Howes Play Lot

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Parks

California

Nearby: Carolyn Norris Park Heintz Open Space

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Howes Play Lot is a public playground located in the city of San Francisco, California.

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Summary

The playground is a popular destination for families with young children and offers a range of play equipment and activities suitable for children of all ages.

The playground is named after William Howes, a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors who helped to establish the park in the 1970s.

Some of the main points of interest at Howes Play Lot include a large play structure with slides, swings, and climbing equipment, as well as a sandbox and open grassy areas for running and playing.

In addition to the playground equipment, visitors to Howes Play Lot can also enjoy scenic views of the surrounding city and the nearby San Francisco Bay.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the playground is located on a hillside and offers visitors a unique vantage point from which to view the city. The park is also well-known for its colorful and whimsical murals, which were created by local artists.

The best time of year to visit Howes Play Lot is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and outdoor activities are most enjoyable. However, the park is open year-round and can be enjoyed in any season.

Overall, Howes Play Lot is a fun and family-friendly destination that offers something for visitors of all ages. Whether you're looking for a relaxing day outdoors or an energetic play experience for your children, this San Francisco park is a great choice.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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