When it comes to the great outdoors, there are two kinds of humans: those who get lost in the natural scenery, and those who are there purely to catch a glimpse of the beautiful animals in our midst.
For those in the latter camp, here are the best Bay Area activities to get outdoors and see something a little wild this summer.
Humpback whales are very active in San Francisco Bay during the summer months. (Photo by Michael Pierson; Courtesy of San Francisco Whale Tours)
After spending the winter mating and calving off the coast of Mexico, humpback whales spend their summers in the San Francisco Bay. A great way to see these majestic mammals is to catch a ride with San Francisco Whale Tours. Every day, the catamaran Kitty Kat sets sail from Pier 39 for a 2.5-hour tour that might also include sightings of harbor seals, dolphins and porpoises, plus a wide variety of sea bird colonies.
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“Every tour is a unique experience,” Kat Nazar, owner of San Francisco Whale Tours, told KQED Arts. “Many times we have intel from vessel traffic control that will tell us where other boaters have reported sightings around the bay so we head to that area. Other times we head out blind, generally towards the Golden Gate Bridge. We find whales on about 90% of our tours.”
And if you don’t see a whale on your tour? San Francisco Whale Tours will take you back out on the water for free. You can’t lose!
Who wouldn’t want a ‘Rabbit Rendezvous’? (Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/ Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
Throughout the summer, kids (and their adults) can get up close to rabbits, poultry and goats at the visitor center of Ardenwood Historic Farm. Dedicated weekend events include “Rabbit Rendezvous,” “Meet the Chickens” and “Farmyard Story Time.” On select Sunday mornings, “Wake Up the Farm” gives kids the opportunity to meet sheep and goats and take part in feeding them. Plus, for children fascinated by creepy crawlies, “Garden Bug Safari” is a must-try, getting kids to look closer at the miniature worlds at their feet.
Ardenwood is dedicated to education, so short classes about bees, cows and other living things are also on offer. They offer a wholesome day that’s great for animal lovers of all ages — even if you’re pretending it’s just for the little ones.
Two of Safari West’s resident giraffes. (Sarah Jane Tarr/ Safari West)
If you’ve always wanted to go on safari, the destination you have in mind is probably very much not Santa Rosa. However, Safari West’s 400 acres and 900 animals work hard to bring the Serengeti to Sonoma County. Here, you can see giraffes, gazelles, hyenas, zebras and a variety of other fascinating creatures from the back or top of customized open-sided vehicles under the guidance of the park’s researchers and conservationists.
Even better? The wildlife park offers a range of special events to get you in touch with your own wild side. The truly committed can stay in a luxury tent overnight on the property, but day-trippers can sign up for special small-group experiences with the on-site rhinos, cheetahs and other animals. Hot tip for those visiting in adults-only groups: Safari West also hosts safari experiences that double as wine and beer tastings.
Ocean View Stables offers horseback riding for beginners. (Courtesy of Ocean View Stables)
If you’ve recently lapsed into fullblown, Beyoncé-inspired Cowboy Carter fantasies, Ocean View Stables is here to make all your horsey, trail-riding dreams come true. Whether you’re a beginner or already have some horseback experience, this Daly City stable has multiple options to make sure you get to ride ’em (cowboy) this summer. Probably the greatest summer option is an introductory lesson followed by a relaxing one-hour group ride on the beach. (Veterans ride for free!)
If horses aren’t for you, but you’d like to turn the kids into young equestrians, there are also quick pony rides for the littles and a week-long horseback summer camp for children aged eight to 17.
Sheep meditation and goat yoga are both on offer from Charlie’s Acres this summer. (Courtesy of Charlie's Acres)
Meeting farm animals is fantastic, but have you ever tried meditating with sheep? The animal lovers of Charlie’s Acres want to give you the opportunity to try both this summer. And, if you love those activities, why not sign up for some goat yoga while you’re at it?
Since 2016, Charlie’s Acres founder Tracy Vogt has been introducing the public to her menagerie of rescued farm animals in ever more creative ways. All year round, the non-profit offers farm tours, photoshoot opportunities, plant-based picnics and yes, sheep meditation and goat yoga.
“Sheep meditation is a really lovely experience,” Sanctuary director Kaleigh Rhoads told KQED Arts. “We work with instructors who use a collection of crystal singing bowls along with their meditation. It’s a great opportunity to have a peaceful experience with typically shy animals.”
As for the yoga, Charlie’s Acres goats are adults, so they don’t jump on class participants. “They just love having visitors,” Rhoads explained. “It’s pretty silly and definitely more about the goats than yoga.”
Two young seals sun themselves on Sea Trek’s dock in Sausalito. (Courtesy of Laura Zulliger, Sea Trek)
Sea Trek, a kayak rental and excursion company, is so perfectly positioned to see Bay Area wildlife, it’s not unusual for employees to show up to work and find newborns on their Sausalito dock.
“The seal pups are not only super cute, but you can see them learning with their moms how to do basic things, like wiggle up on the dock and nurse,” Sea Trek kayaking instructor Laura Zulliger noted. “You can see the baby seals being cute and curious all throughout the summer.”
Sea Trek offers guided scenic tours from its Sausalito and Alameda locations, both of which explore local sea and wildlife along the 2.5-hour paddle. During June, July and August, however, there are additional, summer-specific tours from both locations. Special Sausalito outings include monthly Angel Island Crossing tours and bi-monthly Golden Gate Tours. Both take kayakers in search of sea lions, porpoises, whales, birds and other wildlife. From Alameda, a kid-friendly outing is paired with a fun and interactive trip to Crab Cove’s Visitor Center, while adult-specific scenic tours end in a visit to a Spirits Alley brewery.
Sea Trek is dedicated to treating all wildlife and ecologies in the Bay with respect, while making their guided tours as fun and educational as possible. “We want to instill in paddlers that we need to give these animals space for their survival,” Zulliger emphasized.
Birdwatching
A California Scrub-Jay — just one of the 414 species of birds spotted in Santa Clara County. (Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The members of the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance just want you to love birds as much as they do, so they offer a huge range of free resources to make that happen. The SCVBA website walks you through self-guided birding outings, categorized by area and season, but also offers regular (and frequently free) group excursions.
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This summer, SCVBA outings are planned in San Jose, Mountain View and more. Check the website’s calendar for updates as summer progresses.
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