Petaluma, California

A handful of us here at The Outbound are based in San Francisco and as you can imagine, a regular dose of the outdoors is crucial to our happiness (and sanity). Lucky for us, we're just a short drive over the Golden Gate Bridge from Marin County, home to hundreds of miles of hiking trails and som...

It's no secret that Marin County, just north of San Francisco, is a happening adventure destination. The terrain—green hills and craggy mountains leading to oceanside cliffs and sandy beaches—is remarkable as it is, but it is made even more noteworthy by its close proximity to a major city. You c...

For our team here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we always feel super lucky to have Marin County as our playground. Not only is it easy striking distance for day trips or dawn patrol trail runs, it also has an astounding variety of beautiful places to camp for the night. You'd be pleasantly surpr...

With rolling hills in almost every direction, deep redwood forests, a dramatic rocky coast, and 360-degree views of the entire Bay Area, Marin County is a photographer's paradise. Whether you're shooting out at the mighty Pacific or across the Bay to the San Francisco skyline, the view is always ...

Here's the thing about Marin County...no matter how many times you go, it's always a surprise. Whether that is because it's almost inconceivable that so much wild beauty exists within spitting distance of a major city like San Francisco, or because the weather is notoriously unpredictable and you...

After a trail run on the Dipsea Trail in Marin County this past weekend, I was once again blown away at what an amazing gem this region of California is. The rolling green hills and lush redwood forests are especially mesmerizing in the springtime. A short 25-minute drive across the Golden Gate B...

Work hard during the week and play hard on the weekends...sound familiar? There are few places better suited to living the indoor/outdoor lifestyle to the max than San Francisco Bay Area.  Snap your laptop closed on Friday afternoon, throw your backpacking gear in the car, and you could be at a b...

Between dog parks, "dogs welcome" restaurant patios, and off-leash beaches, they (and their owners) have plenty of reasons to love the city by the bay. Let us add another check mark to the list: dog-friendly hiking in Marin County. Wild beauty reigns supreme across the Golden Gate Bridge, and th...

As a northern latitude dweller, there comes a time each winter where I long to feel the sun on my bare arms and stretch out my legs on a seaside trail. One of my favorite places to escape the chilly doldrums is Marin County, a destination so close to San Francisco that you can practically taste t...

Ridge to Bridge is an annual fundraiser for the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, a non-profit organization whose mission it is to create a continuous 550+ mile trail for hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians along the ridgelines overlooking San Francisco Bay. Ridge to Bridge, which typica...

California's Marin County is edged in by water on three sides, from the wild coastline of Point Reyes National Seashore to the protected waters of the San Pablo Bay. Just minutes from San Francisco, Marin County is the perfect destination for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. So grab your...

Summertime is beach time, as far as we're concerned, and here in San Francisco, we think we're pretty lucky to have the beaches of Marin County in our backyard. But don't think you have to live here to enjoy these...they are absolutely worth traveling for. Marin County's wild shoreline is full of...

I love to do my fair share of long, rigorous hikes, but some of my best adventures have been driving with friends or family, stopping in various places, and walking at most a mile from the car. Point Reyes is one of those family friendly, relaxing places. Go at the right time and it can be the mo...

Point Reyes is one of the most amazing locations along the California Coast, especially considering what a contrast it is to the nearby bustling Bay Area. As soon as you drive the winding roads towards Point Reyes, you start to feel worlds away from the city sprawl behind you. Step out of your ca...

Sitting no more than 30 miles north of the bustling city of San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore holds some of the greatest array of wildlife in California. Point Reyes looks like a strange growth off the Californian coast as it is geologically separated by the San Andreas Fault. Among it...

Most people think of Napa Valley as miles of vineyards surrounded by golden hills, but during California’s rainy season the state turns a vibrant green and the whole Valley feels more akin to a dreamy Irish fairytale than the sun-drenched Mediterranean. Here is one way to take in all that the Val...