Section
163 listings in 24 counties. Parks, trails, beaches, gardens and nature reserves. Every listing links to its source.
Every listing links to its source · Updated
12 picks
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark1,266 acres of marshland and grassy hills on the bay shore, popular for hiking, biking and bird watching. Visitor center open Wed-Sun 10am-4pm.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA 2.5-mile bay beach with the Crab Cove Visitor Center and drop-in programs such as Story Time and Fish Feeding. Beach wheelchairs are free, first come, first served.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA five-mile lake for swimming and boating, surrounded by 4,395 acres for hiking, riding and nature study. Boat rentals at the East Beach marina.
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenSeven acres of themed gardens in Lakeside Park, including the Bonsai Garden, Japanese Garden and Sensory Garden. Free entry. Closed Nov 26-27.
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenJapanese garden next to the Hayward Senior Center, with on-site parking and restrooms. Open every day except Christmas Day.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA 315-acre lake with picnic areas, a grassy play area and trails for hiking, biking and running. Swimming is never permitted.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA steep, 3-plus-mile hike to Mission Peak with views of Mount Hamilton and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Allow about five hours to reach the summit and return.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA redwood forest a few miles over the ridge from downtown Oakland. Part of the Stream Trail is closed for repairs through Oct 31. Parking fees are cash only.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkRedwood-shaded picnic area with a barrier-free, wheelchair-accessible children's play area, playfields and a sand volleyball court. The pool reopens for the 2027 swim season.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkFormer gravel quarry turned lakeside park, with boating, kayaking and fishing. Swimming reopens for the 2027 season.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkTrails around Round Top, the remains of a 10-million-year-old volcano. No parking fee at the main staging area. Dogs allowed; not on the adjacent Huckleberry Botanic trails.
Section: Outdoors and Naturegarden34 acres and over 10,000 kinds of plants. Docent-led drop-in tours Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30. Some paths are unpaved, narrow or steep. Closed Tuesdays.
20 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkDelta shoreline with a visitor center, a paved and relatively flat trail, and a fishing and observation pier. No parking fee.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkFormer mining district in the Mount Diablo Coal Field, now nearly 8,533 acres for hiking, picnicking and nature study. The Greathouse Visitor Center is open Fridays 10am-2pm and weekends 10am-4pm.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkRegional park with picnic sites, trails and the Briones Archers archery range, reached from staging areas in Martinez and Lafayette.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkShoreline park above Carquinez Strait. Drop-in walks include Wednesday Walk on Oct 28 at 9:30am and the Over-the-Hills-Gang on Nov 3 at 10am. No parking fee at staging areas.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark775 acres around an 80-acre reservoir with year-round fishing, hiking, biking and an ADA fishing dock. The Swim Lagoon is closed.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark1,060 acres of geologic formations and sweeping Bay Area panoramas at the gateway to Mt. Diablo State Park. No parking fee.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkPicnic grove beside San Pablo Dam Road.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkYear-round day-use park for hiking, fishing and picnicking, one mile from Lafayette BART. Row and pedal boat rentals until 4pm, plus a tot-lot for ages 2-5.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkWilderness preserve for hiking and birdwatching, with many hawks and occasional golden eagles. Accessible parking, toilet and picnic site at the Bollinger staging area.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark307 acres with a shoreline picnic area around a saltwater lagoon, Keller Beach, a fishing pier and hilltop views of the North Bay. No parking fee.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkSummit views that can extend over 100 miles in all directions, plus rock formations such as the Wind Caves at Rock City. Gates open at 8am and close at sunset.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkBay shoreline park where dogs may be off leash under voice control throughout the park. Keep dogs leashed in parking lots and on streets, and carry a leash (6 ft max). Mudpuppy's Tub & Scrub and the Sit & Stay Cafe are on site. No parking fee.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA 2,432-acre shoreline park with meadows, eucalyptus woods and bluffs on San Pablo Bay, with views of Mt. Tamalpais and the Marin shoreline.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkWaterfront park on Carquinez Strait with a main lawn, picnic area, duck pond and shoreline fishing. No parking fee.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkValley preserve that was once home to California Indians. No parking fee; dogs are not allowed.
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenGarden with a diverse plant collection, self-guided tour booklets, and a children's tour book and Garden bingo. Leashed dogs welcome.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkNature area with the Environmental Education Center and drop-in programs such as Good Night Farm and Hike and Storytime. No parking fee.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkOne of the District's oldest parks, known as 'the jewel of the system'. Drop-in Sunday Storytime on Nov 1 at 10:30am. No parking fee. Dogs allowed: leashed in parking lots, picnic areas, lawns and on Nimitz Way, and under voice control elsewhere. No dogs in the Tilden Nature Area (Little Farm/EEC), the Botanic Garden, the golf course or the Lake Anza swim area.
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenCalifornia native plant garden in Tilden Park. Free entrance and free parking.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkMcNabney Marsh lies on the Pacific Flyway, with fall migrations bringing an abundance of waterfowl. No parking fee; no dogs.
10 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkIsland state park in San Francisco Bay, reached by ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco. Some services and facilities are restricted. Tiburon ferry round trip $18 adults 13-64, $16 seniors 65+, $15 ages 6-12, $6 ages 3-5, 2 and under free. Through Oct 31 it runs Wed-Sun; in Nov-Dec, weekends only plus Nov 11 and Nov 27.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkBayshore park on San Pablo Bay with China Camp Village, a museum about an early Chinese settlement, beach access, picnicking and a weekend snack shop.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark55-acre park in a sheltered cove on San Pablo Bay with a fishing pier (no license needed), kayak access and tennis and pickleball courts. No dogs. Free entry.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkRedwood canyons, oak woodlands and grasslands on Marin's landmark mountain, with the East Peak Visitor Center and the Mountain Theater, which hosts outdoor plays and astronomy programs.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkGolden Gate National Recreation Area beach with fire rings, where wintering monarch butterflies can sometimes be seen in the pine grove. Redwood Creek Lagoon is closed to all access.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkOld-growth redwoods with 6 miles of trail, including half-hour, one-hour and 90-minute loops, and free Junior Ranger booklets. Parking or shuttle reservations are required in advance at GoMuirWoods.com.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkPeaceful bayside park with lawns, shade trees, a fishing pier (no license needed) and views across to the East Bay. Parking is limited; no dogs. Free entry.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkShady strolls through redwoods along Lagunitas Creek and hikes to Barnabe Peak, one of the best viewpoints in Marin. Creek access closes Dec 1.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark139-acre lakeside park with the Terwilliger Nature Trail, shore fishing, a bike park, an 18-hole disc golf course and trees that turn fall colors. No dogs. Free entry.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkGently sloping, surf-free beaches sheltered by Inverness Ridge, four miles north of Inverness on Pierce Point Road.
9 picks
Section: Outdoors and Naturehistoric siteFully restored water-powered grist mill built in 1846 by Edward Turner Bale and Maria Sobranes Vallejo Bale, with guided tours and exhibits. Three miles north of St. Helena on Highway 29.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkBoat-in-only wilderness park on Lake Berryessa with rustic camping and a limited trail system. No campfires and no potable water. Capell Cove boat launch is currently closed except by Special Event Permit.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkRedwoods, tanoak, Douglas-fir and madrone forest between St. Helena and Calistoga. Stroll the Redwood Trail in Ritchey Canyon or picnic under the firs. Dogs are allowed only in developed areas.
Section: Outdoors and NaturelakeOne of California's largest freshwater lakes, 23 miles long with 165 miles of shoreline. Fishing, hiking, bird watching and picnicking year-round; boats must follow golden mussel launch rules.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkOpen-space park with multi-use trails, including the new Moore Creek Trail Redux and the roughly 3-mile Yip Trip Trail loop. No potable water.
Section: Outdoors and NaturetrailChallenging, rocky 8.3-mile trail on an old stagecoach route between Calistoga and Pope Valley, climbing 1,500 feet with sweeping Napa Valley views. Dogs allowed under voice command.
Section: Outdoors and NatureattractionGeyser that erupts about every 15 to 30 minutes, plus a heritage animal farm with fainting goats, native gardens, bocce lawns and a geology museum. Leashed dogs welcome; free parking.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkUndeveloped 5,272-acre park with trails to the summit of Mount St. Helena and views over Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties. Seven miles north of Calistoga on Highway 29. No dogs.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkHike or ride from Skyline Wilderness Park up the Napa Solano Ridge Trail into Suscol Headwaters Park. A long round trip with no water or restrooms at Suscol, so bring water. Dogs are not allowed on Skyline trails.
8 picks
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenRare and tropical plants in the oldest public wood-and-glass conservatory in North America. Wheelchair accessible; two loaner wheelchairs at the ticket booth.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkBayfront beaches, picnic spots and views of the Golden Gate Bridge; the NPS says dogs are welcome. Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash in the Wildlife Protection Area from July 1 to May 15.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkBluffs on San Francisco's western edge with trails for hiking and dog walking. The loop trails are paved and wheelchair-accessible; trails to the beach are not.
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenThe oldest operating public Japanese garden in North America. Timed entry: reserve a slot in advance. Most of the historic landscape is not wheelchair accessible.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkCoastal trail above the ocean with views of the Golden Gate, shipwrecks and the Sutro Baths ruins. Start at the Lands End Lookout visitor center. Wheelchair-accessible trails begin at the Merrie Way parking lot.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark3.5 miles of beach on the city's western edge, good for long walks and kites. The water is cold and currents are hazardous.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkGolden Gate Bridge views, the Outpost nature playground, picnic sites, trails and the Field Station curiosity lab. Free to all, open every day, no tickets needed.
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenMost pathways are wheelchair accessible and marked; complimentary wheelchairs at either entrance, first come, first served.
19 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkSelf-guided elephant seal viewing April-November, no tours or reservations needed. The round-trip hike takes about two and a half to three hours. A free seal-viewing permit is required and is issued at the park 8:30am-3:30pm.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkBayside park for picnicking, swimming, windsurfing, cycling, fishing and sailing, with a beach promenade, marina, saltwater marsh and views of SFO planes. The Magic Mountain Playground and the picnic area around it are closed for construction; the new playground is expected to open in spring 2027.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkPaved multi-use trail on a former stretch of Highway 1, with benches, observation scopes and interpretive signs above the Pacific. Separate lanes for walkers and cyclists.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark467 acres of woodlands and serpentine grasslands, famous for spring wildflowers, just off I-280.
Section: Outdoors and Naturegarden1917 Georgian Revival house with a 16-acre English-Renaissance style garden and more than 650 acres of natural lands with two hiking loops. Free parking with a ticket; Museums for All and Discover & Go passes accepted.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkRocky seashore tidepools with algae, crabs, sponges, seastars, mollusks and fish, inside the Montara State Marine Reserve.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkFour miles of sandy beaches with gentle dunes and shore fishing, reached from three parking lots including Venice Beach and Dunes Beach.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkForested slopes and cool canyons with barbecue pits, a playground, meadows and redwood trails.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkHillside park behind Millbrae and San Bruno with views of San Bruno Mountain, SFO, the bay and Mount Diablo. The Meadow View Playground reopens Dec 31.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark673 acres of old-growth redwoods with picnic areas, a nature center, a camp store, campfire programs and the Tan Oak and Mt. Ellen nature trails.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkSandy beach framed by rocky outcrops, popular for beachcombing, strolling, shore fishing and surfing; reached by staircase.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA 110-acre promontory in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area with views from Point Reyes to Pedro Point and the black sands of Sharp Park Beach. Parking on Mori Point Road or Bradford Way; windy on the bluffs.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkLong sandy beach with a rocky tidal zone for tidepooling, next to Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, one of the region's richest wetland habitats.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkHistoric light station on Highway 1, 20 miles south of Half Moon Bay. The lighthouse itself is closed for restoration. Free admission and parking.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA 220-acre bluff top on the California Coastal Trail with views of Half Moon Bay, Pillar Point Harbor and the Mavericks surf break, best seen with binoculars. Small 10-car lot on Airport Street.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkRedwood forests with views of the San Mateo coast and Pacific Ocean. Parking at designated areas, including the Purisima Creek Road lot; pullouts on Tunitas Creek Road are limited.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark2,416 acres of rugged open space rising to a 1,314-foot summit, with views of San Francisco and the Central Bay.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark1,052 acres in the Pacifica foothills with family picnic sites, a self-guiding nature trail, a visitor center and a seasonal waterfall.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark1,414 acres of breezy grassland ridges and redwood, fir and oak forest, popular for hiking and kite flying, with picnic tables by the Spring Ridge parking area.
10 picks
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark4,163 acres on a former mercury mining site, with over 37 miles of trails, historic mining remnants and the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. No entry fee.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark1,558 acres with lawns, a playground, fishing at Sandy Wool Lake, views from Monument Peak and a hang-gliding launch area where visitors can watch gliders soar.
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenJapanese estate and gardens in Saratoga. On Oct 25 access and parking are limited by a special event, with tickets sold on site only.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark178-acre creekside park with a 30-foot play structure, a toddler area, fishing at Cottonwood Lake, a dog park and an Olympic-size velodrome.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkThe county's largest regional park, 10,882 acres of grassland and oak woodland at the base of Mt. Hamilton, with a 51-mile trail system and fishing.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA 287-acre historic ranch celebrating the valley's farming heritage, with over 3 miles of paved trails, picnic areas and the Walter Cottle Lester Visitor Center (hours vary).
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkOver 25 miles of trail across a 2,180-acre preserve and 293-acre county park, including the climb to 2,800-foot Black Mountain, plus Deer Hollow Farm. Parking can be congested at busy times.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark3,453 acres of redwoods and tanbark oaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with over 22 miles of trails and a one-mile nature trail.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark1,147 forested acres with a one-mile Waterfall Loop along Swanson Creek. A pre-paid vehicle day pass reservation is required every day.
Section: Outdoors and Naturepark152-acre lakeside park with 45 acres of lawn, picnic areas, fishing and the Youth Science Institute nature center. Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad rides run through the park from neighboring Oak Meadow Park.
7 picks
Section: Outdoors and Naturehistoric siteCalifornia's third seat of government, from 1853 to 1854, and the only surviving pre-Sacramento capitol.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkTidal marsh, grassy hillsides and rocky beaches along the narrowest stretch of the Carquinez Strait. Dogs allowed.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkCounty park on Putah Creek with picnic areas, a nature center and free docent-led hikes in spring and summer listed on the county's event calendar.
Section: Outdoors and Natureopen spaceOver 10 miles of trails through rolling hills and oak groves, including a stretch of the Bay Area Ridge Trail with views over Suisun Marsh and San Pablo Bay. Docent-led hikes on the fourth Saturday of the month. No dogs (cattle graze here) and no drinking water.
Section: Outdoors and Naturenature reserveTidal-marsh reserve at the foot of Kellogg Street near the Suisun City marina, recommended by the state for hiking, photography and wildlife viewing while nearby Grizzly Island is closed for hunting season.
Section: Outdoors and Natureopen spaceA 2,070-acre preserve at the edge of Suisun Marsh, one of California's largest brackish marshes, with trails, birdwatching and resident horses. Docent-led marsh walks on the third Saturday of the month.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkSacramento River park just south of Rio Vista with a sand beach, picnic areas, volleyball and horseshoes, Delta views and a 24-hour boat launch. Swimming is not allowed because of strong currents; no pets in the day-use area.
14 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkStately coast redwoods preserved from the logging of the 19th century. Leashed dogs only on the paved road and in developed picnic areas.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA 2-mile beach on Bodega Bay where south-facing waves are usually calmer than elsewhere on the coast, with a dune trail, an accessible boardwalk and a jetty for exploring sea life.
Section: Outdoors and Naturehistoric siteBuildings and a reconstructed stockade of North America's southernmost Russian colony, founded in 1812 on the ancestral lands of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, 12 miles north of Jenner on Highway 1.
Section: Outdoors and Naturehistoric siteThe 1,565-acre home and ranch of writer Jack London, with his cottage, Beauty Ranch, the Wolf House ruins, the House of Happy Walls Museum and more than 29 miles of trails. Allow about three hours.
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenThe home and gardens of horticulturist Luther Burbank, with a rose garden and a scavenger hunt. Garden and museum entry is free; no pets.
Section: Outdoors and Naturehistoric siteThe huge adobe at the center of the largest private rancho in California between 1834 and 1846, one of the most prosperous estates of the Mexican period.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkOak-studded park with a playground, sports courts, an off-leash dog park, a peace garden and more than 3 miles of trails along Atascadero Creek.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkSix miles of rugged coastline, from kelp-dotted coves to sandstone cliffs, plus forested hills, prairies, a pygmy forest and an underwater park. About 90 miles north of San Francisco.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkBeaches from Bodega Bay to the Russian River with secluded coves, rugged headlands, natural arches, tide pools and, in winter, some of the best whale watching in California.
Section: Outdoors and Naturehistoric siteHistoric sites around Sonoma Plaza in the birthplace of the California Bear Flag, including Mission San Francisco Solano, General Vallejo's home and the Sonoma Barracks.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkNearly 10 miles of trails, including the 2.3-mile paved Spring Lake Loop, plus fishing, picnic areas and the Environmental Discovery Center, with hands-on exhibits for children and families.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkThe headwaters of Sonoma Creek run through gorge, canyon and meadow beneath rock outcroppings, with redwoods and ferns and views from the 2,729-foot summit.
Section: Outdoors and NatureattractionSelf-guided trails among petrified redwoods from the Pliocene Epoch, about 3.4 million years old. Family owned since 1914. Arrive by 4pm to finish the trail walk.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkMiles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and riding on the eastern edge of Santa Rosa. Dogs are allowed only in developed areas.
5 picks
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate parkNearly 2 miles of Lake Tahoe frontage, dense forests of pine, fir, aspen and cedar, and the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion (Pine Lodge), a summer home built in 1903. Dogs are allowed in developed areas only, not on beaches or dirt trails.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate parkRugged shoreline and blue-green water on Lake Tahoe, home to Vikingsholm, a replica Scandinavian castle reached by a one-mile trail that drops 500 feet. The Rubicon Trail is open; Vikingsholm tours have ended for the year. No dogs.
Section: Outdoors and Naturemine and parkA Gold Rush-era hard rock mine with a self-guided audio tour, plus the Hendy Stamp Mill, a blacksmith shop, and a mining museum and gift shop. Picnic areas, nature walks and trails.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate historic parkThe site in Coloma where James Marshall first found gold in 1848 on the South Fork of the American River, setting off the Gold Rush. Visitor center and museum, interpretive exhibits, trails and river beach. Leashed dogs are welcome on trails and in the river, but not in buildings.
Section: Outdoors and Naturerecreation areaJenkinson Lake at 3,500 feet, open year-round, with access to more than 30 miles of trails, plus camping, boating and fishing.
5 picks
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate parkHiking, fishing and whitewater along two forks of the American River in the heart of gold country, stretching about 20 miles from Auburn toward Colfax. Dogs are allowed except at Lake Clementine. Guided hikes are on the State Parks calendar.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate parkUndeveloped park on the edge of Tahoe City with 6 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. No motorized vehicles; dogs only on fire roads.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate parkGranite Bay entrance to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area at the base of the Sierra foothills, for hiking, biking, picnicking and boating. Dogs are allowed on trails and in the water, but not in the Granite Bay swim area.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate beachSandy beach and picnic tables shaded by Jeffrey pines on Lake Tahoe's north shore. Dogs are allowed only at Dog Beach, the rocky area east of the boat ramp.
1 pick
Section: Outdoors and Naturenature centerThe interpretive heart of the Lower American River Parkway for more than 50 years, inside Ancil Hoffman Park, with nature trails. The center stays open during a remodel whose first phase begins in October 2026. Enter by car from Tarshes Drive and California Avenue (the San Lorenzo entrance is locked). Dogs are not allowed in the Nature Center.
2 picks
Section: Outdoors and Natureregional parkMore than 600 acres of oak woodland, pine and riverside meadow in Cache Creek Canyon, a Wild and Scenic River. Hike the 5-mile Frog Pond loop or the steep 8-mile Blue Ridge Trail to Fiske Peak. No potable water and little cell service.
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenMore than 100 acres of demonstration gardens and collections along the Arboretum Waterway, with a 3.5-mile main loop path, picnic tables in the Terrace Garden and Redwood Grove, and three suggested walking loops. Leashed dogs welcome.
2 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA 1,600-acre foothill lake with 12 miles of shoreline, a sand swimming beach, playground, marina and boat rentals, picnic area and general store. Weekly private trout plants run from October into May.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA foothill reservoir about 45 minutes east of Marysville with 55 miles of shoreline and more than 20 miles of trails. The easy, fairly level 11.9-mile Bullards Bar Trail follows the shoreline from Vista Point Road to Willow Creek, with another access point from Dark Day; Dark Day has 14 picnic sites, restrooms, parking and a boat launch. Bears are active, so store food securely.
8 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkMore than a mile of Merced River frontage for fishing, camping and picnicking. The Loop Trail is closed for repairs through 2027.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkOne of the Central Valley's few remaining intact native grassland, wetland and riparian woodland habitats, along the San Joaquin River, with bank fishing and a boat launch for personal watercraft.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA lakeside park for fishing, kayaking and picnicking, with playgrounds, a swimming beach area, kayak and paddleboard rentals, beach volleyball and a boat launch.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkShady trees, campgrounds and grassy fields on the banks of the Merced River, with fishing and swimming.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA 5-mile auto tour route and four nature trails through wetlands and grasslands. Sandhill cranes are abundant on the refuge September through March.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkRolling hills with spring wildflowers, scenic vistas and 28 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. The Dinosaur Lake Trail is closed until further notice, and water is not available in the day use area. No dogs.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkMore than 15 miles of auto tour routes and over 10 miles of nature trails through wetlands, grasslands and riparian woodlands, with tule elk viewing and a visitor center exhibit hall.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA state recreation area on San Luis Reservoir along Highway 152. Basalt Campground and Day Use Area are temporarily closed for a dam safety project.
1 pick
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkOld-growth valley oaks along the Stanislaus River protect one of California's last riparian oak woodlands, with hiking and fishing. Parts of the park are currently closed due to flood damage and debris.
1 pick
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkHiking, picnicking and river access on the Stanislaus River, with a visitor center featuring exhibits on salmon, Native American culture, the covered bridge and a century-old flour mill. The covered bridge is closed for repairs.
7 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkAlmost 5,000 acres of Big Sur coast range with 15 miles of trails, the Big Sur River mouth and the Cooper Cabin, the oldest building in Big Sur. The old coast road, the East Molera Trail and backcountry trails east of Highway 1 are closed. No dogs.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkThree loop trails covering about 5 miles through salt marsh, woodland and grassland, plus a visitor center. The slough is home to more than 100 southern sea otters and over 340 bird species.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkNearly 1,000 acres of dunes and four miles of beach on Monterey Bay on the former Army post, with ammo bunkers still in the dunes. Dogs only on the north-south recreation trail.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkThe northernmost of Big Sur's state parks, with two miles of coastline, a beach and an inland trail from chaparral into redwoods. Dogs only on the Gate 19 beach and the trails to it.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkThree stretches of sand between Seaside and Monterey for sunset walks and beach recreation. No dogs.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkAn overwintering site for western monarch butterflies, which typically arrive in mid-October and leave in February; peak viewing is November through January. Museum docents are often there 11am-3pm, October through February, weather permitting. No pets.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkHeadlands, coves and meadows three miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. No dogs.
7 picks
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate parkCalifornia's oldest state park, founded in 1902, preserving ancient coast redwoods in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains as the forest regrows after the 2020 fire. Parking reservations are highly recommended. No dogs. All campgrounds are currently closed, and no oversized vehicles or trailers can park for day use. See the biggest trees on the 0.6-mile Redwood Loop Trail; several trails and fire roads have reopened.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate parkA 40-acre grove of old-growth redwoods on a flat 0.8-mile loop, where the tallest tree stands about 277 feet. Step inside the hollow Fremont Tree, then explore river, sandhills and grassland trails. Guided Redwood Grove walks are on the park's event calendar.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate parkWave-carved sea arch, a family-friendly beach and tide pools on the edge of Santa Cruz. From late fall into winter, thousands of monarch butterflies cluster in the park's Monarch Grove. No dogs.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate beachSwimming and picnic beach with a long stretch of sand below the bluffs, covered picnic areas and a visitor center. Just offshore sits the S.S. Palo Alto, a concrete ship built in 1919 (closed to the public). Dogs allowed.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate parkSecond- and third-growth redwood forest rising from near sea level into steep coastal mountains, with picnic spots by Aptos Creek and 30 miles of hiking and biking trails. Dogs are allowed below Porter Picnic Area.
Section: Outdoors and NaturegardenWalking paths through rare plant collections from around the world, with seasonal blooms and wide views. Free admission for everyone on the first Tuesday of each month. No pets.
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate parkCoastal park just north of Santa Cruz with early California ranching history: a working dairy farm, an 1840 adobe and a Victorian farmhouse. Guided coastal walks and ranch history tours are on the park calendar; bikes are allowed on all trails and roads. No dogs.
3 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureattractionA 50-minute naturalist-guided walking tour descends about 100 feet into three chambers of a vertical cave with spectacular formations and a blue lake. Five flights of stairs.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkHome to North America's largest collection of bedrock mortars and California's largest roundhouse still used by Native Americans, with a museum and walking trails in the Sierra foothills.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkSee the giant wheels the Kennedy Mine built around 1914 to carry mine waste over two hills to an impoundment almost a mile away.
3 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkChico's city park, with Lower, Middle and Upper Park trails, the Caper Acres playground (closed Mondays) and the Peregrine Point disc golf course. The Horseshoe Lake gate (Parking Lot E) is closed to vehicles Sundays, Mondays and in inclement weather.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkAbout 9,200 acres of wetlands, fields and riparian woods on the Pacific Flyway, with a 3-mile auto loop (stay in your vehicle October-February), the paved Wetland Discovery Trail and viewing platform, and a taxidermy exhibit. Guided walks Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30pm, October through January, unless raining.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA lake formed by the Oroville Dam, with boating, camping, and hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Dogs only in parking lots, on paved roads and in campgrounds.
2 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA state historic park on Highway 53 between Lower Lake and Clearlake. No dogs. Ranch house tours are suspended.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA park on Clear Lake, California's oldest and largest freshwater lake, with swimming, boating, fishing and wildlife viewing. Dogs only in the parking lot, on paved roads and in campgrounds.
3 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkBeach, bluff, headland, dune, forest and wetland, with tide pools, seals on the offshore rocks and more than 90 bird species at Cleone Lake. Boardwalk at Laguna Point. Dogs not allowed at the seal rookery, Virgin Creek Beach or Ten Mile Beach and Dunes.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA 47-acre botanical garden with more than 4 miles of trails, about a half-mile walk from the main entrance to the ocean. Leashed dogs welcome; free parking.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkTrails along the cliffs around Mendocino village with views of sea arches and grottos, plus Big River Beach. Day use only; dogs allowed.
4 picks
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkHiking and recreation along Donner Lake, with a historic monument and visitor center exhibits paying tribute to pioneers who crossed the Sierra Nevada. Parking fee pay at the visitor center (10am-5pm) or the pay machine outside.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkSite of one of California's oldest, deepest and richest gold mines, which produced 5.8 million ounces of gold before closing in 1956. See the mine buildings, the owner's home and restored gardens, and the entrance to 367 miles of shafts, plus 14 miles of trails across 856 acres.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkFormer site of California's largest hydraulic gold mine, where huge, colorful cliffs were carved by streams of water that washed away entire mountains. The park is 26 miles from Nevada City on slow, winding roads. More than 20 miles of trails; 3,000-acre park including the town of North Bloomfield.
Section: Outdoors and NatureparkA Sierra foothills park along the cold, swift South Yuba River in a granite canyon, with historic bridges, toll crossings and trails to Gold Rush mine sites. Walk through the restored Bridgeport covered bridge, reopened in 2021.
163 listings in 24 counties. The most are in Contra Costa County (20), San Mateo County (19), Sonoma County (14).
41 listings list free entry, including Gardens at Lake Merritt, Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Big Break Regional Shoreline, Diablo Foothills Regional Park.
30 listings are also in Pet-Friendly because the source says dogs are welcome, such as Crown Memorial State Beach, Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area, Mount Diablo State Park. Check each listing's dog rules.
1 listing are also in the Rainy Day and Indoor section, such as Conservatory of Flowers.
Every listing links to the venue's or organizer's own source. Source links are checked automatically, and a listing shows a Last checked date when its source answered that check; the most recent check in this section was Oct 21, 2026. Past events are removed on each rebuild.
