Thank you for your interest! This journey is either underway or complete, but we do have many other tour options for you to choose from.

Join Naturalist Journeys and artists Keith Hansen and Patricia Briceño on this fantastic Marin County fall birding tour. A one-stop, unpack and relax trip, we enjoy exclusive accommodations on a houseboat barge right on the edge of Bolinas Lagoon, a special opportunity courtesy of our guides.

Search for Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, and warblers in the forest, while scoping White-winged Scoter and Red-necked Grebe along the coast. Watch for Elephant Seal at the Point Reyes Peninsula. Enjoy waterfront views, the sounds of gulls and shorebirds, and local fresh and organic foods.

This is an incredible California birding trip, and we are so excited to offer you this fun opportunity.

Tour Highlights

  • Take your morning coffee on deck, with sights of pelicans, gulls, terns, and other shore and water birds
  • Bird Bolinas Lagoon, Duxbury Reef, Pine Gulch Creek, and what birding trip would be complete without a trip to the local water treatment ponds
  • Explore the Outer Point Reyes Peninsula for rare migrants isolated on the rugged outer parts of the peninsula
  • Visit Keith Hansen’s gallery to see his many amazing works
  • Spend time at Abbott’s Lagoon looking for unusual waterfowl, shorebirds, and birds of prey
  • Stroll Limantour Beach looking for Snowy Plover, White-winged Scoter, and Red-necked Grebe … there are always a few surprises along the way

Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Wed., Sept. 22: Arrival in the Bay Area | Shuttle to Marin | Welcome to the Barge!


Plan to arrive today to Bolinas, California by 3:00 PM. The closest airport is San Francisco (SFO) and from this airport you can take the handy Marin Airporter (see travel details at the end of this itinerary) to meet your guides Keith and Patricia to start a great week of birding the Bay area. Today is an easy day to accommodate arrivals and enjoy a welcome dinner on the Barge, where Keith has amassed an impressive yard list of birds! For this NEW! Naturalist Journeys tour, you unpack once and find an immediate sense of home. Enjoy waterfront views, the sounds of gulls and shorebirds, and local fresh foods prepared for you as you get to know your travel companions and guides.
Accommodations for the next six nights are on this private waterfront barge in Bolinas, California (D)

Thurs., Sept. 23: Local Bolinas Birding Hotsports


Today is an easy “get your feet on the ground” kind of day. Enjoy breakfast on the deck as Brown Pelican, various gulls, terns, and other Bolinas Lagoon birds make their presence known. We bird the Bolinas and Bolinas Lagoon area, visiting some of Keith’s favorite and regular birding spots, including Duxburry Reef for sea birds and possibly whales, Pine Gulch Creek for migrant song birds and water birds, the Bolinas Water Treatment Ponds for various shorebirds and ducks, then other local hotspots where we hear of recent activity. We break for lunch and dinner at the barge. In the evening, Keith presents an introductory “Birds of West Marin" program.
Accommodations on the barge (B,L,D)

Fri., Sept. 24: Outer Point Reyes Peninsula


We want to be up very early, as today we head north to the Outer Point Reyes Peninsula. We enjoy breakfast in the dining room or on deck. In the scenic coastal headlands and ranching country inland, we bird the migrant hot spots, driving from one ranch to the next to walk and explore. Point Reyes is well known for harboring rare or lost birds that have become isolated on the rugged outer parts of the peninsula. Keith has lived there for several decades, so his network is great to know where the bird movements are happening. Lunch, weather permitting, will be picnic style at the Fish Docks. While eating, we look for Elephant Seal and scan for ocean loons, scoters and guillemots.

After lunch, we continue birding toward Hearts Desire Beach for a chance to find additional coastal and forest species such as chickadees, sparrows, warblers, and woodpeckers.

We then make time to stop in Bolinas to visit Keith’s gallery, a great place to see his artwork and see some of the field guide plates he created for Birds of the Sierra Nevada. Keith spends many days here, opening people’s eyes to the amazing world of birding right out the door. We arrive back in time for evening cocktails and dinner at the Barge.
Accommodations on the barge (B,L,D)

Sat., Sept. 25: Abbott’s Lagoon | Free Afternoon in Bolinas | Evening with a Local Birding Celebrity


Again today, we enjoy an early breakfast on the deck with music provided by the birds. We then have a 40- minute drive to Abbott’s Lagoon. Here, we walk at a leisurely pace, two to three miles to the lake and lagoon in search of rare and unusual waterfowl, shorebirds, and birds of prey such as Merlin, Northern Harrier, and Peregrine, perhaps even an early Ferruginous Hawk.

We are typically done here at Abbott’s Lagoon by noon and before heading on to the next spots, where we have tasty nibbles on the tailgate to tide us over. We then head back to Bolinas for a full late lunch and a free afternoon. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing, enjoying a beach walk, enjoying the town or even a nap. We gather for another delicious catered dinner at the Barge and after dinner a talk by a local bird celebrity.
Accommodations on the barge (B,L,D)

Sun., Sept. 26: Limantour Beach | Earthquake Trail


We wake up early to our gull-sound natural alarm clocks and enjoy breakfast on the Barge — by now this is our daily rhythm. We then drive to Limantour Beach for a delightful and easy-going stroll down a beautiful sandy strand searching for sea birds, shore birds, and waterfowl. Snowy Plover, White-winged Scoter, and Red-necked Grebe are often found here, and there are always a few surprises.

Next, we drive to Bear Valley Headquarters for a picnic lunch under the impressive Redwoods where Acorn Woodpecker and Pygmy Nuthatch will keep us company. We then walk on the Earthquake Trail for songbirds such as thrushes and vireos. Nuttall’s Woodpecker reside here in the Alder and Willow forest. If time permits, we can visit the headquarters where there is an excellent interpretive center and gift shop.

In the late afternoon, we return to our comfortable home on the water. Tonight, we go into Bolinas to sample a favorite local restaurant.
Accommodations on a the barge (B,L,D)

Mon., Sept. 27: Las Gallinas Water Treatment Plant | Stafford Lake | Rush Creek


Another beautiful morning begins with birding and breakfast at the Barge. We then head to the east side of the county to the Las Gallinas Water Treatment Plant for numerous waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds. Keith will scope a wide variety of species, sharing his identification tips and skills.

Next, we drive a short distance to Stafford Lake for various water birds and “East Side" land birds. Enjoy a picnic or nearby restaurant lunch.

Our next stop takes us to Rush Creek, where we train our scopes on shorebirds, shorebirds, and more shorebirds, a fabulous chance to work with this often difficult, group. Fall migration brings juveniles in fresh plumage as well as adults in worn, giving us a great chance to hone our skills.

Then it’s back to the Barge. Tonight, we do our final checklist and enjoy a last celebratory dinner at the Barge. Accommodations on the barge (B,L,D)

Tues., Sept. 28: Departures


We enjoy one last breakfast at the Barge before our flock disperses today. We coordinate the morning with Marin Airporter schedules that match up to outbound flights. Please check these before you make travel plans, in general flights out after NOON are best, though earlier may be accommodated; please check in with us first on these. Those driving can depart at their own leisure. (B)

  • California Scrub Jay, California Birding Tour, California, Marin Country Birding Tour, Naturalist Journeys
  • Ferruginous Hawk, California Birding Tour, California, Marin Country Birding Tour, Naturalist Journeys
  • Double-crested Cormorant, California Birding Tour, California, Marin Country Birding Tour, Naturalist Journeys
  • Black-crowned Night-Heron, California Birding Tour, California, Marin Country Birding Tour, Naturalist Journeys
  • California Towhee, California Birding Tour, California, Marin Country Birding Tour, Naturalist Journeys

Cost of the Journey

Cost of the main journeys is $2590 DBL / $3140 SGL, based on double occupancy, from Bolinas, California. This cost includes: accommodations for six nights, meals as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), land transportation during the journeys, professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses.

Cost does not include: round-trip airfare to and from San Francisco, transportation on the Marin Airporter or rental car (if you prefer), items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, drinks from the bar, and gratuities for luggage handling or personal services.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

The airport for this tour is San Francisco International (SFO). Please plan on taking the Marin Airporter (or renting a car if you wish) to Marin, getting off at the Manzanita stop, where you will be picked up by Keith and Patricia. Please plan to meet Keith and Patricia no later than 3:00 PM on September 22. Please plan on departures after noon on September 28.

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

California

Birds & Wine

Death Valley

Sierras to Seacoast

Southern California

Southern California

  • Keith Hansen & Patricia Briceño

    Keith is a renowned wildlife artist, capturing birds and other wildlife in innovative yet accurate portrayals for a wide range of books and other publications, art shows, and private commissions. Patricia is a fabric artist with an eye for color, fabric, and texture that influences all her art. Keith and Patricia’s compassionate, positive spirit, and sense of fun are contagious. Together they share their passion for the natural world with their groups.

    Other trips with Keith Hansen & Patricia Briceño

Essential Information +

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have Read more

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

  • Please talk with your doctor about general health needs. It is a good idea to consult with your doctor about general vaccinations recommended for travel.
  • Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed. After you make travel reservations, please send a copy of your travel itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com.
  • Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
  • Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Remember to pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Health Information

We will share a copy of your health and emergency contact information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important in case of a medical emergency. In addition to bringing any prescription medications with you, we recommend that you have a copy of the prescriptions in case of loss.

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.  

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Food & Drink

We carry water and juices/cold drinks in the cooler each day, and sodas if people like them. Please also plan on bringing and filling your water bottle for hiking each day. We try to use as few plastics as possible!

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Please pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Dress is informal and is casual even at restaurants. Layering is a great way to stay comfortable. Protective clothing is essential, whether it be from sun, rain, cold, insects, or vegetation. You need closed toe shoes, and wear comfortable walking shoes with good tread. Hiking boots with good support for hiking and on rocky terrain can work well.

Spending Money

Many people ask how much to plan to bring as spending money. Part of that depends on how much you want to shop. Most shops will take VISA and MasterCard or American Express. Typical items people purchase include local souvenirs and T-shirts, caps, and natural history books.  You may want to bring cash for drinks with dinner (if available) or smaller local purchases.

Gratuities

Expect the normal tipping protocol to apply for hotel maids and bar service. If at the end of the tour, you would like to show your appreciation to your guides, tipping is entirely appropriate but at your discretion. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services. Gratuities for group meals are included. For your birding tour guide, we suggest $10-$15 per day per guest. Note that if there is more than one guide, this amount can be split among them.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Wi-Fi and cell phone service are available in most US destinations, although there are some exceptions in remote locations. Wi-Fi is generally provided in all hotels, lodges, and restaurants you visit, at least in public areas. Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers unless it appears to be an emergency as this disrupts other guests – please plan cell phone calls on your own time.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

For this tour, your guides will drive travelers in either full-size or mini-vans or a combination of those two. We ask all attendees to please rotate your seating, so you ride with different drivers and alternate between front and back seats.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives permission to record photos and/or video of your participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochures, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 


Photo credits: Banner: California Sunset by Greg Smith; California Quail by Steve Wolfe; Houseboat on Bolinas Bay by Keith Hansen; Black Oystercatcher by Steve Wolfe; Elephant Seals at Sunset by Greg Smith; Steller's Jay by Peg Abbott; Long-billed Curlew by Ed Pembleton; Humpback Whale by Greg Smith; Red-necked Grebe by Peg Abbott; California Scrub Jay by Greg Smith; Ferruginous Hawk by Greg Smith; Double-crested Cormorant by Greg Smith; Black-crowned Night-Heron by Greg Smith; California Towhee, Naturalist Journeys Stock.

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