ANGEL ISLAND. One of the great things about San Francisco is its treasure-filled bay. Angel Island, only a short ferry ride from San Francisco, Tiburon or Vallejo, is perfect for either a short or long excursion. Bring a picnic lunch and idle the time away amid cool breezes and great views. If you feel ambitious, Mount Livermore, the island's 781-foot anchor, provides plenty of opportunities for hiking, beginning with a five-mile perimeter trail. From April to October, enjoy the Cove Café, and rent a bike to get around more easily. Camping is available, too.

GUERNEVILLE. Put life into perspective at this spectacular find! About an hour's drive north of the city, the state park is home to an impressive collection of coast redwoods. With a life span of 2000 years and a potential height of 350 feet, the towering specimens are as amazing as they are majestic. Marvel at them while enjoying a walk along either the nature or discovery trail, or just sit and picnic under the shade of the gigantic conifers. Although camping is not permitted in the park, nearby Austin Creek State Recreation Area accommodates lovers of the outdoors.

BERKELEY. Although Berkeley has experienced public unrest in the past, especially during the '60s, the city as a whole has redirected its energies and experienced a flowering of late. Today, Berkeley offers a variety of cultural opportunities: a flourishing music scene, innovative art galleries and several theater companies. Dining in Berkeley is also a unique experience. The presence and success of businesses like Chez Panisse and the Cheese Board have given rise to a number of specialty food shops, cafes and restaurants along Shattuck Avenue, now known as the Gourmet Ghetto. The town's main attraction, though, is still the university. UC's Berkeley campus has an enrollment of some 30,000 students and is recognized around the globe as a center of academic excellence.

RICHMOND DISTRICT. Considered the largest cultivated urban park in the country, this incredible haven boasts more than 1000 acres of gardens, meadows and woodlands. The park stretches three miles inland from the Bay, and within its bounds are the de Young Museum, the Japanese Tea Garden, Strybing Arboretum, the California Academy of Sciences, the Conservatory of Flowers and 27 miles of footpaths. Despite the beauty of its seemingly natural surroundings, the park is entirely man-made.

RICHMOND DISTRICT. Adjacent to the Asian Art Museum, this lovely park invites visitors to relax amid nature's amazing beauty. Most spectacular in April, when the cherry trees are in full bloom, the garden is breathtaking any time of year. Stone lanterns, bonsai trees and shrubs, carp ponds, wooden pagodas, and winding paths please both the eye and the spirit. In fact, the five acres have been one of San Francisco's most visited destinations since being created for the Midwinter Fair in 1894.