Picnic areas are available in Golden Gate Park, John McLaren Park as well as numerous neighborhood parks. Our sites offer a variety of amenities, including barbecue grills and tables, making them ideal for birthday parties and social gatherings. Larger open-spaced sites are available for larger groups, and activities such as kickball or jump houses.

Booking and Contact Information

Book your reservation online using our PICNIC AREA DIRECTORY, or call us at 415-831-5500, Monday-Friday from 10am-2pm (closed holidays). Email questions to RPDReservations@sfgov.org. 

Site availability varies, and we do recommend booking early. Picnic sites are reservable up to 60 days in advance of your desired date. If your desired date is more than 60 days in advance please contact us for available options.  

Dolores Park

Requests for a Dolores Park picnic area must complete an online application or call 415-831-5500.

Fees

Reservation and park impact fees can be found here: Picnic Impact Fees (PDF). 

Barbecue Grills

Charcoal grilling is only allowed at sites that have built-in grills. Single propane grills with no more than a one-quart tank may be brought into the following picnic areas in Golden Gate Park:  14th Avenue East Meadow, Bunny Meadow, Dahlia Dell, Doughboy Meadow, Elk Glen, George Washington Grove, Hellman Hollow, Hoover Redwood Grove, Lindley Meadow, Marx Meadow, Old Speedway Meadow, Peacock Meadow, Pioneer East Meadow, Pioneer Log Cabin, Robin Williams Meadow, Stow Lake Boathouse, and Strawberry Hill. For a comprehensive list of sites that have built-in grill please see our PICNIC SITE DIRECTORY. 

Large Picnics (over 100 people)

Gatherings with more than 100 attendees must complete a LARGE PICNIC APPLICATION. We recommend contacting us first to confirm site availability. 

Cancellations & Changes

Any changes or cancellations must be made at least 10 business days prior to your event date and will be subject to a fee of the higher of $30 or 20% of the reservation fee. In addition, if you would like a refund (as opposed to a credit to your account), there will be an additional refund fee of the higher of $15 or 20% of the refund amount. Changes or cancellations within 10 business days of your event date are not accepted.   

Activities That Require Additional Permitting

An event involving any of the following is considered a special event, and requires the submission of a SPECIAL EVENT APPLICATION.

• Advertising that the event is open to the public
• Amplified sound (more than a battery-operated low wattage speaker)
  
• Needing to confirm date/time/location more than 6 months in advance
• Selling of food, alcohol or merchandise
• Selling of tickets to the event
  
• Special set ups of stages, tents, barricades fences or other items