Northern California’s coastline and inland areas are among the most majestic natural territories in the United States. The deep blue Pacific is stunning against its backdrop of soaring coastal ridgelines, craggy bluffs, wild grown headlands, and redwood forests. There are a number of habitats located within the Bay Area. Sandy beaches, tide pools, salt marshes, chaparral, temperate rainforest, riparian and many others provide sanctuary to an abundance wildlife species. Visitors can enjoy some of the country’s best hiking, biking, and equestrian trails within northern California’s regional and state parks on their getaway. Camping, rock climbing, boating, swimming are just a few of the other activities to be enjoyed.
Angel Island State Park
Located on San Francisco Bay’s largest natural island, Angel Island State Park boasts unrivaled views and miles of scenic hiking trails. Weekend visitors ferrying into the park will enjoy activities like biking, fishing, beach swimming, snorkeling, boating, and more. Campsites include options for families and large groups. There are restrooms and a camp store on-site, as well as a café. The island has a richly diverse history involving the native Coast Miwok tribe, Spanish Invaders, Chinese immigrants, foreign WWI and WWII prisoners of war, and US military operations. Families can visit the museum or opt for one of the island’s several guided tours, including a tram tour.Ferries to Angel Island embark from San Francisco.
Angel Island State Park, Ayala Cove, Belvedere Tiburon, CA, Phone: 415-435-1915
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Boasting over 70 miles of hiking, biking, and riding trails, this regional park sits just 20 minutes outside of downtown Oakland. A cool water lake, Eucalyptus groves, tall grass prairies, and local chaparral provide the scenery. The park’s Anthony Chabot Family Campground overlooks Lake Chabot and hosts a total of 63 drive-in and walk-in campsites. There are also 12 RV/trailer campsites fully equipped with water, sewage, and electrical hook-ups. Each site is furnished with a fire ring, a grill, and a picnic table. Campers enjoy the luxury of hot water showers. Firewood and coal may be purchased on the grounds.
Anthony Chabot Regional Park, 9999 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA, Phone: 888-327-2757
Sonoma Coast State Park, Bay Area
Seventeen miles of beach, secluded coves, and grassy headlands form Sonoma’s craggy coastline. Bodega Harbor is a popular park destination for crabbing along the rocky jetty. Atop the headland forming the harbor are hiking trails, where visitors can spot the migration of gray whales, or meander to hidden coves. There are several beaches along the Sonoma Coast State Park, each featuring a different attraction. Goat Rock beach is home to a colony of seals, Shell Beach is a fun place to explore tide pools and beachcomb, and Salmon Beach is popular for its lagoon, fishing, and great surf. There is a campground designated to hikers and bikers only, as well as three drive-in campgrounds equipped with primitive campsites.
Sonoma Coast State Park, CA-1, Bodega Bay, CA, Phone: 707-875-3483
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Del Valle Lake, the regional park’s central attraction, is nestled deep within a rolling green valley, surrounded by gorgeous oak trees. The lake hosts an abundance of water activities such as fishing, boating, windsurfing, and swimming. Lifeguards are on duty during high season. Boasting nearly 5,000 acres of land, the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is also home to the 28-mile Ohlone Wilderness Trail, horse trails, and biking trails. Family, group, and equestrian campgrounds are on-site. There is parking, concessions, restroom, and a visitors’ center. Kayak and boat rentals are available. Guided tours of the lake are a great way to learn about the natural history of the area.
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA, Phone: 888-327-2757
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Golden Gate National Recreation Area travels 70 miles, to the north and south of the Golden Gate bridge. Towering redwoods, awe inspiring shoreline, breathtaking vistas, and coastal wilderness provide endless hours of exploration. There are a number of hiking trails, which vary in difficulty. Visitors may choose to traverse the bluffs, meander through forests, climb hillside switchbacks, or make their way to one of the area’s historical landmarks. A paved walking and biking trail provides yet another option. There are four secluded campgrounds within Golden Gate, located at the Marin Headlands. The campsites are tent-only. Water is not provided, and fires are not permitted.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area California, Building 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA, Phone: 415-561-4700
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Mount Tamalpais State Park is located to the north of the Golden Gate Bridge, boasting views that extend 25-miles beyond the Farallon Islands and out to sea. Visitors also enjoy views of San Francisco Bay, East Bay, and Mount Diablo. Cavernous canyons, redwood and oak forests, grasslands, and native chaparral areas are among the park’s habitats. Hiking and equestrian trails give guests a chance to view an abundance of local wildlife. There are two standard campgrounds and a third campground for group reservations. The Steep Ravine Cabins and Environmental Campground offers rustic seaside accommodations. A visitor’s center and an outdoor theatre are located within the park.
Mount Tamalpais State Park, 3801 Panoramic Highway, Mill Valley, CA, Phone: 415-388-2070
Point Reyes National Seashore
Stormy waves, rocky headlands, and meandering beaches stretch along 80 miles of storybook shoreline. The park’s red roofed Point Reyes lighthouse has been recently renovated and contains a visitor’s center, restrooms, and an observation deck. Lucky guests may spot a California Grey Whale in migration. On land, 150 miles of hiking trails meander through wild grasses, native plants, and forested ridgelines. In total, the Point Reyes National Seashore spans 71,000 acres and several habitats, boasting robust biodiversity. There are over 1500 plant, marine, and animal species. Guests to Point Reyes will also appreciate its cultural history, which spans 5,000 years. Kids will love hiking, exploring tidepools, digging in the mudflats, and searching for critters during the annual summer camp.
Point Reyes National Seashore, 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA, Phone: 415-464-5100
Portola Redwoods State Park
The park’s cool redwood forest grows densely beneath a steep ridgetop. Nearly 3,000 acres of woodland hosts 18 miles of hiking trails, bubbling creeks, mossy banks, huckleberries, and ferns. Refreshing waterfalls cascade down into Pescadero Creek and Fall Creek; scenic locations to stop for a rest. The park houses 55 family campsites and four tent-only group campsites. There are no RV hookups, but there are pay showers. Visitors may purchase firewood and water on-site. Families will want to make sure to pack in plenty of supplies, as the nearest gas station is 14 miles away. Activities include hiking, swimming, geocaching, and checking out the exhibits located within the visitor’s center. There is no cell reception in the park.
Portola Redwoods State Park, 9000 Portola State Park Road, La Honda, CA, Phone: 650-948-9098
Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
Once a logging site, this hidden forest has regrown with redwoods 150 feet tall. Almost two acres of calm redwood groves contains wild grasses, chaparral, and evergreens. Redwood Creek, home of the Rainbow Trout species, flows through the park. A fish-way was built at the creek to help trout swim upstream, where their spawning grounds are located. There are several scenic picnic sites, a kids’ play area, a swimming pool, and archery located within the Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. Forty miles of hiking and horseback riding trails give visitors a chance to enjoy the grandeur of the forest while observing some of the park’s wildlife. Group camp sites and restrooms are available. Drinking water may be purchased on-site.
Redwood Regional Park, 7867 Redwood Road, Oakland, CA, Phone: 888-327-2757
Samuel P Taylor State Park
Nearly 3,000 acres of shaded redwood and oak forests create the park. Visitors can enjoy an easy stroll along the Lagunitas Creek, or cruise along its partially paved, three-mile bike trail. A moderately challenging hike ascends up to Barnabe Peak, one of the area’s most popular viewpoints. A plethora of hiking and horseback riding trails traverse the Samuel P Taylor State Park. Lucky visitors get to observe salmon spawning and wildflowers in bloom. Scenic picnic areas, family campsites, and group campsites are available. The park also has newly constructed cabins, RV access, and an RV dump station. Restrooms and showers are on-site. Water is available for purchase. The visitor’s center hosts family programs, exhibits, guided tours, and geocaching.
Samuel P Taylor State Park, 8889 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Lagunitas, CA, Phone: 415-488-9897
