The Best Backpacking in Half Moon Bay

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 f...

Rhus Ridge and Chamise Trail is a point-to-point trail where you may see wildflowers located near Los Altos, California

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 S...

Wildcat Canyon Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Cupertino, California.

Black Mountain via PG&E, Quarry and Black Mountain Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Cupertino, California.

Black Mountain via Rogue Valley, Chamise, Black Mountain, Quarry and PG&E Loop is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Cupertino, California.

This trail and campsite is currently closed (learn more). 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...

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 ...

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 t...

Aaron Alcorn Castro Valley to Brentwood Memorial Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Castro Valley, California.

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 ba...

Dipsea Trail to Steep Ravine Trail Loop via Coastal Trail is a loop trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Sausalito, California.

Dipsea to Ben Johnson Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Stinson Beach, California.

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...

Rose Peak From Sunol is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Sunol, California.

Lake Lagunitas, Bon Tempe and Alpine Lakes, Cataract Falls to Mount Tam Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Greenbrae, California.