8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
This park unit is partially open. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and what COVID-19 guidelines are in place. - (February 16, 2022)
What is open now?
- Main Parking Lot
- Trails
- Fishing pier
- Community Garden
What is currently closed?
- Camping
- Bathrooms (portable toilets available on-site)
- Last Port Parking Lot
COVID-19 Guidelines - (February 16, 2022)
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
- Know Before You Go – Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded. Stay home if you are sick
- Plan Ahead – Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.
- Play It Safe – Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
- Be COVID-19 Safe – State Parks continues to meet guidance from local and state public officials as COVID-19 is still present and still deadly. Effective March 1, 2022, state guidance recommends that all individuals, regardless of vaccine status, continue masking in indoor settings, such as museums and visitor centers. Universal masking remains required in specified high-risk settings. Please plan ahead as local county guidelines may differ from state guidance and visitors are urged to follow county guidelines when required. Read the latest COVID-19 guidance at COVID19.ca.gov.
- Leave No Trace – Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.
Phone Number
(415) 671-0145
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Driving Directions to Candlestick Point SRA
From Highway 101 take the Candlestick Park exit heading towards the stadium and follow the shoreline to the Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (Day Use) parking lot.Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
BOATING
Boating
Boating
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Hike or Bike Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
TRAIL USE
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Picnic Areas
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Beach Area
Swimming
Windsurfing/Surfing
Family Programs
Geocaching
Picnic Areas
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Beach Area
Swimming
Windsurfing/Surfing
Family Programs
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Due to COVID-19 concerns, the San Francisco County Department of Public Health has not approved camping at Candlestick SRA. Therefore, the campsites will be closed through the remainder of 2020 calendar year. Please check the web periodically for updates.
From Candlestick Point State Recreation, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, the East Bay Hills,San Bruno Mountain as well as relax in the peaceful scenery of the park itself. Its location on the western shoreline of the San Francisco Bay provides a variety of recreational opportunities from windsurfing, fishing, bird watching and walking to simply relaxing. The trails, group picnic sites and fishing piers at this urban park offer a get-away of open space and outdoor activities.
Candlestick Point SRA was the first California State Park unit developed to bring state park values into the urban setting. From historic wetlands to landfill to landscaped park, Candlestick Point demonstrates major land use changes of the San Francisco Bay. Its name is derived from 19th century locals who thought the burning of nearby abandoned sailing ships and their flaming masts in the bay resembled lighted candlesticks.
Location
Main Park Entrance: 500 Hunters Point Expressway (not Boulevard) Take the Candlestick Park exit off U.S. 101 in San Francisco. Park Office: 1150 Carroll Ave. S.F., CA 94124
Seasons/Climate Recommended Clothing
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
Activities
Candlestick Point SRA is a unique state park on San Francisco Bay offering a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors.
Wind sheltered individual and group picnic areas have spectacular bay views. There is a 50 person limit per group site; all groups sites are walk-in only. No reservations or fees required at this time. All sites are first come first served. Please note some activities require special use permits and additional fees in order to avoid fines.
Prohibited activities include: Bounce Houses, Private vendors, DJ's, Amplified music, Drones, or sales of any kind. Commercial filming requires a permit from the California Film Commission, and need at least 10 days to process.
Collecting or destroying anything in the park, including mushrooms, is prohibited.
Windsurfers enjoy the wind-whipped bay along Candlestick’s shores, primarily in the spring and summer.
The park is popular for the fishing opportunities found along its shoreline and a public pier. The "Old Pier" on Jamestown Avenue is temporarily closed for rehabilitaion. The "Fishing Pier" at Sunrise Point remains open for use during park hours. Depending on the season, catches might include halibut, striped bass, perch or sturgeon. No fishing liscence is required on the pier, but there is two pole limit per person, or 1 pole and 1 net. Fishing from the shoreline requires a license and is limited to one pole only.
PLEASE NEVER LEAVE POLES UNATTENDED, ALL FISH AND WILDLIFE LAWS APPLY.
Bird watching is best in the winter when migrant waterfowl and shorebirds are numerous in the bay, but pelicans, egrets and hawks can also be seen throughout the year. Please remember all wildlife and plantlife is protected within the park.
A fitness course along Candlestick’s popular shoreline walking trails is an asset to those who wish to stay in shape.
Please note that there are no LifeGuards on duty at any time.
More about the park
It was first born during World War II as 170 acres of landfill that was going to be used as a U.S. Navy shipyard. After the war, the landfill remained, but without a purpose. Some of its neighbors found a purpose for it--an easy place to dump their garbage.
Other neighbors sought a different purpose; they wanted to turn it into a park, with grass, trees, shrubs, and flowers. In 1973, the state legislature set aside $10 million to purchase the land. In 1977, the California Legislature voted to develop the land as a state recreation area--the first urban state recreation area.
The park offers hiking, jogging, bicycling, bird watching, informal games, and picnicking. There is a bike path and a fitness course. Candlestick Point is also a popular entry point for windsurfing on the bay.
On any given day, people come to exercise, fish, and just enjoy the experience of "getting away from it all" - a treasured respite from city life. It is also valued as a community park with many frequent visitors from the nearby Bayview/Hunters Point neighorhoods.
Firearms, weapons or hunting is not allowed. Possession of loaded firearms and air rifles is prohibited. This includes anything that shoots a projectile, including, but not limited to, arrows, pellets, BB's, paint balls and sling shots.
Park plants, artifacts and animals are protected and should not be touched or harassed. It is important that you use the provided metal storage bins for all food and scented items to avoid accidentally feeding or having any negative interactions with native park wildlife.