This is one of those “I’ve lived in San Francisco for years and I can’t believe I’ve never been here before” places: Buena Vista Park. The Haight is just north of this hilltop park, and the Castro is to the southeast on the other side of the R Museum. The N-Judah runs underneath it in one of San Francisco’s transit tunnels. The park is really astoundingly scenic, with huge full-grown trees from decades of Arbor Day plantings. The views of The City are framed by those trees; the top of the Golden Gate Bridge can be seen Northward and Point Bonita is visible past the Richmond District.

I went up there for the first time a couple weeks ago on one of my “urban wander-walking” excursions; I hiked through again this morning with a friend to excercise, get another look and take some pictures. It’s a dog-friendly park and a lot of them were out and about this morning — what fun.

As usual, I went online for some more information. Buena Vista Park was created in 1867 — originally called Hill Park — which makes it the oldest park in San Francisco. This is less of a neighborhood park, and much more of a landscape design showcase, if I may use such a term. The Neighborhood Parks Council has much more historical information on their site.

As for me, I really recommend checking it out.