We all love Golden Gate Park and Dolores Park, but did you know San Francisco has over 220 parks and open spaces? Curbed SF wants to bring fame and glory to some of the smaller, lesser-known parks, and we're doing so with our series Park Life. Each week we'll spotlight a different San Francisco park or open space, and bring you all the details you need to plan a visit.
Head over to the west side of Forest Hill and you will find a small, rugged park with western-facing views. Known as Hawk Hill, the park is built on the remnant of a massive dune that was replenished with sand blown across what is now the Sunset. After the development of the district, sand was no longer able to drift across the flats, and the park now ever so slowly erodes away. Where it's located: In the Forest Hill neighborhood, adjacent to the Sunset. Entrances are located at Funston and Rivera streets, as well as Santa Rita Avenue.
What it features: A rugged hillside park with a couple of trails and some rare foliage, such as the California croton and the San Francisco wallflower. The equally rare green hairstreak butterfly can also be seen on occasion. A rec center can be found near the flat base of the park, featuring basketball and tennis courts.
How to get there: If you prefer light rail you can take the L,N,M or K/T and get off at Forest Hill Station or West Portal, but it's a good hike from there. The bus will get you the closest. The 6 will leave you at Quintara and Funston, about a block away. The 48 at Santiago and 14th is roughly the same distance.
Dogs allowed?: Leash only, of course.
Don't miss: The sweeping views on a clear (probably not summer) day. Almost the entire western half of the city is visible, all the way to the ocean. Even a foggy day will provide some good, albeit gloomy, vistas.
·Hawk Hill [Park Scan San Francisco]
·Hawk Hill [San Francisco Recreation and Parks]
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