Summer is a great time to pack food, blankets and chairs to enjoy the outdoors. Fortunately, the Bay Area offers some of the best picnic spots in the world with breathtaking scenery, hiking trails and entertainment for your family.
East Bay
Crown Memorial State Beach. In addition to a view of the San Francisco skyline and bay, this park has reservable and first-come, first-served picnic spots with barbecues, a beach for swimming, a large grassy meadow, and is a popular spot for board sports and kayaking. 5am-10pm unless otherwise posted. $5 per vehicle.
Eighth Street and Otis Drive, Alameda
Redwood Regional Park. Picnic among old-growth redwood trees or in open grassy meadows at this East Bay treasure featuring first-come, first-served and reservable picnic sites. Hours vary for each season. $5 per vehicle.
7867 Redwood Road, Oakland
Tilden Regional Park. Called the “jewel” of the East Bay Park District, this large park spanning 2,079 acres in the Berkeley Hills has many picnic sites with beautiful scenery and entertainment for kids, such as the carousel, steam train and the Little Farm. 5am-10pm.
2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd., Orinda
Marin
Bear Valley Visitor Center. Located at the scenic Point Reyes National Seashore, it has a large picnic area with tables, restrooms, charcoal grills and plenty of hiking trails. The visitor center has information about the park’s ecosystems and cultural heritage as well as audio-visual programs and books for sale. 9:30am-5pm.
One Bear Valley Visitor Center Access Road, Point Reyes Station
nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
China Camp State Park. With beautiful views of San Pablo Bay, historic exhibits, tables, charcoal grills, hiking trails, swimming and more, this is a great place to have a picnic. There are picnic areas at the China Camp Village, Bullhead Flat, Weber Point and Buckeye Point. 8am-sunset.
100 China Camp Village Road, San Rafael
friendsofchinacamp.org/the-park/facilities
McNears Beach Park. This sheltered cove offers a beach, sprawling lawns, picnic areas, a fishing pier, tennis and pickleball courts, a pool and a beautiful view of San Pablo Bay. Hours vary for each season.
201 Cantera Way, San Rafael
parks.marincounty.gov/parkspreserves/parks/mcnears-beach-park
Peninsula/South Bay
Coyote Point Park. This park is a favorite for families with its castle and dragon-themed Magic Mountain Playground and CuriOdyssey, a science center and zoo where kids can get up close to wildlife. There are plenty of picnic tables and areas for swimming, bicycling and boating. It’s also a good spot to watch planes take off from the nearby San Francisco International Airport. Hours vary by season. $6 per vehicle.
1701 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo
smcgov.org/parks/coyote-point-recreation-area
Huddart Park. Nestled in the Peninsula hills, this park offers beautiful redwoods, reservable picnic sites, barbecue pits, hiking and horseback riding trails, a playground and grassy meadows. Hours vary for each season. $6 per vehicle.
1100 Kings Mountain Road, Woodside
Vasona Lake County Park. Features multiple picnic areas, a lake, large lawn area for games, hiking and biking trails, playground, carousel and railroad train. There are concerts and other events during the summer. 8am-sunset. $6 per vehicle.
333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
parks.santaclaracounty.gov/locations/vasona-lake-county-park
San Francisco
Crissy Field. Crissy Field West Bluff has one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline, a beach, picnic tables and a large grassy area that is perfect for flying a kite. The nearby Little Marina Green is another good picnic area. There are reservable and first-come, first-served picnic sites. Paid parking is sometimes available.
Long Avenue, San Francisco
presidio.gov/explore/attractions/crissy-field-west-bluff-picnic-area
Golden Gate Park. Picnic spots in this park seem endless. There are beautiful meadows, gardens and reservable sites throughout the park. You can also enjoy many museums, lakes and playgrounds. Some popular picnic spots include Bunny Meadow, Elk Glen, Hellman Hollow, Lindley Meadow and Peacock Meadow. There’s paid and street parking around the park.
Between the Great Highway, Lincoln Way and Fulton Avenue, San Francisco
