GOES Guide to San Francisco & the Bay Area
GOES Health Team
San Francisco isn’t just a city of steep hills and iconic bridges—it’s an outdoor adventurer’s gateway to some of California’s most spectacular landscapes. Within an hour’s drive of the city, you can find yourself hiking through ancient redwood groves, scrambling up rugged coastal bluffs with panoramic Pacific views, or camping under star-filled skies in pristine wilderness areas.
This guide is designed for adventurers who want to experience the Bay Area the way locals do—from land to sea, in and out of the city, there are many ways to explore and have an adventure. Whether you’re planning a weekend camping trip, looking for the perfect day hike, or seeking that one-of-a-kind adventure you can’t have anywhere else, the Bay Area offers both culture and nature. So lace up your hiking boots and get ready to discover why so many consider this region their favorite outdoor playground.
Before your trip
Fuel up and pack your provisions from local grocery stores and co-ops such as Rainbow Grocery or Berkeley Bowl. Loved by locals, these spots have bulk bins for you to craft your own trail mix blends and buy exactly the amount you need. They also have dehydrated food options that are a budget-friendly alternative to pre-packaged camping meals. These spots also have hot and cold bars if you want to grab something to go.
Need gear? Sports Basement (several locations available around the Bay) has a large selection comparable to nation-wide chains, along with gear rentals. With a mind for sustainability, they trade and sell used gear with their Pre-Loved program.
GOES Home Screen against backdrop of trees and brush on a sunny day
Prepare for the elements
Make sure the GOES app is downloaded on your phone. Check the forecast for any potential outdoor health risks, such as the hottest or coldest part of the day, when to put on sunscreen, or any severe weather alerts.
The geography of the Bay Area actually makes for weather patterns unique to this area. Be prepared to pack a light jacket in the summer if you catch the “June Gloom,” or get ready for the heat of the “second summer” in October. Wet winters feed the wildflowers that bloom in February. In general the climate is beautiful and temperate.
Depending on where you venture, you can expect a range of plants and wildlife.
- You can often expect poison oak along trails, so keep an eye on wandering kids and dogs and dress appropriately.
- Prepare for mosquitos and bees depending on the time of year.
- Watch for ticks, rattlesnakes, bats (in the evening), coyotes, mountain lions, black bears, and even wild boars and turkeys in certain regions.
- Check the Wildlife Risk Index on the GOES app for what to expect in specific areas, along with tips for what to do.
redwoods and a creek in purisima state park
3 must-try trails
The Bay Area is a gateway to the outdoors where you can find something for everyone, which makes it hard to only recommend a few. So what you can really take away from this abbreviated list is that these are just a taste of what else is out there and we encourage you to explore the options based on what you’re looking for!
- Big trees: Head to the South Bay to experience giant redwoods without the crowds in Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve. There’s a network of trails in this park, so pick your distance and follow your bliss. You can’t go wrong in this park.Going on a weekend? Arrive early. Parking is limited and fills up quickly.
Tennessee Valley, Marin
- Ocean views: Located in Marin, Tennessee Valley takes you all the way up to get sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, then brings you all the way down to the beach. Be prepared for the elevation gain, but it’s so worth it!
- Don’t go far: You don’t even have to leave San Francisco to experience a coastal hike with epic views of diverse landscapes if you try Land’s End. Depending on the temperament of the fog, you can get a postcard view of the Golden Gate Bridge. For a fun side quest, don’t miss the Sutro Baths to explore some modern-day ruins.
Land's End trail overlooks the bay and Golden Gate Bridge in a foggy day
3 overnight spots
Since the Bay attracts so many outdoor adventurers, camping spots fill up quickly and usually need to be booked 6 months in advance when the site opens. You’ll have better luck looking at regional and state parks, and if you have weekday flexibility.
Looking over San Francisco from a hiking trail
- Most unique: Angel Island
Does this count as a backpacking spot? Kind of 🤷 Pack your backpack as you normally would and hop onto the ferry to Angel Island. When you disembark the ship, you’ll hike 1-2 miles to your campsite. It’s unlike most backpacking treks, which is what makes it so novel and memorable! (Also great for beginners!) You’ll get panoramic views of the Bay, sweeping from San Francisco to Oakland. As a former military base and immigration port, you can also feel the island’s history.
Reservations required. - Hidden gem: Willow Creek Environmental Camp
A little off the beaten path in wine country, this is a first-come first-served car camping site right on the banks of the Russian River. After setting up camp, you could go on a day hike, have a nice river day, or visit a nearby winery. It’s a dry campground, so bring all the water you’ll need. Visit the site to read more details. - Most epic: Point Reyes National Seashore
Being on the California coast makes you feel like you’re on the edge of the world, which is why a trip out to Point Reyes is highly recommended. It’s not everyday you get to fall asleep in your tent lulled by the sounds of the Pacific Ocean, but the backcountry camping at Point Reyes lets you do just that. Be prepared for anything, as the climate can change from moody & broody to sunny & bright. Reservations required.
wildcat camp at point reyes
Other adventures
The Bay serves up many more ways to have an adventure outside of hiking and camping, that you won’t find anywhere else.
- Fly: Want to feel like you’re flying? Combining outdoor climbing and dance, BANDALOOP studios invented the form of vertical dance. Get into a harness and let the wall become your floor as you jump, swing, flip, and fly. Sign up for a class or workshop or catch a jawdropping show.
vertical dance students suspend and jump from a building
- Iconic: Spend the day at the Presidio, where you can go for a scenic walk. Have a beach day at Baker beach. Pack a picnic, fly a kite, or throw a frisbee at Crissy Field. You could even rent a bike and ride across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge (which is surprisingly flat).
Biking the golden gate bridge
- Explore: Golden Gate Park offers over 1,000 acres of green escape right in the heart of the city. Rent a bike and cruise the winding paths, paddle a boat on Stow Lake, or sprawl out on the expansive meadows for a picnic. Discover hidden gardens like the Japanese Tea Garden, catch free concerts at the outdoor music venues, or join a pickup game of frisbee golf. With everything from botanical gardens to bison paddocks, you could easily spend a full day getting wonderfully lost in this urban oasis.
Vista of Golden Gate Park
After your trip
If you’re hiking for long enough, you’ll eventually start thinking about what you want to eat, drink, and do when you’re done. (Or is that just us?) Our favorite post-adventure combo in the Bay is a cold beer, a burrito, and a show! There’s no shortage of incredible spots for each of these in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Beer
A favorite way to finish off any adventure is by washing it down with a cold beer. The Bay has a wide variety of local breweries serving up refreshing and seasonal drafts. Depending on your location, there’s bound to be a standout brewery nearby. Some favorites include: Fieldwork Brewing Co., Russian River Brewing Company, Ghost Town Brewing, Faction Brewing, and Fort Point Beer Company.
a burrito in front of the golden gate bridge
Burritos
San Francisco is the birthplace of the Mission-style burrito, also known as a “super burrito,” and it’s a perfect post-adventure meal. There’s no shortage of authentic and hearty burrito spots in the Bay. Some favorites include: La Taqueria, El Castillito, and Papalote (take home a jar of their salsa, if you can!).
A show!
San Francisco has a rich cultural history and is home to many artists doing avant-garde work you won’t see anywhere else in the country. When your day trip is done and you’re looking for something to do in the evening, try catching a drag show at Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, Princess @ Oasis, or Clutch the Pearls. Watch a dance show at CounterPulse, a theatre production by SFBATCO, or live jazz with dinner at Yoshi’s. The Bay can take you on a cultural adventure to rival your daytime outdoor adventures!
the cast of clutch the pearls drag show poses
Get out there!
The San Francisco Bay Area proves that you don’t have to choose between urban culture and outdoor adventure—here, you get both in abundance. From sunrise hikes through towering redwoods to sunset paddles on hidden lakes, from vertical dance performances to post-trail burritos, this region offers a uniquely California blend of natural beauty and creative spirit.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a daily explorer, the Bay Area rewards those who venture beyond the tourist trails. So grab your gear, download GOES, and discover why locals never tire of calling this place home. Your next great adventure is waiting just outside the city limits—or maybe right in the heart of it.
