Monterey Coast Microcosm

A cliff-top lookout of Pinnacle Point and miles of ocean at Point Lobos State Reserve captures everything that makes the Monterey Coast so spectacular. Tom Stienstra.

A Little-Known Gem Crockett Hills Regional Park: bay views, hidden valleys and prospects to see golden eagles.

Urban Nature Pockets of quasi-urban wilderness are tucked away in S.F.

Loop The Loops The beauty of a loop trail is that you never repeat a single step.

From Surf To Snow Tom Stienstra lists some of his favorite local outings.

Hiking Russian Hill The view (and stairs) will take your breath away.

Whale Watching Share your pix and tell us where you spotted the migrating giants.

A New Resolution Start 2009 by trading the gym for a pair of hiking boots.

Wet And Wild River otters await at the Coyote Point Recreation Area.

Like Oil And Water California's fabled coast may open to oil drilling in as few as three years.

Heart Of Darkness Death Valley wants to be the first official dark-sky national park.

Loved To Death? Practice looking but not touching when at tidal reserves.

Safari In The City Tour the winter breeding grounds of the impressive elephant seal.

Not At All Gloomy Spend a day at Oakland's Mountain View Cemetery for a state history lesson.

Meditation On Snow Mount Shasta is a wintertime mecca for spiritual seekers.

Good Slope, Bad Slope An environmental coalition grades Tahoe resorts. Here are the results »

Hit The Trails Check out these three Bay Area outings: Sweeney Ridge, Point Pinole and Tomales Bay.