COMING SOON-- WORKSHOPS
What really goes in the blue bin
--and what doesn't
Deepen your outdoor experience
--Use a topo map and compass
COMING SOON-- PHOTO GALLERY
Browse photos of a coming tour
--or of the tour you just took
ARMCHAIR TOUR!
Movie: Cane Toads: An Unnatural History
--A comedic short documentary that examines the disastrous results of interfering with an ecosystem by bringing in non-native species. Farmers in Australia, frustrated with an infestation of beetles, imported cane toads from Hawaii who wound up not eating the beetles, poisoning all their natural predators and multiplying to the point of becoming a larger nuisance than the beetles ever were.
Book: The Life of the Skies
--by Jonathan Rosen
--New York Times book review says: If Peterson and Sibley [birding guide book authors] provided checklists . . . then “The Life of the Skies” is the essay question, the question being: Does bird-watching offer a bird-watcher an avenue toward greater meaning, like prayer or yoga? For his part, Rosen, a novelist and the author of “The Talmud and the Internet,” has a lot of faith in it as a meditative act. “I can’t think of any activity that more fully captures what it means to be human in the modern world than watching birds,” he writes.
Stories of all the great American birders are included, from Thoreau to Teddy Roosevelt to "Kenn Kaufman, the Jack Kerouac of birding, who in the '70s hitchhiked the back roads of America for sightings."
Music: Appalachian Spring
--By Aaron Copland
--The sound of spring fever on the West Coast, not only in Appalachia! Try the recording by Michael Tilson Thomas's S.F. Symphony.
TOUR TIP
The warmer sunshine feels good, but don't pay for it later. Remember your hat or bandana and a lightweight long sleeved shirt. Apply sunscreen effective against both UVA and UVB, and bring a small bottle so you can reapply during rest breaks. The spot most people forget to protect? The top edge of the ears! Ouch!
CUSTOMIZE
Not sure which tour is right for you? Special event coming up? A topic you're especially interested in?
Let us create a tour just for you!
Learn more today.
ECO-HISTORY FACT
The Eco-History facts revealed in our 3/2/08 tour of the Quicksilver Mine in Almaden were so fascinating that folks demanded we offer it again! Do you know how Bay Area people and the environment have always influenced each other... in this case, from the pre-Gold Rush discovery of mercury ore to today?
Learn the surprising facts as we walk through beautiful landscapes, ghost towns with gardens still blooming today, and see a mercury reduction furnace. See the tour description from the first time we offered it!
The tentative date for this second visit is 6/7/08. If you're interested, let us know. Give your email address, and we'll keep you posted. Remember, if you enjoyed the first trip, the wildflowers and weather will be different the second time!
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San Francisco Tours, Sonoma Napa Wine Tours, California Outdoor Adventure, California Nature Tours
California Nature Tours for Outdoor Adventure
Fun and flexible tours near San Francisco and California with 5th generation San Franciscan David D. Schmidt an expert in local Eco-History. One-day or multi-day. Kids always half price!
Custom tours a specialty!
"Eco-History" on Top Tours, Topics, Activities
All tours full of "Eco-History", the fascinating blend of ecology and human history that explains how people and the environment have interacted for centuries. Eco-History makes even a familiar place suddenly more special.
Not just for out of town visitors!
See our insightful blog and selection of local resources.
Browse California Nature Tours 2008 schedule text view below, or
All California Tours Photos thumbnails view, or
Favorite tour categories at left (also in photo thumbnails)
Featured Tour, Sun 7/27/08 10am
Muir Woods to Stinson Beach Hike
California Coast near Stinson Beach © Christy Shake
- Redwoods, fantastic coastal views
- Famous Dipsea Trail to Stinson Beach
- Edible wild berries
- A hidden German beer garden
- 14yrs+, 9m/14k, 8hrs
- Sun 7/27/08, 10am, $49 USD
- Muir Woods in Mill Valley CA
FAQ, Contact David
UPCOMING TOURS and
Past tours included at bottom |
Min Age |
Dist.
Hours |
Date |
Cost |
Muir Woods to Stinson Beach Hike
Deep forest to beach; locals' fave |
14yrs |
9m/14k
8hrs |
7/27/08
10am |
$49 USD |
San Francisco Coastal Defense Walk
Ocean views, forts, missile base |
6yrs |
2m/3k
6hrs |
8/02/08
10am |
$49 USD |
Yosemite Tahoe Ghost Town Van + Walk
Yosemite, Ghost town, ancient trees |
10yrs |
30m/48k
8days |
8/05/08
TBD |
$1995 USD |
Sonoma Napa Wine History Van + Walk
Historic winery, Jack London's Ranch |
21yrs |
3m/5k
6hrs |
8/15/08
TBD |
$99 USD |
San Francisco Hike Golden Gate Coast
New Presidio trail to dramatic Land's End |
14yrs |
10m/16k
8hrs |
8/16/08
TBD |
$49 USD |
Organic Farms Artisan Foods Van Tour
Where the good stuff comes from |
14yrs |
1m/1.5k
8hrs |
8/23/08
TBD |
$99 USD |
Redwood Creek Meditation Walk
Peaceful stream walk Muir Woods |
18yrs |
3m/5k
4hrs |
9/20/08
10:00am |
$25 USD |
San Francisco Birds Ocean Beach Walk
Endangered Western Snowy Plover bird |
7yrs |
3m/5k
2hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
Free |
Muir Woods Spawning Salmon Walk
Salmon spawning, and banana slugs |
5yrs |
3m/5k
3hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$5 USD |
Bay Area Enviro Education Fair BAEER
100+ booths of eco-education |
none |
0m/0k
6hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$12 USD |
Muir Woods Spawning Salmon Walk
Last date for spawning salmon! |
5yrs |
3m/5k
3hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$5 USD |
Ohlone Indians San Bruno Mtn Walk
Indian Village on San Bruno Mtn |
7yrs |
4m/6k
6hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$25 USD |
Habitat Restoration
Plant seedlings for the frogs and snakes |
5yrs |
1m/1.5k
3hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
Free |
Marin Waterfalls and Orchids Hike
12+ spring waterfalls, orchids |
11yrs |
6m/10k
6hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$25 USD |
Old Mine Ghost Town at Almaden Walk
Richest CA mine Almaden Quicksilver |
11yrs |
6m/10k
6hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$25 USD |
San Francisco Wildflowers Hike
Blooms, butterflies on San Bruno Mtn |
7yrs |
5m/8k
5hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$25 USD |
Crystal Springs Lakes Ridges Cycling
Pristine watershed, hidden lake |
11yrs |
11m/18k
6hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$25 USD |
Mount Diablo Wildflower Walk
Spring wildflowers, huge meadows |
7yrs |
5m/8k
6hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$25 USD |
Redwoods and Waterfalls Cycling
Big Basin's 3 astounding waterfalls |
11yrs |
11m/18k
6hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$25 USD |
Palo Alto Valley from the Ridge Hike
Rocky ridge, old oaks, valley view |
11yrs |
8m/13k
6hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$25 USD |
S.F. South Bay Backcountry Hike
Coe State Park, flowers, 2007 wildfire |
12yrs |
9m/14k
7hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$25 USD |
Big Basin Redwoods Easy Backpack
Good intro to backpacking on creek |
12yrs |
6m/10k
2days |
Please
Inquire
|
$89 USD |
Big Sur Monterey Car Camping + Hike
Hike, camp, plus Monterey Acquarium |
7yrs |
30m/48k
4days |
Please
Inquire
|
$369 USD |
Summer Solstice Pt. Reyes Backpack
Solstice, camping + hike, gentle coast |
12yrs |
35m/56k
4days |
Please
Inquire
|
$289 USD |
Pt. Reyes Lakes Waterfalls Views Hike
Swim in deep idyllic lake, waterfall |
10yrs |
7m/12k
7hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$49 USD |
San Francisco Coastal Defense Walk
Ocean views, forts, missile base |
6yrs |
2m/3k
6hrs |
Please
Inquire
|
$49 USD |
Point Reyes Car Camping + Hike
See Tule elk, and visit a dairy |
8yrs |
20m/32k
5days |
Please
Inquire
|
$249 USD |
Marin Headlands Hosteling + Hike
Easy hiking and fun night at hostel |
12yrs |
15m/24k
2days |
Please
Inquire
|
$99 USD |
California Nature Tours Photos thumbnails view
Or, Favorite categories at left, also in photo thumbnails.
Thumbnail view includes all our tours above, including nature tours and outdoor adventures, outdoor adventures, Tahoe tours, Yosemite tours, Sonoma Napa tours. San Francisco tours to Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Marin, Point Reyes, Big Basin, and Monterey Big Sur. Topical tours on wine, gold country ghost towns, redwoods, birding, organic farms, wildflowers, and Native American and Hispanic history. Activities including: walking, hiking, backpacking, car camping, and cycling.
TOO MANY OPTIONS?
Below are the top six tours.
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Learn more
I've really enjoyed many of David's hikes!
On Montara Mountain we had a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of the coast.
At Point Reyes we swam in beautiful Bass Lake and saw the sublime Alamere Waterfalls.
David is very knowledgeable about Nature and the History of the Bay Area. He's also very attentive to the hikers.
I'll be back-- again!
Mr. M.C.
San Mateo, CA
Thank you David, for your
hike at China Camp.
It was a beautiful setting and we saw deer at close range.
But what made it especially interesting & memorable was your knowledge of the area.
I'm looking forward to
reading the book!
Thanks again and regards,
Ms. A.V.
Oakland, CA
I'm an inquisitive hiker who often wants to know more than previous guides seem to know...
But sometimes I just
want quiet moments.
Somehow, David does both
things just right!
A tour with David really does have something more.
Ms. C.A.
San Francisco, CA
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
John Muir
The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.
John Muir
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