--- title: 27 Outdoor Recreation Areas for Families Near the California Bay Area description: These 27 outdoor recreation areas are perfect for families near the Bay Area of California. image: https://blog.avid4.com/hubfs/Outdoor%20recreation%20(2).jpg --- **[What's new about camp in 2024?](https://avid4.com/2024)** [COVID RESPONSE](https://avid4.com/summer-updates/covid-19-policies) [Login](https://campsself.active.com/Avid4AdventureNew) [Store](https://gear.avid4.com/) [Help Center](https://help.avid4.com/help) ![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/mobile-menu-open.svg) ![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/mobile-menu-close.svg) [![](https://avid4.com/img/avid-logo.png)](https://avid4.com/) ![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/mobile-logo.svg) CAMPS LOCATIONS ABOUT US JOBS [![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/camp.png) NEW CAMPS ![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/camp.png)](https://avid4.com/programs-overview/) CAMPS - 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- [Housing Resources](https://avid4.com/jobs/instructor-housing-options/) - [College Interns](https://avid4.com/jobs/college-internships/) - [Why Work With Us](https://avid4.com/jobs/summer-jobs-overview/) - [Compensation](https://avid4.com/jobs/compensation/) - [Inclusivity](https://avid4.com/culture-of-inclusivity/) - [FAQs](https://avid4.com/jobs/faqs/) - [Positions](https://avid.workbrightats.com/jobs/) - [Staff Portal](https://help.avid4.com/help/staff-portal) [Day](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/27-california-outdoor-recreation-areas-for-family-adventure#finder-day) [Resident](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/27-california-outdoor-recreation-areas-for-family-adventure#finder-overnight) [Expedition](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/27-california-outdoor-recreation-areas-for-family-adventure#finder-expedition) Pre-K K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th Burlingame Mill Valley Moraga Oakland Palo Alto Boulder Boulder - Valmont Castle Rock Colorado Springs Denver - Greenwood Village Denver - Lowry Denver - Stapleton Denver - Washington Park Golden Highlands Ranch Lafayette Superior Portland Go Grade Entering 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th Go Grade Entering 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th Go # 27 Outdoor Recreation Areas for Families Near the California Bay Area [Back to Blog Homepage](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/) Posted by [Emily Moeschler](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/author/emily-moeschler) on March 26, 2018 [![](https://blog.avid4.com/hubfs/Outdoor%20recreation%20(2).jpg)](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/27-california-outdoor-recreation-areas-for-family-adventure) Share This [Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/27-california-outdoor-recreation-areas-for-family-adventure&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&text=27%20Outdoor%20Recreation%20Areas%20for%20Families%20Near%20the%20California%20Bay%20Area&tw_p=tweetbutton&url=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/27-california-outdoor-recreation-areas-for-family-adventure) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/27-california-outdoor-recreation-areas-for-family-adventure&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=like&kid_directed_site=0) [Google Plus](https://plus.google.com/share?app=110&url=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/27-california-outdoor-recreation-areas-for-family-adventure) [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/27-california-outdoor-recreation-areas-for-family-adventure&media=https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/524285/Outdoor%20recreation%20%282%29.jpg) Parents often ask us where we take kids hiking, biking, paddling and climbing at our adventure camps. Below are a few of our top spots for outdoor family adventures close to your home. These 27 California outdoor recreation areas are perfect for the whole family. So, grab the kids, bikes, paddles, backpacks or whatever and head out to these special spots for a day of fun. What are you waiting for? The list below is long, but it’s broken down by locations, so simply scroll down to find your community. Of course, we hope you branch out and explore other outdoor recreation areas, too! ![kayaking in California](https://blog.avid4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AVID_Marin17%20166.jpg?width=640&name=AVID_Marin17%20166.jpg "kayaking in California") **East Bay Area** Rock climbing [Cragmont Park](http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Parks_Rec_Waterfront/Trees_Parks/Parks__Cragmont_Park.aspx) Biking [Redwood Regional Park](http://www.ebparks.org/parks/redwood) Kayaking [Crown Memorial State Beach](http://www.ebparks.org/parks/crown_beach) Stand Up Paddleboarding [Crown Memorial State Beach](http://www.ebparks.org/parks/crown_beach) | [Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline](http://www.ebparks.org/parks/martinlking) Hiking [Tilden Regional Park](http://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden.htm) **Marin County** Rock climbing [Ring Mountain Open Space](http://www.marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/open-space/ring-mountain) Biking [Blithedale Summit Open Space](http://www.marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/open-space/blithedale-summit) | [Bon Tempe Park](http://www.protrails.com/trail/718/san-francisco-marin-headlands-mt-tamalpais-point-reyes-bon-tempe-lake-lake-lagunitas-loop) | [Camino Alto Open Space](http://www.marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/open-space/camino-alto) | [Mill Valley Bike Path](http://www.traillink.com/trail/mill-valley-sausalito-multi-purpose-path.aspx) | [Tamarancho](http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/808937) | [Terra Linda Open Space](http://www.marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/open-space/terra-linda-sleepy-hollow) | [Tiburon Ridge Open Space](http://www.marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/open-space/tiburon-ridge) Kayaking [Paradise Beach Park](http://www.marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/parks/paradise-beach) Stand Up Paddleboarding [Bothin Marsh Open Space](http://www.marincounty.org/depts/pk/divisions/open-space/bothin-marsh) | [McNear’s Beach Park](http://www.marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/parks/mcnears-beach) | [Paradise Beach Park](http://www.marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/parks/paradise-beach) Hiking [Bayfront Park](http://www.cityofmillvalley.org/Index.aspx?page=416) | [Blithedale Summit Open Space](http://www.marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/open-space/blithedale-summit) | [Camino Alto Open Space](http://www.marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/open-space/camino-alto) | [Ring Mountain Open Space](http://www.marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/open-space/ring-mountain) **![girls hiking](https://blog.avid4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AVID_Marin17%20015.jpg?width=640&name=AVID_Marin17%20015.jpg "girls hiking")** **Peninsula Area** Rock climbing [Aquarian Valley](http://www.mountainproject.com/v/aquarian-valley/107646726) Biking [Windy Hill Open Space](http://www.openspace.org/preserves/windy-hill) Kayaking / Stand Up Paddleboarding [Shoreline Park](http://www.mountainview.gov) Hiking [Bedwell-Bayfront Park](http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/bayfrontpark.html) | [Wunderlich County Park](http://parks.smcgov.org) **South Bay** Rock climbing [Castle Rock State Park](http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=538) Biking [Fremont Older Preserve](http://www.openspace.org/preserves/fremont-older) Kayaking [Lexington Reservoir](https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Pages/Lexington-Reservoir.aspx) Hiking [Sanborn County Park](https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Pages/Sanborn.aspx) ![family outdoor recreation](https://blog.avid4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Avid4_Stapleton_WEB-337.jpg?width=640&name=Avid4_Stapleton_WEB-337.jpg "family outdoor recreation") Have fun using this list to experience outdoor activities as a family! For instruction and confidence-building adventures in biking, cimbing, paddling, and hiking take a look at our Colorado summer day camps and overnight camp for pre-K - 12th graders. 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