Lake Merced Park

Skyline Blvd & Harding Rd, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA

Address:	Skyline Blvd & Harding Rd, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
Phone:	+1 415-831-2700
Site:	sfrecpark.org
Rating:	4.3
Working:	Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 24

Sandy Tang

Love coming to Lake Merced to run! Its such a nice accomplishment to be able to conquer its 4.5 miles. Its not a super easy route with its slight inclines but its a step towards a good challenge. (If you tackle OShaugnessey, Lake Merced will feel like a breeeeeze!) If 4.5 miles seems a bit too much for now, there are two places to cut through to make the trip shorter: - Bridge across the lake on the southern end - Golf course in the middle (sometimes blocked for events, such as a golf tournament so be aware). There are three lots and street parking available: - Largest lot is where Lake Merced Blvd meets Sunset Blvd - Smaller, half dirt half concrete lot is along Lake Merced Blvd and south of Brotherhood Way - Smallest lot near the eastern end of the southern bridge - Street parking along the southeast end of the lake Morning runs here are the best. Less people and awesome air. I like running in a cooler environment and morning is the best time for it. I advise against night running along here since theres very few street lamps. Never, ever run around the lake around sunset. I did it once and got 12 insanely itchy bites all over my calves! I rarely get bites (bugs dont like me much) so I can only imagine the horror for those who do. The bites were inflamed for a month and I had to get the strong itch relief cream to help me get through the day.

david hill

in 1999, i made a rabbit trail to a bluff above lake merced and made a stealth camp under a large conifer not far from the golf course. i camped there for 6 weeks, while doing an internship at the EPA. altho camping was not allowed, i left no trace and my camp was unseen by anyone im quite sure. i left a guitar and other belongings there every day in a tent concealed with brush and leaves. you couldnt see my tent until you were almost close enough to touch it, and well off any road or trail. i came and went pretending to be photographing the wonderful wildflowers. it was a great experience ill always treasure. i highly recommend stealth camping... and leaving no trace.

Lea Ahlbeck

Pretty awesome place to run, for anything from easy runs to tempos or interval workouts. Good mix of hills, nice paved road with a dirt path alongside it. I always feel safe, even when Im running in the dark early in the AM. There are also awesome bars and circuit training areas spread out along the path so you can stop and stretch, do some pull-ups, sit-ups, or whatever else you want to do.

Ben St. Bongwa

Great place to get away...for a few hours at least..even if your not a runner or speedwalker or a Tai Chi follower...you can do as I do and bring a foldable lounger or blanket ...put a worm or some power bait on a hook ...throw the line out ..put a bell on it...and stare at the inside of your eyelids ...fresh air..great scenery...nice folks all around...works for me any day of the week!

Stephen Schur

Should be in the plural but what is the plural, Lakes Merced (like Brothers Karamazov) or Lake Merceds (like Merceds Benz)? Anyhow, its really 4 lakes not 1 lake, but they are, well, interconnected. BTW, did you know Lake Merced used to be THE SF water supply, prior to the Hetch Hetchy system? Its now the emergency back-up water supply, so please dont let your kid pee in the lake.

Vincent Jung

So can you believe all-you-can-eat prime rib better than the house of prime rib better than broadway Prime and better than San Mateo Prime one day a month on the last Tuesday of every month they offer all-you-can-eat prime rib at Harding Park Cypress Grill 5 to 7 p.m. only the last Tuesday of every month enjoy I suggest you make a reservation

Mariluz Panaszewicz

Lovely quiet park with picnic tables & bbqs. Very clean and well-kept. Have a picnic by the lake or enjoy breakfast or lunch at the Harding Park Golf Clubs Cypress Grill. Love the view of the lush green Cypress Trees and grasd. They serve food indoors & out. They also have a full bar.

J. Ruben Ortiz

Great and safe place to go around. Theres a smaller divided lake on the south part that has a bridge to cross and that loop is a mile. Otherwise running around the entire lake is about a 5 mile run all the way around. A bit of uphill and downhill to keep it interesting as well.

Tongyao Pu

There has nice lake, bunch of seagulls, and nice grass. would be a great place for picnic or BBQ, but for me its vegetation is not enough. Besides that, there are a huge amount of golf grassland at the east, which makes it not so accessible if you do not play golf.

CHing Po

Nice place to walk and bike. For cyclists, its traffic-friendly because runners often run on the dirt to make space for cyclists. There is also a decent amount of elevation change. However, there are a few nasty bumps in the road caused by cracks.

Ashleigh Nelson

This is a gorgeous park! I love strolling around the lake and soaking up the sun (whenever it makes an appearance) in the soft green grass. Even though many people run, walk, and ride around, the interior is generally pretty peaceful.

Siraj Jordan

Golf course is beautiful good for kids great Pro Shop in restaurant close to the ocean off the Great Highway beautiful San Francisco location cant beat it on a beautiful day near the Golden Gate Bridge leads to Sausalito touche

Wes Jackson

I got chased by a family of raccoons here once but you can take a boat out and find family among ducks. But watch out theres some weirdos out here sometimes so bring a friend.

Kevin Lee

A nice park with 2 pretty fishing lakes. Lake Merced would be ideal for the City fisherman if only there was more fish planted in both lakes. A great place for joggers.

Yizu Lulu Yeh

Its a pity that theres no obvious trail to run along the lake and the runners have to endure the noises from the cars. The view at some stop points were beautiful.

Stinky Bot

Good way for people take a stroll around the bays dirtiest looking Lake. Good and convenient for locals. Nothing to see of you are a visitor from another area.

Georgiy Ivankin

Not that much space to walk there. Will take you 40 minutes, and then you have to take another circle. Still makes for a nice walk, and is stroller-friendly.

Lilian Tellez

Perfect as a part of a Sunday bike ride. Is not as crowded as any other parks in San Francisco, its very clean and you can walk on the path around the lake.

william fok

Restaurant service is great. Great views of Harding Park golf course. Nice place to come for a walk, a meal and a workout alongside the paved trails.

Dan Janes

A nice big lake to have events at or just hang out. Lots of parking. The water is DIRTY and you do NOT want to swim in it. Its quite gross TBH

Isaiah Garcia

It has a pretty nice view of the lake and is filled with people exercising or lounging around, so you can get fit or fat, whatever you want.

Mindy C.

A perfect place to get some exercising done. Dog friendly! They also have different pathways down to the lake, so its always an adventure!

Jim Ray

Good place to go to get away and enjoy the views. Food is average and service can be spotty. Interesting selection of bar type food.

Ren Velasquez

Beautiful place to run! This is the first place where I truly enjoyed running! Great view to see while running and nice people!