San Francisco Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

San Francisco Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Parks and Outdoors Destinations Near San Francisco

Travel Guides Near San Francisco

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Parks and Outdoors Travel Destinations

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Aerial view of Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
Aerial view of San Francisco, California (Corbis)

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San Francisco Parks and Outdoors Travel Tips

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

In a city where parade themes include "Weapons of Ass Destruction" and starting your holiday with an Irish coffee at the Buena Vista Café is de rigueur, it's pretty much guaranteed that you'll have a fun time vacationing in San Francisco. Where else in the world will you find a restaurant whose servers are all gorgeous transvestites? Where it's considered good, clean fun to get airborne in your car? Or where locals don't even pause for earthquakes under 5.0 on the Richter scale? Read More

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Hotels

Red Victorian Inn

1665 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA CA 94117 Map

Distance: 0.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0

The Inn Above Tide

30 El Portal
Sausalito, CA 94965 Map

Distance: 0.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
from: $186

Argonaut Hotel - a Kimpton Hotel

495 Jefferson Street at Hyde Street
San Francisco, CA 94109 Map

Distance: 0.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 4 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
4.0
3.0
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Attractions

Land's End

expert favorite attraction
Near San Francisco's Cliff House
Point Lobos Avenue & Merrie Way
San Francisco, California

Distance: 0.0 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Shipwrecks are scattered across Lands End, the spectacular uncultivated coast that connects the... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Montara State Beach

expert favorite attraction
Corner of Highway 1
Montara, California 94037

Distance: 0.0 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Mount Tamalpais State Park

expert favorite attraction
Marin County
801 Panoramic Hwy.
Mill Valley, California 94941

Distance: 0.0 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Mount Tamalpais State Park spans 6,300 acres of redwood and oak forest, grassland, chaparral, and... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
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Airports

Major Airports near San Francisco

Distance (mi.)
San Francisco International Airport 11.1 map Flight Deals to SFO
Oakland International Airport 11.7 map Flight Deals to OAK
San Jose International Airport 40.0 map Flight Deals to SJC

Other Smaller Airports near San Francisco

Distance (mi.)
Modesto Municipal Airport 80.0 map
Carmel/Monterey Peninsula Airport 88.2 map
Merced Municipal Airport 109.7 map

Flight Deals to San Francisco

Originating From
San Diego (SAN) to San Francisco (SFO) $104
Orange County (SNA) to San Francisco (SFO) $126
Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO) $136
Las Vegas (LAS) to San Francisco (SFO) $177
Seattle (SEA) to San Francisco (SFO) $196

Feature Articles

More San Francisco Parks and Outdoors Feature Articles (17) »
See All Feature Articles on San Francisco »

Trip Ideas

GORPtravel Adventure Trips & Guided Tours

  • The South West
    Intrepid Travel Inc.
    from $1586, 21 days
    This is an adventure for those who appreciate the big things in life. Venture southwest through America's most celebrated cities including San...
  • California Dreamin'
    Intrepid Travel Inc.
    from $1279, 14 days
    Embark on a dream travel adventure in the west coast of the USA. Start in the bohemian breeding ground of San Francisco and enjoy the beauty of Santa...
  • The Gold Rush
    Intrepid Travel Inc.
    from $1264, 15 days
    From the steep streets of San Francisco to the unbelievable buzz of Las Vegas, this exhilarating West Coast journey takes the excitement of some of...
See All Adventure Trips & Guided Tours from GORPtravel »

San Francisco Vacation Rentals

check rates
from: $299

The City House With Amazing Ocean Views

Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 6
Amenities: Garage, No Pets, Non-Smoking
check rates
from: $240

Classic Victorian Sleeps Six

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 6
Amenities: Computer Access, DVD Player, Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Pets OK, TV, Wireless Internet Access
check rates
from: $250

Dolores Park Victorian

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
Amenities: Cable/Satellite TV, Fireplace, Laundry, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Patio, Refrigerator, Stove, TV
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