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From Candlestick Point State Recreation, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, the East Bay Hills and 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. On any given day, people come to Candlestick Point for 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 neighborhoods.
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.
Getting There
Take the Candlestick Park exit off U.S. 101 in San Francisco.
Note: The main day-use parking lot and Last Port parking area are closed on Thursdays and Fridays. Event parking fees are charged on San Francisco 49'ers home game days.
(Updated December 2009)
Take the Candlestick Park exit off U.S. 101 in San Francisco.
Note: The main day-use parking lot and Last Port parking area are closed on Thursdays and Fridays. Event parking fees are charged on San Francisco 49'ers home game days.
(Updated December 2009)
Climate/Recommended Clothing
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
Operating Hours & Contact
8am to 5pm daily, closing later in summer months.
Telephone: (415) 671-0145
8am to 5pm daily, closing later in summer months.
Telephone: (415) 671-0145
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. Call ahead to the park to reserve one of the four group picnic sites. There is a 50 person limit per group site; all groups sites are walk-in only.
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 on two public piers. The "Old Pier" on Jamestown Avenue is temporarily closed for rehabilitation. The "Fishing Pier" at Sunrise Point remains open for use. Depending on the season, catches might include halibut, striped bass, perch or sturgeon.
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 (see “Wildlife” section below).
A fitness course along Candlestick's popular shoreline walking trails is an asset to those who wish to stay in shape.
The park's Community Garden offers city folk individual garden plots to grow their own vegetables.
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. Call ahead to the park to reserve one of the four group picnic sites. There is a 50 person limit per group site; all groups sites are walk-in only.
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 on two public piers. The "Old Pier" on Jamestown Avenue is temporarily closed for rehabilitation. The "Fishing Pier" at Sunrise Point remains open for use. Depending on the season, catches might include halibut, striped bass, perch or sturgeon.
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 (see “Wildlife” section below).
A fitness course along Candlestick's popular shoreline walking trails is an asset to those who wish to stay in shape.
The park's Community Garden offers city folk individual garden plots to grow their own vegetables.
Wildlife
The mud and sand beds of the wetland habitat are home to clams, ghost shrimp, marine worms and other small animals. The bay waters support a great variety of sea life, as well as resident and migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Squirrels and rabbits make the park their home, and birdwatchers can enjoy the sight of hawks, brown pelicans, cormorants, surf scoters, western grebes, terns, and snowy and common egrets, among many other species.
The mud and sand beds of the wetland habitat are home to clams, ghost shrimp, marine worms and other small animals. The bay waters support a great variety of sea life, as well as resident and migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Squirrels and rabbits make the park their home, and birdwatchers can enjoy the sight of hawks, brown pelicans, cormorants, surf scoters, western grebes, terns, and snowy and common egrets, among many other species.
History
The name Candlestick Point dates back to the 1800s, when a U.S. Coast Guard survey gave the designation to a rock outcropping that resembled a candlestick. A somewhat more colorful local fable tells of the burning of abandoned sailing ships during the 19th century, and the flaming masts that resembled lighted candlesticks as they sank into the bay.
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 name Candlestick Point dates back to the 1800s, when a U.S. Coast Guard survey gave the designation to a rock outcropping that resembled a candlestick. A somewhat more colorful local fable tells of the burning of abandoned sailing ships during the 19th century, and the flaming masts that resembled lighted candlesticks as they sank into the bay.
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.
Accessible Features
Picnic Area
Lots of accessibly designed tables are in the park but firm pads on which tables sit are often too small to permit moving around table or getting to grills or water easily. The most usable sites are described below.
-Jackrabbit and Mudflat Picnic Areas. Accessible tables on small pads may be usable. Accessible restrooms are nearby. Routes of travel to tables may require crossing short stretches of lawn. Paths to restrooms and parking are generally accessible.
-Windharp Group Picnic Area. Accessible tables on small pads. Water spigots may require assistance. Restrooms. Accessible restrooms are in park but not nearby. Accessible parking is available. Routes of travel from parking to tables are generally accessible.
Trails
-The Bay Trail is a popular paved hike, bike and roller blade trail about one mile long that follows the shore. Trailheads, generally accessible restroom and parking are at Candlestick SRA main lot and at the Last Port parking lot.
-The Shoreline Trail, 0.75 mile, is a paved accessible hike, bike and skate trail that leads to a fishing site at the Point. Trailhead, accessible parking, and restroom are located at the main parking lot.
Picnic Area
Lots of accessibly designed tables are in the park but firm pads on which tables sit are often too small to permit moving around table or getting to grills or water easily. The most usable sites are described below.
-Jackrabbit and Mudflat Picnic Areas. Accessible tables on small pads may be usable. Accessible restrooms are nearby. Routes of travel to tables may require crossing short stretches of lawn. Paths to restrooms and parking are generally accessible.
-Windharp Group Picnic Area. Accessible tables on small pads. Water spigots may require assistance. Restrooms. Accessible restrooms are in park but not nearby. Accessible parking is available. Routes of travel from parking to tables are generally accessible.
Trails
-The Bay Trail is a popular paved hike, bike and roller blade trail about one mile long that follows the shore. Trailheads, generally accessible restroom and parking are at Candlestick SRA main lot and at the Last Port parking lot.
-The Shoreline Trail, 0.75 mile, is a paved accessible hike, bike and skate trail that leads to a fishing site at the Point. Trailhead, accessible parking, and restroom are located at the main parking lot.
Community Trips
Another windy day. What so significant is this is the first time my recorded speed exceeded 40mph. So I was stoked to say the least.
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