The Best Park / Open Space in Bay Area

McLaren Park

Four years after California was declared a "free and sovereign State" within the Mexican republic in 1836, Governor Juan Batista Alvarado granted what is now known as McLaren Park to the local government in 1840. Subdivision plans for the land grant... more

1 Upcoming events

McNear Peninsula Steamer Landing Park

Steamer Landing Park, located on the McNear Peninsula in the center of town, is one of Petaluma's true "hidden gems". Established as a public park in 1996, Steamer Landing is made up of 9.7 acres and is best known as the location of several beloved/a... more

McNears Beach County Park

Set in a beautiful sheltered cove with mature landscaping, this 55 acre regional park is located along the shores of San Pablo Bay in San Rafael, southeast of China Camp State Park. The fishing pier is extremely popular—anglers fish for sturgeo... more

McNee Ranch State Park

McNee Ranch State Park is one of California's newest parks. Located only 25 miles from San Francisco, it can provide some of the Bay Area's best lookouts from the top of Montara Mountain. McNee Ranch State Park is located on the San Mateo County coas... more

Memorial Park Bandshell

Memorial Park in Loma Mar

There's a humbling feeling when you're in the presence of redwoods. A gentle peace envelops you like a fog that drifts in. This peace is found every day at Memorial Park. Its 673 acres provides an opportunity to view outstanding old-growth redwoods a... more

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens was founded in 1961 by retired nurseryman Ernest Schoefer and his wife, Betty. Ernest's keen eye spotted the ample supply of water augmented by the mild coastal climate and quality soil essential to acid-loving plant... more

Mendocino Headlands State Park

Mendocino Headlands State Park with its unique blend of gentle trails, rugged coastline, secluded beaches and timeless history surrounds the picturesque Village of Mendocino on three sides.  Miles of trails wind along the cliffs, giving the casu... more

Mendocino Headlands State Park

This 347-acre green belt, on the headlands between Highway One and the Pacific Ocean, surrounds the town of Mendocino. Sheer bluffs rising from a rocky shoreline form the park's southern section. The historic Ford House Visitor Center (built in 1854)... more

Mendocino Woodlands State Park

The Mendocino Woodlands State Park is a year-round group camping retreat facility and environmental center nestled in the heart of the Redwood Forest, just Northeast of the town of Mendocino. A 720 acre park, the Woodlands offers three private group... more

Menke Park - Piccolo Pavilion

Menke Park is a cute little park and informal picnic area surrrounded by shops. Piccolo Pavilion makes for the perfect little stage for theater, community, and music events. more

Mezes Park

A cute little local park featuring 2 Tennis Courts (one of the courts has a hitting wall), a Basketball Court - Half, Grass Area and Playground. more

Middle Harbor Shoreline Park

Middle Harbor Shoreline Park (MHSP) is a 38-acre shoreline park built by the Port of Oakland and operated by the East Bay Regional Park District for the community, with more than two miles of pathways encircling Middle Harbor Basin. Photo Credit: &... more

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District mission is to acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity; protect and restore the natural environment; and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment... more

Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline

A beautifully landscaped shoreline picnic area, a secluded cove with swimming beach, a fishing pier at a historic site a hilltop with excellent panoramic views of the north Bay Area and a model railroad museum - all these attractions are part of 307-... more

Mini-Park at Judah & Great Hwy

The mini-park is a mixed bag, depending on the day. The park has lots of great plants that look native to the Outer Sunset / Ocean Beach environment. So the look is great and there are quite a few benches and sitting areas that line the little path... more

Mint Mall

Mission Bay Commons

Mission Bay Commons offers more than two acres of scenic lawn and green space-- the perfect spot to meet up with friends and family, enjoy a picnic or play sports. Mission Bay Commons welcomes dogs on leash. more

Mission Creek Park

An idyllic tree-lined park on each side of Mission Creek with areas of respite, recreation and events spaces. more

Mission Peak Regional Preserve

Mission Playground

There's a rec center, tennis, basketball and soccer (poppy foot) courts as well. more

Mission Plaza

Mission San Juan Bautista State Park

This park is adjacent to one of California's 21 Franciscan missions. The location was once the largest town in central California and the hub of travel between northern and central California. The mission is owned and operated by the Catholic Church... more

Mission Trail Nature Preserve

Mission Trail Park encompasses 35 acres of unspoiled native vegetation, containing a rich diversity of habitats - meadows, a grove of Oak trees and a dense Monterey Pine forest. This is a perfect spot for an early morning jaunt or an evening stroll -... more

Mission Valencia Greenway

The Mission & Valencia Green Gateway is a partnership of the SFPUC, Planning Department, and Department of Public Works, located along Valencia Street between Cesar Chavez and Mission streets. This project will feature innovative green infrastruct... more

Mitchell Canyon Interpretive Center

The Center has displays about various aspects of Mount Diablo State Park, including geology, wildlife, trails, and plant life. Clothing, souvenirs, and interpretive books and pamphlets are for sale. There are also postcards, note cards, trail maps, a... more

Mitchell Park in Palo Alto

J. Pearce "Mitchell" Park is a 21.4 acre neighborhood park with many one of kind features. The park includes shuffleboard courts, checkerboard/chess tables, seven tennis courts, two paddle tennis courts, four handball courts, jogging trails, picnic a... more

Modesto Reservoir Campground

Modesto Reservoir Regional Park (originally named Dallas-Warner Reservoir) is located at 18143 Reservoir Road which is about seven (7) miles east of the town of Waterford off Hwy 132. The reservoir was completed in 1915 by Modesto Irrigation District... more

MOMS Club of Campbell

The MOMS Club of Campbell is part of the International MOMS Club® (Moms Offering Moms Support), a non-profit, support group for the at-home mother of today! Whether you are an at-home mom full time, part-time, or have a home-based business; if yo... more

Montclair Park and Recreation Center

This great community resource is nestled in the Montclair District, complete with a duck pond, picnic areas, tennis courts, outdoor basketball court, and modern play equipment. Recent renovations were completed to make the center accessible to commun... more

Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's purpose is to purchase, permanently protect, and restore lands forming a regional open space greenbelt, preserve unspoiled wilderness, wildlife habitat, watershed, viewshed, and fragile ecosystems, and... more

Monterey State Historic Park - Custom House Plaza

Monterey State Historic Park is a collection of significant historic houses and buildings interspersed throughout Old Monterey. The inside of the Stevenson House, Larkin House, Cooper-Molera Adobe, and Casa Soberanes can ONLY be viewed with a State P... more

Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve

Getting to Montgomery Woods can be an adventure in itself. Orr Springs Road is windy and long, and reduces to a single lane in spots. But for adventurous types, the trip is well worth it. The old-growth trees in this oasis of solitude have survived f... more

Moraga Commons Park

Moraga Commons is a 40.2 acre multi-use park at the center of Moraga. The park offers many amenities such as: * Bandshell * Bocce Ball * Disc Golf Course (sign up for notifications here) * Picnic Areas * Playgrounds * Sand Volleyball * Ska... more

Moraga Steps

The steps lead from Moraga up, up, up to GrandView Park, where your reward is a nice view of the western part of the city. more

Moreland Woods Pumpkin Patch

The Pumpkin Patch is a volunteer fundraiser for the Moreland Education Foundation. more

Morgan Territory Regional Preserve

According to Native American folklore, at the dawn of time, Tuyshtak (today's Mount Diablo) was the sacred birthplace of the world. Supernatural beings, the First People, lived here. The First People are often designated with the names of the animals... more

Mori Point

Mori Point has a series of popular walking trails that vary from easy to moderate difficulty. The highest point in the park is Mori Point Peak that climbs to approximately 300 feet. Mori Point was a site of gravel and sand extraction during Wor... more

Moscone Recreation Center

Find activities and programs for all ages at this full-service Rec Center in the Marina District. The popular facility includes an indoor gym, community rooms, two play areas, a basketball court, two tennis courts, four ball diamonds, a putting green... more

Mosswood Park and Rec Center

Mosswood Park is nestled on four acres of green between West and North Oakland. The park is host to many events, programs and classes year round, and during the summer months hosts a thriving summer camp program. Our after school programs feature coo... more

2 Upcoming events

UPCOMING EVENTS