Issue #4: Urban Adventures Part 2 Adventure in San Francisco? Yes!

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS ISSUE:

• Trails, waves, and redwoods — all reachable from the Bay

• LGBTQ+ inclusive outdoor communities you should know

• A 3-day adventure sampler for friends or small groups

• One surf spot and one coastal trail to bookmark

• A one-click poll to tell me if you liked it

Start Your Hiking Adventure With the City: Batteries to Bluffs

If you want maximum impact for minimal effort, Batteries to Bluffs Trail delivers. It starts near the Golden Gate Bridge and hugs the coastline with views that feel like you’re in a movie.

You’ll pass crumbling military bunkers, windswept cliffs, and hidden stairs that lead down to Marshall’s Beach — one of the city’s quietest, most queer-friendly stretches of sand.

Go on a weekday morning for solitude. Bring a thermos of coffee, sit on the rocks, and just be. You’re still in San Francisco — but it won’t feel like it.

Pro tip: This is a great intro hike for mixed-ability groups. It’s short but engaging, and the views hit early and often.

Go Coastal (and Campy) in Marin

Across the bridge, Marin Headlands and Samuel P. Taylor State Park give you an entirely different vibe — misty woods, wide-open trails, and the smell of pine needles and campfire.

The Coastal Trail offers stunning hikes along the cliffs above Rodeo Beach. You’ll feel the wind in your face, maybe spot a hawk or two, and be back in time for dinner.

Want to spend the night? Book a site at Pantoll Campground on Mount Tam — close enough to drive in, remote enough to see stars. Bonus: It’s near Steep Ravine, one of the most scenic hikes in the area, with ferns, waterfalls, and redwoods galore.

Safety note: These are well-trafficked parks with inclusive energy, especially on weekends — but as always, be mindful when camping off the beaten path. LGBTQ+ travelers report positive experiences, especially when traveling in pairs or groups.

Surf at Linda Mar (Even if You’ve Never Tried)

Pacifica’s Linda Mar Beach is one of the most accessible surf spots near the city. The waves are beginner-friendly, the locals are chill, and there’s almost always someone falling off a board in a good-natured way.

You don’t need to be good — you just need to show up.

Local queer surf groups (like Queer Surf) often host meetups here. They’re warm, supportive, and understand that for a lot of us, the ocean wasn’t always a place that felt for us. These groups are changing that — one wipeout at a time.

Redwoods Without the Tour Buses

Muir Woods is beautiful — but crowded. If you’re after peace and redwoods without the selfie sticks, try Roy’s Redwoods Open Space Preserve or Baltimore Canyon Preserve.

They’re quiet, uncrowded, and incredibly peaceful. You can stretch your legs on longer loops, have a trail lunch under the canopy, and probably not see more than a handful of people all day.

Packing tip: These parks are close to the coast, so layers matter. Fog is common, and so is sunburn if it lifts.

Don’t Over-Schedule It

This isn’t a group tour. You don’t need a full itinerary with wake-up calls and laminated maps.

Build in space for:

• Wandering without a destination

• That extra coffee in the Outer Sunset

• Watching the fog roll over the Marin cliffs

• A nap in the redwoods

The point is presence. Not productivity.

Your Crew Matters More Than the Plan

Whether you’re going with a partner, a friend group, or your chosen family, make sure you’re aligned. A coastal hike means nothing if you’re dragging someone who just wants brunch and a nap.

Plan the vibe, not just the logistics. Agree on a rhythm. Make space for introverts, extroverts, and quiet wanderers.

Because the real adventure? It’s in the moments between the plans.