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: Monumental: David Brower's Fight for Wild America
--Chronicles the life and times of David Brower, the Sierra Club's legendary first Executive Director.
--An avid mountain climber, he led campaigns to protect national parks and other wildlands in the 1950s through the 1990s.
-- He inspired millions of Americans to become environmentalists!
Book: California's Wild Gardens: A Living Legacy
--From the California Native Plant Society (www.cnps.org)
--If you lived to be 100 and hiked every day throughout California, you couldn't see as many species of wildflowers and different habitats as in this beautiful book. A biodiversity feast for the eyes!
Music: Beethoven's 6th Symphony, the Pastoral
--By Ludwig von Beethoven
--Portions of this symphony, composed two centuries ago, provide the soundtrack for parts of Walt Disney's animated 1940 film, Fantasia. Whether you've seen it or not, hear the entire masterpiece that paints a peaceful rural landscape in music, as a storm moves over it.
TOUR TIP
Summer in the San Francisco Bay Area means lower temperatures at the coast and hot temperatures inland. Always carry water, and dress in layers, because the day can warm up, then cool off again before sunset. It can be 60 degrees F., windy, and cool on the Golden Gate Bridge at the same time it's 97 degrees F., hot, and no wind at Mount Diablo, just 30 miles inland!
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
Back in 1875 logger William Waddell became the San Francisco Bay Area's last man to be killed by a grizzly bear. You can retrace his final steps along the waterway named after him, Waddell Creek, on our Redwoods and Waterfalls Walking (or mountain bike) Tour.
No worries about marauding grizzlies, though -- the Bay Area's last grizzly was shot at Bonny Doon Mountain, only a few miles away from Waddell Creek, in 1886. The grizzly is California's official state animal, seen on the state flag, but it's been extinct in California since the 1920s!
Waddell Creek is also a great place for an easy 2-day backpack trip in the redwoods -- only three miles each way, and no uphill. If you're interested, let us know when you'd like to go.
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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 Tours
Whales, Seals, Deer and Elk of Point Reyes
- Whales, Seals, Deer and Elk
- See dozens of wild animals
- Watch them play, feed, relax
- Wild coast and ocean, historic ranches
- 7yrs, 3m/5k, 10hrs/8hrs
- $69 USD
- Point Reyes National Seashore
FAQ, Contact David
Sonoma Napa Wine and History
Endless timeless rolling Sonoma vineyards
- Sonoma Napa wine's birthplace
- Sonoma wineries, Sonoma Mission
- Jack London's home and vineyards
- 7yrs, 2m/3k, 8hrs
- $99 USD
- Pickup from, return to San Francisco
FAQ, Contact David
| UPCOMING TOURS |
Min Age |
Dist.
Hours |
Cost |
San Francisco Birds Ocean Beach Walk
Endangered Western Snowy Plover bird |
6yrs |
3m/5k
2hrs |
$20 USD |
Whales, Seals, Deer and Elk in Point Reyes
Wildlife Watching: Biggest animals in the West |
7yrs |
3m/5k
10hrs/8hrs |
$69 USD |
Habitat Restoration
Plant seedlings for the frogs and snakes |
6yrs |
1m/1.5k
3hrs |
Free |
Ohlone Indians San Bruno Mtn Walk
Indian Village on San Bruno Mtn |
7yrs |
4m/6k
6hrs |
$29 USD |
Marin Waterfalls and Wildflowers Hike
12+ winter waterfalls, wildflowers |
11yrs |
6m/10k
6hrs |
$49 USD |
Old Mine Ghost Town at Almaden Walk
Richest CA mine Almaden Quicksilver |
10yrs |
6m/8k
6hrs |
$49 USD |
San Francisco Wildflowers Hike
Blooms, butterflies on San Bruno Mtn |
7yrs |
4m/7k
4hrs |
$29 USD |
Sweeney Ridge Mountain Biking
Ridgetop Views of Bay and Ocean |
14yrs |
15m/25k
5hrs |
$49 USD |
Mount Diablo Wildflower Walk
Spring wildflowers, huge meadows |
7yrs |
5m/8k
6hrs |
$49 USD |
Redwoods and Waterfalls Cycling
Big Basin's 3 astounding waterfalls |
14yrs |
11m/18k
9hrs |
$49 USD |
Palo Alto Valley from the Ridge Hike
Rocky ridge, old oaks, valley view |
11yrs |
8m/13k
6hrs |
$49 USD |
S.F. South Bay Backcountry Hike
Coe State Park, flowers, 2007 wildfire |
12yrs |
9m/14k
6hrs |
$49 USD |
Big Basin Redwoods Easy Backpack
Good intro to backpacking on creek |
12yrs |
6m/10k
2days |
$89 USD |
Big Sur Monterey Car Camping + Hike
Hike, camp, plus Monterey Acquarium |
7yrs |
30m/48k
4days |
$369 USD |
Coastal Wilderness Pt. Reyes Backpack
Camp and hike on wild gentle coast |
12yrs |
35m/56k
4days |
$289 USD |
Pt. Reyes Lakes Waterfalls Views Hike
Swim in deep idyllic lake, waterfall |
10yrs |
7m/11k
8hrs |
$49 USD |
San Francisco Coastal Defense Walk
Ocean views, forts, missile base |
6yrs |
2m/3k
6hrs |
$49 USD |
Point Reyes Car Camping + Hike
See Tule elk, and visit a dairy |
8yrs |
20m/32k
5days |
$249 USD |
Marin Headlands Hosteling + Hike
Easy hiking and fun night at hostel |
12yrs |
15m/24k
2days |
$99 USD |
Muir Woods to Stinson Beach Hike
Deep forest to beach; locals' fave |
14yrs |
9m/14k
8hrs |
$49 USD |
Yosemite Tahoe Ghost Town Van + Walk
Yosemite, Ghost town, ancient trees |
10yrs |
30m/48k
8days |
$1995 USD |
Sonoma Napa Wine History Van + Walk
Historic winery, Jack London's Ranch |
7yrs |
2m/3k
8hrs |
$99 USD |
San Francisco Hike Golden Gate Coast
New Presidio trail to dramatic Land's End |
10yrs |
4m/5k
3hrs |
$29 USD |
Organic Farms Artisan Foods Van Tour
Where the good stuff comes from |
14yrs |
1m/1.5k
9hrs |
$99 USD |
Redwood Creek Meditation Walk
Peaceful stream walk Muir Woods |
7yrs |
3m/5k
3hrs |
$29 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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EASY & FRIENDLY BOOKING!
1. Find your tour
2. Request dates you like
3. Discuss your needs with us
4. Pay securely online at PayPal
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Custom Tours for You
Though "standard" tours are great, make one perfect for you!
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Action Alert
Help Save Bay Area's Greenbelt!
If you enjoy the San Francisco Bay Area's natural beauty, you should find out how local residents have been working together to preserve it since 1958 with the Greenbelt Alliance -- and if you live in California, get involved!
The redwoods were AMAZING! . . . a truly magical experience . . . I felt transported to another world, every step
yielding amazing sights, and
David has so much knowledge
about the flora and fauna
as well as local and national history . . .
I highly recommend David's unique personalised tours . . .
You'll remember it always, I know I will!
Kim H.
Manchester, England
I was thrilled to find
California Nature Tours--
a San Francisco Bay treasure!
My tours to Muir Woods and
Point Reyes National Seashore
were relaxing, educational, and just magnificent.
I highly recommend David Schmidt and California Nature Tours.
You will come away feeling great and knowing you have seen California through the eyes of someone extraordinary.
You will love it!
Ms. G. K.
Washington, D.C.
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.
Thanks again and regards,
Ms. A.V.
Oakland, 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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