Though San Francisco and the Bay Space might seem tech-focused from the skin, residents know there isn’t any scarcity of the way 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.
From superior close by seaside tenting, mountain climbing, mountain biking, and extra, there are tons of fantastic outside actions in San Francisco, each throughout the metropolis limits and a brief drive away. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite methods to get outside in San Francisco and the encompassing Bay Space in your subsequent weekend journey.
Benefit from your journey to the Bay Space with our information to enjoyable outside actions in San Francisco.
Tenting
The one campground throughout the San Francisco metropolis limits is Rob Hill Campground, conveniently situated within the Presidio. There are solely 2 campsites accessible, however every web site can maintain as much as 30 individuals which makes it a fantastic spot for giant group tenting.
For a view of the town and the Golden Gate Bridge, there are a number of campgrounds which have wonderful skyline views which might be near San Francisco. Pitch your tent at Kirby Cove or Bicentennial Campground within the Marin Headlands to get a shocking view of the town, with the quiet of a campsite. You’ll really feel like you’re in two worlds directly!
Desire a fast escape that feels completely out of the town? Hawk Campground affords beautiful views of the Gerbode Valley, perched excessive on a hill in Golden Gate Nationwide Park. These campsites are solely accessible by a 2 or 3 mile hike, which suggests you’ll really feel distant from civilization, although you’re really only a brief drive away from San Francisco.
One in all our favourite California seaside campgrounds is Angel Island State Park, accessible by ferries departing all around the Bay space. 9 coastal campsites are unfold out all around the island, with views of the SF Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, the well-known cityscape, and the rolling Marin Headlands.
Mountain climbing
1000’s of miles of trails join all through the San Francisco Bay Space and Silicon Valley. Keep near the town by mountain climbing the Batteries to Bluffs Path or Lands Finish Path, each of which provide views of the Golden Gate Bridge on a transparent day. Mount Sutro Loop will make you shortly overlook you’re in an city setting with tons of superior timber in a blanketed forest.
Twin Peaks is a well-known spot in San Francisco and a fantastic 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 may park within the neighborhood beneath so as to add elevation and mileage to get your coronary heart pumping.
Head north of San Francisco to go to Muir Woods and discover one of many final remaining stands of coastal redwoods. Fashionable trails embody Fern Creek, Misplaced, and Cover Path, Dipsea Path (requires a shuttle trip again), and Fern Creek Loop.
If you wish to escape the town by heading south, Massive Sur is residence to lots of of mountain climbing trails with stunning coastal views and tons of wildflowers within the spring. We’ve rounded up our favourite hikes, together with different issues to do, in our Massive Sur journey information.
Backpacking
Backpacking is certainly one of our favourite San Francisco outside actions as a result of trails are filled with attractive excessive ridgelines, beautiful redwood timber, grassy woodlands, humble fog, and ocean views. And by chance, there are tons of backpacking choices inside a 2-hour drive of the Bay!
For multi-day backpacking journeys, head south of San Jose to seek out Henry W. Coe State Park, the most important State Park in Northern California. This park is full of rolling hills and few individuals, making it excellent for a multi-day journey. All backpacking permits are on a first-come, first-serve foundation on the park entrance or headquarters, however with area for over 60 backpacking events, you’ll be sure you discover an superior route once you go.
When you’re heading north from San Francisco, try Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore for superior backpacking choices. Our favourite path is the 22-mile Bear Valley Coastal Loop Path – excellent for newbie backpackers. The well-known Alamere Falls may also be trekked to, tenting at close by Wildcat Camp.
Within the East Bay, be sure you try the Skyline Nationwide Recreation Path. This 31 mile one-way path runs between Anthony Chabot Regional Park and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, with backcountry campsites accessible on the Sibley Volcanic Regional Reserve. Please word you’ll need to shuttle vehicles since this can be a point-to-point path.
Rock Climbing
Sure, you can simply drive a pair hours to Yosemite Nationwide Park, however there are some unimaginable spots for climbers nearer to residence. The San Francisco Bay Space is full of nice mountaineering spots. One widespread spot is south of Silicon Valley at Citadel Rock State Park. You’ll find tons of bouldering and high rope routes with a view of the Santa Cruz mountains and the ocean. All talent ranges are welcome, and should you don’t know the way to climb, it’s a fantastic place to be taught. In case you are a complete beginner with no climbing companion, try one of many native tour firms – corresponding to Citadel Rock Climbing College – that supply climbing classes.
Within the East Bay, head to Mount Diablo State Park to seek out trad, high rope, and sport climbing routes. Mount Tamalpais, within the North Bay, is a good possibility for newbies, with loads of simple climbs with a view of the Bay Space. A little bit additional away, the newly designated Pinnacles Nationwide Park is a quiet Nationwide Park with loads of volcanic rock to scurry up.
Kayaking
Angel Island is a well-liked vacation spot for kayakers within the San Francisco Bay Space as a result of it’s simple to get to from San Francisco or Sausalito. Remember that the currents within the Bay Space could be sturdy, particularly if it’s windy, so newbies would possibly take into account a guided tour. For a bit added journey, hit the bay at sundown and absorb that stunning skycap at nightfall.
Head to Sausalito to kayak within the bay with epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline. Horseshoe Cove in Fort Baker is one other superior spot north of SF.
Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore is one other good spot for kayaking close to San Francisco, with Tomales Bay being the fan favourite. Observe: kayaking is simply allowed from July 1 by February 28 in Level Reyes with a view to shield the seal pups within the space.
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.
Biking
In case you are visiting San Francisco, it’s just about a on condition that it’s a must to see the Golden Gate Bridge. 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. Bike all the way in which to Sausalito or Tiburon, seize a bit to eat, and take the ferry again to Pier 41.
When you’ve received a mountain bike and are itching to get out on the paths, there are many trails open to cyclists within the Open Area Preserves on the Peninsula. Purisima Creek Redwoods Protect is certainly one of our favourite choices the place you may bike by coastal redwood groves with loads of choices to create brief or lengthy loops.
Henry Coe State Park is one other Bay Space favourite for mountain biking with over 290 miles of mountain biking trails accessible (probably the most of any State Park in California!)
Observe: This publish was initially written by Angel and Michelle of the now-defunct journey weblog Wherever At House.
Did we 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? Depart us a remark beneath!
