St. Mary’s Square / nearby Chinatown approach

What to know

St. Mary’s Square is a remarkable example of mid-century urban planning, designed in 1957 by landscape architect Robert Royston. Unlike traditional parks, this space is a rooftop park situated on the top level of a parking garage within San Francisco's Chinatown neighborhood. Royston aimed to soften the rigid geometry of the parking structure below by implementing a playful two-tone concrete grid for the pavement and incorporating curved planting beds to break up the pedestrian areas. The park serves as a cultural and social hub, featuring a focal point in the form of a sculpture of Sun Yat-Sen created by local artist Benny Bufano. To provide a natural sense of enclosure, a row of existing poplar trees was retained to serve as a scenic backdrop. For those visiting with families or seeking a break, the square includes a playground, restrooms, and a refreshment stand. Located at the intersection of California and Grant streets, the square is named after the adjacent Old St. Mary's Cathedral. This historic cathedral, built in 1854 and commissioned from architects Angus McSweeney, Paul A. Ryan, and John Michael Lee, was the first Catholic cathedral in San Francisco. It stands as a testament to the city's early history, predating nearly every other structure in the immediate vicinity. Beyond the park itself, the area is supported by St. Mary’s Rec Center, which has served the community since 1950 and is affectionately known as Chinatown’s Backyard. This facility expands the neighborhood's recreational offerings with a full-service gym and a thriving community garden, ensuring the square remains a vital part of the local social fabric.

Visitor tips

• Look for the distinct two-tone concrete grid on the ground, a signature of Robert Royston's design.
• Visit the nearby Old St. Mary's Cathedral to see one of the oldest surviving structures in the neighborhood.
• Allow extra time to explore the playground and refreshment stand if visiting with children.

Nearby context

Positioned at the corner of California and Grant streets, St. Mary's Square sits at a cultural crossroads in Chinatown. It is located directly across from the historic Old St. Mary's Cathedral and is adjacent to the St. Mary's Rec Center, creating a combined zone of spiritual, recreational, and artistic significance.