Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
San Francisco Bay Area➢
In October of 2025, I flew to the San Francisco Bay Area for a long weekend to visit my cousin, who had been battling a serious illness. Her partner had spent the past two years balancing work with full-time caregiving, so we made a point of getting out for a few day trips while also spending time at my cousin’s bedside. We had originally planned to visit several National Park Service sites, but a federal government shutdown began the day I arrived, closing them all. Fortunately, California’s outstanding state park system gave us plenty to explore instead. Over the next few days, we visited towering redwoods, coastal beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, and scenic reservoirs, proving that even with unexpected changes, the Bay Area offers no shortage of memorable places to discover.
In my rented Prius, I visited Portola Redwoods, Natural Bridges, Cowell Redwoods, Old St. Hilary’s Historic Preserve, Burlingame Shorebird Sanctuary, Lafayette Reservoir, and San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. Though I’ve visited the area many times over the years, these were all new parks for me.
Burlingame Shorebird Sanctuary➢
Because my hotel was directly across the street from the Burlingame Shorebird Sanctuary, I had an easy place to explore each morning before meeting up with my cousins. I would walk along the waterfront promenade, enjoying the views across San Francisco Bay. The location is also right along the flight path for San Francisco International Airport, so there was a steady stream of planes taking off and landing nearby. It made for an interesting combination of peaceful bay views and the activity of one of the country’s busiest airports.
The sanctuary provides habitat for shorebirds and other wildlife along the bay’s edge. I spotted a few birds during my walks, although I wasn’t there during a major birding excursion. For me, the appeal was simply having a quiet place to walk and enjoy the bay each morning. After spending time indoors with family, those walks gave me a chance to get outside, stretch my legs, and start the day with some fresh air and scenery.
The Burlingame Shorebird Sanctuary is a small marsh at the mouth of Mills Creek along San Francisco Bay. Local conservationist Luanna Hammett founded the sanctuary, which was officially designated in 1973. The marsh provides habitat for 10 to 15 species of migratory birds. Despite its small size, it offers an important protected area along a heavily developed stretch of the bayfront.
The sanctuary is maintained by the City of Burlingame through its Parks and Recreation Department. A paved walking path and benches follow the edge of the marsh, making it easy to enjoy the bay and watch for birds. Community groups have also helped with cleanup and habitat projects over the years. Today, the sanctuary remains a small but valuable piece of natural shoreline surrounded by the city, the airport, and the activity of the Bay Area.
Bay Area Posts➢
- Portola Redwoods State Park
- Natural Bridges State Park
- Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old St. Hilary’s Historic Preserve
- Burlingame Shorebird Sanctuary
- Lafayette Reservoir
- San Juan Bautista State Historic Park
Location: 1500 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, California
Designation: City Park
Date designated/established: 1973
Date of my visit: October 5, 2020
