Bay Area Backcountry Camping

How about the coast side entrance to Big Basin, at Rancho del Oso. Beautiful drive down highway 1, spectacular beach right by the trail head, lots of hiking and camping either in the redwoods or on chaparral hills with sweet views.

This isn't "Bay Area", but check out the Ventana Wilderness south of Monterey. There is also Cache Creek Natural Area near Clear Lake.

Thanks for the tips. Just realized that I should have posted this thread in the other forum…

If by "backcountry" you mean "camp wherever you dang well please", then Henry Coe is the only place I know of.
But, Point Reyes and Big Basin are nice places to backpack if you can deal with designated camp sites.
Those are really the only Bay Area places I know of, and I would quite call Point Reyes "Bay Area".

I always forget, but there is some backpacking to be done in the east bay as well:
http://www.ebparks.org/activities/camping/backpacking#sunol

Most San Francisco Bay area parks that allow backpacking also require you to stay in designated camp sites.

One book I’ve used (but out of print now):

Camping and Backpacking the San Francisco Bay Area, Matt Heid
http://www.amazon.com/Camping-Backpacking-San-Francisco-Area/dp/0899972950/

In my experience, this book describes the parks, campsites, and trails within parks, pretty well, but some of the connections between parks are missing.

Looks like an updated backpacking-only version is available, but I haven’t seen it:

One Night Wilderness: San Francisco Bay Area, Matt Heid
http://www.amazon.com/One-Night-Wilderness-Convenient-Backpacking/dp/0899976239/

Depending on where you live in the Bay Area, 2-3 hours of driving can get you to Big Sur to the south, or to Mendocino National Forest to the north.

Murietta Falls in the Ohlone Wilderness.

–B.G.–

Well, heck, if you're willing to drive 3 hours, might as well head to Tahoe…