There's nothing mundane about the green belt of parks in San Francisco. You have Golden Gate Park, reminiscent of Central Park and other urban planning gems, and spectacular for its diverse natural and cultural acquisition.

You also have once-neglected landfill areas like Heron's Head -- restored to vibrant wetlands by sweat of the volunteer brow. Or Crissy Field, revived from its airfield days into a stunning human playground and an even more diverse home for migrating birds. And Cayuga Park decorated with its caretaker's painstaking labor of love in the form of public art.

This San Francisco Parks primer lists some of favorites (with photos) -- and has information on where to find the parks if you're new to the Bay Area.

^{Pictured Left: Spreckels Lake/Golden Gate Park
Pictured Right: Aquatic Park
Photos © Ingrid Taylar}