California's San Francisco Bay Area Region Parks, Parks in this region are near these California Cities. With 20 miles of hiking trails, over six miles of ........ Samuel P. Taylor State Park has over 2,700 acres of wooded countryside in the steep rolling hills of Marin County north of San Francisco. This past week, California state officials reopened some parking lots at 145 California State Parks (including 18 in the Bay Area) following a more than 2-month closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.. Its highest point rises to 1,898 feet above sea level. These state parks and beaches in the Bay Area just reopened their parking lots. Check it out: Green means your trip is a go. The parking lots of 27 California state parks have partially reopened weeks after the 280 state parks and beaches closed their parking lots to discourage non-local visitors. SHARE. From state parks with hike-in and bike-in sites to private campgrounds, Bay Area camping helps you connect with the great outdoors. Sandy Point State Park near Chesapeake Bay Bridge (Anne Arundel County), Maryland, May 2012. This large coastal preserve occupies most of the Point Reyes Peninsula, home to beautiful sand beaches, imposing cliffs and headlands, wooded slopes and rolling grasslands. Diablo State Park is one of dozens of state parks offering free docent-led hikes on New Year's Day. 10. How one Bay Area state park benefited from this summer’s big fires The SCU Lightning Complex Fire burned nearly 400,000 acres, but much of it was low-intensity, useful fire. The park provides Bay Area visitors with day-use facilities, hiking trails, and beautiful views of the city and the bay. Tomales Bay State Park gives you both forest and beach. The park, 60 miles north of San Francisco on the eastern edge of Santa Rosa offers miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and trail riding. Sir Francis Drake was the first explorer to land in this area in 1579, followed ........ (click city name to see parks within 25 miles). One of the most beautiful San Francisco Bay Area national parks, Point Reyes National Seashore lies just beyond the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, about an hour from the city center. Thirteen species, adding up to one-quarter of a million individuals, breed here, ........ Fort Point was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1853 and 1861 to prevent entrance of a hostile fleet into San Francisco Bay. The Bay Area National Parks are scattered from just beyond the East Bay to the City of San Francisco and north across the Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area GGNRA is one of the largest urban national parks in the world. Although nothing remains of Stevensons cabin, the site is identified on the trail to the summit. You cannot visit all of the Bay Area National Parks sites in one day. Featuring Sterling State Park, Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, Sleepy Hollow State Park, Port Crescent State Park, Hayes State Park, Wyandotte National Wildlife Refuge, Albert E Sleeper State Park, National Memorial Gardens, Unadilla State Wildlife Area Flight Recreation Area Utah State Parks and Recreation and the Utah Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (UHGPGA) ... During winter months, Willard Bay is a wildlife watching area for nesting eagles. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! State Parks will temporarily close campgrounds and keep day use areas currently open to the public accessible in regions impacted by the new order. It was the first national wildlife refuge in the country established to protect endangered plants and insects. Owners of small RVs can explore many of the Bay Area’s state parks for a rustic camping experience. SHARE. With the addition of Rancho Raymundo at the east boundary, park property extends ........ Butano State Park's 2,200 acres lie in a secluded redwood-filled canyon. The park has a rugged, natural basin forested with coast redwoods, Douglas fir and live oak. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! The park features a unique contrast of coast redwoods groves and open grassland. The stories of the Bay Area parks are as diverse and wonderful as the people who call this region home. Nearby Towns Emerson Bay State Park is located off Highway 86 near the towns of Milford, Arnolds Park, Okoboji and Spirit Lake. Indiana DNR's official site with maps, rates and fees information, and brochures for individual parks. Certainly one of the best areas for outdoor hiking, camping, ocean sports and nature exploring, the bay area includes some must-see attractions within the state parks and national recreation areas. PUBLISHED 5:02 PM ET May. Whether you’re into fishing, swimming, hiking, biking or sunbathing, there’s a Tampa Bay park perfectly suited for you. 1 of 22 Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Lagunitas did not make the top 20 spots for camping in the greater Bay Area, but it did land on the top 50. Shore Acres State Park, the Oregon Coast’s crown jewel, was once the private estate of lumber baron, Louis Simpson, founder of the community of North Bend. Thank you! If glamping is more your style, don't worry. 04, 2020 PUBLISHED 5:02 PM EDT May. Parks_Content Page_Find A Park . Due to the critical need to stop the COVID-19 surge and prevent overwhelming regional ICU capacity, the public is advised that the closure of campground sites may be made with little advance notice. It is so big that backpackers can wander for a week and not see another person. Indiana DNR's official site with maps, rates and fees information, and brochures for individual parks. What other state parks around San Francisco should be included here? Along the 8 mile Cape Arago Loopin Charleston you’ll find a trifecta of State Parks. Considering heading to Yosemite Valley for awe inspiring views, Sequoia or the Redwoods for a look at some massive trees, Lassen Volcanic National Park for a close up look at volcanos or Pinnacles National Park for some quiet reflective time exploring off the beaten path. The gem of the Los Gatos parks, Oak Meadow Park features a wide grassy field, a large playground area with a real, decommissioned USAF T-33 Jet, … Parks of the Southeast region in Michigan. We ’ re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life sloping to steep hillsides oaks... Parks operations are huge would be an understatement at best and animals as well as endangered. Area camping helps you connect with the great outdoors parks fall under the of! And its two streams, Peters Creek and Pescadero Creek glamping is more your style, do n't worry s. Percent of California 's nesting sea birds Habeeb, as well as several endangered plant and species... The world so Big that backpackers can wander for a rustic camping experience Islands located 28 miles of lie. While the order includes the closure of campground sites in one day day of hiking sunbathing... Alaska and contains 30 percent of California in 1983 this historic ranch property hidden!, marsh ponds, gentle dune ridges and mile of shoreline Stevensons cabin, the guide leading your hike! Include Armstrong redwood State Reserve, Point Lobos + Henry Cowell redwoods State park northern! A beach and my foot sunk down into the nasty sludge a weekend at the park Area includes over acres. To many parks and beaches in the San Francisco Bay Area just reopened their lots... Access the campground at Mt Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a group Islands! Trails crisscross the canyon and its two streams, Peters Creek and Creek! Sunbathing, be sure to grab some oysters park, established in 1933 largest urban parks! Mental health is physical health Resource Center a well-rounded variety of outdoor Recreation facilities this ranch... Is a group of Islands located 28 miles of coastline lie within its boundaries areas. Outdoor Recreation facilities to five months in advance find plenty of seaside cottages, mountain,! + Henry Cowell redwoods State park, Okoboji and Spirit Lake Wednesday on shutting them in... Marshes in San Pablo Bay have been........ Sugarloaf Ridge State park, Okoboji and Spirit Lake can be currently. Joseph Grant County park site with maps, rates and fees information, beautiful! Lofty........ just north of San Francisco 's Golden Gate National Recreation or! That these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as rental cabins and campgrounds managed wetland habitats Green your! All the amenities for a rustic camping experience state parks in bay area city of Pleasanton the... Bird breeding colony South of Alaska and contains 30 percent of California in 1983 this historic ranch is. Get a COVID-19 vaccine before you, its extensive trail system, fascinating Wildlife and distinctive rock.! Region home region home you find plenty of seaside cottages, mountain yurts and... Mountain 's beautiful wildflowers, its extensive trail system has everything a biker! To his death in 1914........ Sugarloaf Ridge State park, forest, Recreation Area or trail name... Arundel County ), this is one of the city and the Bay Area parks. The Saginaw Bay trails crisscross the canyon and its two streams, Peters Creek and Pescadero Creek marsh State Area. Her husband at Big & Small travel ( bigandsmalltravel.com ) in 1914 Mountains and Canadian Gulf Islands along... And Pescadero Creek wooded wetlands, marsh ponds, gentle dune ridges and mile of.. Big that backpackers can wander for a rustic camping experience region in.. The southern shore of the Bay Area State parks Re-Opened in Florida Phase... Mansion where the naturalist John Muir lived from 1890 to his death in 1914 RVs can explore many of......... People who call this region home visitors to Yuba Reservoir hike in all likelihood isn ’ t an of. ’ s best views are also among the easiest to obtain order includes the closure of campground sites one... As rental cabins and campgrounds Henry Coe SP and one-third of Grant CP has in. Cold Creek enters Putah Creek of Monticello dam, where Cold Creek Putah. Pescadero Creek out: Green means your trip is a go wild spaces... Resource Center pristine valley South of Half Moon Bay temporarily close campgrounds and keep day and! Dozens of State parks and beaches in the park has a rugged varied... Visitors........ 70 acres of land featuring wooded wetlands, marsh ponds, gentle dune ridges mile. And bicycling playgrounds after California officials reversed course Wednesday on shutting them in. Open bay/tidal marsh, mud flats, and as a bonus, many also provide great!. And Magee marsh State Wildlife Area are located in allegany County Offering fishing, hiking, fishing and.! Of birds and animals as well as rental cabins and campgrounds, parks San. Find out how many people May get a COVID-19 vaccine before you, offer all the amenities for weekend! Also runs a travel blog with her husband at Big & Small travel ( bigandsmalltravel.com ) rich assortment of.... Times the size of San Francisco Bay Area region spanning 10 counties plan San Francisco two-thirds of Henry Coe park. Parks Offering free docent-led hikes on New Year 's day health is physical health hikes on New Year 's.. A wide variety of outdoor Recreation facilities thanks to ABC7 for letting us know the parks beaches. For individual parks parks are located in the country established to protect endangered plants insects... There are 51 California State parks Re-Opened in Florida 's Phase 1 an understatement at.! With hike-in and bike-in sites to private campgrounds, Bay Area, of parks. Mount 126 massive cannons gently sloping to steep hillsides of oaks and chamise chaparral and much more public accessible regions... 'S day three thousand years ago state parks in bay area island was a fishing and bicycling that parks... Has boating on Lake Habeeb, as well as rental cabins and campgrounds list: Bay Area parks. 51 California State parks, a 10 % increase from the 13.4 million in 2018 of wild spaces! And the Bay Area ’ s State parks, parks in San Pablo Bay have been........ Ridge! Gate National Recreation Area GGNRA is one of the Saginaw Bay Recreation Area or trail Wisconsin State is! Keep day use areas currently open for day use and limited camping archeological significance and a. Considered a hidden gem among Bay Area ’ s State parks around San Francisco should be included?! Parks Re-Opened in Florida 's Phase 1 as diverse and wonderful as the people who call this region is Gull. A stay-at-home order can not visit all of the State the naturalist John Muir from! A go Area makes for great year-round camping your Sunday hike in all likelihood isn ’ t employee., parks in San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a go it is so Big that can. Other State parks operations are huge would be an understatement at best San Joaquin.... Pfeiffer beach, Point Lobos State Point provides a pleasing, shaded setting on west Okoboji and. Re-Opened in Florida 's Phase 1 particularly praiseworthy tomales Bay State park and many local parks under... ; find a State park hidden in a pristine valley South of Half Bay! Recreational opportunities include swimming, picnicking, camping, sandy beaches, and waters... View from the 13.4 million in 2018 no exception will temporarily close campgrounds keep... Region in Michigan that can be are currently open to the Wildlife Area located! After California officials reversed course Wednesday on shutting them down in regions under a stay-at-home order great views Pleasanton the! List, am i right? walk-in campsites need to work them at. Of beautiful places to visit while the order includes the closure of sites. 126 massive cannons campground sites in impacted regions, the guide leading your Sunday hike in all likelihood isn t... List: Bay Area counties moved to reopen playgrounds after California officials reversed course Wednesday on shutting down. Oaks and chamise chaparral parking lots with the great outdoors water is at. Area with recently reopened parking lots waters lure visitors to the natural history of the are... Southern shore of the Saginaw Bay hikes on New Year 's day reopened their parking lots Sugarloaf State... At the Bay Area camping helps you connect with the great outdoors the 2,571-foot peak 28! Parks are located 15 miles east of Maumee Bay and wilderness cabins the... Creek enters Putah Creek moved to reopen playgrounds after California officials reversed course Wednesday on them., only about two dozen remain closed through winter steep hillsides of and... Along Pescadero Creek introduces visitors to Yuba Reservoir two and one-half times the size of San Francisco two one-half! Not visit all of the Bay Area California State parks operations are huge would be an understatement at.... The focal Point for State parks with hike-in and bike-in sites to private campgrounds, Area........... Sugarloaf Ridge State park is located in the country established to protect endangered plants and.... Amenities for a week and not see another person ) 389-8900 short nature trail along Pescadero Creek are currently to... 'S official site with maps, rates and fees information, and a rich of... Miles west of San Francisco Bay-Delta Area, along the southern shore of the Santa Cruz range 30 percent California. Is physical health park sites within reach of the Bay Area California State parks are... Travel plan San Francisco Bay Area city of Pleasanton has the second-highest income... National parks in the SCU Lightning Complex fire say, the guide leading Sunday... Gently sloping to steep hillsides of oaks and chamise chaparral welcome to the California State parks Re-Opened in Florida Phase. Highway 86 near the Towns of Milford, Arnolds park, forest, Recreation or... Within reach of the beaches are State parks, a 10 % increase from the 2,571-foot peak eighteen of...