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6 Finest Methods to Get Outdoors within the San Francisco Bay Space – Bearfoot Concept


Though San Francisco and the Bay Space could seem tech-focused from the skin, residents know there isn’t 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 limitless alternatives for outside actions in San Francisco.

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

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

1. Tenting

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

And what’s actually cool about this campground is that it’s positioned 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.

If you happen to’re seeking to get out of the town for some tenting, you’re additionally in luck. Listed below are a couple of extra campgrounds only a brief drive from San Francisco:

  • Kirby Cove and Bicentennial Campground: Situated within the Marin Headlands, these supply beautiful views of the town and the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll really feel like you’re in two worlds without delay!
  • Hawk Campground: Perched excessive on a hill in Golden Gate Nationwide Park, Hawk Campground has superb 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 nice views of San Francisco

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2. Mountain climbing

I feel San Francisco is definitely top-of-the-line cities for climbing. Hundreds of miles of trails join all through the San Francisco Bay Space and Silicon Valley and there are limitless alternatives for brief or lengthy hikes.

Listed below are a couple of 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 rapidly overlook you’re in an city setting with tons of superior timber in a blanketed forest.
  • Twin Peaks: A well-known spot in San Francisco and a fantastic 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’ll be able to 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. Widespread trails embrace Fern Creek, Misplaced, and Cover Path, Dipsea Path (requires a shuttle trip again), and Fern Creek Loop.
  • Massive Sur: Escape the town by heading south to Massive Sur, which is dwelling to a whole bunch of climbing trails with lovely coastal views and tons of wildflowers within the spring. For hike suggestions and different issues to do, take a look at my Massive 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 most effective views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Batteries to Bluffs Path

3. Backpacking

The multi-day backpacking trails close to San Francisco are stuffed with beautiful excessive ridgelines, beautiful redwood timber, grassy woodlands, humble fog, and ocean views. If this sounds such as you’re very best 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

The most effective locations for multi-day hikes is Henry W. Coe State Park, the most important State Park in Northern California. It’s stuffed with rolling hills and few individuals, making it excellent 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 house for over 60 backpacking events, they’re fairly simple to get. Yow will discover extra info on permits and advised 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 plenty of wildlife, it’s a should for avid hikers. Add a couple of 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.

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Backpacking 101 posts

4. Mountain climbing

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

All talent ranges are welcome. Or, in the event you don’t know methods to climb, it’s a fantastic place to study! In case you are a complete beginner with no climbing companion, take a look at one of many native tour firms – similar to Fort Rock Climbing College – that provide climbing classes.

Within the East Bay, Mount Diablo State Park has trad, high rope, and sport climbing routes. Mount Tamalpais, within the North Bay, can also be a fantastic possibility for freshmen, with loads of simple climbs and good views of the Bay. Just a little 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 plenty 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. Nevertheless, bear in mind that the currents within the Bay Space may be sturdy, particularly if it’s windy, so in the event you’re new to kayaking, you would possibly need to think about a guided tour. For a little bit added journey, hit the bay at sundown and soak up that lovely skycap at nightfall!

Different choices for kayaking are Sausalito, which affords 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? Slightly below 3 hours from San Francisco, you’ll be able to kayak with sea otters in Monterey Bay, a completely distinctive expertise as a sanctuary for tons of sea animals!

6. Biking

In case you are visiting San Francisco, it’s just about a provided that it’s a must to see the Golden Gate Bridge. So why not get some train on the identical time? Hire a motorbike 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 best way to Sausalito or Tiburon, seize a chunk to eat, and take the ferry again to Pier 41.

If you happen to’ve received a mountain bike and are itching to get out on the paths, there are many trails open to mountain bikers. Just a few fashionable path networks are:

  • China Camp: a fantastic 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: positioned within the East Bay – it’s dwelling to a stupendous evergreen forest and flowy singletrack.
  • Shell Ridge: mellow, vast trails which can be nice for simple pedaling by means of the East Bay’s rolling hills.
  • Soquel Demonstration Forest: is probably the most well-known place to mountain bike close to San Francisco with its iconic 3-mile Circulation Path. The uphill part is thought to be difficult!
  • Henry Coe State Park: additionally fashionable with over 290 miles of mountain biking trails obtainable (probably the most of any State Park in California!)

Did I miss any of your favourite San Francisco outside actions? Or in the event you’re planning a visit to the Bay Space, what are you trying ahead to most? Go away a remark under!

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