No final de 1800, o primeiro engenheiro estadual da Califórnia, William Hammond Hall, e seu assistente, um escocês chamado John McLaren, transformaram mais de 1.000 acres (405 hectares) de dunas de areia em um paraíso maravilhoso no meio da cidade, batizado de Parque Golden Gate. Estendendo-se por mais de 50 quarteirões da Stanyan Street até o Oceano Pacífico, a paisagem exuberante é marcada com inúmeras trilhas para caminhadas, corridas, ciclismo e cavalgadas, ao lado de um campo de golfe, gramados de boliche, um lago com pedalinhos, campos de futebol e um campo de beisebol . Do Jardim de Chá Japonês e do Conservatório de Flores à Academia de Ciências da Califórnia e ao Museu de Young, o Golden Gate Park de São Francisco engloba uma riqueza de beleza cênica e cultural em seu amplo espaço. Há também vários playgrounds, um carrossel pitoresco, um aquário, uma reserva de búfalos e um palco onde shows ao ar livre são realizados a cada verão.
Nomeada uma das Maravilhas do Mundo Moderno pela Sociedade Americana de Engenheiros Civis, a Golden Gate Bridge atravessa o estreito de mesmo nome que liga a Baía de São Francisco ao Oceano Pacífico. Projetada por Joseph Strauss, Irving Morrow e Charles Ellis, a ponte foi inaugurada em 1937 como a ponte suspensa mais longa do mundo, com seu vão principal medindo impressionantes 1.280 metros de comprimento. A ponte não é bem dourada, mas sim de um laranja brilhante, com suas torres Art Deco surgindo através da densa neblina que muitas vezes atola a baía; uma vista que se tornou emblemática da cidade de São Francisco. A ponte transporta o tráfego de veículos e pedestres entre San Francisco e Marin City, os pontos de vista de ambos os lados oferecem vistas inspiradoras da Golden Gate, enquanto a própria ponte promete vistas incomparáveis da baía.
Este marco de San Francisco apresenta algumas das melhores lojas e atrações de Fisherman's Wharf. Ande no carrossel, observe as pessoas ou aprecie as vistas da baía. Existem mais de 25 lojas de presentes únicas que vendem recordações de automóveis, Hollywood e rock 'n' roll, bem como bandeiras do mundo, bonecas russas, facas colecionáveis, redes, pipas e muito mais. Mas isso não é tudo. Você encontrará mais de 30 lojas, incluindo a famosa Na Hoku para comprar roupas, joias e brinquedos. É um ótimo lugar para comprar lembranças sofisticadas de São Francisco. Quando terminar de fazer compras e comer à vontade, visite os famosos leões marinhos residentes para uma sessão de fotos de primeira. O Pier 39 é um ímã para moradores e turistas por vários motivos, incluindo o calendário de atrações especiais para toda a família, como o festival de tulipas Tulipmania, realizado no final de fevereiro, ou o Holiday Tree Lighting, em novembro.
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 offer 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 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.
This park provides a charming, secluded nature getaway, mostly utilized by locals in the warmer months. There are two parts of the lake, one smaller area used for swimming, equipped with a lifeguard on duty in the summer, and a larger part that is open for fishing year-round. Situated in Tilden Park, the lake features a sandy beach, grassy knolls, a refreshment stand, a nearby parking lot and picnic tables.
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 offer 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.
On the north end of Berkeley's fabulous Tilden Regional Park lies this 740-acre (299-hectare) preserve, where adults and children can visit the Environmental Education Center. The EEC is the ecology education headquarters of Tilden Park. Here, visitors can learn about wildlife and nature through a variety of displays, literature, and programs. Amid this haven of enlightenment, an enchanting highlight emerges the Little Farm. This cherished addition transforms Tilden into an idyllic playground, introducing children to the joys of interaction with farm animals in a safe and welcoming setting.
Located within the expansive bounds of the San Bruno Mountain State Park, this namesake mountain is home to both radio towers as well as many endangered flora and fauna. Among its main inhabitants is the San Bruno elfin butterfly, a rare subspecies endemic to the state. The mountain is also the home of several Franciscan fog zone plants. A number of trails that lead up to the mountain offer incredible vistas of the San Francisco skyline.
Mount Tamalpais East Peak is a popular hiking trail in the Mount Tamalpais State Park. Surrounded by lush trees and pretty flowers and featuring stunning views of the valley, it is always to joy to hike on this quarter mile (one kilometer) trail.
The Fischer-Hanlon House was once the residence of Joseph Fischer. A fine example of the East Coast Federalist style of architecture, the house is one of the surviving structures of the California gold rush.
Located along the coastline of Venice Beach, Elmar beach is a perfect place to spend a leisurely day with your friends and family. This beach sees smaller crowds and is one of the most scenic hidden gems of Hal f Moon Bay State Beach. Spend your day biking or taking a stroll on the beach while you enjoy the beautiful sunset with your loved ones. Elmar beach is also popular for birdwatching.