Bay Area - Outdoors
I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. -- John Muir
Parks & Places
Shoreline Lake and Recreation Area, Mountain View
The lake is small and man-made, but pretty and pleasant. You can rent kayaks, canoes and pedal boats, picnic, read on the grass, or jog the several miles of trails surrounding the lake, winding around the golf course, and bordering the bay. This area also has the historic Rengstorff House, a cafe or two, preserved wildlife areas, self-guided interpretive signs, and a kite-flying section. (Map)
Stevens Creek Trail, Mountain View
A short and easy trail but an excellent way to grab some sunshine and exercise. The northermost section goes by a creek and marshes, looks upon the bay, and it's easy to forget that you're less than a mile away from bustling civilization and dozens of tech companies. Once a year you can also participate in the Trailblazer Race, organized by Friends of Stevens Creek Trail. It is an easy 5k/10k walk/run; I did my first one recently and immensely enjoyed it. (Map, Virtual Tour)
Stanford Dish Loop, Palo Alto
Not really a "hike" but an excellent hilly walk/run. The loop is about 3.3 mi, paved, and has lots of ups and downs. You'll see two dishes that give the loop its name, and very nice views of the bay area.
Big Basin Redwoods Sate Park, Santa Cruz
This is California's oldest SP, now over a hundred years old. It offers some docent and naturalist guided hikes, overnight camping, and plenty of redwoods. Several trails go by waterfalls, and I'd highly recommend traversing "Slippery Rock" - bare rock at a steep incline, not far from Sempervirens Falls. Note: Going up the rocks is easier on the knees than going down them, and a good cardio workout! (Map)
Fall Creek Unit (of Henry Cowell SP), Santa Cruz
Located a short distance away from HenryCowell SP, the Fall Creek unit has no visitor center, no rangers, no drinking water, restrooms, or maps (pick them up at Henry Cowell). It does have wonderful trails by the creek though, and wooden logs placed across the water to help you get across :-). The park also has lots of big-leaf maples, which I'd love to go back and see in the fall, and remnant kilns from the old lime-quarrying days.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Santa Cruz
Another nice redwood forest. Walk all the way up to the Observation Deck and you are rewarded with excellent views and interesting terrain - you're walking on pure white sand! On the way back there's a tiny beach you can stop at for a picnic lunch. And finally, drop by the visitor center to find out where the sand came from... fascinating history. This park also has a Roaring Camp Railroad station - get onto an open-decked steam locomotive for a memorable ride into the redwoods.(Map)
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Once a heap of sand dunes, today an oasis, truly! (Some history & travel info). A wonderful place to walk, bike, rollerblade, and just get away. It also contains the deYoung Museum, a Flower Conservatory, a Japanese Tea Garden, a small lake, and lots more. Being larger than NYC's Central Park, you would need more than one visit to cover it all. The Beach Chalet restaurant on Highway 1 is very nice, but a bit pricey. (Map)
Crissy Field, San Francisco
First a marsh, then an airfield, now a big happy park. A lovely place to walk, bike, picnic, and gaze at the city, Alcatraz, or the Golden Gate Bridge. It runs along the water in the northernmost part of San Francisco, and leads to Fort Point. A stairway in this area starts a small hike up to the Golden Gate Bridge, from where you can walk or bike the 1.7 mi across and back. (Map)
Muir Woods, San Francisco
The first few steps under these majestic redwoods and we fell in love with the place. We've gone back often, infact with every visitor in tow, and they've felt the same. It's a different world, calmer, nicer, faraway from bustle, and yet only a few miles north of San Francisco.
It has a few small loop trails ranging from 1/2 to 2 miles, parts of which are wheelchair accessible, and with very well-marked signs on the history and ecology of the area. Don't miss Cathedral Grove, and do stop at the signs to learn about these trees. For the more adventurous, there are many marked trails branching off the main path... We've tried the loop with Ocean View, Lost, Redwood, Sun and Dipsea Trails, and can't wait to go back and do more. Note: If you enter the park before 9.00 am, it's free. (Official NPS site)
Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
The beach is named after arches that were naturally carved out of mudstone cliffs. Time and water have eroded significant portions, so see them before they're gone. The beach is also a good spot for tide pools, and home to the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve, an excellent spot to watch 100,000 migrating monarchs from November to February. (Map, Park brochure)
Weekend Escapes
Moss Landing
Stay in the top floor of the boathouse at Captain's Inn and you will never want to leave. Wake up to the sound of oars softly lapping on pickleweed marshes, and spend the sunset reading and watching winged silhouettes. If you can get yourself to put the book down and go out, get some cioppino at Phil's, take in the salty sea-breezes on Moss Landing Beach, and definitely do the pontoon boat safari on the Elkhorn Slough -- an educational ride with Capn. Gideon, and wildlife like you've never seen before. This little fishing harbour in Monterey also has the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), an annual antique street fair, and is not far from the Castroville artichoke festival.
Group Activities
REI
Outdoor schools, weekend climbing and kayaking getaways, family bike rides, volunteer opportunities, and photography trips
Open Space Preserves
Docent led hikes all year round, especially recommended during wildflower season
Trail Center
A chance to volunteer and give back
Stanford Outing Club
(Haven't tried it)
CoastWalk
(Haven't tried it)
Bay Area Linkup
(Haven't tried it)
Local Events
(By month)
Distances: 5k = 3.1mi, 10k = 6.2mi, 12k = 7.45mi, half marathon= 21km = 13.1mi, full marathon = 42.1km = 26.2mi
03 - Asha Spring Run (Mountain View)
5k, 10k
03 - Big Sur Marathon
5k, 6 mi mud run, 9/10.6/21 milers, full marathon, marathon relay
03 - Fresno Blossom Trail Run
10k
03 - Napa Valley Marathon
5k, full marathon
05 - ILP Race for Literacy (Mountain View)
5k, 10k
05 - San Francisco Bay to Breakers
12k
06 - Vibha Dream Mile (Mountain View)
5k, 10k
07 - Los Gatos Jungle Run
10k, half marathon
07 - San Francisco Aids Walk
10k
07 - San Jose Live Strong Challenge
5k
08 - San Francisco Marathon
5k, half marathon, full marathon, progressive marathon
09 - Lake Tahoe Marathon
5k, 10k, 20mi, 72mi, half marathon, full marathon, relays
09 - Palo Alto Moonlight Run/Walk
5k walk, 5k run, 10k
09 - Stevens Creek Trailblazer (Mountain View)
5k walk, 5k run, 10k
10 - Ekal Walk (Mountain View)
tbd
10 - San Jose Rock n Roll Half Marathon
half marathon
10 - Silicon Valley Marathon (San Jose)
5k, half marathon, full marathon
DSE Runs (All year round - San Francisco)
Varying distances
Related Links
National Park Foundation magazine