6 Greatest Methods to Get Outdoors within the San Francisco Bay Space – Bearfoot Idea

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Though San Francisco and the Bay Space could seem tech-focused from the surface, residents know there is no such thing as a scarcity of the way to get outdoor. With greater than 250 days of sunshine and year-round common temperatures between 60-70 levels, there are countless alternatives for out of doors actions in San Francisco.

Again after I was 22 I spent a 12 months residing in San Francisco and have been again many instances to go to since. I’m all the time impressed by the superior close by seashore tenting, climbing, and biking alternatives – each inside the metropolis limits and a brief drive away.

In case you’re planning a go to to San Fran, I’ve rounded up some nice methods to get outdoor in San Francisco and the encircling Bay Space on your subsequent weekend journey.

1. Tenting

Do you know that there’s truly a campground situated within the metropolis of San Francisco itself? Rob Hill Campground is a bunch campground made up of solely 4 massive campsites. However every website can maintain as much as 30 folks which makes it an incredible spot for a big group weekend getaway.

And what’s actually cool about this campground is that it’s situated within the Presidio park on the northern tip of the town with quick access to climbing and biking trails throughout. Reservations are required for Rob Hill Campground and these websites are tent-camping solely.

In case you’re seeking to get out of the town for some tenting, you’re additionally in luck. Listed here are just a few extra campgrounds only a brief drive from San Francisco:

  • Kirby Cove and Bicentennial Campground: Positioned within the Marin Headlands, these supply beautiful views of the town and the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll really feel like you might be in two worlds directly!
  • Hawk Campground: Perched excessive on a hill in Golden Gate Nationwide Park, Hawk Campground has wonderful views of the Gerbode Valley. These campsites are solely accessible by a 2 or 3-mile hike, which implies you’ll really feel far-off from civilization, although you’re truly only a brief drive away from the town.
  • Angel Island State Park: One the preferred California seashore campgrounds within the space is Angel Island State Park, which is simply accessible by ferries. The 9 coastal campsites are unfold out everywhere in the island and every has distinctive views of the SF Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, the well-known cityscape, and the rolling Marin Headlands.
Views of the San Francisco skyline over the bay from Angel IslandViews of the San Francisco skyline over the bay from Angel Island
Snag a campsite on Angel Island State Park for excellent views of San Francisco

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2. Climbing

I believe San Francisco is definitely top-of-the-line cities for climbing. 1000’s of miles of trails join all through the San Francisco Bay Space and Silicon Valley and there are countless alternatives for brief or lengthy hikes.

Listed here are just a few of my favourite hikes in San Francisco:

  • Batteries to Bluffs Path or Lands Finish Path: These are near the town and supply supply views of the Golden Gate Bridge on a transparent day.
  • Mount Sutro Loop: This path will make you shortly overlook you’re in an city setting with tons of superior bushes in a blanketed forest.
  • Twin Peaks: A well-known spot in San Francisco and an incredible vacation spot for a fast hike with superior views. The path up and down the summits at Twin Peaks is simply over half a mile, however you may park within the neighborhood under so as to add elevation and mileage to get your coronary heart pumping.
  • Muir Woods: Head north of San Francisco to go to Muir Woods and discover one of many final remaining stands of coastal redwoods. Common trails embody Fern Creek, Misplaced, and Cover Path, Dipsea Path (requires a shuttle experience again), and Fern Creek Loop.
  • Large Sur: Escape the town by heading south to Large Sur, which is dwelling to tons of of climbing trails with lovely coastal views and tons of wildflowers within the spring. For hike suggestions and different issues to do, try my Large Sur journey information.
The Golden Gate Bridge spanning the bay on a blue sky dayThe Golden Gate Bridge spanning the bay on a blue sky day
Catch the perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Batteries to Bluffs Path

3. Backpacking

The multi-day backpacking trails close to San Francisco are filled with beautiful excessive ridgelines, beautiful redwood bushes, grassy woodlands, humble fog, and ocean views. If this sounds such as you’re ultimate outing, you’re in luck – there are tons of backpacking choices inside a 2-hour drive of the Bay!

Henry W. Coe State Park Backpacking

Among the best locations for multi-day hikes is Henry W. Coe State Park, the biggest State Park in Northern California. It’s full of rolling hills and few folks, making it good for a 1 or 2-night journey.

All backpacking permits for Henry W. Coe can be found on a first-come, first-served foundation on the park entrance or headquarters. However with area for over 60 backpacking events, they’re fairly simple to get. You will discover extra data on permits and steered backpacking routes on the Henry W. Coe web site.

Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore Backpacking

Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore is one in all my favourite locations in California and it has some superior backpacking route choices. The 23-mile Laguna, Coast Path, Glen, Baldy, Sky Path Loop options rugged shoreline views, abandoned seashores, oak forests, and many wildlife, it’s a should for avid hikers. Add just a few miles from Wildcat Camp to view the well-known Alamere Falls – it’s value the additional steps!

Alamere Falls cascading down an oceanside cliff in Point Reyes National Seashore in CaliforniaAlamere Falls cascading down an oceanside cliff in Point Reyes National Seashore in California
Go to Alamere Falls in your hike or backpacking journey to Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore

East Bay Backpacking

Within the East Bay, one other nice backpacking journey is the the Skyline Nationwide Recreation Path. This 33-mile (one-way) path runs between Anthony Chabot Regional Park and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. In a single day journeys do require a allow, which you’ll be able to choose up on the Sibley Volcanic Regional Reserve. Additionally, because it’s a point-to-point path, you will have to arrange a automotive shuttle.

New to backpacking?

Backpacking 101 posts

4. Mountaineering

Sure, you possibly can drive a few hours to Yosemite Nationwide Park, however the San Francisco Bay Space is full of nice mountaineering spots, too. One in style spot is south of Silicon Valley at Fort Rock State Park. Right here you’ll discover tons of bouldering and prime rope routes with views of the Santa Cruz mountains and Pacific Ocean.

All ability ranges are welcome. Or, when you don’t know find out how to climb, it’s an incredible place to be taught! If you’re a complete beginner with no climbing accomplice, try one of many native tour corporations – equivalent to Fort Rock Climbing College – that provide climbing classes.

Within the East Bay, Mount Diablo State Park has trad, prime rope, and sport climbing routes. Mount Tamalpais, within the North Bay, can also be an incredible choice for newbies, with loads of simple climbs and good views of the Bay. Somewhat additional away, Pinnacles Nationwide Park is a quiet Nationwide Park with loads of volcanic rock to scurry up.

Tall boulders set on ridgeline at Pinnacle National Park in CaliforniaTall boulders set on ridgeline at Pinnacle National Park in California
Pinnacles Nationwide Park is dwelling to quite a lot of nice bouldering and mountaineering

5. Kayaking

San Francisco is surrounded by water, so it’s no shock that there are some nice locations to go kayaking. Angel Island is an superior place to kayak as a result of it’s simple to get to from San Francisco or Sausalito. Nonetheless, bear in mind that the currents within the Bay Space will be sturdy, particularly if it’s windy, so when you’re new to kayaking, you may need to contemplate a guided tour. For slightly added journey, hit the bay at sundown and soak up that stunning skycap at nightfall!

Different choices for kayaking are Sausalito, which provides epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline, or Horseshoe Cove in Fort Baker north of SF.

On the lookout for a highway journey? Just below 3 hours from San Francisco, you may kayak with sea otters in Monterey Bay, a completely distinctive expertise as a sanctuary for tons of sea animals!

6. Biking

If you’re visiting San Francisco, it’s just about a on condition that you must see the Golden Gate Bridge. So why not get some train on the similar time? Hire a motorcycle from one of many many stands close to Fisherman’s Wharf and head over the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin. You’ll be able to bike all the way in which to Sausalito or Tiburon, seize a chew to eat, and take the ferry again to Pier 41.

In case you’ve acquired a mountain bike and are itching to get out on the paths, there are many trails open to mountain bikers. Just a few in style path networks are:

  • China Camp: an incredible place for newer riders. There are a number of beginner-friendly loops you are able to do.
  • Camp Tamarancho Loop: a extra technical route for riders searching for a problem.
  • Joaquin Miller Park: situated within the East Bay – it’s dwelling to a gorgeous evergreen forest and flowy singletrack.
  • Shell Ridge: mellow, vast trails which can be nice for straightforward pedaling via the East Bay’s rolling hills.
  • Soquel Demonstration Forest: is essentially the most well-known place to mountain bike close to San Francisco with its iconic 3-mile Stream Path. The uphill part is thought to be difficult!
  • Henry Coe State Park: additionally in style with over 290 miles of mountain biking trails accessible (essentially the most of any State Park in California!)

Did I miss any of your favourite San Francisco out of doors actions? Or when you’re planning a visit to the Bay Space, what are you wanting ahead to most? Depart a remark under!

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