Candlestick Point State Recreation Area: San Francisco's Bayfront Escape
Discover Candlestick Point State Recreation Area: San Francisco's urban oasis with bay views, trails, fishing, and windsurfing.
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, San Francisco's first urban state park, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and recreational activities. Once a wasteland, this 252-acre park now features trails, picnic areas, a fishing pier, and windsurfing opportunities, all with stunning views of the San Francisco Bay.
A brief summary to Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
- 500 Hunters Point Expy, San Francisco, Candlestick Point SRA, California, 94124, US
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- Monday 7 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 7 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 7 am-5 pm
- Thursday 7 am-5 pm
- Friday 7 am-5 pm
- Saturday 7 am-5 pm
- Sunday 7 am-5 pm
Know before you go
Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Candlestick Point State Recreation Area.
- Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds and increase your chances of spotting wildlife.
- Check the park's hours of operation, as the gates are locked in the evening.
- Bring layers, as the bayfront location can be windy and cool.
- A fishing license is required to fish from the shoreline if you are over 16.
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Getting There
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Public Transport
While Candlestick Point SRA is not directly accessible by public transit, you can take the Muni #15-Third Street bus to Arleta and Bayshore, then transfer to the #15 Rutland and exit at Executive Park Plaza. From there, walk across the road to the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Alternatively, from the East Bay, take BART to Balboa Park station and transfer to the #15-Third Street MUNI bus. A single ride on Muni costs $3.00, or $2.50 with a Clipper card. A day pass is available for $5.70.
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Taxi/Ride-Share
Take a taxi or ride-share service (Uber/Lyft) to the main park parking lot at 500 Hunters Point Expressway. Be aware that some apps may not have the location correct, so it's best to use Google Maps and enter 'Pelican Group Picnic Area' as your destination. Taxi fares in San Francisco start at $4.15, with an additional $0.65 for each additional 1/5 mile and $0.65 per minute of waiting time. A short trip from the Bayshore Caltrain station to Candlestick Point could cost approximately $15-$20, depending on traffic.
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Driving
From Highway 101, take the Third Street exit, then the first left, and continue until Gilman Ave. Turn right on Gilman Ave and continue to the park entrance on your left. As of early 2023, Hunters Point Expressway is blocked to cars. Enter the park by driving to the end of Gilman Ave and bearing left then right. Parking is available in the main Candlestick Point parking lot. There is no free parking near Candlestick Point State Recreation Area.
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