Tank Hill – A Secret Hill with Amazing City Views

San Francisco is known for it’s many hills which are scattered throughout the city. Tank Hill has to be the most discreet one and is a secret amongst locals. At Tank Hill you can catch views of downtown San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.

It’s so hidden that, driving by you will most likely miss it if it were not for the nondescript staircase. Tank Hill is the perfect alternative to Twin Peaks. It has the same breathtaking views without the crowds of tourists and parking headaches. Even amongst locals, Tank Hill is not often frequented. Furthermore, it’s literally right down the street near the base of Twin Peaks.

Tank Hill – What To Expect

• Open until 12 AM with free residential parking
• Two entrances to the top, one on Twin Peaks Blvd and one entrance on Belgrave Ave. Each will involve climbing a set of stairs to to the top
• Open spaces with a bench and grass meadows

History of Tank Hill

If you’re wondering about the name, Tank Hill was the location of a water tank that served the surrounding neighborhood. The tank was removed in 1957 but the name remained and has now become a part of San Francisco’s Open Space Program.

Getting to Tank Hill and Parking

There are 2 entrances, the easiest to get to is the one on Clarendon Ave. Driving by, it’s easy to miss the entrance which is nestled in a residential area. Look for a wooden staircase to the right of a brown house.

There is also a small sign at the base of the stairs you can use to help identify the entrance. If you plan on driving, there is often plenty of street parking available.

Taking an Uber and Lyft is often the preferred method and there is plentiful space for curbside pickup and dropoff. Requesting an Uber or Lyft is often quick since it’s in the heart of the city.

Local Tips

Weather

As with all San Francisco Peaks, it gets quite windy near the top so pack a jacket even on a warm day. Fog is also prevalent during the summer months which may obscure the view.

Activities

The park is quite small, with only a bench and at times a swing, so don’t anticipate spending too much time here. Unfortunately, swings in San Francisco appear and disappear just as quickly. When the weather is right, picnicking on the hillside is a treat.

Nearby Attractions

Grand View Park – For a similar experience, Grand View Park is five minutes away. It’s a bit more populated there since it’s right next to the 16th ave. tiled steps.

Twin Peaks – If you want to check out one of San Francisco’s main attractions, Twin Peaks is right down the street. The road up to the top is 300 ft from the base of the Tank Hill entrance to show how close it is.

Castro – The Castro district is down the hill on 17th street and home to many well known shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Check out our other article for other amazing views in San Francisco.