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Sunset Dunes Background & Timeline

Covid-19 and the Great Highway Pilot Closure In April 2020, the Great Highway was closed to vehicles from Lincoln to Sloat to provide recreational opportunities and social distancing space during the COVID-19 pandemic. In August 2021, the Great Highway reopened to vehicular traffic on weekdays while retaining the weekend park usage. In December 2022, the Board of Supervisors passed legislation establishing the Great Highway Pilot, a hybrid usage plan that closed the road to vehicles on holidays and weekends and, during which, traffic and visitor data was collected on the Great Highway’s use as both a roadway and park. In November 2024, San Francisco voters approved the passage of Proposition K, which transforms the Upper Great Highway to a permanent 24/7 recreational public park for walking, biking, rolling and more.

Prop K. and the Opening of Sunset Dunes Following the passage of Prop K in November 2024 , the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department has been working closely with the City’s Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA), Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Department of Public Works (DPW) to complete the necessary infrastructure projects to transform the former Great Highway into a park:

Rec and Park worked quickly to install new park amenities such as water fountains and wild-life friendly trashcans, vista points, gathering spaces, public art, new signage, fitness equipment, a bike pump track and more. These interim projects will support the recreational use of the new park and esplanade to ensure that Sunset Dunes can be enjoyed by everyone

April 2025 Opening Timeline

The transformation of the Great Highway into a full-time park will roll out in phases. Here’s what to expect:

  • Friday, March 14 –The Upper Great Highway between Lincoln Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, and the Great Highway Extension southbound lanes from Sloat to Skyline boulevards permanently closed. MTA began work at the Lincoln and Great Highway and Sloat and Great Highway intersections, upgrading signals, paving, and creating safe bicycle and pedestrian routes to and around the park.
  • March 17 through April 4 – PUC conducted its sand backpass operation in the city-side lanes of the Upper Great Highway. PUC completes the backpass every 2 – 5 years to reenforce the coastline against sea-level rise, erosion and storms. In the ocean-side lanes, Rec and Park began implementing key park elements such as seating and recreation areas while community partners install temporary art.
  • April 17-12—Rec and Park will continue to add improvements for wayfinding, comfort, and activations.
  • April 12 – The park officially opens with a ribbon cutting and community celebration, fully welcoming the public to San Francisco’s newest connection to the coast.

A Park for the People, Named by the People San Franciscans have a once-in-a-generation chance to make history and leave their mark on the coast—by naming the city’s newest oceanfront park. The Great Park Naming Contest invites the community to dream up a name that reflects the spirit of this spectacular new space. Here’s how it will work:

  • Saturday, March 1 through Sunday, March 16 at 5 p.m. – The public can submit name ideas online.
  • Tuesday, March 18 at 6 p.m. – A virtual community meeting will review nominations and gather feedback.
  • Thursday, March 20 – Wednesday, April 2 – The public will weigh in online to determine the final name.