The Best Backpacking in San Francisco

Thousands of years ago, this island was a fishing and hunting ground for the Miwok Native Americans. It has also been an outpost for the U.S. Army and a cattle ranch. Now, it’s one of the closest places to escape from the hustle of San Francisco and set up camp. Camping on the island requires backpacking to the sites as they’re between 1 and 1.25 miles from the ferry dock. The island hosts 11 ...

In order to make this trip possible, go to recreation.gov and make a reservation for Wildcat Camp (available year-round). On your way to the trailhead, make sure to stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center to grab your camping permit. For more information, visit: http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/camping.htm.Getting there from the Bear Valley Visitor Center is easy- follow HWY 1 south for 9 m...

Day 1 Before heading to the trailhead, make sure to stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center to pick up your permit. To stay overnight in Point Reyes, you must stay at one of the trail camps.   Camping anywhere else in the park is not allowed.   Permits for the trail camps can be booked up to 6 months in advance.  If you are looking to go on a weekend, then you'll want to start looking close to 6...

Spanning from just north of the small town of Bolinas (about an hour north of San Francisco) across Inverness ridge and to the top of Tomales Point, Point Reyes National Seashore is as stunning park featuring breathtaking ocean views and solitude among the grassy hillsides and forested ridges. This is a two day, 21 mile backpacking trip with one night at the Coast Camp, but can be broken up by ...

Permit and Trail Camp InfoTo stay overnight in Point Reyes, you must stay at one of the Trail Camps.   Camping anywhere else in the park is not allowed.   Permits for the Trail Camps can be booked up to 6 months in advance.  If you are looking to go on a weekend, then you'll want to start looking close to 6 months in advance.  If you are open to going on the weekdays, then you will find it much...

Sky Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore is a dramatic, mostly single-track trail that runs along the main spine of the Inverness Ridge and across highest mountains in Point Reyes, looming above the Olema Valley and Highway 1 which mark the San Andreas Fault rift zone and the dividing line between the Pacific and North American plates. The trail takes you through several ecological zones incl...

Entering Point Reyes National Seashore from Bear Valley Road the Sky Trailhead is a 4.9 mile drive.  Camping in Sky Camp requires a Camping Permit.  You can get one at Recreation.Gov or reserveamerica.com.  Getting a Permit in person at a visitors center in Point Reyes National Seashore is a option as well.  Once at the Sky Trailhead parking lot.  The Sky Trail head will be on the left side pul...

This campground is the closest you can get to staying overnight on Pt. Reyes coastline if you're backpacking in. Once you get there, enjoy the view!The easiest way to get to the camp is from the slightly uphill hike along the Laguna Trail and the Firelane Trail. The trailhead for the Laguna Trail is just past the hostel.Keep in mind that the Coast Trail does have issues during the rainy months,...

The Pescadero Creek Park Complex is a great place to escape for a day or overnight hike in the heart of the Bay Area. You will need to get a permit to stay overnight - these can be attained on a first-come, first-serve basis from the ranger station. Most of the campsites here are also available first-come, first-serve. A permit is required to park a car overnight. You can also pick up a trail m...

Located deep within the Santa Cruz Mountains, Butano State Park boasts a large redwood canyon with many miles of hiking trails as well as campsites. This state park is one of the quietest and least visited parks on the peninsula making a perfect place to escape the hustle of the Bay Area Butano State Park is only accessible from the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway One. If you are t...

Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. There is NO swimming allowed in Alameda Creek and trespassing is prohibited on Water Department lands that are not accessible to the public. You can learn more about the restrictions and the area at ebparks.org. After entering the kiosk you’ll be able to pick up a brochure with a map at the trail head. A wooden bridge leads over Alameda Cre...

Want to experience one of the bay area's most memorable backpacking trips? We've got the details to get you out on the trail.To start the trek, drop your car at the Castle Rock State Park Parking Lot, which is located ~2.5 miles south of the junctions of Highways 35 and 9 off of Highway 35. Note that you must park inside the gate. Be sure to bring cash as exact change is required for parking yo...

Castle Rock Trail Camp has a different policy than other backcountry camps in the area (i.e. campsites along Skyline to the Sea). This campground is open all year and is available on a first come, first served basis. If you can, grab a spot a Frog Flat Camp. To get to the camp, park your car at the entrance to Castle Rock State Park. From there, it's a 2.6 mile hike along the Saratoga Gap Trail...

Looking for a more authentic hiking and camping weekend, without having to drive hours away to find it? Then the Sunset Trail Camp within Big Basin Redwoods SP is your ticket. To access this site, you'll need to hike the famous Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail where you'll meander through redwoods and across creeks. You'll then find yourself at Big Basin's big three waterfalls. Your destination is onl...