Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
212
playground. Besides some great slides, there's a bowl-shaped pit with a spongy sur face and
sloped walls that is gr
eat for climbing ar ound, musical pipes, and other unique play
items.
CHINATOWN
Willie Wong Playground
(formerly “Chinese Playground”) on Sacramento Street (btw.
Stockton St. and Grant Ave.;
&
415/274-0202
) is a bi-level park built on the side of a
hill. Although it doesn 't have a lawn, it does house two outdoor sandbo xes, game and
sports fields, an indoor gym, and a r ecreation center.
Portsmouth Square,
on top of P ortsmouth Garage, is a r egular stop on the China-
town walking tour circuit. The sandy playground, suitable for kids under 7, is compact.
There ar e plenty of benches, lots to look at—including locals practicing their tai chi
moves—and larger-than-life views of the Financial District. It's also historic: This was the
site of the city's first public school. Not far from there, at Grant Street, between Pine and
California streets,
St. Mary's Square
is a pleasant spot with grass, benches, and a colorful
play structure for toddlers.
NORTH BEACH
The
Joe DiMaggio North Beach Playground
(651 Lombard St., at Mason St.;
&
415/
274-0201
) has a number of athletic facilities, including a pool area (with a lap pool and
recreation pool with differ ent water temperatur es to accommodate a range of aquatic
programs. Swimming rates were $4 for adults, $1 for kids under 17, $3 for seniors. The
pool was closed for repairs as this went to press, but was expected to r eopen soon. With
a ne w locker facility and clubhouse, it 's a good place to cool off . The ar ea also has a
playground (which was not updated), picnic tables, tennis courts, a basketball court, and
even bocce ball courts.
Michelangelo
Park
(Greenwich St., btw. Leavenworth and J ones sts.) is a w ell-pro-
tected gem, almost hidden from view, which is actually very close to the crooked section
of Lombard Street. Although it has a lovely lawn, I've never seen an off-leash dog her e.
CIVIC CENTER & HAYES VALLEY
Famous for the Victorian row houses on S teiner Street known as the “P ainted Ladies,”
Alamo Square Park
(btw. Steiner, Scott, Hayes, and Fulton sts.) also features great views
of downtown San Francisco. The park itself is small, only 4 square blocks, with a simple
playground and a single tennis cour t. It's a meeting ground for neighborhood doggies.
After a trip to the M ain Library, you could drop by the playground in
Civic Center
Plaza
on McAllister Street and let the appropriate parties try out the new climbing struc-
ture. Unfortunately, you'll first want to check for v agrants.
8
THE MARINA & COW HOLLOW
For toddlers and y ounger childr en, the tiny
Cow H ollow P layground
on B aker
Street, between Greenwich and Union streets, is a lovely protected and enclosed area. A
kids' art studio is also open most w eekdays, except from 1 to 2pm.
The spacious, enclosed playgr
ound at the
Moscone R ecreation Center
(Chestnut and Laguna sts.;
&
415/292-2045
) has cr eative climbing str uctures, slides,
swings, and old-style seesaws. In addition, there are basketball and tennis courts, baseball
diamonds, putting gr eens, soccer fields, and a gym. O n weekday mornings the gym is
filled with preschoolers enjoying drop-in art or music classes. On school-year afternoons
and weekends, the fields ar e busy with games. With all the kids her e, dog o wners do
