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Sigmund Stern Grove
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
79 reviews for Sigmund Stern Grove
79 reviews in English
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Review from Nick B.
San Francisco, CA
1/16/2012
This is a total hidden gem in the city. It gets 5 stars for being so secluded even though it is very accessible. Also they have a nice off leash section for dogs.
I brought a picnic lunch, walked a few trails, and lazed away an hour with a book here and it was like I wasn't even in the city. Awesome. -
Review from Meghan L.
San Francisco, CA
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I decided to take a little adventure with my dog to Stern Grove. It was Jan 2nd and a beautiful sunny day. I have driven past this place for a few years and finally decided to explore it.
We had a lovely walk through the trails and I discovered they have an off-leash dog section, which was a total surprise! My dog loved that.
In total we spent about 3 hours walking up and down trails and my dog running with others. It was wonderful! -
Review from Anita W.
11/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
who knew such a great park would be right by sfsu!
it was as if the city didnt exist when you walk into the park and i was starting a hike.
i would like to come back with my dog because i saw a lot of people walking their dogs off leash, which is always a plus for me!
might want to put on some mosquito repellant because of the standing water around in some areas.Listed in: top picks for my Nala_dog:
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Review from Siai M.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Beautiful park! The bathroom is a ways down but no harm is a lil walk, just hope its not an emergency. Enjoy!!
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Review from Sean C.
San Francisco, CA
10/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is my favorite park in the city!
I swear you can tell that there is more oxygen from all the trees. -
Review from anio d.
Daly City, CA
6/24/2011
This past weekend was my first time back to Stern Grove since junior high (over 15 years ago). I love that this place exists. It's absolutely awesome for family picnics and just being out in the open air with other people who enjoy the park. I love love love that there is free live music, and it's an ACTUAL concert with a real stage and a real sound system and professional musicians. I am most definitely taking my kids back here as much as we can go. Picnic + live music = best way to spend family Sundays.
Parking isn't impossible. A little walking doesn't hurt. -
Review from Erika G.
11/26/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Grab your Derby Jackets a 40 and walk down the stairs to the grove and you have relived my childhood!
Living 4 houses from the entrance on Wawona this was my larger than life backyard. Playing on the hidden rope swing, playing hide and go seek in the dark here, listening to the free sunday concerts from my backyard. This was my life here in the Avenues.
My favorite memory... well, almost favorite - can't tell you THAT one! LOL But a bunch of us got blankets and slept in the croket inclosure under the stars and the sound of the cars on 19th Avenue.
Good times and a great place. -
Review from Ben H L.
5/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
My friend got married here this past weekend and it really is a nice quiet place for an outdoor oasis like wedding day. The farther parking lot off of Vale is pretty far from the Concert Grove where the weddings are usually held, but otherwise, it's an ideal location for an outdoor wedding without blowing up a typical wedding's bloated budget.
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Review from Paul C.
San Francisco, CA
7/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Don't miss the free concert series during the summer. Come here early (10AM or before), grab a nice spot with your blanket. Have a brunch under the sun in this beautiful natural amphitheater. Put some sunscreen on. Give to the Grove.
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Review from Chris I.
San Francisco, CA
6/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Fairly good park. Good place to get away.
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Review from Glenn H.
Love this place.
Don't come here. This my own piece of paradise. Stay away.
Go play over at Golden Gate Park instead. -
Review from Shawn B.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2011
This is a great place to take your dogs. They have a nice little trail around the pond and a fairly large off-leash field. I used to take my dog there everyday when I lived in the neighborhood.
The only thing is if you have a dog who likes to go swimming, you should be wary. There is a pond that isn't fully surrounded by a fence. One of our dogs loves the water, so we can't let her off the leash until we get to the field. -
Review from Alice E.
San Francisco, CA
11/22/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Well, well, what can I say. Bella Valentine has a blast here! There are all types of dogs here, extra small, small, big, tall.. all of em! Its cool because there is a cement paved way for you to walk on, and if you like you can also get your shoes muddy in the grassy area. Most of the dogs that Bella comes into contact with are mellow, and sniff her politely. She has never had an experience which was negative.
There was an occasion (about a year ago) where 2 big dogs were fighting and one of the owners tried separating the two and one of them got bit. The dog owner tried pulling his dog off the other dog, and during that attempt his own dog bit his hand pretty bad. It was bleeding and he was kinda in shock from the experience. The other dog that got bit was bleeding on his ear. Anyway long story short, keep an eye on your dogs when you come here. :P
Occasionally there is dog poops on the grass/cement from parents behaving badly and not picking up after their kids. So watch where you step! -
Review from Liz S.
This review is for the park, and not the concert series, which I have reviewed separately here http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Sigmund Stern Grove is a beautiful neighborhood park. Walking down from the corner of 19th Ave. and Sloat, among the eucalyptus trees and nasturtium, you can't help but feel the magic of this place.
At the bottom of the drive is the Redwood Grove. It is dark and shady, quiet and cathedral-like. For this reason, it has been the site of many wedding ceremonies and remains a quiet place to read or take a break from the sun.
Next to the Redwood Grove is the Trocadero Clubhouse. It used to be a hotel for the elite of San Francisco, but this use ended with Prohibition. The Victorian structure remains in pretty good condition, and can be rented for private events, and houses the pre-concert talks for the summer concert series. My old company held a Christmas party here and we had a grand time shaking the dance floor in the quiet of the grove. There is a very decent bathroom right next to the clubhouse with lots of stalls for women (yay).
The grove itself is best known for the Summer Concerts, which is one of the best activities to do in San Francisco. It is said that Mrs. Stern went around with an opera singer test various spots in the park to determine the best acoustics before setting up the location of the stage. The re-vamp by landscape architect Lawrence Halperin was a welcome change. Additionally, "talking posts" for the sight-impaired have been added, as well as more paths to keep people off of the lawn as much as possible. Right behind the stage is the largest tree in San Francisco, a towering eucalyptus with a huge trunk. Hopefully, none of those branches will come down any time soon. I have heard that if you spend the entire day in the park, you will leave smelling of eucalyptus. Yum!
The hillside, which tends to erode from people sitting on it, has been cleared of many trees which were then used to create natural benches, and that are reinforced by deep stakes to keep them from moving.
The West Meadow is a sunny spot to hang out on a blanket on a clear day. Please do not use plastic tarps, as these kill the grass and leave ugly brown spots - yuck! Drinking fountains for humans and pets can be found here and by the Trocadero parking lot.
Above the seats in the concert grove, there are paths that allow you to wind around the trees and are perfect for dog-walking in a wooded environment.
Across the main parking lot is Pine Lake Park, which is currently being renovated to include a dog run and new, beautiful grass for our four-legged friends. This part of the park can be also be entered at Crestlake and Vale.
The park is rarely crowded and people are responsible for picking up after their dogs. For some reason, this park does not seem to attract the homeless or lurkers.
A wonderful place to escape the wind and city stresses. Go when you need to get your Thoreau on.Listed in: Get OUT!
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Review from Jeremy S.
11/19/2006
Just as the Lorax once did I shall speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. Wooded groves are awesome and San Francisco should have more of them, especially ones like this where dogs can frolic off leash. I'm always amazed at how much better I feel when I'm in the proximity of greenery.
This park is fairly small, but good enough for a long walk with your 4 pawed pal. There are also a couple of open fields for frisbee tossing and tennis ball throwing. About half the park is currently fenced off for refurbishment (hence only 4 stars).
While you can't totally lose yourself in nature as in farther away parks like Mt. Tam, Stern Grove is still a doggie friendly gem closer to home. -
Review from Trixie J.
San Francisco, CA
9/21/2007
This is wiener dog's favorite park! It's green, for a change. Instead of mostly brown like Pt. Isabel, Fort Funston or Cesar Chavez.
I sat down on the deceptively clean grass and got dog poo on my pants.Listed in: Wiener Dog, It takes a village to raise a…
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Review from Brando Calrissian ..
Sunnyvale, CA
1/28/2007
EDIT: SIGMUND STERN GROVE IS CLOSED. The park is being rebuilt from the ground up
I argue that this is the best dog area in the entire city. The shear size of it is pretty impressive. Plenty of parking is a nice bonus.
Its one of the few areas you can go on a long walk with no leash, usually you have to settle for walking along irrigation ditches.
My only complaint is that there aren't any poop bag poles
Directions:
From 19th head west on Sloat until you can turn right on Vale Ave. The entrance is at the end of Vale. -
Review from InfodivaMLIS B.
San Francisco, CA
11/8/2007
There is SSG and then there is Sigmund SG and Pine Lake. Think Parties/Kaegers. Oh Yeah I love my City. So many Free Things to do.
We are the New York of the West Coast. LA doesn't have the culture, fashion, food, history, cultures etc we have. Read about my SF Parks Gem. Think Free! Use It! Keep it Free and Safe. Vote. 'nough.
Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove, locally called Stern Grove or "The Grove", is a 33-acre recreational site in San Francisco, California administered by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.
The site, along Sloat Boulevard between 19th and 34th Avenues, about two miles south of the Golden Gate Park, was donated to the city in 1931 by Rosalie Meyer Stern. Mrs. Stern named the park for her late husband, Sigmund, a beloved philanthropist and favorite nephew of Levi Strauss.
Since 1938, there have been weekly concerts and performances in the outdoor amphitheater during the summer months. Supported entirely by financial contributions, the concerts have always been free to the public. Crowds have often exceeded 10,000 persons.
In 2005, Stern Grove underwent a massive renovation, resulting in one of the most beautiful amphitheaters in the United States. This renovation, designed by well-respected landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, enhances the natural beauty of the Grove and provides an unsurpassed concert setting for the Festival. Stern Grove consists of several "mini-parks," including the Concert Meadow, the West Meadow, and Pine Lake Park. Stern Grove's Pine Lake is one of two natural lakes in the city of San Francisco.
Infodiva reppin SSG. 94132 19th Avenue Sloat Boulevard Gem.Listed in: Sin City Nor Cal San Francisco
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Review from Andrew C.
Manhattan, NY
8/21/2008
Since I was a little lad, I've always wanted my own Secret Garden. (Damn those British made for television Victorian-era movies!)... and in all humility, this place does it for me.
But I'm willing to be persuaded.Listed in: City Nature Spots
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Review from Kristin P.
San Francisco, CA
4/26/2010
What a beautiful hidden gem!!! Who knew you could be in Muir Woods without driving over the Golden Gate Bridge?
The smell of eucalyptus is heavenly and the redwoods are majestic. The large fields are perfect for dogs to run around to their heart's content. Our two Frenchies have a wonderful time here (including the time when one walked right into the lake and my boyfriend had to jump in to save him!). There are lots of trails to explore and wildlife to enjoy. We saw tons of banana slugs and some great birds (in fact, a hummingbird was hovering right under the entryway when we walked in! How idyllic is that?!?)
Parking is a cinch and crowds are not a concern (except for concert days). One of my favorite places in the city! -
Review from Sean S.
Oakland, CA
1/27/2008
Sigmund Stern Grove
Covered in fog or awash in the hot sun, this place is a Bay Area treasure that not one more person needs to learn about because it is already packed regardless of the weather conditions.
Call on Monday at 9 am to get a seat for 4 at the tables and your in luck though everyone thinks they are getting 6 seats and you wind up sharing with 2 groups but you can make it work. Of course in thanksgiving, when the fabulous Liz S walk by seeking "alms" you hand her a 20 spot. -
Review from Miika m.
11/3/2006
I love the idea of having a wooded venue deeply confined within the space afforded by tall gigantic Eucalyptus trees.......only in the city would one find something to escape the daily confines influenced by traffic, work, and just plain old stress.
We heard about an Indian group performing, so we packed a quick lunch with bread and deli meats from Andronico's, the boys brought cookies from Cost-Co, and I had purchased some fruit from a fruit stand. Armed with the nourishment and several large blankets, we surveyed the diminishing patch of greenery and found a spot to stake our claim.
The music was not bad, although I felt it geared a bit more towards hippy folk music. Our neighbors were cordial and I loved how everyone would mingle and dance together.
I'd come back here any day of the weekend to lounge around and listen to great music and spend time with wonderful friends. -
Review from Amy A.
San Francisco, CA
9/11/2008
Stern Grove is our favorite dog park! It's absolutely gorgeous and there are always plenty of friendly dogs & dog owners around for us to socialize with. As soon as Bailey smells the eucalyptus trees (about a block away), she starts getting excited in the car. She just loves trips to Stern Grove!!
We typically pick Stern Grove over Fort Funston because it's not as much of a production. Parking is close and we can take Bailey for an hour-long romp without the sand and wind that you get down at the beach.
Don't get us wrong, we love Fort Funston, too. It's just that a visit typically takes up an entire afternoon.Listed in: Gone to the Dogs
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Review from ray r.
San Francisco, CA
5/6/2008
i first went here in high school for our senior picnic, and i remember wondering how something as beautiful as Stern Grove could be in the middle of a city like SF. I've got to go with friends to 2 concerts last summer and it was freakin' jam packed!
random quote:
*peter from family guy, in a spoof of Narnia, falls into a cabinet, that leads to another world, where a centaur greets him*
peter: give me my coat back you goat bastard! -
Review from Ashley H.
Santa Clara, CA
5/26/2010
Wow, where do I begin with this one? This park comes close to the best park in San Francisco (next to Golden Gate Park). Why is this park so great? For one, it is largely undiscovered to tourists and local San Franciscans alike. This park is hardly packed (unless they are holding concerts in July), and is indented into the ground. It has am stage in the middle of the park, and also a small lake at the western section park. Most of the people who frequent this place are local to the area, not just San Francisco itself. It's sort of like a hidden treasure.
Eucalyptus is the number on tree that makes this park. It smells really aromatic inside, and there are lots of patches of lawn for people to enjoy a picnic. I even came here one time to study a long time ago. That's how quiet it is. Dogs also love coming to this park. There is a concrete pathway that stretches across the interior of the park (leading from east to west, or west to east).
They even have a cottage in the interior as well, for special events, with parking stalls in front of the establishment. -
Review from Charla T.
San Francisco, CA
4/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place to take your dogs and let them run around off leash. There are signs indicating where you can let them off leash, and where you shouldn't. And in case you see a lot of other dog owners out there who are ignoring the signs...their dogs may be very well behaved and come when called even with distracting ducks, and ponds to jump into. But if your dogs are the types that will run off be careful and keep them leashed cause I let my dog off one time and she ran into the pond and came back all muddy to her chest, not fun getting back in the car!! But she had fun none the less.
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Review from desiree n.
Petaluma, CA
5/28/2008
Home of one of the coolest dog parks Josh and I have ever played at!! So many cute doggies! All of them were so very friendly.
There is also a little lake with ducks and turtles swimming about. Also we saw a huge fish meandering along in the water. There is also a little concert field with neat stadium seating.
If I lived in SF, I would totally be here as much as possible!!!!
I give Sigmund Stern Grove 5 stars.
Josh gives it five paws.
Word. -
Review from J C.
San Francisco, CA
9/26/2008
I'm pretty sure this park is where fairy tales play out when we're not looking.
I can't believe this forest of solitude lies in the middle of our busy city!Listed in: Best Places to Escape the…
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Review from Amy C.
Newark, CA
1/31/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Soo close to my boyfriend's place. Beautiful place to walk your dog or just to take a stroll. It's naturally beautiful here with the gorgeous trees. I want to take some pictures here on one of these beautiful days with my love. :)
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Review from Jason B.
Culver City, CA
4/1/2009
This is a great place to take your dog and interact with. I live just down the street so I have easy access and it is beautiful during dry clear days. There are benches along some of walk ways, and a "centralized sitting area" where you can relax while your dog goes off and has fun. Some of it is nicely shaded some of it around high noon, not so much.
The grassy field is quite a few football fields large, and its a nice relaxing walk. There are drinking fountains that are made tall for humans, and short for your canine companions. The whole park area is in a giant ravine, so unless you can't keep your dog in your line of sight for the life of you, you have a worry free environment for your dog to run to its hearts content. Most of the other dog owners are very friendly and welcoming. In just the handful of times I've been here, I've gotten to know many owners and their dogs.
The only two issues I have is sometimes their are crazy people around. Twice in past couple months I've heard of fights breaking out between dog owners, even saw one and had to give a police report. The other is that during the wet season, the park becomes like a swamp. But I'm not gonna let a couple of bad hot heads and rainy weather keep me down, that's just life. -
Review from Daniel W.
San Francisco, CA
Great for taking me dog for his daily 2-3 walks a day. Love the fresh air and its close proximity to my house.
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Review from Gary S.
Daly City, CA
2/13/2009
Tony (my Boston Terrier) and I don't attend the park very often, as most are driving distance, and he only really needs a backyard, with his size. I had the day off yesterday and decided to check out Stern Grove. Amazing.
It was a bit wet because of the rain, but the grass field in the middle kept the mud in check.
There weren't many other dogs, as it was a weekday, but Tony managed to meet some friends. Dogs ranged from small (a tiny chihuahua) to gigantic (2 huuuge mastiffs)! All were friendly, and enjoyed the massive amount of space and the nice hills to climb.
The other people at the park were all very friendly and seemed to really care about Tony and I. This place is amazing. Go there. -
Review from Bennett W.
San Francisco, CA
4/14/2011
Stern Grove is the place to be at for recreational activities. Better yet, an event held for 10 Consecutive Sundays every year known as the Stern Grove Festival which starts in mid-June ending in mid-August. This is a free event that is good for kids, adults, and the general public.
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Review from Michele H.
San Mateo, CA
3/28/2011
This place is fabulous. Beautiful little oasis tucked in the middle of 19th ave craziness. I love, love, love the summer music series they have here. They have a little something for everyone. Reggae, classical, Latin I've even seen some really interesting Hawaiian musicians here. It's a great place to come with some friends and share a great bottle of wine, good food and some wonderful music. Some things to keep in mind...admission is free so come early to get a seat. They do a picnic table lottery which starts in May other then that it's first come first serve. They do sell food there (but not alcohol) but it can be pricey so I suggest you bring your own.
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Review from Kira Sophia M.
San Francisco, CA
2/13/2011
I used to think this dog park was the best in the city. The dogs are fabulous, though some of the folks are questionable/ creepy, completely wasted, rude, stuck up, total douchebags, or all of the above. The dogs have a great time- why are the people so much less friendly? It gets a little depressing, so Fort Funston is my fav park now.
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Review from Frances U.
San Francisco, CA
8/20/2008
Great place to bring your furry, 4 legged pal! I was introduced to the "dog run" area of Stern Grove last weekend by a friend of mine who has been bringing her pup there regularly. It's a HUGE grassy area, about the size of a football field, where the dogs are chasing balls, frisbees, or simply sniffing each other! I have a little 6 pounder, so I was a little nervous about all the big dogs there, but I soon found out they stick to their own sized buddies or they're too busy playing fetch. All the little dogs seem to cluster around one another, so that was nice.
My little Napoleon was able to meet quite a few small dogs there and even ran around with me for a little bit. I also heard that there's a nice stroll around the lake that people can do. There's a parking lot you can pull right into, but if that's full, I would imagine that you have to park on Sloat and walk down to the dog run.
Great place for dogs!!! -
Review from Quartknee K.
San Francisco, CA
7/13/2008
What a lovely gem - the lush, wooded valley in such an otherwise urban area is a surprising contrast and once you start down the path from the sidewalk the city just seems to fade away...
My friends got married here and had a lovely ceremony and a beautiful reception even if the mosquitoes did try to ruin the photo ops on the bridge...
Check out the music festivals - I don't think they do the bluegrass festival here anymore but the Stern Grove Festival is still going strong. -
Review from LeSLiE W.
Portland, OR
7/23/2007
I am embarrassed to say that even though I have lived in SF for 12 years (holy crap!), the first time I went to Stern Grove was this last Sunday for the Stern Grove Concert Series. What an amazing place! I love Love LOVE trees and they are abundant here! Everything is lush and green and when the music stopped: SILENCE. Can't hear the street noise down there in the forest... can't hear anything but the breeze moving through the creaky trees, the birds and your own breath.
So cool. -
Review from Ella M C.
San Francisco, CA
1/14/2011 2 photos
I got married at Stern Grove this past October. This is a review for Stern Grove as a wedding venue.
CONS:
-Do not allow balloons, candles, tape, and amplified music outside. (to assure the preservation of the park and peace in the surrounding area)
-Parking MAY BE inconvenient for guests. There are two parking lots in Stern Grove. The first parking lot, which is located just outside the Trocadero Club house and ceremony area, only accommodates about 10 cars. The second parking lot, on the other hand, provides ample parking for your guests. Guests parking in this lot will be required to take a 5 minutes walk through the concert meadow to get to the ceremony area and clubhouse, which they will either find quite pleasant or an inconvenient chore.
PROS:
-Despite it being right on busy 19th avenue, Stern Grove is free of ALL traffic noise. It is so quite and peaceful down there.
-It's VERY affordable.
-The Trocadero Clubhouse is absolutely charming and is big enough for a max of 180 guests. It is better suited for a smaller party though. ---
-The front patio is perfect for cocktail hour and general mingling.
-The ceremony area just outside the clubhouse is lined with gorgeous Redwood trees and provides a natural, cathedral-like space for a wedding ceremony.
-The rental of the clubhouse includes access to their huge kitchen, complete with operating stoves and sinks.
-The rental also includes the use of their saloon-like bar. My husband loved the bar because it was, as he put it, "old school."
Please note that since Stern Grove is a public park you have to remember that you can't expect the full service you would find at other wedding venues. Set-up and clean-up are the responsibility of the renters.
Best time for a wedding her would probably be during Indian Summer... from September-November. -
Review from Kat C.
San Francisco, CA
1/21/2009
My puppy and I went to Stern Grove as his first puppy dog park experience. What a JOY!! Both sunshine and cool shade. Lots of water fountains for the pooches, benches for the owners (aka human parents) to hang out. As much as I'd like to say that there weren't dog piles in the grass, there were, so you do want to make sure to wear shoes that you can hose off.
But what a treat for my little guy. All the dogs, big and small, were fantastic or else their owners had them on a leash. If you're dog is overly rambunctious, the other dog owners shun you so it's a pretty good idea to be mindful of your dog's behavior.
Can't wait for another sunny day!
