San Francisco Parks and Outdoors Vacations

San Francisco Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Parks and Outdoors Travel Destinations
Aerial view of Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
Aerial view of San Francisco, California (Corbis)

San Francisco Parks and Outdoors Highlights

By Travel Expert: Ann Marie Brown
  • The Golden Gate Recreation Area has scores of good trails. On the San Francisco side, the trail system at the Presidio makes the most of unbeatable natural assets: rugged coastline, surprising views, and interesting historical sites. Marin County's Marin Headlands has got to be one of most magical place in the world. Austere, with far reaching views, it's a place to go for inspiration
  • For many anglers, San Francisco saltwater fishing means fishing for ocean salmon. Salmon season usually runs from April through October. Dozens of sportfishing outfitters are located at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, Sausalito, Emeryville, and Berkeley.
  • One of the best free activities in San Francisco is an outing to Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park. Its 55 acres host an incredible variety of plants, from Peruvian lilies to coastal redwoods, all of which can be grown in coastal California gardens. Paths and benches invite visitors to stroll and sit in this serene urban oasis. A 20,000-volume horticulture library is open to professional and home gardeners.
  • San Francisco is the urban wildlife watcher's paradise. Northern Californians practically invented whale watching as a sort of secular religion. Every winter, throngs of people head to the beach to reverently train their binoculars on schools of whales off the coast. The Oceanic Society leads enjoyable boat trips to the waters around Farallon Island National Wildlife Refuge. Not only are you likely to see humpback whales, but the bird-watching is astounding, even to non-birders in the bunch.

San Francisco Overview

Finally! After having to start this book the past few years with the announcement that San Francisco is still recovering from the repercussions of the dot.com crash, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, a dramatic influx of new residents (up 13% since the '90s), and the general economic strains of 2002 and 2003, there's great news to report: San Francisco is definitely...

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Hotels

compare hotel rates expert favorite hotel
Red Victorian Inn
1665 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA CA 94117
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 1.8 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
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Parks and Outdoors travel
from: $240 expert favorite hotel
The Inn Above Tide
30 El Portal
Sausalito, CA 94965
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 6.5 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel
expert favorite hotel
Holly Tree Inn
P.O. Box 642
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 29.5 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
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Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Land's End
Near San Francisco's Cliff House
Point Lobos Avenue & Merrie Way
San Francisco, California Map
Distance: 5.0 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Shipwrecks are scattered across Lands End, the... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel
expert favorite attraction
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Marin County
801 Panoramic Hwy.
Mill Valley, California 94941 Map
Distance: 13.3 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Mount Tamalpais State Park spans 6,300 acres of... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
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Parks and Outdoors travel
expert favorite attraction
Montara State Beach
Corner of Highway 1
Montara, California 94037
Distance: 16.9 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Just 20 minutes south of San Francisco off of... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
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Recommended for:
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Feature Articles

More San Francisco Parks and Outdoors Feature Articles (17)
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Trip Ideas

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San Francisco Vacation Rentals

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from: $357
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Romantic Vacation in San Francisco
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Sleeps: 6
Amenities: Air Conditioning, Blender, Computer Access, Dishwasher, Freezer, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, Patio, Phone, Refrigerator, Stove, TV, Toaster, Towels, Wireless Internet Access, Woodburning Stove
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from: $142
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2 Bedroom VACATION HOME in SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Sleeps: 4
Amenities: Alarm Clock, BBQ, Blender, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Freezer, Full kitchen, Hot Tub, Internet Access, Iron, Jacuzzi, Laundry, Linens, Non-Smoking, Oceanfront, Oven, Patio, Refrigerator, Stove, TV, Toaster, Utensils, VCR
Details
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San Francisco Vacation Rental
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Sleeps: 4
Amenities: Alarm Clock, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Internet Access, Laundry, Microwave, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Oven, Phone, Stereo, Stove, TV
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San Francisco Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

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