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Grand View Park
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
96 reviews for Grand View Park
Did you know there was a Moraga Ave in San Francisco?
The difference between Moraga Street and Moraga Ave. is about 4.2 miles apart, I learned that the hard way! Screw you ..Garmin GPS.
If your GPS doesn't allow you to type in cross streets.. just type in 700 Moraga STREET! Learn from my mistake.
When I really want to get away from it all, I head to Grand View Park at the top of Golden Gate Heights and right smack in the middle separating Outer and Inner Sunset Districts.
I spent the most beautiful morning on the steps of Golden Gate Heights again, and up to Grand View Park for the most spectacular views of the entire City.
Once at the top, you have the Pacific Ocean to your left, Golden Gate Bridge in front of you, and the Downtown skyline on your right. And right there all alone, I couldn't help but think to myself "It really doesn't get any better than this!"
I've been so busy lately, so it was such a great treat to be spend my Sunday morning enjoying the weather and the beautiful views by myself reflecting on important things in life.
Grand View Park beats out Twin Peaks for me because of the fact that it's right in my neighborhood, and there is rarely anyone around...so tourists are really missing out on a treat (A good thing, as the last thing this place needs are the flocks of footsteps from tourists)
I love the little benches that are scattered around for those picturesque quiet moments to relax.
After enjoying the views of Grand View Park, I continued on my trek for more Golden Gate Heights steps that seem to just pop up out of no where---Cascade Walk, Aerial Steps, and Mandalay Steps, and of course my favorite 16th Ave and Moraga Tiled Steps. It's so much fun wondering where you will end up next.
Hands down, my favorite spot to get away from it all, amidst the beautiful views where I can enjoy my own time all to myself!
i would like to have my future home around this area. The view here is great. I love how it's still in SF, but secluded.
I came here on a beautiful late afternoon and love it. I like the houses, the roads and the VIEW.
Watch out neighborhood, DLee wants to be your next door neighbor.
The stairs is cool. I like how there are benches for people to sit and enjoy the sunset.
I cannot believe my sister has lived four blocks down the hill from this park for the better part of a decade, and I just finally climbed the stairs to the top this weekend. In my defense, I live twenty-two hundred miles away, but you would think that would mean I'd be itching to get to the highest vista possible when I come out! From this point on, Grandview shall be my go-to get-away whenever I'm in this beautiful city, since I can see so much of said city from the top.
The view east is breathtaking, as the city winds behind Mt Sutro, the view north is a beautiful vista of the Golden Gate Bridge behind the park and the Presidio, but my favorite, the view west, is the shining city gleaming white in the sun as it stretches to the ocean and the vastness beyond. I wish I could have stayed for the afternoon with a picnic and a bottle of wine to watch the sunset.
wow
best view in they city
I love coming here just to get away from it all and take in the stunning San Francisco sunset. You can also enjoy great city views. I never leave San Francisco without stopping here first.
definetly visit if you're wandering through SF.
it's got unbeatable views of the city and the surrounding cities. plus, finding this place is an adventure in itself. i came when it was super foggy out and it was eerie not being able to see off the point.
the neighborhood is pretty sweet. would love to have a place out here.
This used to be the place I'd go to when I needed a little bit of fresh air to clear my head. It was right in my backyard and offered a challenging walk up to a beautiful view of the slower side of SF and Ocean Beach.
There are a few ways to get up to this little park and my favorite is the mosaic steps at 14th and Moraga. You can see the sun, moon and stars embedded in the steep steps leading up to the wooden stairs that take you to the park, which offers a bit of whimsy as you huff and puff up.
Each time I've gone it's been windy, so a jacket or sweatshirt will definitely come in handy. It's not a great place to picnic though due to the rocky outcroppings and uneven ground, but great if you just want to sit for a little while and take in the sunset.
love the shot from here. I found this after coming up the Mosiac Stairs.
It's 5 o'clock somewhere and you've got a hot date. Out the door of your building you gaze up to find a clear sky. Should be a beautiful night tonight.
A quick trip to the Sunset brings you to the bottom of a steep wooden staircase. You smile, happy to have remembered to wear your sturdy running shoes. One strong step at a time you climb, spiraling around a dusty hillside. Each set of stairs leads to another and you cant help but stop to admire the view in between. At last your trek brings you to the top of the hill, your eyes wide with delight as you take in the view.
360* of Beauty .
You take a moment to find a comfy spot, finding every viewpoint to be a fantastic one. With not a tourist in sight, you settle in to enjoy a serene San Francisco sunset. The sun slowly sets, colorful lights highlight your view. From the top of the hill, all your worries seem so far away, you are at peace.
The sky grows dark, time to go. Slowly hiking down the stairs, you watch as the city's lights begin to illuminate the night. You head home, satisfied and smiling, already longing for another hot date.
AKA Turtle Hill ..Some days I like to climb the stairs and view my beautiful city. This used to be a stoner hangout not that I know anything about that.
Thanks to the diligence and pride of neighborhood residents the staircase was replaced and benches were installed. The ecology is being protected now. Monterey cypress trees to the Franciscan Wall flower and Dune pansy.
This is a small park less than 2 acres. On a clear day one can view the Golden Gate bridge, Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate park and the San Francisco Downtown skyline as well as other hills like Sutro tower in a 360 degree panoramic view.
The park is a 140 million year old geological Franciscan rock formation formed from sentiment, dust and sand blown and carried via rivers from the California Sierras.
I love coming here to relax and gain perspective on life. I am really glad there is a bench overlooking the grand view. I love that workout climbing up the stairs. Check it out if you can.
GREAT VIEW of the north, west, and southwest sides of the city, ocean, and daly city from this hill. Love so many ways to get there and wander around the neighborhoods with some food and love mosaic steps to walk on. Marvel at the westside (WEST SIDE!!!!!!) view from the bench in the crooked stairway on the south of this hill. Slide down the sand dunes on the north to the street (DO THIS!!!! unless youre a square). MUCH FUN. GO HERE AT NIGHT!!! and panic all the love-struck trying to get it on. A San Francisco trick
Suffering from a bit of jet lag, I was spending the night at my parent's house awake from 2-7AM which meant I didn't wake up til almost 1PM today. Little did I know what a gorgeous day in SF it was until I peeked outside. 70 degrees in January?!..cmonnnn.
Went for a run which as usual ended at the top of Grand View Park. From the views towards the GG bridge http://static.px.yelp.... to downtown http://static.px.yelp.... to the endless ocean http://static.px.yelp..... One word...BREATHTAKING.
One of many reasons why I'll always be an SF girl at heart.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/23/2008
Everyone has their happy place.
Yanno the one place your therapist tells you to think of when you… Read more »
My math isn't that great, but let's give this a shot.
Twin Peaks - Euro trash - fobby tourists - hormonal teenagers at night - sorority girls posing in their letters - families - any type of crowd + a flight of gorgeous, mosaic tile covered stairs = Grand View Park.
GVP at 14th and Moraga is where the Sunset's best kept secret can be found, high atop a few sets of relatively easy to climb stairs. Not strenuous at all, just perfect for a peaceful, 360 view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Go.
Here you stand watch over a tranquil view superimposed upon a rock of fearsome wind shear. The ocean looms cold and omni in a flat, unmoving line. Adults are bunkering in their homes before you in all directions trying to keep warm; their kids alongside you are puffing up with rather similar goals. I suspect some are from St Francis Wood, others maybe from Miraloma.
This is the penultimate birdseye of the San Francisco Outlands, beautiful and yawning before you ... the only place where you can stretch your arms and hold all of Golden Gate Park at one time ... the only place where the Sunset monotony is revealed to be a beautiful swan, and for possibly once a day where those smart green flashes can be seen as our only Star burbles and sighs 'neath the ocean blue.
This place is the most magical part of the City that you've never been to. Make it a habit at least once.
When it comes to being romantic and making my heart skip a beat, my one and only never fails to amaze me. So he looks up (on yelp, of course) this place since we love nice views (and everything that comes with seeing one). Not many people know about this place (versus Coit Tower, and btw do NOT go there! Those added bushes covers the view and it's just played out, so at least go to Twin Peaks instead).
It's easy to find parking here (I've always wondered what it's like to live in the houses nearby these scenic spots). Make that lil' hike up the stairs, you'll be wheezing and gasping for air like me (jk, I'm not too bad with that I think) and when you make it to the top, lo and behold, you'll see all of SF, no matter where you turn. This is the time to get an all around 360 degree view of the city, which I like. And plus, it's never crowded here, the max # of people I've seen here is a few (and for some reason, they're always with a dog, but I like dogs so it's all good). You can enjoy a nice, quiet moment with whoever you're with/by yourself. I'd go run up here and read a book, shoot.
So, make the trip here. Actually before you do, go hang out in Golden Gate Park, since it's nearby. And after you do, well, Twin Peaks is only a couple miles away. Might as well take in all the lovely sights of SF in a given day.
Not what I thought it would be but ended up being more. It's not a "park" per say, akin to Lafeyette. It is, however, the most beautiful overlook I've seen to date. The sights: downtown, old Golden, the Pacific, Twin Peaks. Once you overcome the steps, there is a sand path that circles around to the overlook at the top.
FYI: Some jagoffs (Pittsburghese for a-hole) must think it funny to break bottles up there so watch where you step.
i feel this place is one of the cities best kept secrets. the view is absolutely beautiful and a great place to bring friends from out of town. interestingly enough, ive never been to this place in the daylight. so i really cant talk about the types of people that frequent the place or if its crowded or not. but at 2 in the morning on a clear city night its always great to go there with either "someone special" or a group of friends and gaze at the endless city lights that surround you.
only problem ive ever faced with this place is that it took me about 4-5 times to figure out that by going left when you reach the top of the stairs brings you to a little trail that takes you directly to the top. i always immediately went right and had to climb the steep ridge to get the to the benches with the views. typical me. oh, and believe me when i say this, if its windy in the flatlands, it will be twice if not three times more windy at the top of this hill. so choose your day to go wisely.
Best view of the park and most of SF. I've been to all the top views...Grandview to me tops them.
The view (like the climb) is indeed quite spectacular and even more enjoyable if attempted on a clear warm day in November with barely any wind.
360-degrees of gorgeous -see the entire city - from the edge of the ocean beach and the acres of the Sunset, to the Presidio and far into the Castro... we are blessed to have these places in our fair city.
Bring a book or the paper and some refreshment for a beautiful, quiet, absolutely stunning afternoon.
It's not much of a place to take the puppy (the climb is good, but there's not much space to run around). Also - beware the broken glass scattered about that could hurt tender paws...
We made the trek up here today...have you ever noticed that the hardest part of most "hikes" in San Francisco is getting through the residential area to get to your hiking place?
The view is amazing, and the benches are perfectly placed (great quote on one facing Ocean Beach: "The violets in the mountains have broken through the rocks")- though I am a little sad they are all dedicated to dead people who died young. Debbie Downer!
There were a bunch of kids playing capture the flag, which was really charming considering they were about the age when they really should have been smoking pot in their parents' basement.
Home of the prettiest staircase in SF; the Funston and Moraga mosaic stairs feature bits of glass and ceramic fish, flowers, bats, squirrels, and birds. Families and business names are imprinted on some of the pieces (e.g., Arizmendi Bakery). Flowers have been planted next to the stairs. Towards the top, the tiles and glass form a mosaic picture of a moon and then a sun above that.
Once you climb to the top, veer to the right a bit and go up the concrete steps to reach the wooden steps that take you up to the top of Grand View Park. The park is small and peaceful with sandy patches and trees. It gets very windy up there and you can see (not surprisingly) a grand view. They have problems with people leaving broken glass up there so wear shoes. If you climb down the other side, you'll find another set of concrete stairs.
Caution, the Moraga tiled stairs can be slippery. They're also fairly popular but not as popular as the Lyon Street Steps.
San Francisco, thank you. You're views are amazing and your hills from which i look out from are outstanding.
Grand View Park is pretty much just that... one of the grandest views of SF. Lets see... you get the ENTIRE Sunset and Beach view, the Golden Gate and Richmond areas, of course there's parts of Downtown... i mean really, you can almost see it all.
But gosh, you're telling me now i have to climb back down?!
like every view in San Francisco.
its better on a sunny day or to see the sunset over the city.
if it ain't. it ain't worth the 'excerise' it takes to get to the top of the hill.
very sweet view; best i've seen of sf, from the west side at least.
check out this panorama i took: http://bit.ly/grandview
Quite possibly my favorite view of San Francisco. Though Twin Peaks gives you that majestic (almost) 360-degree aerial view of the city, Grand View gives you a most unique perspective...you don't feel as "on top of the world," like you do at Twin Peaks, which is kind of a good thing. At Grand View, you still feel like you're IN the City, like you're in a really tall tree, looking out.
Not as easily accessed as Twin Peaks, but the mosaic staircase on 16th Ave is quite pretty, and there is the plus side of not having to deal with gobs of Eurotrash and HK tourists
from the mosaic steps on the west side, to the shady green peak, this place is worth checking out if you're in the neighborhood. a surprisingly far reaching view makes the very short hike worth while.
Wow, nice moves you got there. Grand view is right.
Oh, didn't you know that everyone on Mt. Sutro can see you?
So that's the name of this place, huh?
The wife and I have spent many a sunset here....
....just us, fresh air, a blanket, couple of glasses, and a bottle 'a vino.
Sprinkle in some good conversation, the occasional passing of
a wagging canine, a smiling face or two from other passers-by, and the feeling is right up there with that post 160 bpm artery-cleansing endorphin high, minus the sweat.
Well I did sweat there once....
...and cried...
...and got one dirty knee...
One crisp, clear Christmas morning...
...its where I got engaged!
After traveling on 19th Ave for all of my 23 years of life, I have never thought of venturing up the hill towards the little hump with trees on top till a couple of days ago. With a break in the rains and an overcast setting, we climbed up the stairs and circled the small mountain...cameras in hand. The place has such a nice view. You can basically see the entire Golden Gate Park, Academy of Sciences, DeYoung Museum, Financial District, and the coastline. Not many tourists go up there which could be a good thing. Lots of people walking their dogs but that is fine since I love dogs anyway. Its a good place for a quick photo op of most of SF.
How many names?
Turtle Hill
Golden Gate Heights Park (incorrectly)
That hill in the inner sunset
14th and Noriega....
That mural stairway park
Whatever it is, I have seen more PERFECT sunsets, and more serene, maddenenly beautiful moments of my lifetime. 6pm. 11pm. 2:30am. 4am. 7am....
so many moments, thoughts, people.... so many of the most dire moments in my life... those imbued with energy and emotion, and love, and expression.
I love that damn place. Little windy at times, tho.
I am so glad I live a block away!
If you've seen the zig-zap steps of this place while cruising on 19th Ave, you may have thought - I need to check that place out! Well if you have a clear day to explore the Sunset, I highly recommend it! It's a true treasure of San Francisco. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment after an energetic climb to the top. Enjoy the breathtaking views and know that you've been to a place that many San Franciscans have never even been to!
As the last sizable hill before the ocean, this park is a must for vista-lovers. It's also got a *very* recognizable profile, basically a tiny clump of trees atop a very round looking hilltop, leading to its nickname of Turtle Hill.
On a clear day you can see the entire sunset and richmond districts, the Golden Gate Bridge, and even downtown SF, though the view to the southeast is blocked. Great place to take SF newbies on a geographical-orientation tour of the city.
great views of the city. Hands down better than twins peaks, no tourist. There 2 ways to enter grand view, (Funston Ave & Moraga St) or (15 Ave&Moraga). But if you come from Moraga & 16th Ave you come across never before seen tiled stairs.
I want to get married here. And to me, it's Turtle Hill.
I have friends who grew up in the Inner Sunset who took me here a year ago, but most importantly it's where my smoosh A grew up. The view is so amazing, you get to see a little bit from all different angles. Very panoramic. There this zen like calm at sunset, and euphoria I feel when I'm there, regardless of my day.
When I use to visit from the East, and A lived up in Sac at the time, it was our tradition on our last night before I fly home to grab some coffee - climb those damn stairs - and sit for a while. He told me before, it's where he goes to think, hangout, fall in love, and apparently almost burn down the hill (but that's his story to tell). I can agree with him about the falling in love. Everytime I had to leave, I fell in love with him more on top of that hill, and just knew I would be back for good.
A year later, a district over in the Richmond, but I'm in SF and we're working on getting back to the Sunset. Still, it's one of my favorite places in this city to fall in love, it's what makes SF home to me.
Please if you go here at night, BRING A JACKET!!! I had a thin jacket on and probably caught a cold, but it might have been worth it! The view is nice but I only wished that I had come here during sunset or sunrise instead of at night.
I find the view here comparable to the one at Twin Peaks, but I think Twin Peaks has the edge. When you're at twin peaks you can see this as a small mound . What can you expect though, its in the middle of sunset so that's about as good of a view as you can get there. I've driven around this area hundreds of times before but never noticed this park until Yelp. It's a nice find and pretty cool to have it situated where it is.
An interesting note - I read a sign while at Grand View that said it was a mound of living organisms covered by dirt. That if I looked closely you can see this. It was night so I couldnt see but I'll come back next time to check it out!
I lived in a house right below this park for two years and hands-down this place is fantastic. You can hike up a makeshift trail on the north side of the park (where 14th intersects 15th) -- or you can hike up stairs on the southwest side.
Little known fact: The school bus hijack scene from Dirty Harry was filmed on the section of road on the west side of the park.
There are many great things to do here:
1) Best place to roll a pumpkin down a steep hill
2) Midnight snogging
3) Sunrise
4) Sunset
5) Bury a cat (seriously, I saw a lady burring a cat up there once)
6) Take pictures of all varieties
I always take out -of-towners here. I love that it has amazing views and no tourists. (Unlike Twin Peaks, Coit Tower...)
I feel I really am a little hard on tourists, considering 6 months ago I was one. Saying that, I didn't wave my disposable camera in people's faces, clog the streets waiting for a cable car, and hold up buses cause I had no fucking clue where I was going. So I take it all back.
In fact, I take everything back: Don't go here...it's terrible. Especially you kids with your Smirnoff Ice. ...Wow! I'm just hating on everyone today.
Wow. What a gem in the middle of suburban Inner Sunset. It is so incredibly random but I think that it is totally awesome and amazing and all the above.
My friend found out abt this place. It's so romantic and beautiful at night. The sky was so clear and I could see so many stars and constellations (Orion's Belt yo) and the view of the city was even better. It is definitely worth going out of the way to look at. I would like to see what the place looks like in the day time.
I've been meaning to visit this park for a while, but I never made the trek until this afternoon. Simply amazing views of the Pacific, top of the Golden Gate Bridge, Sunset District, GG Park, and downtown all from a perch atop a big hill with lots of beautiful trees.
Getting here by foot is a bit of a workout--the most direct (but maybe not the easiest) route from Golden Gate Park is to take 15th Ave up to Kirkham and taking the scary, secret stairs up between 14th and 15th Aves up to Lawton St. From there, you can take another set of stairs at 14th and Moraga or 15th and Noriega up to the very top. (You could also drive, but it wouldn't be as rewarding... :)
Make sure to save a good spot on the west side of the hill for a perfect view of the sunset. I noticed a lot of couples came up here for a smoochfest (blah) but you also get a lot of joggers and random folk, too. One of SF's best-kept secrets, in my opinion...
