Dolores Park is an established San Francisco weekend mainstay. Located in the rapidly gentrifying Mission District, the park attracts a mix of techies, artists, and local families. Somehow, they all manage to coexist harmoniously on the rolling fields and public tables at Dolores Park. There’s a reason that so many are drawn to this grassy knoll and its surrounding shops and restaurants. Great views of the city, authentic local food, and an open-minded atmosphere all make Dolores Park the ideal place to hang out with friends on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

CW Protip

Make sure to bring supplies with you. This includes food, towels, sunscreen, and sunglasses. There are a lot of people wearing sunglasses. If you don’t bring a meal, you can stop by a local market if you are willing to endure the crowds. Bi-rite, only a block or so from Dolores Park, sells all the food you need for a picnic. However, when I went to check for provisional supplies, it was insanely crowded. Go early, or bring food with you.

Food is not available inside Dolores Park, but there are many restaurants in the surrounding areas.

CW Protip

Explore the area around the park. You can set your towel down on the grass, but the best views will require you to hike uphill. This is actually a positive, because it weeds out the unmotivated. You’ll get amazing views of San Francisco if you’re willing to climb a little bit higher. These views are a large part of why Dolores Park is so popular.

Walking around the park will also give you a great opportunity to people watch. Additionally, there are some well known local vendors who sell alcohol, cookies, and brownies that can be, um, pretty special (wink wink).

CW Protip

Explore the area around Dolores Park. The closer you are to the park, the more crowded it will be, so don’t be afraid to walk a few blocks to avoid the lines. Dolores Park is located in San Francisco’s Mission district. Both the neighborhood and the park are named for Mission Dolores. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the neighborhood is an epicenter of great Mexican food. Mission burritos are a legend in and of themselves, and you should definitely check out local taquerias like “El Toro Taqueria”.

For fare that’s both authentic and modern, visit Valencia street. I stepped into a coffee shop and immediately felt like I was in a nightclub in the middle of the day, probably due to the music.

On the topic of heritage, the Mission neighborhood is also known for its mural scene. The murals are spread throughout the neighborhood, and rather than condemn them as graffiti, San Francisco celebrates them with a dedicated walking tour. I only had the opportunity to visit the murals that were on the way from my car to Dolores Park, but it’s worth it to stop and get a quick pic with these everyday masterpieces.

Pros

Great views of the San Francisco Skyline
Authentic local Mexican food
Communal atmosphere

Lots of young people

Socially acceptable to day drink

Exposure to people from all walks of life

Tennis Courts

Authentic food

Good people watching

Cons

Crowded on the weekends

Grass can be wet if you don’t bring a blanket

Homelessness in surrounding areas

My Trip

I arrived at Mission Dolores after 1 pm, which meant that there was very limited street parking. A lot had opened up to accommodate the heavy traffic, but by the time I got there, it was completely full. I finally found a spot a few blocks away, with a meter that took credit cards. Pro-tip: if you want to avoid the parking dilemma, you can also take the Muni’s J-line, or get off the BART at 16th and Mission (a 15-minute walk).

I definitely got a “hip, edgy, young” vibe from the people, especially when I went into a vintage shop that sold suede leather jackets. Racks of vintage shoes, coats, and accessories filled the space. Like many of the stores I would go into throughout the day, it was packed to the gills with 20-somethings. I even saw a few women wearing leather jackets, even though it was hot outside.

I happened to pass by one of the most iconic murals in the Mission just a few blocks from Dolores Park. “MaestraPeace” covers multiple stories of the Women’s Health Building, and depicts scenes of Hispanic women throughout history. The height of this mural and its intense swirls of psychedelic color make it worthy of a photo op. If you find yourself drawn to the murals, there is also a guided walking tour, but that’s for another day.

I approached Dolores Park from 18th street, passing by Tartine Bakery. Though I didn’t stop in, this bakery is considered by some to be the best bakery in the city, period. Googling “Tartine Bakery SF” will reveal a list of the top 25 bakeries you must visit before you die (it’s on there, and the list is international). So, long story short, you might want to go here. Be warned that the line is often out the door, and seating inside is limited. If you’re stopping by on your way to Dolores Park, however, you can take your pastries to go and eat them in the park. If you want advice on what to order, I hear that the orange-flavored Morning Bun is a notable specialty.

Another well-known eatery near the northern tip of Dolores Park is the Bi-Rite Supermarket. This supermarket and their ice cream shop, Bi-Rite creamery, are just a little further down the block from Tartine. When I stopped in, it was also jam-packed (no pun intended) with locals and weekenders rushing to construct a last-minute picnic.

The market is as small as a convenience store, but caters to an upscale clientele. The tiny shop boasts both a wine and cheese section, which I managed to squeeze through, as well as prepared meals and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

If you want to avoid the crowd at Bi-Rite, opt to visit earlier in the day, probably around 10 am, or bring food with you.

I entered Dolores Park from the north, near the Mission Dolores Park tennis courts. I immediately knew what an online reviewer meant when he called Dolores Park a “daytime party”. Music, crowds, dancing, and the faint scent of something your parents probably wouldn’t approve of (Dolores Park is 420 friendly) permeated the atmosphere. Though most of the crowd was clusters of young people sitting on towels and blankets, there were also a few families celebrating on the park tables. Going back to Dolores Park’s weed friendliness, I even saw some Oakland entrepreneurs selling CBD products at a stand in the park.

Dolores Park and the Mission district get their names from the Mission Dolores, situated a few blocks south. You can see the evidence of this history in the statues and plaques around the park. One of the main draws, however, is the view of San Francisco’s skyline. Dolores Park is really a grass-covered hill, and in order to get the best possible vantage point, you’ll have to climb it. There are paved walkways, and the distance is short (5 minutes max).

Once you’ve looked at the skyline, you should turn your attention to the people. Because it’s San Francisco, you might see something unexpected. I saw a horde of men dancing shirtless, and also a guy working on his laptop wearing only a speedo. Yeah, you heard me: some people actually try to do work in Dolores Park. There are also notable vendors, like a man who sells rum-filled coconuts. His name is Michael the Coconut guy, and he’s a Park regular. I’ve heard stories about other Dolores Park vendors who sold very “special” chocolate and baked goods, but didn’t see any when I was there.

If you’re visiting the park in the hotter months and want to cool down, Bi-rite Creamery is a block away, near Bi-rite Market. When I went, there was basically no line. This was surprising, considering that every other store and restaurant I went into was packed, and Bi-rite Creamery has a very positive reputation. I saw more kids and families here, and also a mix of couples as well. The flavors are slightly offbeat, but in a good way. Notables include “Strawberry Balsamique”, “Birthday Cake”, and “Olive Oil”. You can get your ice cream and take it into the park across the street, or eat inside their artfully painted store.

The weekend is prime time at Dolores Park, so those who visit on a weekday will have a completely different experience. If you want to explore the natural beauty of the area and eat at Tartine without standing in line, then I would recommend visiting on a weekday afternoon. However, if you want the full experience of being surrounded by a crowd of people blasting music from their iPhones and getting high, then Saturday and Sunday are the only days to do it.