Slow down with a visit to our San Francisco parks! January 30, 2026

Mentioned in this episode:

• Mission Dolores Park
• Washington Square Park
  • Victoria Pastry Co. - at Filbert (not Funston) and Powell Streets - try the Saint Honore Cake!
• Duboce Park

Check out past episodes of this podcast at the To Do San Francisco podcast archive.

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Transcript

Jamie Whitaker: 0:17

Hello and welcome. This is Jamie. You're listening to the To Do San Francisco podcast for Friday, January 30th, 2026. Thanks for wrapping up your week with me. As we head into the weekend, I want to offer a gentle nudge. If your week's been busy or noisy, let yourself slow down just a little. One of the best ways to do that in San Francisco is by spending time in our parks. Not rushing through them, but letting them be part of your day. Today's episode offers three San Francisco parks everyone should visit at least once, each with a totally different personality. First up, Mission Dolores Park. Now Dolores Park is where San Francisco goes to be seen. On sunny days, especially Saturdays and Sundays, the park fills with people picnicking, playing music, tossing frisbees, walking dogs, and stretching out on the grass with unbeatable skyline views. It's social, it's lively, and it's unapologetically joyful. Historically, it sits next to Mission San Francisco de Assis, one of the city's oldest buildings, which adds a quiet sense of history to all that modern energy. Come here when you want to feel the pulse of the city. Next up we go to North Beach for Washington Square Park. Washington Square Park is more relaxed and conversational, plenty of benches to take the load off and sit for a bit. You'll find people reading, meditating and doing Tai Chi, playing chess, walking dogs, and watching kids run around under the trees. Weekday afternoons are calm and lovely, while weekend mornings and early afternoons bring families, locals, and cafe goers drifting in from the Italian cookie shops n on Columbus Avenue. The park dates back to the Gold Rush era and sits in the heart of San Francisco's Italian heritage. It's less about spectacle and more about community, perfect for lingering. By the way, you should totally visit Victoria Pastry nearby at Filbert and Powell Streets and try out a slice of their Saint Honore cake. You won't regret it. Finally, Duboce Park. Duboce Park is a neighborhood favorite and a bit of a hidden gem. It's especially popular with dog owners, casual walkers, and people looking for a quieter place to unwind. You'll see a steady flow throughout the day with late afternoons and early evenings being particularly pleasant. Historically, the park sits near the old Duboce Street cable car line, and today it still feels like a pause button between busy parts of the city. This is where you go when you want calm without isolation. Each of these parks offers something different, Dolores for Energy, Washington Square for Connection, and Duboce for Balance. As you head into the weekend, maybe pick one of those parks and give yourself permission to simply be there. No agenda required. Try making casual conversation, and maybe a new friend while visiting. Please remember to subscribe and share the link to all of my podcasts on your socials, to do sf period buzzsprout com. Thanks for listening today. Enjoy your Friday, enjoy your weekend, and I'll talk to you again soon. Goodbye for now.