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, Tours Near San Francisco, Within 30 Miles of San Francisco at CaliforniaNatureTours.com
San Francisco Tours and Outdoor Adventures within 30 Miles of the City
Experience nature in San Francisco's next-door parklands, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods, Point Reyes National Seashore, Mount Tamalpais, Mount Diablo, and San Bruno Mountain. Three of these adventures begin within San Francisco's city limits!
Short tours near San Francisco are so convenient.
Whales, Seals, Deer and Elk of Pt. Reyes
- Biggest wildlife tour in Bay Area
- Point Reyes National Seashore
- See huge Tule elk elephant seals
- Wide open spaces
- 7yrs, 2m/3k, 10hrs
- $79 USD
- Wildflowers in Spring
FAQ, Contact David
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
- $39 USD
- Various beaches in San Francisco CA
FAQ, Contact David
Ohlone Indian Sites, San Francisco Wildflowers
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
- $59 USD
- San Bruno Mountain in Brisbane 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
- Seasonal-- December through March
- Lovely calypso orchids
- Incredible view of Pacific Ocean
- 11yrs, 6m/10k, 6hrs
- $59 USD
- Mt. Tamalpais in Mill Valley CA
FAQ, Contact David
Blooms and Butterflies of San Bruno Mountain
Lovely Collinsia wildflowers, 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, 4m/7k, 4hrs
- $59 USD, $5 USD vehicle entry fee
- San Bruno Mtn in Daly City CA
FAQ, Contact David
Sweeney Ridge Cycling
Pristine Pilarcitos Lake hidden near Crystal Springs
- Easy mountain biking trail
- Visit Bay Discovery site
- See serene Crystal Springs watershed
- View SF Bay, Pacific Ocean at same time!
- Ride on Sweeney Ridge
- 14yrs, 15m/25k, 5hrs
- $59 USD
- San Bruno CA
FAQ, Contact David
Mount Diablo Spring Wildflowers
Wildflowers in Mt. Diablo make the large meadows glow
- Wildflowers in large meadows
- Dozens of species and colors
- East Bay's biggest mountain
- Mitchell Canyon and creeks
- 7yrs, 5m/8k, 6hrs
- $59 USD
- Mitchell Cyn. Rd. in Clayton CA
FAQ, Contact David
Palo Alto Overlook Hike
Palo Alto valley view from Russian Ridge
- Wildflower grasslands
- Ancient oak forest
- Ohlone Indian bedrock mortar
- Silicon Valley Palo Alto view
- Seasonal: March-June
- 11yrs, 8m/13k, 6hrs
- $59 USD
- Palo Alto CA
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, 9hrs
- $69 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
- $59 USD
- Crissy Field Bookstore in San Francisco CA
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
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
- $59 USD
- Muir Woods in Mill Valley CA
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
- $39 USD
- Golden Gate Bridge to Cliff House
FAQ, Contact David
Redwood Creek Walk
In Muir Woods redwoods the trail leads inward © Michael Wetter
- Muir Woods Redwood Creek
- Stillness of deep forest
- Where other Muir tours don't go!
- 7yrs, 3m/5k, 4hrs
- $59 USD
- Muir Woods near Mill Valley CA
FAQ, Contact David
DON'T WANT A TOUR NEAR SAN FRANCISCO, TOUR WITHIN 30 MILES OF SAN FRANCISCO, A SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA TOUR, SHORT TOUR OF SAN FRANCISCO,?
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
Keep the Bay Area Beautiful, join Greenbelt Alliance!
If you live in California, join the Greenbelt Alliance. Since 1958, Greenbelt Alliance has been helping citizen groups all around the San Francisco Bay Area to limit sprawl developments and promote liveable, walkable cities. The Bay Area didn't have to be this way. It could have gone the way of Los Angeles. But thanks to the Greenbelt Alliance and its local partners, the Bay Area's hills (and some of its valleys) are still green.
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.
We really loved your wildflower tour, it was
a FANTASTIC day.
Beth M., Australia
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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