Yerba Buena Gardens: Tranquility in the Heart of the City Article

With the largest fountain/waterfall on the West Coast, impressive public art installations, and an abundance of refreshingly green, cool, and quiet spaces, the Yerba Buena Gardens is a city dweller's paradise. Encompassing two full blocks of public parks, it’s located between Third and Fourth Streets and Mission and Folsom Streets in downtown San Francisco.

A beau ideal of mixed-use development, the park is home to a Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and was a recipient of the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence in 1999. Flora representing our sister cities make up the Sister Cities Garden, a perfect place for exploring or lounging. A ride on the Yerba Buena Carousel provides a partial view of San Francisco’s downtown skyline, while the Children’s Creativity Museum and a myriad of other museums lie within easy walking distance. Also nearby are a bowling alley, an ice-skating rink, and other attractions. Music, dance, and theater are included in the free events that take place during the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival every May through October, along with other events throughout the year.

Address: 750 Howard Street, San Francisco, California