Karl and Angela Rees

A short hike from the parking lot at Ano Nuevo State Park to the sand dunes and beaches where the elephant seals gather.

Location

This was a leisurely 2-3 mile hike through Butano State Park, starting with Six Bridges Trail, then climbing up a little bit onto Johnson Flat Trail.  read more »

Location

This was a nice, short, flat walk through Pescadero State Beach and the adjacent marsh lands.  Not anything strenuous (except for the parts where you have to hike on sand), but a very rewarding walk.  We saw seals, some very nice beaches, splashing waves, piles and piles of driftwood, and all sorts of birds.  read more »

Location

Just a little short hike around some hills right next to the bay. The name was extremely misleading--not a single coyote. But still pretty nice. Update (7/21): Added video.

While we were up in Napa Valley for our anniversary, we took a hike up Mt. St. Helena. We made it almost 2 miles before Thomas needed us to turn back.

We started the New Year with a hike in Castle Rock State Park, up in the Santa Cruz mountains. It was short--we didn't even make it to the Falls before Thomas tired of our new hiking backpack. Shortly thereafter, Thomas tired of nature. He screamed all the way back to the parking lot. Then he stopped screaming when he saw the cars and all the people. We can't explain it--he usually loves being outdoors. And in fact he was loving it for half a mile.  read more »