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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All Tours, Nature Tours, Outdoor Adventures, History Tours, Ecology Hikes at CaliforniaNatureTours.com
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San Francisco Birds: Ocean Beach Walk, Snowy Plover
Sun 1/13/08, 10am
San Francisco Ocean Beach endangered birds Snowy Plover
- Snowy Plovers and Pelicans
- Endangered birds survive near city
- Part of GGNRA's Big Year
- Bring binoculars if you have them
- 6yrs+, 3m/5k, 2hrs
- Sun 1/13/08, 10am, Free!
- Near Zoo in San Francisco CA
FAQ, Contact David
Muir Woods Spawning Salmon Walk (Slugs, too!)
Sun 1/20/08 and 1/27/08, 10am
Endangered Coho salmon and steelhead trout in redwood lined creeks
- Endangered salmon spawning run
- Big fish in a small creek
- Plus banana slugs, slinkpods
- Buckeye and bay tree seeds
- 7yrs+, 2miles/3k, 2hrs
- Sun 1/20/08+1/27 10am, $5 USD
- Muir Woods in Mill Valley CA
FAQ, Contact David
Ohlone Indian Sites San Bruno Mtn with Wildflowers
Sun 2/3/08, 10am
Wildflowers on San Bruno Mountain near San Francisco
- Ohlone Indian historic villages
- History hidden in plain view!
- 100+ native wildflower species
- A magic mountain so near S.F.
- 7yrs+, 4m/6k, 6hrs
- Sun 2/3/08, 10am, $25 USD
- San Bruno Mountain in Brisbane CA
FAQ, Contact David
Coastal Habitat Restoration: Garter Snake
Sat 2/16/08, 10am
Habitat restoration volunteers remove invasive species
- Help restote wildlife habitat!
- San Francisco Garter Snake
- California Red-Legged Frog
- See new national park land
- 6yrs+, 1mile/2k, 3hrs
- Sat 2/16/08, 10am, Free!
- Mori Point in Pacifica CA
FAQ, Contact David
Marin Waterfalls and Orchid Hike
Sun 2/24/08, 10am
Marin Waterfalls in winter
- Waterfalls-- a dozen or more
- Marin hiking at its best
- Lovely calypso orchids
- Incredible view of Pacific Ocean
- 11yrs+, 6miles/10k, 6hrs
- Sun 2/24/08, 10am, $25 USD
- Mt. Tamalpais in Mill Valley CA
FAQ, Contact David
Old Mine Ghost Towns at Almaden Walk
Sun 3/2/08, 10am
Ghost town and historical Almaden Mine are quiet now
- Richest mine in California history
- Wildflowers and garden flowers
- Ghost town and museum
- Toxic legacy of mercury revealed
- 10yrs+, 6 miles/8k, 6hrs
- Sun 3/2/08, 10am, $25 USD
- Almaden Park in San Jose CA
FAQ, Contact David
San Francisco Wildflowers Hike, San Bruno Mtn
Sat 3/15/08, 10am
Wildflowers Collinsia aka Chinese Houses on San Bruno Mtn
- Early spring wildflowers
- Dozens of species
- Plus rare Mission Blue Butterflies
- Great vistas of S.F. and South Bay
- 7yrs+, 5miles/8k, 5hrs
- Sat 3/15/08 10am, $25 USD
- $5(vehicle fee)
- San Bruno Mtn in Daly City CA
FAQ, Contact David
Crystal Springs Lakes and Ridge Cycling Tour
Sun 3/30/08, 9:30am
Pilarcitos Lake hidden near Crystal Springs
- Easy mountain biking trail
- Beyond the locked gates
- Serene watershed few visit
- Pilarcitos Lake and wildflowers
- Mountain and South Bay vistas
- 14yrs+, 15m/25k, 7hrs
- Sun 3/30/08, 9:30am, $25 USD
- San Bruno CA
FAQ, Contact David
Mount Diablo Wildflowers Walk
Sun 4/06/08, 10:30am
Wildflowers in Mt. Diablo make large meadow glow
- Wildflowers in large meadows
- Dozens of species and colors
- East Bay's biggest mountain
- Mitchell Canyon and creeks
- 7yrs+, 5miles/8k, 6hrs
- Sun 4/06/08, 10:30am, $25 USD
- Mitchell Cyn. Rd. in Clayton CA
FAQ, Contact David
Redwoods and Waterfalls Cycling in Big Basin
Sat 4/19/08, 10:30am
Berry Creek Falls, Big Basin © Michael Wetter
- Giant redwoods
- Three big waterfalls
- Wildflowers galore
- Easy mountain bike trail
- 11yrs+, 11m/18k, 6hrs
- Sat 4/19/08, 10:30am, $25
- Waddell Creek Beach in Davenport CA
FAQ, Contact David
Palo Alto Valley from Ridge Hike
Sun 4/27/08, 10:30am
Palo Alto valley view from Russian Ridge
- Wildflower grasslands
- Ancient oak forest
- Ohlone Indian bedrock mortar
- Silicon Valley Palo Alto view
- 11yrs+, 8m/13k, 6hrs
- Sun 4/27/08, 10:30am, $25 USD
- Palo Alto CA
FAQ, Contact David
S.F. South Bay Backcountry Henry Coe State Park
Sun 5/04/08, 10:30am
Henry Coe State Park's endless hills are delightful
- Wildflowers on rolling hills
- Old growth oak forest, creeks
- Refreshing swimming hole
- Great wild turkeys!
- 12yrs+, 9miles/14k, 6 hrs
- Sun 5/04/08, 10:30am, $25 USD
- Henry Coe Park in Morgan Hill CA
FAQ, Contact David
Big Basin Redwoods Easy Backpack
Sat-Sun 5/31/08-6/1/08, 10:30am
- Easy 2day intro to backpacking
- Into the redwoods from the shore
- Follow the flowing creek, no uphill
- Includes meals but not gear
- 12yrs+, 6m/10k, 2days
- St-Sn 5/31/08-6/1, 10:30am, $89 USD
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz County CA
FAQ, Contact David
Big Sur Monterey Car Camping and Hiking
Fri-Mon 6/13/08-6/16/08, 9:30am
Big Sur Coast: ocean, rocks, and drama
- Big Sur Coast, Mission San Antonio
- Camping beneath redwoods
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- includes meals but not gear
- 7 yrs+, max 4m/6k/day, 4days
- F-M 6/13/08-6/16, 9:30am, $369 USD
- Carpool caravan from San Francisco CA will be arranged
FAQ, Contact David
Summer Solstice Backpacking in Point Reyes
Fri-Mon 6/20/08-6/23/08, 10:30am
Point Reyes National Seashore coastal camping
- Coastal wilderness camping
- Best inland lake in Bay Area
- Waterfalls, secret beaches
- Includes meals but not gear
- 12yrs+, max 8m/13k/day, 4days
- F-M 6/20/08-23, 10:30am, $289 USD
- Bear Valley Vis-Ctr in Pt. Reyes CA
FAQ, Contact David
Pt. Reyes Lakes, Waterfalls, and Views Hike
Sun 6/29/08, 10:30am
Pt. Reyes inland lake near waterfalls and coastline in Marin © Michael Wetter
- Marin is a water lover's paradise!
- Stunning cliff-top ocean views
- Coastal views, deep lakes, forests
- Miraculous year-round waterfalls
- 10yrs+, 7m/11k, 8hrs
- Sun 6/29/08, 10:30am, $49 USD
- Palomarin Trailhead in Bolinas CA
FAQ, Contact David
San Francisco Coastal Defense Walk
Sat 7/5/08 and Sat 8/2/08, 10am
San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf World War II submarine U.S.S. Pampanito
- Hidden Nike missile base
- Civil War era Fort Scott
- Guns over the Golden Gate
- Marin gun batteries
- 6yrs+, 2mi/3k, 6hrs
- Sat 7/5/08+8/2, 10am, $49 USD
- Crissy Field Bookstore in San Francisco CA
FAQ, Contact David
Point Reyes Car Camping and Hiking
Mon-Fri 7/7/08-7/11/08, 10am
Point Reyes tidal wetlands ilustrate water currents
- Majestic Tule elk
- Oyster Farm, historic dairy
- Heart's Desire Beach
- 8yrs+, max 5m/8k/day, 5days
- M-F 7/7/08-7/11, 10:30am, $249 USD
- Half price for kids!
- Bear Valley Vis-Ctr in Pt. Reyes National Seashore CA
FAQ, Contact David
Marin Headlands Hiking and Hosteling
Sat-Sun 7/19/08-7/20/80, 10am
Marin Headlands has deep rolling valleys
- Hike Rodeo Valley in Marin Headlands
- Wake up Sun surrounded by Nature
- Friendly communal dining, games
- 12yrs+, max 10mi/16k/day, 2days
- St-Sn 7/19/08-7/20, 10am, $99 USD
- Marin Headlands Vis-Ctr in Sausalito CA
FAQ, Contact David
Muir Woods to Stinson Beach Hike
Sun 7/27/08, 10am
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
San Francisco Hike on Golden Gate Coastal Trail
Sat 8/16/08, 10am. More dates available.
Golden Gate Bridge on the Coastal Trail with group from Belgium
- San Francisco's best coastline places
- Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Mason, Crissy Field, Presidio, Lands End
- Drive over Golden Gate Bridge
- 14yrs+, 10ms/15k, 8hrs
- Sat 8/16, 10am, $49 USD
- Other dates by request all summer
- Ferry Building in San Francisco CA
FAQ, Contact David
Yosemite Tahoe Ghost Town Van Tour and Walking
Tue-Tue, 8/5/08-8/12, 9am
Yosemite National Park's Tenaya Lake
- Tahoe, Yosemite, Sacramento
- Go back in time to the Old West!
- Historic hotels, hostels, lodges
- All meals included
- 10yrs+, 4m walk/day, 8days
- Tu-Tu, 8/5/08-8/12, 9am, $1995 USD
- Vanpool from San Francisco TBD
FAQ, Contact David
Sonoma Napa Wine History Private Tour
Fri 8/15/08, 9am
- Sonoma Napa wine's birthplace
- Sonoma wineries, Sonoma Mission
- Jack London's home and vineyards
- 7yrs+, 2m/3k walk, 8hrs
- Fri 8/15/08, 9am, $99 USD
- Other dates by request all summer
- Door-to-door pickup and return from San Francisco
FAQ, Contact David
Organic Farms Artisan Foods Van Tour
Sat 8/23/08, 9am
Organic farm sustainable agriculture on California coast
- Heirloom veggies rarely seen
- Occidental Arts Eco Center
- Artisan olive oils, cheeses, chocolate
- The ultimate foodie experience!
- 14yrs+, 1m/1.5k, 9 hrs
- Sat 8/23/08, 9am, $99 USD
- Vanpool from San Francisco TBD
FAQ, Contact David
Redwood Creek Meditation Walk
Sat 9/20/08, 10am
In Muir Woods redwoods the trail leads inward © Michael Wetter
- Muir Woods Redwood Creek
- Mediatation walk, sit, be
- Stillness within and without
- 18yrs+, 3m/5k, 4hrs
- Sat 9/20/08, 10am, $25 USD
- Muir Woods in Mill Valley CA
FAQ, Contact David
Too Many Great Tours at Once?
Browse Favorite categories at left, also in photo thumbnails
Or, California Nature Tours 2008 Schedule text view
TROUBLE DECIDING?
Below are the top six tours from over two dozen.
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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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