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 a scarcity of how to get outside. With greater than 250 days of sunshine and year-round common temperatures between 60-70 levels, there are infinite alternatives for out of doors actions in San Francisco.

Again once 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 seaside tenting, climbing, and biking alternatives – each inside the metropolis limits and a brief drive away.

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

1. Tenting

Do you know that there’s really a campground positioned within the metropolis of San Francisco itself? Rob Hill Campground is a gaggle campground made up of solely 4 massive campsites. However every web site can maintain as much as 30 folks which makes it an awesome 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 town with easy accessibility to climbing and biking trails throughout. Reservations are required for Rob Hill Campground and these websites are tent-camping solely.

When you’re trying 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: Situated within the Marin Headlands, these supply gorgeous 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 superb views of the Gerbode Valley. These campsites are solely accessible by a 2 or 3-mile hike, which suggests you’ll really feel distant from civilization, though you’re really only a quick drive away from town.
  • Angel Island State Park: One the preferred California seaside campgrounds within the space is Angel Island State Park, which is simply 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 excellent views of San Francisco

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2. Climbing

I feel San Francisco is definitely probably the greatest cities for climbing. Hundreds of miles of trails join all through the San Francisco Bay Space and Silicon Valley and there are infinite 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 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 timber in a blanketed forest.
  • Twin Peaks: A well-known spot in San Francisco and an awesome 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 beneath 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. In style trails embody Fern Creek, Misplaced, and Cover Path, Dipsea Path (requires a shuttle trip again), and Fern Creek Loop.
  • Large Sur: Escape town by heading south to Large Sur, which is residence to a whole bunch of climbing trails with stunning 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 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, gorgeous redwood timber, grassy woodlands, humble fog, and ocean views. If this sounds such as you’re ideally suited 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

Top-of-the-line locations for multi-day hikes is Henry W. Coe State Park, the biggest State Park in Northern California. It’s crammed with 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 advised backpacking routes on the Henry W. Coe website.

Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore Backpacking

Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore is certainly one of my favourite locations in California and it has some superior backpacking route choices. The 23-mile Laguna, Coast Trail, Glen, Baldy, Sky Trail 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 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 decide up on the Sibley Volcanic Regional Reserve. Additionally, because it’s a point-to-point path, you will want to arrange a automotive shuttle.

New to backpacking?

Backpacking 101 posts

4. Mountaineering

Sure, you might drive a few hours to Yosemite Nationwide Park, however the San Francisco Bay Space is crammed with nice mountain climbing spots, too. One widespread spot is south of Silicon Valley at Citadel 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, should you don’t know climb, it’s an awesome place to be taught! In case you are a complete beginner with no climbing companion, try one of many native tour firms – similar to Castle Rock Climbing School – 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 be an awesome choice for freshmen, 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 residence 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. Nevertheless, bear in mind that the currents within the Bay Space will be sturdy, particularly if it’s windy, so should you’re new to kayaking, you would possibly wish to contemplate a guided tour. For somewhat added journey, hit the bay at sundown and absorb 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.

Searching for a street journey? Just below 3 hours from San Francisco, you possibly can 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 on condition that you must see the Golden Gate Bridge. So why not get some train on the identical 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 possibly can bike all the best way to Sausalito or Tiburon, seize a chew to eat, and take the ferry again to Pier 41.

When you’ve bought a mountain bike and are itching to get out on the paths, there are many trails open to mountain bikers. A couple of widespread path networks are:

  • China Camp: an awesome 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 residence to a stupendous evergreen forest and flowy singletrack.
  • Shell Ridge: mellow, large trails which are 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 widespread with over 290 miles of mountain biking trails accessible (essentially the most of any State Park in California!)

Extra California Journey Ideas

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