Pick-Up Volleyball

Volleyball in Golden Gate Park is a great way to have fun and enjoy the park. In order for our grounds maintenance team to keep the grass playable and safe, non-permitted play areas will be rotated bimonthly to give the turf time to recover. When an area is closed, another nearby area will be open. Fields may be closed at any time due to inclement weather or for permitted events. 

There are four designated areas to play volleyball without needing a permit.

Volleyball Play Areas (no permit necessary): 

Open January, March, May, July, September, November: 

  • Peacock Meadow - Please stay off bare patches and any cordoned areas.
  • Bunny Meadow 
  • Sunbathers' Meadow

 Open February, April, June, August, October, December: 

  • Robin Williams Meadow (east end only) 
  • Upper Big Rec Fields- North and Northwest of the Bleachers. - CLOSED AS OF JANUARY 5, 2026 DUE TO OVERUSE/TURF DAMAGE. PLEASE KEEP OFF WHILE TURF RECOVERS. 


Additional information: 

  • Areas not listed above within Golden Gate Park require a permit.
     
    • For a permit to play volleyball as part of a social gathering please obtain a picnic permit.
    • For a permit to play volleyball as part of an athletic event, to provide lessons, or to host a clinic, please obtain an athletic program permit for the appropriate season.
  • No league play, fee-based play, or lessons without an athletic permit. 
  • Pick-up volleyball cannot interfere with other permitted events. 
  • No more than 4 nets allowed at any location at one time.
  • If 4 nets are already set up – join in the play that is there.
  • Standard Net Length/Size Only (32’ x 3’). Nets larger than the standard size will need an athletic permit. 
  • Net stakes can be no longer than 10 inches and may not be within 12 inches of any irrigation head or valve. 
  • Net stakes must be plastic. 


The Department will be reviewing the following items after feedback from the community:

  • Exploring expanded locations for volleyball play citywide (e.g., Mission Bay, Mariposa Park, other areas of Golden Gate Park, etc.)
  • Developing a more defined framework—whether through structured permitting or alternative approaches—for accommodating larger volleyball gatherings at single sites

We also heard feedback on increasing the net capacity at designated areas and are open to making adjustments. We are considering allowing up to eight nets at certain locations to support community needs better, we are currently evaluating each site.