View from Corona Heights

Corona Heights Park sits on a hill above the Castro, and it’s a short, steep climb to a payoff view. We walked up from the Castro on a cold September afternoon, and the trail took maybe fifteen minutes even at a casual pace.

The fog was rolling in from the west by the time we reached the top, regardless of what the forecast said that morning.

The park itself has exposed red rock outcroppings that make it look more like a dry hillside than a typical city park, and it’s dog-friendly with plenty of open space to let one run. It’s also noticeably less crowded than Dolores Park or Bernal Heights, which cover similar panoramic ground but pull bigger weekend crowds.

Right below the summit, the free Randall Museum is an easy add-on with a kid: basement model railroad, live turtles, and the same hillside walk.