Ryder-Walker is thrilled to announce a set of new domestic, Self-Guided hikes in Northern California: the San Francisco to Point Reyes National Seashore and the Sausalito to Napa Valley tours. These two new itineraries showcase some of Northern California’s most stunning landscapes, with excursions through the Bay Area’s legendary redwood forests and unspoiled coastlines shared between both journeys.
San Francisco to Point Reyes
The Self-Guided San Francisco to Point Reyes itinerary begins with your arrival at a charming hotel on Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. The following day, you set out on foot to cross the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most iconic landmarks of American industry. This engineering marvel has become a defining symbol of the American West, offering sweeping views of the bay and the rugged coastline beyond. From here, the route heads north into increasingly wild terrain, including the ancient redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument, eventually giving way to the dramatic cliffs, windswept headlands, and expansive ocean views that define Point Reyes National Seashore.
Sausalito to Napa Valley
Our Self-Guided Sausalito to Napa Valley tour has an extra spin designed specifically for wine enthusiasts. The itinerary will take you first to Sausalito, then along the coast to Muir Beach, and into the redwood forests that hem in the tiny village of Mill Valley. The tour concludes with a visit to the wine super-region of Napa Valley, where you will visit two unique vineyards and enjoy wine tastings at both before enjoying your last evening at a remote spa resort.
Nature Outside of the Metropolis
One of the most unique elements of this region is its proximity to San Francisco. Typically, nature preserves and truly striking wilderness require long legs of travel and many miles to reach from a city. The Bay Area, however, rapidly becomes remote and wild—even just miles past the red arches of the Golden Gate Bridge. This provides a unique opportunity to pair either of these tours with a cultural or business trip in San Francisco, a city that is home to numerous art movements, museums, and historic neighborhoods.
Mysterious Coastlines and the Magic of the Redwoods
The hikes themselves visit a variety of biomes, including the mist-wrapped beaches of the Bay Area, where the barren landscape of the Marin Headlands’ coastal bluffs gives way to the crashing waves of the Pacific. Point Reyes represents a more rugged coastline, where a lighthouse warns ships away from the seaside cliffs jutting out into the ocean.
Outside of Mill Valley, you wander deep into some of the oldest redwood groves in the region. A visit to the Cathedral Grove is sure to leave a lasting impact as you ponder both the breadth of time and the power of the natural world. Here, the most ancient redwoods grow as far as the eye can see, with their dense canopy resting hundreds of feet above. The trails along the route are gentle to moderate, with hiking days typically lasting between six and eight miles and following a selection of seaside paths, forest roads, and winding singletrack trails.
Wine Lover’s Paradise
No matter where you visit in the Bay Area, you will be steeped in wine culture. At the heart of it all is the world-famous Napa Valley, where both the grapes and the traditions behind them have shaped California’s global reputation for winemaking. Here, row upon row of vineyards line the valley floor, and multiple wineries grow and ferment a truly staggering selection of grapes. The quality and variety of the grape yield is buoyed by the valley’s multiple microclimates, where shady, sun-bathed, humid, and arid conditions can all be found within just a handful of miles.
The most famous varietal in the region is Napa Valley’s Cabernet Sauvignon, a red wine that has helped make California an international name. Chardonnay represents the region’s most celebrated white grape, while Riesling and a range of elegant sparkling wines are also highlights of the area’s diverse offerings. Zinfandel—one of the region’s oldest varietals—claims both the longest cultivation history and some of the oldest vines. Whatever your taste in wine, the wineries of Napa Valley offer something for everyone, with varietals and winemaking techniques that continue to expand in both quality and variety.
Both Northern California Self-Guided iitineraries are thoughtfully paced and rich in scenery, with hand-picked accommodations that reflect the character of each town along the way. Evenings are yours to enjoy at your own pace, with time to relax and dine at one of the excellent local restaurants we recommend—many featuring farm-to-table cuisine and locally produced wines.
To book your California adventure, click here, or for more information email us at adventure@ryderwalker.com.
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