I am a hiking and biking enthusiast, and the mother of two young boys. Our family relocated to the Bay Area in 2017 and I was overwhelmed with the extraordinary amount of trails, views and adventures this place has to offer. After having kids I quickly realized how challenging it would be to continue my outdoor passions with little ones along for the ride but I stubbornly refuse to give it up. This guide has been created to inspire other people to get their kids out in the dirt too. I would love to see more kids out on the trails! We are currently located in the South Bay, so the majority of adventures are located closer to San Jose. I will continually expand the locations as our family explores more parks and trails.
Please contact me with questions, comments, suggestions and feedback on what trails you want me to explore next with kids in tow. Send an email:
bayareaoutdoorfamilyadventures@gmail.com
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Stroller hikes: The terrain is manageable enough for a durable jogging stroller. Great for multiple kids who go at multiple paces. Also great if you have kids that will nap in a stroller while parents get exercise and fresh air.
Non-Stroller hikes: Your kids must walk or they need to be carried in a child carrier of some sort. It's also nice to just see how far kids can walk and then bring the child carrier as a backup.
Family Bike Trails: A personal favorite! These are for families with kids that can bike themselves, or parents with a child bike trailer. These adventures can require a little more initial investment in planning, but seem to be well worth it because you can adventure much farther.
Easy: Nearly flat
Moderate: Some hills
Difficult: Steep hills. Be prepared to help your kids at some point, especially if they are new to hiking.
I don't like defining trails by distance unless there is some critical destination you have to reach. With small children... expecting to reach a destination each time is just going to leave everyone disappointed. As much as I hate to say this, sometimes it really is about the journey.
Turn around BEFORE your kids are in a meltdown sequence.