Enjoy the sunshine at these outdoor attractions near BART

Enjoy acres of greenery, free classes and a gondola at Salesforce Park. Photo courtesy of Jason O'Rear. 

Summer is here, so it's time to enjoy the sunshine! Luckily, the Bay Area is loaded with outdoor attractions. From hiking trails and colorful gardens to public art and free walking tours, BART can lead you to the action. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite BARTable outdoor attractions. Take advantage of the Bay Area’s beautiful weather. Grab your Clipper card and explore the best the area has to offer.

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

Salesforce Park sits above the streets of downtown San Francisco. Photo courtesy of PWP Landscape Architecture.

Salesforce Park | Montgomery St

This 5.4-acre public park sits atop the Salesforce Transit Center. The unique space is home to a curved walking trail, 13 unique ecosystems, public art and a children’s play area. While here, don't miss the bus fountain. The installation is triggered by sensors and flows up and down as buses come and go in the transit center below. Visitors can participate in a yoga class, join family story time, listen to rooftop jazz and so much more at this unique city garden. Take BART to Montgomery St to visit the rooftop oasis 0.2 miles away at 425 Mission St.

Explore San Francisco and its history during Cityscapes walking tours. Photo courtesy of SF City Guides.

Cityscapes and Public Places Walking Tour | Montgomery St

Find hidden parks, rooftop gardens and stunning city views on this Cityscapes and Public Places Walking Tour. Learn more about the history of San Francisco’s Financial District and its unique architecture. This fun and educational tour lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours long. Take BART to Montgomery St and join the tour 144 feet away at the Native Sons Monument at Montgomery and Market streets.

Yerba Buena Gardens has beautiful scenery and hosts a ton of classes for visitors to the park. Photo courtesy of Yerba Buena Gardens.

Yerba Buena Gardens | Montgomery St

With landscaped lawns perfect for a picnic, a waterfall and colorful flowers, Yerba Buena Gardens is worth a visit. Check out the upper terrace to overlook the green space below and witness incredible city skyline views. Throughout Yerba Buena Gardens, there’s also plenty of public art. Join the self-guided free audio walking tour to learn about each eclectic piece. Families will love the 130,000 square feet children's garden on top of Moscone Center, the playground with a 25-foot tube slide and the cute tot lot for smaller tykes. As an added bonus, the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival runs May through October and offers music, dancing and more throughout the spring, summer and beyond. Take BART to Montgomery St to explore the gardens 0.3 miles away at 750 Howard St.

Take a self-guided stroll through Balmy Alley to see colorful murals. Photo courtesy of Mission Local.

San Francisco’s Mission District Public Art | 24th St Mission and 16th St Mission

Beautiful murals are found throughout many of San Francisco's neighborhoods, but the Mission district is home to some of the most vibrant and stunning pieces. Depicting themes ranging from social, political and cultural, you'll find the bulk of masterpieces in Balmy and Clarion alleys. Balmy Alley runs between 24th St. and 25th St., 0.4 miles from 24th St Mission. Clarion Alley runs between 17th St. and 18th St. and is 0.1 miles from 16th St Mission. Take BART to either (or both) locations to spot collections of astounding murals.

Alternatively, try a self-guided walking tour of the Mission Murals or join a guided tour to learn more about each piece.

Hikes, trails and a playground call Glen Canyon Park home. Photo courtesy of San Francisco Public Works. 

Glen Canyon Park | Glen Park

Dirt paths, dramatic rock formations, steep staircases, a small creek, tons of Eucalyptus trees and a playground. These are just a few things you can expect to see in Glen Canyon Park. Hike the canyon floor, or hit the stairs and scale the cliffs. Both trails are beautiful. You can also play tennis, let little ones go wild on the playground, have a picnic or play a game of baseball. Take BART to Glen Park for a variety of outdoor activities 0.4 miles away at the intersection of Chenery St. and Elk St.

Each park has a theme at this bountiful garden near Lake Merritt. Photo courtesy of The Gardens at Lake Merritt. 

Gardens at Lake Merritt | 19th St/Oakland

Spend the afternoon exploring seven acres of themed gardens near Oakland’s beautiful Lake Merritt. The Gardens at Lake Merritt have a Bonsai Garden, a Rhododendron Garden, a Japanese Garden and so much more. At over 50 years old, this historic outdoor attraction offers a great sense of regional pride and a tranquil oasis in the heart of Oakland. Take BART to 19th St/Oakland to stop and smell the roses 0.8 miles away at 666 Bellevue Ave.

Find a secret oasis at the Japanese Gardens in Hayward. Photo courtesy of AllTrains.

Japanese Gardens | Hayward

The Japanese Gardens in Hayward is the first garden constructed in California with a Japanese design. The lush space stays true to traditional Japanese garden art with native stone, rocks, trees and plants. With over three acres of greenery to explore, visitors can expect a tea house, a koi pond and carefully constructed Japanese-style structures. Take BART to the Hayward Station for a peaceful afternoon 1.0 mile away at 22373 N 3rd St.

Paved walkways circle this lake in Fremont. Bring family, friends and pets here to enjoy a day of fun in the sun. Photo courtesy of Fremont Central Park Tours. 

Central Park | Fremont

In the heart of Fremont sits Central Park. This 450-acre outdoor attraction near BART offers a picturesque lake, plenty of picnic areas, tennis courts, a skate park, a dog park, Aqua Adventure Waterpark, a playground and more. It’s an easy place to spend the entire afternoon. One of the most popular activities here is the hike around the lake, which is a short two miles. Take BART to Fremont Station for sunshine, gorgeous views and a bit of wildlife 0.8 miles away at 40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy.

What is Your Favorite BARTable Outdoor Attraction?

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