Menlo Park, California
Menlo Park, California is home to some of the best trails and outdoor activities. The top pick is the Stanford Dish Hiking Trail, a 3.7-mile loop known for its scenic views of the Stanford campus and Silicon Valley. It's a moderate difficulty trail, perfect for a brisk walk or jog. The trail is also home to the historic Dish, a large radio telescope. For a more relaxed outdoor adventure, head to the Bedwell Bayfront Park. This 160-acre park offers a variety of walking trails and is a must-visit for bird watching. It's located near the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, offering views of salt ponds and the bay. Lastly, don't miss the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. It offers a network of trails through grasslands and forests, with a stunning panorama of the bay and valley at the summit.
Top Spots in and near Menlo Park
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Orinda, California
Wildcat Peak Loop
4.05.89 mi / 1050 ft gainFrom Inspiration Point, head toward Nimitz gate. Once you pass through the gate, keep an eye out for Curran Trailhead; this is the trail you'll be starting on. After about 1/8 of a mile, you'll reach a junction with the Meadows Canyon Trail. Turn right onto this trail to continue the loop. This p...Read more -
Los Gatos, California
Soquel Demonstration Forest Flow Trail
14.21 mi / 2080 ft gainAs with many trail systems there are multiple routes and loops available at Sequel Demonstration forest of varying lengths and difficulty. The 3 main trails are all accessed via the same parking area on highland way. The most popular trail is the all skill levels "Flow" trail, followed by two sho...Read more -
Sausalito, California
Black Sands Beach
5.00.54 mi / 285 ft gainBlack Sand Beach is a beautiful, mile-long stretch of black sand just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. On a sunny day, it’s best to try and arrive in the morning, as the parking lot can fill up quickly. To get down to the beach, you’ll need to hike for about 5 minutes down 250 or so wooden steps....Read more -
Lafayette, California
Briones Park's Lafayette Ridge
4.35.31 mi / 981 ft gainThis is a nice and casual hike through the meadows and rolling hills, dotted with cows and hawks and sometimes goats or foxes. As you head up Lafayette Ridge, you'll be rewarded with the beautiful vista spanning from the Oakland Hills to sparkling Lafayette Reservoir. The hike is mostly through ...Read more -
Mill Valley, California
WWII Ruins on Point Bonita
4.30.25 mi / 200 ft gainAll 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...Read more -
Sausalito, California
Swedes Beach
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...Read more -
Mill Valley, California
Point Bonita Lighthouse
1 mi / 210 ft gainPoint Bonita Lighthouse stands as a historic sentinel at the entrance to San Francisco Bay, offering visitors a unique blend of maritime history, stunning coastal views, and natural beauty. This comprehensive guide will help you plan an unforgettable visit to one of California's most dramatic l...Read more -
Orinda, CaliforniaBriones Reservoir Loop: Bear Creek, Oursan, Hampton Trails
5.013.12 mi / 1791 ft gainBriones Reservoir Loop: Bear Creek, Oursan, Hampton Trails is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Lafayette, California.Read more -
Kensington, California
Tilden Little Farm
3.3First 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...Read more -
Tiburon, California
Angel Island Perimeter Loop
5.98 mi / 794 ft gainAngel Island Perimeter Loop is a loop trail around the circumference of the island in the San Francisco Bay. The island is located near Tiburon, California with views of downtown San Francisco, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Oakland, Sausalito, and TIburon as you traverse around the island. ...Read more -
Tiburon, California
Camp on Angel Island
5.0Thousands of years ago, this island was a fishing and hunting ground for the Miwok Native Americans. It has also been an outpost for the U.S. Army and a cattle ranch. Now, it’s one of the closest places to escape from the hustle of San Francisco and set up camp. Camping on the island requires ba...Read more -
Belvedere Tiburon, California
Mt. Livermore via North Ridge Trail
4.54.92 mi / 1178 ft gainUnless you own a boat or a kayak, this adventure requires a ride on the Blue and Gold Ferry from Pier 41 in San Francisco. But let’s be honest, that’s actually half the fun. Who doesn’t love a ferry ride? Angel Island State Park is the largest island in the Bay, and recommend the 6-mile loop aro...Read more -
Scotts Valley, California
Panther Beach
5.00.27 mi / 22.97 ft gainPanther Beach: Santa Cruz's Hidden Coastal Gem Panther Beach is a stunning, secluded beach nestled among rocky cliff sides along California's Highway 1. This is a great place to catch an awesome sunset, and there's even some decent bouldering on the beach archway for climbing enthusiasts. Beach...Read more -
Walnut Creek, California
Run the Mt. Diablo Foothill Loop
5.06.2 mi / 875 ft gainContinue by car down Castle Rock Road until it dead ends at the beginning of the trail. Parking is usually easy to find. If full, there is another overflow lot about 500 ft back the way you came in.You'll walk a good half mile down the trail before getting the main gate. As you're walking, you'll...Read more -
Walnut Creek, California
Castle Rock Trail
5.06.06 mi / 971 ft gainLocated near Walnut Creek, the trail is easily accessible from anywhere in the Bay Area. The trail is kept open year-round, and happens to be part of the American Discovery Trail and the Coast to Crest trail. If you are not done hiking, connecting trails allow you to summit Mt. Diablo. This tra...Read more -
Mill Valley, California
Rodeo Cove to Point Bonita Lighthouse
5.03.64 mi / 568 ft gainIf you're looking for a little hike and a lot of beach, you'll find your ideal combo at Rodeo Beach and Point Bonita Lighthouse. Park at the Marin Headlands Visitor Center at the head of the 0.8 mile trail to the beach. From the lighthouse to the beach, it will be another 1.5-2 miles there and ba...Read more
