Go to: San Francisco Walks & Hikes | Bay Area Photos | Birding on San Francisco Bay
Marin & Peninsula Parks/Hikes
Part of what makes the San Francisco Bay area such a rich place to live, is the bounty of parks and nature getaways within a short distance from the city.
The profiles below represent a few of the outdoor possibilities across the Golden Gate Bridge and south of the city. Additional photo tours and hikes will be added on a regular basis.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (Peninsula/San Mateo)
Photo © Ingrid Taylar
Location: San Mateo coast at Moss Beach - Highway CA-1
A unique intertidal habitat with a chance to view some vivid tide pool and marine life.
Palo Alto Baylands (Peninsula/Palo Alto)
Photo © Ingrid Taylar
Location: On San Francisco Bay in Palo Alto, east of the 101 freeway on Embarcadero
The Palo Alto Baylands are a treasure of trails and wildlife viewing in an area that was once slated for commercial development. The Baylands trails are primarily flat, meandering through the marshes and around family-oriented areas like the Baylands duck pond.
Mussel Rock Beach (Peninsula/Pacifica)
Photo © Ingrid Taylar
Location: West of Highway 1 between Pacifica and San Francisco in San Mateo County
Mussel Rock Beach is a place of geological significance -- the beautiful coastal spot where the San Andreas fault stretches into the ocean for a segment before it hits land in Marin County.
Richardson Bay Audubon (Marin/Tiburon)
Photo © Ingrid Taylar
Location: Tiburon, off Tiburon Boulevard and on Richardson Bay.
The nature trail at Richardson Bay Audubon is an easy hike through varied terrain, from bay shoreline to forest and grasslands.
Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds (Marin/San Rafael)
Photo © Ingrid Taylar
Location: San Rafael (Marin County), off Smith Ranch Road
Las Gallinas area is part of a wastewater reclamation project, which has produced ponds and wetlands habitat for a large variety of resident and winter migrating birds. There's also a series of trails that connect with the Bay Trail -- for biking and walking.
Fort Baker & Golden Gate Bridge (Marin/Sausalito)
© Ingrid Taylar
Location: North side of the Golden Gate Bridge, below the bridge on San Francisco Bay.
The Fort Baker to Golden Gate Bridge photo tour takes you from Fort Baker and the Bay Area Discovery museum, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and up to the pedestrian walkway on the north side of the bridge.