Open-Air Relaxation: 6 Charming City Parks in San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the most beautiful and popular cities in the United States. Situated on the hills off the Pacific coast, this vibrant metropolis is the cultural, commercial, and financial heart of Northern California.
What attracts thousands of tourists to this city? Among the popular sights of San Francisco are historical sites, a variety of museums, modern and historical architecture, beautiful beaches and recreation areas, as well as shopping areas, markets and much more.
City parks are another thing than San Francisco is rich in. They offer vast green areas, which are a great place to relax and enjoy a picnic. You can easily get to any of them with a rental car. Payless car rental in San Francisco has a huge selection of cars for every taste: from small compact and economy class cars to large full-size and luxury vehicles. Near each park there’s a large parking lot that will simplify the search for a place to leave your transport. Also, at Rental24H.com you have the opportunity to compare several companies and choose the best booking conditions.
So, which parks should you definitely visit on your Payless car rental in San Francisco?
Golden Gate Park
This picturesque park is visited by about 13 million locals and travelers every year. It’s not in vain that it attracts such a number of visitors – on a vast territory of 411.5 hectares you will find several wonderful lakes, picturesque gardens, museums and monuments, as well as playgrounds, pedestrian and bicycle paths.
Throughout the year, the Golden Gate Park hosts many interesting and exciting events. The beautiful gardens of the park often become the venue for weddings and other significant celebrations. Also, photographers like to use its picturesque landscapes as a background for pictures.
The Presidio Park
The large Presidio Park is situated at the northern end of the San Francisco Peninsula on the grounds of the former military base. Initially, the Spanish defensive fortifications stood on this site, then the territory passed to the Mexicans, and only in 1948 the United States conquered this area.
In 1994, the territory of the military base was turned into a wonderful national park, from where stunning panoramas of the Pacific Ocean and the famous Golden Gate Bridge open. Presidio Park, part of the Golden Gate recreation area, was given the status of a national historical monument in 1962.
Lands End Park
When the fog dissipates, Lands End Nature Park on the rocky, wind-blown Pacific coast really looks like the end of the world. At the turn of the 20th century, this place attracted many tourists who came there to swim in the Sutro Baths – a public saltwater pool, and dine in the renowned Cliff House Restaurant with scenic ocean views.
From the city, the park could be reached by the Cliff House Steam Rail, until in 1925 it was damaged by a landslide. It’s still possible to enjoy the exquisite cuisine of the Cliff House restaurant (and free buns in addition to order), but there are only ruins from the former pool and railway.
Following a popular coastal route, you can see the hidden labyrinth on Cape Eagle’s Point, and nearby – a mysterious winding path lined with stones found in the Wieliczka salt mines in Poland.
Crissy Field Park
The wonderful green Crissy Field Park was laid out on the site of the former military airfield and the US Air Force runway. Now it’s an ecological recreation area with a length of about 7 km overlooking the ocean, with spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Alcatraz Island.
Pedestrian and bicycle paths reach Fort Point, built to defend the bay during the Civil War. On cool, foggy days, you can stop and go to the Warming Hut, which offers warm drinks, organic soups and sandwiches, and wonderful souvenirs.
Outdoor enthusiasts will surely appreciate the House of Air trampoline center in the aviation hangar, as well as the Planet Granite Climbing Gym. La Petite Baleen Swimming School is open for children.
John McLaren Park
Covering the area of ​​126 hectares, John McLaren Park is the second largest San Francisco’s park and probably the most underrated by tourists. Here you will find wonderful hiking trails with a total length of more than 7 km, which pass through picturesque forests and fields, and breathtaking views of the city open from the hillsides.
McLaren Park is much closer to wildlife than Golden Gate Park – it’s interesting to watch wild birds there, and sometimes you can even see coyotes. It’s an ideal place for hiking, picnics and walking with children. The park has a playground and two tennis courts.
Mission Dolores Park
Welcome to the sunny side of San Francisco – the territory of streetball, themed playgrounds, and picnics with tacos! Despite the fact that the green lawns of Dolores Park are often occupied by vacationing local hipsters, sports, cultural and political events are regularly held there. For example, free evening movie watching takes place in the summer.
In addition, the park often hosts festivals and theater performances. If you go up to the southwestern part of the park, you will have a stunning view of the city center, framed by tall palm trees.
