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If you’ve never visited tiny Ina Coolbrith Park, it’s time to put it on your radar. Located in Russian Hill at the intersection of Vallejo and Taylor streets, this tranquil oasis is the perfect spot to get a nature fix and take a break from the bustle of urban life. Along with botanical beauty, it also serves epic views of the city.
Created in 1936 as a Works Progressive Administration project, the park honors Coolbrith’s contributions to California’s literary scene. Named the state’s first poet laureate in 1915, she worked as a librarian in both Oakland and San Francisco. Coolbrith lived near the park site and hosted literary gatherings in her home. (Mark Twain was a guest.) She was known for mentoring young writers—Jack London and Isadora Duncan were among her protegés. Today, the Ina Coolbrith Circle, a nonprofit literary group, keeps her legacy alive.
Like composing a good poem, exploring the hillside park takes some effort. Be prepared to navigate several flights of stairs that cut through the grounds and veer off into three levels of terraced gardens. At the top of the stairs, look for the plaque dedicated to Coolbrith.
Then stroll the paths that wind through oak trees, lavender, sage, lion’s tail, red elderberry and other plants. Settle on a bench to watch the hummingbirds, scrub jays, bees, butterflies, and squirrels that frequent the park. And admire downtown’s high rises, the Bay Bridge, and North Beach laid out like a gift below you. From a secluded nook known as the Poet’s Corner at the top of the park, you can even see Alcatraz.
If you’re lucky, you might also encounter San Francisco’s famous wild parrots, especially if you visit in the late afternoon. That’s when the noisy birds often swoop between the park and trees that grow along the Vallejo Steps just across Taylor Street. Outfitted with hanging feeders, the trees sit next to a green mansion featured in the spooky 2016 Netflix sci-fi series The OA.
Yes, you’ll have to climb more steps to crash the parrot party. But it’s worth it for the rare chance to snap close-ups of the colorful squawkers. After, if you’ve got the energy, continue up the steps to the top of Russian Hill where more views await.
