The Best Park / Open Space in Bay Area

Pier 15 / Pier 15 Plaza

This plaza in front of the Exploratorium allows the public to access a few art / science exhibits like the fog bridge in front of the museum. It's also a nice place to meet up with friends if you're hanging out in the Embarcadero area and it's an op... more

Pier 30/32

Pier 30/32 has sat mostly empty for many years now. It was proposed that the site become the new home of a Warriors' stadium, but that project was blocked by the neighborhood. Since then, the piers have acted as overflow parking, hosted boats racin... more

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PIER 39

This San Francisco landmark features some of Fisherman's Wharf's best shopping and attractions. Ride the carousel or watch the sea lions. There are more than 25 one-of-a-kind gift stores that carry automobile, Hollywood, and rock 'n' roll memorabilia... more

Pier 48

With over 110,000 square feet (4 football fields) of entertainment space, Pier 48 is located on the San Francisco Waterfront across McCovey Cove from Oracle Park. Pier 48 comprises two main anchors, Shed A and Shed B, which can be utilized in tandem... more

Pier 7 San Francisco

Pillar Point Bluff

Pillar Point Bluff offers hikers, joggers, bicyclists, and dog-walkers a chance to take in the breathtaking sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean. The 220-acre bluff top includes a section of the California Coastal Trail and offers views of Half Moo... more

Pioneer Log Cabin Picnic Area

Pioneer Memorial Park

Pioneer Memorial Park, a block or two from Downtown Mountain View, is a little green space ringed with tall Redwood trees.  It's a perfect space for plopping down a blanket, taking in the sun, reading a book, enjoying a bite, or even throwi... more

Pioneer Park

Facilities at Pioneer Park include a drinking fountain, restrooms, children’s playground, gazebo and a picnic area. The playground is equipped with new state of the art playground equipment.  The Gazebo Area is available for small outdoor... more

Playa

Playland at 43rd Avenue

Our mission is to create and maintain a collaborative all-inclusive multi-use community park on 43rd Avenue near Judah. Playland at 43rd Avenue is place to play, connect, create and relax, serving all residents of the Outer Sunset. more

Plaza de Cesar Chavez in San Jose

Plaza de César Chávez is a small, 2.2 acre park in Downtown San Jose, named after César Chávez (originally "The Plaza", then "Pueblo Plaza") in 1993. It is surrounded by South Market Street, across which is The Tech Mus... more

Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park

Point Cabrillo Light State State Historic Park features the beautifully rehabilitated 1909 lighthouse and 11 other structures, including three lightkeepers homes. In a nearby cove rest the remamins of the Frolic, the most important Gold Rush-era ship... more

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline

There are beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County and Brooks Island from this popular 23 acre park located at the west end of Central Avenue in Richmond. There are 20 more acres at North Point Isabel, which is located across the Hoffm... more

Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges. Native land mammals number about 37 sp... more

Point Sur Lighthouse

Historic lighthouse atop scenic Point Sur. Tours available several times per week; check the schedule at www.PointSur.org. Join our guided walking tour up the side of Point Sur and through the historic lighthouse, living quarters, on-site carpentry/... more

Point Sur State Historic Park

The Point Sur Lightstation sits 361 feet above the surf on a large volcanic rock. Point Sur is the only complete turn-of-the century Lightstation open to the public in California, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. First lit on Augus... more

Portola Redwoods State Park

Portsmouth Square

Portsmouth Square, formerly known as Portsmouth Plaza, is a one-block park in Chinatown, San Francisco, California, bounded by Kearny Street on the east, Washington Street on the north, Clay Street on the south, and Walter Lum Place on the west. - ht... more

Potrero Del Sol Park - La Raza Park

At the end of Utah Street, near 25th Street, is Potrero del Sol, otherwise known as La Raza Park. The park has pathways and benches, rolling hills, lawns and trees. The Portrero Skate Park replaced a pond at the lower end of the park. There is plent... more

1 Upcoming events

Precita Park

Located on Precita Avenue, the park cuts a narrow green swath that stretches from Folsom to Alabama Streets. more

Preservation Park

Occupying two blocks in the heart of downtown Oakland, Preservation Park is a Victorian neighborhood, a unique collection of historic residences transformed into the City's most innovative workplace and event center. Find out about their wedding site... more

Presidio - Main Post

A stretch of green near the Visitor Center and across from the Walt Disney Museum. The Main Post --the heart of the Presidio--marks the site of a Spanish garrison established here in 1776. This historic site served as a Spanish military base for for... more

Presidio Heights Park

While this is not a "plan your day - travel here" kind of park, the renovated park features a great playground and picnic area; plus a full-court basketball court. more

Presidio Trust

The Presidio Trust is an innovative federal agency created to save the Presidio and transform it into a new kind of national park. Spanning 1,500 acres in a spectacular setting at the Golden Gate, the Presidio now operates largely without taxpayer... more

Presidio Tunnel Tops

The Tunnel Tops is a new 14-acre park that's roughly the size of Dolores Park. This green space connects Crissy Field with the interior of the Presidio; including the Main Post. It will be a place where visitors can connect with nature, where kid... more

1 Upcoming events

Presidio Visitor Center

The William Penn Mott, Jr. Presidio Visitor Center is a dynamic focal point for park goers to discover the Presidio, a 1,500-acre oasis in San Francisco. more

Progress Park

Progress Park is a thin mini-park that features include meandering paths under the freeway. There are also benches, a pull up bar, a bocce court, and a fenced off-leash dog area. more

Pump It Up Party Zone of Sunnyvale

Turn your next party into a bouncing, sliding, ecstatic extravaganza! At Pump It Up, jump into your own private arenas filled with gigantically fun inflatables. And when everybody’s joyfully worn out, the festivities continue in your own private part... more

Purisima Creek Preserve

The Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is located on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Half Moon Bay. The preserve was established with a gift of $2 million from the Save-the-Redwoods League. The centerpiece of th... more

Quarry Lakes Regional Recreational Area

History is everywhere in the area of Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area in Fremont. Native Americans inhabited the region for millennia before the arrival of Europeans, notably in the sites that are now preserved at Coyote Hills Regional Park west... more

Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden

Motorized pumps were first installed in the Dutch Windmill in 1913 to augment the power system, and the Murphy Windmill was electrified soon after. It is commonly believed that the windmills were taken out of service around 1935, after which they beg... more

Raging Waters Water Theme Park

Raging Waters San Jose is Northern California's premier water park destination. Enjoy scenic panoramic views of Lake Cunningham and the San Jose Foothills, over a million gallons of water attractions, and 23-acres of family fun! more

Ragle Ranch Park

Ragle Ranch Regional Park in west Sebastopol features soccer and softball fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, a playground, off-leash dog park, peace garden, and group and individual picnic sites with barbecues. The park is noted for it... more

Raimondi Park

Park featuring a baseball diamond & a multi-sport field. There's also a playground and a putting green. more

Rainbow Park and Community Center

Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve

1 Upcoming events

Rancho Rico

Rancho Rico is a 200 acre private ranch (rentable by the week) set in open pastures and redwood groves. It lies high above the Pacific with panoramic views stretching from the majestic Ventana Mountains down the Big Sur coastline and all the way t... more

Rancho San Antonio County Park

Rancho San Vicente

Rancho San Vicente (996 acres) is the newest addition to Calero County Park and features several miles of multi-use trails. There are plenty of options, from a short, flat loop to longer, hilly options. This route takes you to the top of a hill with... more

UPCOMING EVENTS