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The Nature Lover’s Guide to the Bay Area

October 30th, 2007 by amy c

Muir Woods
photo uploaded by genewolf

Part of what makes San Francisco so unique is the proximity of the city to incredible natural beauty. A bustling metropolis just steps away from hiking trails, state parks, beaches, and sweeping views can satisfy both the urban enthusiast and outdoorsy nature lover. Whether you crave a heart-pumping hike, a leisurely stroll, or a lounge chair, the San Francisco area can quench your thirst for fresh, sea air.

• Marin Headlands: While still in view of the city, you can lose yourself in the natural beauty that combines beaches, rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, and unique animal and plant life. The Wolf Ridge Loop is an excellent hike for the outdoorsy visitor looking for great views, a taste of history, and some exercise. The hike takes you on a vertical climb of 880 feet from sea level at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge into the heart of the headlands where you will discover remnants of Army forts. For a more relaxing adventure, have a picnic on Rodeo Beach and watch the surfers expertly navigate crashing waves against rocky cliffs.
• Muir Woods: Home to one of the few virgin Coastal Redwoods still in existence, Muir Woods has some of the tallest and oldest trees in the country. The trees serve as subjects in several famous Ansel Adams photographs. You can also enjoy a guided tour through Muir Woods.
• Angel Island: Though getting to this state park requires a short ferry ride, Angel Island is far from secluded. Lush greenery meets hiking and bike trails and provides the perfect location to soak up views of the city on a natural plateau above the bay. Rent bikes from Bay City Bike Rentals and take to the hiker and biker friendly trails for an invigorating afternoon.

For the nature lovers who like to soak up the outdoors but don’t want long, strenuous hikes there are a number of tours by bus or boat that will guide you on a relaxing journey of picturesque landscape. You can still enjoy California’s rugged topography without pulling out the hiking gear and water rations with these picks for exploring beyond the city’s concrete.

• Monterey Tour: The coastal route of this day-long tour offers continuous sweeping views of the California coastline, making stops at classic beach towns, historical sites, and charming seaside villages. The first stop is Santa Cruz, where surfing first made its way to the mainland. Experience the crashing waves and laid back mentality that lure surfers from around the world. Continuing south, you’ll hit what was inspiration for author Steinbeck and now a literary icon: Cannery Row, as well as the quaint shopping and restaurant-infested Carmel-by-the-sea. The tour ends in the infamous 17-mile drive, offering views of spectacular white sand beaches as they meet cliffs adorned with fragrant Monterey Pines and the unique scraggly Cypress trees.
• Golden Gate Bay Cruise: Take your Bay Area adventure to the water with this cruise that sails you under the Golden Gate Bridge, along the Sausalito harbour, and to the coast of Angel Island. You’ll view expansive vistas and local animal life, such as the barking seals who make their home on rocks, and enjoy fresh sea air.
  
• Wine Country Tour: The rugged scenery of the coast gives way to rolling hills of fertile land and a Mediterranean climate that contribute to Northern California’s intoxicating heritage of grape-growing. Enjoy a tour of not only the pastoral paradise that is the wine country, but also the vineyards that produce some of the best wines in the world.
  

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