ParksGolden Gate Park
A sprawling 1,000+ acre urban park (larger than NYC's Central Park) packed with meadows, lakes, gardens, and museums including the de Young, California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, and Conservatory of Flowers. Go for a full day of walking, paddleboating on Stow Lake, or strolling the car-free JFK Promenade. Practical note: JFK Drive is now permanently closed to cars, so plan to walk, bike, or park along the perimeter; the park office is at McLaren Lodge.