Fay Park

Serene Area in Russian Hill

At the corner of Leavenworth and Chestnut Streets in San Francisco's Russian Hill neighborhood, Fay Park is a quarter-acre sanctuary that feels worlds away from the city's hustle and bustle. If you're tired of battling the crowds at Lombard Street just a short walk away, this peaceful pocket park offers an excellent respite.

Rich History

Before opening to the public, Fay Park was actually someone's backyard. The property surrounds a 1912 home built by brothers Luke and John Fay, Jr., on land their family had owned since 1869.

Mary Fay Berrigan, Luke's daughter, lived in the house with her husband Paul from 1953 until she passed away in 1988. It was Mary's wish that the property be given to San Francisco for public enjoyment - a wish fulfilled when Paul died in 1998 and the garden officially became Fay Park.

Thomas Church's Design

In 1957, Mary and Paul commissioned renowned landscape architect Thomas Church to transform their garden. Church was so proud of his creation that he featured it in his 1969 book "Your Private World: A Study of Intimate Gardens." His formal design, complete with twin gazebos, remains the heart of the park today.

Park Features

The park climbs up the hillside in three distinct terraces connected by stairs and ramps. As you wander through, you'll notice the elegant stone balustrades and retaining walls that frame the ornamental planting beds and precisely trimmed boxwood hedges. Throughout the garden, roses mingle with other ornamental shrubs, seasonal flowers, and fruit trees.

Scenic Spots

Make your way to the top of the park and you'll discover two latticed wooden gazebos and a lookout point with views of San Francisco Bay. The central lawn area with its white balustrades and benches provides a fantastic spot to sit and soak in the beauty around you.

Keep an eye out for an unusual garden light - it was once a street lamp in Copenhagen before finding its way to this San Francisco hillside.

Floral Displays

The fragrant roses are undoubtedly the stars of the show here, blooming generously throughout most of the year. Take a moment to literally stop and smell them - their scents range from candy-sweet to richly perfumed, with each variety offering something unique.

The well-maintained flower beds shift with the seasons, creating an ever-changing palette of colors that many photographers and nature lovers appreciate.

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Visitor Experience

Fay Park's intimate scale gives it a secluded feeling - like a hidden garden from another era. It's an excellent place to catch your breath after tackling San Francisco's notoriously steep hills.

You won't find restrooms, picnic tables, or playgrounds here, and dogs aren't allowed (which helps maintain that pristine garden feel). But what you will find is a moment of unexpected tranquility in the middle of the city.

Special Uses

With its romantic setting and beautiful landscaping, it's no wonder Fay Park has become a favorite spot for small gatherings and wedding ceremonies. Those twin gazebos framed by flowers make for stunning photos, but you'll need to reserve the space in advance for special events.

Recent Renovations

In 2005, the park underwent renovations to improve accessibility and restore elements of Church's original design vision. Today, this little garden represents a piece of San Francisco's horticultural history that you might enjoy discovering during a walk through Russian Hill.