This is one of the best parks I've ever been to. Spread over 300 acres there is something for everyone whether you love nature or like to take the pet dog out for a walk on a trail surrounded by cypress, pine, and eucalyptus trees. There are paved and unpaved trails for walking where you can get a stunning view of parts of the Bay area. There are a couple of duck ponds where you can see the ducks waddling away as well as the Jerry Garcia amphitheatre used to stage plays by school kids and to have other community events. There is also a separate play area for small children as well as space for family picnics. On the perimeter of the park you have the wonderfully named paved looped trail called the Philosopher's Way where people can rest and take in the view. There are several tennis courts, a large baseball practice area, and a nine hole golf course. Toilets are clean and conveniently located. People living in the area may complain about the amount of local and community taxes they have to pay but when you have places like the John McLaren park in your neighborhood you should count your blessings. A daily walk or jog here is a real joy that you'll be hard pressed to find in other urban environments. It's a well kept secret for the neighborhood residents who probably want to keep it that way instead of having crowds come and spoil the rustic charm of this park.
Restrooms
Clean and located in several areas
Dog-friendliness
Very dog friendly and dog owner friendly. The canines have a great time here given what I've seen of our dog's happiness at being here relative to a walk on the street
Picnic area
Lots of space for families to barbecue meat on the large number of grills located widely throughout the park.

Pretty fun park all dirt for bikes do they have a pump track around the sides which is pretty fun you catch Tons of Speed the jumps in the middle are a little rough and beat up I don't know if there's some of that maintains the park but it looks like nobody does if they fixed up the middle the ride would be a little smoother it was hard to hit those wooden walls in the side because I couldn't catch any speed and there is a lot of loose dirt and gravel which is kind of dangerous when you're trying to turn fast other than that all the locals they were very friendly very welcoming Vibe they're all ages which I thought was pretty cool I like to write skate parks and there's not many that allow only bikes so be your only bike place once in awhile feels pretty good the only downside is the neighborhood beneath is very ghetto I'm not saying crime spills out but people were driving over 60 miles an hour on a 25 Zone up the street right next to the park so very dangerous for kids to be hanging out on the street there other than that the park was really cool definitely give it a check if you're in the area

In my humble opinion, this part, like Portola neighborhood itself where the park is located, is a hidden gem and underrated. This park is huge! It made up of different kind of terrines through tour the park. This place also include quite a few nicely built lakes, children’s play ground area. It even has a amphitheater inside the park which serves many free concerts in the summer! It even has a designated area to unleash dogs to play freely! Last but not least, it has this amazing Birdseye view of downtown SF right at the entrance side of the park where you can simply enjoy a quick picnic with this amazing view! There is so much more this park has to offer. Just go enjoy its beauty!

Great view. Nice trees and great jogging route. Loved to tour around the route for an hour. This park is a nice place for a walk. It's often not very crowded. You may encounter someone here and there. It's not somewhere that's been taken over by tourists. So it's a good place to go if you want to get away from crowds. There are some views from certain points in the park. There are at least 2 bathrooms. One is just a pit toilet by Redwood Grove, which was horribly bad. The other is an actual building and was much better; this one was by the amphitheater. There are supposed to be several other bathrooms as well.

The second largest park in San Francisco. Could use more tender loving care from the city of San Francisco. I hope more hiking trails are developed.This is one of my favorite parks. Very popular with dog walkers (large pooch play areas including a pond). This park is also the home of the Jerry Garcia amphitheatre, several children playgrounds and an abundances of picnic areas. There are also tennis courts. In my opinion the only thing missing is the abundance of attention that's given to others parks in the city.

3rd largest park in San Francisco with a wide variety of terrain and trails. Has: multiple playgrounds (one is still in construction), picnic areas with tables and bbq, Jerry Garcia amphitheater, the 2.7mile Philosophers Way trail, look outs at the East Bay, views of Downtown SF, an observation deck, hills, grasslands, forest trees, tennis courts, a dog park, parking within the park or along it, a pond/lake, wooden bridges, trees with steps to climb up, huts made of fallen branches, and more!

McLaren Park is a gem in San Francisco. With beautiful views of the bay, Colma, and Brisbane to the SE as well as Ingleside, Park Merced and the ocean to the West. You even have Glen Park and city views to the North. Amazingly, this park is big enough to get lost in (there's even a golf course tucked in there). Popular for dogs, there is a pond that's designed for your pooch. Most places are de facto of leash areas. I was there during a wildflower bloom and included a few pictures.

McLaren Park has something for everyone. 148 years ago Designated now 313 acres, Only 2 years younger than Golden Gate Park. Birds, Wildlife, Tennis, outdoor Amphitheater, walking trails, turtles in ponds. Visit Gleneagles Golf Course, Herz Playground & Coffman Pool, Jerry Garcia Amphitheatre, La Grande Tank, Louis Sutter Playground & McNab Lake, Mansfield-Burrows Playground, Philosopher's Way trailhead, Wilde Reservoir Overlook, Yosemite Marsh, Crocker-Amazon Playground

John MacLaren Park is so incredibly beautiful and has bountiful amounts of space to cover on foot. Great place for a nature walk, has BBQ areas for gatherings (and yes bathrooms too), playgrounds for the kids, an amazing amphitheater, a cute little lake with ducks and turtles in it, and just about and infinite amount of fantastic views of the city! Most definitely a great place to take the family, friends, and fur babies of all kinds.

I cannot stand it when you drivers who do stunts on dirt bikes and in your noisy cars because you guys need to realize that this neighborhood is a quiet one where your noisiness breaks the peace of this normally quiet neighborhood. So please, please, PLEASE stop doing doughnuts and stunts on your dirt bikes and have respect for the residents who live here. One more thing, STAY OUT OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD!!!!

This is the lesser known crown jewel of San Francisco Parks (Golden Gate being the reigning queen). Obviously not as popular and landscaped as GGP but it has a rustic beauty that is refreshing. Lots of trails without all the people, tennis courts, picnic areas, playgrounds .. this place has it all especially if you feel like exploring nature. Lots of rustic trails where you can walk your dog off leash.

Just a really wonderful park to take a stroll through, jog, take your dogs, picnic and BBQ. Has some of the best views in the neighborhood (blue tower). Lots of great little gems throughout such as Jerry Garcia Amphitheatre, Hidden Bridges, McNab Lake (pond), and others. It's really a beautiful and underrated park in the city, very fortunate to have this park so close to me.

Wide open spaces for dogs to roam off leash. Lots of picnic areas and playgrounds for kids and families to engage in. Beautiful views of the city from different trails around the park. I enjoy walking through the Philosophers Way trail which takes about 3.3 miles. It walks you through the trails and shows you the magnificent views of the city and sunsets when it's time.

Our neighborhood park that we are absolutely in love with. There are so many different parts of the park that you can explore for hours. There's tennis courts and basketball courts in multiple spots. There's a lake, rolling hill trails and spectacular trees all over. We love to take our dogs here and they love it as well. The dog park is very spacious.

Grrat biews, lots of placrs for my dogs and I to bv explore. Love all the friendly off leash fogs. Wildlife, views, so many different trails....the biggest park in SF and special while still less visited/improved. What many parks were like in SF years ago. We need to preserve at least a few legacy, off leash, natural & wild/left alone parks like this.

McLaren Park is a hidden gem. I am a little concerned about making this review. I really don’t want it to change - a place in SF with lots of parking, views of downtown, Twin Peaks, the bay and several neighborhoods. Walking trails in the woods - you will forget you are in the city. Golfing, dog park and tennis courts! Please don’t come here.

Beautiful and expansive park. Never realized how big it was. To explore all parts of the park will take a good half of the day. Highlights include the blue tower with views to downtown, lakes with ducks and coots, a mini labyrinth with curious objects, tall eucalyptus and pine forests, an amphitheater and grassy hills overlooking the bay.

Loved walking around this park on a warm day. San Francisco has so many beautiful green parks hiding in plain site! McLaren is hilly, uncrowded, and suburban with clearly marked trails. Good for kids and dogs because there are playgrounds and plenty of space. A bit muddy after the rains, but some of the trails are paved and not affected.

Great park! It would be a lot better if they would stop cutting down trees. Leave the trees for the animals and the people. Dead trees too! You know owls need those dead trees as well as plenty of other animals. If you're afraid of getting killed by a falling tree don't walk up next to it. Leave the trees alive and dead leave them stand!

This park is very large and insanely beautiful. I visited early in the morning about 7:45ish. At the time I visited I felt like I was in Oregon! Such a moody park when it is under the cover of fog. There were a few others walking throughout the park, if you are able to visit during the morning hours I 100% recommend.

Nicely renovated and the playground is large and more for kids who are 5+. Large grassy fields big enough to have a picnic and relax in the sun. Plenty of parking and restroom conveniently located not too far off from the picnic grounds. Love the newly renovations they've done for this park.

The paths were a nice refreshing bit of nature to walk through, with amazing views of the city. Definitely a go-to spot when in San Francisco. The only downside side is that the park doesn't seem to be regularly cleaned, which had me concerned when I considered using the bathrooms there.

Nice park with great views, but could be a bit cleaner, and the trails a bit less treacherous for the elderly, the disabled, and the unaware. The pavement on the roads, the sidewalks, and the few structures in the park (bathrooms, courts, pond, water tank), have fallen into disrepair.

This park is the best kept secret and gem near waking distance from home. Nestled in the woods within a half mile from Portola my daughter easily can hike this terrain with me. The ponds, playgrounds and hiking trails are well kept. all the hiking trails and picnic areas are safe !!

Large park with lots of easy, medium and more difficult trails, great views of the city and bay, quite a few sections with different sports and a garden. Quite blustery during this visit, fog was blowing in quickly. Added some videos of the views and fog. …

Very beautiful park, without a doubt. Amazing views, many paved and unpaved trials. Our first time @ this park and my dog liked it a lot and felt pretty comfortable despite the big packs of dogs with dog walkers. I would imagine it's a bit more fun on weekends.

Amazing park to take your dogs. I can't believe I just discovered this hidden gem. Great hikes and a variety of views. Hungry after a day of activities? There are picnic benches all over the park for a relaxing meal. Dogs can even swim in the reservoir.

Great park! Lovely place to take your dog on a walk along the pavement or on the trail. When it’s clear, there’s gorgeous views of the city on one side and the water on the other. They also have free tennis courts that are available to book online!

Often in the shadow of SF’s Golden Gate Park, this huge park had great hiking and biking trails, playgrounds and vistas with incredible views of the Southern neighborhoods of SF. Jerry Garcia Amphitheater is currently undergoing renovation.

Great park, especially for those who live on the south or east side of the city. Nice trails, parks, picnic sites etc. Some parts are in need of a little tlc. Good place for a bike ride or a stroll. Also great views of SF few get to see.

It is a large part but compared to Golden Gate Park looks like ignored. It is full of trees but Tralee are mostly narrow and not paved. Paved trail is only on south side perimeter. Views are fantastic from Blue Water tower.

Such an underrated spot, way less manicured than GGP, yet only enhances its charm. Vast open spaces, ample parking and access, dog specific area includes swimming, and plenty of group areas. And great vistas too!!

This is a great park to explore and get some steps in. The climb to the blue water tower is worth the steps 360 views all around. Great for dogs but please always remember to be polite and curb your dog.

Very nice relaxing park. Nice scenery. Good for BBQ. At times could be windy that could blow your stuff off the table. There are pickleball courts and basketball court. Outdoor playground for kids.

Thank you Mike the crane operator for sharing your time. Hope your son gets a useful diagnosis, and you find good fishing nearby. People make this park, and it is a gem because of them

Large off leash dog area with hiking trails and a duck pond. Great picnic areas, BBQs, tennis, pickel ball, basket ball, and playgrounds for kids. Nice, clean, safe. Amazing views!

A great place for dogs and their owners! Plenty of off leash areas including the upper Reservoir where the dogs can swim. It also has some really nice views of the city

Fantastic park that is the second largest in the city. Stunning views and closed off roads for additional walking/riding during quarantine. Lots of paths to explore.

This place continues to be an excellent place for our gal Kaili to romp and explore! Gnarly trees abound; avoid the coyotes if they are in a pack! …

The park is well maintained with a lot of activities available. Bikes are able to use the trails. There is good hiking as well. Fantastic views galore.

In process renovation. Some areas brand new...Jerry Garcia amphitheater, playgrounds (some), PPB courts Other areas need renovation. Bible, big park.

Took me 15 years to visit McLaren park SF's third largest park. A very tranquil hike up hill to spectacular views of the bay. It's on my radar now.

One of my favorite dog friendly parks in the city. Never too busy and big enough to feel in nature
Dog-friendliness
Really popular dog spot

One of the nice and quiet public parks . Perfect for dogs and family and friends get together. Great place for workout as well.

The bathrooms on the hill top are closed and don't appear to be under repair. Otherwise I had a lovely walk among the trees.

Lovely, secluded park with tons of space for dogs to run around off leash. A more chilled out version of Golden Gate Park.

Very lovely place, very green, fresh air, enough parking space, and the amazing view of the city makes it more beautiful.

Off leash dog park. Open space for the dogs to play around. In the evenings this place has lots of mosquitos and bugs.

It was gloomy day but still fun and exciting to walk around the trails, the park and the pond with ducks with the kids

It is a very nice place. There are areas for BBQ and you can come and celebrate Holidays or small parties

There's multiple walking trails, good spot to get away for a while.
Dog-friendliness
Dog friendly

Our favorite place to take our pup. Incredible off leash dog park - plenty of trails to explore and run.

One of the best local parks in the city with spanning peninsula bay views and dog friendly atmosphere!

Nice trails. Clean, not crowded, many older folks exercising by walking. 313 acres. Many small trails.

Awesome park to walk your dog or even to do some yoga because it's very quiet with a nice amazing view

Nice park with lots of trails on a hill with good views. The Jerry Garcia amphitheater is wonderful.

A very beautiful and secluded place for a leisurely trail walk. Loved it esp the view from the cliff

Dog friendly park with large, open off-leash area with great trails and a swimming lake (for dogs)

Amazing park ! Must go to ! Very mellow, somewhere yo take a nice stroll and parking is reasonable

Beautiful park and comfortable walking path. We had a good view of the neighbor when being here.

This park is so underrated! Amazing place to take dogs with lots of trails and gorgeous views.

I love this park. It has so many trails and spectacular views. You can actually get lost lol!

Great park with so many bike paths. I also like the soapbox derby that happens here!

The park is well maintained, and a very nice place to enjoy a family gathering.

Great place to take a well-trained dog off leash. Spacious and not too busy.

Nice vistas of the city. Redwoods. Great trails. Dog paradise for play.

Wonderful views of the city and off leash dog friendly!!

Easy hike and beautiful scenery of the city

#Grateful for Jerry Garcia Ampitheater

Jerry Garcia Amphitheater!