Not far from San Francisco, on the west end of a peninsula that juts out from the east shore of the San Francisco Bay, you can find what locals call the “Albany Bulb.” The Albany Bulb is a former landfill largely owned by the city of Albany. While the former remnants of a dump may not sound too appealing, it’s actually become an eclectic place for exploration, contemplation, and artistic expression. Albany is also a great place to walk your dog and experience some of the most fabulous water-level views in the Bay Area.

Colorful, Random, and Free.

Thomas Hawk/Flickr When you enter the Albany Bulb, realize that this park is on a former landfill for construction materials, which has been left to grow in a creative and unregulated fashion. The size and inaccessibility of the park has made it hard for the police to patrol, so the Albany Bulb is an ideal place for those looking not to be bothered. Enjoy it while it lasts …

Admire awesome urban art.

Thomas Hawk/Flickr Is this an urban wasteland or the best place for artistic expression? The Albany Bulb brings out the fabulous weirdness of the East Bay. When you enter the area, you’ll be surrounded by different forms of art, from colorful graffiti to intricate sculptures.

Find some spectacular Fog City views.

Thomas Hawk/Flickr Don’t care much for the giant trash sculptures? You can always admire the San Francisco Bay views.

Bring along the kids!

Gabriela P/Yelp This is actually a great spot to bring the kids to show off some fun artwork by the bay. You might find mirrors glued to rocks or even some art pieces dangling from the trees. Of course, use caution: this is an abandoned site, after all.

Relax in style.

J-Crew The Albany Bulb is an estuarial habitat featuring geese, ducks, and various birds, as well as reptile populations, and small mammals such as rats, mice, and rabbits. Find a seat and relax in this urban jungle park.

Take a walk along the meditative labyrinth.

Gareth Bogdanoff/Flickr The park has attained a mystique over the years because of various randoms features like labyrinths. The reputation as a anarchic no-mans land is still common.

Off-leash Art meets Off-leash dogs.

Bethany/Flickr

Art on Display in nature.

Chris C/Yelp The most distinctive thing about the Albany Bulb is the graffiti and sculptures throughout the park. Among the more notable pieces are a concrete TV, dragon sculpture, and something known as “The Castle”, which is a decaying concrete shelter covered in graffiti.

Have you explored this abandoned landfill near San Francisco? For more cool abandoned spots in the area, check out this cool drone footage over the remnants of Cosson Hall on Treasure Island.

Thomas Hawk/Flickr

When you enter the Albany Bulb, realize that this park is on a former landfill for construction materials, which has been left to grow in a creative and unregulated fashion. The size and inaccessibility of the park has made it hard for the police to patrol, so the Albany Bulb is an ideal place for those looking not to be bothered. Enjoy it while it lasts …

Is this an urban wasteland or the best place for artistic expression? The Albany Bulb brings out the fabulous weirdness of the East Bay. When you enter the area, you’ll be surrounded by different forms of art, from colorful graffiti to intricate sculptures.

Don’t care much for the giant trash sculptures? You can always admire the San Francisco Bay views.

Gabriela P/Yelp

This is actually a great spot to bring the kids to show off some fun artwork by the bay. You might find mirrors glued to rocks or even some art pieces dangling from the trees. Of course, use caution: this is an abandoned site, after all.

J-Crew

The Albany Bulb is an estuarial habitat featuring geese, ducks, and various birds, as well as reptile populations, and small mammals such as rats, mice, and rabbits. Find a seat and relax in this urban jungle park.

Gareth Bogdanoff/Flickr

The park has attained a mystique over the years because of various randoms features like labyrinths. The reputation as a anarchic no-mans land is still common.

Bethany/Flickr

Chris C/Yelp

The most distinctive thing about the Albany Bulb is the graffiti and sculptures throughout the park. Among the more notable pieces are a concrete TV, dragon sculpture, and something known as “The Castle”, which is a decaying concrete shelter covered in graffiti.

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