The Top 20 Backpacking Trips Near San Francisco

There's true wilderness to be found. Go find it.

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

Ah, San Francisco. What a beautiful place to live, right? The Bay Area is the perfect combination of thriving city life and immediate access to world-class outdoor adventures. Of course, the whole thriving urban thing means that once in awhile, you need to escape the hustle and bustle, get the heck out of town and explore the backcountry. Lucky for San Franciscans, visitors, or nearby locals, there is an endless supply of epic trails to explore and true wilderness to be found. Whether you’re looking to knock out a quick strike mission to one of the nearby state parks or go for a long weekend escape to the Sierra, you’ll find something that does the trick for you on this list.

1. Climb Cone Peak in Big Sur Area (Sea to Sky Route)

3 hikers walk along a trail with a view of the blue ocean and green hills in the background.


Photo: Josiah Roe

Distance: 19.72 miles

Elevation Gain: 7,484 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

You will be well rewarded on this strenuous coastal mountain hike with stunning views of wildflowers, a waterfall, and panoramic views overlooking the sea. While you are staying at one of the campgrounds overnight, appreciate stunning sunsets and incredible star gazing opportunities.

2. Backcountry Camp at Big Basin Sunset Trail Camp

sunlight glares through the forest on the trail


Photo: Christian Arballo

Distance: 9.46 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,146 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

This hike will take you along the famous Skyline-to-the-Sea trail through the lush, forested canopy of the redwood forests. Appreciate the sounds of bubbling creeks along your way and enjoy the stunning views of Big Basin’s big three waterfalls before arriving at the backcountry campsite.

3. Backpack to Pt. Reyes Coast Campground

a group of tents is set up in a meadow, in the distance the ocean stretches into the horizon


Photo: Josiah Roe

Distance: 4.02 miles

Elevation Gain: 633 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

Great for a beginning backpacking trip, this trail will allow you to camp just above the coast of Pt. Reyes and head down to the beach and tide pools below. Take in stunning sunset views and walk along the beach for some well-deserved solitude and relaxation out in nature.

4. Backpack the Glen Camp Loop via the Palomarin Trailhead

Green expanses turn into the emerald blue ocean


Photo: Jeff Driscoll

Distance: 15.72 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,091 ft

Route Type: loop

This loop will take you on a journey along stunning coastal views and into lush forests. As you hike you will be able to take in the wonders of diverse vegetation, coastal lakes, and cascading waterfalls.

5. Backpack the Lost Coast: Mattole to Black Sands Beach

a tent is lit up against the starry night sky


Photo: Whitney Whitehouse

Distance: 25.05 miles

Elevation Gain: 653 ft

Route Type: Point-to-Point

Enjoy 25 miles of panoramic coastline views along this backpacking trip. Appreciate trekking through varied landscapes and finding diverse wildlife. Search the ocean for whales and sea lions and look out to the wildflower-dotted fields and sandy trails for lizards and turkeys.

6. Camp on Angel Island

A tent overlooks the ocean and the city


Photo: Brian Heifferon

Distance: 6.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 495 ft

Route Type: Loop

Enjoy circling the entire island in this relatively easy perimeter coastal hike. During your trip, look across the water to the city standing out in the horizon, enjoy taking in the Golden Gate Bridge from a new perspective, take a dip in the ocean, and be amazed by the brilliant sunset on the ocean.

7. Backpack to Point Reyes Wildcat Campground

A lone backpacker looks out on the ocean from a coastal ridgeline


Photo: Miranda Leconte

Distance: 11.19 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,926 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

Hike along this popular trail and take in stunning coastline views, hidden coastal lakes, eucalyptus groves, and densely packed bright green fauna. After a long day of hiking enjoy making camp in an open meadow on a bluff overlooking the sea.

8. Camp at Glacier Point (winter only)

a lone camper looks out from their tent towards the mountain peaks in the distance


Photo: Sarah Vaughn

Distance: 9.17 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,491 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

Enjoy the snow-covered landscape and take in stunning views of the famed El-Capitan, Sentinel Rocks, and Yosemite Falls this hike has to offer. At to top appreciate panoramic views where you can witness the beauty of Yosemite Valley and Half Dome. After a long day of hiking, enjoy some solitude in nature at a campground by yourself.

9. Backpack Bear Valley to Coast Camp Loop

The ocean crashes to the shore at sunset


Photo: Jeff Driscoll

Distance: 16.18 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,818 ft

Route Type: loop

Take in a diverse array of landscapes that includes meadows, coastal mountains, and forests. Enjoy listening to the soft rustling of leaves and the trickling of the creek as you walk through the forest. Listen to the crashing of waves on the shore and the sand crunching beneath your feet as this hike winds you along the coast. Appreciate viewing the coast at both sea level and at the highest point in the park on this trip.

10. Backpack to Clouds Rest from Glacier Point

Two backpackers hike up a well established trail


Photo: Austin Trigg

Distance: 23.85 miles

Elevation Gain: 6, 942 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

This hike will take you to the highest point in the valley where you will be met by panoramic views of the valley, Nevada Falls, and the high country. Along the way enjoy the beauty of Tenya Lake, the wonders of the forest, and give yourself a pat on the back after a grueling and steep climb up the Half Dome junction.

11. Backpack Sam McDonald Park

A lone backpacker hikes between tall trees in a thickly forested canopy


Photo: Ashley Chang

Distance: 12.19 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,192 ft

Route Type: Loop

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city by backpacking in this redwood forest park. Appreciate creeks and the sunlight glinting through towering forest canopy views throughout this hike.

12. Backpack te Redfern Pond

a hiker takes in the sunset from outside their tent in a grassy field


Photo: Ashley Chang

Distance: 7 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,263 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

This area is only a short distance away from the Bay Area and boasts views of backcountry lakes and grassy, sloping hills. Enjoy wildlife sightings in the meadows and appreciate the panoramic views from your campsite.

13. Backpack to Dewey Point from Tunnel View

A person sits on the edge of the rock face over the valley


Photo: Jonathan Reed

Distance: 9.25 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,979 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

This backcountry trip allows you the opportunity to camp on the bare rock of Yosemite’s South Rim and appreciate gorgeous views of the Sequoia Forest at sunset. Along your way, look out across the valley towards El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks, walk across streams, and trek through impressive forest scenery.

14. Backpack to Pat Springs

the sun begins to go down behind the surrounding peaks turning the trees and grasses golden


Photo: Max Berger

Distance: 13.18 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,645 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

Head into the Ventana Wilderness for a remote experience where you will be surrounded by gorgeous vistas, fields, trees, and beautiful summit outlooks. Camp on the ridge and enjoy the beautiful scenery overlooking Big Sur and the San Lucia Mountains.

15. Backpack the Pine Ridge in Big Sur, North Ridge Coast Loop

a river tumbles down through thickly ferned and mossy forestry


Photo: Chris DeAntonio

Distance: 33.45 miles

Elevation Gain: 11,388 ft

Route Type: Loop

Head into Los Padres National Forest where you will get the chance to hike through diverse terrain from the redwood forest to the coastal ridgeline. Appreciate the bright, lush greens of the forest, the brilliant views of the ocean stretching into the horizon, and impressive waterfalls.

16. Backpack to the Ventana Wilderness’ Sykes Hot Springs

A river turns into a small waterfall and is surrounded by fallen logs and a bright carpet of greenery


Photo: Blake Maitoza

Distance: 18.96 miles

Elevation Gain: 7,339 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

The rushing Big Sur River, dense forests, and views of the valley below will greet you as you begin this moderately challenging hike. At the end of the day, reward yourself for a hard day’s work trekking through the trees by visiting the three hot springs near your campsite.

17. Winter Backpack to Sentinel Dome in Yosemite

A sun sets over the snow covered mountain peaks


Photo: Kyle Frost

Distance: 19.23 miles

Elevation Gain: 860 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

Appreciate the beauty and adventure Yosemite National Park has to offer with this winter backpacking trip. Enjoy the trek up to your campsite by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Your campsite will offer stunning panoramic views, especially at sunset, of the snow-topped mountain peaks stretching out in front of you.

18. Backpack to Bear Lake Emigrant Wilderness

A lake is surrounded by boulders and tree-covered mountains


Photo: Greg Balkin

Distance: 8.34 miles

Elevation Gain: 705 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

This hike offers a small creek and waterfall, a rocky trail, and stunning views of the surrounding forested peaks. When you arrive at your campsite, go for a cold dip in the water or watch the sunset over the lake.

19. Backpack to Little Yosemite Valley Campsite and Hike Half Dome

A scenic overlook looks down on a tree covered valley


Photo: Eddie Jo

Distance: 13.88 miles

Elevation Gain: 4,800 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

As you hike to the valley, enjoy the beautiful scenery and two waterfalls along your way. As you head towards the half dome, experience the fun adventure of gripping cables and heading straight up the side of it towards the summit. At your campsite, appreciate the views of Yosemite around you and enjoy the babbling of the river near you.

20. Backpack to Goat Camp in Big Sur

The coastal ridgeline gives way to the vast Pacific Ocean


Photo: Andrew Conway

Distance: 9.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,852 ft

Route Type: Out-and-Back

If you are looking for a difficult, less trafficked trail, this is the hike for you. Along the way take in the spectacular views. Get lost in the wonders of mother nature as you hike through ivy-covered forest floors, look out at the ocean from the coastal ridgeline, and trek across prairie grass fields.

Cover photo: Miranda Leconte

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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