San Francisco has much more to offer than just being a great city. Whenever you are here take the change to see some of the amazing National Parks around San Francisco. I have to a few but the there are two which are my favorite once.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Located about an hour south of San Francisco. Getting here requires a car since there is no public transportation going that way. The drive is beautiful since you are entering the Redwoods through a long and windy road. You will see some pretty big trees on your way.

At the park office you have to pay a 10 dollar entrée fee which is basically a parking fee. Also pretty useful is the 3 dollar map of the park in case you get lost. The park has over 80 miles of trails.

The longest, most strenuous and most beautiful hike is the 11 mile Berry Creek Falls via Skyline to the Sea and Sunset Trail. It takes a normal hiker at least 6 hours to complete the trek, but it’s doable in 4 if you are a fast and strong hiker.

Together with my host I did this fantastic hike and took some incredible photos. The path is a small dirt trail and goes straight through the forest. The trees here are huge and very tall. Half way there are 4 beautiful waterfalls where you can take a rest and take some photos. The climb up the hill here at the waterfalls is pretty steep and hard. But worth doing because once you are up the hill you will have some nice views over the forest.

Bodega Bay

Have you even seen the movie ‘The Birds‘ from Hitchcock? Well this classic movie has been shot in the beautiful Bodega Bay Area about one and a half hour drive from San Francisco. Getting there is easy but requires a car again. You just drive all the way to Bodega Bay and at the end of the road there is a parking lot where you can park for free.

The whole sea line drops down a couple of meters ending in the water. Huge waves splash onto the rocks and create a beautiful and spectacular scenery. There are two trails - one is going south the other north. No matter which trail you choose, you will have amazing views down to the rocks from either routes. Choose a nice beautiful day since it can get very cold and windy out there.