Arise from the couch and head outdoors with NatureOutside!
Connect with nature by joining us for an invigorating hike or learn outdoor skills in one of our many workshops. We offer hikes and outdoor skills workshops in the San Francisco Bay Area in a fun, friendly atmosphere. See the list of hikes, below.
If you would like to schedule a custom hike or workshop in the San Francisco Bay Area for your group, company, or organization, contact us.
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January 2026
New Years Hike — Hike to Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock!
January 1, 2026 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Castle Rock State Park, Headquarters – Los Gatos, CA
Distance: 4.5 miles Elevation Gain: 1190 feet Level: Moderate
Start the new year with an adventure! Hike one of the most exciting and scenic trails in the Bay Area. This moderate 4.5-mile loop has 1,190 feet elevation gain and amazing panoramic views.
We hike to famous Castle Rock to explore caves and see amazing tafoni. Castle Rock has many tafoni, where the rock is eroded to form pits, pockets, honeycombs, caves, ribs, and ridges. One cave we will see was used to teach school in the 1860s. From there we visit Castle Rock Falls and enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean. After a relaxed lunch we travel to Goat Rock, with its breathtaking vistas.
This hike is rated “moderate” because hikers need to step onto rocks, balance, and scramble over rocks. Hikers should be comfortable with their sense of balance.
Bring at least one liter of water, lunch, snacks, and appropriate clothing. Rain cancels. Meet at Park Headquarters. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
Free Event – No registration required – Just show up!
February 2026
No public programs.
March 2026
Hike to Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock!
March 7, 2026 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Castle Rock State Park, Headquarters – Los Gatos, CA
Distance: 4.5 miles Elevation Gain: 1190 feet Level: Moderate
Hike one of the most exciting and scenic trails in the Bay Area. This moderate 4.5-mile loop has 1,190 feet elevation gain and amazing panoramic views.
We hike to famous Castle Rock to explore caves and see amazing tafoni. Castle Rock has many tafoni, where the rock is eroded to form pits, pockets, honeycombs, caves, ribs, and ridges. One cave we will see was used to teach school in the 1860s. From there we visit Castle Rock Falls and enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean. After a relaxed lunch we travel to Goat Rock, with its breathtaking vistas.
This hike is rated “moderate” because hikers need to step onto rocks, balance, and scramble over rocks. Hikers should be comfortable with their sense of balance.
Bring at least one liter of water, lunch, snacks, and appropriate clothing. Rain cancels. Meet at Park Headquarters. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
Free Event – No registration required – Just show up!
April 2026
No public programs.
May 2026
Shingle Mill and Old Growth Redwood Hike!
May 16, 2026 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Portola Redwoods State Park, Headquarters – La Honda, California
Distance: 8.2 Miles Elevation Gain: 1,100 Level: Moderate
This shaded hike takes us through second-growth redwood forest past the remains of an old shingle mill, lost to history. As we climb along Shingle Mill Creek we encounter a massive old-growth redwood. The redwood is hollow, which is probably why it was never logged. After lunch underneath the giant tree, we emerge onto dry grassland, where we loop around to return via Coyote Ridge. This moderate hike is mostly flat, but covers 8.3 miles, which is why it is rated “moderate.” There is an uphill section that gains 600 feet over 2.8 miles.
Bring at least one liter of water, lunch, snacks, and appropriate clothing. Rain cancels. Meet at Park Headquarters. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
Free Event – No registration required – Just show up!
June 2026
Hike to Tiptoe Falls!
June 6, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
Portola Redwoods State Park, Headquarters – La Honda, California
Distance: 2.3 Miles Elevation Gain: 172 Level: Easy
Join us for a saunter under the big trees. We follow a leafy path that crosses Pescadero Creek, where we explore the riparian habitat. We continue to Fall Creek, keeping an eye out for banana slugs, salamanders and newts. We enjoy time at the waterfall before looping back to Park Headquarters underneath enormous redwoods.
Bring at least one liter of water, lunch, snacks, and appropriate clothing. Rain cancels. Meet at Park Headquarters. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
Free Event – No registration required – Just show up!
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