Church & 18th streets

While the Bay Area's professional basketball team may be mired in a decades-old mess of mediocrity and neglect, street ball is alive and well in the city. Hoop dreams are born and die on the concrete courts, and no court is more conducive to a fun and healthy afternoon of b-ball than this one. Located at the northern tip of the park, it often sports an open basket if you just want to fool around -- or, if you feel like a bit more serious action, there's always a pickup game. The contests are usually both competitive and friendly, whether you're a budding superstar or just a casual shooter.