What I Saw: Treasure Island / Yerba Buena Island

By Charlie McCabe

2026 is here, cold and snowy in the northeastern United States, as one would expect in January. I've been reflecting about what I learned both working in and visiting parks and public spaces. I'll start this new series off with a visit to Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island in the middle of San Francisco Bay.

Long a site for the coast guard, the military and more recently housing for lower income residents, its transforming into a new neighborhood, replacing the existing housing and building both market rate and reduced income housing.

Key to its success as a new neighborhood with thousands of residents is a park system that also functions as as the primary stormwater treatment and management system. Some of the initial parks have opened, including an off-leash dog park with some of the best views anywhere. A few photos, from a trip in January are here. I'll revisit Treasure Island again in future posts.

Copyright 2026, Charlie McCabe Consulting LLC