Author: Alan Perlman

  • 5 Best Mountain Biking Trails in San Francisco

    Because of the hilly terrain, Marin County was basically the origin of mountain biking. Although there are plenty of hidden gems throughout, below are some of the best trails that any biker should check out.

    1. Demo Forest (Sawpit Trail)

    Ranked among the top three mountain biking locations, Soquel Demonstration Forest features a bunch of different trails. The Sawpit trail, which is 15 miles long, takes about four hours to complete and is considered as one of the most fun trails around, despite its difficulty!

    2. Annadel State Park

    This 18.5 mile ride located in Annadel State Park takes about 5.5 hours to complete. It features a total climb of 2800 feet and is considered one of the best spots for advanced riders. Featuring some seriously technical sections with lots of rocky segments and boulders to navigate, the trails in Annadel State Park are sure to keep you on your toes.

    best mountain biking trails in san francisco annadel state park

    3. Joaquin Miller

    Located in the Oakland Hills, this small city mountain biking park is great for all levels of riders. Most of the trails are singletrack or wide singletrack with a few family-friendly trails mixed in with some very steep and technical trails.

    5 best mountain biking trails in san francisco joaquin miller

    4. Jackson and Dexter Trails at Henry Coe State Park

    Henry Coe State Park offers plenty of singletrack trails that are perfect for mountain biking. This particular loop is 13 miles long and takes about three hours to complete. It’s one of the best because it offers a bit of technical and aerobic challenge as well as scenic views. The Jackson trail part of the loop provides plenty of switchbacks with lots of rolling singletrack. This trail brings you to a brief ridgetop where most of the scenic views are.The steep but fun descent down Dexter trail brings you to the Grizzly Gulch trail which features a mixture of very steep and technical sections.

    5 best mountain biking trails in san francisco henry coe state park jackson and dexter trails

    5. Angel Island

    Located almost at the center of the San Francisco Bay, this 10.5 mile trial is of the most scenic mountain biking trails around. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete and features sprawling views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, Easy Bay and Tiburon and a portion of lower Marin County. Although this isn’t necessarily a mountain biking trail, it is still one of the prettiest locations for a “touristy” bike ride in San Francisco.

    5 best mountain biking trails in san francisco angel island

  • Top 6 San Francisco Rock Climbs

    San Francisco features some of the best rock climbing sites in the area. From ocean-side bouldering options to traditional climbs up sandstone sandstone nestled deep in the woods, San Fran makes for an awesome city to suit- up and start climbing!

    1. Castle Rock State Park

    Castle Rock features some of the best bouldering, sport, and trad routes in the area. With climbing terrain similar to that of the famous forest Fontainebleau in Paris, Castle Rock is sure to please all levels of rock climbers! Climbs are spread out throughout the park and  range from 10 to 120 feet high. This is definitely a must for anyone interested in rock climbing in San Francisco!

    castle rock state park 6 best san francisco rock climbs

    2. Mickey’s Beach

    Located just one mile south of Stinson Beach, Mickey’s Beach offers a unique rock climbing setting that you will definitely want to take advantage of. With a variety of challenging and technical ocean-side climbs, it is best to come on more overcast days when the rocks will feel easier to grip. Make sure you check daily tide charts before you come! Tides must be at +3 or less for ocean-side climbs.

    6 best san francisco rock climbs mickey's beach

    3. Indian Rock

    Indian Rock is among the most popular areas to go bouldering. Climbs offer great views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and Mount Tam. There are over a dozen bouldering problems all with varying levels of difficulty for anyone to enjoy!

    4. Mortar Rock

    Just one block from Indian Rock, Mortar Rock is basically one big boulder that offers countless routes. This popular bouldering spot has been around for about 30 years and includes two favorite routes (Nat’s Traverse and Jungle Fever) that everyone who visits must try.

    5. Mt. Saint Helena

    With some of the best rock in the Bay Area, Mt. Saint Helena is located just six miles east of Tubbs Lane in Calistoga. The beautiful rock is actually remnants of an extinct volcano, which makes climbing Mt. Saint Helena such a cool experience. Climbers can also enjoy excellent views of the Pacific Ocean, Mt Diablo, Mt. Tamalpais and San Francisco at the top of several of the climbs.

    6 best san francisco rock climbs mt. saint helena

    6. Mt. Diablo

    Mt. Diablo State Park offers a few climbing sites with tons of climbing routes across soft sandstone. Whether you choose to climb up  Boy Scout Rocks or Pine Canyon, there is something for everyone. Boy Scout Rock offers 80-90 feet of well-protected, highly trafficked classic routes with lots of rap anchors while Pine Canyon features more adventurous routes including two pitch climbs, some great crack systems, steep trails and plenty of brush. Both climbing spots are very different from one another which makes Mt. Diablo an interesting area to climb.

    6 best san francisco rock climbs mount diablo

  • 5 Best Day Hikes Near San Francisco

    With all the beautiful redwood forested areas combined with coastal views and steep, rocky hills, San Francisco features some of the best hiking trails around! Below is just a handful of some of the greatest day hikes in the area.

    1. Berry Creek Falls Loop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park

    Surrounded by magnificent redwoods and picturesque waterfalls, this hike is among the most popular in the San Francisco Bay Area. Seasoned Berry Creek Falls hikers recommend starting at the Sunset Trail and doing a counter-clockwise loop. With 100 feet of elevation spread across 10.2 miles, Berry Creek Falls is among the more challenging day hikes in the area. It can be easy to get lost so make sure to buy a trail map at the park HQ  and come prepared with layers as it can get pretty cool!

    hiking at berry creek 5 best day hikes in san francisco

    2. Cataract Trail Loop in Marin County

    Located in deep Marin County, this 7.7 loop takes you through the picturesque mount Tamalpais Watershed area. Although hikers can hike just over a mile up to the top of the Cataract Creek Trail, the breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean are definitely worth taking on the entire trail. The trails can be rather narrow at times and terrain can get slippery particularly near waterfalls so be careful and take it slow!

    cataract creek trail 5 best day hikes near san francisco

    3. Coyote Creek loop at Henry Coe State Park

    Another strenuous trail, Coyote Creek Loop located at Henry Coe State Park is known for all the beautiful springtime wildflowers, which makes spring one of the best times to hike this trail. The state park is set in the countryside and features plenty of hills, ridges, canyons — it’s hard to believe it’s just an hour away from the metropolitan area! Because there are areas of tall grass, be weary of ticks.

    henry coe state park hiking near san francisco

    4. North Peak at Mount Diablo State Park

    If you’re in the mood for long miles with lots of climbing and challenging terrain, then this is the hike for you! The hike begins in the East Bay suburb of Clayton at Mount Diablo State Park and takes you across the Mount Olympia summit and then finally to North Peak. This hike consists of patches of narrow terrain with steep, rocky slopes, which can make the descent just as difficult as the ascent. This hike can be attempted any season however the summer would probably be too hot.

    north peak at mount diablo 5 best day hikes near san francisco

    5.Tomales Point at Point Reyes National Seashore

    Beginning next to the historic Pierce Point Ranch, the Tomales Point trail is about 10 miles of moderate ups and downs on easy to navigate trail. This trail offers scenic views of the northern California coastline however, the herds tule elk are probably the most exciting thing to see. Because the mornings can get rather foggy by the coastline, you may want to attempt this hike in the afternoon.

    tomales point 5 best day hikes near san francisco

  • Sheffield Adventure Film Festival Trailer

    Sheffield Adventure Film Festival Trailer

    OK, so we’re a year late, but that doesn’t mean that the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival movie trailer isn’t worth a few minutes of your time as an adrenaline junkie.

  • Youri Zoon Conquers Kiteboarding World Championship

    Youri Zoon Conquers Kiteboarding World Championship

    Youri Zoon has been kiteboarding for more than ten years. His single goal as he dove deeper into the sport? A world championship title. Always fighting to add more power and style to the game, Youri is one of the world’s best freestyle kiteboarders. In 2011, his dream became his reality. But what remains after you achieve the ultimate reward?

  • Top 5 Adrenaline Junkie Activities Near London

    London is one of the UK’s top locations for great nightlife, shopping and historical sites, but this city and the surrounding areas provide some pretty cool activities to get any adrenaline junkie excited. Check out some of the best adrenaline-inducing activities to do while you’re in London.

    1. UK Bungee Club

    At 300 feet high, UK Bungee Club is the highest jump around. With two locations at Windsor Bray and Manchester Tatton Park, the UK Bungee Club offers a 300 foot jump from a crane over the water. You must book ahead and have the option to do a tandem jump as well!

    UK bungee jump 5 adrenaline junkie activities near london

    2. Harness Zorbing

    Ever heard of zorbing? This wacky activity is essentially a chance for you to roll around for an extended period of time in a giant bubble. The zorbing track located in Surrey is open from March to October and offers an experience like no other. Get ready to roll down a hill for surrounded by beautiful wooded areas at speeds of up to 35 mph!

    3. FlyBoard Aquatic Jet Pack

    The most exciting water-based experience around, the FlyBoard Aquatic JetPack takes water sports to a whole new level. The jetpack will send you up to 30 feet in the air! It’s open from late March to late October and is available for ages 16 and up.

    flyboarding near london top 5 adrenaline junkie activities

    4. Mountain Boarding

    Available all year round, mountain boarding combines snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and mountain biking into one extreme adrenaline rush filled adventure. Choose either a half day experience or a full day experience of riding around up and down slopes and hilly playgrounds on a board with oversized wheels for an awesome off roading thrill.

    5. Superjet Stand-Up Jetski

    Just 48 miles outside of London, reach speeds of up to 40 mph as you attempt stunts, spins and tricks. Training is available to get you comfortable enough to work your way up to standing up on the jetski.

  • 4 Best Places for Parkour Classes in London

    As parkour and freerunning become increasingly popular, more and more facilities dedicated to this extreme sport continue to pop up around the UK. London is home to the famous 3Run parkour team as well as some great parkour and freerunning gyms if you’re interested in taking a few courses yourself.

    1. SingleBound

    Formed in 2003, SingleBound quickly became one of the most active parkour groups in London. SingleBound offers classes in professional parkour, martial arts and freerunning for all age groups. The coaches here are also the official parkour and freerunning teachers and consultants for the Leeds City Council, The Leeds Metropolitan University Parkour Society and other organizations.

    2. The Chainstore Parkour Academy

    Located in East London, the Chainstore is the UK’s first parkour and freerunning facility. They offer space for people to come in and practice on their own or take classes with the coaches onsite. The center features the UK’s only indoor parkour specific training zone which is designed to mimic an outdoor urban atmosphere with metal, concrete and wood surfaces and structures. Additionally there is a functional strength and fitness gym, a dance/activity zone, as well as an observation deck for watching all the awesome talent!

    3. 3Run Evolution Academy

    3Run parkour and freerunning academy offers classes 6 days a week led by the world famous 3Run team in their all-purpose parkour and freerunning gym. Classes include parkour, freerunning, late night rave training, street fitness and drop in sessions.

    4. Paramount Parkour Academy

    This newer gym was built in 2013 and is located in Milton Keynes, just minutes away from the train. The Paramount Parkour Academy is a membership based club that caters to all levels of ability. Classes offer a combination of soft and hard environments with the option to join a summer camp there as well!

    4 places to take parkour classes in london paramount academy

  • 5 Best Mountain Biking Trails Near London

    While there isn’t much mountain biking to do in London itself, there are a handful of great trails just a short train ride outside the city. Check out the list below and go exploring!

    1. Ennerdale Forest

    This 12.48 mile ride is comprised of both dirt and tarmac and begins with a nice downhill. The rolling hills take you through beautiful forested areas in Cumbria. It’s a great ride for all weather conditions but riders must be careful as there tend to be lots of walkers in certain areas of the trail.

    mountain biking at ennerdale forest near london

    2. The South Downs

    Looking for something a little more substantial? The 100 mile ride from Winchester to Brighton is an epic experience, which typically takes riders 2-3 days to complete the whole thing. This trail features 12,600 feet of ascent and great views of the chalk hills.

    best mountain biking near london south downs

    3. Delamere Forest

    Delamere Forest is a great location for riders looking flowing tracks through a nicely wooded area. With two routes of four and seven miles long, this ride is great for all levels of experience.

    mountain biking at delamere forest near london

    4. Mendip Hills

    Mendip Hills, located in Somerset, is home to Britain’s longest running race events called the Cheddar Challenge. In addition to the Cheddar Challenge there are some awesome trails around Beacon Batch and Black Down which offer steep and narrow descents and lots of jumps and rocky terrain. These challenging trails will definitely get your heart pumping.

    5. Epping Forest

    If you’re looking for a cool area to go cross country riding, this is your spot! Epping forest is located close enough to London that you can choose to bike there or take the train. Although its trails are rather muddy year round, it’s a great place to spend a few hours exploring.

    5 best mountain biking trails near london epping forest

  • Top 5 London Rock Climbs

    London isn’t exactly known for being mountainous with tons of climbing routes, however, there are some really cool indoor facilities and even a man made outdoor bouldering park which you must check out!

    1. Fairlop Waters Boulder Park

    As the UK’s largest boulder park, Fairlop Waters is located right in the London borough of Redbridge. The park includes 9 individual boulders made from carved and sprayed concrete, which vary in height and difficulty. Boulder difficulty ranges from beginner all the way to an f6a level expert. There is also a little snack shop on site where you can grab something to eat after a fun day on the boulders!

    fairlop waters boulder park top rock climbs in london

    2. Vertical Chill

    This unique climbing spot caters to those looking for an awesome place to ice climb. Located at the back of the Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports store in Covent Garden, Vertical Chill is a 26 foot ice wall with varying degrees of steepness, including a nice overhang, for a range of experience levels. The ice wall is situated in a refrigerated room with windows on multiple floors of the shop.

    vertical chill top rock climbs in london

    3. The Castle Climbing Centre

    The Castle Climbing Centre is one of the most popular climbing locations in London. This indoor climbing facility features some great top rope/lead climb routes that reach heights upwards of 40 feet! Located in an old Victorian water pumping station, the climbing center offers over 450 routes and about 90 roped lines as well as awesome bouldering routes with about 250 marked problems. One of the reasons The Castle is so cool is that the climbs are spread out over multiple floor levels which makes for a unique climbing experience.

    the castle rock climbing centre in london

    4. The Arch 2

    Also known as the Biscuit factory, this bouldering only facility was constructed inside an old biscuit factory in 2012. It is comprised of over 11,000 square feet of bouldering options with hundreds of climbing routes. It offers climb levels ranging from f5+ to f7c so if you don’t have prior climbing experience you will have to take an introductory course. The facility also includes a 55 degree training wall and a strength training and stretching area.

    5. White Spider

    The White Spider also opened in 2012 and consists of about 15,000 square feet of roped climbs with 103 rope lines and 300 routes as well as over 6,000 square feet of bouldering. The longest route reaches up to over 42 feet and grades range from f3-f8a. There is also a stalactite ceiling for a cave-like experience. The lower mezzanine features overhangs, a boulder cave and horizontal climbing next to a training area while the upper mezzanine has slabs and traverses. There is also a castle play area so you can bring the kids along as well!

  • 5 Best Day Hikes Near London

    Thanks to the Green Belt Policy in London, there is actually quite a bit of unurbanized land surrounding the metropolitan London area. This makes London and the nearby countryside great locations for scenic day hikes with tons of historical sites that are definitely a must see. Whether you live in the UK or are just passing through, the list below is just a handful of all the beautiful hiking trails London has to offer!

    1. Hastings Circular, East Sussex

    Looking for the best coastal views around? This 5.9 mile hike begins in Hastings Old Town, takes you along the seafront at Rock-A-Nore and then brings you to a cliff-top coastal walk through Hastings Country Park. This 2 hour and 40 minute route also features plenty of historical sites including the house of 1678 fraudster Titus Oates, the entrance to St. Clements Caves and the Hastings Castle (pictured below) at the end of the loop. The terrain is varied with a few steep sections but altogether a fun and scenic experience.

    5 best day hikes near london hiking at hastings circular

    2. Hurst Green to Oxted, Surrey/Kent

    One of the best routes for a nice autumn stroll is from Hurst Green to Oxted. This walk takes you along the hills of North Kent and Surrey with the majority of it passing through wooded areas of Greensand Way, which makes it such a beautiful walk in the fall months. There are also a couple of spots to stop at for lunch during your walk!

    5 best day hikes near london green hurst to oxted

    3. Richmond Park

    As the largest enclosed space in  London, Richmond Park is a major draw for tourists and Londoners alike. This 3.69 mile national nature reserve is home to the Isabella Plantation, Pembroke Lodge, and 630 red and fallow deer. Richmond Park is a great spot for a leisurely afternoon walk!

    5 bet day hikes near london richmond park

    4. Box Hill Circular

    This rather strenuous hike goes through a very beautiful part of North Downs. The main walk is approximately 4 and a half hours and 9.3 miles long, however, you also have the option shorten it by cutting out the section to Headley Heath and taking a direct route through Box Hill Country Park. For the entire day trip, it is recommended that you give yourself about nine hours to accommodate train travel, sightseeing, and meals throughout the hike. The Box Hill loop offers rolling hills with plenty of things to see along your way. This part of North Downs gets very popular on the weekends so be prepared for a crowd!

    5 best day hikes near london box hill

    5. Salisbury to Amesbury via Stonehenge

    At 15.6 miles long, this is one of the longer hikes in the area. The route features plenty of gentle inclines through the rolling countryside. It is a great hike for the springtime when all the flowers are in bloom and awesome in the summer months when you can see all of the wheat and barley fields. There is plenty of sightseeing to do on this walk but how much you see depends on how far you go and what paths you take. Close to the end of the hike is where you will be able to see Stonehenge, which you can view from off site.

    hiking from salisbury to amesbury via stonehenge best day hikes near london