The official start of summer is coming in hot. Ring it in this weekend with a barbecue or picnic, all with sizzling views.

Battery Charger: Grab one of four tables and grills at the spacious Battery Wallace picnic area in the Marin Headlands and enjoy sea-to-sky views of the Pacific, the Golden Gate in the background, and the beach coves below.

Hidden Treasure: Stake out one of the often underutilized barbecue pits on Treasure Island's open waterfront; your backdrop is a classic double-bridge view and a panorama of downtown San Francisco.

Sweet Devil: Mount Diablo has plenty of prime barbecue spots, but there's one that's the sweetest of them all, with privacy and breathtaking views of Livermore Valley and the Oakland Hills.

Park it Here: With 45 acres of well-maintained lawn there's always room for a bike ride and picnic at Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos.

Grill Goaaal!: Has the World Cup got you in the mood to play a little football with your pals? San Francisco's Fort Miley has a grilling haven that's perched high on a grassy expanse nearly the size of a soccer field, and overlooking Ocean Beach.

Go Big

Ready to go big? Okay, not that big: half-marathon big. This fall, Team In Training (TNT) will take part in the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay, and they're inviting you to join the action. Step out with thousands of others and run, walk, (or run-walk) 13.1 miles on a gently rolling course through historic downtown Monterey, Cannery Row, and along Pacific Grove's rocky coastline. The early morning ocean mist will keep you cool while the gorgeous scenery and crashing waves of the Monterey Peninsula provide constant distraction. TNT has a fun and healthy program to help get you started. Over the next few months, TNT's experienced coaches and fitness pros will put together a tailored program to help you reach your goals. Before you know it, you'll be ready to walk or run with confidence in the company of newfound friends and teammates. It's easy to join: Come to an information meeting to learn more and say hello to others interested in this event (dates, times, and locations below). As always, your participation with TNT makes great strides in running blood cancers out of existence. Big is beautiful!

TIP: Get a head start on your Big Sur Half Marathon—sign up for the Nike Women's Half Marathon (13.1 miles) Oct. 17, 2010. This event is sold out but joining TNT guarantees your spot!

Upcoming information meetings in San Francisco, the East Bay, and the North Bay.

Upcoming information meetings in the Peninsula, the South Bay, Santa Cruz, and Monterey areas