Sunset Dunes

Sunset Dunes is a two-mile (3km) long urban park next to Ocean Beach on the West Side of San Francisco, California. The park is located on a former location of the Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard. It opened on April12, 2025, making it the largest pedestrianization project in California's history.

History

The upper portion of the Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard was closed to motor vehicles on certain days starting in April 2020 to provide San Franciscans space to social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, the upper Great Highway would close around 27 times annually for sand and debris removal. In 2024, a ballot measure known as Proposition K was proposed by San Francisco supervisors Joel Engardio and Myrna Melgar to permanently close the Upper Great Highway and repurpose the space as a new park. On November 9 2024, Proposition K passed 54% to 46% with much of the opposition being concentrated in areas of the city near the Great Highway.

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department received a $1million grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy Board to help convert the upper Great Highway into a park. New transit infrastructure upgrades were conducted on the roads around the Great Highway to accommodate the additional traffic present from closing the upper Great Highway.

The park opened on April12, 2025. At least 13,000 people visited the park on its opening day.

Name

The park's name was selected following community engagement. The San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department initially received 4,200 name suggestions between March1 and 16, 2025. These name suggestions were narrowed down to 3,200 potential names by Recreation & Parks Department staff members to eliminate inappropriate names. After a community meeting attended by 240 participants, 15 potential names that ensured "historical significance, connection to nature and geography, and iconic placemaking" were selected from the 3,200. A citywide survey was held from March20 to April2 to choose a name from the 15 potential names. The five finalists of this survey were Sunset Dunes, Playland Park, Great Parkway, Fogline, and Plover Parkway. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission selected Sunset Dunes as the park's name from a group of five finalists on April9, 2025.

Before receiving its name, the future park was referred to as Ocean Beach Park or Great Highway Park.

Controversy

Although the measure passed with 55% of voter citywide choosing yes, in District4, 64% of voters voted against Proposition K, however, supervisor Joel Engardio heavily pushed for the ballot to pass. Some Sunset voters have stated Engardio 'betrayed' them. When it was open to cars, the highway itself required upkeep against erosion.

Opposition

Many residents of the Sunset and Richmond District opposed closing down the Great Highway to create the park saying it worsens traffic and creates longer commutes. A study of traffic data collected before and after the closure of the upper Great Highway showed that it led to longer commutes in the Sunset District.

Park names mocking District4 supervisor Joel Engardio were proposed in the citywide naming contest. Residents of the Sunset District collected 10,985 signatures to conduct a recall election for Joel Engardio over his support for PropositionK, which will be held on September 16, 2025.

District1 supervisor Connie Chan has stated that she supports a ballot measure to remove the park.

Blockage of 49-Mile Scenic Drive

With the park opening, the road blockage cuts off San Francisco's most historic signature drive, 49-Mile Scenic Drive. Because of this, cars can no longer drive throughout the route, causing further controversy.

Support

Local businesses nearby saw increased sales following the opening of the park.

References

External Links

Sunset Dunes official website

Friends of Ocean Beach Park

{{San Francisco attractions, state=collapsed

Parks in San Francisco
2025 establishments in California
Sunset District, San Francisco
Linear parks