Are you puttin’ around in search of family fun in the city? Well, look no further—Stagecoach Greens is the new place to be in town. Lucky for us, owners Esther and Jan Stearns’ vision of creating a place where people of all ages can come together and create memories, has come to life. So bring your team to this urban course, where golfers of all levels can score a hole in one!

Tee Off, San Francisco Style

Right in the bustle of trendy Mission Bay within Parklab Gardens, Stagecoach Greens is a first of its kind and a true San Francisco labor of love. Their top-notch props, all made by local SF Artist in the Bayview and their community support of two local charities: Family House in Mission Bay and Braid Mission, a San Francisco based organization for foster youth are a testament to that. This ADA-accessible, 18-hole, open-air course will take you through our amazing city’s boom-and-bust history that has shaped it into what it is today.

From the Barbary Coast Saloon to the Chinatown Gate, everyone will enjoy the detailed renditions of San Francisco neighborhoods and iconic landmarks. McCovey Cove, Sutro Tower and a comical face off between the Transamerica building and Salesforce Tower while Coit Tower keeps time are favorites.

Every hole is interactive with history boards covering the Gold Rush to Summer of Love. Heads up on hole six, Gold Rush Graveyard, where a ball through the middle tunnel wakes up a friend who unexpectedly peeks out to say hello and can startle your mini golfers (all in good fun, of course). Some of our favorites were Hole 14’s 1906 Victorian that reenacts the historic earthquake and hole 17’s epic Chinatown dragon, huffing with lighted eyes. Download their app for fun backstory videos, live Instagram feeds, score tracking, booking tee times and to further explore the course.

photo: William J Simpson Photography

In The Wild West

All that swinging can work up an appetite. Forget your usual snack bar, here you’ll find a fleet of food trucks, plenty of tables, cabanas to relax in and and a bar for the grownups. Al Pastor Papi and Hookt Donuts are just a couple of the yummy options you’ll have, all managed by Carlos Muela of the popular food truck parks: SPARK Social SF, right across the street and SOMA StrEat Food Park.

You’ll enjoy the mix of city and wild wild west backdrops as you dine al fresco. You can also rent out a tippy cabana for your next event or birthday party here. Be prepared and dress in layers, especially if you plan to stay late to see the place lit up, as temperatures drop and the winds pick up in the evening.

Making History

Round up your players and head on over for a fun-filled day or night in the town. Book your tee time online and beat the crowds. Your little caddies will love the brightly colored clubs and choosing their own balls, keep an eye out for the golden ones. Be sure to catch all the Insta-worthy photo ops throughout the course, don’t forget to #hashtag each hole and have a blast creating memories and some history of your own.

Location: 1379 4th Street, San Francisco
Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily
Cost: adults/$16, youth (12 and under)/$8
Online: stagecoachgreens.com 

—Nella DuBon-Koch

Photos by author except where noted