Category: San Francisco

We typically hear about Southern California surfing, but what about surfing in Northern California. Although the water is definitely colder in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are some awesome spots with great waves for beginners and experts alike!

1. Bolinas

Located next to Stinson Beach Bolinas is considered one of the most popular surf spots in the bay area. It features a long stretch of beach breaks with the main break being just outside of the inlet that leads to the Bolinas Lagoon. This soft, mellow break is popular for longboarders and can be a great spot for new surfers.

2. Cronkhite

Cronkhite offers very fast and steep breaks just around the corner from Sausalito. This surf spot has a very local vibe and can be rather unforgiving but is a great area for surfers looking for fast, hollow drop-ins.

3. Fort Point

Located just inside the Golden Gate Bridge, all you have to do is park your car and walk to down the rocks to paddle out. The rocks can be very slippery so be extra careful when entering and exiting the water at Fort Point! Aside from the rocks, this is a great surf spot for intermediate to advanced surfers.

4. Lindemar Beach

Lindemar Beach is the best location for beginner surfers. Located in a cove in South Pacifica, this beach offers gentle waves and can get very crowded so be careful to not collide with any other surfers!

5. Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is the long stretch along the Pacific coastline. Here there are four primary surf areas referred to as Kellys, VFW, the Dunes and Sloat. The waves along Ocean Beach tend to increase in size and become less steep as you make your way from the northernmost point at Kellys down to Sloat. Ocean Beach offers challenging waves with a very strong rip at times.

San Francisco’s coastal location makes it a top destination for cool water sports of all kinds. From kiteboarding to open water swimming, below is a list of 5 extreme water sports that will turn anyone into an ocean-loving enthusiast!

1. Kiteboarding

Also known as kitesurfing, kiteboarding is a surface water sport that essentially combines surfing with wakeboarding. Kiteboarders use their entire body as they use a kite to capture the power of the winder to propel them across the water on a surfboard. Check out the awesome video below!

Inspired yet? Next time you’re in San Francisco check out one of these top spots for kiteboarding:

1. Bay Area Kiteboarding
2. KGB Kiteboarding
3. Kite 415
4. Kite the Bay

2. Cage Diving

Interested in exploring the ocean and it’s inhabitants? The coast of California, specifically off the Farallon Islands, is a great location for cage diving. Check out the video and get your scuba gear on and check it out.

3. Windsurfing

Windsurfing is a popular sport in the San Francisco Bay Area. With great weather conditions and some of the top windsurfing shops around, the San Fran Bay Area is an excellent location for both learning and practicing your windsurfing skills.

4. Open Water Swimming

Open water swimming requires loads of strength and endurance making it one of the most difficult extreme water sports on the list. One seriously challenging event is the Bridge to Bridge Swim which is a 10 km swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge! Another very popular event for open water swimmers is the Escape from Alcatraz Swim, which is a 1.25 mile swim from Alcatraz to the Aquatic Park in the Bay of San Francisco.

5. Big Wave Surfing at Mavericks

It’s no question that California is known for its great waves and surfer culture. One specific location off the coast of Northern California known as Mavericks has garnered a reputation for waves that reach an enormous 25 feet high. Mavericks is a top winter surfing destination for some of the world’s best big wave surfers looking for an extreme thrill. Because this is such a dangerous location, very few surfers will actually attempt the waves, however this is a Mavericks Invitational that only the bravest attend, check it out!

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.

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.

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. 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.

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!

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.

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. 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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.