The Best Park / Open Space in Bay Area

Sigmund Stern Grove

From a cow pasture to cantatas, from a roadhouse to Rigoletto is the history of Sigmund Stern Grove in brief. Before the Forty-Niners cast their shadow across the chronicle of California, the area was part of the pioneer homestead of the Greene famil... more

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Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve

Skyline Ridge Preserve offers 2,143-acres of remarkably varied landscape that includes ridge vistas, expansive meadows, a pond for nature study, and a quiet lake frequented by migrating birds. Funding from the California Park and Recreation Facil... more

Skypark

Skate, picnic, take your dog for a walk and to socialize with other furry friends, go for a run or walk; it's all there at Skypark. more

Snow Park

Three blocks from the 19th Street Bart station, Snow Park is a small green space across from Lake Merritt. more

Soledad Rotary Park

Somersville Staging Area

The East Bay Regional Park District began acquiring land for Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in the early 1970s. Today, most of the mining district is within the Preserve's nearly 6,096 acres. The Somersville Staging Area is an ideal location f... more

Sonoma Plaza

This wonderful, tree-covered, central square is a perfect park to take a meet friends before a meal or the place to be to simply enjoy an ice cream cone.   Dogs are welcome around the perimeter of the Plaza park only. There is a dog park four b... more

Sonoma State Historic Park

Sonoma State Historic Park is open to the public almost every day of the year, except for several major national holidays. Park staff members are on duty in the Mission and at the Vallejo Home. There is a large parking lot behind the Toscano Hotel an... more

South Beach Park

A small, triangular shaped park with a little playground, next to AT&T Park and South Beach Harbor.   If you're walking around, and as long it isn't a game day, this little park makes for a nice spot to throw down a blanket and picnic. &nbsp... more

South Park

A great little refuge of green in concrete plagued SoMa.   There are lots of great restaurants near or around the park, but South Park is more of a lunch time kind of place to meet a friend and/or eat if your brown bagging it.   ... more

Spreckels Memorial Park

A large and well-maintained park with a ball field and playground. (The tennis court is only open to local residents.) more

St. James Park

St. James Park is a square park, just north of Downtown San Jose. The park features plenty of open grassy fields, playgrounds, picnic facilities & an exercise course. more

St. Mary's Park

St. Mary's Recreation Center

St. Mary's Square

St. Rose of Lima Park

St. Rose of Lima Park is home Sacramento’s original outdoor holiday ice rink. Located at the corner of 7th and K streets, this park is just across the street from the downtown arena. St. Rose of Lima Park was named after a church that once stoo... more

St. Vinnies Community Garden

The purpose for St. Vinnie's Community Garden was to turn the long-time derelict site at the intersection of Marin & Ohio St.'s (at the rear of Fire Station 21) into a flourishing Community Garden that would offer beauty and a connection for the comm... more

Stafford Lake Park

Situated on the shores of Stafford Lake, three miles west of Novato, this 139-acre regional park serves large scale events, large picnics, musical performances, and other festivities that have a countywide and regional draw. Stafford is unique among... more

Stafford Park

Stafford is one of our newest parks to be remodeled. It has a new play area and water feature that is on in the warmer months. There are 4 reservable areas at Stafford Park from just one table to three tables. To make a reservation, please call o... more

Steamer Lane

Stockmen's Park

Stockmen's Park, opened in October 2020, celebrates Livermore's western heritage by boasting over 200 local cattle brands etched in decorative paving surrounding an expansive green space. more

Strawberry Hill

Measuring close to 430 feet into the air and serving as the highest point in the entire park.  The views of Mt. Tamalpais, Twin Peaks and the Golden Gate Bridge are amazing.  Cross either the Rustic Bridge or the Roman Bridge to hike your w... more

Sue Bierman Park

The 5.3 acres of land that currently make up Sue Bierman Park (formerly Ferry Park) previously served as on-ramps and off-ramps for the Embarcadero Freeway, which was demolished after being damaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. After a conceptu... more

Sugar Pine Point State Park

Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park contains one of the finest remaining natural areas on Lake Tahoe. With nearly two miles of lake frontage, the park has dense forests of pine, fir, aspen and juniper. The park is located on the west shore of La... more

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park contains the headwaters of Sonoma Creek. It runs through gorge and canyon, across the meadow floor, beneath scenic rock outcroppings, and is surrounded at times by redwoods and ferns. With 47 family sized campsites and 25 m... more

Sulphur Creek Nature Center

Summit Museum Visitor Center

The Summit Visitor Center is located in the historic stone building atop Mount Diablo's highest peak. The tower was constructed during the late 1930's of fossiliferous sandstone blocks quarried in the park. Renovated in 2010, the Visitor Center hi... more

Sunken Gardens Skate Park

The Livermore Area Recreation and Park District Skate Park at Sunken Gardens Neighborhood Park, east end of Pacific Avenue, is open to the public during daylight hours. The 11,000 square foot, concrete structure was designed with the help of Liver... more

Sunol Wilderness

The Sunol Wilderness Area is a little-known gem tucked away in the southern part of the East Bay. Some of this park's highlights include its great wildflowers, beautiful views, quiet trails, and Little Yosemite - a secluded, refreshing swimming hole.... more

Sunset Dunes

Sunset Dunes is the newly christened park that helps separate Ocean Beach and the Outer Sunset. Running from Lincoln to Sloat, Sunset Dunes is a walkway - running course - skate park - bikeway. "We're thrilled but not surprised to see San Francis... more

Susana Park

Susana Park and Estudillo Street. Performing stage, picnic area, park benches, lighted pathways and imported trees from all over the world. Susana Park is available to rent for special event requests. more

Sutro Heights Park

Located at the westernmost point of Lands End, the historic Sutro Baths was once a lavish 25,000-person swimming facility and museum built in the 19th century by former San Francisco mayor Adolph Sutro. The facility’s six saltwater swimming tan... more

Sweeney Ridge (Sneath Lane Trailhead)

Sweeney Ridge is a hilly hiking area of ridges and ravines between San Bruno and Pacifica, about a 25-minute drive south from San Francisco. The ridge’s 1,200-foot-high summit, covered with coastal scrub and grassland, slopes down to the bay on... more

Swiss Park

Sydney Walton Square

Sydney Walton Square is a public park located just west of the Embarcadero. The park is named after San Francisco banker Sydney Grant Walton. The 2-acre park was designed by Peter Walker. It was created as part of the city of San Francisco's partn... more

Tenderloin National Forrest

Luggage Store Co-Artistic Directors/Artists Darryl Smith and Laurie Lazer of the luggage store have been working to transform Cohen Alley since 1989 from a place emblazed in a health-hazardous cesspool of bodily fluids and other dumped items, non-sup... more

Tennessee Valley

Tennessee Valley is an amazing offshoot of the Marin Headlands, with hiking trails that suit the whole family. The Tennessee Valley Trail is mostly level; it begins at the parking area and travels 1.7 miles to Tennessee Beach. For the more adventurou... more

Tennessee Valley Trail

Tennessee Valley is an amazing offshoot of the Marin Headlands, with hiking trails to suit the whole family. The Tennessee Valley Trail is mostly level; it begins at the parking area and travels 1.7 miles to Tennessee Beach. For the more adventurous... more

The Benches Garden

Located at 18th Street and San Bruno Ave, the garden is a wonderful community resource. more

The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Off the beaten path, The Forest of Nisene Marks is a refreshing retreat from the busy towns and beaches along Highway 1 near Santa Cruz. Its dense second- and third-growth redwood forest rises from near sea level to steep coastal mountains. Most... more

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