Guides
3-day hike showcases best of the Santa Cruz Mountains
Campers flock to the forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco; most are content to pitch a tent plucked from the trunk of their car, but hardy hikers prefer roughing it with all they need strapped on their backs. Two of the Bay Area's most popular hiking locales -- Castle Rock and Big Basin Redwoods state parks -- promise one of...
Get an early start to enjoy one of Mt Tamalpais' most loved and most distinctive trails.
Steep Ravine is a real jewel in Marin County's crown. Cutting deep into the landscape over millennia the water rushing through Webb Creek has created a spectacularly steep sided and lush canyon shaded by towering redwood trees and populated with a wide variety of local flora and fauna. This trail really draws the crowds, so we heartily recommend...
Long hike through old-growth redwoods to shimmering waterfalls is a Bay Area favorite.
Redwoods and waterfalls make this the best hike in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you're up for 11 miles and a thousand feet of elevation gain spread out over a half-day, you'll be amazed to see the strain melt away in this land of the giants. Veteran Berry Creek Falls hikers recommend a counter-clockwise loop starting on the Sunset Trail,...
Backdoor entry to Muir Woods on an uncrowded trail where you can enjoy scenery (and a bar!) most visitors never see.
The ancient California redwood trees of Muir Woods National Monument are one of several remaining groves up and down the coast that escaped the lumberjacks thanks to forward thinking preservationists. Located just North of San Francisco this is the ideal place for visitors from around the world to come and marvel at the giant redwoods (which in...
Unparalleled vistas await the Tahoe hiker on a memorable journey to the lake’s tallest peak.
The jewel in the crown of mountains which ring Lake Tahoe, Mt. Tallac promises unparalleled views from its summit 9,735ft above sea level. We guide you to the top via the most direct summer route through lush forest, along scenic ridgelines, past small alpine lakes and across blazingly colorful wildflower strewn high-altitude meadows. Sure the 3,500ft...
A 40-minute audio guide to a panoramic trail encircling one of the Bay Area's highest peaks.
The Grand Loop offers a bird's-eye view of the Bay Area, and sometimes glimpses far beyond, of the Farallon Islands, Mount Lassen, the Sierra Nevada, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. It's also a a hotspot for wildflowers in the spring. At each of 12 stops in this audio guide, naturalists point out the sights and sounds, tell tales of the mountain's...
A leisurely hike through an enchanted portion of the San Gabriel Mountains leading to a fifty foot waterfall.
The trail from Chantry Flats to Sturtevant Falls has been a popular hike for those wanting to escape the urban sprawl of Los Angeles since the early 1900's. This is an easy hike and perfect for anyone new to hiking but be aware that the last 0.6 mile return to the parking lot is all uphill. From the Santa Anita exit of the 210 Freeway it's a 5 mile...
Yosemite National Park's iconic day hike, with stunning views over Yosemite Valley from the top of Half Dome.
Half Dome is the signature landmark of Yosemite National Park. “Average” people can accomplish the approximately 16-mile, 12-hour hike to the top of Yosemite’s signature landmark if they have three things: Education, Preparation and Motivation. This app will you with your education. I include advice on preparation – but you need to be in top...
See Marin County's most scenic waterfalls. 7-mile moderate hike
Cataract Creek Trail offers a perfect excuse to play hooky from work or spend a vacation day in the woods. The creek's waterfalls provide a spectacular anchor for a 7-mile loop through the scenic lands of the Mount Tamalpais Watershed. You could just hike a mile and a quarter to the top of the Cataract Creek Trail and return, but I figure if you're...
Hike to two breath-taking waterfalls along Yosemite Valley's most popular hiking trails
If you only have time for one hike while in Yosemite look no further: the Mist Trail is the hike for you. It is no wonder why this trail is one of the most popular trails in Yosemite Valley. You will hike so close to 2 massive waterfalls that it will be very difficult to avoid the mist from the falls. The best time to hike this trail is in Spring...
A popular 10-mile hike through the Big Sur wilderness with a relaxing finish
Big Sur has many great destinations, but Sykes Hot Springs is definitely near the top of the list for anyone who has been there. It is roughly 9-10 miles to the Skyes campground, and limited climbing after the first 2 hours (which can be steep at times, and tiring in the direct sun). It is possible to treat it as a day hike, but it is recommended...
A mostly-downhill hike with views of Half Dome, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, Yosemite Falls and the Yosemite Valley
There is no better hike in Yosemite National Park which offers the amazing views of Half Dome, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Illilouette Fall, Yosemite Fall, and the entire Valley than the Panorama Trail. This 8.5-mile hike will take you on an adventure from Glacier Point, high above the valley, down to the Mist Trail where you will hike next to both Nevada...
A short hike along the batteries and bluffs in the Presidio of San Francisco
This short trail provides a great way to see the bluffs near the Presidio and offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin that are hard to beat. The trail is marked moderate because there are several places with steps and some climbing if you decide to take the side trip down to Marshall Beach. The trail is pretty short, which allows for you...
A long hike from Echo Lake past several lakes to a great swimming spot in Lake Tahoe's beautiful Desolation Wilderness
The hike to Lake Aloha is the ultimate day hike in Desolation Wilderness. The trail is fairly flat for most of the hike, with only two sections of significant elevation gain, and you will pass by 5 lakes in under 12 miles round trip. After a hot day of hiking there is no better way to relax than with a swim in beautiful Lake Aloha where you can spend...
A great day (or overnight) hike from the beach to the top of Mount Tamalpais where you can see the entire bay area.
Mount Tamalpais (or Mt. Tam as the locals call it) is a must-do hike for anyone living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Although you can drive to the top, the hike is much more rewarding, and you see many hidden treasures that those driving would likely miss. The best way to hike Mt Tamalpais is by starting at sea-level at Stinson Beach, hiking...
Headlands host beauty and history of San Francisco Bay Area
The Marin Headlands are intoxicating and sobering. The hills north of San Francisco are peppered with relics of America's wars, so in the same afternoon you might see wonderful examples of waves crashing amid grim reminders of nations clashing. The Headlands are a section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, managed by the U.S. Park Service....
A 24 mile three day backpacking trip along California's most undeveloped stretch of shoreline.
The Lost Coast is an 80 mile stretch of the California coast where the builders of Highway 1 decided to go around because it was too rough. That left this coast all to us backcountry folks as the cars, the people, and the noise keeps a good distance away. This trip takes you down 24 miles of the Lost Coast starting at Mattole and ending at Black Sands...
Walk among the giants of Mariposa Grove in Yosemite and see some of the biggest and oldest sequoias in the world
No trip to Wawona is complete without spending a day exploring the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove. This protected grove of trees is home to over 300 giant sequoias, some almost 2,000 years old! This walking tour will start at the base and take you all over the grove showing you the most popular trees in the area while giving you a lesson on the...
Worship the great outdoors from the heart of Yosemite National Park.
Two superb Yosemite lakes await you from the Cathedral Lakes trailhead at the side of Tioga Road, inviting you to swap the throngs of car-bound visitors for relative peace and tranquility of calm waters, pine forest and granite peaks. Elevation gain: • 1,300ft (from 8,600 - 9,600ft) Tips: • Insects can be plentiful around the lakes, so be...
Tackle highest peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park and stand atop an active volcano.
Located four hours north east of San Francisco this Northern California park might be a little out of the way, but it’s a prime destination for seekers of tranquility and those with even just a passing interest in geology. Mount Lassen is a towering testament to the volcanic origins of this region, and an imposing sight from the trailhead on the...
See San Francisco Bay from high atop Mission Peak in Fremont, CA, USA. Strenuous 6-mile loop hike
Mission Peak, one of the most popular East Bay hikes, is a great workout with 2,000 feet of climb in two miles and spectacular views of San Francisco Bay and the Diablo Range once you reach the summit. Most hikers are content to take the so-called Hidden Valley Trail (which is neither hidden nor in a valley) to the summit, but there is a far more...
The wildest, rockiest corner of San Francisco is a land of rich history and spectacular nature
Lands End is the wildest, rockiest corner of San Francisco, a corner strewn with shipwrecks and a history of landslides. At the tip of Lands End is Point Lobos, named by the Spanish for its many lobos marinos (sea wolves); the barks of those sea lions, as they are called today, drifted up from the rocks below. The sea lions have since relocated to the...
Skip the summit crowds and see Mount Diablo's North Peak. Strenuous 10-mile hike.
If you're bugged by the existence of a parking lot atop Mount Diablo -- the East Bay's signature peak -- you're probably just the type to check out nearby North Peak, which gets far fewer visitors and offers just as many awesome vistas. My favorite path to North Peak is definitely the hard way: five miles and over 3,000 feet of climb on some of the...
A scenic 4-mile loop on steep, paved trails with great views on Stanford University and the San Francisco Bay.
The Stanford Dish loop is a popular route for Stanford University students as well as Silicon Valley professionals. Its steep paved trail is suitable for running, walking, and hiking. Bicycles are not allowed. Opening hours vary depending on the month of the year: January 6:30 AM-5:30 PM February 6:30 AM-6 PM March 6 AM-6:30 PM April 6 AM-8 PM May...
Just a 10-minute drive from Berkeley, Briones Regional Park is a 6,117 acre park in Contra Costa County.
Just a 10-minute drive from Berkeley, Briones Regional Park is a 6,117 acre park in Contra Costa County. Its home to plentiful East Bay wildlife, including birds, snakes and newts. In some areas, it's still used as grazing land by local herds, part of a cattle ranching history that's more than 100 years old. The park's ridge tops offer stunning views...
Although this trail is not open for walk-in use by the general public, volunteer trail leaders head trips 3x a week.
Local nature lovers can enjoy the rare opportunity to hike, bike, or ride their horses through pristine stands of old growth Douglas Fir, evergreen and fragrant coastal scrub while enjoying ridge-top vistas of our watershed lands, reservoirs, the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. Although this trail is not open for walk-in use by the general public,...
Scanning it's expanse, you can see ocean beach, streams, grasses, bushy scrub, and tall, ancient trees.
Pescadero State Beach, a mile-long stretch just south of Half Moon Bay in Northern California is no simple place. If you look more closely you can spot some of the more than 250 species of birds that make their home here. The landscape, especially at the water, is never the same two days in a row. This Exploration created in collaboration with the...
A short trip into Eaton Canyon for an accessible waterfall. Great wildflowers in the spring, too!
This is a relatively easy less-than-four mile hike to a 40-foot waterfall. Its proximity to civilization and short distance make this a very popular trail for casual hikers, and it can get very crowded on the weekends and on hot summer days - but it's worth a visit even if you have to fight through crowds - especially when spring wildflowers carpet...
Great views, challenging hiking in the hills southwest of Silicon Valley.
With lush woods, gorgeous vistas, challenging trails and remarkable stone formations, Castle Rock State Park is a highlight reel for hiking in the San Francisco Bay Area. You'll find a fascinating mix to trees -- gnarled oaks, towering Douglas firs, bark-shedding madrones -- but the rocks steal the show. Large formations called "tafoni" (which look...
A beautiful multi-landscape trail with many waterfalls and trees. Offers a challenging and well-maintained trail.
Big Santa Anita Canyon offers something for everybody. If you are traveling with young children, the short hike from Chantry Flat to Sturtevant Falls is rewarding and great for an easy morning or afternoon hike. However, if you're interested in something more substantial, you can follow the Big Santa Anita Loop trail. The scenery along the trails...
A strenuous day hike through a beautiful section of the San Gabriel mountains with a 50 ft. waterfall.
Standing prominently above Pasadena, Mount Wilson is a Southern California landmark. The 5,710 foot summit is home for an observatory responsible for the most detailed photos of Mars as well a vast array of antennae for local LA radio and television stations. While the summit is steeped in astronomical wonder and tremendous views of Los Angeles, the...
A challenging 11.6 mile out-and-back hike with 4,300 feet of elevation gain to the 8,859′ summit.
Cucamonga Peak offers amazing views over Southern California’s Inland Empire, east toward Apple Valley and beyond. This hike from Icehouse Canyon is a strenuous 11.6 mile out-and-back route with 4,300 feet of vertical gain and a top elevation of 8,859′. The north-facing slope holds snow much later in the season than other peaks. From atop Cucamonga...
A strenuous 11 mile loop hike with nearly 4,000 feet of vertical elevation gain to the 10,068' summit of Baldy.
Any Southern Californian can point out the white topped Mt. Baldy — actually it’s real name is Mt. San Antonio. Baldy is a SoCal icon that stands out boldly as a snow-covered backdrop for much of the year. At 10,068 feet above sea level, the snow often sticks around well into June. This loop begins at the Manker Flats trailhead (National Parks...
At 11,503' "Old Greyback" is the tallest mountain in Southern California.
San Gorgonio is the tallest mountain in Southern California, and a right of passage for serious hikers in the area. At 11,503′, “Old Grayback” provides an excellent high altitude training for those preparing to summit Mt. Whitney, and only 90 minutes away from Orange County. There are several trails leading up to San Gorgonio, but none as steep...
The water flowing past Big Break Regional Shoreline via the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers drains 1/2 of California.
Big Break Regional Shoreline is a part of the great 1,680-square-mile San Francisco/San Joaquin Delta estuary in Northern California. The water flowing past Big Break Regional Shoreline through the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers drains half of California's watershed, and creates the largest estuarine environment on Pacific shores. This "Inland Coast"...
Some of the highlights along Malibu Creek, in central Malibu Creek State Park.
Malibu Creek State Park is a sprawling 10,000 acre park that protects 25-mile long Malibu Creek, the largest watershed in the Santa Monica Mountains. The creek itself is somewhat unusual in that it has cut a path through hard volcanic rock instead of the softer sedimentary rocks north of the Goat Buttes, which makes for some spectacular scenery during...
Rock scrambling and a great workout hike in the southwestern part of Malibu Creek State Park / Castro Crest.
Malibu Creek State Park sits in 10,000 acres of rugged terrain near the Malibu coast, protecting flowing creeks, man-made lakes, historic structures, and prominent cliffs. This route explores the southern and western areas of the park, far away from the creek that gives it its name. The landscape here is similar to other areas of the Santa Monica...
A nice loop in Mount Tamalpais State Park
This hike includes great views of the Bay Area, Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate, Potato Patch, and down the San Mateo Coastline. As the walk progresses the trails will head into Redwood Forest, and drop - really drop - down into the heart of Steep Ravine. The trails become a series of stairs immediately adjacent to a seasonal creek. In some spots it’s...
A moderate 3 mile loop trail that begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center
The Green Route is a moderate, 2.9 mile loop hike through Crystal Cove State Park backcountry. The hike begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center. The length is perfect for a short hike, and the route gives you a good workout and a great taste of Crystal Cove's backcountry. The trail begins with a steady ascent, climbing about 500 feet in elevation....
A moderate, 5.5 mile loop that takes you through canyon and up to Moro ridge, with sweeping coastal views.
This trail begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center. This loop gives you a tour of the El Moro Canyon, then climbs over 800' in elevation to the ridge line, where you'll enjoy some of the best coastline views in the park.
