Before I moved to the Bay Area, I thought New York City's Central Park was the coolest park in the U.S. But it's got nothing on Golden Gate and its million trees. Be sure to visit the Conservatory of Flowers (closed Monday), which is the oldest Victorian greenhouse this side of the Thames, and the carousel on Kezar Drive, both on the eastern edge of the park.

If you're feeling spry, walk to the western edge of the park to check out the herd of bison at the the Bison Paddock, then hop a trolley or bus back east, or call for a cab. Next stop: the Exploratorium

• 1. Golden Gate Park
  San Francisco, CA 94122 37.76904-122.483519 nps.gov/goga
• 2. Conservatory of Flowers
  San Francisco, CA 94122; 415-666-7001 37.77187-122.458425 conservatoryofflowers.org
• 3. Golden Gate Park Carousel
  Kezar Drive & MLK Jr. Drive, San Francisco, CA 94122 37.767197-122.458779 parks.sfgov.org