Monarchs Are Back at Natural Bridges. Late October Through November Is the Best Time to Go
California's only state monarch preserve says late October and November are usually peak viewing; storms this El Niño winter are a worry.
Outdoors
9 STORIESBay Area outdoors and weekend trips: hikes, beaches, parks, fall colors and seasonal events, with links to official sources.
Año Nuevo Elephant Seal Walks Start Dec. 15. Reservations Are Open Now
The breeding-season walks cost $7 plus a $3.99 reservation fee and fill up fast on weekends.
Where to See Wild Coho Salmon Spawn in Marin This Winter
Spawning peaks December through January, usually one to three days after a good rain.
The Muir Woods Shuttle Ends Its Season This Weekend. Here's How to Visit After That
Shuttle rides are $4 round trip; after October, plan on a parking reservation plus the $15 entrance fee.
Hawk Season on Hawk Hill: How to Watch the Fall Raptor Migration in the Marin Headlands
Volunteers with the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory count migrating hawks from mid-August to early December.
Point Reyes in Late Fall: Tule Elk, Whales and the Start of Elephant Seal Season
The elk rut winds down, fall whales give way to gray whales, and elephant seals arrive in force in December.
Dickens Christmas Fair 2026: Dates, Prices, and an Early-Bird Deal That Ends Oct. 31
Five weekends at the Cow Palace; early-bird tickets are $40 for adults through Oct. 31.
Filoli Holiday Lights 2026: 28 Miles of Lights in Woodside Starting Nov. 14
The Woodside estate's light show runs nightly into January; tickets start at $45.
Free King Tides Events Around the Bay: Ferry Plaza, Menlo Park's Ravenswood and Palo Alto Baylands
Join a guided walk or science event during the year's highest tides, and add your photos to the California King Tides Project.