A picnic is a meal with a better view. All you need is food that travels well, something to sit on and a good spot: a park lawn, a beach, a lakeside table, a winery garden or a trail with a view at the end. It can be as simple as sandwiches on a blanket or as planned as a full spread with real plates and a thermos of coffee.

The best picnic spots have a little shade, flat grass and a restroom within walking distance. Many parks have picnic tables and grills you can use on a first-come basis, plus covered shelters you can reserve for bigger groups.

The Date Activity

A picnic is a thoughtful date that doesn't cost much. It shows you planned ahead, and it gives you a couple of hours of easy conversation with no one hovering to clear your plates. Keep the menu simple and easy to eat with your hands: good bread, cheese, fruit, a salad that holds up, and something sweet. If you'd rather not cook, most delis and grocery stores sell sandwiches and boxed lunches ready to go.

Time it for late afternoon so you can stay for the sunset, or build it around something else: lunch at a winery that welcomes outside food, a spread before an outdoor concert, or a basket after a morning on the beach. Pack a deck of cards or a small game for the lazy stretch after eating.

On Your Own / With Friends

A group picnic is one of the easiest ways to get people together. Make it a potluck, put one person in charge of drinks and ice, and claim your spot early or reserve a shelter. Bring a ball, lawn games or a kite for when the food is gone.

Picnicking alone is worth a try, too. A sandwich, a good book and a bench with a view is a fine way to spend a lunch hour or a quiet Sunday.

Good to Know

Keep cold food cold: pack perishables in a cooler with ice packs and don't leave them sitting in the sun, especially on a hot day. Bring a blanket with a waterproof backing, napkins, wet wipes, a small cutting board and knife, a bottle opener, sunscreen, bug spray and a trash bag. Something heavy to pin down the blanket saves you from chasing napkins in the wind. Pack out all of your trash, use only the grills and fire areas the park allows, and check whether alcohol is permitted before you bring a bottle, since many public parks ban it or require a permit.