Lake Merced
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Lake Merced is encircled by a paved 4 1/2-mile path popular with bikers, inline skaters, joggers, and walkers. The path can get crowded. But an even bigger problem for parents of wobbly-legged children is all the traffic streaming around it. Even if your child is sure of bike and skate with no chance of veering into the street, the noise makes this experience anything but peaceful.

Drive into Lake Merced, though, and you can find some tranquility. There is a beach and picnic tables and some respite from the traffic. The water's a bit murky and chilly but your kids may enjoy splashing around in it. Bring sand toys.

Nice place for birdwatching: Loons, grebes, egrets, cormoranets, hawks, and smaller birds like to hang out here.

Bring along a picnic and watch some of the many birds who make their home here.

Take Sunset Blvd south and you'll run right into it. Turn right on Lake Merced Blvd, left on Skyline Blvd, and left on Harding road into the parking lot. Another parking lot is off Lake Merced Blvd on the East side of the park.