Parks in Silicon Valley

Parks and Protected Areas

Explore Northern California's diverse landscapes through this collection of parks and historic sites. The list spans from the redwood forests of Henry Cowell and the butterfly sanctuaries of Pacific Grove to the coastal bluffs of Sonoma and the urban retreats of San Francisco’s Mission Dolores Park. It features significant landmarks like the Petaluma Adobe and the John Muir National Historic Site, alongside the formal gardens of Filoli Estate. These protected areas offer a mix of lakeside recreation at Del Valle, historical mission architecture in San Juan Bautista, and scenic coastal views.

Parks and Protected Areas — Map

Louis Choris / Public domain

A

Presidio of San Francisco

The Presidio of San Francisco is a park and former U.S. Army post on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco,…

Agunther / CC BY 3.0

B

Monarch Grove Sanctuary

Quite a rare opportunity to visit an actual butterfly sanctuary in local eucalyptus grove.

Ken / CC BY 2.0

C

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a state park of California, United States, preserving mainly forest and riparian areas in the watershed…

Zandcee / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Sonoma Plaza

This National Historic Landmark is the largest town square in California. It served as the site of the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt and is surrounded by 19th-century buildings, including Mission San Francisco Solano and the Sonoma Barracks.

Artico2 / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Mission Dolores Park

Often referred to simply as Dolores Park, this vast park makes for a great getaway from the city's rush and buzz.

Laika ac / CC BY-SA 2.0

F

China Beach

Supposedly one of the cleanest beaches in San Francisco, this tiny cove offers magnificent views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA / cc-by-sa-2.0

G

Del Valle Regional Park

Scenic lakeside regional park featuring hiking, horseback riding, boating, and camping opportunities. It includes a large lake with water sports and accessible amenities.

H

Shingle Mill Creek

Park featuring a restored historical resort kiosk that served as a gateway to recreational activities from 1923 to 1975.

Anlace / CC-BY-SA-3.0

I

Sonoma Coast State Beach

Sonoma Coast State Park is a State of California property in Sonoma County consisting of public access use on lands adjoining the Pacific…

Hendrich / CC-BY-SA-3.0

J

Plaza de César E. Chávez

The Plaza de César Chávez is an urban plaza and park in Downtown San Jose, California.

K

Doran Regional Park

Situated on a sand spit between Bodega Harbor and the Pacific Ocean, this park features a two-mile sandy beach. Facilities include a boat launch, multiple campgrounds, and trails for birdwatching and beachcombing.

NPS / Public domain

L

John Muir National Historic Site

The John Muir National Historic Site is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, in Martinez, Contra Costa County, California.

Daderot / Public domain

M

Filoli Estate

Filoli, also known as the Bourn-Roth Estate, is a country house set in 16 acres of formal gardens surrounded by a 654-acre estate, located…

JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / CC BY-SA 3.0

N

Sonoma State Historic Park

Sonoma State Historic Park is a California State Park located in the center of Sonoma, California.

W Nowicki / CC BY-SA 3.0

O

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park

Rancho Petaluma Adobe is a historic ranch house in Sonoma County, California.

Aquarianbydesign / CC BY-SA 3.0

P

Olompali State Historic Park

Olompali State Historic Park is a 700-acre California State Park in Marin County, California.

Q

San Juan Bautista State Historic Park

San Juan Bautista State Historic Park is a California state park encompassing the historic center of San Juan Bautista, California, United…

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