Guides
The best Bay Area lookouts to spot migrating gray whales and their newborns
By Nora Mishanec | April 23, 2021 | Updated: April 23, 2021 2:40 PM
Gray whales are on the move with their calves in tow.
The majestic marine mammals have begun their springtime migration north along the California coastline, escorting their 1,000-pound newborns from Baja’s shallow lagoons to Alaska’s arctic waters.
The whales’ northbound voyage takes them closer to shore than their southern sojourn, meaning Bay Area residents may catch a glimpse of the mottled giants with or without binoculars (though binoculars are recommended). The parade of migrating pairs will pick up this month, peaking in early to mid-May.
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Editor s note: Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hours and accessibility of parks are fluid and subject to change. We advise you to contact them directly for updated safety guidelines and hours of operation before visiting.
Lands End
Lands End / Presidio
Smith Collection/Gado
Few cities can rival San Francisco for a sense of expansive nature within the city limits. At SFâs far northwest corner, Lands End has miles of trails that hug the rugged Pacific coast. Sunny days yield views far out into the ocean and north to the hills of Marin, with Golden Gate views worthy of a postcard. More frequent foggy days are no less beautiful, shrouding groves of cypress and eucalyptus in a moody fine mist. Start by descending the steps to the Sutro Baths, the ruins of a 19th-century ocean-fed bathhouse, before scaling the stairs back up and winding your way north. Looking to make a full day in this part of the city? Exit the Lands End trails on the east side, stroll
9 Best Hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Wildflowers are starting to bloom. Here s where to see them in the Bay Area and California
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Wildflowers on San Bruno Mountain in Brisbane.Scott Strazzante / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
Along Highway 1 south of Half Moon Bay, the swath of blooming yellow mustard across the coastal hills turned into a gold mine for Iacopi Farms.
“A lot of people were trespassing to see them, so we just opened the gates and charged $10 per person,” said Deborah Iacopi. “With COVID, a lot of people are going stir crazy and want to get out and see something pretty.”
The best free things to do in California
Lonely Planet Editors
15 March 2021
Sprawling California may be that state that gave us the Gold Rush and home to some of the most expensive cities in the United States, but you don t have to blow your vacation budget to visit. Some of the best sites in California are free to experience, from the towering redwoods of NorCal to the surf breaks of SoCal and dozens of wineries, museums, gardens, and cultural touchstones in between.
Whether you re looking for stunning state parks or museums that cover subjects from the avant garde to cryptozoology, Italian grapes or California cuisine, marine wildlife or towering man-made infrastructure, there s a lot to see in the Golden State. We narrowed your list down to the top 32 free attractions in California you don t want to miss, organized from north to south.