In de late 1800's, heeft een Schot genaamd John McLaren meer dan 1000 acres (405 hectare) van zandduinen getransformeerd tot een bijzondere haven in midden in het drukke stadsleven. Zich uitstrekkend van Stanyan Street tot de Pacifische Oceaan, de prachtige eigenschappen van het landschap veranderen iedere keer dat je er bent. Er zijn paden om te wandelen, joggen, fietsen, paardrijden en een golfbaan, lawn bowling banen, voetbalvelden en een baseball veld. Voor diegene die een minder inspannende afleiding zoekt, bekijk het California Academy of Sciences en de authentieke Japanse Tea Garden. Voor families met kinderen zijn er speeltuinen, een reservaat met levende buffels en een draaimolen. Je vindt er ook de Shakespeare Tuin, als je een verborgen paadje inslaat in het Golden Gate Park.
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.
Redwood Regional Park is located in the hills of Oakland. It boasts the largest remaining natural strand of coastal redwood in the East Bay. Early mariners used to use these tall redwood trees to help them navigate the San Francisco Bay. Many locals enjoy hiking and biking around the available trails, which offers gorgeous scenery. In addition to the deer, rabbits and squirrels that roam the park, it is also home to rare wildlife species such as the golden eagle and the striped racer snake. The Roberts Regional Recreation Area, a park within the park, features a swimming pool and playgrounds. Throughout the park, you will find access to a well-maintained system of restrooms, water fountains and picnic tables. The Chabot Observatory and Science Center is one of the park's most prominent attractions.
This East Bay woodland canyon offers great panoramic views of the Bay Area. The 205-acre park sits next to UC Berkeley and has trails accessible from the city. There are no facilities such as picnic tables, just wilderness to enjoy. Several trails are available for hiking, and wandering off the trails is not advisable, as the East Bay Park Department maintains this land in its natural state to provide a secluded natural oasis in the heart of the city.
University of California Botanical Garden is located within the campus of University of California Berkeley. Open to the public since 1890, this is no less than an outdoor living museum that boasts over 12,000 species of flora and fauna. The garden can be rented for private events, wedding receptions, twilight tours, summer walks and concerts.
This park in the Berkeley Hills features nearly every plant and flower species native to California in one skillfully landscaped, 10-acre masterpiece. The garden is divided into sections and subsections with labels that represent each region in California, from Southern California deserts to the Pacific Rainforest. Come in March to see the California poppy and wallflowers, or in September to see California fuchsias, hibiscus and sunflowers. The Visitor Center offers lectures and slide shows on Saturdays from November through February and hosts a plant sale in the spring.
Strut is a social organization, dedicated towards supporting the LGBT community of the city. This community center has various programs focusing on improving and maintaining physical as well as emotional health of their members. Their membership is extended towards gay, bi and trans men, and health programs cover everything from STI tests to Acupuncture therapy. A number of events covering the areas of health and LGBT benefit are also organized here frequently.
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco is a service center that provides help and support to the community at large. The JCCSF provides support and help in areas of sports, fitness, health, adult living and learning, youth, family, teens, early childhood education, Jewish life and learning, to emigrants and interfaith connections. This is a getaway for the community and anybody who wishes to participate and wants to know more about Jewish life and community is welcome. The center has a fitness center, an exhibition space, a library, a gift shop and an in house cafe known as Sweet Jo's. The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco also plays host to various workshops on Jewish life and skills like tennis, dance and writing.