By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | August 5, 2022 | Lifestyle, Travel & Recreation, Neighborhoods, Community,
San Francisco is a city flourishing with both nature and hidden gem enthusiasts. No matter where you explore, there will certainly always be a serene and scenic nature park, or a fascinating tucked-away find. Community gardens are simultaneously both here, embodying the locals' love for both vibrant nature and elusive art.
The following are the best hidden community gardens to find or stumble into around SF, immediately impressing you with their beautiful bounties, committed upkeep, and gorgeous surroundings.
See also: San Francisco's Most Fun And Scenic Dog Parks
View this post on Instagram
501 Ellis St / Website
In true SF fashion, what was once a neglected alleyway has found glorious rejuvination and restoration as an incredibly artistic public green space. First revitalized in 1989, the devotion to retaining this small oasis has been consistently maintained, currently making the magical forest a popular spot for a city reprieve or gathering spot full of fresh produce and flowers, all hidden by towering trees.
View this post on Instagram
780 San Bruno Ave / Website
Located atop a steep hill with a rewarding view is the Potrero Hill Community Garden, which is an accomplishment in both finding and observing all the lush greenery the community nurtures. Stroll through and admire a forest of leafy greens, handmade trellises, thriving sunflowers, and so much more, all with a picturesque Twin Peaks in the background.
View this post on Instagram
Warren Dr / Website
Just off of the Inner Sunset and Golden Gate Heights is the kid-favorite White Crane Spring Community Garden. This is a true paradisial escape from the city, as under the canopy lies an abundance of neatly plotted veggies, herbs, flowers, and more. This is a beautifully maintained getaway that is equally calming as it is actively alive.
View this post on Instagram
1590 7th Ave / Website
The must-visit in the Inner Sunset is this truly community-driven expanse. With a diverse rotation of weekly workshops, stop in here to learn hands-on about composting, sustainability, and even beekeeping! This is an exceptionally encouraging and kind Earth Island Institute project that will leave you with more education on the climate, how to be environmentally-conscious, and how to garden more mindfully.
View this post on Instagram
114 Brewster St / Website
The Dogpatch-Miller Memorial Garden can be elusive to find, which is exactly why we want to help you experience all of its whimsical beauty. By walking past the main garden at the top of the staircase on Brewster and Rutledge, you will encounter one of the most cutest and magical locally-maintained gardens, marked only by the bright yellow sign inviting you in. Aside from the lovely foliage, keep an eye out for all of the playful details among the carefully terraced plots in this barely-8,000-square-foot cove.
View this post on Instagram
1771 Quesada Ave / Website
Our Bayview easily-overlooked, secret find is Quesada Gardens, which is a strip garden repurposed from a skinny street median. This otherwise-overlooked site has been retained thanks to plenty of community activism and rallying to keep it over the years, and now it is the proud home to breathtaking palms and both a commemorative mural and sign.
View this post on Instagram
10 Langton St / Website
Howard Langton Community Garden is truly the definition of a mini-park. Nestled in blocks right between the Civic Center Station and the Caltrain, this bucolic neighborhood effort is a wonderland of healthy fruit trees, overflowing flower beds, and colorful cultural trinkets. There are even several patio chairs for accessible convenience, along with a thoughtful meditation corner and gazebo for Instagrammable events. There is an annual fee to have a plot here, which will definitely tempt you to begin your own personal addition into this city getaway.
There are plenty more community gardens tucked into each and every corner of this loving city, and they are all waiting for you to discover and even add to them!
You can find all gardens on a map here.
See also: You'll Fall In "Love" With These Best Tennis Courts Around San Francisco
Photography by: David Clode/Unsplash