One Of San Francisco's Best Viewpoints Is A Hidden Gem Without Tourist Crowds

San Francisco is a city of great views. Whether it's the glorious skyscraper-filled cityscape from Ina Coolbrith Park, fog-laden panoramas from Twin Peaks, the Golden Gate Bridge in all its glory from Battery Spencer, or scenic hiking trails with gorgeous Bay Area views in Tilden Regional Park, there are stunning vistas everywhere you turn. Unfortunately, another thing that San Francisco has in abundance is tourists.

If you want to enjoy the most famous views of San Francisco spread out in front of you, chances are you'll be sharing your viewpoint with a crowd of others. And if you want to snap the perfect photo, other tourists can get in the way and make catching the ideal moment a challenge. Luckily, one of the best spots for panoramic city views in San Francisco also happens to be one of its least well-known viewpoints. Tank Hill, tucked away between Twin Peaks and Mount Sutro, is a hidden gem that manages to avoid most of the tourist crowds.

Tank Hill isn't hard to find. Situated in Ashbury Heights, just west of the Castro, north of Twin Peaks, and southeast of the iconic Golden Gate Park, it is conveniently located for visitors exploring the rest of San Francisco. Parking is available on either Twin Peaks Boulevard or Belgrave Avenue, and it is served by the N-Judah muni streetcar from Market Street or the 37-Corbett bus from Market and Castro.

San Francisco isn't short of hills, but there aren't many quite as nice as Tank Hill. The view from the top is exceptional, a highlights reel of the best landmarks that San Francisco has to offer. You get the Golden Gate Bridge, the wonderful cityscape of Downtown, and the glittering waters of the Bay. It doesn't offer the same panoramic views as Twin Peaks or other, more favored spots, but it more than makes up for this with its peaceful, relaxed, and uncrowded ambiance. Cypress and eucalyptus trees add a delightful touch of natural beauty and make it a true oasis of calm, away from the hustle and bustle of the city below.

Tank Hill gets its name from its original function, as it was the location of a wooden water tank that was an important part of the water supply for the city in the nineteenth century. The tank was removed in 1957, and while the park was under threat from developers in the early 1970s, the city acquired the land in 1977 and turned it into a public space.

As well as being one of the nicest and least crowded places in the city to get a great view, Tank Hill is also a little haven of wildlife and natural beauty. The city works with local volunteers to protect and preserve the ecological importance of the area, which means that this pocket park is filled with California poppies, lupines, grasses, and wildflowers, and is home to seasonal songbirds, as well as red-tailed hawks.

Tank Hill isn't as high as Twin Peaks, coming in at around 650 feet rather than 922 feet, and the park at the top is small by comparison, so it is easier to explore than its more famous neighbor. (San Francisco locals do recommend Twin Peaks for truly panoramic city views.) How you get to the top depends on where you arrive. If you have parked on Twin Peaks Boulevard, there is a short wooden staircase that takes you right up to the top of the hill. If you arrive on Belgrave Avenue, then there is a slightly longer, more circuitous route via a series of narrow trails. These used to be a little perilous, particularly after rain, but they have been improved recently and now boast handrails and guard walls to protect the paths.

There's not much to explore at the top, which is part of Tank Hill's charm. There are no real distractions and nothing to get in the way of the view, and it is easy to feel connected to nature. For families, enterprising locals often install rope swings for kids to play on, which is a nice touch.