Guidebook for Seal Beach
Parks & Nature
From the Marina, walk west along a well-developed portion of the San Francisco Bay Trail and you’ll soon pass Crissy Marsh, a unique ecosystem with a diverse species of migratory birds, plus local harbor seals and sea lions along the beach. Beautiful nature walk, and you can keep going clear up to the Golden Gate Bridge.
A nice walk anytime of day, but sunset is wonderful. Go at high tide and you might catch harbor porpoises surfing in. After 60 years, they’ve returned to the bay because of improved environmental conditions.
Crissy Marsh station
From the Marina, walk west along a well-developed portion of the San Francisco Bay Trail and you’ll soon pass Crissy Marsh, a unique ecosystem with a diverse species of migratory birds, plus local harbor seals and sea lions along the beach. Beautiful nature walk, and you can keep going clear up to the Golden Gate Bridge.
A nice walk anytime of day, but sunset is wonderful. Go at high tide and you might catch harbor porpoises surfing in. After 60 years, they’ve returned to the bay because of improved environmental conditions.
The Redwood Trail in Golden Gate Park’s San Francisco Botanical Gardens lets you meander through the giant redwoods, some of the tallest living things on earth. They’re only in a small area of the world, so it’s worth a visit to walk among these giants. Although young for their species, these redwoods are over 100 years old.
You can download a free audio tour of the Redwood Trail on the Botanical Gardens’ website.
182 locals recommend
San Francisco Botanical Garden
1199 9th AveThe Redwood Trail in Golden Gate Park’s San Francisco Botanical Gardens lets you meander through the giant redwoods, some of the tallest living things on earth. They’re only in a small area of the world, so it’s worth a visit to walk among these giants. Although young for their species, these redwoods are over 100 years old.
You can download a free audio tour of the Redwood Trail on the Botanical Gardens’ website.
The famous parrots of Telegraph Hill, a flock of red-masked parakeets, roost at this park close to the Ferry Building. You’ll hear them squawking in the poplar trees. The wild parrots likely originated as pets several generations ago—a great example of how the ecosystems of San Francisco have been influenced by humans.
From here, you can also make your way up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower, which is the northern boundary of the parrots’ territory.
Sue Bierman Park
Drumm StreetThe famous parrots of Telegraph Hill, a flock of red-masked parakeets, roost at this park close to the Ferry Building. You’ll hear them squawking in the poplar trees. The wild parrots likely originated as pets several generations ago—a great example of how the ecosystems of San Francisco have been influenced by humans.
From here, you can also make your way up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower, which is the northern boundary of the parrots’ territory.
One of the city’s most beautiful beaches, Baker gives you that two-for-one view of where the Pacific Ocean meets the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay and headlands beyond. On the beach, you’ll find sand dune ecosystems typical of this area and some unique wildflowers that can tolerate the shifting conditions. A walk from one end to the other is a must.
An easy way to reach the beach from downtown is to take the PresidiGo, a free shuttle that goes through the Presidio and stops at Baker Beach.
349 locals recommend
Baker Beach
One of the city’s most beautiful beaches, Baker gives you that two-for-one view of where the Pacific Ocean meets the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay and headlands beyond. On the beach, you’ll find sand dune ecosystems typical of this area and some unique wildflowers that can tolerate the shifting conditions. A walk from one end to the other is a must.
An easy way to reach the beach from downtown is to take the PresidiGo, a free shuttle that goes through the Presidio and stops at Baker Beach.
This short shoreline trail in the Presidio lets you experience the city’s ocean bluffs. It’s a nice example of how human structures are integrated into the natural environment in San Francisco. You can explore remnants of the old military outpost from the early 1900s, which are built into the steep cliffs.
Go just before sunset on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with colorful, expansive views of the Pacific, the perfect ending to a day by the bay.
12 locals recommend
Batteries to Bluffs Trail
Battery to Bluffs TrailThis short shoreline trail in the Presidio lets you experience the city’s ocean bluffs. It’s a nice example of how human structures are integrated into the natural environment in San Francisco. You can explore remnants of the old military outpost from the early 1900s, which are built into the steep cliffs.
Go just before sunset on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with colorful, expansive views of the Pacific, the perfect ending to a day by the bay.
Most city creeks are diverted, but Islais Creek, which formed Glen Canyon, is one of the few overland creeks where you can still see its natural flow path—and it cuts straight through the park. The impressive rock outcroppings make the park worth a visit. It’s forested by blue gum eucalyptus, so inhale deeply.
It’s pretty unique to have a canyon right in middle of the city, and Glen Canyon is accessible right from its BART stop. Stay to the trails that head up high on the right side of the creek if you want to look down at the canyon.
180 locals recommend
Glen Canyon Park
Chenery StreetMost city creeks are diverted, but Islais Creek, which formed Glen Canyon, is one of the few overland creeks where you can still see its natural flow path—and it cuts straight through the park. The impressive rock outcroppings make the park worth a visit. It’s forested by blue gum eucalyptus, so inhale deeply.
It’s pretty unique to have a canyon right in middle of the city, and Glen Canyon is accessible right from its BART stop. Stay to the trails that head up high on the right side of the creek if you want to look down at the canyon.
Start at the Sausalito Ferry Terminal and meander along wetlands and waterways up to Mill Valley’s Bayfront Park along this popular multi-use path. You’ll pass everything from houseboats to herons. The wetlands help with the Bay’s water purification and flood protection and support food webs for Pacific herring and many waterbirds.
Biking is the best way to enjoy the path if you want to explore its whole length. It’s an 8.4-mile round trip between Sausalito and Mill Valley.
10 locals recommend
Mill Valley-Sausalito Path
Mill Valley-Sausalito PathStart at the Sausalito Ferry Terminal and meander along wetlands and waterways up to Mill Valley’s Bayfront Park along this popular multi-use path. You’ll pass everything from houseboats to herons. The wetlands help with the Bay’s water purification and flood protection and support food webs for Pacific herring and many waterbirds.
Biking is the best way to enjoy the path if you want to explore its whole length. It’s an 8.4-mile round trip between Sausalito and Mill Valley.
To get a feel for giant coastal redwoods in their natural habitat, step out of downtown Larkspur and into the majestic redwood groves on King Mountain. The trees here are bigger than the ones around SF. Take the Ladybug Trail to gushing Dawn Falls or circuit the mountain’s mixed woodlands on the Loop Trail.
Listen for calls of the pileated woodpecker, one of the largest old-growth forest birds in North America with a striking red crest. And watch out for precious banana slugs below, a prized decomposer of coastal forests.
King Mountain Open Space
To get a feel for giant coastal redwoods in their natural habitat, step out of downtown Larkspur and into the majestic redwood groves on King Mountain. The trees here are bigger than the ones around SF. Take the Ladybug Trail to gushing Dawn Falls or circuit the mountain’s mixed woodlands on the Loop Trail.
Listen for calls of the pileated woodpecker, one of the largest old-growth forest birds in North America with a striking red crest. And watch out for precious banana slugs below, a prized decomposer of coastal forests.
This is a classic hike from downtown Mill Valley that takes you through redwoods, high scrubland, fern-lined ravines, to stunning ocean views. Go as far as you want: it’s 8 miles all the way to the ocean at Stinson Beach. The hike starts with a climb up the Dipsea Steps up to the Panoramic Highway. It’s strenuous, but the reward is unbeatable when you top out.
White-crowned sparrows, with their yellow bills and white head stripes, will lure you further into their forest habitat.
42 locals recommend
Dipsea Trail
Dipsea TrailThis is a classic hike from downtown Mill Valley that takes you through redwoods, high scrubland, fern-lined ravines, to stunning ocean views. Go as far as you want: it’s 8 miles all the way to the ocean at Stinson Beach. The hike starts with a climb up the Dipsea Steps up to the Panoramic Highway. It’s strenuous, but the reward is unbeatable when you top out.
White-crowned sparrows, with their yellow bills and white head stripes, will lure you further into their forest habitat.
This sandy Marin beach, set in a cove, is a local favorite. As you walk onto the beach, you pass over Redwood Creek, a diverse wetland ecosystem, home to numerous shorebirds and even some endangered Coho salmon. Head to Muir Beach Overlook for a chance to see gray whales breaching in the winter or monarch butterflies in the pine trees.
A perfect weekend picnic spot, Muir Beach is a great place to spend a day with the whole family. Bring layers just in case the fog rolls in.
170 locals recommend
Muir Beach
This sandy Marin beach, set in a cove, is a local favorite. As you walk onto the beach, you pass over Redwood Creek, a diverse wetland ecosystem, home to numerous shorebirds and even some endangered Coho salmon. Head to Muir Beach Overlook for a chance to see gray whales breaching in the winter or monarch butterflies in the pine trees.
A perfect weekend picnic spot, Muir Beach is a great place to spend a day with the whole family. Bring layers just in case the fog rolls in.