{"id":25098,"date":"2020-07-29T18:19:57","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T22:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/?p=25098"},"modified":"2024-05-19T00:35:17","modified_gmt":"2024-05-19T00:35:17","slug":"6-outdoor-adventures-near-san-francisco-to-escape-the-crowds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/6-outdoor-adventures-near-san-francisco-to-escape-the-crowds\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Outdoor Adventures Near San Francisco to Escape the Crowds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The weather in San Francisco has a certain reputation. Even Mark Twain acknowledged<\/a> our summertime temps can be a chilly letdown. Sure, there\u2019s fog, rolling in a bit thicker in the summer, but when you visit (or live in) San Francisco, you\u2019re surrounded by spectacular scenery. And if you\u2019re up for a drive, there\u2019s a wealth of nature escapes nearby where you can laze about in the sunshine or work up a sweat on the trails \u2014 up to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to experience the stunning landscapes of Northern California, I\u2019m here to help. Check out these lesser-known adventures near San Francisco. As a bonus, each one is perfect for social distancing and all within a two-hour drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Swim at Crown Memorial Beach in Alameda.<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"alameda
Photos by Emma Webster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The beach in Alameda<\/a> is just across the Bay Bridge but feels like a different world. The temperatures hover around 75-80 degrees in the summer months, and because the clear blue water is relatively shallow and enclosed by land, it feels as warm as the Florida ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Bike
Bike trail near Alameda beach<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Even better, the sandy shoreline stretches for miles, allowing plenty of space for everyone to spread out. Watch distant boats and kayaks go by as you splash around or relax on the sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Hike in Pacifica.<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Pacifica<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

A quick 15 miles down the coast from San Francisco, Pacifica <\/a>has some of the best ocean view hikes in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My all-time favorite is Montara Mountain \u2014 a sea-to-summit hike with sweeping coastal views. The hike is about 7 miles, though you can take a shorter or a slightly longer route, depending on your preference.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Pacifica,<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The climb up to the top is worth it when you turn around and the mighty Pacific stretching out below you. Once back in the parking lot, cross the busy road carefully, and take the many steps down to Gray Whale Cove State Beach. Here, you\u2019ll be protected from the wind and can witness jaw-dropping sunsets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Plunge into a swimming hole on the American River.<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Secret<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Just over half a mile down the Clementine Trail in Auburn State Recreation Area<\/a>, the North Fork of the American River opens to a picture-perfect swimming hole known as Clark\u2019s Hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sparkling water lies beside Foresthill Bridge, one of the tallest bridges in the United States and a great photo op while you\u2019re there. The walk down to the river can be a bit steep, but once you\u2019ve arrived, there are plenty of places to stretch out your towel and sunbathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cool off in the deep and refreshing light blue water, or if you\u2019re feeling daring, swim across to the cliff where you\u2019ll find people lining up to jump in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insider tip:<\/strong> It\u2019s not clear what the park\u2019s official rules are regarding cliff jumping. I\u2019ve done it, but as always, be sure to be cautious of your safety if you decide to join in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Explore Tomales Bay State Park.<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Elk
Elk on the Tomales Bay Point Trail<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

About 40 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge<\/a> lies the protected land of Point Reyes National Seashore<\/a>, featuring one of the only waterfalls in the country that empties directly into the ocean. On the eastern boundary of the seashore sits Tomales Bay, a long and narrow inlet only a mile wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are countless ways to enjoy Tomales Bay, but my personal favorite is the moderate 9.7-mile Tomales Point Trail. You\u2019ll walk along the seaside for most of this level hike, and you\u2019ll want to keep your eye out for the many opportunities to spot tule elk in their natural habitat. The trail ends at what feels like the edge of the world but is actually just the northern tip of Point Reyes.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Tomales
Tomales Bay Point Trail<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not in the mood for a longer hike, a walk to Abbott\u2019s Lagoon or a visit to Heart\u2019s Desire Beach will also give you a taste of the beauty that Tomales Bay has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Kayak or paddleboard in Capitola.<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"The<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Just south of Santa Cruz sits the city\u2019s lesser-known neighbor, Capitola, a charming and small seaside village on the coast of Monterey Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While families and outdoor enthusiasts flock to Santa Cruz\u2019s boardwalk and many beaches in the summer, I prefer this quaint town lined with colorful bungalows just 5 miles down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capitola Beach has a distinct European feel to it, thanks to its vibrant Mediterranean-style cottages and small cafes with balconies overlooking the water. The best way to experience Capitola (and beat the crowds) is to rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore by sea. There are a number of local shops in Capitola Village with hourly and daily kayak and paddleboard rentals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Laze away the weekend at America\u2019s oldest lake.<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Clear<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

It took me three years of living in the Bay to discover Clear Lake, and once I did, I wondered why I hadn\u2019t been visiting all along. Clear Lake is in the appropriately named Lake County, about two and a half hours north of San Francisco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lake itself is massive \u2014 in fact, it\u2019s the largest natural freshwater lake entirely within California and the oldest lake in North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re planning on swimming, Clear Lake\u2019s annual algae bloom requires planning ahead. The algae makes the water unsafe for swimming from around June through September. Try visiting in May or October \u2014 both times of year see temperatures in the upper 70s, warm lake water, and safe swimming conditions. If working around the algae sounds like a hassle, simply book a vacation rental with a big deck and enjoy sunbathing, kayaking, and sunsets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insider tip:<\/strong> To stay up-to-date on Clear Lake\u2019s algae bloom, visit Clear Lake\u2019s water quality Facebook page<\/a> or check the local Lake County paper<\/a> for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Francisco: Made for Nature-Lovers<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Tomales
Tomales Bay<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

There\u2019s so much natural beauty to enjoy in and around San Francisco. These are just a few of my favorite spots in the Bay Area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you want to enjoy the outdoors without leaving the city, you\u2019re in luck. There are plenty of parks of all sizes, from the romantic Palace of the Fine Arts<\/a> to the towering redwoods of Muir Woods. Take a guided Fisherman’s Wharf tour<\/a> for beautiful bay views and photo ops with sea lions. Explore the sprawling Presidio not far away. You can even enjoy SF’s best greenspace \u2014 Golden Gate Park \u2014 on one of our guided tours in San Francisco<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so much variety for recreation, San Francisco seems like it was almost made for outdoor enthusiasts. So pack your sunscreen, camera, and hiking shoes when you set out to explore the City by the Bay. Nature\u2019s calling.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The weather in San Francisco has a certain reputation. Even Mark Twain acknowledged our summertime temps can be a chilly letdown. Sure, there\u2019s fog, rolling in a bit thicker in the summer, but when you visit (or live in) San Francisco, you\u2019re surrounded by spectacular scenery. And if you\u2019re up for a drive, there\u2019s a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":25100,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25098"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25098"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25098\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35433,"href":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25098\/revisions\/35433"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}