Aquatic Park — Attraction in San Francisco

What's not to like here? You've got a large stretch of walkable open space, you've got the bleachers when you want to take a rest and just people watch, and there's a lot of people to watch! You've got the beach and bay with people who actually swim in there at those cold water temperatures and it's a tradition to ring in the New Year with a mind shocking freeze swim! You've got the Aquatic Park Pier aka Muni/Municipal Pier that stretches far into the bay where you can take in panoramic views of San Francisco from the Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge. You've got the well celebrated Alcatraz Island right out there in the Bay. And a little known history hidden in plain sight in the smaller pier next to the Aquatic Pier, it's Pier 4 Original Alcatraz Pier where prisoners, staff, and supplies embarked enroute to Alcatraz Island back in the days. Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and Fort Mason is just a hop skip and a jump away, and if you rode your bike, you can continue on the pedestrian/bike friendly route all the way under the Bay Bridge onwards to Oracle Park, and if you're really gamed, continue onto the home of the 2022 NBA Champs, the Golden State Warriors' Chase Arena. Or go the opposite direction and soak in Crissy Field then continue up the hill onto the Golden Gate Bridge......but I digress!...

Small beach in neighborhood shared by locals and tourists. Watch out for bicyclists! It's a walk zone but they don't bother to step down. Lots of fast food and restaurants separated by cute tiny park with great overlook to Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Mason and Alcatraz. Nothing very exciting on this side except maybe Ghirardelli and a museum but if you cross the park you will find on premises of Fort Mason Equator coffee, upscale restaurant Green and really great German beer garden. Also Safeway for your convenience across...

A pleasant bayside stop while you're in the area for Ghirardelli Square.

It's literally right next to it and it's well worth a stop, if only to people watch or to enjoy the smell of the salt in the air. The bleachers are a comfortable spot to relax at in the afternoon while the shade is over it. There's a clear view of Alcatraz right in front of you. There's gardens, museums, and a generally clean sidewalk.

You'd be hard-pressed not wanting to at least sit and enjoy a relatively quiet and...