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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California Coastal Tours, Coastal View, Ocean View Tours at CaliforniaNatureTours.com
California Coastal Tours-- Ridges and Shoreline
Coastal Tours go north or south from San Francisco along the incomparable, unspoiled California Coast! Coastal Tours take you on coast walks to the beaches, the rocky shorelines, the hills and mountains rising from the sea!
Coastal tours for walking, hiking, camping, backpack...
Birding at San Francisco's Crissy Field or Ocean Beach
The endandered Snowy Plover bird on a local beach
- Snowy Plovers, Pelicans, Shorebirds
- Endangered birds survive near city
- Part of GGNRA's Big Year
- Bring binoculars if you have them
- 6yrs, 3m/5k, 2hrs
- $20 USD
- Various beaches in San Francisco CA
FAQ, Contact David
San Francisco Area Habitat Restoration
Volunteers remove invasive species that crowd out endandered wildlife
- Help restore wildlife habitat
- 33 endangered animals, birds, fish, plants!
- On Sundays only
- 6yrs, 1m/1.5k, 3hrs
- Free!
- 33 park sites in and around S.F. CA
FAQ, Contact David
Marin Waterfalls By the Dozen
Hiker descending stairway along lush Marin Waterfall in winter
- Waterfalls -- a dozen or more
- Marin hiking at its best
- Seasonal: January-April only
- Incredible view of Pacific Ocean
- 11yrs, 6m/10k, 6hrs
- $49 USD
- Mt. Tamalpais by Mill Valley CA
FAQ, Contact David
Waterfalls of Big Basin Redwoods
Berry Creek Falls, Big Basin © Michael Wetter
- Giant redwoods
- Three big waterfalls
- Wildflowers galore
- Mountain bike or hike
- Seasonal: Jan-May only
- 14yrs, 11m/18k, 9hrs
- $49 USD
- Waddell Creek, Big Basin Park CA
FAQ, Contact David
Backpack Coast to Forest with Low Miles & No Big Hills
- Easy 2day intro to backpacking
- From the shore into the redwoods
- Follow the flowing creek, no uphill
- Includes meals but not gear
- 12yrs, 6m/10k, 2days
- $89 USD
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz County CA
FAQ, Contact David
Big Sur + Monterey Hiking and Car Camping
Big Sur Coast: ocean, rocks, and drama
- Big Sur Coast, Mission San Antonio
- Camping beneath redwoods
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Includes meals but not gear
- 7yrs, 30m/48k, 4days
- $369 USD
- Carpool caravan from San Francisco CA will be arranged
FAQ, Contact David
Coastal Wilderness Point Reyes Backpack
Point Reyes National Seashore coastal camping
- Coastal wilderness camping
- Best swimming lake in Bay Area
- Waterfalls, secret beaches
- Includes meals
- 12yrs, 35m/56k, 4days
- $289 USD
- Reserve at least 40 days in advance
FAQ, Contact David
Lakes and Waterfalls of Marin Hike
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
- $49 USD
- Palomarin Trailhead in Bolinas CA
FAQ, Contact David
San Francisco Coastal Defense Bristled With Guns
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, 2m/3k, 6hrs
- $49 USD
- Crissy Field Bookstore in San Francisco CA
FAQ, Contact David
Point Reyes Nature Camp
Point Reyes tidal wetlands ilustrate water currents
- Majestic Tule elk
- Oyster Farm, historic dairy
- Heart's Desire Beach
- 8yrs, 20m/32k, 5days
- $249 USD
- Bear Valley Vis-Ctr in Pt. Reyes National Seashore CA
FAQ, Contact David
Marin Headlands Hike Leads Back to Hostel
Marin Headlands has deep rolling valleys
- Hike Rodeo Valley in Marin Headlands
- Wake up Sun surrounded by Nature
- Friendly communal dining, games
- 12yrs, 15m/24k, 2days
- $99 USD
- Marin Headlands Vis-Ctr, Sausalito CA
FAQ, Contact David
Muir Woods to Stinson Beach
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
- $49 USD
- Muir Woods in Mill Valley CA
FAQ, Contact David
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
San Francisco Hiking on the Coastal Trail
Golden Gate Bridge on the Coastal Trail with group from Belgium
- San Francisco's best coastline places
- Presidio, Baker Beach, Land's End
- The Wild Side of San Francisco
- 10yrs, 4m/5k, 3hrs
- $29 USD
- Golden Gate Bridge to Cliff House
FAQ, Contact David
DON'T WANT A CALIFORNIA COASTAL TOUR OR SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA OCEAN VIEW TOUR?
Below are the top six tours from all categories and dozens of tours. Or see summary list of all tours, or browse categories at left.
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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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