Corona Heights Park

Corona Heights Park
Street view of Corona Heights Park
Type	Municipal (San Francisco)
Location	San Francisco
Open	All year

Corona Heights Park is a park in the Castro and Corona Heights neighborhoods of San Francisco, California, United States. It is situated immediately to the south of Buena Vista Park. Corona Heights is bounded in part by Flint Street on the east, Roosevelt Way to the north, and 16th Street to the south. The base of the hill is at approximately 300 feet (91 m), while the peak extends to 520 feet (158 m) above sea level.^[1]

Corona Heights Playground and the Randall Museum are located within the Corona Heights Park. The whole area is underlain by Franciscan chert bedrock, and a large percentage of the hill is barren. At the hilltop, the chert bedrock in terra cotta red is clearly visible.^[2] The steps leading up to the peak are dangerous and not supported by handrails. The peak of the hill is windy, but it offers an unobstructed panoramic view of the city of San Francisco from downtown to the Twin Peaks.

Portions of Corona Heights park are made up of native plant communities protected under the natural areas program as well as non-local plants. The park is home to native reptiles including Northern and Southern Alligator Lizards and garter snakes. Butterflies like the Anise Swallowtail, Red Admiral and Cabbage White can be seen flying in the park. Red-tailed Hawks and Common Ravens can be seen over the park on most days. Western Scrub Jays, Mourning Doves, Downy Woodpeckers, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Pygmy Nuthatches, Bushtits, American Robins, California Towhees, White-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, American Goldfinches and House Finches nest in or near the park.

The peak of Corona Heights is known colloquially as "The Fist" for its distinctive rock formation.

Images

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  View of the park from Roosevelt Way

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  Steps leading up to the top of the hill

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  View from the hill

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  View downtown from the hill

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  View from the hill

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  View from the hill

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  Franciscan chert dominates the barren hill

Popular Culture

Corona Heights is prominently featured in the 1977 horror novel "Our Lady of Darkness" by Fritz Leiber.

See also

San Francisco Bay Area portal

• List of hills in San Francisco

References

1. ^ Detailed information on Corona Heights as part of a study commissioned by the City Council of San Francisco. The report includes information on geology and vegetation. It also includes topological maps of the park. CTF EIP 10108-00 June 2002.
2. ^ Bandit notes on Corona Heights

External links

• Hills in San Francisco at MisterSF.com

Coordinates: 37°45′54″N 122°26′21.84″W / 37.765°N 122.4394°W / 37.765; -122.4394