BARTable parks perfect for a picnic

A picnic with a view at Mission Dolores Park. Photo courtesy of San Francisco Travel Association. 

It's the perfect time of year for a picnic. Grab a blanket, some good food and a few friends to enjoy the afternoon in the great outdoors. From rooftop gardens to canyons and lakes, there are plenty of gorgeous BARTable picnic spots around the Bay. Here are a few of our favorites. So hop on BART, with a wicker picnic basket in tow, and enjoy a tasty meal in the fresh air.

Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.

Mission Dolores Park has the best views. Photo courtesy of San Francisco Travel.

Mission Dolores Park | 16^th St Mission

Picnicking in the city? It doesn’t get much better than this! Bring a blanket and snag a spot at the top of the hill for the best views of the San Francisco skyline. Take BART to 16^th St Mission for a picnic in a stunning setting 0.6 miles away at 2000 Mission St.

Visitors relax at Yerba Buena Gardens year-round. Photo courtesy of Yerba Buena Gardens.

Yerba Buena Gardens | Montgomery St

Pop a squat on the landscaped lawns surrounded by skyscrapers and near a waterfall in the heart of San Francisco. A tranquil spot for a picnic near BART, there’s plenty of green space to stretch out and escape the hustle and bustle of downtown. Plus, when you’re done dining, you can explore museums, catch a show, see a movie or grab a cocktail nearby. Take BART to Montgomery St to picnic in this 5-acre oasis 0.3 miles away at 750 Howard St.

Enjoy acres of seating among native plants above the bustling city at Saleforce Park. Photo courtesy of San Francisco Business Times. 

Salesforce Park | Montgomery St

This 5.4-acre public park atop the transit center is a truly unique place to picnic. Running four blocks long and sitting seventy feet above the ground, there’s plenty of greenery and benches to stop and snack. Explore the 0.5-mile loop path and admire the 13 different botanical feature areas after you eat. Take BART to Montgomery St for a rooftop picnic 0.2 miles away at 425 Mission St.

Stunning aerial view of Huntington Park. Photo courtesy of Kinoko Real Estate. 

Huntington Park | Powell St

Sitting atop Nob Hill, Huntington Park is a 1.3-acre destination surrounded by iconic sites like Grace Cathedral, the Fairmont and the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins. The park offers grassy lawn areas and benches around its main fountain, a replica of an Italian fountain known as Fontana delle Tartarughe or Fountain of the Turtles. There’s also a small children’s playground here. Take BART to Powell St and walk 0.7 miles to California St. and Taylor St. It’s a steep hike, but it’s worth the effort!

Glen Canyon is great for kids and adults. Photo courtesy of SF Public Works. 

Glen Canyon Park | Glen Park

The big grassy field and picnic benches near the Glen Park Recreation Center prove an ideal location to enjoy a picnic. Alternatively, a handful of shaded picnic benches are in a wooded area at the Glenridge Cooperative Nursery School, less than 0.5 miles from the grassy area. After you eat, if you're in the mood for a hike, you're in luck. There are plenty of dirt trails for everyone from beginner to advanced hikers. Throughout the 66.6-acre open space, you’ll see dramatic rock formations, climb steep staircases and smell Eucalyptus trees. Take BART to Glen Park for a picnic and a hike 0.4 away at Elk Street and O'Shaughessy Blvd.

Bird watch while you enjoy lunch at Lake Merritt. Photo courtesy of Visit California.

Lake Merritt | Lake Merritt

While you can plop down for a picnic on any grassy space around the lake, we recommend Pine Knoll Park. Here, you’ll get stunning lake and downtown views, especially at sunset. There are also plenty of benches nearby. Take BART to Lake Merritt for a pretty picnic 0.8 miles away at 1850 Lakeshore Ave.

Live Oak Park has plenty of shade and sunshine. Photo courtesy of Sexton Group Real Estate. 

Live Oak Park | Downtown Berkeley

It’s easy to spend the day in Downtown Berkeley. Berkeley has so many amazing parks, and this one is great for picnicking. A hidden gem with plenty of greenery to throw down a blanket, you'll want to stay a while in Live Oak Park. Take BART to Downtown Berkeley for a relaxing picnic 1.0 mile away at 1301 Shattuck Ave.

Orinda Community Park is great for young kids who want to work up an appetite. Photo courtesy of Orinda Community Center Park.

Orinda Community Center Park | Orinda

For picnickers with little ones, Orinda Community Center Park is a fun place to enjoy a bite while watching the kiddos enjoy themselves in one of the two nearby playground areas. The park also has a huge grass area, picnic tables and tennis courts. You can also pack a picnic for one of the Orinda Community Center Park’s weekly concerts or outdoor films this summer! Take BART to Orinda Station for a playground and a picnic 0.5 miles away at 28 Orinda Way.

Have a relaxing bite by Lake Elizabeth. Photo courtesy of Expedia. 

Lake Elizabeth | Fremont

For a waterside picnic, head to Lake Elizabeth in Central Park near BART. The 80+ acre lake has a two-mile trail that encircles it. Grab a lakeside spot for your picnic or explore the area to find the perfect patch of grass. Take BART to Fremont and walk into Central Park toward the shoreline. Lake Elizabeth is 0.8 miles away.

What's your favorite BARTable park?

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