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6 Greatest Methods to Get Exterior within the San Francisco Bay Space – Bearfoot Principle


Though San Francisco and the Bay Space could seem tech-focused from the surface, residents know there isn’t any scarcity of the way to get open air. 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 once I was 22 I spent a yr 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, mountain climbing, and biking alternatives – each inside the metropolis limits and a brief drive away.

For those who’re planning a go to to San Fran, I’ve rounded up some nice methods to get open air in San Francisco and the encompassing Bay Space on your subsequent weekend journey.

1. Tenting

Do you know that there’s really a campground situated within the metropolis of San Francisco itself? Rob Hill Campground is a gaggle campground made up of solely 4 giant 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 town with easy accessibility to mountain climbing and biking trails throughout. Reservations are required for Rob Hill Campground and these websites are tent-camping solely.

For those who’re seeking to get out of town for some tenting, you’re additionally in luck. Listed below are a couple of extra campgrounds only a quick drive from San Francisco:

  • Kirby Cove and Bicentennial Campground: Positioned within the Marin Headlands, these provide beautiful views of town and the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll really feel like you’re 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 suggests you’ll really feel far-off from civilization, despite the fact that you’re really only a quick drive away from town.
  • Angel Island State Park: One the most well-liked California seashore campgrounds within the space is Angel Island State Park, which is just accessible by ferries. The 9 coastal campsites are unfold out all around 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 Island
Snag a campsite on Angel Island State Park for nice views of San Francisco

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2. Mountaineering

I feel San Francisco is definitely the most effective cities for mountain climbing. 1000’s 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 town and provide provide 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 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 possibly can 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. Well-liked trails embrace Fern Creek, Misplaced, and Cover Path, Dipsea Path (requires a shuttle journey again), and Fern Creek Loop.
  • Huge Sur: Escape town by heading south to Huge Sur, which is house to a whole lot of mountain climbing trails with stunning coastal views and tons of wildflowers within the spring. For hike suggestions and different issues to do, try my Huge Sur journey information.
The Golden Gate Bridge spanning the bay on a blue sky day
Catch one of the best 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 attractive excessive ridgelines, beautiful redwood timber, grassy woodlands, humble fog, and ocean views. If this sounds such as you’re preferrred 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 finest locations for multi-day hikes is Henry W. Coe State Park, the most important State Park in Northern California. It’s crammed with rolling hills and few folks, 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. You will discover extra info on permits and instructed backpacking routes on the Henry W. Coe web site.

Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore Backpacking

Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore is considered one of 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 price the additional steps!

Alamere 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 choose up on the Sibley Volcanic Regional Reserve. Additionally, because it’s a point-to-point path, you’ll need to arrange a automotive shuttle.

New to backpacking?

Backpacking 101 posts

4. Mountaineering

Sure, you may drive a few hours to Yosemite Nationwide Park, however the San Francisco Bay Space is crammed with nice mountain climbing spots, too. One standard spot is south of Silicon Valley at Citadel 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 talent ranges are welcome. Or, when you don’t know climb, it’s an incredible place to study! In case you are a complete beginner with no climbing companion, try one of many native tour corporations – corresponding to Citadel Rock Climbing Faculty – 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 possibility for inexperienced persons, with loads of simple climbs and good views of the Bay. A little bit 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 California
Pinnacles Nationwide Park is house to a number of nice bouldering and mountain climbing

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, remember 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 think about a guided tour. For somewhat added journey, hit the bay at sundown and soak up that lovely 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 possibly can kayak with sea otters in Monterey Bay, a very 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 important to see the Golden Gate Bridge. So why not get some train on the identical time? Lease a motorbike from one of many many stands close to Fisherman’s Wharf and head over the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin. You possibly can bike all the way in which to Sausalito or Tiburon, seize a chunk to eat, and take the ferry again to Pier 41.

For those who’ve received a mountain bike and are itching to get out on the paths, there are many trails open to mountain bikers. A couple of standard 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 in search of a problem.
  • Joaquin Miller Park: situated within the East Bay – it’s house to a phenomenal evergreen forest and flowy singletrack.
  • Shell Ridge: mellow, huge trails which can be nice for simple pedaling by means of 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 Circulate Path. The uphill part is thought to be difficult!
  • Henry Coe State Park: additionally standard 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 outside actions? Or when you’re planning a visit to the Bay Space, what are you wanting ahead to most? Go away a remark under!

Extra California Journey Suggestions

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