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Parks

Crissy Field at Sunset
Capturing Your Vision: Walking the line of digital image manipulation–is that really how it looked?

If you’ve ever shared your park photos with friends, chances are you’ve caught yourself explaining how the pictures simply don’t do the beauty of the moment justice.

Cycling in the Marin Headlands
Well-Spoken: Seven Sensational Bike Rides

We asked a panel of bike experts for their favorite rides in the Golden Gate National Parks. Read on for the full prescription from these cycle-ologists: directions, descriptions, tips, and more. Then put your mettle to the pedal and get out there!

book
Four Must-Reads for Innovation and Insight

As the summer draws to a close and the Institute at the Golden Gate moves into its next phase of programming, the team is reading a number of great sources for inspiration. What are the staff’s essential end-of-summer reading picks?

Here Again, Gone Again: Red-necked Phalaropes

For just a few weeks each year, Red-necked Phalaropes visit Rodeo Lagoon in the Marin Headlands. This brief migratory stopover for these slender shorebirds allows birders a good view of this unique species. Click to learn why these birds are so unusual.

Tennessee Valley trail
The Wildlife Wonders of Tennessee Valley

As one of the few staff working in Tennessee Valley, Liz Ponzini (manager of our Tennessee Valley Nursery) is well-acquainted with the natural wonders of the area—including the local wildlife. Read on to get the inside scoop for your next hike in this remarkable valley.

Green Gulch Trail and farm
Take a Hike: Meander in Marin

Ditch the summer fog for the sunny peaks of our Golden Gate National Parks in Marin County. Have some fun in the sun on this eight-mile hike and finish it off with a frothy pint at the local English inn!

Great Balls of Garter Snakes!

Early last month, dog walker Debra Wood came across an extremely rare sight at Calera Creek in Pacifica: coast garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans terrestris) massing near the creek! Read on to learn more about this amazing natural phenomenon.

The Trails According to Gorp

Trail Mix. Scroggin. Gorp. Studentenfutter. Schmogle. Great names for a great snack! Try one of our specially formulated blends on your next park outing. Read on for some of our favorite recipes.

Time to Play: Name that Trail!

To build excitement for National Trails Day on June 2, 2012, we are putting you to the (trail) test. Flex your brain muscles to identify the park and the trail in the photos below and discover what type of trail aficionado (or not!) you are.

seeds
How a Seed Gets on the Move

As you are out enjoying the parks this summer, be sure to take a closer look and appreciate the many ways that plants have adapted to ecological conditions to disperse their seeds.