Park Map

Getting to the Park

FAQ

Help Support Dune Habitat Restoration

Please follow designated paths and avoid crossing dune fencing or other marked areas.

In the winter of 2024-25, more than 1,500 native beach wildrye dune grasses were planted at Sunset Dunes (read more). This Dune Restoration and Revitalization Project was made possible by more than 100 volunteers, led by San Francisco Parks and Recreation, and with support from the California Academy of Sciences, the San Francisco Estuary Institute, Surfrider Foundation, Reimagine San Francisco, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and Friends of Sunset Dunes. Another phase of planting is ongoing.

Follow our calendar to stay up to date on upcoming volunteer events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amenities, Dogs and Leave No Trace

Trash and recycle bins can be found at major intersections along Sunset Dunes. We encourage visitors to bring reusable beverage and foodware with them whenever possible.
Yes, there are public restrooms at Judah and Taraval Streets, as well as at Sloat Boulevard, which are open during the day. They include sinks, trash, and recycling stations. There is also a portable toilet at Noriega Street.
Yes, in addition to restrooms at Judah and Taraval Streets, there are also water fountains by the side path next to those facilities.
Per Rec & Park rules, dogs must be leashed in Sunset Dunes and the dunes on the west side of the park at all times.
Please do not allow them to walk on the dunes. The City of San Francisco has 36 designated dog play areas where dogs can be off leash. The closest city locations to Sunset Dunes are the four play and training areas in Golden Gate Park and Stern Grove.
Additionally, along Ocean Beach, which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, off-leash activities are permitted year round north of Stairwell 21, by the Beach Chalet soccer fields.
“Leave No Trace” applies to pet waste as well as human activities. Trash bins can be found at the intersection of every avenue along Sunset Dunes. Pick up and dispose of all dog waste in these bins or pack it out with you.
Learn about, adopt, and share the Bark Ranger Code:
- Bag your pet’s waste
- Always leash your pet
- Respect wildlife
- Know where you can go
Additional information about San Francisco’s BARK Ranger Program, a joint effort between San Francisco Parks and Recreation, The Presidio Trust, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area can be found here.

Birds

Sunset Dunes is considered a mix of coastal scrub and dune habitat. Birds that frequent the Sunset Dunes area include White-crowned sparrows, Western bluebirds, Western meadowlarks, Red-tailed hawks, Black phoebes, Say's phoebes, Yellow-rumped warblers, and many more. White-crowned sparrows and Western bluebirds nest in the area.

Occasionally, Barn owls can be spotted at night. We encourage people who are interested in birds to get involved with the Golden Gate Bird Alliance.
No, Western snowy plovers live on Ocean Beach and are not known to venture into dunes or onto paved areas. Western snowy plovers reside at Ocean Beach most of the year. They are absent from mid-May to mid-July when they go elsewhere to nest. Plovers blend in with their surroundings, making them difficult to spot without binoculars. They roost in depressions in the dry flat sandy areas above the high tide line.
Here’s more information about them.
Western snowy plover predators such as ravens and crows are attracted by trash left by humans. Follow “Leave No Trace” principles any time you are at the park or on the beach. Pack all trash and recyclables, including food scraps out and use designated bins.
Visitors can help protect snowy plover resting areas by entering and exiting the beach via marked paths (look for signs). While on beach, walk and remain in the damp sand, closer to the water.

Plants and Wildlife

There are dozens of native plant species in the and along the park area. Examples include Yarrow, Coastal sand verbena, Coyote brush, and California golden weed. The Yerba Buena chapter of the California Native Plant Society is an excellent resource for local plants.
No. Ice plant is an introduced, invasive plant that tends to crowd out native plants. Native plants better support pollinators and native birds.
Mammals include the valley (or Botta’s) pocket gopher, Coyotes, Long-tailed weasels and others. With the creation of Sunset Dunes and the removal of motorized vehicle traffic, conditions to support wildlife movement between the natural areas at Lake Merced, Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach have been strengthened. As native plants take root and more habitat is restored, we anticipate the diversity of fauna will grow.

Getting to Sunset Dunes

By Public Transit

Sunset Dunes is one of San Francisco’s most transit-accessible parks. The N Judah, L Taraval, 7-Haight/Noriega, 23-Monterey, and 48-Quintara/24th St lines all stop directly adjacent to Sunset Dunes. The 18-46th Ave line has stops within three blocks of the park, and the 31 Balboa and 5 Fulton lines stop nearby in the Richmond District.

By Walking

From the Sunset District: Sunset Dunes entrances are at Lincoln, Judah, Lawton, Noriega, Pacheco, Rivera, Taraval, Vicente, and Sloat Boulevard. The ramps at Judah and Taraval are fully ADA accessible. From Golden Gate Park: Enter from the westernmost edge of Golden Gate Park via the crosswalks on Lincoln Way to access Sunset Dunes.

By Bike

From Golden Gate Park: We recommend taking the car-free route through the park to access Sunset Dunes. At Lincoln Way & La Playa, Sunset Dunes can be accessed via Lincoln Way, which includes a separated bike lane.

From the Sunset District: Kirkham, Ortega, Vicente, and Sloat are city-designated bike routes but do not have physical protection.