The Filbert Steps are said to be one of the most famous stairways of San Francisco. The length of the steps and the magnificent garden views that they provide is truly impressive. The steps cover the areas of Telegraph Hill to Montgomery Street and across from Montgomery Street median and down to Sansome Street. The art deco buildings alongside the steps are a delight for your eyes as well.
Located at the western end of Golden Gate Park is San Francisco's biggest beach. It extends from Fort Funston in the south, to the Cliff House in the north. Typically, the cold winds, fog and low San Francisco temperatures deter any regular beach activities (unless you're lucky enough to be there on a hot day) but visitors fly kites or just walk along and admire the views of Seal Rocks and Point Lobos. Adventure seekers love surfing here. There are also bonfire pits provided on the beach for the general public; to claim one, go early in the evening.
Hidden away at the base of the iconic Transamerica Pyramid, this tranquil space brings an oasis from the Santa Cruz Mountains to the heart of San Francisco's Financial District. When the pyramid was constructed in 1972, architect William Pereira allocated a half-acre at the base for a public park. The park was designed by Tom Galli with mature Redwood trees and it is beautifully manicured with concrete pathways meticulously intertwined with ferns, flowering plants and other shrubs native to Northern California. Only open Monday through Friday, the park is a hidden gem in the bustling metropolis and a favorite spot of local office workers on their lunch break.
The Turtle Back Hill in San Rafael, CA is almost completely encompassed by the salt marshes of San Pablo Bay. Its diverse ecology is a cross-section of the environment of the larger China Camp State Park, of which it is a part. Oak woodlands and grasslands that blanket the hill make for a scenic nature trail that is accessible to all.
This shallow, 195-acre (7,89,137 meter) lake is considered by many to be the heart of Oakland. Once an arm of the San Francisco Bay, it actually served as a sewer for a time before Samuel Merritt proposed a dam in order to clean up the lake and have it become the focal point for civic pride and recreation that it is today. As the lake was also a common place to see many migratory birds and ducks, the lake was turned into the first wildlife refuge in North America in 1870. In 1925, the lake's "necklace of lights" was installed, and still stands today making the lake beautiful during day or night. The lake provides many recreational opportunities, including boating, playgrounds, picnic areas and the legendary Children's Fairyland storybook park.