Parks

While this is an exciting change that many look forward to, it is nature's way of telling us that the season of spring is coming to a close. 

Welcome to our new Hit the Trail feature! We’ll go in-depth on one of our park sites and get you ready to explore.  First up: The western edge of the Presidio.

So you’re running Bay to Breakers and you still don’t have a costume idea? How about paying homage to the parklands you love in and around the city? Here are some easy costume ideas that will signal to everybody that right after this run, you’re ready for a hike.

Spring brings so much life and joy into our parks, but did you know you had a special connection to a particular wildflower species based on your sign? Find out which flower is your special match! 

As I began exploring more of the area in my free time, I was delighted to find there were many more species of mushrooms than I had never seen before. While on a hike with a friend in Point Reyes, we noticed a beautiful fly agaric mushroom trail side.

Although the wildflowers are numerous and diverse in a super bloom, there are still reasons to not step on or pick your local wildflowers. (As a reminder, it is illegal to pick or collect plants in national forests, parks, and monuments without a permit!)

Find a new park or activity, and check out what our youth leaders are doing for spring break in San Francisco, the Bay Area, and beyond.

This winter we welcome the rainy season, as it typically allows for a rich diversity of various fungi and lichen species to emerge. Take this opportunity to check out the different varieties of species thriving in our San Mateo park sites! You might just take a lichen to what you see. 

Visitors are encouraged to do their part to help preserve our unique parklands, by leaving no trace and taking public transportation when possible.