Park Chess in San Francisco

I'm in the bay area CA for the summer. Does anyone know of a park/outdoor area where people play chess in San Francisco or Berkeley? And what day/time is good to go? Thanks!

I think the lively chess scene at 5th and Market was shut down as a public nuisance.  As far as I know it has not reappeared.  At least it wasn't there the last time I was in San Francisco in February.

There is always Xiangqi going on in Portsmouth Square in Chinatown.  But that's not exactly what you are asking for, I know.

A beautiful outdoor venue is Santana Row in San Jose.  (Not exactly close to San Francisco, true.)  Evenings and Saturday are the best times, but you can't always count on finding an opponent.  You can find out what a great chess environment this is by googling YouTube for some videos.  Chess.com has had meetups here.  It's not too far from chess.com world headquarters.

I don't know anything about the Berkeley scene.

Amy

There is the Mechanics Institute on Post street downtown San Francisco. The second oldest private chess club in the USA. If you e-mail them they will be happy to give you the information.

I went to play at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco but that was in 1952  when I was 16. The tables were cement near Kezar Stadium.

I know it wont help you but here is the link to the post I wrote: Click on it.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/chess-play-in-the-golden-gate-park-in-san-francisco

Be sure you contact the Mechanics Institute.

They are open 9 am to 9 pm daily.

There are usually chess players in front of the former Cody's Books store at Telegraph Ave. and Haste St. three blocks south of the UC Berkeley campus.