San Francisco Bay Area Bike Camping
Posted in Camping on March 4th, 2010 by Arthur – Be the first to comment
As vehicle access to good camp grounds becomes restricted, bike camping emerges as a good alternative.
“Bike camping is this simple: What do you need to spend a night outside? Food, clothes, shelter, flashlight, harmonica, book, pen and paper – everyone’s list is different. Just put it on your bicycle and ride somewhere nearby to sleep out.
On my first trip, I brought all the gear I owned – a sleeping bag. My pal and a group of his friends rolled me over the Golden Gate Bridge, down through Sausalito and up into the Headlands.
As dusk settled, I was on a dirt path in a meadow, following road bikes and cruisers as the people riding them debated if skunks were stalking or avoiding us. Soon we arrived at a dark campground, where we had the place to ourselves, and we ate and drank and talked and laughed. I had no idea where I was.
I awoke in a warm sleeping bag on the green and gold ground of a quiet valley, a lifetime away from the pavement and buildings of San Francisco. At a picnic table, my new friends were chatting and making coffee. A breakfast feast emerged from bicycle baskets and panniers.
I can’t list everything I learned, but a Frisbee doubles as a plate – and always carry a handkerchief. The biggest eye-opener was how simple it was. Regular folks – bike commuters, not weekend warriors – easily escaped town for a night. Go ride, sleep out, feel refreshed, ride home. Now I’m doing that once a month – and living better for it.
What to take
Pack heavy or pack light, cook a feast or feast on takeout – it all works. On a recent overnighter, I took a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, travel pillow, cook stove, fuel can, big cup/small pot, spoon, pocket knife, coffee cone, books, headlamp, paper and pen, camera, bike and personal toolkits, long underwear, hat and not much else. Food and water – refilled frequently.
Other items to consider: flashlight, rope, tarp, binoculars, maps, music, raingear, newspaper, candle lantern, field guide, kindling, sunscreen, knitting project, deck of cards, bandana and definitely wool clothing.
Getting it there
A commuter bike can probably take you bike camping. The bike needs a rack or two, or a big basket that you’re used to pushing around full.
Ideally you have panniers – a.k.a. saddlebags – for big, easy carrying capacity. If not, make a pile on your front or back rack and strap it down with bungee cords or old inner tubes. Make a platform of big items like tent, pad and bag as a base. Don’t pack top-heavy; it’ll make the bike feel tippy.
With a full load, ride a tad slower than usual on the hills – shift sooner, sit up, look around at birds and clouds. But don’t sweat the extra weight – if it weren’t easy and fun, we wouldn’t be doing it.”
Where to go
Good first trips include:– Angel Island State Park: Great ferry ride from San Francisco and a short bike ride to camp. The ridge sites have bridge and city views; sunrise sites are on the east side. Water, pit toilets, no campfires. Go now, or book now ($30 per site) for summer weekends.
– China Camp State Park: About 11 to 15 miles from Larkspur Ferry Landing, serving San Francisco’s Ferry Building. Lovely wooded walk-in campground; open weekends only through March. Shared hiker-biker campsite is $3 per person; great site but small. Miles of bike-legal dirt trails. Water, bathrooms, campfires.
– Samuel P. Taylor State Park: About 15 miles from Larkspur Ferry. Big drive-in campground. But: cool redwoods, great bike path and huge hiker-biker site – $3 per person – with multiple food boxes, tables and tent spots that are easy to share.
