Though San Francisco and the Bay Space might seem tech-focused from the surface, residents know there is no such thing as 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 limitless alternatives for outside actions in San Francisco.
Again after I was 22 I spent a yr residing 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, mountaineering, 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 outside in San Francisco and the encircling Bay Space in 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 bunch campground made up of solely 4 giant campsites. However every website can maintain as much as 30 folks which makes it an amazing 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 quick access to mountaineering and biking trails throughout. Reservations are required for Rob Hill Campground and these websites are tent-camping solely.
For those who’re trying to get out of town for some tenting, you’re additionally in luck. Listed here are a couple of extra campgrounds only a brief drive from San Francisco:
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2. Mountain climbing
I believe San Francisco is definitely probably the greatest cities for mountaineering. 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 here are a couple 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 superb 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 biggest State Park in Northern California. It’s stuffed 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 house for over 60 backpacking events, they’re fairly simple to get. You could find extra data on permits and prompt 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 a couple of miles from Wildcat Camp to view the well-known Alamere Falls – it’s value 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 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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4. Mountain climbing
Sure, you may 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 prime rope routes with views of the Santa Cruz mountains and Pacific Ocean.
All ability ranges are welcome. Or, should you don’t know the way to climb, it’s an amazing place to be taught! In case you are a complete beginner with no climbing associate, take a look at one of many native tour corporations – resembling 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 be an amazing choice for novices, with loads of simple climbs and good views of the Bay. Slightly 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 simple to get to from San Francisco or Sausalito. Nonetheless, bear in mind that the currents within the Bay Space will be robust, particularly if it’s windy, so should you’re new to kayaking, you would possibly need to think about 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 presents epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline, or Horseshoe Cove in Fort Baker north of SF.
In search of a street 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
In case you are visiting San Francisco, it’s just about a provided that you need to see the Golden Gate Bridge. So why not get some train on the similar time? Lease 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 way in which to Sausalito or Tiburon, seize a chew to eat, and take the ferry again to Pier 41.
For those who’ve obtained 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:
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 wanting ahead to most? Depart a remark beneath!
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