San Francisco, CA

Ocean Beach
DESCRIPTION: One ofthe best free things you can do in San Francisco is visit this beach with magnificant Pacific Ocean views; enhanced with imported sand and other upgrades, this beach runs the 6 mile length of the western edge of the city; despite year round 50-70 degree temperatures and frequent fog, everyday you see bikers, joggers, and walkers at this favorite attraction of San Franciscans; on the warmest days you see picnics, board surfers, body surfers, boogey boarders and swimmers who brave the strong currents and perilous riptides; casually walk north to the Cliff House where you can peer out bay windows at Seal Rocks, enjoy a fine seafood dinner and galss of chiante; on clear days from the Cliff House, see the ocean-faring vessels passing by in route to the Golden Gate; with all the attention focused on the northern portion, don't forget the southern portion of the beach, which is one of the cleanest in the state and near San Francisco Zoo

ADDRESS: Great Highway  MAP

Golden Gate Park
DESCRIPTION: work began in 1871 on this world renowned 1000 acre park; designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed Central Park in New York City; like its sibling, Golden Gate Park was essentially man-made, the only predominant natural feature it had was sand dunes; John McLaren was the Scottish gardening wizard he deserves equal credit for transforming the park with imported flora and fauna and ensuring that the lakes, ponds, waterfalls and gardens coexisted in a healthy ecosystem; there is something for everyone here -- play on the sylvan play fields, playgrounds, 21 tennis courts, carelessly watch Murphy's Windmill near the ocean, play soccer, inline skate or bike on streets closed to autos, feed ducks and visit real buffalo, fly cast, reconnect with flowers by visit the conservatory or Strybing Arboretum or Japanese Tea Garden, visit the De young Museum of Art or the California Academy of Sciences & Steinhart Aquarium before listening to a free concert at the Music Concourse; open morning until night

ADDRESS: bounded by Stanyan Street, Fulton Street, Great Highway & Lincoln Way  MAP

WEBSITE:  link

The Presidio
DESCRIPTION: Beginning as you enter san Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, The Presidio was also a military reservation for 200 years until closing in the 1990's; it is this dual nature which makes it historically relevant, stunningly beautiful and politically contentious; George Lucas of "Star Wars" fame is opening a branch of his expanding movie production empire in the area once occupied by military housing--its will still host a military museum; as with many things in San Francisco Lucas arrival in the Presidio has been fought by others who want the Presidio converted to a complete national park; as for you the visitor--sightsee along Lincoln Blvd, Washington Blvd, and Arguello Blvd through voluminous Monterey pines, cast a glance at dangerous ocean riptides off Baker's Beach, view the latest sports match at Crissy Field; park your car near the SF side of Golden Gate Bridge and follow the signs to Fort Point under the southern end of the bridge to see the world's greatest view of man-made bridge meets ocean

ADDRESS: bounded by Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, Baker Street, Lyon Street and Pacific Ave  MAP
WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/prsf

Baker Beach
DESCRIPTION: San Francisco's warmest beach has large waves, undertow and rip currents that make the beach unsafe for swimming, but it provides million dollar views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands, tide pools,  barbeque grills and picnic tables; steep bluffs on the northern most end concel a portion of the beach and make it a favorite of nude sun-bathers when the weather is 80+ degrees warm

ADDRESS: Bowley Street and Lincoln Blvd at the northwestern side of the Presidio  MAP

PHONE: 415-331-1540

WEBSITE: link

Twin Peaks
DESCRIPTION: Native Americans believed these peaks were formed when the Great Spirit separated a quarreling couple; Spanish explorers named them "Breasts of the Indian Maiden"; after your vehicle makes several hairpin turns up the 850-foot climb to the peaks, get 360 degree postcard views and photos to brag about for a life time - its a favorite of couples on a date; on the warmest days its difficult to find a parking spot; always bring a sweater or jacket since the winds at this elevation are chilly, even in Summer

ADDRESS: Twin Peaks Blvd  MAP

Park Merced & Fort Funston
DESCRIPTION: With a lake as the prominent backdrop, Park Merced is a golfer's delight, provided you can get tee times; rent a small boat for leisure paddling around the lake from sun up to sun down; Adventure Travelers note:  Fort Funston is a hang gliders delight -- a lot of the pros 'hang" out

ADDRESS: bounded by Lake Merced Blvd, Sloat Blvd, Winston Drive & Pacific Ocean  MAP

Oakland, CA

Lake Merritt
DESCRIPTION: A 122-acre saltwater lake is the largest in the United States and the Jewel of Oakland; the park includes a children's theme park and bird habitat that features dozens of California species; many pedal boats, row boats, and sail boats can be rented here; most people jog, bike or sightsee around 3.5 miles of this Oakland treasure adjacent to downtown; at any given point in time you’ll see for walkers, joggers, bikers, rowers, sailors and windsurfers partaking in the fun and relaxation

ADDRESS: from Grand Ave enter at Bellevue Ave  MAP

PHONE: park 510-238-7275; Sailboat House 510-238-6876

WEBSITE: link

Dunsmuir House and Gardens
DESCRIPTION: With a 50-acre horticultural park bedecked with 37-room colonial revival estate built in 1899, this park is a feast for the eyes and a popular site for weddings and reunions; special events during the year include concerts, Christmas at Dunsmuir and occasionally the KBLX Stone Soul Picnic

DAYS & HOURS: February-October Tue-Fri 10a-4p

ADDRESS: 2960 Peralta Oaks Court  MAP

PHONE: 510-562-0328

WEBSITE: http://www.dunsmuir.org

Joaquin Miller Park
DESCRIPTION: One of the last urban redwood groves, this 500-acre forest can boasts some of fine vistas, fresh air, trails, and equestrian areas; in the Spring and summer this regional park hosts musicals in the summer at the Woodminster Amphitheater; finding an on-street parking space can be an issue in warm months, so arrive early

ADDRESS: Joaquin Miller Road  MAP

PHONE: 510-531-9597

WEBSITE: link

Alameda, CA

Robert Crown State Beach
DESCRIPTION: Arguably the nicest family beach in the Bay Area, when you consider that San Francisco beaches are often chilly, cloudy and many have riptides on the same day its sunny and warm here; jog or bike to your heart's delight while taking in great views of pleasure craft, the Bay Bridge, the San Francisco Bay, Yerba Buena Island, airplane departures and a nature preserve for migrating birds; the 2.5-mile beach with sand dunes bordering a bicycle trail is a great achievement of landscaping and restoration with sand from San Francisco Bay, pumped ashore by pipeline from a barge

ADDRESS: 1252 McKay Ave  MAP
PHONE: 510-521-7090

WEBSITE: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/crown_beach