Buena Vista Park

Rising steeply above the Haight-Ashbury, Buena Vista Park is San Francisco's oldest official park and has been part of the city's gay cruising lore since the 1970s. Wooded trails, old-growth cypress and eucalyptus, and a maze of stone stairways create the kind of secluded corners that have drawn men here for generations, mostly after dusk and heaviest on warm weekends. By day it's simply one of the best viewpoints in the city, so come for the panorama and treat any cruising as an evening scene. A few sensible notes: the paths are unlit and uneven, so bring a phone light and decent shoes; keep valuables close; go with a friend or let someone know where you are; and be respectful of dog-walkers, neighbors, and families who use the park throughout the day. Cruising here is discreet by nature — read the room, take no for an answer, and keep things off the main paths.