415.355.0450
Half-Day Trips
DO NOT EDIT THIS PAGE. ALL OF THIS INFO IS NOW ON THE SINGLE “TRIPS” PAGE. -JF
Half-day trips (4 -5 hours) – When we provide Transportation: You are picked up at your San Francisco Area hotel or a central prearranged location at a designated time to start our half-day adventure.
IF YOU PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION: We are happy to drive your owned or rented vehicle – Call to make arrangements
Morning trips typically begin between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM and afternoon forays start between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM depending on your schedule and choice of location. We will recommend itineraries based on current weather, tides and recent sightings of wildlife. Often, we can tie in more than one location on an outing. Along with checklists of local birds and mammals for you to use and keep, we’ll provide binoculars, spotting scopes and a library of field guides for the group to share during the trip. High quality optics can make a profound difference in the level of enjoyment when watching and capturing wildlife images.
Because we want you to have the best experience possible when on a Nature Trip, we provide high quality binoculars for your use during the time you are with us. We will also bring along delicious snacks and (non-alcoholic) refreshments. Note: You are welcome to bring along other beverages of your choice. Check out our suggested list of other items you may want to bring.
Current prices for Half-day excursions:
If WE Provide ** If YOU provide
TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION
1 to 2 people $130.00 $ 90.00
3 people $160.00 $110.00
4 people $240.00 $130.00
each additional add $ 40.00 $ 20.00
** Guide pickup or meeting location in San Francisco only.
Additional charges may apply for alternative meeting locations.
What we provide:
On All Trips:
Transportation and/or Driver (see above) from prearranged point of
departure and return.
Any tolls, park or preserve fees that may be encountered.
Checklists of local birds and mammals for you to keep.
High powered spotting scope.
A library of field guides for the group to share during the time you are
with us.
We provide high quality binoculars for your use during the time you are
with us.
On Half-Day Trips:
We will also bring along delicious snacks and (non-alcoholic)
refreshments. Note: You are welcome to bring along other beverages of
your choice.
Itineraries May Include:
Presidio / Golden Gate National Recreation Area / Golden Gate Park
San Francisco based Nature Trip – www.naturetrip.com
415-355-0450
[Items you might want to bring sidebar]
Depending upon the season, there may be a few personal items you would like to take along. We recommend:
Sunglasses – even if it's not clear and sunny, UV sunglasses can help with glare on water or fog and keep your eyes rested and ready for the magic moments when the wildlife appears. Excellent for looking into rivers and tide pools as well.
Sun protection and a hat – some of the worst sunburns happen to folks in the winter in California and it can catch up with you any time of year.
Jacket or sweater – Along the coast, even in the middle of the summer it’s always a good idea to keep something warm to slip on. While Samuel Clemens has been famously misquoted, “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”, seems not far from the truth when the marine layer has its’ way.
Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots.
Half-Day and Full-Day Trips
HALF DAY4-5 HOURS |
FULL DAY8-10 HOURS |
|
First 2 people (single or 2 people) |
$175 | $275 |
Additional per person |
$50 | $80 |
Premium Trip destinations |
Not available | Add $75 |
*Guide Service only(no transport or food) |
$140 | $300 |
Transportation
Let Us Drive: We can pick you up at your San Francisco Area hotel or a central prearranged location at a designated time to start our half-day adventure.
If You Provide Transportation: We are happy to drive your owned or rented vehicle. Call to make arrangements
* Guide pickup or meeting location in San Francisco only. Additional charges may apply for alternative meeting locations.
Half-Day Destinations (4-5 Hours) Include:
- The San Francisco Special
- The Presidio / Land’s End / Golden Gate Park
- Marin Headlands
Full-Day Destinations (8-10 Hours) Include:
- San Mateo Coastline
- San Francisco Bay or Peninsula Loop
- Mount Diablo and Contra Costa
- Bolinas Lagoon
- Muir Woods REQUIRES SPECIAL ADVANCE REGISTRATION (recommend only early AM)
**Premium Full-Day Destinations (10-12 Hours):
- Point Reyes National Seashore
- Sonoma Napa Marshes loop
- South San Mateo and Santa Cruz Coastline
- Sacramento Delta
We will recommend itineraries based on current weather, tides and recent sightings of wildlife. Often, we tie in multiple locations on an outing.
Tour Hours
Morning Trips
Start between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM
Afternoon Trips
Start between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM
Itineraries are flexible enough to accomodate your own schedule and choice of location.
We will also bring along delicious snacks and (non-alcoholic) refreshments.
On Full-Day Trips we also provide a delicious vegetarian lunch.
You are welcome to bring your choice of other beverages.
Multi-Day Trips
If you have three or more days to spend with us, then get set for real wild west adventures of the sort that can make memories of a lifetime. Each year we venture to the more distant corners of the Golden State and beyond to witness fascinating wildlife migrations, stunning landscapes and experience the richness of the cultures of the folks that make up this diverse region.
You can contact us regarding our Suggested Multi-day Trip Itineraries or, with advance notice, we will customize a trip package specifically for you and your group.
By prior arrangement, Digital Photography equipment is available for hire for your use during photography excursions.
Multi-Day Trip Accommodations & Food
To enjoy our days in the field to the fullest, we know it’s important to sleep well and to eat very well. Lodging is chosen not only for proximity to the natural locations we visit, but also for comfort and friendliness of staff. All rooms include private bathroom. Often times, some of the best experiences are within hiking distance of the lodge itself. And delicious food: California is one of the largest agricultural districts in the world with a wonderful seasonal variety of fresh produces, seafood & wines.
Suggested Itineraries Based on Time of Year
NOVEMBER – MARCHPacific Flyway refuges and reserves SEPTEMBER – FEBRUARY Klamath Basin JUNE – OCTOBER
Mono Basin MAY – DECEMBER
Monterey Bay to Big Sur MAY – OCTOBER Lost Coast/Redwood National Park SEPTEMBER – MARCH Salton Sea and Anza-Borrega OCTOBER – APRIL Death Valley MAY – OCTOBER
Sierra-Nevada Mountains MARCH – MAY
Southwestern Deserts
Contact us for more information on a Multi-Day Trip as the prices vary based upon locations visited, number of days and season.
Photography Trips
We also offer trips that focus on serious nature photography.
About Wildlife Photo Trips
About Landscape Photo Trips
Serious wildlife photography requires serious gear
Occasionally, with good lighting, a steady hand and a little luck, one can get great images of wildlife using a low power (70 to 200mm) lens, but more often, without a little more mm and little less F stop, the images are just too blurry or the subject too small for a quality print. Also, when capturing images of wildlife, especially rare or marginalized species, it’s very important to not have to get so close to the subject that it agitates them or causes them to flush if you can at all help it.
Wildlife photography requires more patience than bird and wildlife watching. Getting good results is a combination of great gear, being at the right place at the right time, experience with outdoor lighting situations and certain amount of luck. If you think a Landscape and/or Wildlife Photography Excursion is for you, then consider combining it with a Full or Multi-day trip. We have some great gear available and the experience to lead you to the best places at the most opportune times. During these trips we discuss and train you on the usage of the equipment and how to use the natural lighting situations presented to us to get great results.
Nikon equipment we use with rental rates while on a Photographic Nature Trip include:
Cameras:
35 mm Nikon Digital SLR D610 or equivalent 24+ Million Pixel w/ 64GB memory card FX Format/CMOS sensor
Daily Rate $45.00
35 mm Nikon DigitalSLR D2X or equivalent 12+ Million Pixel w/ 8GB memory card CMOS sensor
Daily Rate $22.00
Canon S110 Digital zoom w/ 16GB memory – for Digi-scoping (tripod mount available)
Daily Rate $18.00
Lenses:
AF Nikkor 18mm F2.8 w/ UV filter
Daily Rate $22.00
AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 w/ UV filter
Daily Rate $10.00
AF Zoom-Nikkor ED 70-300mm f4.5-5.6D w/ UV filter
Daily Rate $14.00
AF VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D w/ UV filter
Daily Rate $20.00
AF-S ED VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 200-400mm f4 – 5.6D w/ UV filter
(1.4X tele-convertor for this lens converts to 560mm F5.6)
Daily Rate $60.00
Note: this lens weighs over 7.5lbs.! – Requires Medium Duty Tripod
AF-S ED 400mm F2.8 silent wave lens w/ 2X tele-convertor
(2X tele-convertor for this lens converts to 800mm F5.6)
Daily Rate $112.00 Weekly Rate $325.00
Note: this lens weighs over 10 lbs. – Requires Heavy Duty Tripod
Heavy Duty Tripod with Wimberley gimbal-style tripod head:
Daily Rate $25.00 required for AF-S ED 400mm lens
CD of the Digital Images:
We will download, transfer and burn the digital images that you have taken and provide you with a DVD or Thumb Drive
DVD $20.00 each
8GB Thumb Drive $20.00 each
Ground shipping $5.00 (Note: express shipping also available)
Equipment renters accept full responsibility for any loss or damage when equipment is in their control. Insurance for the equipment is the responsibility of the renter.
Mega Trips
Want something more than a day trip?
We now offer multi-day mega trips to great locations worldwide.
On Every Trip, We Provide More Than Just Fun….
- Transportation and/or Driver from prearranged point of departure and return.
- Any tolls, park or preserve fees that may be encountered.
- Checklists of local birds and mammals for you to keep.
- High powered spotting scope.
- A library of field guides for the group to share during the time you are with us.
- High quality binoculars for your use during the time you are with us.
- These optics can make a profound difference in the level of enjoyment while watching and capturing wildlife images. Because we want you to have the best experience possible when on a Nature Trip, we provide high quality binoculars for your use during the time you are with us.
Snacks and Refreshments
We will also bring along tasty snacks and (non-alcoholic) beverages.
On Full-Day Trips we also provide a delicious vegetarian lunch.
Note: You are welcome to bring your choice of other beverages.
…But There’s Some Things You’ll Want to Bring Yourself
Depending upon the season, there may be a few personal items you might like to take along. We recommend:
Sunglasses Even on gray days, UV sunglasses can help with glare on water or fog and keep your eyes rested and ready. Excellent for looking into rivers and tide pools as well.
Sun protection and a hat Some of the worst sunburns happen to folks in the winter in California and it can catch up with you any time of year.
Jacket or sweater Along the coast, even in the middle of the summer it’s always a good idea to keep something warm to slip on. While Samuel Clemens has been famously misquoted, “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”, seems not far from the truth when the marine layer has its’ way.
Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
A complete pre-trip information package and suggested items will be provided specific to the location and season chosen for multi-day trips.