A lush, 1,017-acre greenbelt that teems with nature, recreation, and cutting-edge museums, Golden Gate Park is San Francisco’s satisfying answer to NYC’s Central Park, but even bigger. Stretching over 50 blocks, the park encompasses picnic grounds, lakes, and cultural hubs such as the California Academy of Sciences, de Young art museum, and the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. Every August, the park serves as a venue for the mega music-and-food fest Outside Lands. Note that the most common accessory isn’t a picnic basket but a fleece jacket, as this section of the city is often chillier than expected.
Let’s not beat around the bush; the Bay Area changed the world. Don’t believe us? Start with Silicon Valley and decades of technological innovation. Mainstream movie-making was jolted back into life here, and the wine is perfect. The best things to do in the Bay Area touch on all this and more, with stunning nature surrounding it all. A day of hiking and exploring before a night of wining and dining? Where do we sign?
Where to begin? The choice is yours because you can’t go wrong here. Whether you are looking for high-end Michelin dining or cheap eats, wildflower walks or imposing hikes, world-famous attractions or secret gems, the Bay Area has it in spades.
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