Muir Beach, California
For top outdoor adventures in Muir Beach, California, the Coastal Trail is a must-visit. This scenic 3.8-mile hiking trail offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding landscape. As you walk, you'll pass by vibrant wildflowers, towering redwood trees, and unique rock formations. The trail is moderately difficult, with some steep inclines and rocky areas. It also features a beautiful wooden bridge crossing Redwood Creek. If you're lucky, you might spot some local wildlife, such as deer or hawks. Another highlight of the trail is the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, a working organic farm and Buddhist practice center. The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Muir Beach also include beachcombing, bird watching, and picnicking near the shore.
Top Spots in and near Muir Beach
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3160 North Shoreline Boulevard, California
SUP Shoreline Lake
4.0Shoreline Lake features a big lake, many hiking and biking trails, and lot of picnic areas in Mountain View, CA. Kayaks, SUP, and various boats can be rented from the boat house. This is a great place to enjoy the water no matter what season it is. There are large grassy areas for kids to run and...Read more -
Santa Rosa, California
Joe Rodota Trail
4.512.67 mi / 174 ft gainJoe Rodota Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Sebastopol, California.Read more -
Bodega Bay, California
Miwok Campground at Doran Regional Park
5.0Doran Regional Park is located along the coast just south of the town of Bodega Bay, California. There are 5 campgrounds at Doran and Miwok is the tent-only campground with 13 campsites. There is a parking lot at the campground and bathrooms with coin-operated showers. FEES: If camping, your e...Read more -
Kenwood, California
Pony Gate-Canyon Loop
4.52.17 mi / 568 ft gainThe Pony Gate-Canyon Loop within Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a new favorite of mine on my list of family and kid-friendly hikes. Our little girls did great with this hike and loved it. If you can get moving early in the day and begin your hike around breakfast time, you might find there are few...Read more -
Bodega Bay, California
Bodega Head Nature Trail
4.81.67 mi / 121 ft gainSitting west of the San Andrea fault, the Bodega Head is a massive chunk of granite from the Salinian Block, a geological terrane that contains Point Reyes and the Farallon Islands, and shares its origins with the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Head itself having been carried hundreds of miles to t...Read more -
Sebastopol, CaliforniaMadeleine Sone Wildlife Preserve Loop
5.00.94 mi / 174 ft gainThe Madrone Sone Wildlife Preserve offers visitors a serene 1.0-mile loop trail through a diverse ecosystem of wetlands, oak woodlands, and native grasslands. Located in western Sebastopol, this hidden gem provides an accessible nature experience and important wildlife habitat in the heart of Son...Read more -
Santa Rosa, California
Hood Mountain Summit Via Lower and Upper Johnson Ridge Trails
5.95 mi / 2054 ft gainHood Mountain Summit via the Lower Johnson and Upper Johnson Ridge Trails is a 6 mile out-and-back trek located in Santa Rosa, CA. The trailhead starts at the Pythian Road parking lot, accessed from Highway 12. The hike takes 3.5 to 4 hours to complete and is considered strenuous. All trails are...Read more -
Santa Rosa, California
Canyon Trail to Spring Creek Trail Loop
5.07.39 mi / 728 ft gainThe Canyon Trail to Spring Creek Trail Loop is a popular hiking route in Trione-Annadel State Park in Sonoma County, California. This loop offers a mix of shaded woodland paths and open trails, making it a favorite for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Trail Highlights: Length & Difficulty: A...Read more -
Los Altos, California
Foothills Park: Boronda Lake
3.00.93 mi / 0 ft gainSituated in the hills above Palo Alto; Foothills Park is the perfect spot to spend the day outdoors. With hiking, fishing, picnic areas, wide open fields, and expansive views of the Bay Area, this hidden gem is a must visit. Foothills Park is 2.7 miles west of 280 after exiting Page Mill. After ...Read more -
Sunol, California
Hike the Pleasanton Ridge Trail
4.36.4 mi / 1443 ft gainPleasanton Ridge Trail is a 6.4 mile loop. The loop is shared by dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. From the ridge your viewpoints will include Mount Diablo and the San Francisco Bay. This hike from the Foothills Staging Area is an excellent introduction ...Read more -
Bodega Bay, California
Camp at Bodega Dunes Campground
These kind of getaways shouldn't be planned many weeks before the trip. So we didn't booked a campground. And from this experience we learn that you don't have to reserve a campground. Just go there - don't panic when you see campground is full sign in the entrance. There are always available spo...Read more -
Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa Creek Trail: Willowside Road to Fulton Road
5.04.2 mi / 46 ft gainThe Santa Rosa Creek Trail segment from Willowside Road to Fulton Road offers a delightful 2.3-mile journey through one of Santa Rosa's most accessible urban nature corridors. This well-maintained paved trail provides cyclists, walkers, and runners with a scenic route that perfectly balances natu...Read more -
Bodega Bay, California
Bodega Dunes Beach
4.0Bodega Dunes Beach is located through the same entrance as Bodega Dunes Campground. There is a fee to enter the parking area for day use, but you can also access it without payment if you have a CA State Parks Pass. From the parking area heading toward the beach, you will see two picnic areas wi...Read more -
La Honda, California
Sam McDonald Park Loop
5.012.19 mi / 2192 ft gainThe Pescadero Creek Park Complex is a great place to escape for a day or overnight hike in the heart of the Bay Area. You will need to get a permit to stay overnight - these can be attained on a first-come, first-serve basis from the ranger station. Most of the campsites here are also available f...Read more -
Santa Clara County, California
Black Mountain via Rhus Ridge Trail
9.75 mi / 2992 ft gainJust outside of Los Altos is a very long ridge of mountains, one of which is Black Mountain. This is a very dry hike, with no tree canopy, so it can get very hot! Be aware that this can make the hike feel a lot more difficult with the sun beating down on you. Follow Rhus Ridge Trail to Black Mo...Read more -
Livermore, California
Condor, Volvan, Stone Corral, Coyote Loop
4.54.38 mi / 620 ft gainThis regional preserve is perfect for day hikes. There are also designated campsites and even a backpack campsite. Horses and dogs are welcome in the preserve. There are many different clearly marked trails that one can choose from. A good 4.5 mile loop is to start at the Park Residence entrance...Read more
