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San Francisco Bay & Islands

Description

Overview

On this 7 day/6 night trek you will explore San Francisco Bay. You will experience the vibrant history of San Francisco, the famous "City by the Bay", without traffic, taxis, or tourist buses. This vacation allows you to visit San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, and the quaint village of Tiburon. In addition, you will explore two famous islands in San Francisco Bay. Angel Island is the "Ellis Island" of the West Coast, and Alcatraz Island is site of the infamous prison known as "The Rock". This urban trek is perfect for getting to know San Francisco. If you are a repeat visitor you can experience it intimately on foot for the first time.

Details

The trek includes 3 days of walking from 4 to 9 miles (6 to 14 km) through San Francisco, around San Francisco Bay, and through the wetlands of the bay.  In addition, it includes ferry rides on the bay and two days to explore the islands.  Your lodging is first class each night, and the dining options are fantastic.  San Francisco is a culinary capital. You will have the chance to dine at world class restaurants with Michelin stars most every night. All are within walking distance of your hotel!



Day 1:  San Francisco

Start your vacation in the heart of San Francisco, where you will stay on Union Square, a chic shopping and dining mecca, in an historic luxury San Francisco hotel.  Enjoy a stroll around Union Square, shopping, riding a cable car, or wine tasting.  Tonight you can dine at any one of several nearby Michelin starred world class restaurants.

Hiking today:  No planned hikes.  Your personal Trail Guide will suggest sights to see.

Day 2:  San Francisco, Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf

Stroll along the streets of San Francisco, the birthplace of the California Gold Rush, following the “Barbary Coast” tour through Downtown, Chinatown, the Italian North Beach neighborhood, and Fisherman’s Wharf.  Along the way enjoy lunch in Chinatown or at one of the many classic sidewalk cafes in North Beach.  Your lodging is a luxury boutique hotel near Ghirardelli Square and one of the highest rated restaurants in Northern California is just two blocks away.

Hiking today:  4 miles (6 km) with 300 feet (100 m) elevation gain and loss.

Day 3:  San Francisco to Sausalito

Walk along the San Francisco waterfront, across the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, and into the historic village of Sausalito.  Along the way enjoy splendid views of the City and Bay of San Francisco, including Alcatraz and Angel Islands.  Your luxury boutique hotel and spa is on the waterfront in Sausalito, where you can enjoy the artists’ studios, cafes, and restaurants of this charming town.  Dinner this evening can be at another Michelin recognized restaurant.

Hiking today:  9 miles (14 km) with 250 feet (75 m) elevation gain and loss.

Day 4:  Sausalito to Tiburon

Follow the San Francisco Bay Trail as you walk around the bay and through its wetlands, home to a wide variety of shorebirds and water fowl.  This relatively flat walk hugs the water and takes you through some of the bayside communities of Marin County with views of Angel and Belvedere islands. You end at a waterfront hotel in the quaint village of Tiburon where you will enjoy stunning views back to San Francisco from your room.  There are many dining options ranging from elegant to casual with fresh California cuisine.

Hiking today:  9 miles (14 km) with 200 feet (60 m) of elevation gain and loss.  Note:  This day also has options of hiking either 6 or 11 miles, rather than 9.

Day 5:  Angel Island and San Francisco Embarcadero

Catch a ferry right outside your door to Angel Island, where you can explore the treasures of Angel Island State Park.  Visit historic sites, including the immigration station, the “Ellis Island” of the west coast.  Enjoy breathtaking views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Mount Tamalpais.  Ferry back to Tiburon, and then on to San Francisco, where you will stay in a boutique hotel on the waterfront in the Embarcadero area.  This is another dining mecca, with multiple world class restaurants within walking distance of your hotel.

Hiking today:  Varies from 2 to 5 miles (3 to 8 km) with 200 to 800 feet (60 to 250 m) of elevation gain and loss, depending on the route you choose on Angel Island.

Day 6:  San Francisco and Alcatraz Island

Today is another day on San Francisco Bay.  In the morning, visit the Ferry Building right next to your hotel, peruse its year round farmer’s market and small shops, and enjoy lunch.  Then walk along the Embarcadero to the Alcatraz Island ferry.  Enjoy the ferry ride to the island, seeing where your trek has taken you the last few days.  Alcatraz is historic and scenic, and you can spend as much time as you want exploring.  Enjoy the excellent self guided audio tour of “The Rock” narrated by actual prisoners and guards from the old prison.  After taking the ferry back, return to your hotel and enjoy your final night in San Francisco.

Hiking today:  About 3 miles (5 km) total.  (1 mile to and from the Alcatraz ferry and 1 mile or so on Alcatraz.)  No significant elevation gain or loss.

Day 7:  Trek Conclusion

Your Wine Country Trek comes to an end.

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BOOK YOUR TREK
Starting At
$2100 per person
Skill Level:

Deposit Total: $300

Trek Summary

  • 7 days/6 nights
  • Hiking 4 to 9 miles (6 to 14 km) daily
  • Elevation gain up to 800 feet (250 m)
  • 5 days walking
  • Stay in premier hotels
  • Breakfasts included
  • Luggage transfers included
  • All taxes, fees, and tips included
  • Detailed maps and trail notes included
  • Ferry and park fees included
  • Premium Rooms (Bay View Kings)
    • $2350 per person double occupancy, April-November
    • $2100 per person double occupancy, December-March
    • $4200 single occupancy, April-November
    • $3700 single occupancy, December-March
  • Standard Rooms (Interior Kings)
    • $1950 per person double occupancy, April-November
    • $1750 per person double occupancy, December-March
    • $3500 single occupancy, April-November
    • $3100 single occupancy, December-March
  • One bed, usually a king, is the default for double occupancy bookings. If you want two beds, please contact us.
  • You can start your trek on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.  If you want to start on a different day, please contact us.

Adventure Tourism and Entertainment: Finding Balance on the Trail

Picture this: you\'re sitting by a crackling campfire at 8,000 feet, stars blazing overhead, and you\'re... scrolling through your phone. Sounds wrong? Maybe not. Today\'s hikers are rewriting the rules about what belongs in the wilderness, and honestly speaking, it\'s creating some fascinating conversations around mountain lodges worldwide.

Gone are the days when hitting the trail meant vanishing off the grid completely. Now? Seasoned trekkers map their routes like chess players, targeting those sweet spots where cell towers actually reach. Base camps buzz with WiFi signals. Rest stops double as Instagram moments. Between you and me, I\'ve seen more selfie sticks on Kilimanjaro than walking sticks lately. These connected adventurers share sunrise shots in real-time, grab weather alerts that could save their lives, and yes – they even squeeze in some digital fun when the sun dips behind the peaks. Take platforms like Winmatch, which have become surprisingly popular among the climbing crowd. After twelve hours of scrambling over rocks, that familiar thrill of risk and reward hits different when you\'re wrapped in your sleeping bag.

Here\'s the thing about mixing pixels with pine trees – it\'s all about the dance. Smart hikers pack their solar panels right next to their trail mix. Waterproof cases? Essential as good boots. Power banks have earned their spot next to first-aid kits. Mountain huts from Nepal to Norway now advertise their charging stations like they used to promote hot showers. They get it. Modern wanderers want both worlds.

Is this evolution killing the \"pure\" outdoor experience? Or are we just being honest about what adventure looks like in 2024? Technology isn\'t the enemy of nature anymore – it\'s become another tool in the backpack, right there with the compass and the courage. Some nights you\'ll stare at the stars. Other nights, you\'ll check your messages. And somehow, that\'s perfectly okay.

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