Located about 30-60 minutes from Berkeley, depending on traffic, our new favorite mini-golf spot between Oracle Park (Giants) and the Chase Center (Warriors) at Stagecoach Greens in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco. I spent an easy afternoon with my 9-year-old son putting through creative obstacles and learning some Bay Area history.
What to expect at Stagecoach Greens
There were many children and multi-generational families on the sunny afternoon we visited.
Each hole of the 18-hole putt-putt course is a little history lesson plus an inventive mini-golf challenge. Many have sound, all have history lessons, and some have specific photo ops (though you’ll have a hard time NOT taking photos of everything!).
Their website says:
Our custom-built course was designed to challenge and entertain players of all ages. Every hole tells a unique story of boom and bust in the West and explores the elements that shape the San Francisco experience.
Mission accomplished!
According to Sawyer, “Each hole was more special than the one before. There were loopty-loops, moving houses, turntables, earthquakes, and inventions. This is the most special mini golf ever.”
To keep score, you can download the Stagecoach Greens app, request a pencil and scorecard, or skip it. With my children, I have learned to forgo the stress of keeping score; I make sure they know how to count and move along, but we don’t write it down.
I agree with my child’s assessment and actually wished we had more time between holes to read the descriptive placards.
I had a hole-in-one at the Stagecoach Greens stadium hole and the ‘Charge’ song lined up perfectly with my triumph!
The food situation at Stagecoach Greens & Parklab Gardens
You cannot bring food or drink on the impeccable putting greens, but the little beer garden is well-suited to snacks or a meal afterward. There’s also a Starbucks across the street.
The enclosed city block featuring Stagecoach Greens also features a half dozen food trucks, ample outdoor seating, cabanas available for rental, and bathrooms. We picked up a dozen Hookt cinnamon sugar mini donuts for the brothers we left at home.
Plan your visit to Stagecoach Greens in SF
Location: 1379 4th Street San Francisco at Parklab Gardens
It is a block or so from the Mission Bay Kids Park if you have extra energy to burn afterward.
Greens Fees (includes tee time and reservation fees)
Adults: $19
Youth (12 and under): $12
Website to reserve tee times >
[All photos Heather Flett, all rights reserved]
