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 South Bay Hiking Tours at CaliforniaNatureTours.com
San Francisco South Bay Hiking Tours
South Bay hiking can take you through cool coastal redwoods, or a historic mining area, or rugged hills high above the valley. South Bay hiking can be a great escape from the urban valley. Hike in the hills, or watch shorebirds at a wetland wildlife refuge!
South Bay hiking tours span history from Ohlone Indians to Silicon Valley.
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
- $29 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
Ghost Towns, Wildflowers of Almaden Quicksilver Park
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, 6m/8k, 6hrs
- $49 USD
- Almaden Park in San Jose CA
FAQ, Contact David
Sweeney Ridge Cycling Tour
- Easy mountain biking trail
- Historic 1769 Bay Discovery Site
- Views of Bay, Ocean, Mountains
- Wildflowers, wildlands
- Lakes and South Bay vistas
- 14yrs, 15m/25k, 5hrs
- $49 USD
- San Bruno 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
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
- $49 USD
- Palo Alto CA
FAQ, Contact David
South Bay Backcountry at Henry Coe State Park
Henry Coe State Park's endless hills are delightful
- Wildflowers on rolling hills
- Old growth oak forest, creeks
- Refreshing swimming hole
- Great wild turkeys!
- Seasonal: March-June only
- 12yrs, 9m/14k, 6hrs
- $49 USD
- Henry Coe Park in Morgan Hill 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
DON'T WANT A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO BAY HIKING TOUR AT SAN JOSE, BIG BASIN TRIP, SAN BRUNO TREK, OR MONTEREY ADVENTURE?
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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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
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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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