Parklets began appearing in former San Francisco parking spaces back in 2011, and since then more than 40 have appeared all over the city from Bayview to North Beach. Some are simple, while others are designed to perfection. All offer passersby a place to sit and relax for a moment. Although many parklets are hosted and maintained by adjacent cafes or restaurants, they all must be public spaces and open to everyone, not just restaurant patrons. San Francisco's parklet program has led to imitations in cities from LA to Pittsburgh. Although new parklets are popping up all the time, here are the city's 43 public parklets in pretty map form.
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Mapping All 43 Awesome San Francisco Public Parklets

3876 Noriega St., Outer Sunset
Installed in December of 2011, this parklet was designed by Matarozzi Pelsinger Design + Build for Devil's Teeth Baking Company. The project description tells us that the site "is subdivided into two separate spaces to help accommodate different kinds of user groups." The parklet was designed pro-bono and constructed at cost. The foliage was planted by neighbors and all the plants in the succulent garden were donated by neighbors and bakery patrons. [Photo: Wells Campbell]
423 Columbus Ave., North Beach
This parklet hosted by Caffe Greco was one of the first in the city and built excitement around the idea of European-style cafe culture extending into the streets. Wells Fargo Foundation and Illy Coffee paid for the installation, which was done with sustainable materials such as bamboo. Installed October, 2010. [Photo by Dylan Pilaar]
937 Valencia St., the Mission
This is San Francisco's only residential parklet and is hosted by private resident Amandeep Jawa. It is known as Deepistan National Parklet and its most famous resident is a hedge sculpture of a triceratops. It is has hosted everything from Shakespeare in the Parklet to election viewing parties to the owner's wedding. Installed June, 2011. [Photo by Dylan Pilaar]
1300 Fulton St., the Panhandle
This parklet, hosted by Cafe Abir, is made of concrete and bamboo. It was one of the early ones in the city, installed June, 2011, but is somewhat underutilized. [Photo via SF Planning]
3248 22nd St., the Mission
This parklet is hosted by Revolution Cafe and Escape from NY Pizza. Lolo also used to be a partner before its move to Valencia. Rebar Group designed and built the space, which has bamboo benches and a table with red accents. Installed April, 2010. [Photo via Pavement to Parks]
639 Divisadero St., the Panhandle
This was San Francisco's first official parklet ever, installed in March, 2010. Because it is hosted by Mojo Bicycle Cafe, the space is constantly hopping with cyclists. It also has some extra bike storage. [Photo via SPUR]
3982 24th St., Noe Valley
Most of the city's parklets are hosted by cafes, but this one comes from toy store Just for Fun & Scribbledoodles with help from the Noe Valley Merchants Association. It has a sister parklet just down the street. The parklet hosts kid-friendly events throughout the year, including carolers and holiday performances in December. Installed December, 2010. [Photo via Pavement to Parks]
1755 Polk St., Nob Hill
The Crepe House provides eight sets of tables and chairs for the space, which otherwise is one of the simpler designs. Initially, planters held small fir trees, but were taken down after drivers complained that the trees blocked their sight. Installed May, 2011. [Photo by Dylan Pilaar]
3600 16th St., the Castro
This parklet caused a squabble between the city and owner Squat & Gobble Cafe, which isn't allowed to deliver food to customers seated there. Instead, diners must pick up their food from an order cart. The parklet, however, is one of the most fun in the city, with colorful umbrellas and strings of lights. Installed March, 2011. [Photo by Dylan Pilaar]
914 Valencia St., the Mission
This one, designed by Kanbayashi Designs and hosted by Freewheel Bike Shop, is one of the simplest: just a bench over some astroturf. However, it's in an ideal spot along Valencia to sit down and take a rest. It also is one of the only parklets that doesn't feel like it's part of a cafe or restaurant. Installed March, 2011.
526 Columbus Ave., North Beach
Another parklet designer by REBAR, this parklet is hosted by Caffe Roma. REBAR helped drive the initial parklet movement in the city and designed four of its early parklets. This one was installed in May, 2011. [Photo by Dylan Pilaar]
3868 24th St., Noe Valley
Designed by Riyad Ghannam of rg-architecture, this parklet is hosted by Martha & Brothers Coffee with the Noe Valley Merchants Association. Its sister parklet is up the street. Installed December, 2010. [Photo via Pavement to Parks]
375 Valencia St., the Mission
The parklet in front of Fourbarrel Coffee is, unsurprisingly, very design-forward with a hipster flair. Designed by Seth Boor, the parklet features vertical bike storage, hanging greenery and stools for sipping lattes. Installed June, 2011. [Photo by Dylan Pilaar]
1234 Polk St., Tendernob
The parklet in front of Quetzal Cafe is split into two sections and offers ample seating. It's on a busy street but provides a nice respite. Installed May, 2011. [Photo by Dylan Pilaar]
1132 Valencia St., the Mission
The Crepe House has two parklets in the city. This one is co-hosted with Zaytoon Wraps. It's also practically next door the the Freewheel Bike parklet, although its design is quite different. Opened June, 2011. [Photo by Dylan Pilaar]
1570 Stockton St., North Beach
The streets of Naples were the inspiration for this parklet hosted by Tony's Coal-Fired Pizza and Slice House, which itself was inspired by a small pizzeria in Naples. The parklet was designed by REBAR to fit Tony's vision. Installed July 2011. [Photo by Dylan Pilaar]
78 29th St., Noe Valley
The Chronicle once claimed that the neighborhood surrounding this parklet was basically San Francisco in miniature. It was one of the city's early parklets, installed in July 2011. [Photo via SF Planning]
384 Hayes St., Hayes Valley
This fairly standard parklet in front of Arlequin offers up a place to enjoy a coffee in the middle of Hayes Street. However, we have to admit that we prefer Arlequin's dreamy back patio, especially when the jasmine surrounding it is in bloom. Installed September, 2011. [Photo by Dylan Pilaar]
1315 18th St., Potrero Hill
After building this parklet at the Potrero Farley's, the owners took the concept to Oakland, where they built the first parklet in the city in front of their Farley's outpost there. The Potrero parklet has staged puppet shows and musical performances. Installed August, 2011. [Photo: SF Planning]
4033 Judah St., Outer Sunset
The parklet hosted by Trouble Coffee was made completely out of driftwood found on local beaches by the cafe's owners. The parklet was meant to combine land and sea and to be "like a shipwreck that brings people together." It was completed in September, 2011. [Photo via Wordpress]
3318 22nd St., the Mission
The Luna Rienne art gallery parklet was completed in 2011 and is the only parklet to host rotating exhibits of artwork. Currently, there is a 3D cityscape and outdoor theater designed by artist Ursula Xanthe. It is the second installation in the parklet's history and another will replace it sometime this year.
1331 9th Avenue, Inner Sunset
This parklet in front of Arizmendi Bakery was designed for free by architect and Inner Sunset resident Jack Verdon, who suggested the Arizmendi location because of the high numbers of people who often stood outside with nowhere to sit. The parklet includes benches and bike parking and was completed in September 2011. [Photo: Verdon Architects]
754 Post Street, Tendernob
Zoë Prillinger of Ogrydziak/Prillinger Architects designed this super-stylish parklet in front of Farm:Table. It has steel walls and a cedar center with many geometric angles. Unlike many parklets, this one is intended to provide comfortable seating for only a short time rather than to be an extension of the cafe or to attract people for hours on end. Installed June, 2012.[Photo: SF Planning]
212 Ritch Street, SoMa
The Darwin Cafe parklet designed by Michael Lambert is small and simple with sustainable redwood hand-milled by the cafe's owner. Installed July 2012[Photo: Darwin Cafe, Christopher Burnett]
544 Castro Street, Castro
The Dancing Pig originally played host to this space and when they closed new restaurant Dante's Table took over. However, Castro Street is now being torn up for renovations, so the parklet is closed for the time being. Installed July 2012
990 Valencia Street, the Mission
Valencia Street is the city's hottest hotbed for parklets. This one, built by parklet specialist rg-architecture, is modular so that it can be easily dismantled if needed. The parklet is hosted by cafe The Blue Fig.Installed August 2012
4754 Mission Street, Excelsior
Two local nonprofits brought the Excelsior its first parklet back in April 2012. The parklet's colorful design was created by ten high school students from the Out of Site Youth Arts Center and supported by Excelsior Action group. It is hosted by Mama Art Cafe.
2410 California Street, Pacific Heights
Named the Fillmore Stoop, this parklet provides seating for people waiting in the ever-present lines at host Delfina Pizza. It was designed by Jessica Weigley and Kevin Hackett of nearby Siol Design and paid for by Chase Bank.Installed March 2012[Photo: SF Planning]
544 Jones Street, Tenderloin
When Moroccan restaurant and hookah lounge Nile Cafe decided to open for breakfast and lunch, they also installed this parklet. It's a bit barren, with just some decking and a wrought iron fence, and boasts an erotic massage parlor as a next door neighbor. Installed February 2012.
236 Townsend Street, SoMa
One of the most historical parklets in town, the one in front of D'Urso Italian Delicatessen is made of salvaged and donated materials from SoMa's old maritime and rail industries. ArcWood and Timber donated 14ft long Douglas Fir timbers salvaged from the old Ogden Meatpacking building, located directly behind the site.Installed September 2012[Photo via Swinerton Builders]
4001 Judah Street, Outer Sunset
The parklet outside beloved restaurant Outerlands was made using reclaimed wood and local plants and funded via Kickstarter. Its simple design fits with Outerlands' beachy vibe. Installed August 2012 [Photo: Pieced Goods]
1530 Haight St., Upper Haight
Unlike a nearby parklet that was removed because of poor upkeep, this one in front of Haight Street Market is thriving. It has, however faced troubles when a car drove directly into it last year. Installed September 2012[Photo: The Accessible City Files]
3434 Balboa Street, The Richmond
The parklet outside of Simple Pleasures cafe is one of the newest in town, having been completed in March 2014. It was also one of the most expensive, at $26,000 to construct, largely because it was the first in the city to be built on a 1.5 degree incline.
200 Clement Street, Inner Richmond
The parklet hosted by coffee shop Cumaica was the Richmond's first. Before the parklet was built, residents took over its future location for the day to show how it could be used as public space. Several local businesses chipped in for construction costs. Installed: August, 2013
1730 Yosemite Avenue, Bayview
The Bayview's first parklet, completed in early 2014, sits in front of the neighborhood's Trouble Coffee, whose other outpost in the Sunset also has a parklet. The Bayview version features vertical bike parking that allows cyclists to hang their bikes off of the parklet.
903 Cortland Avenue, Bernal Heights
Wooden decking forms the basis for Bernal's first parklet, which has seating for 25 people. It sits on Bernal's busiest thoroughfare, although 903, the restaurant it was originally built to sit in front of, has now closed. Installed August, 2013
1398 Haight Street, The Haight
Ben Fromgen of b cooperative designed this metal and wood parklet hosted by Magnolia Gastropub. Benches and tables look permanent but can be stored away at nighttime. Installed October, 2013
736 Divisadero, NoPa
The Mill had to lobby hard to get a parklet outside of its Divisadero coffeehouse and bakery, but the end result is worth it. Architect Roman Hunt, who designed the Mill as well as its sister cafe Fourbarrel, is responsible for the look of the space. Installed March, 2014[Photo: Hoodline]
201 Octavia Street, Hayes Valley
Mercury Cafe took two years to design and raise money for the parklet in front of their restaurant, but it was finally installed in March 2014. The spot seats 12-14 people. [Photo via Mercury Cafe]
371 11th Street, SoMa
DNA Lounge may have been a surprising choice for a parklet location, but this SoMa club's space opened in October 2013. The barrier edge of the parklet, designed by Studio Anomalous, is a sculpture intended to impart a feeling of movement to pedestrians, drivers or cyclists. [Photo via Studio Anomalous]
1122 Folsom Street
The Brainwash Cafe parklet is really just a few tables and chairs on some extended sidewalk. However, it was part of Pop-Up: The Parklets, a music festival that brought performers to parklets all over the city back in Summer 2013. Installed: Early 2013
990 Polk Street, Tenderloin
Jebena Cafe and Tea hosts this Tenderloin Parklet, which is simple yet appealing with bright umbrellas, wood and stools. Installed April 2012. [Photo: SF Planning]
2198 Filbert Street, The Marina
The coolest parklet in San Francisco was also its most controversial. Made of an old Citroen van found on a farm in France and placed in front of Rapha Cycle Club, this place is seriously amazing. However, neighbors were divided and it was installed outside of the city's official planning process. Ultimately it was given a seal of approval and will remain.Installed December, 2012
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