Bay Area Hikes For Hot Summer Days

How the heck is it already the height of summer?

I was joking with a friend that I feel like the summer has already ended because time is just going by too swiftly. The longer hours of sunlight, I’ve been taking full advantage of it by getting outdoors and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air while I still can by going on beautiful summer hikes. For me, Spring means I can go on those open field hikes with little to no shade with less worry. But as the temperatures rise in summer, I’ve learned to stick to trails that are covered by a canopy of trees to stay cool. So, here are some of my favorite beginner and moderate hikes in the Bay Area that offer plenty of shade.

There are great summer hikes in The East Bay like the York Trail featuring the oldest redwood in Oakland, “Old Survivor“.

Before we go into which hikes I’d recommend this summer…we need to talk about something really important. Preparedness. At the bottom of this list, there are some resources and a short list of items you should pack into your day pack before you head out for that summer hike.

East Bay Summer Hikes

Joaquin Miller Park – Sequoia Bayview Trail, Oakland
Take the loop from the trailhead at Skyline Boulevard and make a loop with Sunset Trail and Palos Colorados Trail. I found this gem of a mid-day hike when I was just out exploring and feeling too curious to just go to one of my regular hikes. It’s really beautifully wooded and there was hardly anyone in sight when I went. I’m going to label this as moderate to easy as far as difficulty. The loop I’m suggesting will find your going uphill for a solid 15 minutes which can be a little harder for some. However, if you stick to just the Sequoia Bayview Trail than it’s considered an easy one hour Bay Area summer hike.
Trail Link – moderate

The Troll Trail – Dimond Canyon, Oakland
This is one of my all-time favorite mid-day beginner hikes. Really approachable and really adorable. I’m not going to go into a massive rant about how much I love this place because I already wrote a whole article about The Troll Trail for you right here on Broke-Ass Stuart.
Read Our Article About The Troll Trail

“Troll” along the Troll Trail in Oakland

UC Berkeley’s Blake Garden, Kensington
This garden has views for days! You can see all the way to the bay from it and it’s a beautiful place to meander and explore at your own pace. Although the garden is owned by the university, it’s a public space and you’re welcome to visit it year-around. And, it’s a birders paradise. There’s even a bird watching event being held there on July 31st hosted by The Golden Gate Audubon Society.
Garden Information

SF Summer Hikes

Mount Davidson, San Francisco
What I love most about this hike is that it’s shady for about half of it and then you pop out into a 360 view of the city and bay. While you will find yourself with little shade at the end, it’s San Francisco… meaning, even on the hottest day, it’s colder there than anywhere in The East Bay.
Trail Link – beginner

Glen Canyon Park Trail
Just under 2-miles with less than a 400 foot elevation makes this an easy weekend hike with a good amount of shade to keep you cool and out of the sun. I enjoy that it’s an easy loop where you can keep pace and chat with a friend along the trail. It has lovely amounts of native plants surrounding you as if you’re in Golden Gate Park (GGP) but you’re not going to find the same crowds as you would be GGP. Plus, if you want a trail that will stay warmer for a longer amount of time during the day, this is also a great alternative to things in the western part of the city.
Trail Link – beginner

Redwood Regional Park. Photo by Amanda McDowell

Marin Summer Hikes

Muir Woods – Fern Creek Trail
This is a Bay Area summer hike that will take you around a half hour and has a beautiful loop along a creek in the woods. If you know anything about me as a hiker, I love any water feature. This is a busy trail (probably because of its ease) so consider trekking out in the morning first thing if you want to beat the crowd.
Link to trail – beginner

Baltimore Canyon – Dawn Falls, Larkspur
Sign me up for any hike with a water feature. Baltimore Canyon in Larkspur is acres and acres, beautifully wooded and has a 30ft waterfall that you’ll love to visit on a hot summer day.
Link to trail – moderate

I’m not as familiar with the South Bay so I’m not going to pretend I am and list a bunch of hikes I’ve never been on. I’ve heard that Mt. Madonna County Park and the Grasshopper Loop on the Peninsula is pretty great but, again, I haven’t been to it myself. Know any down in the South Bay? Please chime in and let us know! 

Muir Woods

How Much Water Should You Bring on a Summer Hike?

Did y’all hear about that family in So.Cal that died from not having enough water on their hike back in 2021? It’s true and for those of us who love to hike it’s pretty terrifying to think that something as simple as not having enough water can kill you. For this couple, the temps started out reasonable and then got into the 100s while they were on their hike. They may have thought that they didn’t need much water until it was too late. So, I say this with a word of caution – even on a Bay Area summer hike which might be less toasty than one in Southern California. I care about y’all and want you to just remember to pack enough water for any summer hike.

Marin Headlands

REI gives a pretty good general recommendation on how much water to carry. They said, “A good general recommendation is about one half-liter of water per hour of moderate activity in moderate temperatures.” Personally, I’d consider increasing that amount if you’re able to carry a camel pack. Some trails have spotty cell service and if you get in trouble somehow you’ll wanna make sure you have all you need to sustain you if the temps get hotter than you expected.

I like to carry a smaller day pack for day hikes that has some type of hydration system built in. You don’t have to get a fancy back that’s over $100. I have a REI bag similar to this Hydration Pack which I got on sale for $15. It’s worked well for over 15+ years for me personally – enough space for my water, an extra water bottle and all my gear I like to carry on the trail.

What else should you bring if you’re hiking on a hot day?

Aside from the necessary water, you’ll need just a few items in your day pack on a summer hike – that is, unless you’re traveling in the backcountry but that’s not the kind of hike I’d likely recommend on Broke-Ass Stuart. I like to recommend beginner to moderate hikes for all of our readers. Mostly because I want the hikes to be great for anyone who comes across this list. Given that, this list isn’t meant for backwoods survival but more for general preparedness and it could be argued that this list might be good for any hike regardless of whether it’s a summer hike or not.

Download a map on your phone of each hike. This helps if you are someone who gets lost easily or even if you get injured and need to text someone your location. Being able to navigate where you are or, more importantly, how to get out of where you are is essential. If you’re directionally-challenged – carry a compass just so you know if you’re at least walking in the right direction.

Bring a snack. I always pack some type of bar when I go off for a moderate hike. And I like packing more than one. Partly because I like having that extra food if I need it but also because most of my pals I hike with forget to bring a snack. If my hike is more than 3 hours I will pack more than a snack and opt for something like a sammie in my pack as well.

Sun Protection. Wear a hat, friend! And always put on that sunscreen before you go off on that hike. Then, pack more sunscreen in your daypack for reapplying if you’re out for more than a couple hours.

Carry a bandana. I have a bandana tied to my pack. If it gets extra toasty I’ll wet my bandana and put it around my neck to cool off a little. If I packed a lunch, my bandana is a mini picnic blanket or napkin. It also helps to keep your neck out of the sun but I tend to use it for other occasions.

Wear appropriate shoes. Some of the shadier hikes, even during the summer, have muddy sections. You don’t want to slip and twist an ankle. Always wear terrain-appropriate shoes.

Redwood Regional Park – a great Bay Area summer hike. Photo by Amanda McDowell

Wear appropriate attire. I overheated pretty easily on a hike a month or so ago. It was hot, humid and I was hiking up-up-up a hill. Upon reflection, I was wearing jeans and maybe I should have been wearing something a bit lighter if I was going to do that hike. In fairness, I didn’t pick the hike but the need to wear appropriate attire while hiking still applies. If you can, bring a light wind breaker in your pack as well… It helps if you end up needing to cover your arms and don’t want to get too hot as well as provides some warmth if you find yourself out when the temperature starts to drop in the evening.

Charge your phone. Being prepared means a little preparedness before you leave for your hike. I know it seems like overkill to be thinking about your phone when you’re going out into nature. However, with cell service going in and out while you’re walking in some spots your battery can get drained pretty quickly.

Headlamp. I got a really small LED headlamp for my pack which is just there for emergencies if I am out past dark.

Being prepared also means knowing what your body is capable of accomplishing. Don’t push yourself too far beyond your abilities. Getting injured isn’t worth it! Hiking should be fun and the last thing you need to be thinking about is whether you’ll be hurting yourself.

Did I miss a go-to item you should always carry with you when on a summer hike?
Let me know in the comments below.

Interested in finding other hikes in The Bay?

Here are some other articles I’ve written on similar topics.
Stunning Bay Area Dog-Friendly Hikes
“Old Survivor” The Oldest Redwood in Oakland
Must-See Art Walks

A perfect Bay Area summer hike, “Old Survivor” The Oldest Redwood in Oakland

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