Sunset Dunes doesn’t officially open until Saturday, but that hasn’t stopped thousands of San Franciscans from flocking to it. Since March 24, the oceanside park has drawn an average of 3,400 visits per day, despite being under construction. On weekend days, that number jumps to over 4,900, a 25 percent increase over typical weekend visitation during the park’s two-year pilot program.
Visitors have been showing up in droves, especially during March’s stretch of warm weather. The park recorded 4,700 and 4,200 visits on March 23 and 24, respectively. On March 29, visits surged to 5,700, and on April 5 and 6, they reached approximately 5,800 and 6,100—far surpassing historical weekend traffic.
For comparison, the first two weekends of February (Feb. 1–2 and Feb. 8–9) each saw a combined average of about 8,000 visits, or 4,000 per day, consistent with long-standing weekend patterns during the park pilot.
The boom in visits highlights Sunset Dunes’ growing role as a must-visit coastal destination. With new play spaces, seating, and public art, more visitors are finding their way to the park for morning runs, afternoon bike rides, and evening walks with friends and family. It is the third most visited park in San Francisco after Golden Gate Park and the Marina Green.
“We’re thrilled but not surprised to see San Franciscans embracing Sunset Dunes,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “This space represents the future of our oceanfront: welcoming, sustainable, and accessible. And we’re just getting started.”
The park’s grand opening is scheduled for this Saturday, April 12. A community celebration will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Noriega Street.
“Our new oceanfront park is quickly becoming a staple for Westsiders,” said Heidi Moseson, a volunteer with Friends of Ocean Beach Park. “Even while it’s under construction, it's a vital space for health, connection, and community. These numbers show just how essential this place is. It’s already becoming one of San Francisco’s most used and loved parks.”
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