: This shot was taken at the beginning of May when the park's hills were still lush with grass and flowers.
Corona Heights Park
Why to go there
The park is truly beautiful with its rocky nature and offers an amazing view of downtown San Francisco and Twin Peaks, where you can often observe the lingering fog. Additionally, the Randall Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and Arts Center, is situated within the park.
How to get there
By foot
Corona Heights Park is accessible by foot from various nearby neighborhoods, such as Haight-Ashbury, Buena Vista, or Castro. Additionally, the Painted Ladies are within walking distance, albeit a bit further away (30 minutes on foot). In terms of architecture, all of these neighborhoods are amazing, but I personally find the most stunning density of beautiful houses in Buena Vista.
By car
There is a parking lot at the Randall Museum and street parking around. As for most places in SF, I would recommend taking public transportation though or walk if it is close enough.
By public transportation
Coming from downtown, you can take muni to the Castro station and walk from there (about 10 minutes). If you’re coming from Pacific Heights, Alamo Square or Noe Valley, you can take the bus 24, which stops at Castro Street, a close walk up th hill to the park.
When to go
The park is most beautiful in spring when the grasses are green and wildflowers are blooming. Though all seasons are great! It is usually windy up there but not foggy.
View of downtown from the Corona Heights Park.
View from the Corona Heights Park toward Twin Peaks on a beautiful non-foggy spring day.
Golden Gate View Point & Battery Spencer
Why to go there
Techinically these viewpoints are not located within San Francisco. However, they offer probably the best view of the Golden Gate Bridge including the characteristal skyline of downtown San Francisco. They are situated on top of a hill above the bridge. Definetely bring a jacket as it is usually pretty chilly and windy up there. The Golden Gate Bridge is really close, so you’ll have an amazing view of it, given that it is not too foggy.
Definetely check the weather radar before heading there — even if downtown and other parts of the city closer to the bay are sunny, the GG bridge may be completely covered in fog!
How to get there
I would definitely recommend using a car to get there. The walking infrastructure is not that good, and the viewpoints are quite distant from the City. While you could consider walking across the Golden Gate Bridge and then ascending the hill, the area on the other side of the bridge is not particularly pedestrian-friendly. Alternatively, you might opt to take one of the sightseeing buses (in case you’re taking a tour with them anyway) that stop at the parking lot across the bridge before heading up the hill.
When to go
Ideal during the daytime. Particularly in summer, it's usually best to visit either not too early in the morning or later in the afternoon, as the fog tends to linger or begins to roll in. Nevertheless, there are days in summer when the bridge remains covered in fog all day. The odds are significantly better in spring, fall, and winter.
This picture was taken from the "Golden Gate View Point" during the summer, with high fog present but not obstructing the view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
This was captured from the Battery Spencer at the end of September when there was no fog at all.
Mission Dolores Park
Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I should include the Mission Dolores Park in this viewpoints list because it is SO MUCH more than a viewpoint: You can easily chill the entire day here with friends, have a picknick with your significant other, or just soak in the energetic atmosphere. On the weekend, there is always a lot happening. Down the hill, on the North end of the park, there are a couple of incredible food options, including ice cream and Mexican food. Also in this area, there is a great small supermarket (Bi-Rite), where you can get something to drink as well as prepared food. On the weekend, there are often small, local businesses around that offer products such as sweets or even handmade soap. For kids, there is also a playground embedded in the park.
How to get there
By foot
The park is located in the Dolores Heights neighborhood, adjacent to the Mission district, Castro, and Noe Valley. It's usually a pleasant walk from any of these neighborhoods, featuring a high density of Victorian and Edwardian houses to admire.
By car
There is street parking around the park, but finding a spot can be challenging. I would definitely recommend taking public transportation or using Uber/Lyft to get there, or walk if possible.
By public transportation
You can reach the park most conveniently from downtown by taking the J train (metro), which stops directly at the park.
When to go
For this park, I’d say there isn't really a favorite season. This area is among those that receive the least amount of fog and wind, so it is rarely foggy there (if so, then in summer) and the lawn is always green and “manicured”. It can be great to watch the sunset from here, as the rays of sunlight touch the skyline. Nevertheless, I’d say this is definitely a park to visit during the day when it is milder and busier.
I took this picture at Easter, so it is not always THAT crowded. Though, at the weekend if the weather is good, there are usually a lot of people.
The final rays of sunlight for the day are casting a glow on the San Francisco skyline.
Know Before you Go
Check which viewpoints combine with other sights or neighborhoods you intend to visit.
Check the microclimate weather for the specific part of town you want to go.
Always bring a jacket: Viewpoints in particular can be quite chilly and windy, as most of them are on top of hills that are not protected from the elements.
