If you enjoy spending time in the city of San Francisco but want to escape the hustle and bustle for a while, these backpacking trips nearby will take you to the right route. With towering ridges, meadows, redwoods, and Pacific Ocean views, California’s Coast Mountains are a great backpacking destination in the Bay Area. You also don’t have to go far to find remote wilderness. Here are 11 short-haul backpacking destinations within an hour and a half of San Francisco.
North Bay
The Bear Valley – Coastal Trail Loop is a 22-mile coastal backpacking route located on the National Coast of Lacey Point. From the Kumagaya Visitor Center, follow a clockwise loop to Shore Campground and Wildcat Campground. Both campsites have walking trails leading to the sea. Reservations/permits are required.
Alamir Falls is located on the National Coast of Lacey Point, a 14-mile round trip hike to Coast Falls. Hikers can camp at the Wildcat campground, which is just a short walk from Wildcat Beach. From there, walk more than a mile along the beach to Alamyr Falls. Reservations/permits are required. For more information, please visit the Cape Lacey Wilderness Camping page. Some hikers (and other online hiking resources) have a shorter route to the falls, but this is not a park-designated route and can cause unnecessary erosion and trail damage that could eventually lead to the closure of the entire route. Do the right thing, go the right route!
The loop from Stinson Beach to the East Peak Fire Lookout is a 15-mile round-trip hiking trail that leads to the East Peak of Mount Tamapes. You can camp at the Pantoll or Bootjack campgrounds (first come, first served) or the West Point Inn along the way. Either way, be sure to stop by the hostel for a Sunday pancake breakfast.
The 5.5-mile Angel Island Loop wraps around the entire island and offers stunning views of San Francisco Bay. Riding the ferry, exploring hidden beaches, and visiting historical sites are half the fun. There are multiple campsites available for overnight stays. Reservations/permits are required. Please visit reservecalifornia.com for details.
Peninsula
The Black Mountain Loop is a 6.1-mile hike through the meadows, wildflowers, and valley landscapes of the Montebello Preserve and is one of the best hikes for backpackers near San Francisco for those just starting out hiking with a tent on their backs. The Black Mountain Backpacking camp is just 2.1 miles from the trailhead and is a great choice for beginner backpackers. Reservations/permits are required.
The Skyline to Ocean Trail is a 30.5-mile, one-way backpacking route that runs from the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. The route is mostly downhill and winds southwest through Castle Rock State Park, Great Basin Redwood State Park, and Rancho del Oso. Most people will arrange a 3-day/2-night itinerary and camp at Castle Rock and the Great Basin. Reservations/permits are required. For more information, see the Santa Cruz Mountains Wilderness Trail Campground page at California State Park.
The 10.5-mile Berry Creek Falls Loop passes three spectacular waterfalls beneath towering redwoods in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Sunset Trail Camp, just off the Sunset Trail, makes a good basecamp for visiting the falls. Reservations/permits required. See the California State Park’s Santa Cruz Mountains Backcountry Trail Camps page for details.
South Bay
The Seze Mountain Loop is a 15.2-mile rollercoaster-style hike that hurts up and down the steep ridge of Henry Coe State Park. Dispersed camping is allowed in the Blue Ridge, with the highest elevation of Mount Seze being 3216 feet. There are also regular designated campsites along the route. Reservations/permits are required. For more information on one of the best backpacking tours near San Francisco, see the Pineridge Association’s backpacking page.
The 5.4-mile Frog Lake Loop runs along the Henry L. Brown Loop. Pine Ridge at W. Coe State Park extends to a former cowpond. Frog Lake Camp is just above the lake and is ideal for beginner backpacking as it is only 1.6 miles from the trailhead. Reservations/permits are required. For details, please refer to the Pineridge Association’s backpacking page.
East Bay
The Oronne Regional Wilderness Trail is a 28-mile, one-way backpacking trail that runs east-west and connects Fremont’s Mission Peak Regional Park to Livermore’s Del Valle Regional Park. This 3 day, 2 night backpacking route is spectacular in spring, when the hills turn green and wildflowers bloom. Reservations/permits are required. For more information, please refer to the backpacking page in the park area.
The Skyline Trail is a 31-mile national recreational trail that runs from northwest to southeast between Richmond’s Wildcat Canyon Regional Park and Castro Valley’s Anthony Chabert Regional Park. Less than halfway through, there is a wild campsite in the Sibley Volcano Area Reserve. Group campgrounds are also available at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park and Anthony Chabert Regional Park. Reservations/permits are required. For more information, please refer to the backpacking page in the park area.
