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Tyler DrakeTeam

COO / Co-Founder

Founder of the Outbound Collective. On a mission to make the outdoors more accessible for everyone!

This is a great option in Ragle Ranch if you're looking for something a little shorter than the larger extended loop.

This is a great loop if you're looking to stretch your legs or go for a quick run. With plenty of shade and beautiful fall colors, this was a great hike. Keep in mind that parking is $7, but there is street parking just outside the park as well.

Team

10/15/21

Great workout in this part of San Francisco! The scenery and landscaping are pretty great as well as an added bonus.

This is another great set of stairs with tiled artwork similar to 16th Ave; however, there is typically a smaller crowd here.

The tiled steps at 16th Ave are a great stop off and place to get a picture if you're in the area.

This loop is a great workout in San Francisco. The trail offers up scenic views of the lake to keep you moving through the 4+ miles. There's also a scenic viewpoint that cuts through the loop right below the parking area.

Family friendly hike in McLaren Park. We had our daughter in a carrier and saw plenty of families along the route. This would be tougher with a stroller, but certainly doable with either a backpack carrier or front carrier. Added bonus, there are plenty of benches to stop for water/snack breaks as well as playgrounds/grassy areas along the route if your little one gets tired of the carrier.

Strenuous uphill climb if you're looking for a workout near San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood.

This is a great loop hike or run through San Francisco's Presidio. Its central location allows you to connect easily with other trails like Lovers Lane or out toward the National Cemetery Overlook.

The loose sand on the ladder definitely makes this quite the workout! As a bonus, the views are pretty incredible when you're catching your breath downhill.

Bay Area Ridge Trail is a great choice especially if you're linking up to other trails in San Francisco's Presidio. Enjoy views of the Golden Gate Bridge, running through forested areas, and a park that makes you forget you're in the city!

This trail is relatively close to downtown Sebastopol and the Barlow. It's a great family friendly and dog-friendly stroll/run. The loop at the start of the hike provides some shade/coverage and fall colors, whereas the straightaway part of the trail is more exposed leading to the second trailhead/parking area.

This is a great spot for a bike ride or a run. There is a separate lane on the path for running and walking. There are ample parking lots along the path especially to the east of Belmont Pier, near the pool.

Took the whole family (grandparents + 7-month) on this hike over the weekend (Sunday afternoon). The trail was really well-maintained and easy to follow. The incline up to the waterfall was a little tough on the knees for gma & gpa -- worth considering trekking poles if you have them. The waterfall wasn't running with the lack of rain this year, but still great to get out on the trail. The trail is mostly shaded keeping temps cool for the middle of may. One thing to note, parking is very limited at the trailhead. As you approach the trailhead ~0.25 miles out and see street parking, I would recommend parking there.

This hike in the tamalpais watershed was a great trail for my family. My wife, 6-month old, and I were able to hike this loop pretty easily while getting views of the lake on this mostly shaded trail. Mountain bikers use the trail as well so keep an eye out. Keep in mind that there’s an $8 parking fee that you pay as you come into the watershed. Rangers were ticketing while we were there. Also, you lose reception as you enter the watershed. After purchasing your parking pass, follow the road until it dead ends at the final parking lot, which is for Lake Lagunitas.

The Lands End trail hike offers up amazing views of the Golden Gate bridge as well as access to Mile Rock Beach (located just off the main trail) for a quick stop-off. I prefer to park next to the Presidio Golf Course as it's a little less crowded on busy days. This is family-friendly with minimal elevation gain.

Mt. Whitney is an incredible hike if you're up for it and can get the permits. My group spent a day up in Mammoth to acclimate then drove to the trailhead and camped out before hitting the trail just after midnight. (it seemed like the switchbacks went by faster in the dark!) We made it to the 99 switchbacks right at sunrise. I'd argue the top of the switchbacks offered a pretty amazing viewpoint (the summit was as expected, very exposed and windy). The summit was a great chance to rest our legs for a minute before heading back down and getting to see the ground we covered in the dark. I'd recommend trekking poles to give your knees a little support as well as plenty of snacks (I likely didn't eat enough as I was getting light headed on the way down). All in all, Mt. Whitney was an amazing adventure with memories that'll last a lifetime!

Fallen Leaf is just prior to entering into South Lake Tahoe. This is the opposite of casinos showy resorts, etc. The lake is serene and peaceful. Definitely recommend paddling, fishing, or jumping in for a swim. I jumped in toward the end of the May, which may have been a little too early for an alpine lake, but refreshing none-the-less!

This small beach is easy to walk by without fully noticing this local spot. As mentioned, this Biarritz beach get full pretty quickly, so get there early if you want to get your ideal spot.

The town is very walkable, so if you're debating between Grande Plage and Cote de Basque, so it's likely you'll get to surf both places swell depending. The break is better on a lower tide with more longboard / slower waves coming off the point and punchier waves further down the beach. Definitely walk to Les Halles before or after for snacks!

Lake Mary is as you would expect straight up Lake Mary Road from town. With the large body of water, you can see amazing reflections if you get it in the golden hour with little wind. This is also a great spot to learn to fish (boat rentals, prime fishing spot on the bridge, etc.). There are also great trails if you keep driving past coldwater campground.

Admittedly if you're going to the beach to surf or to people watch, this may not be the spot for you (you could go over to the bayside for more people). My favorite spot to kick back at this beach is around 55th by the junior lifeguard station. If you have a skimboard, this can be a fun place to post up. Added bonus is you're walking distance to 2nd street to grab a bite before or after.

Team

07/26/20

This is also a great place to camp and is really easy to get to considering it's just across the Golden Gate!

Team

07/21/20

This is a relatively quick hike from the Duck Lake parking area. I wouldn't say this is the most scenic of Mammoth lakes, but if you have a larger group of varying hiking abilities, this can be a good one to take on. Bring your fishing pole if you've got one.