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San Francisco Hidden Gems for Nature Lovers
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items San Francisco is a great city for nature lovers, and not just because we're close to the mountains and sea, but because we support and maintain great nature within our city! After living in SF for years, I've compiled all the coolest spots for gettin...
Sections
6
Native SF Ecosystems
Nature-focused Shops
Best Birding Spots
Nature-friendly Coffee & Drinks
Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants
Must-Haves for a Trip to SF
Native SF Ecosystems
Parks and trails that highlight remaining native ecosystems to SF. A great way to get to know the city, whether you live here or are just visiting. :)
A fun, easy trail through native dune habitat in San Francisco. So much of what was dunes is now developed — even Golden Gate Park! This little pocket is a great way to experience what SF used to be like. You might be surprised at the species diversi...
Lobos Creek Valley Trail
I love this park! The east side of Mt. Davidson has some of the best remaining native grassland (and scrub) in SF! In the spring, the wildflowers are lovely! And, I've seen some great birds out here. Just make sure to wipe your shoes before hiking th...
Mt. Davidson (East Side)
This is SF's newest park! Unlike the Lobos Creek Valley Trail, which runs through stabilized dunes, this route takes you along mobile dunes. A great place for the sunset, too.
Sunset Dunes Park
Just a small portion of Golden Gate Park has always been Coast Live Oak Woodland. (Most was dunes!) This natural woodland part of the park remains, and is a great escape within the city. This ecosystem type is common across the region, but was never ...
Golden Gate Park: Oak Woodlands Natural Area
Restored tidal marsh and ponds, this is a birding hotspot in the city and stunning to boot!
Heron's Head Park
Probably my favorite museum in SF! Not solely focused on local ecosystems, but primarily so. Definitely worth visiting — especially for the kelp forest aquarium and the new California: State of Nature exhibit.
California Academy of Sciences
This is an amazing interactive map that allows you to see the historical ecosystems all around the city. It can help you determine where to go, and what you're standing on. I love it!!! The map is still a work in progress. :)
Ecosystem Map: Hidden Nature SF
Nature-focused Shops
A lovely community spot with many great nature books and items. Must visit!
Black Bird Bookstore and Café
This is a stellar gift shop operated by the NPS! Great field guides, nature books, and local brands. Worth checking out if you're in the area! I've also seen whales from this spot. :)
Lands End Visitor Center
A truly adorable shop named after the native Mission Blue Butterfly. Most of the makers in this shop are from SF, and many of the items highlight nature. Mission Blue is also a cafe and a great community spot. Thanks to my friend SN for putting this ...
Mission Blue
Best Birding Spots
Birding in SF? Here are some of my go-to spots.
This restored tidal marsh is home to some of the coolest SF birds! I've even seen Wilson's Snipes, some of my faves, here. A must-visit for birders.
Crissy Field Marsh
One of the best spots for shorebirds in the city!
Heron's Head Park
I love this spot! The natural spring provides some of the best bird habitat in SF. In the surrounding eucs, you can also often find Great Horned Owls! Remember to be respectful. :)
El Polín Spring: The Presidio
This is a great spot for waterfowl. Though now managed, Lake Merced is a natural lake — one of only three in SF!
Lake Merced
When we get rarities in San Francisco, there is a good chance they're here in the Botanical Garden. Our more common native birds also love the garden!
San Francisco Botanical Garden
BONUS! You can usually see some seabirds from here, though you will be a bit high up from the water. It is, however, often great for finding whales! And has a stunning view, so I recommend to all who are visiting!
Lands End
Nature-friendly Coffee & Drinks
Everything you do should be about nature, right? :)
This spot makes “zero-waste cocktails” with ingredients sourced within 50 miles. Plus, the food menu is vegan and vegetarian friendly. A great location and a great menu, this is a must-try!
Terrene
Local, sustainable, creative, cute. True Laurel is one of the best cocktail bars—not only in SF, but in the country! You can get food here, too! Must visit.
True Laurel
Climate-resilient brewing!? Yes, please! And, this beer is naturally gluten free. Love it!
Otherwise Brewing
First of all, adorable! Have you seen their little snowy plover icons!? Second of all, women-owned, ocean friendly, certified SF green business, and community support. Amazing and amazing? I think so. Plus, they have a few locations, including one at...
Andytown Coffee Roasters
Another iconic sustainable SF coffee brand with a few locations here in the city.
Sightglass Coffee
Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants
You don't need to be vegan or vegetarian to be a nature lover, but if you like to limit meat consumption, SF has some great options! Some of the “coffee and drink” options, above, also have great, local food, though not always vegetarian.
A classic vegan spot in SF! Pretty casual.
Rad Radish
This place is adorable AND has great cocktails.
Wildseed
Phonobar is one of the most fun cocktail bars in SF, and the vegan food within (Om Sabor) just makes it even better!
Om Sabor
Must-Haves for a Trip to SF
And if you're not sure what to pack, make sure you have these items! In SF you can pretty much wear what you want, but realize that if you overdress (too fancy!), people will know you're not from around here! Keep it casual, live like a San Francisca...
It doesn't matter when you'll be in SF, you WILL need a sweater. This is from a sustainable, B Corp, San Francisco (!) brand. Can't go wrong!
SWEATER — Coastal Merino Turtleneck Sweater
It can get bright in the city, and what's better than a bird hat to fight the glare? NH-based shop, looks like a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, to me!
HAT — Hummingbird Baseball Cap
I call these my “city bins” because they fit easily into a purse but still help you see that little bird just over there! Perfect to throw into your bag when traveling to SF.
BINOCULARS — Nocs 8x25 Waterproof Binoculars
Okay, if we're being honest, you'll need a jacket in addition to your sweater! This fun one by Parks Project will show San Franciscans you don't mess around when it comes to birds!
JACKET — Parks Project x Audubon Jacket
If you're going to some of the more touristy spots, like Alcatraz or Lands End, you will be very glad you have a windbreaker. You don't see them much in other parts of the city, though… wearing it too much might make you stand out as a tourist!
WINDBREAKER — Patagonia Houdini Stash Half-Zip Jacket
In SF, you won't be disappointed that you brought a beanie with you. You never know when that fog will roll in and you'll be whipping that beanie out of your bag!
BEANIE — Butterflies Intarsia Beanie