What is it? A lush, 1,017-acre greenbelt that teems with nature, recreation, and cutting-edge museums.
Why go? Golden Gate Park is San Francisco’s satisfying answer to NYC’s Central Park, but even bigger. Stretching more than 50 city 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 chilly.