November 06, 2026
It may have taken months, if not years, for me to discover the Ina Coolbrith Park on my own, if it hadn’t been for my creative community in San Francisco. About a month ago, I participated in my first Open Studios event, and many of my patrons there told me about this hidden gem in the Russian Hill neighborhood. They told me it had incredible views, dense plantings, many benches for rest, and a remarkable history. I am very happy that I listened to them.
I approached the park from the west side. I climbed many steps to the first overlook at the top of the Vallejo stairway, down through the adjacent park, and across the street, to the small stone plaque marking the start of the park. Coolbrith was the first poet laureate in this country, for the state of California. Her work fits the park well. Many of her poems include themes of appreciating nature, of scenic overlooks, and of greenery. As I sat in the park reading her poems, I thought she may have sat in a similar place, with a similar view, writing them.
