Urbano Sundial

Tourist attraction · Ingleside Terrace

Urbano Sundial

Tourist attraction · Ingleside Terrace

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51 Entrada Ct, San Francisco, CA 94127, USA

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Urbano Sundial by ATLAS_OBSCURA
Urbano Sundial by Urban Realty Improvement Company (URICO) 1914 (Public Domain)
Urbano Sundial by ATLAS_OBSCURA
Urbano Sundial by ATLAS_OBSCURA
Urbano Sundial by firetonight (Atlas Obscura User)
Urbano Sundial by Urban Realty Improvement Company (URICO) 1914 (Public Domain)
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null
Urbano Sundial by null

Highlights

Massive 1913 sundial art piece in a quiet neighborhood  

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51 Entrada Ct, San Francisco, CA 94127, USA Get directions

outsidelands.org

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51 Entrada Ct, San Francisco, CA 94127, USA Get directions

outsidelands.org

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Last updated

Sep 28, 2025

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Off-Centered Ale Trail: San Francisco

"Dedicated on October 10, 1913, this massive white sundial measures 28 feet across and, being of recent construction as sundials go, is almost entirely for looks and attention.  It resides at the site of one of early San Francisco’s most thrilling spectator sports: the Ingleside Race Track. Eight thousand people came out on November 28, 1895 to witness the opening day of the Ingleside tracks. The race fans were not disappointed: massive grandstands overlooked the finely groomed track and a clubhouse offered views and fine dining, as well as the thrill of the sport. Despite the initial popularity, within a few decades the tracks had lost their initial luster, and, when the earthquake hit in 1906, the owner offered up the site to the city as a refugee camp for citizens of the burnt quarters of the city. It never saw races again. The 26 foot high dial was erected in 1913 to lure young families to the Ingleside Terraces residential area, an area of upper income homes created on the site of the racetrack by the Urban Realty Improvement Company in 1912. Synchronized to the summer solstice, a booklet published at the time describes, “…It bridges a limpid pool wherin two bronze seals sport and form the base of a fountain that plays day and night. Running around the stone curb of the pool is a rippling circlet of gorgeous purple and yellow pansies. Then comes the broad dial marked with Roman numerals..” 750 houses were built ringing the oval track, still showing its distinctive outline on the map." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/san-francisco-off-centered-ale-trail-dogfish-head
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Alba Au

Google
Very pretty and located in a beautiful neighbourhood as well! Essentially like a micro park. The sun dial and surrounding paths are quite the art piece. Keep in mind though that the paths are paved but narrow so they may not be the most accessible for strollers, walkers, and wheel chairs. Many benches for sitting, however.

L Baranda Larin

Google
This is a place with a huge sundial that's 3 stories tall. It's surrounded by grassy areas & benches making a pleasant place to sit & read ir just tale a rest. It's a San Francisco landmark in the Ingleside neighborhood of the city.

Lori Borrego

Google
Honestly I am very biased when it comes to San Francisco, I grew up near SF and spent much time there. Eventually moved to San Francisco and enjoyed the whole city. There are many things to see and do in SF. The sun dial is nice to see if you are in the ingleside district.

Andrew W

Google
A nice stop or place to bring a picnic. It's in a residential neighborhood which was interesting to see and experience. Remember daylight savings time doesn't exist for sundials!

Jane Day

Google
It's a big, nicely kept sundial in an out of the way location. If you like sundials or things from the 19-teens era, then check it out on a sunny day.

Amber Zertuche

Google
Nice place to relax with plenty of benches. My friend's 20 month year old loved wondering around the sundial.

Dave Stewart

Google
Urban sculpture/art in a quiet neighborhood. If you're interested in sundials, this is a must see on a sunny day.

Tonnette Leonard

Google
My childhood play time
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Ed U.

Yelp
I'm not sure this obscurity deserves a mention among the must-see landmarks of San Francisco, but it might be worth a pass-by if you're near the area. Yep, it's a sundial alright, a big one that measures 28 feet wide and 26 feet high. Built 110 years ago, it's in the middle of an upscale residential circle where it was meant to attract wealthy families.outplaced by the earthquake. The irony is that it was erected in one of the city's foggier areas, but I was fortunate and saw the sun cast a bit of a shadow on the grounds. There were benches, pansies around the perimeter, and a sense of paranoia that somebody was staring through a set of binoculars from one of the surrounding houses. I think it's five minutes tops for a visit. RELATED - Looking for San Francisco's hidden gems? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3K7JKJl
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Nadine C.

Yelp
Amazing landmark in San Francisco! When I did some research for my San Francisco vacation, I looked up "landmarks" and found this listing for the Ingleside Terraces Sundial. After reading Peter C.'s review, I made it a point to go find it. He said that the sundial was part of a plan to lure buyers to the neighborhood. Other reviewers said that there's a larger sundial in India. In 1913, when it was built, this sundail could have been the largest in the world! Either way, I thought it was a cool work of art! My friend wanted to drive me here on her way to her dental appointment. She thought that it might be a sketchy area, but it's not. The homes here look like they're in good shape. This is a pleasant place to reside! I was dropped off while my friend drove around the circle. I snapped a few photos and jumped back in her car. It was a fun and quick excursion!
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Ms LaLa D.

Yelp
Hawai'i Trees in San Francisco We were in San Francisco for Christmas 2021 and my Daughter lives in the area and she suggested we visit this park. It's definitely a hidden gem in a beautiful residential neighborhood. Being from Hawai'i the highlight for me was finding some flowering Evergreen trees with red blossoms on them that is called Ohia Lehua from the Myrtaceae Family. The feathery and fragile red blossoms represents the largest of the Hawaiian Islands chain, the island of Hawai'i aka the Big Island. Both the flowers and leaves are used to make lei for dancing hula as well as special occasions. The wood is strong and popular to make furniture, bowls, and even house poles. I was surprised to find it in San Francisco. This will always be a special place for me to visit when I'm in the area.
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Irene Y.

Yelp
** During Quarantine Review ** This is a super random landmark in located in an affluent suburban part of San Francisco. Nevertheless, it's well maintained and a fun free place to snap some nifty shots. If you're looking for something quirky to do, this is a solid option.
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Peter C.

Yelp
SF Gate wrote about this hidden gem in Ingleside, which I read about during my visit to the city. It was a good thing my means of transportation was a bicycle as I had fun wondering about until I finally arrived. Thanks to Karl, it was a foggy day so I was not able to tell what time it was. The Ingleside terrace Sundial was built back in 1913 to lured buyers to purchase homes in this neighborhood. Under optimal conditions the huge sundial does give you the time, that is if you know how to read it.
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Miami S.

Yelp
This very special park and Sundial are both historic and a secret. The Sundial is located near SF State, bordered by Junipero Serra, Ocean Avenue, and Holloway. It is purported to be the largest sundial in the world - rivaled only by one in India! The active and remarkable Ingleside Terraces Neighborhood Assn holds their annual picnic at the site. The Terraces is a wonderful neighborhood with 350 homes+ The famous Urbano Drive was the old "Speckles Race Track" dating pre 1906 earthquake. Look it up.
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Derry D.

Yelp
Born and raised in this lovely neighborhood. I can't tell you how many times I climbed this sundial as a child. The big accomplishment was to get to the top and turn around to sit there. No small task. I can't believe it remains accessible because it's truly dangerous. Ingleside Terraces was a magical neighborhood. I need to go back for a visit and a nice walk around Urbano Dr. the former racetrack.
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Shaedon W.

Yelp
Pretty neat neighborhood and artifact to represent it. Neat to have such a large sculpture to work with the sun.
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Peter M.

Yelp
While a quirky, unique neighbourhood art installation, claims that this is anything like the largest sundial in the world are vastly overblown. The largest sundial in the world is the Vrihat Samrat Yantra at the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, India. Not only is it over 3 times taller than the Ingleside sundial, it was also built over 200 years earlier. Having visited both I can confirm that there's really no comparison - one is a cute, quirky piece of neighbourhood art, the other is an impressively massive edifice with incredible (for the age) scientific value (it keeps time to within 2 seconds - you can easily see the sun's shadow crawling along the dial).
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Infodiva B.

Yelp
Located at Entrada Court @ Borica off Urbano Street Ingleside Imagine Infodiva age seven riding her bike to the Sundial. We would ride around and around on the circular street. Sometimes we would see how high we could ascend up the dial. Unless you live near Ocean Avenue, or read a rare reference about it, there's a good chance you don't know that a big white sun dial exists. The secret: On October 13, 1913, fifteen hundred people attended the opening ceremony for this twenty-eight foot marble and concrete gnomon. It was to become the focal point of its own park and Ingleside Terraces. Oddly, the party for this sun-dependent clock was conducted at night. The timing had various symbolic reasons. That week the Atlantic and Pacific oceans kissed for the first time at the Panama Canal. It celebrated the planned opening of San Francisco's Twin Peaks Tunnel, whose fast, reliable, and clean streetcar line was designed to serve people living away from the downtown area. Muni K Ingleside can take you here. And it was a romantic setting that would appeal to any young couple considering a new house. Because it stands within the original circular configuration of where the Ingleside Race Track operated between 1895-1905, a bogus story took root that the monument was an ornament left over from the track's heyday. Many people believed the story, perhaps visualizing that gamblers should quit while their luck still shines. Check out the Video and the Pictures. For more info http://wikimapia.org/675870/ Great Aerial Picture via Google Maps. Memories I could go on. Infodiva Reppin OMI 415 94132 Giving Yelpers Everywhere a SF History Lesson West of Twin Peaks Not the Mission Not Daly City You betta recognize. oh here is the Bay Guardian's take on the Sundial. BEST FORGOTTEN CHRONOGRAPH Deep in the swirling mists of the Ingleside District near San Francisco State, the enigmatic Giant Sundial of Entrada Court looms over a small cul-de-sac in the middle of an otherwise unremarkable neighborhood of modest homes. This near-useless timepiece is not the product of a public works project gone awry, nor is it a ruin left by some forgotten civilization from an age when the sun actually shone on southwest San Francisco. Although the sundial is located on the site of the old Ingleside Race Track--which lives on in the mile-long, oval-shaped form of nearby Urbano Street--it was actually part of an earlier, ill-fated 1913 plan to build a park near Ingleside Terraces. Strangely enough, the sundial's 28-foot-high concrete gnomon was originally unveiled at night--and perhaps now commemorates the victory of suburbanlike reality over the green-minded dreams of long ago. Entrada Court near Urbano at Borica, SF http://www.sfbg.com/2006bob/classics.php
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Joey O.

Yelp
This sundial was so beautiful! I felt like I was in a different world. Make sure to go on a sunny day, it makes it even more enjoyable!
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Susy C.

Yelp
Oh man, how can one NOT love this place? It brings back so many childhood memories.. My cousins and I used to play lots of sports, and on the weekends we'd either play volleyball, rollerblade, swim or bike together. Imagine our adolescent selves when we "discovered" this place. I used to always think to myself that it must suck to live here because you constantly have people coming to gawk at the damn thing, but I suppose it's also nice because it's in a secluded area. I'll forever remember climbing up this thing trying to see how far i'd get. P.S. One time, at band camp, nah just kidding. But in all seriousness, one time I was here with someone while they drunk. He tried to be macho and climb up the sundial and fell. btw, it was very late at night and semi-moist/dewey from fog. He now has a scar and hates my guts.
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Liv A.

Yelp
Being an SF native, I never knew of this landmark until SF Gate pegged it as one of the city's hidden gems. Surprisingly, driving to this location, I was in my cousin's neighborhood. I'm not even sure if he knows this is a few blocks away from his house! It is very discreet and surely a hidden gem. Built in 1913, this sundial was the largest in the world at the time. It's refreshing to find a little piece of history right in the heart of a neighborhood that you may pass by frequently (SF State/Stownstown). Pretty neat if you ask me!
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CJ L.

Yelp
Fifteen hundred people attended an opening ceremony on October 13, 1913, at Ingleside Terraces for the 28-foot high marble and concrete building of the world's largest sundial to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal. (Courtesy Margie Whitnah.) Why a sundial? To show potential buyers they could leave the fog behind and move to a sunny suburb!
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Athena S.

Yelp
We grew up close by - 94127 representing :) Why am I reviewing a sundial? Because I can, that's why. As kids, we took our bikes here, I actually would rollerblade sometimes but the little hill of Entrada Court for someone who doesn't know how to stop on blades was pretty bloody courageous of my 9 year old self. This sundial is awesome. Do bring little kids to check it out but it's not some major tourist area so don't hold expectations too high (unless a 5 year old is reading this).
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Sin F.

Yelp
Interesting local novelty. Very old I guess like since 1913 it says. Kinda not as well kept up but still doing pretty well and the surrounding area is nice.
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Jennifer P.

Yelp
The sundial is located in a quaint circle in Ingleside. It's really a site to see, especially for any friends visiting the city that might like a little SF flavor without going to Fisherman's Wharf. It's too bad that the landscaping is unkempt; this place could be magical if it was.
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T J.

Yelp
Five stars for the absurdity and juxtaposition. Minus two stars for the fact it's surrounded by lots of grass and the sprinklers run often, about half of the water lands on the sidewalk and street. Ummm, drought anyone? Just one of those funky little treasures hidden away around SF. Not the Doggie Diner head, but still somewhat whimsical.
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John W.

Yelp
one of the best hidden gems in the city!!!!!!! it's a really fun place to bring your kids for an hour or two. On sunny days, my family would have a picnic on the grass under the sundial, and me and my brother would see who could climb it the fastest! GREAT MEMORIES!!! btw, the street around it used to be a horse track, if you go out of the little cul-ve-sac, and follow that road, you will make a loop. That loop was the place where the horse track originally was!
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Margaret R.

Yelp
Some people claim that this is the biggest sundial in San Francisco. I don't know if that's true, but how many sundials are there in the city? Nonetheless, this one is pretty big. It's kind of fun to see this random thing in the middle of a neighborhood. The bf said he used the climb the sundial when he was a kid. A friend attempted and almost fell off...it was raining though. An attempt to climb the thing during the rain probably wasn't smart, but I blame the bf who told us to "man up".
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Lynda T.

Yelp
Great Cul de Sac spot for a quick neighborhood walk with my dog.

Stephanie Y.

Yelp
Wasted $25 on Uber to Drive all the way to see this. Waste of time and money. This was on a list of to things to see in San Francisco. Disappointed in this as a "landmark."
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Not A.

Yelp
I cannot believe how many reviews there are on this Sun Dial. It is a very good Sun Dial. When the sun is actually shining it can be used to predict the time with relative accuracy. Kids think its cool.
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Maurice R.

Yelp
My childhood home is blocks away, and I rode my bike around this as achild too many time to count. It tells time *VERY* accurately, as well. Oh, Ingleside, how I love thee...
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gar l.

Yelp
Like all the best things about San Francisco, this is wierd, out of the way, and somewhat pointless. Don't miss it!
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christy w.

Yelp
the sundial is actuallly pretty cool because it is acurate in telling the time=) we had a picnic on the benches today with our pb&j sandwiches. And with the sun shining on our backs, it became a perfect day!