East Portal Park

One of those low-key neighborhood parks that actually delivers — big open grass field, mature shade trees, and enough picnic tables and BBQ grills to make a real afternoon of it. The bocce courts are a nice touch you don’t see everywhere, and the soccer field gives older kids somewhere to burn energy while the little ones use the toddler section. It’s a quiet spot in an urban area, which makes it feel like more of a find than it probably should. Dogs are welcome, and parking is easy — just go in knowing the restrooms have had some mixed reviews from regulars.