Santa Clara County, California

This is a very popular spot to hike up to from Conzelman Road. You can find parking in the lot or on the street and do the quick hike up to Battery Spencer. You can get a perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge and SF from the Marin side of the Bay. This is a unique perspective as you also get the...

Although steep in sections, this trail is a wonderful workout and hikers are more than rewarded for their efforts. The Rock City Trail is a direct route to the summit of Mount Diablo, and the park is an ecological treasure dear to the hearts of Bay Area residents. The best views are on clear days...

This hike starts at the Rock City area of Mount Diablo State Park. Begin at the Madrone Canyon Trail, hiking southeast towards the Devils Slide trail. Along this section of the hike, the trail dips into a wooded canyon and follows the path of a small creek. To best experience the beauty of the cr...

This scenic hike is a 2 mile out-and-back trail located near Sausalito, CA. From the trail and beach, you'll get scenic of the Golden Gate, San Francisco's skyline, and glimpses of the East Bay. The best news, there's rarely any crowd. Consider packing a blanket and a small picnic. With panorami...

If you're leaving from SF, head over the bridge and exit onto Alexander Ave. Make the immediate left under the overpass and you'll be on the road to Hawk Hill. There's a parking area just below the gate leading up to Hawk Hill. From the parking lot you can walk west about ten yards along the outs...

This trail starts at the Julian Trail in Marin Headlands Park, where there's a small parking lot and outhouse bathroom off the circle when coming from Conzelman Road. Take the Julian Trail until you intersect with Bunker Road (you can even turn right and spit off the trail just before intersecti...

This loop can start from several different locations, including Rodeo Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge parking lot. Starting from the GGB will add 2 more miles onto this run. I like to start at the Coastal Trailhead parking lot off of McCullough and Conzelman Roads (just a notch down from Hawk Hi...

Black 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....

As you enter the park, you'll need to pay $8 for parking via a self-pay envelope, so it's recommended that you bring exact change. Fees may change, please check Parks.CA.Gov for updates. At the park booth, be sure to grab a map. The hike can be a little tricky with no cell service and limited tra...

This is a paved trail that can be used for hiking, jogging, or walking.  It offers over 2 miles of beautiful California coast.  Walk through flowers, see the jagged cliffs, and of course the lighthouse at the end!  This walk can be done from either direction.  Start at Natural Bridges and head We...

Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve Loop is a loop trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Santa Cruz, California.

The trail is dog and horse friendly, and many trail loops make Tilden Regional Park fun for families and those of any skill level. The Seaview and Big Springs Trail loop is typically used by avid hikers, trail runners, or mountain bikers. The first half of the trail is exposed to the sun and rock...

Point 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...

This Capitola camping spot is the place to be if you're looking to do a variety of activities in a variety of landscapes. You can swim, fish, or explore the nearby forest of Monterey Pine and coastal Oak. In the evening, walk into Capitola for live music and great fish tacos.  The S.S. Palo Alto,...

Tilden Park is a beautiful recreational area with scenic hiking trails, a swimming lake, small animal farm, a steam train and botanical gardens. The versatility of this park makes it very family and kid friendly, and those who are looking for a moderate hike within the park have almost forty mile...

From 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...