The Nature Conservancy, "the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people," picked their top favorite coastal lands in which to "soak in the surf, sand and sun." San Francisco's The East Bay's Eastshore State Park nabbed 'Best Urban Retreat' for maintaining miles of walking and biking trails and stunning views of the bay, along with fascinating "tidal wetlands, marshes and sandy beaches" that are home to thousands of birds. An impressive feat considering it's "amidst one of the most developed areas in California."

Eastshore State Park runs 8.5 miles along the East Bay shoreline from the Bay Bridge to Richmond. "It includes 1,854 acres of uplands and tidelands along the waterfronts of Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley, Albany, and Richmond."