Picnic Spots

What's better than a great hike? A great hike followed by a picnic! Of course you don't need a picnic table, but tables do enhance the experience. These are my top choices for parks and preserves with picnic facilities.

• Cañada del Oro, south of San Jose, is a remote preserve adjacent to Calero Park with trails traveling through woods and grassland. Picnic tables are spaced along gorgeous, all-access Llagas Creek Trail. Trails at Skyline Ridge Preserve visit two small ponds; look for hidden tables on Horseshoe Lake Loop, and a few more on the shore of Alpine Pond (both picnic table spots require a short hike).
• Pacifica's San Pedro Valley Park is one of best picnicing parks in the Bay Area, featuring restrooms and many tables close to parking lots. Can be crowded on weekends (sites are reservable). Huddart Park is picnic heaven, with lots of sites, big grassy fields, many trails, and tons of people.
• Picnic tables at the Atlas Road Trailhead are first rate, and there are more great picnic spots near the pier and at Cook's Point (easy hike required).
• Choices! Hike Tam's south slope and picnic on tables at West Point Inn or under madrones near Mountain Theater. Forbes bench is a bonus off Old Mine Trail (though you'll be lucky to find it vacant).
• This Napa neighborhood park boasts a few picnic tables, reached by trail, with wonderful views.
• Fernandez Ranch is a newer park with exceptional picnic facilities in Contra Costa County.
• On summer weekends traffic backs up to enter Tomales Bay State Park. Go on a weekday (or off-season) for great hiking and picnic tables with Tomales Bay views, at Heart's Desire Beach.
• Ah, the secret queen of picnic tables! it's a treasure hunt to find the tables under big oaks near Helen Putnam's hilltop; requires a hike. Lots of benches in the park too.

• Finally, the Santa Cruz Mountains ridgeline has a top tier picnic area. Lots of parking, restrooms, and a lovely, new picnic area. Plus incredible trails!
• Uvas is crowded in winter with waterfall lovers, but pretty quiet in summer and autumn. The picnic areas at this remote park are heavily shaded. One large group picnic spot is reservable.
• Just south of San Francisco, San Bruno Mountain Park features a picnic area near the parking lot, in a small grassy field.
• You may have driven past Burleigh Murray State Park on the way to Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve. An easy, mostly flat hike leads to a few tables near an old barn.
• Edgewood County Park has a small picnic area near restrooms, a short walk from the trailhead. Not much parking, so not a good choice for large groups.
• In the hills east of San Jose you'll find shaded sites at Grant County Park, plus a stunning view from a table on Dutch Flat Trail (that one requires a hike).
• Pick up supplies in Woodside and head to Wunderlich County Park. Stash the food in your car, go for a hike, then return to picnic at a few tables in the shade near the parking lot.
• At Windy Hill you can start at the lower (Portola Valley) trailhead, hike uphill to the two tables at the Skyline Boulevard Trailhead for lunch, then hike back to your car. Or start and finish (and picnic) at the upper trailhead.
• Looking for a larger picnic spot? Stevens Creek County Park has two very nice large picnic areas.
• Picnic at a winery? Yes please. Tables at Picchetti Winery, adjacent to Picchetti Ridge Open Space Preserve trails.
• Hike to Vista Point Trail's hidden table at Arastradero Preserve.
• Calero County Park picnic tables are shown on the park's map (good job Santa Clara County Parks!). Lisa's Lookout bench is a favorite of park visitors.
• Henry Cowell's picnic table at the observation deck is a totally unique destination. It's an easy hike from the campground, or a great stop on a loop hike from the main trailhead.
• Interested in one of the best Bay Area views? Head to the top of Mount Umunhum. There is a small picnic area, but the benches at the hilltop are better.
• Wilder Ranch, just north of Santa Cruz, has tables in the historic area, a short walk from the parking lot.
• Up for a hike? Almaden Quicksilver provides a few nondescript tables at Hacienda Trailhead, some very nice spots at Mockingbird Hill Trailhead, and a few tables on the trails, most notably at Bull Run and English Camp.
• Junipero Serra County Park has a picnic area with bay views. Mostly used by locals.
• Año Nuevo's picnic tables are clustered together at the Marine Education building, a short walk from the parking lot.
• Almaden Lake Park boasts some small picnic areas. You can walk around the lake, or stretch your legs on Alamitos Creek Trail.
• You'll find several tables along the park road, near parking at Santa Teresa County Park.

• There are no tables at Mount Sutro, but there's a sweet and spacious rock bench at the top of the hill.
• Six picnic tables at El Polin Spring are a less crowded alternative to Crissy Field.
• Crissy Field is arguably the best family picnic spot in SF, particularly for those with small kids. Many options at the West Bluff Picnic Area; this is a busy destination.

• Picnics are so easy at Muir Beach Overlook, with 5 tables just off the parking lot, overlooking the ocean.
• At Sugarloaf Ridge State Park you can reserve group picnic areas or choose from 5 different individual areas.
• A handful of super-scenic tables near the trailhead make an elaborate post-hike lunch easy at Phoenix Lake.
• Angel Island offers tables throughout the island -- requires a hike/walk (and a ferry ride).
• The tables at Rock Springs are easy to miss, tucked under some oaks at the trailhead. Hike to Bart's Retreat for one very quiet table.
• At Lake Lagunitas picnic tables stand in the shade near the parking area, with restrooms nearby.
• If you're hiking at China Camp, there is a group of tables at the day use lot, near the campground. It's a reservable site. If you just want to picnic, savor the bay views at China Camp Village Point.
• Marin County's Samuel P. Taylor State Park provides lots of tables near Papermill/Lagunitas Creek (note: Pioneer Trail closed as of this writing).
• Olompali State Park has a few tables at the Miwok village (requires an easy walk).
• Jack London is a large Sonoma County park with fantastic trails. There are several picnic tables within steps of the parking lot, in the shade.
• East of Cotati, Crane Creek features some sunny tables near the trailhead.
• Windsor's Shiloh Ranch Park is a popular lunch destination, with mostly sunny tables at the trailhead.
• Bothe Napa Valley Park is a wine country destination, with a table at the trailhead and more tables next door at Bale Grist Mill State Park.
• If you want to picnic at Point Reyes, the Bear Valley trailhead is your go-to, with restrooms, parking, and many trails.
• Hike to tables on Steve's S Trail at the Warren Richardson Trail junction, or snag a table near Lake Ilsanjo at Trione-Annadel State Park.
• Truly sweet views unfold from a picnic table at the end of Umbrella Trail, at North Sonoma Mountain, plus more tables in the shade near the trailhead.
• East of Sebastopol, Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail provides a few picnic tables a short walk from the parking area.
• Tolay Lake, southeast of Petaluma, has a small picnic area at the edge of the parking lot.
• A handful of picnic tables and a restroom make Deer Park a good hike/picnic option.
• Just steps from the parking lot, Shollenberger Park offers 2 picnic tables at the edge of a wetlands pond, plus numerous benches along a loop trail.

• At Garin Park you'll find pretty picnic tables near Jordan Pond, a short walk from the parking lot.
• Sobrante Ridge has two lonely tables at two different spots along Sobrante Ridge Trail, with sweeping views (hike required).
• At Redwood Park hikers can enjoy tables on the side of Stream Trail and in picnic areas along Redwood Creek. The park is busy busy busy on weekends.
• The Briones picnic area is a lovely shaded spot.
• Coyote Hills offers pleasant tables near the Visitor Center.
• You'll find tables and reservable sites at this heavily-used recreation area. Good for groups.
• Kennedy Grove reminds me of a mini state park. The picnic sites are very nice, plus there's a grassy lawn.
• Many picnic areas at this super popular family-friendly park.
• Pleasanton Ridge has a handful of sunny tables at the trailhead.
• There are quite a few lovely lakefront sites at Del Valle.
• In Oakland, nice tables and room to roam.
• Hiking is exceptional at Black Diamond Mines; the picnic area is nothing fancy (tables near the trailhead).
• Wander through the woods and meadows for tables at Joaquin Miller Park.