Skip to main content
SF Parks Explorer
SearchClose search

Regional Park

John McLaren Park

100 John F Shelley Dr

Illustration of a landscaped hillside park with a curving path, trees, benches, and bay water under coastal fog.

Placeholder illustration representing San Francisco parkland. A location-specific photo is not yet available.

About this place

John McLaren Park is a 312-acre regional park in southeastern San Francisco, combining major recreation facilities with extensive meadows, grasslands, wetland habitat, wooded areas, and trails.

Size
312 acres
Trail network
More than 7 miles
Dedicated
1934

Highlights

  • A park of many landscapesWalking routes cross forests, grasslands, meadows, and marshy areas where springs feed Yosemite Creek.
  • Philosopher’s WayA 2.7-mile curated walking route adds quotation and history stations to the existing trail network.
  • Regional recreation destinationThe larger park includes an amphitheater, lake, golf course, pool, playgrounds, picnic areas, and sport facilities without being defined by any single amenity.

History

Proposed as a park in 1926, the land was acquired over several decades and dedicated to longtime park superintendent John McLaren in 1934. Depression-era public works added paths, roads, drainage structures, and extensive tree planting.

Location

Open in Google Maps Get directions

What is listed here

Counts are shown only when verified on an official page.

Playgrounds and kids

  • Children's Play Area

Picnic

  • Grill
  • Picnic Area
  • Table

Sports

  • Athletic Field
  • Ball Field
  • Basketball Court
  • Bike Park
  • Golf Facility
  • Multi-use Paved Area
  • Tennis Court
  • Track

Dog play

  • Dog Play Area

Recreation facilities

  • Arts/Activity Center
  • Clubhouse
  • Indoor Recreation Area

Gardens and nature

  • Community Garden
  • Natural Area
  • Ornamental Garden

Arts and culture

  • Performance Space

Visitor services

  • Bench
  • Bicycle Rack
  • Drinking Fountain
  • Restrooms

Getting here by transit

Choose how you plan to start your trip.

Muni bus

  • Mansell St & John F Shelley DrLess than 0.1 mile away
    • 29
  • Persia Ave & Brazil Ave0.2 miles away
    • 29
  • Visitacion Valley Middle School0.3 miles away
    • 56

Check current Muni service

Stops and straight-line distances come from scheduled 511 SF Bay data , retrieved . Suggested Muni connections only identify lines serving both areas; they are not live routing directions. Check the linked agency before traveling for arrivals, transfers, disruptions, and accessibility information.

Official services

Programs and reservations

These official pathways may be relevant based on amenities listed at this destination. Availability, eligibility, and reservability have not been verified here.

View the programs and reservations guide

Official information and coverage

You are leaving this independent explorer and continuing on an official or linked service.

About this page’s coverage

Official page reviewed

Some details were checked against a linked SF Recreation and Parks page.

Features not shown may still be available. Verify important details on the official page.

Explore nearby

Distances are approximate straight-line measurements. Streets, hills, paths, and entrances may affect your route.

Herz Playground

McLaren Park, Visitacion Valley · Neighborhood Park or Playground

0.3 miles away

Source details

This destination combines records published by the City of San Francisco into resident-facing information. Technical identifiers are included for verification.

Contributing San Francisco records

  • John McLaren Park — property ID 28

Amenity evidence

  • Performance Space — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Dog Play Area — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Community Garden — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Natural Area — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Ornamental Garden — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Grill — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Picnic Area — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Table — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Children's Play Area — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Arts/Activity Center — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Clubhouse — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Indoor Recreation Area — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Athletic Field — Listed without a quantity
  • Ball Field — Listed without a quantity
  • Basketball Court — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Bike Park — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Golf Facility — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Multi-use Paved Area — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Tennis Court — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Track — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Bench — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Bicycle Rack — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Drinking Fountain — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified
  • Restrooms — Listed in source data; exact quantity not verified

DataSF datasets

Reviewed official pages