California’s Bay Area Day Trips
Do you live in the Bay Area and want to learn more about the local flora and fauna? If so, check out our selection of day trips focused on birds, wildflowers, and whales, all of which are timed during their respective peak seasons to experience these phenomena in nature.
California’s Bay Area is a very diverse eco-region. It hosts the famed redwood forests, oak woodlands, coastal scrub, unique grasslands, plus wetlands, all of which host an array of endemic wildflowers and birds.
Wildflowers and Birds
Join Gina Barton for wildflowers and birds in local Bay Area parks in the spring. This is peak time for bird migration and the best time to see many of the endemic flowers our area hosts. She will focus on bird watching by sound and native wildflowers and plants.

Ruby Chalice Clarkia, Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
© Gina Barton
Blue-eyed Grass, Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
© Gina Barton
Owl's-clover, Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
© Gina Barton
Yellow Mariposa Lillies, California Poppies, and Ruby Chalice Clarkia, Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
© Gina Barton
Yellow Mariposa Lily, Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
© Gina Barton
Owl's-clover and California Poppies, Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
© Gina Barton
Tidy-tips and California Poppies, Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
© Gina Barton
Owl's-clover, Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
© Gina Barton
Field of Flowers, Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
© Gina Barton
Tidy-tips and Lupine, Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
© Gina Barton
Common Madia and California Poppies, Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
© Gina Barton
Tidy-tips and Blue-eyed Grass at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
© Gina Barton
Owl's-clover, Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
© Gina Barton
Tidy-tips and Owl's-clover, Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
© Gina Barton
Tidy-tips, Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
© Gina Barton
Whale Watching in Monterey Bay
Join Ted Cheeseman for a half or full day out in Monterey Bay any time of the year to learn more about the whales.

What do I need to bring?
You will need your own transportation to get to the embarkation location. You will need to bring your own lunch.
Dolphin © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Orca © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Humpback Whale © Kate Spencer
Humpback Whale © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Humpback Whale © Kate Spencer
Humpback Whale © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Humpback Whale © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Humpback Whale © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Humpback Whale © Kate Spencer
Humpback Whale © Kate Spencer
Humpback Whale © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Humpback Whale © Kate Spencer
Humpback Whale © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Common Dolphin © Kate Spencer
Common Dolphin © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Common Dolphin © Kate Spencer
Common Dolphin © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Blue Whale © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris