Outdoorsy
Giant 2,000-Lb Sea Lion “Chonkers” Takes Over Pier 39
Adorable, Outdoorsy, San Francisco, Wow A giant sea lion nicknamed “Chonkers” is quickly becoming San Francisco’s latest waterfront sea-lebrity. The massive animal, a Steller sea lion, which is much larger than the more common California sea lions, has been spotted lounging among the docks at Pier 39, drawing crowds of curious visitors and camera phones. Experts say more...
SF’s Twin Peaks Getting New Park + Trails w/ 360° Views
New Parks, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco San Francisco is moving forward with plans to upgrade Twin Peaks with new trails, overlooks with sweeping 360-degree views, and a car-free promenade. The project, which has a groundbreaking Ceremony on April 29, 2026, will convert the closed eastern stretch of Twin Peaks Boulevard into a new linear park designed for more...
SF’s Marina Getting New 5-Acre Waterfront Park (Finally!)
New Parks, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco San Francisco is moving ahead with a plan to transform Gashouse Cove in the Marina’s East Harbor into a new 5-acre public waterfront park next to Marina Green. The project, which has been debated and redesigned for years due to neighborhood pushback, just received conceptual approval from the San Francisco more...
SF’s Free Stern Grove Concerts Back for 2026 (Full Lineup)
Only in San Francisco, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches One of San Francisco’s most beloved summer traditions is back – and yes, it’s still 100% free (although the controversial lottery for free tickets is back) The Stern Grove Festival has officially announced its full 2026 lineup, and it’s stacked with everything from indie favorites to global stars – but the more...
SF’s Free “Sundown Cinema” Outdoor Movie Series is Back (June–Oct. 2026)
Bay Area Favorites, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco San Francisco’s free outdoor movie tradition is back with a full season for 2026. The Sundown Cinema series has just announced its lineup, bringing family-friendly films to parks across the city from June through October. After a scaled-back return in 2025, the full program is back this year. The long-running outdoor more...
SF’s Gorgeous “Peak” Cherry Blossom Bloom is Here
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, San Francisco, Spring Flowers, Wow One of spring’s most fleeting spectacles is happening right now in Golden Gate Park. The Japanese Tea Garden hit peak cherry blossom bloom on March 20, 2026, which means this is the week to go. About 60 cherry trees are flowering in rolling waves of pink and white, and SF residents more...
Oakland to Transform Vacant Lot Into $16.9M Waterfront Park
Brand New, New Parks, Oakland, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches A long-vacant industrial lot along Oakland’s shoreline is getting a major transformation. The East Bay Regional Park District is turning a 7-acre site on San Leandro Bay into a brand new waterfront park, with construction set to begin this summer and a grand opening expected in summer or fall 2027. The project more...
Bay Area Oceanfront State Park Could Triple in Size
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches Pescadero’s Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park could get a major expansion. The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), a Palo Alto-based nonprofit, plans to donate 132 acres of oceanfront land just south of the lighthouse to California State Parks. The addition would increase the park from 75 acres to more...
SF’s Giant New Interactive Word Sculptures in Golden Gate Park
Artsy Fartsy, Brand New, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco San Francisco’s Golden Mile just got even more playful. Two new interactive public art sculptures, SMiLE and KiND, have been installed along Golden Gate Park’s famous Golden Mile stretch. Created by Bay Area artist Reuben Rude in collaboration with Illuminate and funded by The Big Art Loop, the oversized WordPlay sculptures more...
SF’s Annual Easter In the Park & Hunky Jesus Contest 2026
Bay Area Favorites, Easter, Fairs & Festivals, Festival Updates, Only in San Francisco, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco San Francisco’s most delightfully irreverent Easter tradition is back. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are taking over the north end of Mission Dolores Park on Sunday, April 5, 2026, for their annual Easter in the Park celebration, and yes, it’s as chaotic, joyful, and fabulous as you’ve been hoping. Festivities kick more...
125+ Free Concerts Coming to Golden Gate Park in 2026
Festival Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco Free live music is back in the park. Illuminate LIVE returns to the Golden Gate Bandshell in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, March 1, 2026, launching its sixth season of free outdoor concerts with more than 125 performances scheduled through mid-November. The long-running series has quietly become one of San Francisco’s biggest more...
SF’s Magnificent “Peak” Magnolia Bloom is Here (2026)
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco Thanks to San Francisco Botanical Garden for sharing the news that the first of their beautiful magnolias are at peak bloom. One of San Francisco’s most breathtaking natural marvels, the annual bloom of more than 200 rare and historic magnolias with trees reaching 80 feet, is typically at its peak from January through March at the more...
SF’s Gorgeous Magnolias are Blooming in Golden Gate Park
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco Thanks to San Francisco Botanical Garden for sharing the news that the first of their beautiful magnolias are blooming. One of San Francisco’s most breathtaking natural marvels, the annual bloom of more than 200 rare and historic magnolias with trees reaching 80 feet, is typically at its peak from January through March at the SF Botanical more...
500+ Acres of Sonoma Coast Open for First Time in a Century
Brand New, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches A 547-acre stretch of undeveloped California coastline at the mouth of the Estero Americano estuary has officially opened to the public for the first time in nearly 100 years. The Estero Americano Coast Preserve is located south of Bodega Bay and west of Valley Ford. It is managed by the Wildlands more...
400+ National Parks Are Free on These 10 Days in 2026
Get Out: Events, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches Sometimes you’ve just got to get away from it all and clear your head with the peace and serenity of a national park. On certain “fee-free” days throughout the year, enjoy free entry to all national parks and monuments, including Muir Woods and Yosemite National Park, and free admission aboard all of the more...
