Redwood Regional Park - East Ridge and Stream Trails, Oakland, California

East Ridge Trail (direct sunlight) to Canyon Trail and return on Stream Trail (shaded by canopy) - 7.6m

• Offers amazing opportunity to see clusters of ladybugs (see East Bay Times story)
• The most predictable location to see ladybugs in great numbers is around the junction of the Prince and Stream trails.  The Stream Trail clusters are between Prince Road and Tres Sendes, and another dramatic gathering is midway on the French Trail between Tres Sendes and West Ridge Trail.
• Overshot Canyon Trail cutover which added about ¾ mile to mapped route

Phoenix Lake and Hidden Meadow from San Anselmo

Big Rock, San Rafael/Nicasio, CA

Big Rock Trail - 3.6m out (up) and 3.6m back (down) - 7.2m total

Very little shade, best for November-May.

Marin Municipal Water District: Rock Springs to Mt. Tam West Peak Loop

5.6 mile loop - Constantly varying grade up and down looping around upper parts of Mount Tam without venturing too low in elevation near the reservoirs.  Northernmost branch of hike on High Marsh and Kent Trails (north of Potrero Meadow) is strenuous down out and up back, and could easily be cut out by using Laurel Dell Road without venturing north of Potrero Meadow.

Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve, Redwood City, CA

Dusky-footed Woodrat Trail - 4.7 mile loop

Montara State Beach - McNee Ranch State Park

Montara Mountain via Gray Whale Cove Trail and North Peak Access Road - 6.0m out (up) and back (down)

Marin Municipal Water District & Mount Tam North Side

Bon Tempe Dam to Lake Lagunitas to Collier Spring to Hidden Lake to Alpine Lake and back to Bon Tempe Dam - 10.0m loop

Collier Spring Trail is a strenuous uphill climb the north side of Mount Tam and then it is mostly downhill back to Alpine Lake, otherwise the route is moderately flat around the reservoirs.

Mount Tam East Peak, Marin County, CA

Mount Tam East Peak from Rock Springs - 7.5m out (up) and back (down)

Loch Lomond, Felton, CA

Loch Lomond Recreation Area - 4.6m loop

Cataract Falls, Fairfax, CA

Marin Municipal Water District - 3.5m out (down) and back (up)

Heron's Head Park, San Francisco, California

This is one of our regular spots since we live in the neighborhood, it's also a popular bird watching spot and one of San Francisco's only remaining natural wetlands.  Great views of the bay, and an aerial view of the park looks like a heron's head!