"It’s an escape from what’s going on out in the world," said Muir Woods visitor Barbi Martinez. "But it’s also a reminder that there’s beauty."

#8: San Francisco  Golden Gate National Recreation Area includes spectacular spots such as the Presidio (forests, a lake and dozens of miles for hiking and biking). Also check out national parks Crissy Field, and Lands End, which offers a windy cliff trail and stunning views of the shore and Golden Gate.

Predictions of a mental health crisis following on COVID-19’s heels present not only a challenge for the health care community, but an opportunity to explore seemingly less conventional options more fully. What role might public lands hold for a population looking to heal from social, financial and societal upheaval?

One in seven women in the US experiences postpartum depression, according to the National Perinatal Association. More than 400 studies demonstrate nature’s comprehensive health benefits. And in comparison to the $34,000 price tag on a new PPD-specific drug, a few doses of nature are a relatively affordable first-line option for many women. 

Although many trails and parks are currently inaccessible or impractical to visit due to social distancing guidelines, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy has a robust selection of Google Streetview virtual hikes available, ranging from Black Sands Beach to the Marin Headlands.