Glen Ellen, California

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...

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...

First make sure to stop at the store and stock up on fresh lettuce and celery for the animals. Your kids (or just the kid in you) will love to feed them! Note that they're only allowed to eat lettuce and celery, so don't try to feed them your own snacks or get creative. ;) If you want to make it...

Take in a scenic sunset and enjoy the warmth of a bonfire on the beach! Muir Beach changes the number of fire pits it has seasonally. May through November, the beach offers 6 fire pits, and in the colder months (December through April), there are 3 fire pits on the beach toward the south end of t...

Lake Anza makes for a great warm weather swimming hole. The parking area is close to the beach along with the trail, which will take you around the lake. The beach gets plenty of sun and is fairly wind protected, which makes for a relaxing day. Bring some picnic food out to the lake and snag your...

This is a small tucked away beach in Sausalito, CA.  Being in the bay, it has very calm waters and is easy to swim in, though the water will be very cold.  There are pilings in the water that are remnants of the old piers.  It is a great beach to watch the sunset at. There is very limited street...

From San Francisco, drive north over the Golden Gate Bridge and onto the scenic Route One. Plan to spend a full day on the round trip if you're going for the first time; along the drive, you'll most likely want to stop every ten minutes to check out the charming seaside towns or the stunning coas...

Yes, you can camp just over the Golden Gate! Kirby Cove Campground has 4 overnight campsites and 1 picnic area for day use. The campground is set near a coarse-sand beach and offers amazing views of the Golden Gate, as long as it’s not a super foggy SF day. From the parking lot, it's a steep ~1 m...

All throughout the Marin Headlands are WWII-era bunkers, batteries and ruins, including a complex on the hillside above the Point Bonita Lighthouse that provide amazing views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate, and the north coast. Drive out to the parking lot for the Point Bonita Lighthouse in t...

Riding your bike or walking across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, and then enjoying some drinks overlooking the bay, is a great way to spend a nice day. The views along the way are simply breathtaking. After your ride and a day of fun in Sausalito, you can return to San Francisco by ferry. ...

If the weather forecast looks promising, you could do a lot worse than planning a picnic at the West Bluff Picnic Area in the Presidio. This area is south of Crissy Field (closer to the bridge) and before you get to Fort Point - situated perfectly to give you an amazing view of the Golden Gate, A...

The Wave Organ is an acoustic sculpture located on a jetty in the Marina district of San Francisco. Designed by Peter Richards and built in collaboration with sculptor George Gonzalez, this unique attraction was completed in 1986. It utilizes the natural movement of the waves to create a variety ...

If you're looking for one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marshall's Beach gives you just that without the tourist crowds of Baker Beach. This small and hidden beach offers a narrow stretch of sand for those looking to throw a frisbee around or just hang out with friends. As it's tu...