6 California summer locations to continue the adventure

Be active beyond camp! Your kids had an awesome time at summer camp, right?  You know what they did each day, but I bet you’re wondering where they went for their outdoor adventures – you know, so you can share in the fun!  Well, we want you and your campers to continue the adventures long after camp ends!  It’s time to enjoy biking, hiking and paddling at some of the locations your campers explored!

A huge part of Avid4 Adventure’s mission is continuing the adventure of being active in the outdoors beyond camp.  You know, we want kids (and, of course, their families!) to be active and outdoors for life!  With that goal in mind, we’ve listed some of the places our campers went during their time at camp – local resources that they can explore with you!  And, be sure to ask your camper what they learned at each location!

Biking

• Biking at Blithedale Summit in Marin County will quickly become a favorite.  With trails through redwoods and panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, this moderately easy trail is great for families.
• The well-maintained trails at Fremont Older Preserve in Cupertino are a great place for beginners to work on their skills.  Not every trail is bike-friendly, so be sure to check the trail maps.

For some fantastic suggestions about biking with kids, take a look at our Tips & tricks:  biking with kids post.

Hiking

• Tilden Regional Park is one of East Bay’s oldest parks and boasts more than 39 miles of trails.  No matter which trial you choose, you won’t be disappointed.  Plus, there’s a historic merry-go-round and steam train to treat the kiddos after a hike well done!
• Hike through rock formations, small creeks, hillsides with wildflowers and oak trees at Marin County’s beautiful Ring Mountain Open Space.  Fantastic views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge await!

Want to learn more about hiking with kids?  Check out our Tips & tricks:  hiking with kids post.

Paddle activities

• Bring your own equipment or rent a canoe, kayak or a stand up paddleboard (SUP) at Mountain View’s beautiful Shoreline Lake.  Sign up for kayaking or SUP lessons for some family-friendly water fun!
• When you’re ready to make a splash, spend an afternoon at Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda.  Kayak rentals are available, but bring your own equipment to practice your skills!

Our Tips & tricks:  stand up paddleboarding with kids post gives you suggestions to get started in this super fun and growing water sport!

We know you want to stay active and engaged throughout the year – and we want that, too!  Your kids will love sharing their Avid4 Adventure activities and locations with you and the entire family.  So, what are you waiting for?  Get out there and discover!

About the Author: Lynne Marsala Basche spent most of her career on the island of Manhattan at two New York publishing companies.  A multi-year Avid4 Adventure mom and a new contributor to the Avid4 Adventure website, Lynne’s writing adventures also take her to championing volunteerism and regional recreation stories as a staff writer for the Castle Pines Connection newspaper, as well as supporting separate large corporate communications programs.  By trying to keep pace with her mountain biking, rock climbing, snowboarding, lacrosse playing, unicycling, tae kwon do-loving 11-year old son, she, like most Avid4 parents, loves sharing the value of outdoor recreation and its positive influence on children’s health and confidence development.  Lynne lives in Castle Pines, Colorado and regularly immerses herself in outdoor activities with her family where she also runs her freelance writing company, Blue Spruce Creative

Tagged: California Family Adventures, getting kids outside, kids outdoor activities, summer activities