Best Picnic Spots in the Bay 📍

What better way to celebrate a beautiful day in the Bay than getting outdoors for a good picnic? Here are some of our favorite spots and go-to places to grab some picnic snacks and essentials.

Dolores Park  (Dolores & 19th // Mission)

If you know SF, you know Dolores: the ultimate Sunday Funday destination. Keep it simple and grab a burrito, a 6-pack, and some buds.

Golden Gate Park  (501 Stanyan St // San Francisco)

The greatest thing about GGP is that you can sit underneath the trees and feel a million miles from the city. There’s also plenty of cultural hot spots located within the park, such as the DeYoung or the botanical gardens, that you can check out.

Presidio Main Parade Ground  (Sheridan Ave // Presidio)

This spot ticks all the boxes: sunny, spacious, and flat enough to lay out your whole spread (bottled beverages included). Although Presidio Picnic isn’t on the calendar yet this year, you can still visit and make your own little version of it, sans food trucks.

Beresford Park ( 2720 Alameda de las Pulgas// San Mateo)

A park with something for everyone – lighted tennis courts, bocce ball courts, ballfields, a skate park, enclosed playgrounds, restrooms, and picnic areas – including a large sheltered area. The park is also home to the city’s only Community Garden as well as the San Mateo Garden Center.

Japanese Friendship Garden  (1300 Senter Rd // San Jose)

Ah yes, the perfect place to put your undying friendships on display. In fact, the garden was built to commemorate San Jose’s bond between their sister city Okayama, Japan. Don’t have a friend to bring along? The koi and ducks in the pond will do.

Shoreline Lake (3160 N Shoreline Blvd // Mountain View)

Nearby the Shoreline Theater and the Google campus, this park is a welcoming break from WFH life for Silicon Valley peeps. There’s plenty of room to spread out a blanket with a picnic and if you’re feeling extra adventurous, rent a paddleboat to take out on the lake.

Vasona Lake County Park (333 Blossom Hill Rd // Los Gatos)

Connected with Oak Meadow Park, you got two great places to picnic in one! There’s even a carousel and train for the kiddos.

Ferry Building (1 Ferry Bldg // San Francisco)

Best for specialty items, fresh loaves of Acme bread, and cheese from Cowgirl Creamery.

The Market (1355 Market St // San Francisco)

Best for deli counter goodness, oysters, and organic produce. They also offer free delivery within .25 miles of the store!

Piazza’s Fine Foods (1218 W Hillsdale Blvd // San Mateo)

Family-owned grocery outlet carrying a selection of organic, area-sourced & kosher products.

The Greedy Ant (932 Ralston Ave // Belmont)

The Greedy Ant Gourmet is a specialty food shop featuring gourmet sandwiches, fine cheese, charcuterie, and epicurean foods from around the world.

Zanotto’s Family Market (1970 Naglee Ave // San Jose)

Neighborhood gourmet grocery outpost offering ready-made eats & Italian-style deli sandwiches.