Hiking

When you venture outdoors in California, you run the risk of encountering some of the state's wildlife. While most animals are non-aggressive and harmless (but best left alone anyhow), there are some that can pose a direct threat to both children and adults. One of California's largest predators, the mountain lion, is known to live in Marin and throughout the Bay Area. While they're still extremely rare, it's good to know how to react and what to do in the unlikely event that you do encounter one.

August is when you begin to see people stopped by the side of the road, poking around in the bushes. No, they're not doing anything strange or unseemly; they're picking wild blackberries! Late summer is definitely blackberry season in Northern California. And what's best is that these sweet little fruits can be had for free just about anywhere, if you're willing to risk stained clothing from all that blackberry juice, as well as the occasional wound from the blackberry's thorns.

The second in our series on outdoor safety for families, in this post we take a look at the notorious outdoor pest the tick. Often as small as a sesame seed, these nasty little parasites can be found all over California. While in times past they were regarded as more of a nuisance than anything, in the last 20 years or so they’ve become vectors for serious health problems, including the infamous Lyme disease. Of course, none of this should be a substitute for genuine medical advice, so if you suspect a real health problem, talk to your pediatrician.

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Summer is here, and it's time for families to enjoy popular outdoor activities like hiking and camping. Since kids don't always pay attention to their surroundings and potential hazards, it's up to us as parents and caregivers to watch out for them. The goal of our series of outdoor safety posts is to give parents and caregivers an introduction to some of the common safety hazards found in Northern California, with an eye toward children's safety in particular. Of course, none of this should be a substitute for genuine medical advice.

One of Marin's underrated treasures is China Camp State Park, located east of San Rafael. It's not as famous or flashy as other local outdoors spots like Mt. Tam, Muir Woods, or Point Reyes, but it has a charm all its own and offers plenty for families to do and see. Situated on the shores of San Pablo Bay, China Camp offers stunning views, plenty of hiking and biking trails, walk-in camp sites, picnic areas, beaches, and an historic 19th-century Chinese fishing village. Topography ranges from oak woodlands to wetland, with even some redwoods thrown in for good measure.

On a suggestion, we headed up last weekend to see the majestic coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. We'd never been there before, so it was a new experience for all of us. Located just outside of the Russian River community of Guerneville, it's sort of a mini road trip up 101 and through Sebastopol and western Sonoma County. Our kids usually fall asleep in the car, so it was a chance for them to get a nap in while we drove, so it worked out for everyone.

The coming of spring ushers in California's all too brief wildflower season. One of the best places to see wildflowers in the Bay Area is the Point Reyes National Seashore in West Marin. Repeat visitors to this site know that Point Reyes is probably our favorite place for a family outdoor outing, and in March and April you can also see some pretty spectacular wildflower displays, especially since we've had a wet winter.

One of the benefits of living in Northern California is that you can go on a hike or other outdoor activity pretty much any time you want to, even in the dead of winter. In fact, winter is really one of the nicest times to be outdoors, with crisp, clean air, bright green grass, fewer crowds and tourists, and even the first of the wildflowers showing up. This is all provided it's not raining, of course. One of our favorite outdoors spots, and a great place to take a hike with the family, is Jack London State Historic Park, located in the small Sonoma Valley town of Glen Ellen, about a 45-minute drive north from Marin.