Francisco Park-City Walk
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Francisco Park, lower entrance from Bay Street and Larkin Street, Russian Hill, San Francisco, CA
Location: Francisco Park is bordered by Bay Street, Larkin Street, Hyde Street and a row of houses at the top along Chestnut Street, with stair entrances below and above from Larkin, and the ramp entrance from Bay Street
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser. (Information links may change. We do our best to update.)
Francisco Park information link (Francisco Park Conservancy):
https://franciscopark.org
Francisco Park location/map link (Francisco Park Conservancy):
https://franciscopark.org/location/
Distance:
Francisco Park covers 4.5 acres, and includes a dog park, a curving ramp that ascends over landscaping to the top, a playground, open lawn and picnic area, and bathrooms. Visitors can amble through the park as they wish, and those who want to add cardio can walk up the steep stairs instead of the ramp, or walk a loop around the hilly perimeter of the park. There are plenty of other sites to see in the area to add for a longer walk as well.
Considerations:
General note: All information is subject to change based on current health and safety guidelines.
• If driving, pay attention to parking rules. There is free parking a short walk away in Fort Mason entering from Franklin at Bay.
• There are stairway entrances from top and bottom. Visitors have the option of fairly steep stairs if climbing up the Larkin Street Stairs, or a gradually inclined ramp that twists its way up the hill from Bay Street.
• Toilet facilities are available at the top level of the park, near the open field and playground areas
• Heed health and safety notices.
The trail:
Francisco Park, which offers views of Alcatraz, the Ghirardelli sign and tower, and the San Francisco Bay, was originally the site of a reservoir that provided water for San Francisco which grew quickly after the Gold Rush.
It is now a 4.5 acre park in the Russian Hill area, offering an off leash dog park at the bottom, and a winding concrete and wooden walkway that leads to the main park at the top. Those who walk up the ramp are greeted by a large silver heart sculpture. There is a playground area, various bench areas and paths, and a large green field area where people were picnicking and flying kites when we visited. The toilet facilities are also at this top level.
The views from the top are stunning. Colorful houses in the foreground provide contrast with the blue water of the bay and the blue sky on a clear day. Alcatraz rises from the bay waters in the background. The Ghirardelli sign and tower also add to the iconic flavor of this part of town.
Visitors could make this a stop on a longer walk in areas like Fisherman’s Wharf, Russian Hill, North Beach, or Fort Mason. (Possibilities: Fort Mason Stairs to Hyde Street Pier, Telegraph Hill Stair Walk, Jack Early Park-San Francisco Stair Walk) It also makes for a pleasant stop of its own for those who enjoy gorgeous views.
(Francisco Park-City Walk Hike Notes were originally paired with the “On the Flip Side” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Francisco Park, lower entrance from Bay Street and Larkin Street, Russian Hill, San Francisco, CA
Location: Francisco Park is bordered by Bay Street, Larkin Street, Hyde Street and a row of houses at the top along Chestnut Street, with stair entrances below and above from Larkin, and the ramp entrance from Bay Street
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser. (Information links may change. We do our best to update.)
Francisco Park information link (Francisco Park Conservancy):
https://franciscopark.org
Francisco Park location/map link (Francisco Park Conservancy):
https://franciscopark.org/location/
Distance:
Francisco Park covers 4.5 acres, and includes a dog park, a curving ramp that ascends over landscaping to the top, a playground, open lawn and picnic area, and bathrooms. Visitors can amble through the park as they wish, and those who want to add cardio can walk up the steep stairs instead of the ramp, or walk a loop around the hilly perimeter of the park. There are plenty of other sites to see in the area to add for a longer walk as well.
Considerations:
General note: All information is subject to change based on current health and safety guidelines.
• If driving, pay attention to parking rules. There is free parking a short walk away in Fort Mason entering from Franklin at Bay.
• There are stairway entrances from top and bottom. Visitors have the option of fairly steep stairs if climbing up the Larkin Street Stairs, or a gradually inclined ramp that twists its way up the hill from Bay Street.
• Toilet facilities are available at the top level of the park, near the open field and playground areas
• Heed health and safety notices.
The trail:
Francisco Park, which offers views of Alcatraz, the Ghirardelli sign and tower, and the San Francisco Bay, was originally the site of a reservoir that provided water for San Francisco which grew quickly after the Gold Rush.
It is now a 4.5 acre park in the Russian Hill area, offering an off leash dog park at the bottom, and a winding concrete and wooden walkway that leads to the main park at the top. Those who walk up the ramp are greeted by a large silver heart sculpture. There is a playground area, various bench areas and paths, and a large green field area where people were picnicking and flying kites when we visited. The toilet facilities are also at this top level.
The views from the top are stunning. Colorful houses in the foreground provide contrast with the blue water of the bay and the blue sky on a clear day. Alcatraz rises from the bay waters in the background. The Ghirardelli sign and tower also add to the iconic flavor of this part of town.
Visitors could make this a stop on a longer walk in areas like Fisherman’s Wharf, Russian Hill, North Beach, or Fort Mason. (Possibilities: Fort Mason Stairs to Hyde Street Pier, Telegraph Hill Stair Walk, Jack Early Park-San Francisco Stair Walk) It also makes for a pleasant stop of its own for those who enjoy gorgeous views.
(Francisco Park-City Walk Hike Notes were originally paired with the “On the Flip Side” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777