California's Former Navy Base Is Now A Vibrant Island With Waterfront Parks, Trails, & Restaurants

San Francisco's newest neighborhood doesn't have much in common with Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island," other than the name, and perhaps the occasional palm tree. And there were certainly no bars or restaurants on Stevenson's island either. But California's Treasure Island, not to be confused with the uncrowded Florida island, has all of those and much more.

Joined to Yerba Buena, a small natural island that sits between San Francisco and Oakland in California, the human-made Treasure Island was created in 1936 using land dredged from the San Francisco Bay. Built to host the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition and celebrate the opening of both the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, there were plans to turn it into a new airport, but the Navy took it over in 1942. It went on to become a large naval processing facility, with around 12,000 military personnel passing through every day before being shipped abroad or upon their return to the States. The base was decommissioned in 1997.

Today, the up-and-coming island is still in development, with plans for 8,000 more new homes, but it already has waterside dining, cocktail bars, tasting rooms, and eight parks. Activities include walking and cycling along 22 miles of waterfront trails, skateboarding, and padel, all with enviable views over San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge – a must-see addition to your California bucket list. Treasure Island is connected to the mainland by way of the Bay Bridge, so you can drive over, cycle there from the East Bay, or take the Muni 25 bus. But the best way to get there is by ferry. Running every day, it takes less than 10 minutes and costs $10 round-trip. It's part of the whole experience, especially if you time it right to catch the famous sunset views over the Bay.

Back when Treasure Island was a Navy base, it was the setting for several films, including "The Caine Mutiny" and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." Have some fun trying to spot the filming locations as you explore its roughly 400 acres. The island's eight parks provide plenty of green space. Cityside Park in particular was named as one of the "26 San Francisco things to do in 2026" by the San Francisco Chronicle, and its landscaped gardens provide a pleasant place to sit and have a picnic. Intended as a place for community gatherings, it's also a great place to fly kites or watch the boats sailing by.

The Rocks Dog Park is another favorite where dogs can run off-leash within a fenced-off area on this dog-friendly island. The quiet Panorama Park on Yerba Buena is on one of the island's highest points, providing superb 360-degree views and a chance to stop and admire the "Point of Infinity," a 69-foot sculpture by Hiroshi Sugimoto. Visit this other San Francisco park for more panoramic views of the city.

Several trails circle around both islands, with a total of 22 miles of walking trails and 14 miles of bike paths planned. The Bay Bridge Trail crosses the bridge from Oakland onto Yerba Buena. It's a scenic cycle route, but can get exceptionally windy. For some of the best views, head to Vista Point to watch the sun go down. Be prepared to wrap up warm, as the typical San Francisco weather can make it feel extra cold out there. Visit the more natural setting of Clipper Cove for a walk along the sandy shoreline or do some birdwatching to spot pelicans, egrets, and cormorants.

There are a select number of dining spots on Treasure Island. Aracely Café serves brunch and lunch daily in a cozy garden setting, serving up fresh Californian cuisine with an Argentinian twist. Mersea Restaurant is celebrated for its seasonal dishes and sensational views. There's live music Friday to Sunday, and no need to book as it's first-come, first-served.

Come the evening, head to the stylish Art Deco-style Gold Bar Distillery for award-winning whiskey and a chance to make your own cocktails. Located in the former Pan Am airport terminal, the space now resembles a 1930s jazz lounge, with jazz bands playing every Friday evening. Along with the whiskey-themed drinks menu, it also serves a few light bites. The cocktail-making classes are a fun activity, and can be booked on its website, with prices starting from $79.

If a glass of wine is more to your taste, Treasure Island Wines offers tastings of artisanal wines sourced from a selection of vineyards across California. It was the first urban winery on Treasure Island and is open for tastings on weekends. One of Treasure Island's drawbacks, according to some visitors, is the lack of nightlife, but that could change as things develop. At the time of writing, there are no hotels on Treasure Island, so for now, you'll have to head back into the city for a place to stay at the end of the night.