Outdoor activities abound in Houston as a result of the city s favorable location and climate.
Rainfall totals about 46 inches per year, ensuring lush lawns, large trees and a profusion of flowers. More than a dozen state parks and recreation areas lie within a short drive of the Houston area, and more than 500 city and county parks and open spaces are located in the immediate area. Harris County and City of Houston parks alone total some 42,000 land acres and 12,000 water acres. The Houston area offers well over 100 private golf courses, plus nearly countless tennis courts, basketball courts, playing fields, and hike and bike trails. Just south of Houston is the sparkling water of the Gulf of Mexico, and surrounding the city are numerous lakes, rivers, streams and bayous.