Bay Area's Outdoor Getaways
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra has the best places for low cost coastal excursions with an array of activities. (10/31; 1:14)
Bay Area Fall Colors
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra recommends downtown Palo Alto and the East Bay Foothills for vibrant Fall colors. (10/24; 1:05)
Fall's Best Bike Rides
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra says Fall is a favorite time in the Bay Area to go for a gorgeous bike ride. (10/17; 1:12)
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra shares his experience of being transfixed by Pigeon Point's landscape and the endless ray of light. (10/10; 1:13)
The Arrival of Fall
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra describes cold starry nights and the best trout fishing as some of the changes Fall will bring. (10/3; 1:16)
Spot Satellite Messenger
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra says spot satellite messenger works where cell phones don't and are ideal for remote hikes. (9/26; 1:18)
Pomo Canyon
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra describes a magical walk-in campground set in the redwoods on the Sonoma coast. (9/19; 1:20)
Wilderness Wildlife
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra says Fall fishing and hunting season is here, but the deer head to the back country wilderness. (9/12; 1:14)
Heart's Desire Beach at Tomales Bay
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra says Heart's Desire Beach is the centerpiece for Tomales Bay State Park. (9/5; 1:11)
Hidden Redwood Parks
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra describes the lesser known redwood parks in the Bay Area. (8/29; 1:20)
Linking Parks With Trails
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra says with budget cuts, it's important to maximize existing state parks. (8/22; 1:14)
Best California Coastal Camps
Outdoorsman Tom Stienstra says Steep Ravine campground in Marin is perched on a bluff with ocean views. (8/15; 1:09)
--Pillar Point kayak:
Half Moon Bay Kayak Co., Pillar Point Harbor at Princeton, (650) 773-6101; www.hmbkayak.com.
--Pigeon Point Hostel: (650) 879-0633 or www.norcalhostels.com, book at (800) 909-4776.
--Bike the bay: Blue and Gold Fleet, (415) 705-8200, blueandgoldfleet.com.
--$15 boat tour:
Lovely Martha, (650) 871-1691;
Wacky Jacky, (415) 586-9800.
Options: Red and White Fleet, $22, Pier 431/2, (415) 673-2900 or www.redandwhite.com;
Blue and Gold Fleet, $20, Pier 39, (415) 705-8200 or www.blueandgold.com.
Oct. 24: Bay Area Fall Colors Peninsula: Downtown Palo Alto (University Ave. to Crescent Park);
East Bay Hills: Alhambra Valley Road (El Sobrante to Pleasant Hill);
Reliez Valley Road (Pleasant Hill to Briones Regional Park to Martinez).
Scenic Drive, Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, East Bay Regional Park District, (888) 327-2757, option 1, then spell park name; ebparks.org. Jason Montano, Montano Velo, (510) 654-8356 or www.montanovelo.com (under constructions, full site up soon).
For details on all parks, see Tom Stienstra’s Bay Area Recreation at www.TomStienstra.com.
Oct. 10: Pigeon Point Light Station Pigeon Point Light Station, 210 Pigeon Point Road, Pescadero, CA 94060; (650) 879-0633; www.norcalhostels.org.
For more lodging, see Northern California Cabins & Cottages, www.TomStienstra.com.
Oct. 3: Rhythms of fall Waterfowl migrations: Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, www.fws.gov/desfbay, (510) 745-8695; Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges, (530) 934-2801, 24-hour recorded information at (530) 934-7774.
Sept. 26: Save your bacon with SPOT SPOT Satellite Messenger, www.findmespot.com or (866) 651-7768.
Survival techniques, Pages 17-76, in California Camping, www.TomStienstra.com.
Sept. 19: Hidden Pomo Canyon How to get there: Take U.S. 101 to Petaluma and exit for East Washington. Take that and go west to Highway 1. Turn right and go 18 miles (9 miles past Bodega Bay) to Willow Creek Road. Turn right and go three miles to parking area. Operated by Sonoma Coast State Beach, (707) 875-3483; www.parks.ca.gov.
See Page 299, California Camping, www.TomStienstra.com.
Sept. 12: Wilderness: Best of fish and wildlife U.S. Forest Service, (707) 562-8737, www.fs.fed.us/r5.
Aug 29: Overlooked hikes at redwood parks Ridge Trail Loop at San McDonald County Park near La Honda, (650) 879-0212, www.ebparks.org.
Bill’s Trail at Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Marin, (415) 488-9897, www.parks.ca.gov.
Graham Trail Loop at Roberts Regional Park in Oakland hills, (888) 327-2757, option 1, then spell park name, www.ebparks.org.
Whittemore Gulch Loop at Purisima Creek Redwoods near Half Moon Bay, (650) 691-1200, www.openspace.org.
For trail details, see California Hiking at www.TomStienstra.com.
Aug 22: Linking Parks with Trails Peninsula: 16 miles, Pearson-Arastradero Park to Foothills Park to Los Trancos Creek Open Space Preserve. Foothills Park, (650) 329-2423 or www.city.palo-alto.ca.us – type “Pearson-Arastradero” in search box.
East Bay foothills: 31 miles, East Bay National Skyline Trail links six parks: Chabot Regional Park, Redwood Regional Park, Huckleberry Regional Preserve, Sibley Regional Preserve, Tilden Regional Park, Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. (888) 327-2757, option 1, then spell park name, www.ebparks.org.
Marin: Bay 50 miles, Ridge Trail. Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, (415) 561-2595 or ridgetrail.org
Dream hike: Sweeney Ridge via Crystal Springs Watershed to Montara Mountain and to Montara State Beach. This hike cannot be completed because access is forbidden on service road in Crystal Springs by San Francisco Water Department.
For trail details, see California Hiking or Tom Stienstra’s Bay Area Recreation at www.TomStienstra.com.
Aug 15: Best Coastal Camps Steep Ravine cabins and walk-in campsites on Marin coast, Mount Tamalpais State Park, (415) 388-2070;
Manresa Uplands State Beach Walk-in on Monterey Bay (831) 761-1795;
MacKerricher State Park near Fort Bragg, (707) 964-9112;
Salt Point on Sonoma coast, (707) 847-3221;
Patrick’s Point on Humboldt Coast near Trinidad, (707) 677-3570.
Aug 8: Best Dog Walks Marin: Kent Lake Pump Trail (415) 945-1181 or www.marinwater.org.
San Francisco: Fort Funston is (415) 239-2366 or www.nps.gov/goga.
Peninsula: Arastradero Preserve: (650) 329-2423 or www.city.palo-alto.ca.us.
Contra Costa County: Point Isabel Regional Shorelin (925) 235-1631; www.ebparks.org.
Alameda County: Sunol Regional Wilderness: (925) 862-2244, (925) 862-2601 (interpretive center), or www.ebparks.org.
See California Hiking at www.TomStienstra.com.
Aug 1: Jurassic Park Sturgeon Located in Oregon on Willamette and Columbia Rivers: Charlie Foster’s NW Sturgeon Adventures, only full-time sturgeon guide in Western U.S., (503) 820-1189; www.nwsturgeonadventures.com
July 18: Nuisance Bears Solving food-raiding bears
Yosemite National Park, (209) 372-0200, www.nps.gov/yose ; Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, Grant Grove Visitor Center, 1-559-565-4307; www.nps.gov/seki.
July 4: Wilderness -- Power of Place Yosemite National Park Wilderness, Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley, 37 miles one-way. Wilderness Permit Office, (209) 372-0740, nps.gov/yose.
Ansel Adams Wilderness, Rush Creek Trail, 14- to 20-mile round trip from trailhead across from Silver Lake. (760) 647-3044, fs.fed.us/r5/inyo.
Marble Mountain Wilderness, Klamath National Forest, 35-plus mile circuit from Haypress Meadow Trailhead. Orleans Ranger District, (530) 627-3291 or fs.fed.us/r5/klamath.
For details, see California Hiking at www.TomStienstra.com.
June 27: S.F. Bay Thriving Hi's Tackle Box, (650) 588-1200 or www.histacklebox.com; Gus' Discount Bait, San Francisco, (415) 752-6197; Emeryville Sportfsihing Center, (510) 664-6040; Loch Lomond Live Bait, San Rafael, (415) 456-0321.
June 20: Guaranteed Fish Live minnows for bass at Shasta Lake, www.shastalake.com;
fishing info, live minnows, Phil’s, (530) 275-2278;
Shasta Lake Visitor Information Center,
14225 Holiday Road, Redding, CA 96003; (530) 275-1589; www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity.
Other lakes: Berryessa, Don Pedro, Oroville, Sonoma, Pine Flat.
June 6: Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park Park info/contact: (559) 565-3341; Grant Grove Visitor Center, (559) 565-4307; nps.gov/seki.
Lodging: (866) 875-8456 or nationalparkreservations.com.
See California Camping at TomStienstra.com.
May 30: How to beat the Should List Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. Map/brochure usually available at trailhead, or through Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, (650) 691-1200, openspace.org. For details on trails, see California Hiking at TomStienstra.com.
May 23: Best of Spring Bullards Bar Reservoir, 96 percent full, five campgrounds: Emerald Cove Marina, (530) 692-3200, bullardsbar.com.
Lake Almanor, 88 percent full, five campgrounds: Almanor Ranger District, (530) 258-2141, fs.fed.ur/r5 – select Plumas National Forest.
Shasta Lake, 70 percent full, 27 campgrounds: Shasta Lake Visitor Center, (530) 275-1589, ShastaLake.com
--Detailed info: See California Camping at TomStienstra.com.
May 16: Hidden Bay Area Campgrounds Trail Camp, Butano Redwoods State Park, (650) 879-2040 or www.parks.ca.gov.
Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, reservations required at (877) 444-6777 or www.recreation.gov.
Info: (415) 331-1540 or www.nps.gov/goga.
Black Mountain, Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, reservations required at (650) 691-1200; openspace.org -- click on preserve locator.
Stewartville, Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Reservations required at (888) 327-2757, ext. 2; ebparks.org.
Trail Camp, Sunol Regional Wilderness. Reservations required at (888) 327-2757, ext. 2; ebparks.org.
--Details at Tom Stienstra’s Bay Area Recreation, TomStienstra.com.
May 8: Arrival of Spring! Shasta Lake fishing, info at Phil's, (530) 275-4939, philsprop.com.
Upper Sacramento River trout fishing, (530) 926-4540 or jacktrout.com.
Yosemite waterfalls, (209) 372-0200, nps.gov/yose.
Projections for arrival of spring:
Right now: Bay Area foothills, coast, Central Valley
May 15: up to 5,500 feet
June 15: up to 6,500 feet
4th of July weekend: 7,500 to 10,000 feet
July 15: Sierra Crest
Info: See California Camping at TomStienstra.com.
May 2: The Big Swing See Mike Pechner's Weather Blog at kcbs.com.
Apr. 25: "Bite The Alligator" Club For past winners, see Tom Stienstra’s Chronicle outdoor columns archived at www.sfgate.com and front section of the new California Camping, www.TomStienstra.com.
Apr. 18: Bay Area Outdoor Bests --Wildlife viewing: elk herd at Point Reyes National Seashore; (415) 464-5100; www.nps.gov/pore.
--Best hike: Skyline-to-the-Sea to Berry Creek, Silver, Golden Falls and Big Basin Redwoods State Park, (831) 338-8860 or www.bigbasin.org; www.parks.ca.gov -- then click on Find a Park.
--Best rock: Goat Rock at Castle Rock State Park, Castle Rock State Park, (408) 867-2952; www.santacruzstateparks.org or www.parks.ca.gov.
--Best boat rental with wildlife: Elkhorn Slough sea otters, K ayak Connection, (831) 724-5692 or www.kayakconnection.com
--Lookout with largest scope of earth’s surface: Mount Diablo, recorded info at (925) 837-2525; ranger kiosk at (925) 837-0904; www.parks.ca.gov. Best map at Mount Diablo: Mount Diablo Interpretive Association; (925) 927-7222 or www.mdia.org.
--Best bridge by bike: Golden Gate Bridge. Bike rentals: Bay City Bike, (415) 346-BIKE (2453) or www.baycitybike.com; Blazing Saddles Bike Rental, (415) 202-8888 or www.blazingsaddles.com.
--For details, see Tom Stienstra’s Bay Area Recreation at www.TomStienstra.com.
Apr. 11: Peninsula's Spring Gem Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, 4.6-mile loop hike. No dogs. Map/brochure usually available at trailhead, or through Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, (650) 691-1200, www.openspace.org.
Apr. 4: East Bay's Best Bike and Hike Nimitz Way, Tilden Regional Park: Parking, access free. Dogs OK. Map/brochure: Usually available at trailhead. By mail, call (888) 327-2757, ext. 5; by computer, download PDF file at www.ebparks.org.
Mar. 21: Feather Falls Plumas National Forest, Feather River Ranger District, Oroville, (530) 534-6500, www.fs.fed.us/r5.
See California Hiking at www.TomStienstra.com.
Mar. 14: Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve Surprise yourself with this hike
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, staging area on Higgins Road just south of Half Moon Bay. Info: Free. No dogs. Bikes OK on Harkins Ridge. Winter bike closure (signed) on Whittemore Gulch. (650) 691-1200; www.openspace.org.
Details: See Tom Stienstra's Bay Area Recreation at www.TomStienstra.com.
Mar. 7: Rainy Day Hikes Steep Ravine from Pantoll, Mount Tamalpais State Park. Info: (415) 388-2070 or www.parks.ca.gov -- then click on Find A Park.
Donner Falls, Mount Diablo State Park. Info: recorded info at (925) 837-2525; ranger kiosk at (925) 837-0904; www.parks.ca.gov; map & more info at Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, (925) 927-7222 or www.mdia.org.
Alameda Creek Falls, Little Yosemite, Sunol Regional Wilderness. Info: free brochure/trail map, 1-888-327-2757, then follow menu; or download PDF file at www.ebparks.org; or Sunol Regional Wilderness, (925) 862-2244; Sunol Interpretive Center, (925) 862-2601.
Berry Creek Falls, Big Basin Redwoods State Park,Big Basin Redwoods State Park, (831) 338-8860, www.TomStienstra.com.
Feb. 28: Montara Mountain Summit Hike
--From San Pedro Valley County Park: $5 per vehicle, map/brochure available at entrance kiosk and visitor center (open on weekends); restrooms, picnic area; no dogs, no mountain bikes on single track. From San Francisco, take Highway 280 to Daly City and the junction with Highway 1. Bear right on Highway 1 and continue through Pacifica to Linda Mar Blvd. Turn left and drive until it dead-ends at Oddstad Blvd. Turn right and drive about 50 yards to the park entrance on left; (650) 355-8289; www.eparks.net.
--Details for recreation: California Recreational Lakes & Rivers by Tom Stienstra at www.TomStienstra.com.
Feb. 14: Chimney Rock Headlands Point Reyes National Seashore
--Cost: Parking, access, brochure free.
--Drive to Bear Valley Visitor Center: Take U.S. 101 to Marin and the exit for Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Take that exit west and drive about 20 miles to the town of Olema and the junction with Highway 1. Turn right and drive about 100 yards to Bear Valley Road. Turn left and drive north .7 mile to the Seashore Information sign and access road for Bear Valley Visitor Center. Turn left and continue a short distance to the parking lot for the visitor center.
--Cost: Free. At visitor center, ask if shuttle is needed (typically required through April) from Drakes Beach to Chimney Rock parking lot.
--How to get to Drakes Beach: From Bear Valley Visitor Center, exit parking lot to Bear Valley Road. Turn left and drive a short distance to Sir Francis Drake Highway. Turn left and drive 11.1 miles and look for the sign for a left turn to visitor center/shuttle bus. Turn left and drive 1.2 miles to the parking lot at the Kenneth Patrick Visitor Center and Drakes Beach.
Feb. 7: Pleasanton Ridge
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Preserve
--Cost: Parking and access are free.
--Maps: For a free brochure/trail map, 1-888-327-2757, then follow menu; or download PDF file at www.ebparks.org
--Trailhead facilities: Chemical toilet, drinking water, picnic area.
--How to get there: Take I-680 to Pleasanton and the exit for Bernal Road West. Take that exit and drive west on Bernal Road to Foothill Road. Turn left and drive three miles to the Oak Tree Staging Area and trailhead.
--Contact: (925) 862-2963 or www.ebparks.org.
Jan. 31: Golden Gate Views Hawk Hill at Marin Headlands, Golden Gate National Recreation Area;
(415) 331-1540; www.nps.gov/goga.
Other great lookouts: San Francisco: Land's End near Cliff House, Presidio Viewing Deck, Fort Point Pier. Marin: Mount Livermore Summit at Angel Island, Yellow Bluff at Fort Baker.
Jan. 24: Moss Landing Road Trip Lodging: Captain's Inn at www.captainsinn.com or (831) 633-5550; other lodging at Monterey Chamber of Commerce, (831) 648-5360 or www.mpcc.com.
Jan. 17: Best Winter Birdwatching --Marin: Bothin Marsh, Marin Audubon, (415) 721-4271; www.MarinAudubon.org; by mail at Box 599, Mill Valley, CA 94942-0599; Marin County Open Space District, (415) 499-6405; www.marinopenspace.org – click on “select a preserve.”
--Coast: Pescadero Marsh, c/o Pescadero State Beach, (650) 879-2170; www.parks.ca.gov.
--Peninsula: Palo Alto Baylands, (650) 329-2506: www.city.palo-alto.ca.us/.
--East Bay: Arrowhead Marsh, for a free brochure/trail map, 1-888-327-2757, then follow menu; or download PDF file at www.ebparks.org/.
--South Bay: Don Edwards S.F. Bay Wildlife Refuge, Newark, www.fws.gov/desfbay/
(510) 792-0222.
--More details: Tom Stienstra's Bay Area Recreation at www.tomstienstra.com.
Jan. 10: Huddart County Park, Woodside --Huddart Park, 1100 Kings Mountain Road, Woodside, CA 94062; (650) 851-0326; reservations for group camping and group picnics, (650) 363-4021; San Mateo County Parks and Recreation, 455 County Center, 4th Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063-1646; (650) 363-4020. Website: www.eparks.net.
--International Sportsmen's Exposition
Jan. 8-11 at San Mateo Event Center. See KCBS and San Francisco Chronicle Outdoors Writer Tom Stienstra at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10; www.sportsexpos.com.
Jan 3: International Sportsmen's Exposition Only Bay Area sportsmen's show arrives Jan. 8-11 at San Mateo Event Center. See KCBS and San Francisco Chronicle Outdoors Writer Tom Stienstra at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9 or 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10; www.sportsexpos.com.
Dec. 27: Ano Nuevo State Reserve
New webcam for Bay Area wildlife adventure:
See webcam at http://nrs.ucop.edu/Ano-Nuevo.htm -- click on web cam button on upper left of page. For walking wildlife tours at Ano Nuevo, $7 per person; reservation at (800) 444-4445. Ano Nuevo State Reserve, San Mateo County: (650) 879-2025 or www.parks.ca.gov.
Dec. 13: Flashpoint: Guns in parks Yosemite National Park, (209) 372-200 or nps.gov/yose;
Gun Owners of California, gunownersca.com.
Dec. 6: Point Reyes Overnight Getaway --Inns: Blackthorne Inn, Point Reyes Station, (415) 663-8621 or www.blackthorneinn.com; instant availability at 100 rooms at 16 inns at www.ptreyes.com, Point Reyes Lodging Association, (800) 539-1872.
--Park info: Point Reyes National Seashore, (415) 464-5100 or www.nps.gov/pore.
--Detailed Rec Info: See Tom Stienstra’s Bay Area Recreation at www.TomStienstra.com.
Nov. 29: Bay Area Sunset Views Bay Area Sunsets -- The Outdoor Blessing
Best spots: Mount Tamalpais, Marin; Grizzly Peak Blvd., Berkeley hills; Rocky Ridge, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, San Ramon; Land’s End, San Francisco; Pillar Point Head at Princeton, Half Moon Bay; Highway 35/Skyline Blvd. on Pensinula.
Nov. 22: Peninsula's Redwood Driving Tour Purisima Creek Redwoods, Midpeninsula Open Space District, (650) 691-1200, www.openspace.org;
Huddart, Wunderlich, Memorial, Pescadero Creek, Sam McDonald county parks, (650) 363-4020, www.eparks.net;
Portola Redwoods State Park, (650) 948-9098;
Butano Redwoods, (650) 879-2040;
Henry Cowell Redwoods, (831) 335-4598;
Big Basin Redwoods, (831) 338-8860, www.parks.ca.gov -- click on “Find A Park, or www.santacruzstateparks.org.
Nov. 15: China Camp State Park --How to get there: Take U.S. 101 to San Rafael and the exit signed North San Pedro. Take that exit, turn east on North San Pedro and drive four miles to the park. At the fork, a kiosk and campground is on the right. Stay left and drive to waterfront picnic areas on left. If you continue one mile past the picnic area, look for road to ranger station and trailheads on the right.
Nov. 8: Dungeness Crabs Galore --The sport Dungeness crab season is open. The commercial crab season opens on Nov. 15.
--Personal sport boats: Dungeness crabs must be 53/4 inches (measured from point to point on the shell) with a 10-crab limit.
--Party boats: Dungeness crabs must be 6 inches with 6-crab limit.
--Limit note: From Mendocino County northward, party boats have same limit as personal sport boats.
--Party boats: Emeryville Sportfishing, (510) 654-6040; Berkeley Marina Sports Center, (510) 849-2727; Huck Finn, Princeton, (650) 726-7133; Bodega Bay Sportfishing, (707) 875-3495.
--Pacifica Pier (650) 359-7025.
--Bay closure: No Dungeness crabs can be taken in San Francisco Bay. No restriction on rock crabs.
--More info: See California Fishing at www.TomStienstra.com.
Nov. 1: Pillar Point-Fitzgerald Trail Pillar Point Harbor: Visibility, wind, sea swells and tides at (650) 726-6070;
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, www.fitzgeraldreserve.org or (650) 728-3584;
Moss Beach Distillery, (650) 728-5595 or www.mossbeachdistillery.com.
Oct. 25: San Bruno Mountain San Bruno Mountain State and County Park, (650) 992-6770 or (650) 573-2592 (park administered by Coyote Point); www.eparks.net, or www.parks.ca.gov.
Sept. 27: Wildlife Inspire Information: Department of Fish and Game, Bay Area headquarters, (707) 944-5500, www.dfg.ca.gov;
Point Reyes National Seashore, (415) 464-5100, www.nps.gov/pore.
Sept. 20: Golden Age of Wildlife at Farallon Islands Contact: www.oceanicsociety.org; whale watching hot line, (415) 474-3385, or reservations (415) 441-1106.
Sept. 6: Point Reyes Bull Elk Bull elk now collecting harems
Access free. No herding or harassing of elk or wildlife. No dogs. No bikes at Pierce Ranch. Weekday mornings are often deserted. Weekend afternoons are crowded.
Contact: Point Reyes National Seashore (415) 464-5100 or www.nps.gov/pore.
Aug. 23: Delta Boating Paradise Marinas, lodging, boat rental information, new map at www.californiadelta.org. See California Recreational Lakes & Rivers at www.TomStienstra.com.
July 26: Taking the Bite out of Bears Inyo National Forest, Bishop,
(760) 873-2400 or www.fs.fed.us/r5.
Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park,
(559) 565-3341 or www.nps.gov/seki.
July 12: Tahoe's Boat Taxi & Hike Echo Chalet at www.echochalet.com or (530) 659-7207.
Trail map: Ask for Desolation Wilderness,” Tom Harrison Cartography, (800) 265-9090.
June 28: Butano's Candelabra Tree Butano Redwoods State Park, (650) 879-2040; Half Moon Bay District, (650) 726-8820; www.parks.ca.gov -- then click on Find a Park.
How to get there: From Half Moon Bay, drive south on Highway 1 for 17 miles to Pescadero Road. Turn left and drive past the town of Pescadero (about three miles) to Cloverdale Road. Turn right and drive 4.5 miles to the park entrance road and then continue straight for 1.2 miles to Gazos Creek Road. Turn left on Gazos Creek Road and drive 0.4 miles to a dirt pull-out on the right.
Trailhead: Park at the pull-out and walk up the road a short distance to a trailhead on the left. Look for the small, gold State Property Sign about 20 feet up the trail on the right.
June 21: Clear Lake Clear Lake State Park, near Kelseyville. (707) 279-4293, www.parks.ca.gov.
Reserve campsite at (800) 444-7275 or www.ReserveAmerica.com;
Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa, (800) 660-5253, www.konoctiharbor.com.
More lodging info: Lake County Visitor Information Center, (707) 274-5652 or (800) 525-3743, website: www.lakecounty.com.
To duplicate trip: Lodging: Best Western Hilltop Inn, Redding, 1-800-336-4880 or www.thehilltopinn.com; dinner & boxed lunches: C.R. Gibbs (adjoining Best Western Hilltop Inn), (530) 221-2335 or www.crgibbs.com; Boats, launching: Bridge Bay Marina, 1-800-752-9669 or www.sevencrown.com.
Rock City, Mount Diablo State Park, recording, (925) 837-2525; kiosk, (925) 837-0904; climbing guides, (800) 509-3954 or www.adventureout.com; Interpretive Association, (925) 927-7222 or www.mdia.org.
Wind Caves, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness (925) 837-3145 or www.ebparks.org. Free brochure/trail map, 1-888-327-2757
Tafoni Monolith, El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve,(650) 691-1200 or www.openspace.org.
Vasco Caves, Vasco Regional Preserve Reservations at (510) 636-1684, $32 ($4 discount for East Bay residents); www.ebparks.org.
For more information, see the book Tom Stienstra’ Bay Area Outdoor Recreation at www.TomStienstra.com.
Apr. 5: Best Hidden Bay Area Trail Camps
Trail Camp, Butano Redwoods State Park, $12 per night, $6 per vehicle, no reservations. Info: (650) 879-2040 or www.parks.ca.gov.
Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands. $25 for up to three cars and 10 people; reservations required at 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. Info: (415) 331-1540 or www.nps.gov/goga.
Stewartville, Black Diamond Mines, Reservations required, $8 per reservation, $5 per person per night, at 1-888-327-2757, free map/brochure available.
Black Mountain, Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, $2 per person per night; reservations required at (650) 691-1200, two-night maximum; www.openspace.org -- click on preserve locator.
Trail Camp, Sunol Regional Wilderness, $8 per reservation, $5 per person per night; reservations required at 1-888-327-2757.
Advance reservations are a necessity to get a spot at one of these popular trail camps:
Marin: Wildcat, Sky, Coast and Glen camps at Point Reyes National Seashore; Hawkcamp at Marin Headlands; Angel Island hike-in at Angel Island State Park.
Peninsula/Santa Cruz Mountains: Sunset at Big Basin Redwoods; Trail Camp at Castle Rock; Youth Group Camp at Sam McDonald.
East Bay foothills: Stewart’s Camp in Ohlone Regional Wilderness.
For more information, see the book California Camping by Tom Stienstra at www.TomStienstra.com.
Mar. 29: Showdowns on State Parks and Salmon Bay Area outdoor showdowns – one easy, one hard:
Proposed state parks shutdown, California State Parks Foundation, www.calparks.org;
California State Department of Parks, www.parks.ca.gov.
Proposed salmon season shutdown, Water For Fish, www.water4fish.org;
California State Department of Fish and Game, www.dfg.ca.gov.
Mar. 15: Bay Area Wildflower Puzzle Point Reyes National Seashore, (415) 464-5100; www.nps.gov/pore;
East Bay Regional Park District for a free brochure/trail map, 1-888-327-2757, then follow menu; or download PDF file at www.ebparks.org.
Best spot for sunset photos: Mount Tamalpais summit, (415) 388-2070 or www.parks.ca.gov.
Best spot for wildlife photos: Pierce Ranch, Point Reyes National Seashore, (415) 464-5100 or www.nps.gov/pore.
Best sweeping view of S.F. Bay: Grizzly Blvd., Berkeley, near Tilden Park, 1-888-327-2757 or www.ebparks.org.
Best view of fog overlying coast foothills: Skyline Ridge, San Francisco Peninsula, near Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, (650) 691-1200 or www.openspace.org.
Stairstep Falls/Barnabe Peak, Samuel P. Taylor State Park
This trip gets missed 6 miles. Free.
To find this spot, drive west on Sir Francis Drake past the main entrance for Samuel P. Taylor State Park for one mile to the dirt pull-out on the left, across from the access road for Devil’s Gulch Horse Camp. Park on the left, cross Sir Francis Drake, and walk up the access road for the horse camp to the signed trailhead on the right for Devil’s Gulch and Bill’s Trail. (415) 488-9897; www.parks.ca.gov.
How to get there: From San Francisco, take U.S. 101 north to Marin to the exit for Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Take that exit and drive west to the town of Olema and the junction with Highway 1. Turn right on Highway 1 and drive 100 yards to Bear Valley Road. Turn left on Bear Valley Road and drive two miles to Sir Francis Drake Highway. Turn left on Sir Francis Drake Highway and drive 5.6 miles to Pierce Ranch Road. Bear right and drive 1.2 miles to the entrance road on the right for Tomales Bay State Park (well signed). Turn right and drive 1.5 miles to the parking area and the trailhead at Hearts Desire Beach.
Contact: (415) 669-1140 or www.parks.ca.gov -- then click on Find A Park.
How to get there: From San Francisco, take Highway 280 south to Palo Alto and the exit for Page Mill Road. Take that exit, turn west and drive (becomes twisty) to Skyline Blvd. Cross Skyline and continue west (straight) on Alpine Road for three miles (twisty) to Portola State Park Road. Turn left and drive three miles to park entrance. Park near visitor center.
Contact: (650) 948-9098 or www.parks.ca.gov -- then click on Find a Park.
$5 parking, map/brochure at trailhead; Ridge Trail Loop, 4-mile round trip; no dogs, bikes or smoking anywhere in park. (650) 879-0212 -- www.eparks.net – then click on Parks
How to get there: From San Francisco, take Highway 280 south to Woodside and the exit for Highway 84. Take that exit, turn west and go to Sky Londa. Continue straight to La Honda and continue a half mile to La Honda/Pescadero Road. Turn left and drive 2 miles to a Y. Bear right (Pescadero Road) and drive a short distance to the park entrance on the right.
Reservations required at (415) 646-0702 up to three months in advance; $35 per adult, $17.50 for those under 18, $700 for groups of up to 20 reserving the entire inn. No website.
For lodging options, see the book NorthernCalifornia Cabins & Cottages at www.TomStienstra.com.
The Chronicle's Tom Stienstra covers the Great Outdoors in the Bay Area and beyond, offering tips and suggestions for a day's outing, as well as thoughts on the issues surrounding outdoors recreation. Tom Stienstra Outdoors airs on KCBS Saturdays at 7:35 am, and is repeated at 9:35 am and 12:35 pm.
