Five Outdoor Gems in San Francisco

People walking with dogs on Mansell in McLaren Park

Amid the COVID pandemic, research has shown that spending time outdoors has benefits to well-being and mental health. We’ve compiled a list of some outdoor gems throughout the city, which the Transportation Authority has supported through San Francisco’s voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation and other funding sources.

If you plan on visiting any of these destinations, please remember to follow public health orders and consider walking, biking, or taking transit. Muni is free for all youth 18 years and younger (until August 14, 2022).

John McLaren Park. John McLaren Park is one of San Francisco’s largest parks and is surrounded by the Excelsior, Crocker Amazon, Visitacion Valley, and Portola neighborhoods. Mansell Street runs through the park and features a multi-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians, separated from vehicle traffic. Along with the dedicated bicycle and pedestrian path, the park has sweeping views of the city, many trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and more. The Transportation Authority provided over $69 million in funding from the half-cent sales tax for transportation, Prop AA vehicle registration fee, and other sources to design and construct the complete streets project for the Mansell Corridor Improvement Project, including street-level lighting, trees and landscaping, and more.
Buchanan Mall. Buchanan Mall is a community park that runs through the heart of the Western Addition, adjacent to the African-American Arts and Culture Center, the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center, and many apartment buildings. The park features five blocks of green space, three playgrounds, a basketball court, and pedestrian paths. The SF Recreation and Parks Department has plans to renovate the entire park, adding edible gardens, interactive art installations, and children’s play areas honoring neighborhood heroes. The Transportation Authority provided $300,000 in Neighborhood Program funds to SF Public Works to complete the Buchanan Mall Bulbouts Project.
India Shoreline Basin. Located in the Bayview-Hunters Point Neighborhood, India Shoreline Basin features scenic views, waterfront access, trails, and more. The Bayview Quick-Build project is situated in the area and features protected bikeways, crosswalk safety improvements, and murals by local artists along Evans Avenue, Hunters Point Boulevard, and Innes Avenue, as prioritized by community members through the Bayview Community-Based Transportation Plan. The Transportation Authority provided over $400,000 in half-cent sales tax funds to help SFMTA plan, design, and deliver the protected bikeway and safety improvements.
Salesforce Transit Center. The Salesforce Transit Center is San Francisco’s redesigned regional transit hub and public park. The multi-level building features a rooftop park, connections to multiple local and regional bus systems, art installations, retail shops, restaurants, and more. The Salesforce Transit Center is located south of Mission Street, between Second and Beale streets, in downtown San Francisco. The Transportation Authority provided over $200 million toward the transit center and Caltrain/High-Speed Rail Connections from the half-cent sales tax for transportation.
Presidio’s Quartermaster Reach. Enjoy an up-close experience of nature along the Quartermaster Reach marshland which flows under the Presidio Parkway into a restored wetland ecosystem and recreation area. The Transportation Authority and Caltrans helped make the Quartermaster Reach possible through planning, design review, and funding work of the Presidio Parkway project. The Transportation Authority provided $70 million in half-cent sales tax for transportation funding, and coordinated other regional, state, and federal funds to replace the aging Doyle Drive with the over $1 billion Presidio Parkway project.