Places to Hike
Marin Headlands
You know it’s going to be a fun day when you get to drive over the Golden Gate bridge. Heading up the grassy hills of the Marin Headlands you can hardly wait to see the incredible view that awaits at the peak of the bay area. From every angle is a new perspective. Turn one way and you see the whole of the east bay, turn another and you are staring the City of San Francisco in the eyes and if you turn once more you have the deep blue pacific ocean that stretches your eye to the horizon. With beautiful views and a new perspective of the place most of us call home, the Marin Headlands cast a larger scope for the imagination.
Point Reyes
About 42 Miles north of San Francisco, the Point Reyes National Seashore has an abundance of nature walks and hikes around Tomales Bay, in the rolling green hills and along the seashore. Along the misty, foggy coast line you can take the Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center Trail and head out to the mysterious light house and either go inside and learn all of its intriguing history or stand outside in the fast and powerful ocean wind that, on the right day, is strong enough to blow you right over. Much like Mount Tam there are many trails hidden in a thick tree coverage of the Point Reyes National Seashore and the South Beach Trail is one of them. This hike leads out to the coast as well but not a beach. At the very abrupt holt at the end of this trail you will find yourself on a cliff looking out as far as you can see before the fog cuts you off. The Trails of Point Reyes cast a dream-like atmosphere for anyone who wishes to take an excursion along the breezy seashore.
Santa Cruz
Though highway 17 can be quite treacherous but the damp forest walks and hikes are worth the twists and turns. Be careful of banana slugs and other signs of nature as the Santa Cruz forest welcomes you into the calm serenity of all its natural beauty. The Nissen Marks State Park holds many nature walks and hikes through the foliage of forest. Streams and swings will surprise you at every step and Coastal views are easy to come by. Even a walk along highway 1 through mini meadows of wildflowers and the open landscape of the cliff side and ocean will always suffice. Have you heard of the notorious monarch butterflies? Go to the Twin Bridges Trails and walk among the butterflies. What could be more majestic?
Stinson/Mount Tam
A shady canopy of trees covers the green luscious trails of Mount Tamalpais. With about an hour drive to the summit from Walnut Creek, the ocean view from just about every hike you take is breathtaking. Leave your car in the capable hands of someone not so into hiking and meet them at the bottom of the mountain while you take the Steep Ravine Trail that leads you along a stream and wildlife beyond your belief. Down ladders, stairs and hills you will find that the Steep Ravine trail did not get its name on accident. Unknowingly, you will then merge onto the Mount Tam to Stinson Beach trail and the canopy of trees will be left behind to a meadow that looks over the ocean. It will take you down to the lovely Stinson Beach Federal Park where you can meet your car and enjoy a picnic on the beach before heading home after an adventurous day down the always magical, Mount Tam.
