Candlestick Point State Recreation Area facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
A walking path with Candlestick Park in the background
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Location	San Francisco County, California, US
Nearest city	San Francisco, California
Area	204 acres (83 ha)
Established	1972
Operated by	California Department of Parks and Recreation

Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, or just Candlestick Point, is a unique state park in California, United States. It's an urban park right on the edge of San Francisco Bay. You can find it at the southeastern tip of San Francisco, just south of Hunters Point.

This park covers about 170 acres. It was once a landfilled area meant for a shipyard during World War II. But the war ended, and the shipyard was never built. For a while, people used the area as a garbage dump. Then, in 1973, the California State Legislature bought the land. In 1977, they decided to turn it into a California State Park. Candlestick Point became the first urban recreation area in the state!

Today, Candlestick Point is a major recreation spot in San Francisco. It offers amazing views of the bay. The park has many picnic areas, two fishing piers, and fitness courses. There are also great hiking trails to explore. It's a super popular place for windsurfing because of the strong, steady winds.

What's in a Name? The Story of Candlestick Point

Have you ever wondered how Candlestick Point got its name? There are a few interesting ideas!

Candlestick Rock: A Tall Story

• Some people believe the park was named after a rock called Candlestick Rock.
• This rock was about 8 feet tall.
• It used to stand near the high-tide line in the bay.

The Candlestick Bird: A Feathered Friend

• Another idea is that the park was named after a bird.
• The long-billed curlew was once very common here.
• This bird was also known as the "candlestick bird."

Burning Ships: A Fiery Tale

• A third theory comes from the 1800s.
• Back then, old sailing ships were sometimes burned in the bay.
• As the ships sank, their flaming masts looked like lighted candlesticks.

A Park for Everyone: Activities at Candlestick Point

Candlestick Point is a fantastic place to visit for many reasons. It offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages.

Enjoy the Outdoors: Picnic and Play

• The park has several picnic areas.
• These are perfect for family outings or gatherings with friends.
• You can enjoy a meal with a beautiful view of the bay.

Fishing Fun: Cast Your Line

• There are two fishing piers at Candlestick Point.
• They are great spots to try and catch some fish.
• It's a relaxing way to spend time by the water.

Stay Active: Trails and Fitness

• The park features fitness courses.
• These courses are perfect for getting some exercise.
• You can also explore the many hiking trails.
• Walking or running on the trails offers great views and fresh air.

Windsurfing Excitement: Catch the Wind

• Candlestick Point is famous for windsurfing.
• The strong and regular winds make it an ideal spot.
• You'll often see windsurfers gliding across the bay.

Candlestick Park, the former stadium for the San Francisco Giants baseball team and the San Francisco 49ers football team, was also located right next to Candlestick Point.