A world-renowned Chinese artist and government critic is celebrating his newfound freedom. Ai Weiwei has his passport back four years after it was confiscated by authorities.

The Marin County beach reopened Saturday after getting a $4 million facelift that includes a new parking lot, new restrooms, restored wetlands and an extended bridge overlooking the wetlands, according to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

An exhibition marrying the work of Ai Weiwei, the world-famous Chinese political dissident artist, and Alcatraz, the notorious federal "ghost" prison with spectacular vistas of San Francisco Bay.

The magazine Bay Nature covers the remarkable restoration work at Mori Point, which features a profusion of spring wildflowers; habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species; breathtaking vistas from coastal bluffs; and an astonishing community stewardship effort led by the Parks Conservancy.

Alcatraz derives from the name Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala gave to one of the three islands in San Francisco Bay, “Alcatraces,” probably referring to the “strange birds” or “pelicans” he saw on it. Its strange name (its meaning still debated) is appropriate, given The Rock’s unique history as a federal penitentiary, but as our guide noted, some of the island’s truly unique artifacts are its gardens and the stories behind them.

Recently a new generation of natural "wanderers" embarked on a monumental task in Muir Woods, a national monument named in honor of America's most famous naturalist John Muir.

List of 10 scenic spots to swim, float and soak in the sun at the West's amazing national parks. Golden Gate National Parks' Crissy Field is ranked "best for a city stroll."

Finally, details about Ai Weiwei's exhibition on Alcatraz Island have been released. Arguably the most anticipated show of the year, "@Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz" will see seven original, site-specific installations strewn throughout four spots on the island, For-Site Foundation revealed. The whole idea behind staging the show at the former prison turned national park is to prompt viewers to question the world's current state of human rights.

Each year, more than 18 million visitors come to the Bay Area’s national parks to share special moments at rocky beaches, wooded areas, and historical sites. These exceptional destinations give daters a chance to unplug and connect with the environment outside the city.

NPS doesn't track the race or ethnicity of its more than 275 million annual visitors. But there is an effort to better understand who is visiting public lands.