Polo Fields at Golden Gate Park

I don’t know what I think of polo. I love the polo fields, though. But I can’t give them more than three stars because they’re not cool enough that I visit more than once a year, if that.
Polo horses are quite impressive, I must admit.

This place is like a second home to me, as I live nearby.
There’s nothing particularly grand about the facility itself, except that its beautiful.
Its tucked away into the western half of the park, and gets to avoid most of the abuse that the eastern meadows endure.
It hosts soccer games mostly, but it is also a great place to jog, bike or just stroll through casually.
The stables on the north side help complete that time capsule, pastoral look that it has.

Great place to ride your bike or run. There is a lot of dog poop on the ground so watch where you run. There are benches on both sides but there is a lot of trash on them. Definitely going to run next time.

Hi,
My way to work leads me by the Polo field in GG Park, I love them. Sometimes track bikers in the morning, sometimes soccer in the evening, many runners and people just walking.. They recently fixed the lights in the tunnels, but they are broken again. Looked like a nice community area for everybody.
UNTIL THE INVASION OF THE SOCCER MOMS:
I recently noted two new barriers on the road around the Polo field. Coming back from work, I have found these gates locked a couple of times when a soccer game was in place. Very annoying when you are standing right in front of them and have no way around. I was advised to take the gravel path around the polo field– not a good suggestion when you have a roadbike. Or a wheelchair, a cane or a stroller. Pretty hard to get by the bottom row of the seating area, the pavement is bad and there are some tree stumps in the way.
Plus, the soccer players or their parents not infrequently forget to unlock the gates after training. Bad surprise for other people trying to do their thing for the 24 +hours until somebody finally unlocks them.
I find these gates quite hostile and inconsiderate. Ok, no track racing during soccer games, I get it. But there is not much bike traffic during the games and locking the whole circuit which is widely used for bike commuting and many other uses (again: wheelchair, strollers) is in my view total overkill. Why closing down the whole road for two little gates into the soccer field? In my view, one group claiming a multi-​use area for themselves without regard for others.
Again, I do understand the safety concerns during soccer games, there are many kids there, but why not put some removable speed bumps there during the games to avoid racing past the entry gates and allow passage by bike, wheelchair, stroller, running, etc?

Neat find. Ride your bike in a circle as many times as you want. Nice area.

We were here for Outside Lands. Getting to the park and back was really easy on the shuttle buses. The bleachers looked like they were in disrepair so I don’t think the polo fields are used for any kind of formal spectator sports now, which is too bad. The field is level and there are nice rises all the way around for visibility (in addition to the rotting wood and crumbling concrete of the bleachers). There are bathrooms right outside the tunnel.
For the festival, you can wander onto 3 different flat fields with sloped sides for viewing, it seems like it would be a great place to play soccer, run, take the dog, etc. There are woods around the fields too so you can always gets a little bit of shade if you want that. Really a nice park. The park is patrolled by mounted police officers. Are there still buffalo? I saw on a map that there were buffalo, but that part of the park was fenced off during OL.
When there are THOUSANDS of people tromping around the dust gets really bad so be ready for that, especially if you have breathing or sinus issues.

The polo fields at Golden Gate park are really the soccer fields at Golden Gate park. The fields are Ok, but they are a bit worn in spots. The fields are surrounded by tracks both dirt and paved. People are walking, biking, running etc all at once while ball is being played. There is a smallish but adequate hidden parking lot adjacent to the polo fields too. If the weather is right you will be warm enough to play but cool enough to be comfortable. Get on the pitch and get your game on. It is gorgeous here.

Great place to play soccer and feel the breeze of the ocean.

Writing this from a cyclists’ point of view.
This is practically the only place in San Francisco that has a bicycle track. I like to ride my track bike, doing laps. The track itself is pretty smooth and it’s cool that one straight (leading into Golden Gate Park) has more wind resistance than the other. Track is pretty wide, fitting maybe four cyclists at a time.
Now for the downside. I discourage using the track during autumn, primarily on the weekends, because of the several little league soccer games that take place. Most of the soccer coaches and parents of the soccer kids disregard that cyclists are using the track. Also, there are many walkers in general at certain times. In my own experience, I almost ran into kids running from the field to the outskirts, parents walking out of the field while on their phones, and lines of soccer kids that just simply do not look out. There are also many ignorant adults who claim that the track IS NOT the track itself and may cause conflict. Golden Gate Park and the SF Rec and Park refuses to place proper warning/​caution signs for the safety of the cyclists and pedestrians.
Overall, if you are looking for a place to run laps and have no other place to go then polo fields is your ONLY choice in San Francisco.
BEWARE of the many hazards that may appear!

This is probably one of the better fields in San Francisco. Its not all dug up with holes like Crocker Amazon Park. Hopped over the fence as the gates were locked. Not many people on a Sunday. just the casual jogger/​biker. I came here with a party of 10 to play football. Nice and quiet. what else can you ask for?

One of my favorite places in the world. It is so beautiful here I think about the old days, before my time when the Grateful Dead is to play here for free and hundreds of thousands of people come to see them perform. It is just a great place to come to run and bike and kick the soccer ball or just walk around.
You can also have a great picnic in the middle of the city and get away from it all without ever leaving. What a stress reducer? That is like Golden gate Park is the greatest city park in the world. I know people rave on about Central Park, but Central Park is often dirty, full of bums and sketchy people. Also the noise of the traffic is crazy which you very rarely get here at the polo fields.
It’s also great to take a date here and just walk around. Very romantic and cozy.

Favorite place to go if I want a quick run
It’s not as big as kezar but still big enough for a workout

I was here for the amazing 3 day music festival Outside Lands at Golden Gate Park. Everything was pretty great only complaint is with the City of San Francisco and it’s public transportation especially during such a major event. I should mention by the 3^rd day transport got a little easier but still very hectic. ROCK ON!

This is so weird that you can Unilocal parks but anyways here goes. the polo fields are great when the city takes care of them but when they aren’t taken care of I dont like them at all… So i dont know how many stars that would get… I’ll give it 2 to be fair. 1 for when the fields are good and 1 for the loop around it where you can have a fun bike ride around. Definitely good to bring your kids to help them learn to ride their bikes!

Great place if you like to workout in the outdoors. Has tracks for you to run/​bike, has a soccer field, etc. Overall it is great and it is located in a good position. You are surrounded by trees so it is a beautiful location.

Nice place to do laps, running on the dirt track or biking on the paved path. Not usually crowded, I used to come here after school to ride a few laps before heading back home. Good strong headwind going down one side. Good place to practice drafting with your riding buddies. With the large infield, I guess a good place to fly a kite too. The infield is full of weeds and gopher holes, so watch out.

Yesterday was my first time riding the track — although I feel like I should be giving this a 5 star I’m not. Reason is… when first leaving the main road I was confused to where the track really was… if they only had lights. Great track thou… and amazing people riding them.

I love that there are two tracks side by side. One is a dirt track for running and the other is paved for rollerblading and biking. It is a large loop around, I’m guessing almost a mile around. its definitely larger than your typical track. its quiet during the week and very peaceful. Dogs aren’t allowed on the trail itself, but I do see dogs along it on the grass.
This is an excellent track and I love coming here!

It’s not a bad place to run around in circles and you don’t feel as enclosed as you would at Kezar Stadium. The track closest to the field is a bicycle track that I think inline skaters sometimes use (I’ve heard that it’s a prime spot for rollerblading). I have seen cyclists but you’re more likely to see Chinese walkers. The outer rim/​dirt path has a par course (built in the late 70s/​early 80s) with various stops for jumping jacks, stretching, hopping over things, etc. It’s cheesy but somewhat fun. The fields are often in use for soccer games (sadly, they are no longer used for polo) but you can still run around while those are going on.
I usually run around the dirt trail. The views aren’t bad but nothing to write home about. You’ll see horses at the police stables, the field, and trees. The trees provide some shade (always appreciated). The trail is quite flat.
Unlike Kezar, free parking is easy to find.

MY SECOND HOME!!!
This is where my bro & I learned how to ride my bike, almost 15 years ago… back when there wasn’t a fence. This is the exact place where my sis learned to ride her bike too. This is the same place where a bunch of kids learn to ride their bike, well… that’s what I see when I come here.
I like how it’s close to home, & not only can I run here, I can bike, rollerblade, heely (my sis tried to teach my friend to heely here), walk…
Biking and running laps around here are the hardest, trying to push ourselves to do whatever many laps we strive to complete.
FYI, On the sides (where it’s not straight), there’s a slope, sort of a hill.
Oh yeah, this is the place where concerts take place… GAVIN DEGRAW!!! Bay to Breakers… although I have never participated in any running marathon…
There’s a restroom near by, but I’m afraid to see if people are shooting up in there. Since I don’t live very far, I’d rather pee at home.
I like coming here on weekdays, when it’s empty. Lots of soccer games or practices during the weekend…