Again once I was 22 I spent a 12 months dwelling in San Francisco and have been again many instances to go to since. I’m at all times impressed by the superior close by seaside tenting, mountaineering, and biking alternatives – each inside the metropolis limits and a brief drive away.
In the event 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.
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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 web site can maintain as much as 30 individuals which makes it an excellent 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 easy accessibility to mountaineering and biking trails throughout. Reservations are required for Rob Hill Campground and these websites are tent-camping solely.
In the event you’re trying to get out of the town for some tenting, you’re additionally in luck. Listed below are a number of extra campgrounds only a brief drive from San Francisco:
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2. Mountaineering
I believe San Francisco is definitely among the finest cities for mountaineering. 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 number of of my favourite hikes in San Francisco:
3. Backpacking
The multi-day backpacking trails close to San Francisco are stuffed with attractive excessive ridgelines, beautiful redwood timber, 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
Probably the greatest 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 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 straightforward to get. You could find 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 certainly 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 number of miles from Wildcat Camp to view the well-known Alamere Falls – it’s price the additional steps!
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’ll need to arrange a automotive shuttle.
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Backpacking 101 posts
4. Mountaineering
Sure, you can drive a few hours to Yosemite Nationwide Park, however the San Francisco Bay Space is stuffed with nice mountaineering spots, too. One common 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 ability ranges are welcome. Or, should you don’t know the best way to climb, it’s an excellent place to study! If you’re a complete beginner with no climbing companion, take a look at one of many native tour firms – akin to Citadel Rock Climbing Faculty – that supply 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 excellent possibility for freshmen, with loads of straightforward climbs and good views of the Bay. A bit additional away, Pinnacles Nationwide Park is a quiet Nationwide Park with loads of volcanic rock to scurry up.
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 straightforward to get to from San Francisco or Sausalito. Nevertheless, remember that the currents within the Bay Space might be sturdy, particularly if it’s windy, so should you’re new to kayaking, you would possibly need to take into account 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 presents 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 very 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 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’ll be able to bike all the way in which to Sausalito or Tiburon, seize a chunk to eat, and take the ferry again to Pier 41.
In the event 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 common path networks are:
Did I miss any of your favourite San Francisco outside actions? Or should you’re planning a visit to the Bay Space, what are you trying ahead to most? Go away a remark under!
