This California City Is the Best Picnic Destination in the U.S.

There’s something about dining al fresco that seems to make food taste better. Don’t ask me why or how; it is just what it is. And that’s why it’s always a good idea to plan a picnic — yes, even in the fall. Because, really, who doesn’t love digging into a favorite dish while feeling the breeze against their cheek, the birds chirping, and the grass under their toes? And while you can picnic anywhere you wish, Lawnstarter has a few destinations for those looking for an idyllic spot. 

In late August, the lawn care company ranked the best cities for picnic lovers and named Thousand Oaks, California, its No. 1 spot for a picnic.

The team compared the 500 biggest cities in the U.S. across four categories: park accessibility, climate, laws and regulations, and safety. It then considered the number of public parks in each city, the number of residents within a 10-minute walk of a park, and weather conditions.

According to the findings, 85 percent of residents in Thousand Oaks live within 10 minutes of a park, while a whopping 37 percent of land in the city is used for parks and recreation. Additionally, there are 48 hiking trails for visitors and locals to explore, including across the Thousand Oaks Community Park, where people can visit the playground area that was renovated in 2022 with picnic and insect-themed equipment. According to the park’s website, there’s also a reservable picnic structure for those who want to get serious about their outdoor dining.

Irvine, California, joined Thousand Oaks at the top of the list at No. 2. Rounding out the top five are Honolulu; Seattle; and Tucson, Arizona.

As for what to pack for your meal outside, Michelle Ison, the “Picnicker-and-Chief” at Picnic & Peonies, said you need “two classic items: a basket and a blanket. But we also highly recommend bringing sunscreen and bug spray.” Ison also added that you don’t even need to be ultra fancy with your food items, stating, “Pizza is such a fun and simple way to enjoy a meal outdoors. It’s also always delicious.”

Ison also shared that picnickers should think outside the box when they picnic too. “We’ve found that a lot of picnickers tend to gravitate towards early afternoon and/or dinnertime celebrations, but morning picnics are quite enjoyable,” she said. “So we suggest grabbing croissants and a coffee for an outdoor meal.”

See all the tips and best spots to picnic at lawnstarter.com.