Benicia, California

The endlessly scenic Trojan Point can be reached by taking the Panoramic Highway to Pantoll road from Stinson Beach to the west, or Mill Valley / Highway 1 to the east. It can also be reached by taking West Ridgecrest Boulevard from the north from the Fairfax-Bolinas road.  Park at the large par...

Whether you simply look down on the ruins from the [conveniently located] parking lot above, or choose to walk down the stairs and explore, you will be greeted with stunning views of the Baths, and the Pacific Ocean stretching infinitely beyond. The highlight of any trip to the Sutro Baths is ...

Yes, it's often cold in the city. So, what's the best way to warm up? Bring some blankets, a jacket or two, and come out to Ocean Beach to enjoy a bonfire, a sunset, and some quality time with friends. The fire pits are between Fulton and Lincoln. On a sunny day, get there early if you want to ge...

Roy's Redwoods Preserve is an easily missed pocket of Redwoods off Nicasio Valley Road in Marin County. Don't miss it: heading North on Sir Francis Drake Blvd turn right onto Nicasio Valley Rd--the gate for this little park is about a half mile up on the right. From the main entrance you enter a ...

Mickey's Beach is a great spot for experienced climbers to challenge themselves. The west face of the main rock is home to some local favorites like Sex Porpoises (12c), named for the apparently promiscuous local marine life. There are only a couple routes rated as 5.10s, the rest are mostly 5.12...

Although these cabins are bare bones, lacking both water and electricity, they couldn't put you in a better spot for views of the Pacific Ocean. From your cabin, you can enjoy amazing sunsets, possibly whale watching, and access to trails like the cabin's namesake, Steep Ravine Trail. The cabins...

Gain access through a private locked gate, and descend about 1 mile down to the bluff's edge. There is only parking for 1 car per site and also several cabins that can be rented. A camp host is on site and there are bathrooms and water spigots throughout the campground. Each site has a fire ring...

Start your drive on US Highway 1 aka Pacific Coast Highway just North of San Francisco. The drive will take about 1 -2 days so plan on overnighting somewhere. Hotels are scarce in the unpopulated areas but there all lots of Cabin rentals throughout and several campgrounds around. Just make sure y...

Stinson offers up a great beach day with a few activities for everyone to enjoy. If you head toward the south end of the beach, you'll come across a few boulder problems, including the 2 most popular: Are You Experienced and The Old Man. Are You Experienced is the smaller of these 2 boulders, but...

Stinson beach is a popular destination for Bay Area residents and tourists alike.  Located just 20 miles north of San Francisco, it is a 30-40 min drive away from the Golden Gate Bridge (it's a one-lane windy road once you're on HWY 1).  It is also a popular stop when hiking the nearby Mount Tama...

A 216-acre park, Helen Putnam offers 9 trails that are relatively short but can be combined however you wish. Go 2 miles or 10 miles. Loop in and out, up or around. I take a different route every time I hike here.For a good 6-mile hike, begin at the southwest corner, where the parking lot and res...

These natural swimming holes are filled with water flowing from Kent Lake, so they're usually pretty refreshing. And by refreshing, we mean cold. We know this first-hand by testing the pools in the winter months. Let's just say if you can stay in for more than 5 seconds, you're a hero. If you jum...

Mussel rock, a three-story, 50 million year old rock that has been carried some 500 miles northwest from Southern California, is where the San Andreas fault meets the Pacific Ocean. It's also an excellent spot to drink some wine and catch a sunset. From San Francisco, take Highway 1 south towar...

With multiple loops of varying length, this park is great for anyone looking for a casual hike around a beautiful area in the foothills of Rohnert Park. Crane Creek has nice secluded picnic areas next to the creek in the cover of willow, alder, buckeye and bay trees. There's also an 18-hole disc ...

A medium size beach with darker sand with big rocks and a paved path for walkers and joggers.  The beach is a great place to bring a picnic and watch the sunset.  It is located next to Pacifica Pier, which is popular for fishing.

This is a great place for fishing or just taking a walk to watch the sunset.  It's a great place to walk or jog, or even bring a pup!  There are lot of people fishing throughout the pier.   A short walk away is Sharp Park Beach, where you can relax and bring a picnic to watch the sunset.