OAKLAND. A short drive from downtown Oakland, this park offers mile after mile of trails for fans of the outdoors. The 5,000-acre park is perfect for mountain bikers and hikers, and the popular bike loop is 12.4 miles of rugged trails. Whether you want to camp on a mountaintop or try horseback riding by the lake, you'll find it here. Boat rentals, a fishing hole, and even a golf course mean there's something for everyone.

OAKLAND. In the urban jungle of downtown Oakland, visitors and residents have found comfort and beauty in serene Lake Merritt for over a century. Lake Merritt Park and Wildlife Refuge makes the most of this natural beauty, providing a sanctuary for birds and waterfowl that inhabit the lake and educating visitors about them. The park is also a center for sporting activities, including sailing, canoeing, and jogging along the lakeshore. Fairyland, a kid's amusement park, is also located here.

This 1,836-acre forest of redwoods in the Oakland Hills includes hundreds of majestic trees that reach more than 150 feet into the sky. The hiking trails are well marked and graced with numerous scenic vistas. Different trails offer different sights; for example, Fern Trail is lined with (what else?) ferns, and Stream Trail follows (can you guess?) a peaceful stream. The French trail is lined with some of the tallest redwoods in existence. Nature lovers should not miss this stop.