Panorama Park located on Yerba Buena Island was officially opened to the public in March 2024 , with a grand opening ceremony held by Mayor London Breed and other city officials on May 11, 2024 .
Here is the map of Yerba Buena Island, which is a natural Island, which is connected to Treasure Island which is a man made island constructed in 1930s.
The island remained under military control until the Department of Defense closed the station in 1993. The island is now in the process of being redeveloped as a residential and commercial neighborhood, with a focus on creating new parks and open spaces, of which Panorama Park is a key part
As the name indicates park has 360 degree view of SF Bay area. Visitors can view gorgeous San Francisco Skyline, Golden Gate bridge on a clear day, Alcatraz, Oakland and San Francisco Bay!
From Water Tank to Park
Prior to its recent development, the site of Panorama Park was home to a historic two-million-gallon water tank built in 1918. This water tank was part of the naval infrastructure on the island during a period when the U.S. Navy had a strong presence there.
The new park, designed by Hood Design Studio, was built directly on the footprint of this historic water tank, transforming a utilitarian structure into a public space. The design uses a winding elevated walkway to lead visitors through grassy areas and wildflower meadows to the main overlook at the peak.
Treasure Island: This island was created by dredging and landfill in the 1930s, specifically to host the Golden Gate International Exposition. It is connected to Yerba Buena Island by a narrow strip of land
The centerpiece of the park is a 69-foot-tall steel sculpture called “Point of Infinity” by renowned artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. The sculpture, which also functions as a sundial, was inspired by the Tower of the Sun from the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition on nearby Treasure Island.
This place is a great place to enjoy the view of famous bridges in the SF Bay area and also San Francisco Skyline!
The redevelopment of Yerba Buena and Treasure Islands is part of a plan to turn the former naval base into a new neighborhood with thousands of homes, commercial space, and 300 acres of new parks and open space. Panorama Park is a key part of this vision, repurposing a historic military location into an amenity for the public.
I have to revisit the park during sunset to enjoy the sunset view of the skyline and bridges!
Accessibility
Accessibility to Panorama Park and Yerba Buena Island as a whole is a developing feature of the area’s revitalization.
- Pathways: Visitors can reach the park’s summit via a paved path, although it involves a 338-foot climb, which may be challenging for some.
- Parking: There is a parking lot adjacent to the park. However number of available parking spaces to be limited. I did not notice an accessible parking spot as yet.
- Public Transit: The park is accessible via the 25 Muni bus. However, getting to the park from the bus stop requires a steep climb.
- Restrooms: The park itself does not have restrooms.
- Bay Bridge Path: For cyclists and pedestrians, the Bay Bridge East Span Path ends at Yerba Buena Island’s Vista Point, which has amenities like restrooms and benches. A multi-use pathway project is planned to connect the existing path to Treasure Island and provide a safer, ADA-compliant route.
Overall, while the park is designed with accessible pathways and is part of a larger effort to make the island more accessible, the steep terrain and the distance from public transit stops may pose challenges for some visitors with mobility issues. So Accessibility seems to be still a work in progress!