Grunge Gallery

World-class bay views meet zany bohemian art at the Albany Bulb. The Bulb is an unprepossessing spit of land north of Golden Gate Fields that was literally a dump 25 years ago. Since then, dirt has filled in, grass has grown, and impromptu artists have created an open-air gallery all their own. Make no mistake, the remnants of its dump days are still evident, but they contrast well with the whimsy of Andy Warhol-esque Mona Lisa paintings on rocks and a variety of other truly random pieces of art—bicycle wheel avant-garde! Keep your eyes peeled for little nuggets of creativity. In the southwest corner, a concrete graffiti "castle" is a kitsch piece of real estate in a prime location, with million-dollar views of the Bay and Golden Gate bridges and the San Francisco skyline. The north side features most of the best stuff, including some fantastic driftwood sculptures—a woman, a painter, a dragon! Just goes to show: One person's trash is another person's treasure.

The Albany Bulb is part of Albany Waterfront Park. From eastbound I-80 in Albany, exit Buchanan St. Turn left, go under the freeway, and follow the road until it ends at the parking lot. Walk past the Albany Waterfront Trail sign for about half a mile to reach the Albany Bulb. Very dog-friendly!