Guides
A 40-minute audio guide to a panoramic trail encircling one of the Bay Area's highest peaks.
The Grand Loop offers a bird's-eye view of the Bay Area, and sometimes glimpses far beyond, of the Farallon Islands, Mount Lassen, the Sierra Nevada, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. It's also a a hotspot for wildflowers in the spring. At each of 12 stops in this audio guide, naturalists point out the sights and sounds, tell tales of the mountain's...
3-day hike showcases best of the Santa Cruz Mountains
Campers flock to the forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco; most are content to pitch a tent plucked from the trunk of their car, but hardy hikers prefer roughing it with all they need strapped on their backs. Two of the Bay Area's most popular hiking locales -- Castle Rock and Big Basin Redwoods state parks -- promise one of...
Backdoor entry to Muir Woods on an uncrowded trail where you can enjoy scenery (and a bar!) most visitors never see.
The ancient California redwood trees of Muir Woods National Monument are one of several remaining groves up and down the coast that escaped the lumberjacks thanks to forward thinking preservationists. Located just North of San Francisco this is the ideal place for visitors from around the world to come and marvel at the giant redwoods (which in...
Get an early start to enjoy one of Mt Tamalpais' most loved and most distinctive trails.
Steep Ravine is a real jewel in Marin County's crown. Cutting deep into the landscape over millennia the water rushing through Webb Creek has created a spectacularly steep sided and lush canyon shaded by towering redwood trees and populated with a wide variety of local flora and fauna. This trail really draws the crowds, so we heartily recommend...
See Marin County's most scenic waterfalls. 7-mile moderate hike
Cataract Creek Trail offers a perfect excuse to play hooky from work or spend a vacation day in the woods. The creek's waterfalls provide a spectacular anchor for a 7-mile loop through the scenic lands of the Mount Tamalpais Watershed. You could just hike a mile and a quarter to the top of the Cataract Creek Trail and return, but I figure if you're...
A short hike along the batteries and bluffs in the Presidio of San Francisco
This short trail provides a great way to see the bluffs near the Presidio and offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin that are hard to beat. The trail is marked moderate because there are several places with steps and some climbing if you decide to take the side trip down to Marshall Beach. The trail is pretty short, which allows for you...
A great day (or overnight) hike from the beach to the top of Mount Tamalpais where you can see the entire bay area.
Mount Tamalpais (or Mt. Tam as the locals call it) is a must-do hike for anyone living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Although you can drive to the top, the hike is much more rewarding, and you see many hidden treasures that those driving would likely miss. The best way to hike Mt Tamalpais is by starting at sea-level at Stinson Beach, hiking...
Headlands host beauty and history of San Francisco Bay Area
The Marin Headlands are intoxicating and sobering. The hills north of San Francisco are peppered with relics of America's wars, so in the same afternoon you might see wonderful examples of waves crashing amid grim reminders of nations clashing. The Headlands are a section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, managed by the U.S. Park Service....
Just a 10-minute drive from Berkeley, Briones Regional Park is a 6,117 acre park in Contra Costa County.
Just a 10-minute drive from Berkeley, Briones Regional Park is a 6,117 acre park in Contra Costa County. Its home to plentiful East Bay wildlife, including birds, snakes and newts. In some areas, it's still used as grazing land by local herds, part of a cattle ranching history that's more than 100 years old. The park's ridge tops offer stunning views...
Scanning it's expanse, you can see ocean beach, streams, grasses, bushy scrub, and tall, ancient trees.
Pescadero State Beach, a mile-long stretch just south of Half Moon Bay in Northern California is no simple place. If you look more closely you can spot some of the more than 250 species of birds that make their home here. The landscape, especially at the water, is never the same two days in a row. This Exploration created in collaboration with the...
The water flowing past Big Break Regional Shoreline via the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers drains 1/2 of California.
Big Break Regional Shoreline is a part of the great 1,680-square-mile San Francisco/San Joaquin Delta estuary in Northern California. The water flowing past Big Break Regional Shoreline through the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers drains half of California's watershed, and creates the largest estuarine environment on Pacific shores. This "Inland Coast"...
Although this trail is not open for walk-in use by the general public, volunteer trail leaders head trips 3x a week.
Local nature lovers can enjoy the rare opportunity to hike, bike, or ride their horses through pristine stands of old growth Douglas Fir, evergreen and fragrant coastal scrub while enjoying ridge-top vistas of our watershed lands, reservoirs, the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. Although this trail is not open for walk-in use by the general public,...
A nice loop in Mount Tamalpais State Park
This hike includes great views of the Bay Area, Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate, Potato Patch, and down the San Mateo Coastline. As the walk progresses the trails will head into Redwood Forest, and drop - really drop - down into the heart of Steep Ravine. The trails become a series of stairs immediately adjacent to a seasonal creek. In some spots it’s...
The wildest, rockiest corner of San Francisco is a land of rich history and spectacular nature
Lands End is the wildest, rockiest corner of San Francisco, a corner strewn with shipwrecks and a history of landslides. At the tip of Lands End is Point Lobos, named by the Spanish for its many lobos marinos (sea wolves); the barks of those sea lions, as they are called today, drifted up from the rocks below. The sea lions have since relocated to the...
Great views, challenging hiking in the hills southwest of Silicon Valley.
With lush woods, gorgeous vistas, challenging trails and remarkable stone formations, Castle Rock State Park is a highlight reel for hiking in the San Francisco Bay Area. You'll find a fascinating mix to trees -- gnarled oaks, towering Douglas firs, bark-shedding madrones -- but the rocks steal the show. Large formations called "tafoni" (which look...
A scenic 4-mile loop on steep, paved trails with great views on Stanford University and the San Francisco Bay.
The Stanford Dish loop is a popular route for Stanford University students as well as Silicon Valley professionals. Its steep paved trail is suitable for running, walking, and hiking. Bicycles are not allowed. Opening hours vary depending on the month of the year: January 6:30 AM-5:30 PM February 6:30 AM-6 PM March 6 AM-6:30 PM April 6 AM-8 PM May...
Skip the summit crowds and see Mount Diablo's North Peak. Strenuous 10-mile hike.
If you're bugged by the existence of a parking lot atop Mount Diablo -- the East Bay's signature peak -- you're probably just the type to check out nearby North Peak, which gets far fewer visitors and offers just as many awesome vistas. My favorite path to North Peak is definitely the hard way: five miles and over 3,000 feet of climb on some of the...
See San Francisco Bay from high atop Mission Peak in Fremont, CA, USA. Strenuous 6-mile loop hike
Mission Peak, one of the most popular East Bay hikes, is a great workout with 2,000 feet of climb in two miles and spectacular views of San Francisco Bay and the Diablo Range once you reach the summit. Most hikers are content to take the so-called Hidden Valley Trail (which is neither hidden nor in a valley) to the summit, but there is a far more...
A tough-but-rewarding hike to the San Francisco Bay Area's highest waterfall.
It takes strong legs and an even stronger sense of humor to take on the trek to Murietta Falls. If you can laugh off the prospect of hiking six miles one way with over 4,000 feet of ascent for a waterfall without any actual water in it, you have a strong chance of enjoying this hike. Murietta Falls is a remote, rocky slit in the backcountry...
Open space preserve in the Midpeninsula region.
The preserve is located on the weestern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Half Moon Bay. The open space features not only redwoods, but ferns, wildflowers, coastal scrub, several babbling brooks which can grow to sizable creeks in the winter. The elevation can dips down almost 1600 ft from Skyline Blvd and depending on the route, some sections...
A loop traversing open grassy ridges and forested pathways in Tilden Regional Park
The trail that loops from Quarry trailhead in Tilden Regional Park traverses open grassy ridges and forested pathways in the East Bay Regional Park District above Berkeley, California. These trails and TrailPhotos offer spectacular unfettered ridgetop vistas over the Bay towards San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge to the west, and over scenic...
As sure as the earth moves in Berkeley, there's a volcano just off Skyline Boulevard.
As sure as the earth moves in Oakland, there's a volcano just off Skyline Boulevard. Not just any volcano, mind you. This one's lying on its side with its guts exposed. You might not recognize it right away, owing to its reclining position and the grassy coat it's adopted. But among the shrubs and grasses at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, you'll...
Glorious views and grazing elk await at Point Reyes National Seashore. Moderate 10-mile hike.
It's nearly impossible to get lost on the way to Tomales Point, a rocky fingernail of land poking into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. And that's a shame, because if ever there was a place to lose yourself, this is it. The narrow, windswept sliver of Point Reyes National Seashore ending at Tomales Point has just one main trail, which rolls...
Winter and spring rains create scenic waterfalls in this hike at Mount Diablo, the East Bay's signature peak.
While Mount Diablo State Park is best known for towering vistas from the mountain's twin East Bay summits, the seasonal rains that visit the San Francisco Bay Area every year create several scenic waterfalls in the mountain's rugged canyons. This hike starts out from the Regency Gate in the East Bay town of Clayton -- parking is free in the neighborhood:...
A short, steep hike up Flag Hill promises grand scenery and offers a great way to introduce your kids to hiking.
Sunol Regional Wilderness is one of the best hiking locales in the East Bay hills northeast of Silicon Valley. This Flag Hill Loop is one of the best ways to see Sunol. This loop is relatively short at 3.7 miles, but it's no cakewalk: Flag Hill summit is 1.3 miles and 900 feet above the Sunol headquarters. It's a tough climb, but it's over soon...
Wine country also makes excellent hiking country, as illustrated by this great Napa hillside route.
Winemakers know that Napa Valley is a great place to be all year round, hence it's possible to find great hiking conditions here on virtually any month of the year. Skyline Wilderness Park is located in the hills immediately east of the town of Napa, and our guide provides a circuitous loop close to the park's boundaries, rewarding hikers with great...
See gorgeous Bay vistas and visit the Immigration Station.
Angel Island State Park offers one of the best ways to see San Francisco Bay from sea level. Fortunate local boat owners have long plied its shoreline and picnicked on its grounds, but the boatless can get in on the fun via ferries that stop on the island. There are good times galore for hikers, bikers and sightseers, but the island has abundant...
Great hike from Los Altos Hills, towering 2812' over Silicon Valley.
Towering over Silicon Valley, waaaay back to the rear of Rancho San Antonio, lies 2812' Black Mountain. Starting at the little-known Rhus Ridge parking lot, you can enjoy a healthy workout and a grand panoramic view of Silicon Valley! The unusual snow picture was taken in December 2008. Your hike is much more likely to be sunny and dry! Other...
Take a stroll around the tall rolling grassy hills East of San Francisco in the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness.
Wildflower lovers will love the springtime scenery of Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, but when the blooms have faded this East Bay park still has plenty to marvel at. Eagle-eyed hikers in autumn and winter will spot birds of prey amongst the gliding turkey vultures, and there's also the chance of a golden eagle sighting. Elevation gain: • 1,100ft...
A 2.5-mile section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail through the woods with some great viewpoints in the Presidio
The entire bay area ridge trail is about 510 miles long and circles the entire bay. This short section winds through San Francisco's Presidio District and has some great views of the bay as well as nice walks through large trees. Near the middle you can take a detour to the National Cemetery Overlook with views of the bay and the golden gate bridge. The...
A short hike along the Mavericks cliffs at one of the most famous surfing spots in the world
This hike is an easy walk along the cliffs overlooking Mavericks surf spot, famous for its (often deadly) surf competitions. You will have nice views of the water below from the cliffs with very little elevation change after the first small climb. If you are up for it, you can continue along the harbor towards the rock pier where you may see seals...
"I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people,"
The Pulgas Water Temple was built at the terminus of the Hetch Hetchy aqueduct as a monument to the new water system. It’s located within the watershed, just south of Crystal Springs reservoir. An inscription at the top reads, "I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people," a biblical quote from Isaiah. The...
Short coastal bluff hike with outstanding views and wildflowers.
Just a short distance down the coast from the city of San Francisco, Pacifica is where the concrete truly ends and gives way to green hills and dramatic coastal scenery. Mori Point is a great place enjoy a sunset, do a spot of whale watching or simply enjoy the waves of the Pacific Coast washing up onto the shores. Remember to check out the ridgeline...
Experience some of the best views in the Bay Area along this flat, paved trail. A great hike for young kids.
The Verna Dunshee Loop around the East Peak of Mount Tamalpais (or Mt Tam as locals call it) provides one of the best views of any trail in the Bay Area. The trails is even and paved, but quite narrow and with very steep drops. The trail is easy to find and follow. Just drive up to the East Peak of Mt Tam, which is a very scenic drive in and of itself....
The best panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area are just a half-mile hike away atop Mt. Tamalpais.
Hikes don't get much shorter or much better than this half-mile round trip trail to the top of Mt. Tamalpais, just North of San Francisco. Known to locals simply as Mt Tam, Mt. Tamalpais State Park is the perfect day-trip away from the bustle of San Francisco and once you're here it's hard to believe you're just a stone's throw away from the second...
Rugged but rewarding trek is best way to see East Bay backcountry
Ohlone Wilderness Trail is one wicked walk: 28 miles in two days with over 7,600 feet of elevation gain. But it's worth the strain as you soak up amazing vistas, scout for wildlife and marvel at being in such a remote locale so close to a huge metropolis. (Large raptors like eagles and hawks can often be spotted swooping down on their doomed prey)....
A scenic hike in either direction with the creme' de la creme' Alamere Falls as your reward
When you get to Bolinas take Mesa road to the end, the last 1.5 miles is graded not paved. The trail head is well marked on the right side of the parking lot (Palomarin Trailhead), begin your hike with a peak of the ocean through a grove of trees, as the trail winds to the right and back towards to coast your first full view of the ocean appears, the...
Hike the popular wilderness preserve on this great San Francisco Peninsula hike.
Looming large over San Francisco and the northern peninsula, the wilderness preserve of San Bruno Mountain state and county park is home to several rare and endangered species of flora, fauna and wildlife, including the elfin butterfly. Our guide focuses on two popular hikes. The 3½ mile Summit Loop trail takes a counter-clockwise route around...
Explore the remnants of a bygone era on the slopes of Mt Tamalpais.
There's a way up Mt. Tamalpais for everyone whether you're a biker, hiker, driver or equestrian. Opt for the easy drive-up option and you'll be taking the third of a mile plank-walk to the rocky summit and some of the best views in the bay area, but you'd be missing out on the opportunity to experience some really great Marin hiking trails. Our 9...
Seasons signal ideal times to hike Bay Area trails; best hikes for each season of the year
The San Francisco Bay Area enjoys excellent hiking weather year-round -- ample sunshine, rare storms, scant snow -- but savvy local hikers still match their destinations to prime weather conditions. Spring, for instance, brings an explosion to wildflowers. Summertime gets warmer the farther you get from the coast, so most hikers look for deep shade...
