Kate Sessions Memorial Park

This is the best park if you want the most awesome view of mission Bay with San Diego in the background. The cityscape is awesome. And there's this big huge slope or you can sit and just do nothing but look at the view. There's a nice playground for toddlers and you see a lot of chipmunks running around trying to put some food in their cheeks. A great granddaughter had a really good time here. I will come back.

Brought some take out and put a blanket down in the grass to enjoy my lunch. Such a beautiful park with breathtaking views of downtown SD and the bay. Tons of room for people to enjoy the sun, hang out with friends, and walk their dogs. Highly recommend.

*Gorgeous and wide open spaces* *Perfect panoramic view of San Diego bay* A few dogs off leash but they are keeping them away from main grassy knolls and dogs well-mannered. Lots of people relaxing and enjoying the day. Bathrooms good (no paper towels for hands, probably for the best). Playgrounds for children too.

Kate Sessions Park is an absolute gem and one of the best spots in San Diego for relaxation, picnics, and breathtaking views! Nestled on a hillside, this park offers a stunning panoramic view of the city and the bay, making it a perfect place to watch the sunset or just take in the beauty of nature. The park has plenty of open green space, which is great for picnicking, playing with dogs, or just lounging in the sun. There are also shaded areas with trees for those who prefer a cooler spot to relax. It’s a great place for families, as there’s ample space for kids to run around, and it never feels overcrowded. What I love most is the peaceful and friendly atmosphere—whether you’re here for a casual stroll, a workout, or just to unwind, it’s the perfect escape from the busy city. Plus, parking is usually easy to find, which is a big bonus! If you’re looking for a beautiful, clean, and spacious park with incredible views, Kate Sessions Park is a must-visit.

The park was beautiful, but hilly. Not disability accessible except by the road. If you enjoy Sea World fireworks, you can see them from the park.

the absolute best park in san diego. panasonic views of the city. soooo much grass to lounge in. it gets crowded but you can alwayssss find a good spot to post up at! dogs are welcome and mine personally loooves it there. roll down the hill like a kid and heal that inner child. or just sit and read under a nice tree. grab a blanket and a friend, have a picnic, just chat, go on a date, so many options. never a bad day at kate sessions!!

During the Summer on Sunday they have music in the park. You can hammock and Chill . Catch the Vibes . This is a kid friendly Event.I let some sweet girls give me a tattoos

What are fabulous Park to come to and watch a concert we sang and we danced and we watch little kids dance it was so cute the scenery from this park with the overview of San Diego is spectacular

Another fun morning at Kate Sessions Memorial Park with Ms. Yuru. Happy Sunday Yelp friends :)

The best park in San Diego with a beautiful view!! It gets pretty crowded for summer weekends so allow yourself time to find parking. There's also a lot of doggies running around (that should be on a leash) so you'll have dogs come up to you (searching for food and/or looking for pets). There's restrooms & porta potties. Not the best or cleanest condition. There was toilet paper & soap at least. Good view of SD, sunset, and seaworld fireworks during the summer. Add this place for your next picnic , it won't disappoint!!

Perfect park to picnic at! They have a large parking lot with plenty of space. I easily found a spot to park and easily found a spot to picnic at. I went there during a Doxie Meetup and got to see so many cute doxies running around! There is a great panoramic view of the city and Mission Bay from this park. Highly recommend!

I love coming here to picnic! You get a great view of San Diego, Mission Bay and Coronado. It's a huge park with a lot of great history as it's named after Kate Sessions, a local San Diegan botanist, known as Mother of Balboa for her huge contributions in planting trees all over the park and other vegetations.

Such a beautiful park with a wide, flat grassy field and some tree cover. Nice view and great for picnics! Get here early in the morning so that you can find parking and grab a spot under a tree for some shade.

Love grabbing some baked goods + iced lattes and yapping at Kate Sessions when I visit SD. My friends and I went on a weekday afternoon so parking was easy. Love that view of the city. Also fun to see how many dogs are out and about enjoying their lives! People have compared it to Dolores Park in SF but I find Kate Sessions to be more spacious and calming.

Great spot for a picnic on the large, grassy hill overlooking downtown and the bay. There are some trees for shade or a full lawn on sun. They also have playground in another section of the park. Parking is limited in the lot, but there is plenty of street parking.

"A Comfortable Park Perfect for Picnics" - Free parking - Occasional ice cream truck visits - Pet-friendly - Almost no bugs - Faces southwest, allowing for some sunset views

My girlfriend and I planned a play date here, and our kids had so much fun! We got here around 10am & there was plenty of parking both on the side, drive up to parking, and parking lot by the hill. Got to witness a luxury picnic, a few meetups, super friendly park goers & dogs . The view was absolutely incredible, despite it being quite overcast the whole morning/early afternoon. There is a nice paved area for walking/with baby in the stroller. The park on the opposite side is surrounded by plenty of grass space, concrete benches & tables (lots of them are in the shade). Small but cute playground equipped with swings, climbing structures for 2-5 & also a larger climbing structure for the older kids. My son (2) was able to play on both (the larger one carefully) & use the slides on his own. Nature play group was also going on at the same time which was cool to see. Quite a lot of bees in the grass as well. I can't wait to come back to this park & explore it some more!

Kate Sessions Memorial Park is a true gem in San Diego. Whether you're looking for a quiet place to read a book, a picturesque spot for a picnic, or a scenic location to yap with a friend, this park is serene af and has something for everyone.

My wife and I have been going to Kate Sessions Park for years, and it remains one of our favorite spots in San Diego. This park is truly one of the most beautiful parks in SD, offering stunning views of the ocean that never get old. It is always well-kept, with plenty of space to spread out, whether you're there for a casual stroll, a picnic, or a larger gathering. We've celebrated birthdays here, had countless picnic dates, and just spent time enjoying the outdoors together. Kate Sessions Park is a true gem and one of the best lookout spots in the area. Whenever someone in my family comes to visit that doesn't live in San Diego. I recommend checking out this spot.

Ah... What a damn view! While I've been to Kate Sessions dozens of times since my childhood growing up in San Diego, it had been years since the last time I went. Seeing that I had a few friends drinking bubbles in the park on a gloomy Saturday afternoon, it was the perfect excuse for a few minutes on the soft grass while having a few sips of something tasty. You'll immediately see why people come here on the weekends. Birthday parties, simple gatherings, photo shoots, and bouncy houses. Yes, a little bit of everything happens here. I even saw a guy cooking up pizza on a small pizza oven for his friends and family. If you're lucky you may even see a gopher poke his/her little head from a nearby hole. Sneaky little suckers.

Great views and ample grassy space! The parking lot can get crowded on weekends but there is lots of nearby street parking. The hill side of the park has a nice view of Mission Bay. The park is also dog friendly. This park is great for picnics, gatherings, and relaxing in a secluded area of San Diego.

We went to Kate Sessions Memorial Park for a little kid's (great nephew) birthday party. We were fortunate and found parking in the small lot near the bathrooms. Kate Sessions is a really nice park and provided a great backdrop for a child's birthday party. We had a picnic table in our little area and we were able to set up some EZ Ups and enjoy the day. The park boasts beautiful views of the water and the downtown San Diego skyline. It is plenty large enough to accommodate a lot of different folks enjoying numerous activities. There were all sorts of people enjoying the park. Soccer players, football passers and people picnicking. Others were just lounging and reading or on a walk. A San Diego treasure for sure.

Kate Sessions continues to be an iconic San Diego landmark. There is truly something for anyone and everyone at this wonderful park. Yes -- our free beaches our AMAZING -- but there is something magical about Kate Sessions. It's the perfect spot to picnic with friends, play with your pets, and enjoy free, stunning views of the city. Perks include free parking, picnic tables, barbecues, restrooms, drinking fountains, and a 0.75-mile paved walking path.

Be Aware & Beware: as Mayor Gloria overspends x years & City Staff Pay & Benefits & Golden Handshake Retirements are Max, the Hours of nice public places & now Kate Sessions Park are being CUT. Gate now locked at 10pm, get out by 9:30pm if smart so not locked in overnight or be Arrested by max Republican & pro Trump SDPD cops. New Gate hours 7am - 10pm. Evacuate by 9:30pm or else. Great park still...

It's so beautiful here I recommend coming here and just relaxing to get away from the noisy city.

Thank you, adorable dog owners of an elderly and wary Dachshund, a five-year-old and obedient Shar Pei, and a seven-month-old and ebullient Golden Retriever. Thank you, pink-wearing ladies of a Barbie- or otherwise-themed bachelorette or birthday party. Thank you, San Diegans from as far away as Barrio Logan, Balboa Park, Otay Mesa and from as close by as Pacific Beach and La Jolla (which I didn't realize was so close). All of you may have simply been enjoying a typical Saturday in the park, but you were also giving me laid-back inspiration for this review, officially No. 2,500. People who know me know that I worry too much. Way too much. Like way way way too much. Even when I'm not actively worrying, I'm still on high alert, and after years of comparing my nervousness to other people's nervousness, I now know that even when I'm completely relaxed, my anxiety level is probably six times higher than most people's anxiety level is on a moderately stressful day. I was feeling that here, in Kate Sessions Park, because was the park good enough, interesting enough, or flat enough for the people I had brought here to show it off to? I was worrying about these things, and then I saw these lovely ordinary people who were just enjoying their day in the park, and for a few minutes at least, I stopped worrying. I really mean that. That hum in my brain shut off, and it never shuts off, even when I'm asleep. (If I awaken suddenly, it's there.) And maybe I still should have been worried, because these seemed like professional park-goers. They had their tables and cheeses and paper plates set up. They had brought more than enough for everyone, and because of the steepness of the side of the park we were on, no one was silly enough to have brought a soccer ball, although there were people tossing a football around. Had I planned as well as they had? Clearly not, but they were locals, and just based on how laid back everyone seemed even though more and more people kept arriving and traipsing past one another's setups, I knew that the vast majority of these people were serious about relaxing. I rode the wave. I surfed the emotion. I sat on a bench and looked at the views of Mission Bay and its islands and Downtown San Diego beyond, and I thought, "Thank God whoever owned this land never sold it to developers." Because they would have developed the ever-loving heck out of this land, and the views from the resulting multi-million-dollar homes would be spectacular, but you would have to own or rent one of these homes to enjoy it. Instead, this hillside was spared, and all of us had that view to appreciate because of the farsightedness of some very altruistic people long ago. The park is a gem, one of the finest in San Diego, and that's saying a lot, because my last milestone review was of a different public park in the city. The hill is pretty steep, but there are trees and benches along most of its length, and you can either drive in toward the crest of the hill or walk directly into the park from the bottom of the hill. There's also a flat side of the park just to the north of Park Drive as you enter in case you do want to play some soccer or host a kids' birthday party without worrying about one or more of your young guests rolling away and getting lostish. And if you want to get lostish for really-reals without being in too much danger, the park extends farther north as hiking trails meandering through unmaintained scrubland. We came on a Saturday, and the parking area was packed, although the park itself could have held thousands more people (although they really wouldn't have had anyplace to park). I'm sure it's less crowded during the week. And you know how whenever the weather in San Francisco is anywhere near decent, people crowd Dolores Park and Alamo Square and Ocean Beach because who knows when it will be sunny again? Well, San Diego has perfect weather 360 days a year, and because perfect weather isn't a big deal, that means people don't crowd the parks all the time. I know I live too far away for this to be feasible, but I want to have a birthday party here. Who wants to plan it? March isn't that far away. . . .

VERY satisfactory. I like how it is called a park due to the fact that it is a park. And its named after Kate O as well, which is quite nice

Kate Sessions is one of my favorite spots in SD. It's a beautiful park on a slope, with views of Mission Bay. I can see my old MB apartment from here if I squint real hard and garner up my memories! Back in the day, it was one of the last public spaces that allowed alcohol, so the PB kids would come play slosh ball here. It's been many years since alcohol has been banned, an it's mostly a dog park now. Signs all over the place tell you to keep your dog on leash, but most dogs are let off leash. The lot is usually pretty full, but I have always found a parking spot.

Beautiful park during the week and lots of drinking parties and stupid drunks on the weekends.

I loved this park. Perfect for a picnic or just get some fresh air, there is a trail there. Beautiful view. Wasn't too crowded on a Monday afternoon. Pet friendly.

Amazing view, pictured will look beautiful and plenty of room for events. 4 starts because parking can be challenging!

I came to San Diego for vacation and coming to Kate Sessions Park was definitely one of my trip highlights! This is THE PERFECT place to picnic and relax. From 11:30am to 12:30pm, there were not that many people. But after 12:30pm, more people started showing up. Most people came alone or in small groups (2-3 people), but I did see 2 large groups congregate. An icecream truck stopped by around 1pm. Shade/Sun: While the majority of the park patrons hung out in the sun, the park is dotted with big trees if you are weary of being sunburnt. Parking: Plenty of parking spots close to the spot where we sat (pictured below). Bathrooms: I did not see a gender neutral bathroom but there were W/M bathrooms available for public use. Waste Management: There were trash and recycling bins all around the park. I barely saw any trash litter around. Pets: The park is extremely pet-friendly. The majority of people had their dog with them. The park posted signs that requested dogs to be leashed.

Extremely enjoyable park location on the top of a hill overlooking mission bay! Amazing sunsets and a great place to relax, picnic and exercise your dog. Parking is a challenge. Restrooms are clean and maintained.

This neighborhood park in PB has the best elevated view of Mission Bay and the ocean. When the marine layer is minimal, you can get a clear glimpse of the downtown skyline and even the Coronado Bridge. It's also a great vantage point for all the firework shows that happen annually on the night of Independence Day. Besides picnics and potlucks, I have seen yoga and strength training classes held at Kate Sessions. Birthday celebrations and even weddings have taken place at this park. Depending on which day and what time you visit, parking can be really easy or a big hassle. The spaces within the park fill up quickly so you then have to resort to curbside parking on Soledad Rd or an adjacent side street. While the hillside slope is the most popular space for group hangouts, the flat area near the entrance sign is a great spot to set up lawn sports and/or games for the kids. The reason why I withheld one star from my rating is because of selfish pet owners. There are several posted signs indicating this is NOT an off-leash park. Despite the warnings, there are always dogs that are wandering the premises without a leash. I've witnessed and experienced incidents in which pooches have invaded the food spread from other parties while the owner is nowhere to be seen. It's not only a nuisance but a safety issue, especially when there are babies and/or young children who could be spooked or even hurt if a loose canine unexpectedly interrupts the scene.

Great park with beautiful views!! It is spacious to have a little picnic with some friends or to play with your dog! Sunset views are gorgeous - come check it out!

Dope park! My buddy introduced me to this park about 2 years ago, and we made it back twice this week. Once in the evening, and today during the day. Beautiful view of the Bay/Pacific/Sea World etc. Can't find a much better view perched atop a hill. Got a little cold and windy Wednesday night when we were there (bring a jacket). Bathrooms on site. Parking can be a bit of a challenge. Wednesday night 6pm, we had to park outside the park a ways up Lamont St and walk in. Friday 1030am, we got spots right inside the entrance. Definitely recommend coming up here to have a picnic or to just chill and have a gorgeous view. Will definitely be back on future visits into San Diego!

Lovely park with great views of the water! On a clear day you can see the bay, downtown, and more. This park is a great spot for a picnic, take your dog, hang with friends, you name it! It's really good for large groups. Parking can be tough but I've never not been able to find a spot. It's just not a large lot rather it's Indy road with spots along it. Great place to watch the sunset and take in San Diego views!

What a view! Kate Sessions comes up every time I'm searching for a place perfect for a picnic or somewhere I can watch the sunset with my dog. Finally made my first visit a few weeks ago and the view exceeded my expectations. It was pretty busy, but there is so much room to spread out. We were glad we walked because the parking situation seemed a bit tense. If I come on a busy weekend again I'll probably plan on parking in the neighborhood in case I don't feel like dealing with the line of cars Anyways- back to the park. Keep your dogs on a leash. Keep your kids off of a leash. ;-) they have public restrooms. There were so many activities happening from painting to yoga. Groups, couples, individuals- everyone. The view is worth even just a quick trip

Solid park to bring your dog and/or have a picnic with your loved ones. Nice & open view of San Diego's Mission Bay. People & their furry friends are all friendly & sharing of this green space. Will come back & enjoy some California burritos next time!

I love Kate Sessions because it is a park I can just sit and vibe at. Most of the time, I bring my friends and we share foods from burritos all the way to charcuterie boards. With plenty of parking in the lot and down the street, this place is easily accessible. Bringing my picnic blanket, snacks, hat/sunnies and sometimes a hoodie is all I need to enjoy a day at Kate Sessions!

Great spot Dog friendly so be ready for random dogs to wander up to you They should be leashed but a lot of owners don't follow that rule Shocking ‍ one dog came and grabbed my child's stuffy and ran off with it. Another came and peed on our blanket While the owners tried to control them Besides that nice spot to hang out with family and have a picnic Or hang out

Great, clean and not crowded on my visit. Amazing views of Mission Bay at the over look. Beautiful green grass and trees for relaxation. I notice some people were workin out alone or with trainer, group gatherings, kids at playground. It is a beautiful and peaceful park to visit and also have a picnic. The park is located in Pacific Beach on Soledad Road.

Kate Sessions Park is definitely one of my favorite places in San Diego. The view in atop a large hill and overlooks Downtown, Mission Bay, and PB. The view is so beautiful from every angle. Definitely like the San Diego version of Mission Dolores Park in SF! Lots of trees if you like the shade, plenty of open grass space if you want to be in the sun. The park is so large that groups of people definitely have their own personal space and never felt crowded. I've even seen lots of birthday parties and baby showers. Definitely the prime place to watch the sky change colors during sunset (can't see the actual sun setting though). There are two parking lots, but there is definitely nearby street parking just a walk away if they are full. Pro tip: bring a jacket if you're there in the later afternoon/evening! It's near the beach and at the top of the hill, so definitely chillier than the San Diego core.

I love this park! It's perfect for picnics with friends and families. You'll get great views of Mission Bay and San Diego! There's plenty of parking too.

Kate Sessions is a beautiful park overlooking the San Diego coast. The view is stunning. It's the perfect gathering place for a picnic, a lazy afternoon under a tree or a brisk solo walk. Parking does fill up quickly, but there are plenty of spaces along the curbside as well. The other side of the park boasts a small playground for little ones too.

This is the best park in San Diego. It has a beautiful view of the bay, it's very large and has plenty of space for dogs, frisbee throwing and just relaxing. I like to come here to relax, read a book, or have a bite and unwind.

Great views, lots of space. Good Times for a picnic. You can see the bay and much is SD while enjoying food and company. Dog friendly also

So beautiful. Been coming here for year. Great place too chill, gather for birthday, workout, and most importantly see the sunnier over the beautiful San Diego backdrop. Pros: - parking - large/open -stunning views - locals spot - bathrooms - great for dogs A must do on a lazy late afternoon.

Love this park. Beautiful view: you can see downtown and the ocean Excellent choice for any occasion

One of the best park I've been. I really enjoyed this park! It's huge, extremely spacious and well maintained. When you are at the top you can have an amazing view of downtown San Diego, Sea World, Coronado Bridge, Sea port village and other parts of beautiful San Diego. This park is good for relaxing, picnicing, Barbecuing or even play fetch with your dog. The other side of the park its an area where you can play sports. If I live close by I would bring my dog every day! :) Definitely recommend visiting!

Love this little park on the hill. Perfect for picnics and family time. Easy parking, lots of open space, wicked views. Please remember to LNT!

Gorgeous park! Thank goodness it's big enough for safe social distancing, avoiding the anti-maskers. There were TONS of people gathered together not following pandemic guidelines. 2 large classes -dance and yoga- were going on and students were less than 3 feet apart. Only the teacher was 6 ft away. Also, almost no one wearing masks. Parking is very limited and spills over into adjacent neighborhoods. Still, the view! So 5* for the park and zero for the people.

Love this park! This is a cute, semi-hidden park with a good amount of grass seating area for picnics and to take your pets to. There are a few trees around the perimeter that give some shade, but more the most part, this park is on a small hill with not much shade, so definitely very sunny. I've been here quite a bit and have enjoyed it at any time of the day. The views are gorgeous -- Mission Bay, Downtown SD, Coronado Bridge, the Pacific Ocean. Parking can be scarce, but not completely impossible unless you go at a really busy time (near sunset). There's a couple of small lots and parallel parking all around.

I think Kate Sessions would have enjoyed her namesake park. It is a great place to have a picnic, enjoy the views of Mission Bay and the skyline, and relax. Let me lay some tips on you: Parking It can get tight here. If you can't find a space on Park Drive, you may want to try Loring Street and walk up the path to the lawn. People also park on Soledad Road. Amenities The men's room was acceptable. There is a playground for your sprog. Depending on the time of day, you may be able to get some shade. Crowds The lawn was pretty packed when we arrived on a Friday afternoon in the summer. Keep in mind that there is a lot more to the park than what you see from Park Drive. I haven't personally checked them out, but there are a number of hiking trails in the undeveloped section of the park. Most people seem to hang out in a small section of the 79 acres. Dogs Cynophobes beware. Many dogs run off-leash here. Most of them were well-behaved, but we witnessed a skirmish where a free-range dog attacked another who was restrained. Please be responsible. Alcohol In a more civilized time, alcohol was legal here. No more, but you wouldn't know it from what we saw (and did!) Nothing got out of hand, but I did witness a yoga class that had a hospitality table with bottles of wine set up. Personally, I draw the line at glass bottles. You know that some San Diego parks, including sections of Balboa, still allow booze, right? Good thing we have Yelp, because the city's website doesn't offer much information about it (officially referred to as Kate Sessions Neighborhood Park). Please don't litter! #FindYourHappySpace

This is one of my favorite spots to go in San Diego for many occasions. When I just want to get away and read a book in the grass. When we want to have a group together for a picnic. Or when you just want to change up the work from home scene and enjoy the fresh air (if you have a wifi hotspot, there is definitely not wifi at the park). Such an amazing view of the ocean along with the downtown San Diego skyline and the mountains to the east. I definitely need to come up here more often because I have always enjoy my time there. And if you have a dog this is definitely the place to go!

Despite being a San Diego native, I never actually went here until recently, when we picked up some World Curry to go and needed a place to picnic. Enter Kate Sessions Park, which definitely lives up to the hype. Just look at the pictures people have posted, and you'll get the idea. The views of Mission Bay and the Pacific stretching south to downtown are nothing short of iconic. Most of the park is on a hillside, so you have to be OK with that, although the topside does have a large flat area. If you want to lay out, this park has the advantage of tilting towards the south, i.e., towards the sun, which makes it a nice alternative to the beach if you are not wanting to deal with the associated hassles and/or sand. All in all, it's a definite five star community park.

Beautiful spot! I saw Kate Sessions Park all over my Instagram feed and decided to take a look at the place myself! I dragged my friends to the park and we had a super nice picnic. The view is amazing! There is so much grass area so you can remain distanced from others safely. So much beautiful scenery and plants. Fun place to bring kids, pets, friends, and family! The parking was pretty tight so I recommend getting there a little bit early to get a parking spot. I will absolutely be coming back and having another picnic hopefully at sunset!