Sun's Out: Where To Enjoy The Great Outdoors In Hayes ValleyPatricia's Green. | Photo: Ayo Suber/Hoodline
Teresa Hammerl
Published on April 04, 2017

As warmer temperatures arrive, we're taking a closer look at Hayes Valley's local patios, parks, and gardens. Here are the neighborhood spots where you can relax, hang out with friends or get to know your neighbors.

Patricia's Green & PROXY

Named for neighborhood activist Patricia Walkup, Patricia's Green is the nerve center of Hayes Valley, with two open lawns, benches, and a children's play area. It also hosts regular art installations

Next door is PROXY, a city-owned lot that hosts a variety of small spots to grab a drink or a bite to eat, as well as a recurring series of Friday-night outdoor film screenings.

Get a coffee at Ritual, a green juice from Juice Shop, or a snack from one of the rotating food trucks, then have a seat and enjoy the sun on one of the benches in Patricia's Green's plaza.

Afterwards, grab some ice cream at Smitten, whose specialty is churned-to-order scoops chilled with liquid nitrogen, or enjoy a beer at Biergarten (more on that below). You can also rent a bike at CityRide, and pedal to the other spots on this list. 

Chalk it up!

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Page and Laguna Mini Park

Surrounded by small bushes, apple trees, and aromatic plants, this small park at 275 Page St. occupies an empty lot between two residential buildings.

The hidden spot includes a few seats, making it a good place to enjoy outdoor reading or meet up with friends.

Literally no one has ever called about this park. #VSCOcam #sf

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Biergarten

The small German-style neighborhood beer garden right next to Patricia's Green is a well-known outdoor spot for locals—especially during the summer.

Biergarten serves a selection of popular Bavarian eats, including sliders, bratwurst, and pretzels. To get your outdoor boozing on, drinks include draft and bottled beer, wine, and cider. Come early to grab a table, as sunny days bring out long lines for food and drink.

Biergarten. | Photo: Sim Blakeney/Hoodline

Page Street Garden

First established in 2012, the community garden at Page and Buchanan streets offers local green thumbs an opportunity to put themselves to work.

Would-be gardeners can sign up for the waitlist to be notified when a plot becomes available. If you haven't landed a spot of your own, the community garden also welcomes volunteers on work days

Page Street Garden. | Photo: Jared Schwartz/Hoodline

Alchemy by Alta Community Garden & Waller Park

When it opened last year, the new Alchemy by Alta apartment complex at the edge of Hayes Valley and Lower Haight came with 56 community garden plots, which went up for grabs back in December.

Just a few steps away, Waller Park stitches together the Alchemy by Alta apartment buildings. Anchored by a large staircase, the park offers a public space for residents and neighbors to enjoy.

A few of the 56 community garden plots at Alchemy by Alta. | Photo: Teresa Hammerl/Hoodline

Anina

A recent addition to the neighborhood, cocktail bar Anina has an outdoor patio that offers the occasional food pop-up.

Located at 482 Hayes St. (between Octavia and Gough), the outdoor space is filled with picnic tables and patrons sipping tropical-themed cocktails. Larger groups can also order punch bowls for the table.

Our patio is open and the ☀️ is out! #aninabarsf #drinkonthepatio #cocktails #punchbowls #spritz

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Arlequin Cafe

Found at 384 Hayes Street (between Hayes and Gough), Arlequin Cafe has a well-hidden outdoor patio that doubles as a green urban oasis. For those who want to eat outdoors, the cafe serves a selection of sandwiches and salads.

The cafe is also next door to its sister shop, Arlequin Wine Merchant. Those in the mood to have something stronger than coffee can order wine by the glass or the bottle.

The beauty of #spring - daytime sun ☀️ between showers 🌦 #GardenGram #Repost @marieandreesimardgoulet

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Hayes Valley Art Works

Back in December, Hayes Valley Art Works at 456 Laguna (between Laguna and Fell) celebrated its first anniversary.

Open to all, the temporary outdoor community arts space holds regular exhibitions, performances, community events, and even mysterious installations.

Hayes Valley Art Works. | Photo: Teresa Hammerl/Hoodline

Hayes Valley Playground

The quarter-acre playground has a clubhouse, a stage and plaza for community gatherings, different play areas, outdoor fitness equipment, and community garden plots. Located between Hayes and Buchanan streets, the park is a favorite with kids and families in the area.

🎉

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Koshland Park

Koshland Park was once the site of an apartment building that burned down in a case of arson. The property was then gifted by the Koshland family to honor their late father, Daniel E. Koshland, a resident of the area and a noted philathropist. 

Now, the park at Page and Buchanan offers play structures for children, including a sand pit. Koshland Park also has a community garden and the Western Addition Peace Wall, featuring art created by local schoolchildren. Locals can bring their pets and enjoy a walk through the area.

Koshland Park. | Photo: Laura Thompson/Hoodline

Got a favorite spot to enjoy the outdoors in Hayes Valley? Let us know in the comments.