The San Francisco Bay Area is a potential treasure trove of hiking / photographic goodness. However some of the photograhic challenges (in my opinion) have to do with the fact that the majority of the year, you have "good" weather (ie little rain) and thus smoggy "hazy" skies. Since elevation is relatively low everywhere within the bay area, that means you really have to pray for the combination of decent atmospheric conditions as well as all of the other factors that goes into prepping for a potentially good shot. If one wants to check out a good overall hiking book on the area, I recommend Anne-Marie Brown's "Bay Area Hiking"; well written, concise and balanced.

As of this writing and my hikes thus far, my favorite / recommended hikes are:

1. For the best view of the bay area along with the most cardiac arrest hike of the region: Mission Peak (Fremont)

2. For the best view of the bay area and my overall favorite spot in the bay area, perhaps california and... the world: Mt Tam. Check out the official summit via a drive to the east peak (you have to pay for parking and thus have some cash on hand) and do the short hike to the fire lookout; awesome views of the bay area. My favorite spot however is just above the "pantoll", where you can take a leisurely walk out to "Dad O'Rouke's Bench" (ask folks where it is); you have an awesome view of the bay as well as the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Farralon islands in the distance; "Heave on Earth".

3. I'm very limited in Redwood hikes, however I've done some basic recon work and really like the short but nice Cataract Falls trail. However, unlike most folks, I start at the top via Mt Tam Panoramic Road and go down to whereever I want; I know basic... but you can check it out in my pano work.

4. Wildflower Hikes? Tough to say. I haven't found my favorite or more accurately consistent place to find awesome wildflowers, probably because such a place doesn't exist. Wildflowers, especially in the semi-arid bay area is an inconsistent proposition. There are have been years when one can see amazing "displays" of wildflowers in one particular spot and then the next several years (or perhaps decades) not see it again. Thus, it's all the more special when you do see a nice spot of wildflowers.