Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
14 mi southwest · Fish and Wildlife Service
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in a vast cultural and natural landscape.
Outdoors
Wildlife viewing and birding near Pleasanton
Refuges, lakes and wild areas near Pleasanton for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
26places to see wildlife
14 mito the closest
2within 30 miles
Good to know: Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife; bring binoculars and keep a respectful distance.
Closest picks
John Muir National Historic Site
26 mi northwest · National Park Service
John Muir’s life was a tapestry of roles—fruit rancher, family man, writer—each interwoven with his deep love for nature.
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK)
32 mi west · National Park Service
Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.
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Within 30 miles (2)
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in a vast cultural and natural landscape.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
John Muir National Historic Site
John Muir’s life was a tapestry of roles—fruit rancher, family man, writer—each interwoven with his deep love for nature.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (20)
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK)
Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
An area of 3,295 square miles off the northern and central California coast, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary protects the wildlife and habitats of one of the most diverse and bountiful marine environments in the world.
- Boating
- Diving
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Rob Hill Group Campground
As San Francisco's only group campground, Rob Hill offers a national park camping experience just minutes from the city.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
S F Bay Model Regional Visitor Center
The Bay Model was built in 1957 as a research tool to test the impact of proposed changes to San Francisco Bay and its related waterways.
- Boating
- Fishing
- History
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Kirby Cove Campground
Kirby Cove is located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at historic Battery Kirby. Visitors are awarded breathtaking views of San Francisco, its famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the rugged Pacific Coast of northern California.
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- Water Access
San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge
The San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge located in Stanislaus County encompasses more than 7,300 acres of riparian woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands that host a diversity of wildlife native to California’s Great Central Valley.
- Birding
- Hiking
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Haypress Campground
Haypress Campground is nestled within the coastal scrub of Tennessee Valley, near Mill Valley. The hike to this campground is 1 mile from the Tennessee Valley Trail head parking lot, which means car or RV camping is not allowed.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Muir Woods National Monument
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Cosumnes River
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY. Explore, learn, and experience the Cosumnes River Preserve with opportunities for guided walks, paddling, hiking, and nature viewing.
- Accessible Facility Or Activity
- Bird Watching
- Canoeing
- Guided Interpretive Walks
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
With acquisition of the first property in 1994, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge was officially established as the 505th unit in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
- Birding
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Ranger programs
San Luis Lake and State Wildlife Area
Recreation facilities at San Luis Lake were constructed under a cost-share agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation and the State of Colorado during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Entirely offshore, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary protects soft seafloor habitat, a rocky bank, deep-sea canyons, and diverse wildlife, while acting as a feeding ground for many marine mammals and seabirds.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife viewing
Point Reyes National Seashore Campground
Point Reyes National Seashore offers four backcountry hike in campgrounds and thirteen boat in campsites along Tomales Bay. Note: For reservation purposes, our campgrounds are organized under the "loop" column of the reservation grid.
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Horse Camping
Stanislaus River Parks
Just a few minutes NE of Modesto in the Central Valley. Here, a serene series of small parks are located along the Stanislaus River, providing exciting fishing, rafting, and canoeing opportunities. N of Modesto 10 mi via CA 99.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Lake Solano
Lake Solano Park, Solano Project , is located at the base of coastal foothills at the western edge of the Sacramento Valley and offers an array of recreational opportunities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Elkhorn Slough is one of the relatively few undisturbed coastal wetlands remaining in California.
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Berryessa
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs, east of the Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa offers year-round recreation opportunities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Fs Owned
Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca)
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs east of Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa provides ample public recreation opportunities.
- Birding
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Guided Interpretive Walks
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Nature education
Deer Flat Boat In Campground
New Hogan Dam and Lake is located in the oak- and brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The 4,400 acre lake was created in 1964 with the completion of New Hogan Dam.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Water Access
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (4)
Glory Hole Recreation Area
Glory Hole Recreation Area is located at New Melones Lake on the Stanislaus River.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Jet Skiing
- Kayaking
Tuttletown Recreation Area
Tuttletown Recreation Area is located at New Melones Lake on the Stanislaus River.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Jet Skiing
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
Pinnacles Campground
Pinnacles Campground is located in the unique Pinnacles National Park, 32 miles south of Hollister, California. The park encompasses 26,000 acres of spectacular rock formations and remnants of an extinct 23 million-year old volcano.
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
White Oaks Campground
Amid a grove of towering trees, eight campsites create a loop within White Oaks Campground, just off Tassajara Road.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Pleasanton. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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Questions
Where is the closest place for wildlife & birding near Pleasanton?
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 14 miles southwest of Pleasanton as the crow flies. Next are John Muir National Historic Site (26 mi) and Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) (32 mi).
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.