Afoot and Afield: San Francisco Bay Area. David Weintraub

until you have located the snake, and then back slowly away. Protective clothing and boot material may absorb venom if the snake succeeds in biting. To avoid being bitten, stay on the trail, don’t put your hands or feet beyond your range of vision, and don’t handle snakes. If you are bitten, seek medical attention as quickly and effortlessly as possible, to avoid spreading the venom.

      Mountain lions, though here, are rarely seen. These nocturnal hunters feed mostly on deer. If you do encounter a mountain lion, experts advise standing your ground, making loud noises, waving your arms to appear larger, and fighting back if attacked. Above all, never run. Report all mountain lion sightings to park personnel.

Trail Etiquette

      Public lands belong to everybody. Treat them as precious, and they will remain unspoiled for all to enjoy. Small, thoughtless acts can have unintended consequences, because everything in nature is interconnected. Effects of carelessness may be sudden and dramatic, such as fires, or they may not show up for years. The rules of trail etiquette are simple and based on common sense. Obey all posted restrictions. Stay on marked trails and do not cut switchbacks. Pack out all trash, and do not disturb the park’s plants and animals. In short, tread lightly on the land.

      The “trails” in the Bay Area are a combination of dirt roads, single tracks, and even paved paths. As you travel the routes described in this book, you will encounter other outdoor enthusiasts—hikers, runners, bicyclists, and equestrians. Most trails are open to hiking and equestrian use. In only a few cases are trails designated “hiking only,” which means no bicycles or horses are allowed. Some parks and preserves allow bicycling, but generally only on dirt roads (Annadel and China Camp state parks in the North Bay are notable exceptions).

      If you see or hear equestrians approaching, step off the trail to give them the right of way and remain motionless until they pass. Bicyclists should slow down and call out when approaching hikers, and dismount when near horses. Whenever possible, if a route described in this guide has a segment closed to bicycles, alternate trails are suggested. Some agencies close their trails to bicycles and horses during wet weather, often with special gates that allow hikers to pass through. Call ahead, and have an alternate route selected. (Agency phone numbers and their website addresses are listed in Appendix 3.)

      Dogs (and other pets) are not allowed on the trails in any Bay Area state park, and there are restrictions at other parks and open spaces as well. In areas where dogs are allowed, they generally must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet long. Some agencies allow dogs off-leash, but the dogs must be under immediate voice command of the person they are with, and must never be allowed to threaten or harm people or wildlife. People with dogs must clean up after their pets and obey all posted rules and regulations. Routes open to dogs are noted in this book.

      Hikers and bikers enjoy the multi-use path that wanders through Sonoma Valley Regional Park.

      Using this Book

      The trips in this book are organized in 10 chapters, with each chapter centered on a major population area. Chapter 1 is San Francisco/Marin, and from there the chapters (and trips) proceed roughly clockwise around the Bay Area, ending with the Peninsula. Thus the book reflects geography, and parklands that are neighbors will be found on neighboring pages. (Appendix 1 is a selection of highly recommended trips.)

      In addition to the route description, each trip has highlights of the route, directions to the trailhead from the nearest major roadway, and what facilities, if any, are available at or near the trailhead. Each route has a map, along with symbols and capsulized summaries, which are explained below.

Capsulized Summaries

      DISTANCE AND TRAIL TYPE

      DISTANCE An estimate of the total mileage of the trip, exactly as described. Mileage for each out-and-back trip is the sum of its outbound and return legs.

      LOOP, SEMI-LOOP, OUT-AND-BACK These designations identify the type of trip. Loop and semi-loop routes, the most common in this book, have been designed to minimize steep downhill sections whenever possible.

      HIKING TIME

      An estimate of the time it takes an average hiker to complete the trip, including stops along the way.

      TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS

      Approximate sum of all the uphill and downhill segments of the trip (includes outbound and return legs for out-and-back trips).

      DIFFICULTY

      A subjective rating based on distance, total elevation gain/loss, and terrain. Here is an explanation of the four categories:

      EASY Short trips with little or no elevation gain.

      MODERATE Trips of several hours or more, with some ups and downs but no significant elevation changes.

      DIFFICULT Extended trips with significant elevation changes.

      VERY DIFFICULT The longest, most rigorous trips in this book.

      TRAIL USE

      BACKPACKING OPTION A few Bay Area parklands have campsites along or near the trip as described. Most of these require advance registration, as noted in the text.

      MOUNTAIN BIKING ALLOWED Bicycling is allowed on the trip as described. Always check for seasonal closures and obey all posted restrictions. If a trip segment is closed to bicycles, and an alternate route is possible, this is noted in a footnote.

      LEASHED DOGS In areas where dogs are allowed, they generally must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

      GOOD FOR KIDS These are easy, short trips with not much total elevation gain, or longer trips that can be modified.

      BEST TIMES

      Most Bay Area parks can be visited all year, but there are a few caveats to keep in mind. Summer brings fog and often wind to areas near the coast and along the crest of the Peninsula, but inland the heat can be extreme. Many trails may be muddy in wet weather, and there may be snow/ice on the highest peaks in winter. On the bright side, spring brings wildflower displays to Bay Area grasslands, and fall is usually perfect for enjoying the outdoors just about anywhere.

      AGENCY

      This is almost always a government agency, either federal, state, or local. (Skyline Park Citizens Association, a volunteer group, runs Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa.) A listing of agencies, along with the abbreviations used in this book, is in Appendix 3.

      RECOMMENDED MAP(S)

      Most agencies administering Bay Area parklands produce maps that cover the trips in this book. In many cases, these maps are available at the trailhead. Sometimes, however, maps are available only at entrance kiosks or visitor centers, and these may be closed when you visit. Some agencies have maps available by mail, by phone, or on the Web (agencies are listed in Appendix 3). There are also excellent, commercially available maps that cover some of the trips in this book.

      Overleaf: A couple enjoys a quiet stroll on the Shoreline Trail in China Camp State Park.

      Chapter 1

      San Francisco/Marin

      TRIP 1 Golden Gate Park: Native Oak Grove

Distance		1.5 miles, Loop
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