Bay-area Wide

Bay AreaCoastal Trail – Features a scenic trail that winds around the coastline for more than 10 miles. Golden Gate National Recreation Area (can be reached from highways 1, 101, 880 and 280). 415-561-4700. nps.gov/goga.

San Francisco

Presidio of San Francisco – Features 11 miles of hiking trails, including the Coastal Trail and an ecology trail. Visitor center open daily, 9am-5pm. Can be reached from the north by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge (highways 1 and 101), from the east by Lombard Street (Highway 101) and south by Highway 1. 415-561-4323. nps.gov/prsf.

Peninsula

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve – Features tide pool and seal viewing, or a chance to walk along the beach or atop the bluff for views of the California coastline. Western end of California Avenue off Cabrillo Highway (Highway 1), Moss Beach. 650-728-3584. fitzgeraldreserve.org.

Coyote Point Recreation Area – Features a number of pathways that connect various park areas, as well as segments of the San Francisco Bay Trail. 1701 Coyote Point Dr., San Mateo. 650-573-2592. eparks.net.

Crystal Springs Trail – Offers hikers, joggers and equestrians beautiful vistas of the San Francisco Watershed and San Andreas Fault Zone. Highway 92 to the Skyline Trail in Huddart County Park, San Mateo. 650-363-4020. eparks.net.

East Bay

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve – Features a one-mile loop trail in the chaparral habitat. Visit the underground Greathouse Visitor Center to learn more about coal and sand mining. 5175 Somersville Road, Antioch. 888-EBPARKS, option 3, ext. 4506. ebparks.org/parks/black_diamond.

Redwood Regional Park – Features a walk along a stream, a children’s play area and the mile-long trek ends at a bridge. Hike begins at the Redwood Gate entrance. Bikes are allowed on the paved trail. 7867 Redwood Road, Oakland. 888-EBPARKS, option 3, ext. 4553. ebparks.org/parks/redwood.

Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve – See the cross-section of a volcano that last erupted 10 million years ago. 6800 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. 888-EBPARKS, option 3, ext. 4554. ebparks.org/parks/sibley.

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge – This refuge is crisscrossed by miles of hiking trails. One Marshlands Road, Fremont. 510-792-0222. fws.gov/desfbay.

Silicon Valley

Palo Alto Baylands Preserve – At 1,940 acres, this is the Bay Area’s largest tract of undisturbed marshland. Features a nature center and 15 miles of multi-use trails through a mixture of tidal, freshwater and bird habitats. 2775 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. 650-496-6962. cityofpaloalto.org.

Shoreline at Mountain View – A 750-acre wildlife and recreation area with paved trails along the bay. 3160 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. 650-903-6392. ci.mtnview.ca.us.

Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve – The 3,800-acre preserve and adjoining 165-acre park is home to oak woodlands and other ecosystems, as well as a 150-year-old working farm that the public can visit. Cristo Rey Dr., Mountain View. 650-691-1200. parkhere.org.

Alum Rock Park – San Jose’s largest park includes 13 miles of trails, including six miles of horse trails and three miles of mountain bike trails. 16240 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose. 408-277-2757. sjparks.org.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park – Features relics from San Jose’s mercury mining days, plus more than 34 miles of hiking trails, 23 miles of horse trails and 10 miles of mountain bike trails through rolling oak woodlands. Almaden Road, south San Jose. 408-268-3883. parkhere.org.

South / Coast

Año Nuevo State Reserve – The largest mainland breeding colony in the world for the northern elephant seal. Take guided walks out to the seals December through March. Highway 1, north of Davenport. 650-879-0227. 800-444-4445 for reservations. parks.ca.gov.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park – The oldest state park in California with miles of trails for hikers and equestrians, along with redwood groves and waterfalls. 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek. 831-338-8860. santacruzstateparks.org.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Home of massive redwoods, a nature center and 15 miles of hiking and riding trails. 101 N. Big Trees Park Road, Felton. 831-335-4598. santacruzstateparks.org.

Wilder Ranch State Park – This 7,000-acre park features 34 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. An interpretive center features displays on the park’s years as the main ranch supplying Mission Santa Cruz, as well as guided history and nature walks and farm animal viewing. 1401 Old Coast Road, Santa Cruz. 831-423-9703. santacruzstateparks.org.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park – More than 1,000 acres of redwoods and sycamores, meadows, scenic trails, a self-guided nature trail and scenic views of the Pacific Ocean. Hwy. 1, 26 miles south of Carmel.